title: Anxiety is associated with hormonal and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased prevalence of psychological morbidities, including anxiety, depression and eating disorders, has been reported in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison with normal ovulating, nonhyperandrogenemic women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between the degree of anxiety, depression and eating disorders via self-reported symptoms and the severity of hormonal and metabolic aberrations in women with PCOS. For this purpose, the PCOS cohort was subdivided into three subgroups according to the degree of anxiety.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty women with PCOS of similar age and BMI were studied. In each subject, hormonal and metabolic status as well as psychological profile was assessed with the use of specific questionnaires. Specifically, anxiety (trait and state) was assessed with the use of STAI-T and STAI-S, while depression and eating disorders were evaluated with the use of the Beck Depression Inventory and the Eating Attitudes test, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The subgroups did not differ in age and BMI. Subjects with the highest STAI-S compared with those with the lowest STAI-S displayed significantly higher the homeostasis assessment model-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and free androgen index values (P < 0·05), respectively. Regarding trait anxiety, assessed by STAI-T, HOMA-IR values were significantly elevated (P < 0·05) in the subgroup with the higher STAI-T score compared with the HOMA-IR in the group with the lower STAI-T score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women with PCOS, the degree of anxiety, state and trait (STAI-S, STAI-T) appears to vary in a pattern similar to that of hyperandrogenemia and insulin resistance, independently of age and BMI. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the association of psychological morbidities with androgen excess and insulin resistance in PCOS remain to be elucidated.
authors: Endocrine Unit, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Sarantis
authors: S
authors: Livadas
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Chaskou
authors: Anna A
authors: AA
authors: Kandaraki
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Skourletos
authors: Frangiskos
authors: F
authors: Economou
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Christou
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Boutzios
authors: Athanasios
authors: A
authors: Karachalios
authors: Aristea
authors: A
authors: Zerva
authors: Xenofon
authors: X
authors: Xyrafis
authors: Charikleia
authors: C
authors: Christakou
authors: Anna K
authors: AK
authors: Pighou
authors: Evanthia
authors: E
authors: Diamanti-Kandarakis