Evaluation of hand functions in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenemia and androgen levels are associated with muscle size and strength; thus we aimed to investigate the hand functions of women with PCOS.

Thirty-seven patients with PCOS and 35 age-matched healthy women were included in the study as PCOS and control groups. Age, body mass index, dominant hand, physical activity level, lean/fat mass ratio, percentage of body fat, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score and Duruoz Hand Index (DHI) score were recorded. Hand grip and pinch strengths were tested in the dominant hand using a hand dynamometer and a pinch meter, respectively. Manual dexterity was tested by the grooved pegboard test. Serum concentrations of total testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone and progesterone were measured.

Patients with PCOS had high total testosterone levels (p < 0.001). There were no differences between groups in all of the hand strengths or dexterity. No correlations between hand parameters and hormones were found. DHI and BDI scores were high in the PCOS group (p = 0.002 and 0.039, respectively). There was a correlation between DHI and BDI scores. Depressive patients had higher BMI (p = 0.021) and body fat percentage (p = 0.05) than non-depressive patients in the PCOS group.

Hand strength and dexterity did not change in patients with PCOS. Depression risk increased especially in the patients with high BMI and affected hand functional status in PCOS.