A 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 to the control group. These findings highlight the importance of routine monitoring of mental health and suicide risk in people diagnosed with PCOS. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine .
Background:
There is limited evidence on the risk of suicide in people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Aim:
To assess the risk of suicide in people with polycystic ovary syndrome , taking into account comorbid psychiatric conditions and age group.
Design:
Cohort study.
Setting:
Data from Taiwan National Database from 1997 to 2012.
Patients:
A cohort of 18,960 patients diagnosed with PCOS , each matched to control participants in a 1:10 ratio based on age, comorbid psychiatric conditions, level of urbanization and income. Suicide attempts were assessed using Cox regression models.
Measurements:
Suicide risk with hazard ratios (HR).
Results:
Participants with PCOS had a notable 8.47-fold increased risk of suicide attempt compared with the control group (HR, 8.47 [95% CI, 7.54 to 9.51]). ), after adjustment for demographic characteristics, comorbid psychiatric conditions, Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, and frequency of all-cause clinic visits.
Elevated risk was evident in adolescents (HR, 5.38 [CI, 3.93 to 7.37]), young adults (<40 years; HR, 9.15 [CI, 8.03 to 10.42]), and older adults (HR, 3.75 [CI, 2.23 to 6.28]) groups.
Sensitivity analyzes involving exclusion of data from the first year or the first 3 years of observation yielded consistent results.
Limitation:
Possible underestimation of PCOS and mental disorder prevalence due to use of administrative claims data; lack of clinical data, such as body mass index and depressive symptoms; and no assessment of a confounding effect of valproic acid exposure.
Conclusion: This study highlights the increased risk of suicide attempts faced by people with PCOS, even after adjusting for demographics, comorbid psychiatric conditions, physical conditions, and all-cause clinic visits. This suggests the importance of routine monitoring of mental health and suicide risk in people diagnosed with PCOS. |
Comments
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a prevalent endocrine disorder that affects up to 10% of women in their reproductive years. Common attributes associated with PCOS include infertility, acne, dysmenorrhea, hirsutism, and obesity, which together can contribute to a decreased quality of life.
Additionally, a substantial body of evidence indicates that people diagnosed with PCOS are at increased risk for psychiatric conditions , such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and schizoaffective disorders.
Researchers at Taipei Veterans General Hospital studied data from Taiwan’s national database from 1997 to 2012 of 18,960 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome to assess suicide risk, taking into account comorbid psychiatric conditions and age group. .
They found that people diagnosed with PCOS faced an 8.47 times higher risk of attempting suicide compared to the control group, even after accounting for demographics, comorbid psychiatric conditions, physical conditions, and visits. clinics for all causes.
A subgroup of adolescents had a notably elevated 5.38-fold risk of attempting suicide. The authors note that their findings remained robust when excluding the first year or 3 years of observation.
Primary funding source:
Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yen Tjing Ling Medical Foundation, and Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology.
