[Adrenal function in girls with hirsutism]

The aim of our study was to estimate the adrenal function in hirsute girls.

57 girls with hirsutism aged from 12 to 19 years, mean age 15.95 years, were involved into the study. The research was performed in early and middle follicular stage. Menstrual disorders were observed in 78% of them. Hirsutism was estimated with Ferriman-Gallwey scale (mean value 13+/-1.58), mean BMI was 22.7. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 with clinical and laboratory symptoms of PCOS, n=29; group 2 with menstrual disorders and without elevated androgen level, n=15; group 3 without menstrual disorders and without elevated androgen level, n=13.

17OHP level was the highest in group I (1.17+/-0.58 ng/ml). Diurnal cortisol profile was regular in all patients. After Synacthen injection cortisol level rose in all groups to the similar values at 60 min. The same stimuli induced intensive 17OHP secretion in group 1 (2.42+/-2.02 ng/ml) at 30 min statistically higher than in group 2 (1.46+/-0.95 ng/ml), (p=0.045). None had 21-hydroxysase defect. There were positive correlation between levels of 17OHP and LH (r=0.38), 17OHP and T (r=0.39), 17OHP and LH/FSH (r=0.40) CONCLUSIONS: 17OHP level in patients with PCOS is significantly higher then in other hirsute girls. High 17OHP and normal cortisol level after Synacthen administration in PCOS girls point that activity of enzymes involved in 17OHP production is augmented.