Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) significantly decreases workplace productivity, according to a recent study released by Allara Health.
Takeaways
- PCOS is shown to significantly decrease workplace productivity, affecting over 50% of diagnosed women.
- The study highlights the complex relationship between PCOS, mental health, and healthcare access, with factors such as race and insurance status influencing work absences.
- Women with PCOS report a considerable adverse impact on the quality of their work, emphasizing the need for integrated care models.
- Key findings underscore the importance of comprehensive PCOS care and increased awareness among employers and health care providers.
- Addressing healthcare disparities and improving education for both providers and employers are crucial steps in supporting women with PCOS.
Allara is a virtual care platform for reproductive aged women with chronic hormonal conditions. The study was led by Heather Huddleston, MD, director of the University of California San Francisco PCOS Clinic, and provides new information about the impact of PCOS on women’s professional lives.
Over 1000 US women diagnosed with PCOS were included in the analysis. The data linked missing work to needing multiple providers for diagnosis and ongoing care. Race, mental health, and health care status all impacted the association between PCOS and missing work.
Key findings included over 50% of women with PCOS missing work because of the condition, 72% reporting an adverse impact from PCOS on the quality of their work, and 51.5% feeling PCOS held them back in their professional lives.
The odds of missing work were increased among women who were Black, without health insurance, and dissatisfied with PCOS care. Other factors associated with increased work absences included requiring multiple doctors for PCOS diagnosis and management, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms.
These results indicate a need for comprehensive PCOS care and increased awareness of the impact PCOS has on women’s mental health through integrated care models and improved education for providers and employers. Additionally, health care disparities must be addressed to reduce the professional and economic impacts of PCOS.
“PCOS symptoms often emerge or worsen just as women are launching their professional lives, and disruptions at such crucial times could inevitably impact career trajectory,” Huddleston said. “We need to do better meeting the needs of this patient population so they can get back to participating fully in their lives.”
Reference
Allara Health announces new study that reveals significant productivity loss due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), highlights racial and mental health factors. BioSpace. April 3, 2024. Accessed April 4, 2024. https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/allara-health-announces-new-study-that-reveals-significant-productivity-loss-due-to-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-highlights-racial-and-mental-health-factors/?s=86
