The association between the Mediterranean Diet and the Prime Diet Quality Score and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control study

Abstract Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. This study aims to investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterra...

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Main Authors: Zeinab Ajorlouie, Paniz Moshkian, Ghazal Baghdadi, Roksaneh Amiri, Fereshteh Biglari, Mehran Rahimlou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Nutrition
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01067-5
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author Zeinab Ajorlouie
Paniz Moshkian
Ghazal Baghdadi
Roksaneh Amiri
Fereshteh Biglari
Mehran Rahimlou
author_facet Zeinab Ajorlouie
Paniz Moshkian
Ghazal Baghdadi
Roksaneh Amiri
Fereshteh Biglari
Mehran Rahimlou
author_sort Zeinab Ajorlouie
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. This study aims to investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet) and the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) and the risk of PCOS. Method This case-control study included 472 women aged 18–45, with 180 PCOS cases and 292 controls. PCOS diagnosis was based on the Rotterdam criteria. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and adherence to the Med-Diet and PDQS was calculated. Statistical analyses included logistic regression to examine associations between diet quality and PCOS. Results Higher adherence to both the Med-Diet and PDQS was significantly associated with lower odds of PCOS. Participants in the highest quartile of the Med-Diet score had a 41% reduced risk of PCOS in the crude model (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.48–0.67) and a 32% reduced risk in the fully adjusted model (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57–0.79), after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and total energy intake. Similarly, those in the highest PDQS quartile showed a 53% reduced risk in the crude model (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35–0.56) and a 43% reduced risk in the fully adjusted model (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.44–0.68), accounting for the same confounders. Conclusion The findings suggest that higher adherence to the Med-Diet and PDQS is associated with a reduced risk of developing PCOS. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying biological mechanisms and to establish causality through prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials.
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spelling doaj-art-2e17032b69914ad396ab4d010fd921d22025-08-20T02:17:49ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-04-0111111110.1186/s40795-025-01067-5The association between the Mediterranean Diet and the Prime Diet Quality Score and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control studyZeinab Ajorlouie0Paniz Moshkian1Ghazal Baghdadi2Roksaneh Amiri3Fereshteh Biglari4Mehran Rahimlou5Department of Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical SciencesFaculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Zanjan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Zanjan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of educational management, Zanjan university of medical scienceDepartment of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Zanjan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. This study aims to investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet) and the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) and the risk of PCOS. Method This case-control study included 472 women aged 18–45, with 180 PCOS cases and 292 controls. PCOS diagnosis was based on the Rotterdam criteria. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and adherence to the Med-Diet and PDQS was calculated. Statistical analyses included logistic regression to examine associations between diet quality and PCOS. Results Higher adherence to both the Med-Diet and PDQS was significantly associated with lower odds of PCOS. Participants in the highest quartile of the Med-Diet score had a 41% reduced risk of PCOS in the crude model (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.48–0.67) and a 32% reduced risk in the fully adjusted model (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57–0.79), after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and total energy intake. Similarly, those in the highest PDQS quartile showed a 53% reduced risk in the crude model (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35–0.56) and a 43% reduced risk in the fully adjusted model (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.44–0.68), accounting for the same confounders. Conclusion The findings suggest that higher adherence to the Med-Diet and PDQS is associated with a reduced risk of developing PCOS. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying biological mechanisms and to establish causality through prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01067-5Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)Mediterranean dietPrime diet quality scoreDiet qualityInsulin sensitivity
spellingShingle Zeinab Ajorlouie
Paniz Moshkian
Ghazal Baghdadi
Roksaneh Amiri
Fereshteh Biglari
Mehran Rahimlou
The association between the Mediterranean Diet and the Prime Diet Quality Score and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control study
BMC Nutrition
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Mediterranean diet
Prime diet quality score
Diet quality
Insulin sensitivity
title The association between the Mediterranean Diet and the Prime Diet Quality Score and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control study
title_full The association between the Mediterranean Diet and the Prime Diet Quality Score and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control study
title_fullStr The association between the Mediterranean Diet and the Prime Diet Quality Score and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control study
title_full_unstemmed The association between the Mediterranean Diet and the Prime Diet Quality Score and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control study
title_short The association between the Mediterranean Diet and the Prime Diet Quality Score and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case control study
title_sort association between the mediterranean diet and the prime diet quality score and polycystic ovary syndrome a case control study
topic Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Mediterranean diet
Prime diet quality score
Diet quality
Insulin sensitivity
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01067-5
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