Collaborative Care in PCOS: Evaluating the Role of Radiologist and Gynecologist in Diagnosis and Management of PCOS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59644/oaphhar.4(2).283Keywords:
Hyperandrogenism, Longitudinal Weight Gain, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Pharmacoeconomics, Quality of LifeAbstract
One of the most prevalent hormonal disturbances is Polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects women's reproductive health. It disrupts the menstrual cycle, fertility, psychological health, and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the role of radiologists and gynecologists together in the diagnosis and management of polycystic ovarian syndrome. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with a sample of 500 females who met the Rotterdam criteria. Three-quarters reported hirsutism (72.8%) and acne (73%), more than half were experiencing depression (60.6%), and half faced the deeply personal challenge of infertility (46%). Comorbidities added further weight — 15.4% were living with hypertension, and 10.2% with diabetes mellitus. Hyperandrogenism appeared as the strongest driver of inferior quality of life (p=0.01), closely followed by menstrual irregularity (p=0.044), while only 12.4% of women reported a regular menstrual cycle. Side effects from treatment were widespread — mood changes affected 74.2%, headaches 53.2%, abdominal pain 39.6%, and breast tenderness 35.4%. On the financial side, managing polycystic ovarian syndrome through combination therapy costs women an average of PKR 3,732 every month, a burden that stretched across a mean treatment duration of 2.4 years. Behind every polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnosis is a woman navigating a condition that touches every part of her life. The numbers in this study tell a clear story — this is not a condition that one specialist can manage alone. It calls for gynecologists and radiologists to work hand in hand, supported by treatment plans that are not only clinically sound but also affordable, compassionate, and genuinely built around the real lives of women in Pakistan.
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