Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at significantly greater risk of contracting COVID-19 than women without the condition, a new study led by the University of Birmingham has revealed.
Researchers are now calling for a health care policy to encourage women with PCOS specifically to adhere to COVID-19 infection control measures while the global pandemic continues.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects around one in 10 women in the UK. The three main symptoms are irregular periods, high levels of “male” hormones that can cause physical signs such as excessive facial or body hair, and cystic appearance on ultrasound or MRI scan of the ovaries. caused by increasingly filled follicles. because they do not usually develop and release an egg to be ready for fertilization within a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Women with PCOS are at increased risk for cardiometabolic disease, such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and high blood pressure, all of which have been identified as risk factors for COVID-19.
To examine whether the increased metabolic risk in PCOS translates into an increased risk of COVID-19 infection, the team conducted a population-based closed cohort study in the UK in the first wave of the epidemic January and July 2020.
Using UK GP patient records, the study included 21,292 women with PCOS and 78,310 female ‘controls’ without PCOS matched for age and place of general use.
Results showed that women with PCOS had a 51% increased risk of contracting COVID-19, compared to those of the same age and background for those without PCOS.
A 26% more likely follow of COVID-19 infection in the PCOS group – even after adjustment for individual cardio-metabolic risk factors known to accumulate within PCOS, which has recently been directly linked to increased vulnerability to COVID-19, including obesity, glucose deficiency. management and hip tolerance.
The research, published in the European Journal of Endocrinology, showed that the incidence of COVID-19 in women with PCOS was nearly twice as high as in women without PCOS (18.1 cases per 1,000 people per year in women with PCOS, compared with 11.9 cases per 1,000 people per year in women without PCOS).
First author Anuradhaa Subramanian, of the University of Birmingham, said: “Given the prevalence of PCOS, these decisions need to be considered when designing public health policy and advice as our understanding of COVID- 19 growing. ”
Associate lead author Dr Krish Nirantharakumar, of the University of Birmingham Institute for Applied Health Research, said COVID-19 protection strategies for women with PCOS should also carefully consider the need to protect mental health.
“The risk of mental health problems including low self-esteem, anxiety and depression is significantly higher in women with PCOS, and advice on sticking to a social pace needs to be followed. reduce the risk associated with exacerbating these underlying problems, “he adds.
Co-author Dr Michael O’Reilly, of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, explains: “Before the onset of COVID-19 pandemic disease, women with PCOS regularly report segregated, delayed care. the diagnosis and understanding of clinical misunderstanding of their condition.
“Women suffering from this condition may fear that, with some degree of justification, an increased risk of COVID-19 infection further undermines timely access to health care and attendance awareness. dissatisfaction that many patients currently have. ”
Associate lead author Professor Wiebke Arlt, Director of the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Metabolic and Systems Research, said: “The pandemic has already dramatically changed our existing healthcare delivery models. currently, and while more meaningful consultations and ways to deliver remote healthcare are commendable, for many patients with PCOS these will not be an appropriate replacement for the traditional live clinic-patient consultation. ”
Professor Arlt, who leads DAISy-PCOS – a major Wellcome Trust-funded research program on metabolic health and “male” hormones in women with PCOS – said: “Women with PCOS have recently been identified as a population that is being watched and potentially at high risk for contract. COVID19.
“However, our study does not provide information on the risk from a severe course of COVID-19 infection or on the risk of COVID-19-associated COVID-19 long-term complications and further research is needed.”
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The study was funded by Health Data Research UK and supported by the Wellcome Trust, the Health Research Board, and the National Center for Health Research Birmingham Biomedical Research Center based at Birmingham University NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Hospitals
Journalists can request interviews by contacting Emma McKinney, Media Relations Manager, University of Birmingham, on +44 7815607157. Alternatively, please contact the Out of Hours Media Office on +44 (0 ) 7789 921165.
Notes to editors
- Subramanian et al (February, 2021). ‘Increased COVID-19 disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a population-based study’. European Journal of Endocrinology. DOI: https: /
/ doi. org / 10. 1530 / EJE-20-1163 - For more information on the DAISy-PCOS research program, funded by the Dr. Arlt Trust, and the associated patient and public wealth program https: /
/ daisypcos. com - The University of Birmingham is ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world, and its work brings people from all over the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more on 6,500 international students from nearly 150 countries.
- The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research. The NIHR
- Funding, supporting and delivering high quality research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care
- Engaging and involving patients, carers and the public to improve the accessibility, quality and impact of research
- Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to address complex future health and care challenges
- Invest in world-class infrastructure and a skilled delivery team to turn findings into better treatments and services
- Partners with other public funders, charities and business to get the most out of patient research and the economy
- The NIHR was established in 2006 to improve the health and well-being of the nation through research, and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. In addition to its national role, the NIHR supports applied health screening for the direct and basic benefit of people in low- and middle-income countries, drawing on UK support from the UK government.
- For more information on the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Center see https: /
/ www. birminghambrc. nihr. ac. uk
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