COMPARISON OF FATIGABILITY, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: CASE CONTROL STUDY

To assess and compare fatigability, physical activity and quality of life, various sociodemographic and health related factors between women with and without PCOS  in order to identify the differences, if any.

This case control study recruited 66 participants each in the case and control groups from gynecological outpatient units using non-probability purposive sampling, maintaining 1:1 ratio. The case group included women aged 18-45 years, diagnosed with PCOS by gynecologist using Rotterdam Criteria while the controls were women without PCOS attending routine check-ups. Both groups excluded women currently pregnant/lactating, on hormonal medication/special diet, had systemic, gynecological, cognitive or psychiatric disorders. Each participant attended a single, face to face interview session where sociodemographic data (Age, Menarche, Interval between Manses, Marital Status, and Number of Children) and clinical information [Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Hip Ratio (WHR)] were collected. Participants also completed questionnaire on fatigability [Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS)], physical activity [International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)], and quality of life [World Health Organization Quality of Life -BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)].  Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS, with descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U Test, and Chi-Square Test. Binary Logistic Regression analysis was used to estimate odds (OR) [95% Confidence Interval (CI)] of occurrence of variables between cases and controls. Statistical significance was p 0.05.

There were no significant differences between women with and without PCOS in age, menarche, WHR, IPAQ score, marital status and number of children. Women with PCOS had a longer interval between menses than controls (71.61 + 43.691 vs 31.50 + 12.33 days, p=0.00). They had higher BMI  (25.43 + 4.62 vs 22.69 + 3.29 kg/m², p= 0.00), and experienced more fatigability (24.09 + 4.88 vs 21.25 + 4.06, p=0.00) than women without PCOS. Women without PCOS had better quality of life than cases (70.84 + 13.27 vs 77.30 + 9.40, p=0.003). Binary logistic regression showed women with PCOS had nearly 34 times odds of having delayed menses (OR: 33.88, CI: 7.30-157.27), and 10 times odds of experiencing higher fatigability (OR: 9.639, CI: 2.85-32.60, p=0.00) than controls.

Women with PCOS exhibited significantly longer interval between menses, higher BMI, greater fatigability and poorer quality of life than controls. Logistic regression analysis revealed that women with PCOS had 34 times odds to experience delayed menses and 10 times odds to report higher fatigability than those without PCOS. 

Current findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address weight management, fatigue reduction and improving overall well-being. Clinicians should consider these factors when assessing and developing treatment plans prioritizing both physical and psychological support. Public health initiatives should focus on early detection and management of PCOS to mitigate its long-term impact on quality of life.