Abstract
Disclosure: D. Ebedes: None. C.J. Noar: None. J. Benson: None. S. Simon: None. L.D. Gulley: None. L.B. Shomaker: None. L. Pyle: None. M.G. Cree: Consulting Fee; Self; Pollie Inc. Grant Recipient; Self; NIH. Research Investigator; Self; Amino Corp. Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age and is associated with elevated body mass index (BMI), and depression in adolescent girls. Prior to the COVID epidemic, we demonstrated elevated rates of depressive symptoms in adolescent girls with obesity suffering from PCOS or T2D. Studies examining how the mental health of this at-risk group of adolescents has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. Methods: Data were collected from 70 new girls with obesity and PCOS or T2D, who presented for care in an obesity complications clinic between 6 to 18 months into the COVID epidemic (7/1/2020-6/30/2021). Patients were included if they had Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D, 20 items) scores obtained within 6 months of PCOS or T2D diagnosis. A chart review was performed to collect data on demographics, physical exam findings, psychiatric care, and metabolic measures. CES-D scores ≥16, indicate elevated depression symptoms, and CES-D scores ≥24, indicate severe depression symptoms. This post COVID data was compared to already collected pre-COVID data. Data from pre vs post were compared within PCOS or T2D with a t-test or Mann Whitney U, and proportions with Chi-squared tests. Results: The pre-COVID-19 cohort included 91 girls (47 with PCOS, 44 with T2D) age 15±2 years and BMI z-scores (2.2±0.4). The post-COVID-19 cohort included 70 girls (33 with PCOS and 37 with T2D) aged 14.2±2.3 years and BMI z-scores 2.1±0.7. Pre-Covid moderate or severe depressive symptoms were observed in 30% and 23% of girls with PCOS vs 24% and 39% post-covid (p=0.306). In those with T2D, pre-COVID 18% and 14% had moderate or severe depressive symptoms, respectively, whereas post-COVID these rose to 27% and 43% (P=0.002). There was no change pre/post COVID in the mean CESD score in those with PCOS (18.8±11.6 vs 22.1±13.6; p=0.253), whereas there was a significant increase in overall CESD scores in T2D (12.9±10.6 vs 21.8±11.8; p<0.001). Dysglycemia was worse post-COVID in T2D only, HbA1c (Pre 7.25%[6.6,9.5] vs Post 8.6[7.7,11.4] p=0.006) but neither group demonstrated changes in systolic blood pressure, high density lipoprotein or alanine aminotransferase. Rates of home schooling were greatly elevated during COVID (PCOS pre 15% vs post 76% and T2D pre 5% vs post 55%). Both post-Covid groups reported high rates of loss of sports activities, social activity and friendships. Conclusions: Girls with PCOS and obesity had double the prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to youth with T2D prior to COVID. 6-18 months into the COVID epidemic, CESD scores remained unchanged in girls with PCOS, but were significantly worse in girls with T2D. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023