Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 8-21% of women in their reproductive age. The aim of our study was to assess if awareness and lack of awareness about the illness has an impact on the quality of life and health behaviours of those affected, furthermore, if socio-demographic factors have an impact on informedness.
METHODS: We conducted a quantitative cross-sectional study of women diagnosed with PCOS (n = 115) using an anonymous questionnaire survey. The questionnaire consisted of self-administered questions, including questions about socio-demographic data, sources of information and informedness, health behaviours, food habits (FFQ) and symptoms. Data analysis was performed using descriptive (absolute and relative prevalence, mean, deviation) and mathematical (correlation analysis, χ2 test) at 95% probability (p<0.05).
RESULTS: After assessing informedness using a scale, we determined that higher awareness was associated with a higher education level (p=0.009), living in a higher populated area (p=0.002), better perceived illness management (p<0.001), lower symptom severity (p=0.019) and lower associated mental health effects (p=0.028). Most responders acquire information from social media (33.9%), 64.3% follow a diet, 86.9% take supplements and 40.9% are physically inactive. Most individuals were classified as medium risk (62.6%), only 3 were classified as high risk. We did not find any significant correlations in relation to risk behaviour. Out of all symptoms, infertility had the biggest mental health effect (n = 59).
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that higher awareness affects symptoms and illness management positively. Presumably, education level and place of living have an effect on acquiring appropriate informedness. Appropriate health behaviour is not by all means enough to treat this condition, sometimes other methods might be needed (supplementation, medication).