Polycystic Ovary, a Higher Multimorbidity Burden

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, with a prevalence between 5% and 18%. It used to be considered primarily a reproductive condition; however, it is now commonly accepted that women with PCOS are at high risk for metabolic disorders such as obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, and possibly cardiovascular events. In addition, sufferers have been shown to be at increased risk of psychological morbidity, asthma, and migraine.

Respiratory tract problems were also more frequent: cough with wheezing, recurrent respiratory infections, and atopic, infantile, or allergic eczema appeared in controls.

Women with PCOS reported morbidities, symptoms, and increased medication use more frequently than controls . In addition, they estimated their health to be in poor or very poor health almost three times more often compared to controls, consistent with previous findings, and reported more visits to healthcare.