The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in a community sample of Iranian population: Iranian PCOS prevalence study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite the heavy burden and impact of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in reproduction and public health, estimates regarding its prevalence at community levels are limited. We aimed to ascertain prevalence of PCOS in a community based sample using the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Rotterdam consensus (Rott.) and the Androgen Excess Society (AES) criteria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using the stratified, multistage probability cluster sampling method, 1126 women were randomly selected from among reproductive aged women of different geographic regions of Iran. PCOS were diagnosed using universal assessment of ultrasonographic parameters, hormonal profiles and clinical histories.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean +/- SD of age of study population was 34.4 +/- 7.6 years. Estimated prevalence of idiopathic hirsutism was 10.9% (95% CI: 8.9-12.9%); 8.3% of women had only oligo/anovulation and 8.0% had only polycystic ovaries. The prevalence of PCOS was 7.1% (95% CI: 5.4-8.8%) using the NIH definition, 11.7% (95% CI: 9.5-13.7%) by AES criteria and 14.6% (95% CI: 12.3-16.9%) using the Rott definition.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>At community level, widespread screening of Rotterdam criteria will increase the estimated prevalence of PCOS over twofold. Establishing an explicit and contemporaneous method for definition and screening of each PCOS criteria has important investigational implications and increase the comparability of published research.</p

Effects of levothyroxine on pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism, negative for thyroid peroxidase antibodies

Context: Currently, there is no consensus on universal thyroid screening and levothyroxine (LT4) treatment of pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) who are negative for thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb−). Objective: We aimed to evaluate the benefits of LT4 treatment on pregnancy outcomes in SCH-TPOAb− women. Design: This study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Thyroid and Pregnancy Study. A single-blind randomized clinical trial was undertaken in pregnant women who were SCH-TPOAb−. Setting: Prenatal care centers of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Patients: Using the thyrotropin (TSH) cut point of 2.5 mIU/L, 366 SCH-TPOAb− and 1092 euthyroid TPOAb− women were recruited. Intervention: SCH-TPOAb− women were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (n = 183) who were treated with LT4 and group B (n = 183) who received no treatment. A total of 1,028 euthyroid TPOAb− women served as the control group (group C). Main Outcome Measure: The primary outcome was the rate of preterm delivery. Results: Using the TSH cutoff of 2.5 mIU/L, no significant difference in preterm delivery was observed between groups A and B [relative risk (RR): 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47 to 1.55; P = 0.61]. However, log-binomial model analysis based on a cut point of 4.0 mIU/L demonstrated a significantly lower rate of preterm delivery in LT4-treated women compared with those who received no treatment (RR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.98; P = 0.04). Conclusions: Despite no beneficial effect of LT4 therapy in reducing preterm delivery in SCH-TPOAb− women with a TSH cut point of 2.5 to 4 mIU/L, LT4 could precisely decrease this complication using the newly recommended cutoff ≥4.0 mIU/L

Evaluation of Bone Mineral Density in Rural Women of Kawar-Fars

Background: Osteoporosis is a major public health problem. This study designed to assess peak bone mineral density (BMD), its onset in rural women in Kawar-Fars as well as prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis according to WHO and local reference values. Methods: In this cross sectional study , 266 healthy women aged 20-85 years from Kawar-Fars participated and they underwent Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning including two lumbar and femur regions. Results: Peak bone mass of lumbar spine occurred during 29±2 years. Also peak bone mass of total femur occurred around the age of 34±2 years. Prevalence of osteoporosis in lumbar spine according to WHO reference data was 29.7% but using Iranian normative data was 10.5%. Also using WHO reference data, prevalence of osteoporosis in total femur in rural women was 15.4% whereas according to the Iranian normative data was 16.2%. Conclusion: This study provided a baseline normative data of BMD for rural Iranian women. Also it showed prevalence of osteoporosis in rural women is more than urban women