Correlates of Health Satisfaction in a Web-Based Sample Enriched for Self-Reported Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), named polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome by a 2026 global consensus, combines metabolic, dermatological and psychological features. We examined which clinical, anthropometric and symptom-related characteristics were associated with health satisfaction in a web-based sample enriched for self-reported PCOS. Methods: Cross-sectional web-based survey using a Romanian-language questionnaire (October–November 2023). Of 212 submissions retained after integrity screening, 159 (75.0%) reported a previous diagnosis of PCOS. Health satisfaction (study-specific five-point item) was analysed with proportional-odds ordinal regression including seven covariates, irrespective of diagnostic status (n = 194). Sensitivity analyses restricted the model to respondents reporting a diagnosis, adjusted for diagnostic status or sociodemographic characteristics and retained all submissions. Results: Lower health satisfaction was associated with higher body mass index (OR 0.92 per kg/m2; 95% CI 0.87–0.97), self-reported hirsutism (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.24–0.76) and reported anxiety (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.28–0.87; reference group mostly “do not know/no answer”). Estimates changed little after these adjustments or with all submissions; among respondents reporting a diagnosis (n = 145), the estimates for self-reported hirsutism and reported anxiety were attenuated and imprecise. Age, menstrual irregularity, infertility diagnosis and dysmenorrhea severity showed no statistically detectable association. Conclusions: These exploratory, mutually adjusted associations involve higher body mass index, self-reported hirsutism and endorsement of the questionnaire’s anxiety option; the last reflects a response contrast, not clinically assessed anxiety. They warrant confirmation in clinically characterised cohorts using validated instruments.

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Journal
Healthcare
Published
2026-10-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14213635
Primary Topic
Ovarian function and disorders
Type
article
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article

Correlates of Health Satisfaction in a Web-Based Sample Enriched for Self-Reported Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Alberto Emanuel Bacușcă, Agnes Iacinta Bacușcă, Antoneta Dacia Petroaie, Elena Popa et al.
4 links
Healthcare
Ovarian function and disorders
article

Correlates of Health Satisfaction in a Web-Based Sample Enriched for Self-Reported Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Alberto Emanuel Bacușcă, Agnes Iacinta Bacușcă, Antoneta Dacia Petroaie, Elena Popa, Mihaela Manole, Ana Maria Slănină, Elena Teona Coșovanu, Elena Adorata Coman, Elena Domnica Bacușcă
article en

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), named polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome by a 2026 global consensus, combines metabolic, dermatological and psychological features. We examined which clinical, anthropometric and symptom-related characteristics were associated with health satisfaction in a web-based sample enriched for self-reported PCOS. Methods: Cross-sectional web-based survey using a Romanian-language questionnaire (October–November 2023). Of 212 submissions retained after integrity screening, 159 (75.0%) reported a previous diagnosis of PCOS. Health satisfaction (study-specific five-point item) was analysed with proportional-odds ordinal regression including seven covariates, irrespective of diagnostic status (n = 194). Sensitivity analyses restricted the model to respondents reporting a diagnosis, adjusted for diagnostic status or sociodemographic characteristics and retained all submissions. Results: Lower health satisfaction was associated with higher body mass index (OR 0.92 per kg/m2; 95% CI 0.87–0.97), self-reported hirsutism (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.24–0.76) and reported anxiety (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.28–0.87; reference group mostly “do not know/no answer”). Estimates changed little after these adjustments or with all submissions; among respondents reporting a diagnosis (n = 145), the estimates for self-reported hirsutism and reported anxiety were attenuated and imprecise. Age, menstrual irregularity, infertility diagnosis and dysmenorrhea severity showed no statistically detectable association. Conclusions: These exploratory, mutually adjusted associations involve higher body mass index, self-reported hirsutism and endorsement of the questionnaire’s anxiety option; the last reflects a response contrast, not clinically assessed anxiety. They warrant confirmation in clinically characterised cohorts using validated instruments.

HealthcareVol. 14(21)
Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Ovarian function and disorders
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