Second to fourth digit ratio, sex differences and antropometric measuments: their relationship in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of socio-demographic factors and anthropometric measurements on 2/4 digit ratio in the school aged children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was completed in primary and secondary schools in the city center of Canakkale, Turkey. The students were seated at a table by the responsible doctor, and were asked to extend the palm of the right and left hand in the schools. Using a Vernier Caliper the 2/4 fingers were measured from the palm twice, and the results were noted together with socio-demographic information. Weight, length, waist and hip measurements were taken while students were behind a folding screen. RESULTS: A total of 1860 students from 5-14 years were included in the study. The right hand 2/4 digit ratio was 0.9765±0.035 and the left hand ratio was 0.9716±0.036 for girls. For the boys the ratios were 0.9688±0.035 for right hand and 0.9653±0.033 for left hand. The digit ratios of girls were significantly higher than boys and the right hand ratio was even greater. The 2/4 digit measurements of both hands of students were positively correlated with each other. In regression model left hand 2/4 ratio is dependent hip circumference, monthly income and gender as adjusted r2 0.051. The right hand 2/4 ratio was dependent gender, monthly income, hip circumference and birthweight as adjusted r2 0.041. CONCLUSIONS: The 2/4 digit ratio of school-aged in Turkish children differed based on gender. Digit ratios depend on the hip circumference, gender (girls have higher ratio), birthweight, gestation week and monthly income. Further research, especially the effect of monthly income, is needed.

Female sexual dysfunction in androgenetic alopecia: Case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to evaluate the association of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in premenopausal women. METHODS: From December 2013 to June 2015, we performed a case-control, prospective study of 115 patients with AGA and 97 age-matched control patients without AGA from among premenopausal women who visited dermatology clinics of the two reference hospitals. Comprehensive history, anthropometric measurements, and questionnaire administration were performed for each of the total of 212 women. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess the key dimensions of female sexual function. AGA was assessed and graded by an experienced dermatologist according to Ludwig's classification. The MetS assessment was made according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, age, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index (BMI), AGA, MetS, cardiovascular event, marital status, hypertension, high fasting plasma glucose, high triglyceride, large waist, total testosterone, and free testosterone were associated with presence of FSD. In logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.30; p<0.001), AGA (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.31-8.94; p=0.017), MetS (OR 5.39, 95% CI 1.34-21.62; p=0.012), and free testosterone (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.09-0.37; p<0.001) were independently associated with FSD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that age, AGA, MetS, and free testosterone may have strong impact on sexual function in premenopausal women. Further studies with population-based and longitudinal design should be conducted to confirm this finding.

C-reactive protein gene and Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms can relate to the development of psoriatic arthritis.

We aimed to determine in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and C-reactive gene (CRP) polymorphisms and allele frequency and to investigate the relationship between clinical parameters and gene polymorphisms. We enrolled in this study 31 PsA and 41 healthy control subjects. PsA diagnosis was according to CASPAR criteria. Bath ankylosing spondylitis diseases activity index, Maastricht ankylosing spondylitis enthesitis score, and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index were measured. C, A, and T alleles of CRP and A and G alleles of TLR 4 were determined using the analysis of melting curves after real-time PCR. CRP A, C, and T allele frequency in controls was 26.8, 73.2, and 36.6%, respectively. In the PsA patient group, A, C, and T allele frequency was 9.7, 87.1, and 12.9%, respectively. Between control and PsA groups, there was a significant difference in A, C, and T allele frequency (P = 0.008, 0.038, and 0.001, respectively). The frequency of CRP gene polymorphisms (CA, AA, CT, TA, and TT alleles) in the control group was 56.1% and in the PsA group was 22.6%. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.004). The absence of a CRP gene polymorphism was a risk factor for PsA (odds ratio 4.3, 95% CI; 1.5-12.4, P = 0.005). TLR gene haploid frequency was investigated, and all control subjects had the wild-type AA allele. PsA patient GA allele frequency was 6.5%. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.182). GA mutant allele frequency was related to PsA (odds ratio 7.03, 95% CI; 0.32-151.9, P = 0.214). We have shown that CRP gene polymorphisms are higher in control subjects than PsA patients, and TLR 4 gene polymorphisms were found to be related to PsA.

Predictive value of striae gravidarum severity for intraperitoneal adhesions or uterine scar healing in patients with previous caesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Previous abdominal operations might cause severe intraperitoneal adhesions (IPA), which can complicate caesarean section (CS) procedures. When selecting the mode and timing of delivery, obstetricians are also curious about uterine scar healing if the previous operation was a CS. Uterine scar thickness is an indicator of uterine scar healing. We aimed to evaluate the possible predictive value of striae gravidarum (SG) on IPA formation and uterine scar thickness (UST). METHODS: Fifty-five women with a previous CS history were evaluated for SG Davey Score. They were investigated for IPAs and lower segment uterine scar thickness during the current CS operation. RESULTS: Out of the patients with no SG (n = 11), mild SG (n = 10) and severe SG (n = 34), 1 (9.1%), 3 (30%) and 17 (50%) had IPA, respectively (p = 0.044). The mean uterine scar thicknesses in the no SG, mild SG and severe SG groups were 3.82 ± 4.04, 5.20 ± 4.13 and 5.18 ± 3.52, respectively (p = 0.561). CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the relationship between SG and IPA and uterine scar thickness. The SG status of a patient with a previous delivery and abdominal operation history might help predict IPA status before planning a new operation.

The frequency and seasonal variations in juvenile outpatients treated in a dermatology polyclinic.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the frequency and seasonal characteristics of dermatological problems of juvenile outpatients in the dermatology polyclinic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Children under the age of 17 treated in an outpatient setting in our polyclinic within a 10-year period were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The study registered a total of 3244 patients, of whom 1651 (50.90%) were females, and 1593 (49.10%) were males. The largest group was infectious diseases, with 1031 patients (31.78%). This was followed by the dermatitis group with 635 patients (19.57%). The months when the number of presentations at the hospital was the highest were August and November, and the months with the lowest number of presentations were January and July. CONCLUSION: In the present study we found that the most frequent cause of hospital visits of juvenile outpatients at our polyclinic was infectious diseases and dermatitis, and that there was significant correlation between diseases and seasons.

An urticarial vasculitis case induced by glatiramer acetate.

Urticarial vasculitis (UV) is a disease characterized clinically by urticarial skin lesions and histologically by leukocytoclastic vasculitis caused by immunocomplex accumulation in post-capillary venules. Cases induced by various drugs such as cimetidine, diltiazem, potassium iodide, fluoxetine, and non-steroid inflammatory drugs have been reported in the literature. A 48-year-old female who developed pruritus and rash on her body 3 months after starting glatiramer acetate (GA) treatment for multiple sclerosis was diagnosed with UV after clinical and histopathological examination. This report presents the first case in the literature of UV induced by GA.