ESPE Abstracts

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorder of the young women, and it could influence both physical and psychological wellbeing. As a consequence of obesity and hirsutism lower sexual attractiveness, higher emotional distress as well as higher depression score is frequently observed.

Study Objective was to evaluate anxiety and depression score as well as the body esteem and stress perception in adolescent girls with clinical features of hyperandrogenism (menstrual disorders and/or hirsutism).

Design & Participants: In 74 adolescent girls 1. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 2. Body Esteem Scale (BES, assessing Sexual Attractiveness, Weight Concern and Physical Condition), and 3. The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was carried out. According to clinical features of hyperandrogenism (menstrual disturbances, hirsutism), the study group was divided into three subgroups: G1 - 32 adolescent girls with diagnosed PCOS (chronological age 16.6±1.0y, gynecological age 52.8±19.1mo, BMI z-score 1.0±1.1), G2. – 15 adolescent girls with idiopathic hirsutism (chronological age 16.0±1.3y, gynecological age 56.2±18.4mo, BMI z-score 1.2±1.0), G3 - 27 healthy girls without menstrual disturbances or hirsutism (chronological age 16.0±1.2y, gynaecological age 37.5±19.4mo, BMI z-score 1.0±1.0).

Results: In G3 the anxiety score was the highest (9.8±3.2 score), compering to G1 (8.7±2.9 score) and G2 (8.5±4.3score), but the difference did not reach the level of statistical significance. In all three study subgroups similar depression score was observed (p>0.05). The depression score was negatively related to BMI z-score in G1 (r=-0.4, P<0.05) and positively to testosterone level in G2 (r=0.6, P<0.05). There was negative correlation between anxiety score and DHEAS concentration in G2 (r=-0.8; P<0.01). No significant differences in BES and PSS-10 score were observed between the study subgroups (p>0.05). In G1 the perceived stress score as well as Weight Concern were negatively related to BMI z-score (r=-0.7, P<0.001; r=-0.5, P<0.05, respectively). Moreover, there was significant relationship between Weight Concern and hirsutism score (r=0.4; P<0.05) and between Sexual Attractiveness and testosterone level (r=0.4; P<0.05) in this subgroup. The perceived stress score correlated negatively with androstenedione level (r=-0.6; P<0.05) and 17OHprogesterone concentration (r=-0.8; P<0.01) in G2. The Weight Concern also in this group was related to BMI z-score (r=-0.7; P<0.01).

Conclusions: In adolescent girls clinical features of hyperandrogenism are not connected with increased anxiety and depression level. However biochemical hyperandrogenism could significantly influence the perceived stress and body esteem.