Emotional and psychosexual wellbeing is influenced by ethnicity and birthplace in women and individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome in the UK and India

Jameela Sheikh, Halimah Khalil, Salomi Shaikh, Meghnaa Hebbar, Nawal Zia, Saskia Wicks, Sindoora Jayaprakash, Alisha Narendran, Anuradhaa Subramanian, Kashish Malhotra, Rachel Chapman, Caroline Gillett, Helena Gleeson, Lynne Robinson, Chu Justin, Tejal Lathia, Chitra Selvan, Michael O'reilly, Konstantinos Manolopoulos, Wiebke ArltPunith Kempegowda*, PCOS SEva team

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Objective
To assess the association of ethnicity and birthplace on emotional and psychosexual wellbeing in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Design
Cross-sectional study.

Setting
Community recruitment via social media campaigns.

Population
Women with PCOS completing an online questionnaire in September-October 2020 (UK) and May-June 2021 (India).

Methods
The survey has five components: baseline information and sociodemographic section followed by four validated questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale (BAOP) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We used adjusted linear and logistic regression models, adjusting for age, education, marital status and parity, to evaluate the impact of ethnicity and birthplace on questionnaire scores and outcomes (Anxiety and/or Depression [HADS ≥11]); Body Dysmorphic Disorder [BDD; BICI ≥72]).

Results
1008 women with PCOS were included. Women of non-White ethnicity (613/1008) reported higher rates of depression (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.41-2.73) and lower BDD (0.57, 0.41-0.79) than White women (395/1008). Women born in India (453/1008) had higher anxiety (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.00-2.46) and depression (2.20, 1.52-3.18) but lower BDD rates (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.29-0.61) than women born in the UK (437/1008). All sexual domains, excluding desire, scored lower for non-White women and women born in India.

Conclusion
Non-White women and women born in India reported higher emotional and sexual dysfunction, whereas White women and women born in the UK reported higher body image concerns and weight stigma. Ethnicity and birthplace need to be considered for tailored, multidisciplinary care.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)978-986
JournalBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume130
Issue number8
Early online date17 Feb 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Mar 2023

Keywords

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
  • RESEARCH ARTICLES
  • anxiety
  • body image
  • depression
  • obesity
  • polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • sexual function
  • weight stigma

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