Depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical and biochemical correlates

Rasgon, Natalie L.; Rao, Rekha C.; Hwang, Sun; Altshuler, Lori L.; Elman, Shana; Zuckerbrow-Miller, Joni; Korenman, Stanley G.

doi:10.1016/S0165-0327(02)00117-9

« Previous Next »Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume 74, Issue 3 , Pages 299-304, May 2003

Depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical and biochemical correlates

Natalie L. Rasgon
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Mood Disorders Research Program, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 1544, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7057, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-310-794-1478; fax: +1-310-794-9915
Rekha C. Rao
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Mood Disorders Research Program, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 1544, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7057, USA
Sun Hwang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Mood Disorders Research Program, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 1544, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7057, USA
Lori L. Altshuler
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Mood Disorders Research Program, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 1544, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7057, USA
Shana Elman
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Mood Disorders Research Program, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 1544, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7057, USA
Joni Zuckerbrow-Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Mood Disorders Research Program, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 1544, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7057, USA
Stanley G. Korenman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Received 6 September 2001; accepted 17 January 2002.

Abstract

Background: We assessed the prevalence of mood disturbance among women with prospectively documented polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Thirty-two women with PCOS completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Rating Scale (CES-D). Clinical and biochemical characteristics were assessed. Results: Sixteen women had CES-D scores indicative of depression. Depression was associated with greater insulin resistance (P=0.02) and higher body mass index (P=0.05). Women receiving oral contraceptives for the treatment of PCOS were less depressed than patients not receiving treatment (P=0.03). Limitations: Possible selection bias, use of a screening tool alone without further diagnostic evaluation of depression, small samples size and lack of direct comparison with an age matched control group, should be considered in interpretation of these results. Conclusion: Findings suggest a high prevalence of depression among women with PCOS, and an association between depression and PCOS markers.

Keywords: Depression, Hirsutism, Hyperandrogenism, Insulin resistance, Obesity, Polycystic ovary syndrome