Anxiety-Anger Relationship in Hyperandrogenemia: A Comparative Study with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Healthy Control Adolescents -

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders. It is well established that adult women with PCOS suffer from reduced quality of life, depression, and anxiety. But psychiatric problems of adolescents with PCOS are not adequately addressed in studies although the potential role of hyperandrogenemia and high levels of testosterone in inducing anger and anxiety are known. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between anger and anxiety in adolescents with PCOS compared to the healthy controls. Methods: 28 adolescents with PCOS and 16 healthy adolescents were recruited to the study. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI I-II) and The Trait Anger and Anger Expressions Scale were administered to all adolescents. Results: Our results indicated that anxiety and anger types, except for internalized anger, were higher and anger control was lower in adolescents with PCOS than controls. Also state and trait anxiety were negatively associated with anger control in adolescents with PCOS, while there were no such associations in healthy controls. Conclusions: In this present study, we demonstrated that, there was a unique relationship between anxiety and anger in adolescents with PCOS than controls. This could be a consequence of chronic hyperandrogenemia and both medical and psychiatric treatment could prevent adolescents with PCOS from anxiety.