MON-176 - Prevalence of Eating Disorders and Psychological Distress Among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine metabolic disorder affecting 8–13% of reproductive aged women. While global literature highlights a strong link between PCOS and psychiatric comorbidities, data regarding the psychological burden and disordered eating patterns in Jordan remains scarce.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of potential eating disorders (ED) and psychological distress among Jordanian women with PCOS and to identify associated clinical and demographic factors.
Methodology: This cross sectional study involved 505 women with a diagnosis or clinical suspicion of PCOS. Participants completed a survey incorporating the validated Sick, Control, One stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) questionnaire for ED risk and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), chosen for its sensitivity in screening for serious mental illness (SMI) and nonspecific distress. Statistical analysis utilized univariate logistic and ordinal regression to assess associations between clinical symptoms, Body Mass Index (BMI), and psychological outcomes.

Results: Despite only 12.1% of participants reporting a prior clinical ED diagnosis, the SCOFF questionnaire identified 53.3% at high risk for disordered eating. This risk was significantly elevated in overweight (Crude Odds Ratio [COR]6.06; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.01–18.25; p=0.001) and obese (COR 7.87; 95% CI: 2.53–24.5; p< 0.001) individuals. Regarding mental health, 49.1% scored in the "severe mental disorder" range on the K10, while only 18.2% were classified as "likely well." A strong positive correlation was found between SCOFF and K10 scores (p < 0.001), showing that those at risk for ED were significantly more likely to experience severe distress. Furthermore, physical symptoms like hirsutism, acne, and irregular cycles were significantly associated with higher distress (p=0.004).

Conclusion: These findings reveal an alarmingly high prevalence of undiagnosed eating disorders and severe distress among Jordanian women with PCOS. The gap between self reported diagnoses and screening results underscores a critical need for routine psychiatric screening in endocrine clinics. Integrated management addressing both hormonal and mental health is essential to improve quality of life.

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