Quality of Life and Body Mass Index in Overweight Adult Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome During a Lifestyle Modification Program.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate changes in body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), including an acne parameter, of overweight adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) during a lifestyle modification program.


METHODS
Prospective longitudinal within-patient study.


METHODS
Department of Reproductive Medicine of the Ghent University Hospital (Belgium).


METHODS
Thirty-three overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) women with PCOS between age 18 and 43 years.


METHODS
Participants followed a 24-week lifestyle modification program consisting of a diet, exercise, and psychological subprogram. BMI was assessed at Weeks 0, 8, 16, and 24 of the program. The HRQoL was measured at Week 0, 12, and 24 of the program using the PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire (PCOSQ) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate the influence of acne on HRQoL.


RESULTS
During a 24-week period no significant decrease in BMI occurred (mean difference = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.38, 4.81]. During that period, there was a significant positive evolution of the total PCOSQ score, F(2, 37.5) = 23.7, the emotions, F(2, 37.9) = 4.2, weight, F(2, 42.1) = 24.8, body hair, F(2, 35.6) = 3.3, and infertility problems domain scores, F(2, 43.1) = 15.64, of the PCOSQ, as well as of the acne VAS score, F(2, 29.3) = 4.2. These effects primarily occurred during the first 12 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of no significant changes in BMI, the HRQoL of overweight adult women with PCOS significantly improved during a 24-week lifestyle modification program.
Veerle
V
De Frène
Lesley
L
Verhofstadt
Jan
J
Lammertyn
Isabelle
I
Stuyver
Ann
A
Buysse
Petra
P
De Sutter
D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
life style; overweight; polycystic ovary syndrome; quality of life