Investigation of the Relationship between Serum Leptin levels and Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Background: Worldwide, half of women suffer from nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy which generally continues to the 20th week of pregnancy. Although pathogeneses of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy as well as hyperemesis gravid arum are still unknown, some believe that nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is likely related to maternal serum leptin level. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between leptin and pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Methods: In this case-control study, 45 pregnant women at first and second trimesters were selected through convenient sampling. Mothers’ blood samples were taken in the 6th, 12th, 15th, and 20th weeks of pregnancy. The participants were devised into healthy, without nausea, (24) and with nausea and vomiting groups (21). The relationship among the variables was analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson correlation, regression tests, and Lambda statistic (P value <0.05). Results: The mean age of the participants was 27.47±5.55 years, and Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to be 5.458±26.57. There was no significant difference between groups in this regard. Based on results, changes in maternal serum leptin had significant correlation with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (p<0.04), meaning that the mean of leptin changes in patients with nausea and vomiting was significantly lower. Moreover, serum leptin at first and second trimesters of pregnancy did not have significant correlation with nausea and vomiting (p=0.5 and 0.3, respectively). Conclusion: With regard to leptin peak level at second trimester of pregnancy, leptin changes at first and second trimesters can be a good index to predict the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Thus, further domestic studies are required in this respect

Menopause Age and the Associated Factors in Postmenopausal Women in Babol, Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Menopause plays a pivotal role in women&rsquo;s life comprising of approximately one third of it. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the significance of this period. This study aimed to determine the age of menopause and its associated factors in postmenopausal women in Babol, Iran METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted by cluster sampling on 300 postmenopausal women identified by doorstep questioning of the homes in selected areas. The questionnaires consisted of information on the menopause age, body mass index (BMI), age at menarche, first pregnancy age, duration of hormonal contraceptive use, left-handedness, occupation, menstrual regularity, exercise, smoking habits, couple&rsquo;s education degree, marital status, family size and the number of births and abortions. The collected data were registered into checklists and The Holmes&nbsp;&&nbsp;Rahe Stress Scale was used for the assessment of the variables. FINDINGS: In total, the average age of menopause was 50.02&plusmn;0.21 years, the average length of marriage was 42.10&plusmn;0.63 years, age at last pregnancy was 35.15&plusmn;0.35 years and the lactation duration was 106.02&plusmn;3.5 months. A significant correlation was found between the length of marriage, age at last pregnancy, stress scores, lactation duration and the menopause age (p<0.001), while some factors such as BMI, regulation and age at menarche, duration of hormonal contraceptive use and exercise were found to have no significant correlations with the onset of menopause. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the mean age of menopause in Babol is within the normal range and it is associated with the length of marriage, age at last pregnancy, stress scores and lactation duration