Aim of the study:
To assess whether patients with NIH phenotypes of PCOS differ from those with non-NIH phenotypes in terms of trait-anxiety, state-anxiety and self-esteem. Additionally, we decided to investigate the variables influencing the sense of physical attractiveness in both study groups.

Subject or material and methods:
49 patients with NIH phenotypes of PCOS and 27 patients with non-NIH phenotypes were enrolled into the study. Each patient underwent gynecological and endocrinological diagnostics. For psychological evaluation we used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory.

Results:
Patients with NIH phenotypes presented higher scores in trait-anxiety (p=0,021). The groups did not differ in global self-esteem. However, patients with NIH phenotypes presented lower scores on the identity integration (p=0,010) and body appearance (p=0,033) scales. NIH patients also presented lower scores on the lovability (p=0,053) and competence (p=0,050) scales; nevertheless, these findings approached statistical significance. In the NIH group, trait-anxiety (β= -0,428, p=0,001) and BMI (β= -0,345, p=0,009) were statistically significant negative predictors of the sense of physical attractiveness, while in the non-NIH group only trait-anxiety (β= -0,670, p<0,001) was found to be a negative predictor of this aspect of self-esteem.

Discussion:
Patients with NIH phenotypes of PCOS presented higher scores in trait-anxiety, and lower scores in some aspects of self-esteem. These differences may stem, at least in part, from the more pronounced symptomatology among patients with NIH phenotypes.

Conclusions:
Differences in self-esteem and anxiety among patients with different PCOS phenotypes should guide development of more personalized treatment programs.