Assessment Of Risk Factors for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Among Women of Reproductive Age in Lahore

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOs) is the most common hormonal disease of present era among the women of reproductive age. It has prevalence of 5-15% worldwide and in Pakistan its prevalence is approx. 52%. Which can be due to multiple risk factors and can cause multiple symptoms. However, no study in past showed exact cause of PCOs. The objective of the study was to access the risk factors for polycystic ovarian syndrome among women of reproductive age in Lahore. We conducted a Case-Control study. Cases were defined as women diagnosed with PCOS, while controls were age-matched women without a PCOS diagnosis. We emphasis more on dietary factors, socioeconomic status and BMI. Data on diet, health, and physical activity were collected from the questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Odd ratio and Chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance with p-value < 0.05. The total of 68 cases and 68 controls were included in the study. We found that the most of the participants were young, mean age of the participants was 26.34 ± 6.63 years. There were significant differences between cases and controls in their income status (p=0.075), BMI (p=0.013), Family history (OR=2.826), conception difficulty (p=0.012), infertility treatment (p=0.011), irregular menstrual problems (OR=12.536), hirsutism (OR=10.086), U/S diagnosis (OR=33.970) and dietary factors including sweets/deserts (p=0.004) and dairy products (p=0.006). Our study concluded that socioeconomic status, BMI, reproductive health factors and diet are associated with PCOS in women in Lahore. Key factors such as family history, menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, and specific dietary habits were notably associated with higher risk. So, these results can be important for early detection and treatment of PCOS.