Evaluation of the dietary glycemic load and index, and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

This study was conducted to determine the impact of dietary glycemic load and indices on the quality of life of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The research was carried out with 64 individuals diagnosed with PCOS, aged 18-40, who applied to the Women's Health and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic at Sultan 1st Murat State Hospital in Edirne, along with 64 healthy adult women. A multiple-choice or short-answer questionnaire including anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference), a 3-day food consumption record to determine nutritional status, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to question physical activity, and the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life (PCOSQ-50) Scale to assess quality of life was used. The daily dietary glycemic index and glycemic load of the individuals were evaluated according to the "International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021 edition". In comparison of individuals with PCOS and individuals in the control group, a significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of daily carbohydrate intake, percentage of daily energy intake from carbohydrate (%), polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin B_6 intake (p<0.05). A significant difference was not observed in total quality of life score and psychosocial, fertility, sexual function, obesity and menstrual disorders and coping subcategory scores when the diets of individuals with PCOS were classified as low, medium, high glycemic index (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in total quality of life score and subcategory scores for fertility, sexual function, obesity and menstrual disorders and coping when the diets of individuals with PCOS were classified as low, medium and high glycemic load (p>0.05); however, individuals with low dietary glycemic load had significantly higher psychosocial subcategory scores compared to individuals with medium dietary glycemic load (p<0.05). In this study, the diets of individuals with PCOS and individuals without PCOS were examined and it was observed that individuals with PCOS tended to eat high glycemic index and high glycemic load diets. Although it was observed that the glycemic index and glycemic load of the diets of individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome had no effect on quality of life, the fact that individuals with PCOS whose diets are in the high glycemic index and high glycemic load category have high BMI and high waist circumference measurements is a risk factor for health. In line with these findings, individuals with PCOS may be educated by dietitians about the importance of dietary glycemic index and glycemic load and encouraged to eat a low glycemic index and glycemic load diet. Keywords: PCOS, glycemic index, glycemic load, quality of life