Predictors of depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In a cross-sectional study of 114 women seeking consultation for symptoms of PCOS (menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, and/or acne), personal and family history of depression (HD and FHD respectively) were enquired. Vitamin D status (n = 104) and manifest depressive symptoms assessed by personal health questionnaire (PHQ) (MD) were evaluated in a subset (85). Relationships between HD and MD with PCOS symptoms, FHD, and vitamin D status were assessed using adjusted analyses. Thirty-five percent acknowledged a HD; MD (PHQ > 4) was apparent in 43 %. HD was associated with hirsutism (OR 2.4, 95 % CI 1.01–5.9), disturbed sleep (OR 3.0, 95 % CI 1.3–6.9), and with FHD (OR 4.8, 95 % CI 1.7–13.5). Disturbed sleep (OR 2.4, 95 % CI 1.01–5.7) and FHD (OR 3.8, 95 % CI 1.3–11.2) were independent predictors of HD adjusting for race and BMI. An inverse correlation was noted between serum 25 OH vitamin D (25OHD) levels and PHQ score, but only in those with vitamin D deficiency (25OHD ≤ 30 ng/ml, n = 57, r =−0.32, p = 0.015). 25OHD < 20 ng/ml (OR 3.5, 95 % CI 1.1–11.8) and HD (OR 12.8, 95 % CI 3.6–45.2) predicted scoring in the highest PHQ tertile after adjusting for hirsutism, BMI, and race. In women with PCOS, disturbed nocturnal sleep and FDH predicted personal HD, whereas HD and vitamin D deficiency related to the severity of MD symptoms.