Assessment of Eating Disorders Among Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Presenting to a Specialty Hospital in Eastern India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Mental health disorders accompanying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are important but underestimated aspects. There is paucity of literature (Indian) regarding the association of PCOS and eating disorders. Objectives were-(1) know the distribution of PCOS patients across sociodemographic variables-age, BMI and parity. (2) Know the distribution of PCOS patients according to menstrual history. (3) Know the relative frequency (percentage) of different eating disorders (binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa) in the study population. (4) Analyze association between eating disorders and PCOS in comparison with normal age-matched controls by eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDE-Q) scores.

Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional observational study included consecutive 50 diagnosed PCOS patients of age 16-40 years giving explicit consent & equal number of age-matched controls. Patients with other concomitant diagnosed gynecological disorders and pregnancy were excluded. Study variables were-(1) age, (2) BMI, (3) parity, (4) menstrual status, (5) eating disorders and (6) EDE-Q subscale scores and global score.

Results: Mean age of PCOS patients is 26.56 ± 4.33 years. Majority of PCOS patients were overweight, nulliparous and oligomenorrheic with binge eating disorder (52%). Majority of control women were overweight, nulliparous and eumenorrheic without any eating disorder (88%). Independent t-test showed statistically significant differences between PCOS patients with eating disorder and non-PCOS control women with eating disorder in EDE-Q global score and eating concern, shape concern and weight concern subscale scores, but no significant difference was observed in restraint subscale score.

Conclusion: Statistically significant association found between PCOS and eating disorder across all domains except restraint domain. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness and provide education to women about disordered eating in PCOS. Formalized treatment guidelines, collaborative multidisciplinary effort and high degree of clinical suspicion are required in health professionals for timely diagnosis of both disorders to promote lifestyle management early on to prevent complications.