The Frequency of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is one of the most common reproductive abnormalities and is characterized by hyperandrogenemia. We aimed to assess the frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and psychological distress in patients with PCOS.

Methods: Forty patients with PCOS and 39 age-matched healthy controls were included in the study as PCOS and healthy normal control [HNC] groups. The diagnosis of FMS was based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria of 1990, and the diagnosis of PCOS was based on the Rotterdam criteria of 2003. All participants completed the questionnaires to gather information including demographic features, FMS-related symptoms, and the psychological status. Patients with PCOS were divided into two subgroups according to coexistence of FMS [PCOS only and PCOS + FMS].

Results: The mean age of PCOS and HNC groups were 23.97 ± 6.01 and 26.15 ± 5.45 years, respectively [P > 0.05]. The frequency of FMS in PCOS and HNC groups was 32.5 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively [P < 0.05]. Except constipation and paresthesia, the presence of FMS-related symptoms in the PCOS + FMS subgroup were higher than those of the PCOS only subgroup and HNC group. There were no differences in depression scores between the PCOS only and PCOS + FMS subgroups, but there were differences in anxiety scores.

Conclusion: The frequency of FMS was found to be increased in PCOS. Anxiety risk was also found to be increased, particularly in patients with PCOS and concomitant FMS.

KEYWORDS. :

• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• fibromyalgia syndrome
• anxiety
• depression