ASSESSMENT OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDER’S OPINION ABOUT SYMPTOMS & COMPLICATIONS OF PCOs: A MULTICENTERED STUDY
Main Article Content
Keywords
PCOs, menstrual cycle, health professionals, awareness
Abstract
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder with wide-ranging symptoms and complications, necessitating comprehensive understanding among healthcare providers for effective management. This multi-centered, cross-sectional study aimed to assess healthcare providers' awareness of PCOS symptoms, complications, and management strategies, while exploring the association between their knowledge and education levels. Conducted across six cities in Punjab, Pakistan, the study included 420 healthcare providers from various specialties. A validated, self-designed questionnaire was used to evaluate awareness, with scores categorized as inadequate, moderate, or adequate. The results revealed varying levels of awareness among respondents. While common symptoms like menstrual irregularities and weight gain were widely recognized, less common symptoms such as frontal hair loss and sleep difficulties showed lower awareness. Complications like infertility and psychological disturbances were acknowledged, but gaps remained in understanding long-term risks such as cardiovascular disease. Management strategies like the use of oral contraceptives demonstrated a strong association with education (p<0.001), while lifestyle interventions such as dietary modifications showed mixed results. The mean scores for complications, total awareness, and management were 5.12 (±0.899), 19.44 (±2.172), and 5.42 (±0.849), respectively, indicating moderate overall knowledge with room for improvement. The study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions to address knowledge gaps, particularly in recognizing less common symptoms and implementing holistic management approaches. By enhancing healthcare providers' understanding of PCOS, this research contributes to improved patient care and outcomes. Future studies should focus on developing standardized training programs and guidelines to ensure comprehensive and evidence-based management of PCOS.
References
2. ALHARTHI, M. H., MISKEEN, E., ALOTAIBI, E. A., IBRAHIM, I. A. E., ALAMRI, M. M. S., ALSHAHRANI, M. S., ALMUNIF, D. S. & ALMULHIM, A. 2024. Determinants Affecting the Awareness of Hypertension Complications within the General Population in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare (Basel), 12.
3. ALQNTASH, N., ALZABIN, A., ALMAJED, E., ALOTAIBI, K., ALHINDI, G., ALI, S. I. & BAKHSH, H. 2024. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Exploration of Diagnosis Experience in Saudi Women. Journal of Clinical Medicine [Online], 13.
4. ALSHDAIFAT, E., SINDIANI, A., AMARIN, Z., ABSY, N., ALOSTA, N., ABUHAYYEH, H. A. & ALWANI, M. 2021. Awareness of polycystic ovary syndrome: A university students' perspective. Ann Med Surg (Lond), 72, 103123.
5. AZZIZ, R., WOODS, K. S., REYNA, R., KEY, T. J., KNOCHENHAUER, E. S. & YILDIZ, B. O. 2004. The prevalence and features of the polycystic ovary syndrome in an unselected population. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 89, 2745-2749.
6. BAARS, M. J., HENNEMAN, L. & TEN KATE, L. P. 2005. Deficiency of knowledge of genetics and genetic tests among general practitioners, gynecologists, and pediatricians: a global problem. Genetics in Medicine, 7, 605.
7. COVIELLO, A. D., LEGRO, R. S. & DUNAIF, A. 2006. Adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of the metabolic syndrome associated with increasing androgen levels independent of obesity and insulin resistance. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91, 492-497.
8. COWAN, S., LIM, S., ALYCIA, C., PIROTTA, S., THOMSON, R., GIBSON-HELM, M., BLACKMORE, R., NADERPOOR, N., BENNETT, C., EE, C., RAO, V., MOUSA, A., ALESI, S. & MORAN, L. 2023. Lifestyle management in polycystic ovary syndrome – beyond diet and physical activity. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 23, 14.
9. EHRMANN, D. A., LILJENQUIST, D. R., KASZA, K., AZZIZ, R., LEGRO, R. S., GHAZZI, M. N. & GROUP, P. T. S. 2006. Prevalence and predictors of the metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91, 48-53.
