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A prospective study of antenatal anxiety and depression in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 November 2024

R. Floyd Open the ORCID record for R. Floyd [Opens in a new window] ,
N. Hughes ,
L. O’Sullivan ,
D. Hevey ,
N. Murphy ,
C. Hinds  and
L. Owens
R. Floyd*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
N. Hughes
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
L. O’Sullivan
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
D. Hevey
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
N. Murphy
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
C. Hinds
Affiliation:
Department of Perinatal Psychiatry, The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
L. Owens
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
*
Corresponding author: R. Floyd; Email: floydr@tcd.ie
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Abstract

Background:

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience higher rates of depression and anxiety. There is limited research relating to perinatal mental health in women with PCOS. Studies suggest PCOS is associated with a higher prevalence of perinatal mental health disorders. Perinatal guidelines currently do not recognise PCOS as a risk factor for perinatal mental health disorders. We aimed to prospectively assess the prevalence of mental health disorders in pregnant women with PCOS.

Methods:

Consenting pregnant women, with and without PCOS, were invited to participate. Standardised validated questionnaires were carried out including Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Results:

Fifty-one with PCOS and 49 without PCOS responded. Pregnant women with PCOS had a higher mean (SD) anxiety score (GAD-7) than those without PCOS (8.2 [6.7] vs. 5.89 [4.7], p = 0.04). Pregnant women with PCOS had higher mean (SD) depression scores than those without PCOS on EPDS (9.1 [6.4] vs. 6.4 [4.5], p = 0.02) but not PHQ-9 score (median (IQR) 4 (3–9) vs. 4 (2–7.5), p = 0.25). Women with PCOS were more likely to experience moderate/severe anxiety (PCOS 34%, control 20%) and moderate/severe depression (PCOS 34%, control 20%) symptoms than women without PCOS. Twenty-nine percent of pregnant women with PCOS had an EPDS score >13 showing significantly higher rates of severe depression (PCOS 29%, control 12%, p = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest a higher prevalence of perinatal depression and anxiety in women with PCOS. Our findings may suggest increased need for screening for mental health disorders in women with PCOS.

Keywords

Polycystic ovary syndromeperinatal mental health disordersanxietydepression
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , First View , pp. 1 - 5
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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