Metabolic health and quality of life in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that can result in reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Metabolic changes, particularly insulin resistance and obesity, play a significant role in PCOS pathogenesis. This study examined associations between metabolic factors and HRQOL in PCOS patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 77 patients was conducted at University Medical Center Mainz. At the time of inclusion in the study, patients had to be over 18 and not undergoing active PCOS therapy. A desire to conceive or fertility therapy led to exclusion. Participants were over 18, not undergoing PCOS therapy, and not seeking pregnancy. HRQOL and psychological distress were measured using the Modified-PCOS-Questionnaire (MPCOSQ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Linear regression analyses assessed associations between metabolic markers and HRQOL, with significant variables included in a multivariate model.

Results: Worsening metabolic markers were linked to lower HRQOL, especially in body hair and menstrual symptom domains. Markers such as HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance) levels (P=0.040), elevated VAI (Visceral Adiposity Index) (P=0.035), and increased FLI (Fatty Liver Index) (P=0.023) were associated with diminished HRQOL. In the multivariate regression analysis, only a BMI ≥25kg/m² (P=0.001) emerged as a statistically significant value.

Conclusions: This study showed a significant correlation between metabolic markers, including BMI, FLI, VAI, HOMA-IR, and HRQOL in PCOS patients. BMI was the most meaningful predictor for HRQOL. BMI, despite being controversial and prone to errors, may be more indicative of HRQOL than specific metabolic markers.