A Global Survey of Ethnic Indian Women Living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Concerns, Diagnosis Experiences, Quality of Life, and Use of Treatment Methods

    September 2022 in “ Preprints.org ”
    Vibhuti Rao, Stephanie Cowan, Mike Armour, Caroline Smith, Birinder S. Cheema, Lisa Moran, Siew Lim, Sabrina Gupta, Michael de Manincor, Vikram Sreedhar, Carolyn Ee
    TLDR Ethnic Indian women with PCOS face significant care gaps, needing better support and information.
    The study surveyed 4,409 ethnic Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to understand their experiences with diagnosis and management, as well as the impact on their quality of life (QoL). The average age of participants was 26.8 years, and many were diagnosed with co-morbidities like anxiety and depression. Women typically waited one year after symptom onset before seeking treatment, with irregular periods, ovarian cysts, and excess facial hair being major concerns. Weight and emotional issues significantly affected their QoL. A third of the women did not receive adequate information on long-term complications, diet, exercise, or emotional support, and those who did were largely dissatisfied. The study highlighted the need for improved care and support for ethnic Indian women with PCOS.
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