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. 2001;1(1):3.
doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-1-3.

Diagnostic and treatment characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome: descriptive measurements of patient perception and awareness from 657 confidential self-reports

E Scott Sills  1 , Mark Perloe, Michael J Tucker, Carolyn R Kaplan, Marc Georges Genton, Glenn L Schattman
Affiliations

Diagnostic and treatment characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome: descriptive measurements of patient perception and awareness from 657 confidential self-reports

E Scott Sills et al. BMC Womens Health. 2001.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This investigation was undertaken to describe patient perception and awareness of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common cause of anovulation/oligoovulation among women of reproductive age. METHODS: Fifteen parameters were evaluated by a computer-based research instrument accessed by a large, unscreened population. Incomplete questionnaires were not entered, and responses were electronically tabulated to block duplicate submissions. RESULTS: From 657 participants, the majority (63%) were between 26-34 years old; mean BMI was 30.4 kg/m2. 343 of 657 had at least one pregnancy and 61% of the study group had taken fertility medicine (any type) at least once. Physicians were the most common provider of PCOS information for all study participants, irrespective of age. Patient emotions associated with the diagnosis of PCOS included "frustration" (67%), "anxiety" (16%), "sadness" (10%), and "indifference" (2%). Self-reported patient aptitude regarding PCOS was scored as high or "very aware" in >60% of women. Respondents were also asked: "If your PCOS could be safely and effectively helped by something else besides fertility drugs or birth control pills, would that interest you?" Interest in alternative PCOS treatments was expressed by 99% of the sample (n = 648). CONCLUSIONS: In our study population, most women associated negative emotions with PCOS although the self-reported knowledge level for the disorder was high. While these women regarded their obstetrician-gynecologist as integral to their PCOS education, traditional PCOS therapies based on oral contraceptives or ovulation induction agents were regarded as unsatisfactory by most women.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age distribution of polycystic ovary syndrome study participants.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Most significant patient concern regarding polycystic ovary syndrome (H=hirsutism, IM=irregular menses, A=acne)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Educational resource most likely to be accessed first by respondents when additional information about PCOS is sought.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Initial source of information about PCOS among women with self-reported awareness of the disorder.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Time interval since most recent physician office visit.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Self-reported reason for most recent appointment to see physician.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Patient emotions/feelings attributed to their diagnosis of PCOS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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