Health-related quality of life in women with normogonadotropic ovulatory dysfunction: a prospective cohort study

To compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with normogonadotropic ovulatory dysfunction, specifically polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis dysfunction (HPOD), to that of regularly menstruating women, and to evaluate the impact of selected clinical and biochemical parameters on HRQoL.

HRQoL across nine domains was compared using the RAND 36-Item Health Survey among women with regular and irregular menstruation. Correlations between clinical parameters and HRQoL scores were examined, along with correlations between biochemical parameters and HRQoL scores in anovulatory women.

HRQoL in the domains of Role Limitations Due to Physical Health (p = 0.024), Role Limitations Due to Emotional Problems (p < 0.001), Energy/Fatigue (p = 0.006), Emotional Wellbeing (p = 0.01), Social Functioning (p = 0.007), General Health (p < 0.001), and Health Change (p = 0.005) was significantly better in regularly menstruating women. No significant differences were observed in HRQoL between women with PCOS and those with HPOD (all p > 0.05). Women with PCOS phenotype D had a better Physical Functioning score compared to those with PCOS A and B (p = 0.017). Significant negative correlations were observed between Ferriman-Gallwey and Ludwig scale scores and HRQoL aspects in the entire cohort, and between dysmenorrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, BMI, CRP concentrations, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance and HRQoL in anovulatory women. Testosterone concentrations did not correlate with HRQoL.

HRQoL in women with ovulatory dysfunction was worse than that of women with regular ovulation in most HRQoL domains, with no differences between PCOS and HPOD. Significant correlations were identified between clinical and biochemical health indicators and the assessed HRQoL domains.