Physicians’ agreement with evidence-based guidelines for polycystic ovary syndrome management: implications for future policy and practice

Authors

  • Sadia Shakeel Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dow College of Pharmacy, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Wajiha Iffat Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dow College of Pharmacy, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Shagufta Nesar Jinnah College of Pharmacy, Sohail University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Madiha Ishrat School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Sanam Imtiaz Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Zille Huma Department of Internal Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Sobia Naseem Department of Physiology, Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Meraj Rahim Department of Physiology, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, Lyari, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Shazia Jamshed Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v24i1.78737

Keywords:

Polycystic ovary syndrome; Gynecology; Endocrinology; Diagnosis; Pakistan

Abstract

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is a frequently prevalent health issue that significantly affects women’s reproductive health. The prompt diagnosis and suitable treatment methods employed by medical professionals determine favorable clinical outcomes of the disease.

Objective The present study aimed to explore physicians’ agreement with the standard guidelines for PCOS diagnosis and treatment.

Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted using a selfadministered 36-item questionnaire at four public and three private tertiary care hospitals and different clinics in Karachi, Pakistan.

Results The overall response rate of the present study was 77.3%, with a mean age of 36.1±11.9 years. The Rotterdam criteria were the most commonly used measure for the diagnosis of PCOS by (n=112, 71.3%) respondents; however, the response rate varied significantly with their experience (p<0.001). Lifestyle modifications (n=149, 94.9%) and metformin (n=142, 90.4%) were the treatments most commonly prescribed by the respondents. Almost all the respondents (n=150, 95.5%) consider obesity, infertility, and hirsutism when prescribing hormonal medications for PCOS.

Conclusions The outcomes revealed a disparity in the diagnostic approaches of PCOS among the respondents. The findings can be used to establish strategies to raise knowledge among primary care physicians, shorten the time it takes to diagnose cases, and, ultimately, better manage women who have the condition.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 24 No. 01 January’25 Page : 230-238

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Published

2025-01-07

How to Cite

Shakeel , S., Iffat , W., Nesar , S., Ishrat , M., Imtiaz , S., Huma, Z., … Jamshed, S. (2025). Physicians’ agreement with evidence-based guidelines for polycystic ovary syndrome management: implications for future policy and practice. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 24(1), 230–238. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v24i1.78737

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Sadia Shakeel , Wajiha Iffat , Shagufta Nesar , Madiha Ishrat , Sanam Imtiaz , - Zille-Huma, Sobia Naseem , Meraj Rahim, Shazia Jamshed

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