MON-LB042 Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/Anovulatory Androgen Excess versus Local Population-Based Control Women (from the British Columbia Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study [BC CaMos])

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-20% of reproductive-aged women and is associated with lower Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)1,2,3. HRQoL in PCOS, however, is often determined in small or clinical samples with no or convenience sample controls. Our aim was to cross-sectionally compare generic SF-36 HRQoL results in community dwelling, physician-diagnosed women with PCOS to randomly selected age-similar local women. Women with PCOS/AAE had enrolled in two local studies (n = 93)4, and were eligible if they were non-menopausal and had PCOS based on Androgen Excess/PCOS Society criteria. Eligibility in both groups required age ≤53 years and, for controls, menstruation in the last year. Control women were from both Adult and Youth BC CaMos cohorts (n = 56). All completed the interviewer-administered CaMos questionnaire5. Statistical analysis used descriptive, T-test and multiple regression to explore relationships among HRQoL domains/component scores versus demographic, anthropomorphic and comorbid condition variables, particularly body mass index (BMI), physical activity patterns and combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) usage. We compared SF-36 data in pre/perimenopausal women mean aged 34.5±10.0 (SD) years, BMI 27.5±7.5. After controlling for BMI, education, comorbidities and past use of CHC, all HRQoL domain and component scores were significantly lower in women with PCOS then in controls. Domain score differences of 5 are clinically important; PCOS women scored -5.8 to -19.9 points lower (mean -11.6) with the greatest difference for Emotional Role. The Physical Component summary score was -2.2 and the Mental Component summary -7.2 lower in women with PCOS compared with population-based controls; score differences of 2-3 are considered clinically important. In both groups, participation in regular exercise was the strongest predictor of higher overall HRQoL. In both cohorts, comorbidity negatively predicted the physical component score (PCS) of HRQoL; PCOS status negatively predicted the mental component score of HRQoL. PCS group differences became less significant as BMI increased, but MCS remained significantly different. This first comparison of the validated, generic SF-36 in pre/perimenopausal population-based versus women with PCOS documented highly significantly lower scores in women with PCOS on all domains and both components. These data confirm evidence that participation in regular exercise is related to better overall HRQoL in PCOS. Also, obesity in women with PCOS, in contrast to controls, was not associated with the overall HRQoL. We also found that CHC was associated with general health, mental health and mental component scores in women with PCOS.