Lifestyle and Weight Change in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome During COVID19 Pandemic

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder associated with obesity, sleep apnea, and disordered eating. We aimed to assess whether COVID19 related social isolation affects lifestyle and weight control in women with PCOS. We performed an online survey including 232 women with PCOS and 157 healthy controls on isolation characteristics, weight alterations, physical activity, sleeping and eating patterns by validated questionnaires. Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-18), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were used. PCOS-related quality of life questionnaire (PCOSQ) was also completed by patients. During over 14 weeks of isolation, 48.5% participants gained weight, 13.9% participants’ weight was stable, and 37.6% participants lost weight. The patient and control groups did not show any difference in weight alteration (p=0.44). Physical activity was reduced (p<0.001 for both), eating patterns did not show a significant change in both groups, whereas sleep quality was reduced in PCOS group only (p<0.001). Within the weight gainers, increase in BMI was more prominent in PCOS group (1.3±1 kg/m(2)) than controls (1.0±0.6 kg/m(2)) (p=0.01). In weight gainer group, delta BMI values showed positive correlations with delta PSQI scores (r = 0.24, p=0.004), delta sleep induction time (r=0.25, p=0.001) and delta TFEQ-18 scores (r=0.25, p=0.001). Weight changes during social isolation are similar in women with PCOS and healthy women. However, the increase in BMI of weight gainers is higher in PCOS and is mainly related to sleep quality and eating habits rather than reduced physical activity.