10. GOH, J. E., FARRUKH, M. J., KESHAVARZI, F., YAP, C. S., SALEEM, Z., SALMAN, M., RAMATILLAH, D. L., GOH, K. W. & MING, L. C. 2022. Assessment of prevalence, knowledge of polycystic ovary syndrome and health-related practices among women in klang valley: A cross-sectional survey. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 13, 985588.
11. HAFEZ, G., AARNIO, E., MUCHERINO, S., KAMUSHEVA, M., QVARNSTRÖM, M., POTOČNJAK, I., TREČIOKIENE, I., MIHAJLOVIĆ, J., EKENBERG, M., VAN BOVEN, J. F. M., LEIVA-FERNÁNDEZ, F. & EUROPEAN NETWORK TO ADVANCE BEST PRACTICES TECHNOLOGY ON MEDICATION ADHERENC, E. 2024. Barriers and Unmet Educational Needs Regarding Implementation of Medication Adherence Management Across Europe: Insights from COST Action ENABLE. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 39, 2917-2926.
12. HAQ, N., KHAN, Z., RIAZ, S., NASIM, A., SHAHWANI, R. & TAHIR, M. 2017. Prevalence and Knowledge of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Among Female Science Students of Different Public Universities of Quetta, Pakistan. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 3.
13. HART, R., HICKEY, M. & FRANKS, S. 2004. Definitions, prevalence and symptoms of polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 18, 671-683.
14. JONES, G., HALL, J., BALEN, A. & LEDGER, W. 2007. Health-related quality of life measurement in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. Human reproduction update, 14, 15-25.
15. MOHAMMAD, M. B. & SEGHINSARA, A. M. 2017. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diagnostic criteria, and AMH. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: APJCP, 18, 17.
16. MUTYABA, T., MMIRO, F. A. & WEIDERPASS, E. 2006. Knowledge, attitudes and practices on cervical cancer screening among the medical workers of Mulago Hospital, Uganda. BioMed Central Medical Education, 6, 13.
17. NORMAN, R. J., DEWAILLY, D., LEGRO, R. S. & HICKEY, T. E. 2007. Polycystic ovary syndrome. The Lancet, 370, 685-697.
18. PAZOL, K., ZAPATA, L. B., DEHLENDORF, C., MALCOLM, N. M., ROSMARIN, R. B. & FREDERIKSEN, B. N. 2018. Impact of Contraceptive Education on Knowledge and Decision Making: An Updated Systematic Review. Am J Prev Med, 55, 703-715.
19. RAJKUMARI, P., SAHOO, J., SUJATA, P., SAHOO, G. & HANSA, J. 2016. Awareness about PCOS and the Likelihood of its Symptoms in Adolescent Girls in a Semi-Urban Set-Up: A Cross Sectional Study. Journal of Medical Science & Clinical Research, 4, 12264-12269.
20. SANCHEZ, N. 2014. A life course perspective on polycystic ovary syndrome. International Journal of Women's Health, 6, 115.
21. SINGH, S., PAL, N., SHUBHAM, S., SARMA, D. K., VERMA, V., MAROTTA, F. & KUMAR, M. 2023. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Etiology, Current Management, and Future Therapeutics. J Clin Med, 12.
22. SZCZUKO, M., KIKUT, J., SZCZUKO, U., SZYDŁOWSKA, I., NAWROCKA-RUTKOWSKA, J., ZIĘTEK, M., VERBANAC, D. & SASO, L. 2021. Nutrition Strategy and Life Style in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Narrative Review. Nutrients, 13.
23. TEEDE, H. J., TAY, C. T., LAVEN, J. J. E., DOKRAS, A., MORAN, L. J., PILTONEN, T. T., COSTELLO, M. F., BOIVIN, J., REDMAN, L. M., BOYLE, J. A., NORMAN, R. J., MOUSA, A., JOHAM, A. E. & NETWORK, O. B. O. T. I. P. 2023. Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 108, 2447-2469.
Article Sidebar
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Maimoona Ahmad
Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Sana Ahmed
Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Imran Masood
Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Madeeha Ali
Jinah Hospital Lahore
Ayesha Tariq
Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Komal Farooq
Faculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan