Alqntash Norah, AlZabin Alya, Almajed Ebtesam, Alotaibi Kayan, Alhindi Ghada, Ali Sayed Ibrahim, Bakhsh Hanadi
College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah 22421, Saudi Arabia.
J Clin Med. 2024 Sep 7;13(17):5305. doi: 10.3390/jcm13175305.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, characterized by symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. This study aimed to explore the diagnostic experiences of women with PCOS in Saudi Arabia, evaluating the timeline to diagnosis, the adequacy of information provided, and overall patient satisfaction with the healthcare process. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 1182 women diagnosed with PCOS across Saudi Arabia. The survey collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, the timeline from symptom onset to diagnosis, the number of healthcare visits required for diagnosis, and satisfaction with the information and support provided during the diagnostic process. Statistical analyses, including linear regression, were performed to identify factors influencing patient satisfaction. The study found that 43.2% of participants sought medical attention within a year of symptom onset, yet significant delays in diagnosis were common, with 28.6% of women waiting six months or more after seeking medical care. Only 42.7% of women reported receiving adequate information at diagnosis, and satisfaction levels varied across different aspects of care. Key predictors of lower satisfaction included marital status and longer time since diagnosis, while quicker diagnosis and more healthcare visits before diagnosis positively influenced satisfaction. The findings highlight critical gaps in the diagnostic process and patient education for PCOS in Saudi Arabia. The widespread dissatisfaction with the information provided underscores the need for improved patient-centered care, comprehensive education, and standardized diagnostic protocols. Addressing these issues could enhance patient satisfaction and lead to better management of PCOS, both in Saudi Arabia and globally.
多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）是育龄女性中一种常见的内分泌紊乱疾病，其特征包括月经不规律、高雄激素血症和多囊卵巢等症状。本研究旨在探索沙特阿拉伯患有PCOS的女性的诊断经历，评估诊断时间线、所提供信息的充分性以及患者对医疗过程的总体满意度。对沙特阿拉伯各地1182名被诊断为PCOS的女性进行了一项横断面在线调查。该调查收集了社会人口学特征数据、从症状出现到诊断的时间线、诊断所需的医疗就诊次数以及对诊断过程中提供的信息和支持的满意度。进行了包括线性回归在内的统计分析，以确定影响患者满意度的因素。研究发现，43.2%的参与者在症状出现后的一年内寻求医疗帮助，但诊断显著延迟的情况很常见，28.6%的女性在寻求医疗护理后等待了六个月或更长时间。只有42.7%的女性报告在诊断时获得了充分的信息，并且满意度在护理的不同方面有所不同。满意度较低的关键预测因素包括婚姻状况和诊断后的时间较长，而更快的诊断和诊断前更多的医疗就诊对满意度有积极影响。研究结果凸显了沙特阿拉伯PCOS诊断过程和患者教育中的关键差距。对所提供信息的广泛不满强调了改善以患者为中心的护理、全面教育和标准化诊断方案的必要性。解决这些问题可以提高患者满意度，并在沙特阿拉伯和全球范围内更好地管理PCOS。
