Mental health screening in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is reported frequently with mental health disorders. This systematic review aims to synthesize the available evidence on mental health screening and its potential role in identifying and addressing mental health conditions among women with PCOS. METHODS: This systematic review will be conducted according to JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. The search strategy will follow the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) checklist. Literature searches will be conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases, as well as relevant grey literature sources. Studies involving women with PCOS that report the use of mental health screening tools or assessment of mental health outcomes will be eligible for inclusion. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational studies will be considered. Two independent reviewers will perform study selection and data extraction using predefined eligibility criteria and standardized forms, with disagreements resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Methodological quality will be assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tools appropriate to the study design. Where sufficient data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted; otherwise, findings will be synthesized narratively. The certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will provide a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence on mental health screening among women with PCOS. The findings may inform clinical practice, support evidence-based guideline development, and identify priorities for future research in the holistic management of PCOS. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD420251240567.