Sydora Beate C, Wilke Michaelann S, Ghosh Mahua, Vine Donna F
Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Laboratory, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Int J Womens Health. 2025 Feb 4;17:287-298. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S504439. eCollection 2025.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine-metabolic disorder and is associated with a variety of health disorders. The management of PCOS requires a multidisciplinary health care approach. The COVID-19 pandemic affected access and delivery of health care. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic on the health and health care experience of those affected by PCOS.
An online survey was conducted January 2021 to July 2022 in Canada, open to anyone who identified as having PCOS. Data collected in REDCap included questions on demographics, symptoms, and experience of PCOS management during the pandemic.
The majority (59%) of respondents (n=194, mean age 34±8 years) experienced pandemic-related employment changes and self-reported a high stress level (73±21/100). Of those who reported changes in body weight, 58% gained weight, which they attributed to unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise during the pandemic, and 16% lost weight, which they credited to increased physical activity and a shift towards healthier eating habits. The respondents ascribed the impact of COVID-related changes to clinic cancellations, delayed appointments, long wait times for referrals and lab work, lack of access to exercise facilities and insufficient social support. Some respondents voluntarily reduced access to health care services to limit COVID exposure. COVID-19-related health status was perceived as more important than their own PCOS-related symptoms. Virtual appointments via telehealth were regarded as beneficial for 20% of users.
Individuals with PCOS reported an overall reduction in COVID-related access to health care and supports. Some adapted to the use of telemedicine, while others experienced increased stress due to a lack of access to health care and an inability to manage their PCOS symptoms. The pandemic further highlighted that those with PCOS often experience a lack of accessibility to multidisciplinary health care and supports needed to manage their condition.
多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）是一种复杂的内分泌代谢紊乱疾病，与多种健康问题相关。PCOS的管理需要多学科的医疗保健方法。2019冠状病毒病疫情影响了医疗保健的可及性和服务提供。本研究的目的是评估疫情对PCOS患者健康及医疗保健体验的影响。
2021年1月至2022年7月在加拿大进行了一项在线调查，向任何确诊患有PCOS的人开放。在REDCap中收集的数据包括人口统计学、症状以及疫情期间PCOS管理体验等问题。
大多数（59%）受访者（n = 194，平均年龄34±8岁）经历了与疫情相关的就业变化，并自我报告压力水平较高（73±21/100）。在报告体重变化的人群中，58%的人体重增加，他们将其归因于疫情期间不健康的饮食习惯和缺乏运动；16%的人体重减轻，他们认为是体育活动增加和饮食习惯转向更健康所致。受访者将与新冠相关的变化影响归因于诊所取消、预约延迟、转诊和实验室检查等待时间长、无法使用健身设施以及社会支持不足。一些受访者自愿减少医疗保健服务的使用，以限制新冠病毒暴露。与2019冠状病毒病相关的健康状况被认为比他们自己与PCOS相关的症状更重要。20%的用户认为通过远程医疗进行的虚拟预约有益。
PCOS患者报告称，与新冠相关的医疗保健可及性和支持总体减少。一些人适应了远程医疗的使用，而另一些人则因无法获得医疗保健和无法控制PCOS症状而压力增加。疫情进一步凸显了PCOS患者在管理病情所需的多学科医疗保健和支持方面往往难以获得。
