Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with negatively variable impacts on domains of health-related quality of life: evidence from a meta-analysis

Objective: To systematically review the literature to identify the impact of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on specific health-related quality of life domains. Design: Meta-analysis. Setting: N/A. Patient(s): The outcomes of 423 patients and 285 controls from 5 articles that used the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire were used for meta-analysis. Intervention(s): N/A. Main Outcome Measure(s): The SF-36 dimensions including physical function, physical role function, body pain, general health, vitality, social function, emotional role function, and mental health were evaluated. Result(s): Compared with controls, women with PCOS had lower scores in all SF-36 dimensions: physical function (mean differences [MD], -5.46; 95% confidence intervals [CI], -8.52, -2.41), physical role function (MD, -5.76; 95% CI, -8.49, -3.03), body pain (MD, -4.55; 95% CI, -7.99, -1.11), general health (MD, -11.34; 95% CI, -19.53, -3.15), vitality (MD, -15.14; 95% CI, -17.43, -12.84), social function (MD, -15.95, 95% CI, -18.57, -13.33), emotional role function (MD, -23.86; 95% CI, -27.51, -20.21), and mental health (MD, -13.83; 95% CI, -16.13, -11.53). Conclusion(s): The meta-analysis showed that women with PCOS score lower in each dimension of the SF-36, mostly in the emotional role function. (Fertil Steril (R) 2011;96:452-8. (C) 2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)