The effect of vitamin D on the regression of human papilloma virus infection and metabolic parameters: a retrospective study

Purpose: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D on HPV regression, related cytological pathologies and various metabolic parameters. Materials and methods: 100 high-risk HPV positive patients, who were detected from hospital database, were divided into 2 groups as those who received vitamin D supplements (n = 50) and did not receive vitamin D supplements (n = 50). We determined the changes in serum vitamin D concentrations, metabolic parameters of patients and regression of HPV after 6 months. Then, we compared the results of patients who took vitamin D supplements, and those who did not. Results: Patient characteristics of both groups were similar in terms of smoking, using oral contraceptives, operation status, body mass index, and mean age of first coitus. Considering the findings of our study, the difference in rate of HPV regression was not significant in the group with a history of vitamin D use (P = 0.804). Regarding metabolic parameters, we observed significant decrease in insulin (P < 0.001), triglyceride (P = 0.019), and CRP (P < 0.001) levels in the group with a history of vitamin D use. Conclusion: According to our findings, vitamin D supplementation does not significantly increase the rate of HPV regression. On the other hand, its metabolic effects are noteworthy. It has positive effects on glucose homeostasis and lipid profile. In the light of previous studies, vitamin D may be helpful in the treatment of vaginal infections, nonetheless it is not a as effective concerning cervical HPV infections

Determining the age group-based cut-off values of serum anti-Mullerian hormone concentrations to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To determine the cut-off values of the serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration for different age groups (21–25, 26–30, 31–35 years) to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: In total, 187 women aged 21–35 years were included in this descriptive study. Patients diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam Criteria formed the PCOS group (n = 93), whereas those without symptoms related to PCOS formed the control group (n = 94). Follicular phase serum hormone concentrations were evaluated during the endocrinological assessment of patients with PCOS. Serum levels of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, sex hormone-binding globulin, androstenedione, and AMH were measured. The free androgen index and LH/FSH ratio were calculated. Cut-off values of serum AMH concentrations for the age groups were measured using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: The prevalence rates of frank, ovulatory, normoandrogenic, and non-polycystic ovary PCOS were 69.9, 10.8, 10.8, and 8.6%, respectively. Serum AMH concentrations >5.56 ng/mL were associated with PCOS in the 21–25-year-old group. The cut-off value was 4.01 ng/mL in the 26–30-year-old group, whereas it was 3.42 ng/mL in the oldest age group. The correlation between the antral follicle count (AFC) and serum AMH level was strong for each age group. Conclusions: The serum AMH concentration is a valuable parameter for assessing patients with symptoms indicative of PCOS. We recommend measuring serum AMH levels to support the diagnosis or to use them instead of the AFC for the Rotterdam criteria

Microinvasive breast cancer with supraclavicular lymph node and ovarian metastasis as clinical findings: a rare case report

Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women. Due to the improvement of social awareness and advances in imaging technologies, significant achievements are obtained at its diagnosis and treatment each passing day. A 54-year-old, multiparous and postmenopausal woman, who presented with a palpable lymph node in the right supraclavicular region and a right adnexal mass but had no findings from the breast examination, is reported in this article. Following advanced assessment, metastatic carcinoma was identified in the lymph node biopsy and the adnexal mass. During the exploration for the primary origin, microinvasive breast cancer was diagnosed following mammographic imaging and an excisional biopsy from the right breast. Microinvasive breast cancer, which did present itself with clinical findings with metastases despite the lack of local findings, was discussed with the review of the literature

Safe and successful use of oocyte in-vitro maturation in two infertile women with multiple sclerosis

There is evidence to support an impact of ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues on the progression or recurrence of multiple sclerosis. In addition, there is no universally acknowledged approach toward ovarian stimulation in patients with multiple sclerosis. This report describes two patients at a large tertiary university hospital who underwent an in-vitro maturation protocol in order to avoid a risk of exacerbating their multiple sclerosis by ovarian stimulation. Both patients were referred to the infertility clinic because of the concern of exacerbation of multiple sclerosis during or after ovarian stimulation treatment. The patients underwent the in-vitro maturation protocol to avoid ovarian stimulating agents. Both patients gave birth to healthy babies at term. They did not suffer any relapses of multiple sclerosis during their treatment or during pregnancy. Exacerbation of disease related to ovarian stimulation encourages the search for a safer approach to these patients. To the authors' knowledge, these are the first babies described in the literature who were born after in-vitro maturation to mothers suffering from multiple sclerosis. In-vitro maturation can thus be recommended as an alternative in suitable women with multiple sclerosis