Prevalence and implications of anxiety in polycystic ovary syndrome: results of an internet-based survey in Germany
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Comparatively little attention has been paid to the symptoms of anxiety in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), although anxiety disorders constitute the most common psychiatric diagnoses among endocrine patients and in the general population. Therefore, our goal was to address the prevalence, determinants and implications of anxiety alone or anxiety in combination with depression in German women with PCOS. METHODS: In this nation-wide, internet-based survey, anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and quality of life (SF-12) were assessed together with sociodemographic information and clinical PCOS symptoms in 448 PCOS women. RESULTS: Of the patients, 34% showed clinically relevant HADS anxiety scores and 21% had clinically relevant HADS depression scores. Quality of life was significantly impaired in PCOS women with anxiety (P < 0.001), in particular, in women with comorbid anxiety and depression (P < 0.001). The risk for clinically relevant HADS anxiety scores was significantly enhanced in PCOS women with acne (odds ratio (OR) = 1.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-2.52) and an unfulfilled wish to conceive (OR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.01-2.23). CONCLUSIONS: PCOS women may be at an increased risk for clinically relevant anxiety, and comorbid anxiety and depression is also very common. Anxiety contributes to impaired quality of life in PCOS. Given the high prevalence and the serious implications, and the availability of effective treatment options given proper diagnosis, clinicians should be more aware of anxiety disorders in women with PCOS.
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Prevalence of anxiety among women with PCOS ranges from 34% to 57%, again higher than in the general population (18%).
“Prevalence of anxiety among women with PCOS ranges from 34% 113 to 57%; 5 again, higher than in the general population (18%). 111”
From Assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome: Summary of an evidence-based guideline (2011) · cites this paper as [113]
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- Authors
- Benson, S., Hahn, S., Tan, S., Mann, K., Janssen, O. E., Schedlowski, M., & Elsenbruch, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Duisburg-Essen (DE)
- Endokrinologikum (DE)
- Venue
- Human Reproduction
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2009-02-16
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1446-1451
- ISSN
- 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2350
- OpenAlex
- W2097466007
- Cited by
- 160
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 10.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- polycystic ovary syndrome, anxiety, depression, comorbid depression and anxiety, quality of life, acne, prevalence, psychiatric comorbidity, women's health
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety, Data Collection, Depression, Female, Germany, Humans, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Psychotherapy, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Comorbidity, Prevalence, Internet, Young Adult
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