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Which laboratory/ultrasonographic parameters affect the severity of hirsutism?
Hoda Rahimi1, Majid Kashi2, Zohreh Tehranchinia1
1Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Hirsutism severity is linked to hormonal imbalances and Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD). Over half of hirsute women exhibit these conditions, which correlate with more severe hirsutism symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Hirsutism presents with androgen-dependent symptoms.
- Understanding its association with laboratory and ultrasonographic findings is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively investigate laboratory and ultrasonographic findings in hirsute women.
- To determine the association between these findings and hirsutism severity.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 123 hirsute women.
- Evaluation of hirsutism severity using the Ferriman-Gallwey score.
- Pelvic ultrasonography and measurement of various hormone levels (FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, etc.).
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD) and hirsutism severity.
- A history of PCOD correlated with more severe hirsutism.
- Hormonal abnormalities were also significantly associated with hirsutism severity.
Conclusions:
- Over half of hirsute patients have endocrine abnormalities and/or PCOD.
- Both PCOD and endocrine abnormalities are linked to increased hirsutism severity.
Background And Objectives:
Hirsutism is associated with other androgen-dependent signs/symptoms. This study was designed with the aim of a comprehensive investigation of laboratory and ultrasonographic findings in hirsute women and their probable association with the "severity" of the disease.
Patients And Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 123 hirsute women. Comprehensive medical history of each patient was recorded, and a broad physical examination was performed by a single dermatologist. Ferriman-Gallwey score was used to evaluate the hirsutism severity. Pelvic ultrasonography was done by a single radiologist for each patient, and serum levels of the follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/FSH ratio, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and cortisol were measured. The association of hirsutism severity and these paraclinical parameters was investigated.
Results:
A statistically significant association was observed between polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) and the severity of hirsutism. A past medical history of PCOD was found to cause more severe forms of hirsutism in the involved patients as well. The presence of hormonal abnormalities was also significantly associated with the severity of hirsutism.
Conclusions:
More than half of the hirsute patients have endocrine abnormalities and/or PCOD. These two disorders are associated with the severity of hirsutism.
