Research involving over 18,000 women has found a significant connection between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and an increased risk of suicide attempts. The study, which used data from the Taiwanese nationwide database, spanning from 1997 to 2012, discovered that women with PCOS are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than those without the condition. This emphasizes the urgent need for mental health and suicide risk assessment in women diagnosed with PCOS. PCOS affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age and is associated with various health challenges, including infertility and obesity, which can severely impact quality of life and elevate the risk for several psychiatric conditions. The findings highlight the critical importance of integrated healthcare approaches that address both the physical and mental health aspects of PCOS.
The study of more than 18,000 women found that patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were 8 times more likely to attempt suicide compared with a control group. These findings highlight the importance of routine monitoring of mental health and suicide risk in persons diagnosed with PCOS.
The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, revealed that PCOS is a prevalent endocrine disorder, which affects up 10% of women in their reproductive years. Common attributes associated with PCOS include infertility, acne, dysmenorrhea, hirsutism, and obesity, which can collectively contribute to a decreased quality of life. Furthermore, evidence suggests that persons diagnosed with PCOS have a higher risk for psychiatric conditions, such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.
The research found that persons diagnosed with PCOS faced an 8.47-fold increase in risk for suicide attempt compared with the control group, even after accounting for demographics, psychiatric comorbid conditions, physical conditions, and all-cause clinical visits. An adolescent subgroup had a notable 5.38-fold elevated risk for suicide attempt.
Author: Angela Collom
Source: American College of Physicians
Contact: Angela Collom – American College of Physicians
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience NewsOriginal Research: Closed access.
“Suicide Attempts After a Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome” by Mu-Hong Chen et al. Annals of Internal MedicineAbstractSuicide Attempts After a Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary SyndromeBackground:Limited evidence exists about suicide risk in persons with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Objective:To assess suicide risk in persons with PCOS, accounting for psychiatric comorbid conditions and age group.Design:Cohort study.Setting:Data from the Taiwanese nationwide database from 1997 to 2012.Patients:A cohort of 18 960 patients diagnosed with PCOS, each matched with control participants in a 1:10 ratio on the basis of age, psychiatric comorbid conditions, urbanization level, and income. Suicide attempts were evaluated using Cox regression models.
