Multi-specialty Physician Preferences and Perceptions in Treatment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in China: Survey and Discrete Choice Experiment

IF 4 3区医学 Q2 MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL

Advances in Therapy Pub Date : 2025-08-08 DOI:10.1007/s12325-025-03311-7

Zhuowei Gu, Wei Chen, Jian Ming, Haijiao Liu, Hui Sun, Zhe Xu, Yijing Li, Yingyao Chen, Qinjie Tian

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common gynecological endocrine diseases in reproductive-aged women. Given the multifaceted nature of PCOS and the involvement of multiple disciplines, the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS vary among different specialties. Our study aimed to elicit preferences of physicians from multidisciplinary specialties for PCOS treatment and their perceptions of PCOS management to enhance the understanding of clinical practice in China.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to elicit the physicians’ preferences of PCOS treatment, and a cross-sectional survey was performed to understand the perceptions in management of PCOS. Physicians from three hospital specialties (general gynecology, gynecological endocrinology, and reproductive endocrinology) in China were included.

Results

Responses from a total of 123 physicians were eligible for the final analysis, with 41 from each specialty. In DCE, the physicians mainly preferred the anti-androgen effect, lower probability of irregular bleeding, and additional benefits when selecting treatment for PCOS, and the decision making was found to be highly dependent on the presence of clinical hyperandrogenism. Regarding diagnostic criteria, polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM) was the most frequently used (39.84%), followed by menstrual dysfunction (37.40%) and clinical hyperandrogenism (30.08%). Fertility and menstruation regulation were selected as the most important treatment goals for PCOS by physicians. Similar preferences across the three specialties were observed.

Conclusion

The decision making by physicians on PCOS treatment largely relies on the presence of clinical hyperandrogenism across all three specialties, indicating the significance of hyperandrogenism assessment in clinical practice, and the role of biochemical hyperandrogenism in PCOS treatment may require further elucidation in future clinical guidelines. Furthermore, the results emphasize the urgent need to bridge the gap between the clinical practice and guidance recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in China.

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中国多囊卵巢综合征治疗和管理的多专科医师偏好和认知：调查和离散选择实验。

简介：多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）是育龄妇女最常见的妇科内分泌疾病之一。由于多囊卵巢综合征的多面性和多学科性，不同专科对多囊卵巢综合征的诊断和治疗存在差异。本研究旨在了解多学科医师对多囊卵巢综合征治疗的偏好以及他们对多囊卵巢综合征管理的看法，以增进对中国临床实践的了解。方法：采用离散选择实验法（DCE）了解医生对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）治疗的偏好，并进行横断面调查，了解医生对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）治疗的看法。入选的医师来自全国3个医院专科（普通妇科、妇科内分泌和生殖内分泌）。结果：共有123名医生的回复符合最终分析的条件，每个专业41名。在DCE中，医生在选择多囊卵巢综合征治疗时主要考虑抗雄激素作用、不规则出血的可能性较低以及其他益处，并且发现决策高度依赖于临床高雄激素症的存在。诊断标准中以多囊卵巢形态学（PCOM）最为常见（39.84%），其次为月经功能障碍（37.40%）和临床雄激素过多（30.08%）。医生将生育能力和月经调节作为多囊卵巢综合征最重要的治疗目标。在三个专业中观察到相似的偏好。结论：医生对多囊卵巢综合征治疗的决策很大程度上依赖于三个专业是否存在临床高雄激素症，提示高雄激素症评估在临床实践中的重要性，生化高雄激素症在多囊卵巢综合征治疗中的作用可能需要在未来的临床指南中进一步阐明。此外，该结果强调迫切需要弥合临床实践与PCOS诊断和治疗指导建议之间的差距。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Advances in Therapy 医学-药学

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

2.60%

发文量

353

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Advances in Therapy is an international, peer reviewed, rapid-publication (peer review in 2 weeks, published 3–4 weeks from acceptance) journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality clinical (all phases), observational, real-world, and health outcomes research around the discovery, development, and use of therapeutics and interventions (including devices) across all therapeutic areas. Studies relating to diagnostics and diagnosis, pharmacoeconomics, public health, epidemiology, quality of life, and patient care, management, and education are also encouraged. The journal is of interest to a broad audience of healthcare professionals and publishes original research, reviews, communications and letters. The journal is read by a global audience and receives submissions from all over the world. Advances in Therapy will consider all scientifically sound research be it positive, confirmatory or negative data. Submissions are welcomed whether they relate to an international and/or a country-specific audience, something that is crucially important when researchers are trying to target more specific patient populations. This inclusive approach allows the journal to assist in the dissemination of all scientifically and ethically sound research.