Assessment of body composition, quality of life, and depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate body composition, quality of life, and depression risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to women without PCOS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study assessed quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with controls with and without overweight or obesity. Assessments included body composition, QoL, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and depressive symptoms. Participants without PCOS were divided into two groups according to BMI: < 25 kg/m2 [median age 30 years (27-33)] and ≥ 25 kg/m2 [median age 32 years (29-35)]. RESULTS: The study included 47 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes A and B. The median age was 29 years (25-35), and the median body mass index (BMI) was 32.08 kg/m2 (28.48-36.40). Women with PCOS showed a higher risk of depression (24% with moderate to severe risk) compared with women without PCOS, both with and without overweight or obesity (5% and 3%, respectively). Additionally, women with PCOS consistently reported lower QoL and HRQoL scores, particularly in the physical, environmental, and overall QoL domains, as well as in functional capacity, pain, general health status, vitality, emotional well-being, and mental health domains of HRQoL. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, we concluded that body composition does not appear to be a determining factor for increased risk of depressive symptoms or poorer perceptions of QoL and HRQoL in women with PCOS.