Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Diagnosis in a Patient Undergoing Treatment for Bipolar Affective Disorder at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda :

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The association between bipolar affective disorder (BAD) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is elucidated in medical literature. However, what is inconclusive is whether one causes the other and /or the neuroleptics such as sodium valproate could cause PCOS as a side effect. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is a dearth of such case reports in our setting. We therefore report a case of this nature in our setting with the aim of further reemphasizing the likely comorbidity and the need for collaborative multidisciplinary approach during management of such patients. CASE REPORT: We present a case of 34 years old, parity 0+1, human immune virus seronegative, a known patient of bipolar affective disorder (BAD) for 18 years. She was initially started on chlorpromazine and carbamazepine that she used for 13 years and later switched to sodium valproate and sertraline daily due to side effects of chlorpromazine in 2014. She presented with 6 years’ history of abnormal uterine bleeding and dysmennorrhoea for 2 months. A diagnosis of PCOS was made based on history and confirmed by laboratory and radiological investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians need be aware of the likely comorbidity or sequel and the need for multidisciplinary engagement.

Key words: Bipolar affective disorder; polycystic ovarian syndrome; sertraline; sodium Valproate; Mbale; Uganda