The International Female Coital Incontinence Questionnaire: Translation, Validation, and Reliability Study of the Persian Version.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study was aimed at validating the Persian version of the International Female Coital Incontinence Questionnaire (IFCI-Q). METHODS: In the current study, 150 sexually active women with complaints of any kind of sexual dysfunction from January 2022 to July 2023, who were referred to urogynecology outpatient clinics, completed the IFCI-Q. Age ≥ 18 years and sexually active women were the inclusion criteria for the study. Quantitative calculations were made to determine the content validity ratio and content validity index. A test-retest procedure was utilized to determine the scale reliability. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of participants was 35.66 (7.03) years. Among a total of 150 women, 21 (14.0%) had coital incontinence (CI), and this disorder happened during penetration in 11 cases (7.3%), orgasm in 9 (6.1%), or both conditions in one woman (0.7%). The intraclass correlation coefficient (95% confidence interval) was 0.79 (0.74, 0.84), and the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.89. A positive association between the Female Sexual Function Index and the IFCI-Q was also demonstrated by the criteria validity (r = 0. 87 and p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Regarding validity and reliability, the Persian version of the IFCI-Q can properly evaluate CI in women with sexual dysfunction or complaining of CI.

Association of insulin resistance with polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes and patients' characteristics: a cross-sectional study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women. This disorder affects 6-15% of women of childbearing age worldwide. It is diagnosed with hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries, and chronic anovulation with insulin resistance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) in 4 phenotypes of PCOS, and its relationship with demographic, clinical, and paraclinical individual characteristics in a sample of Iranian PCOS patients. METHODS: This particular cross-sectional investigation involved 160 female participants, aged between 18 and 45 years, who were receiving care at gynecology clinics in Urmia, northwestern Iran. All the participants had been diagnosed with PCOS and were categorized into one of four phenotypes. All the participants underwent clinical evaluations, paraclinical assessments, and ultrasound scans. IR was defined as HOMA-IR > 2.5. The statistical significance level was 0.05. RESULTS: Among the 160 participants, the prevalences of the 4 phenotypes were: A: 83 (51.9%), B: 37 (23.1%), C: 21 (13.1%), and D: 19 (11.9%). IR was detected in 119 participants (74.4%); its rate was significantly different between the 4 phenotypes (p-value: 0.008) as A: 62 (74.7%), B: 34 (91.9%), C: 12 (57.1%), D: 11 (57.9%). Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to control confounding factors. In linear regression, PCOS phenotype, classic phenotype (A&B), economic status, and Hb levels were significantly related to HOMA-IR; in logistic regression Hb levels, exercise, economic status, and PCOS phenotypes were significantly associated with insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent PCOS phenotype in this study was A. PCOS phenotypes were significantly related to insulin resistance and HOMA-IR, with the highest levels of insulin resistance and HOMA-IR observed in phenotype B. Determining the phenotype of PCOS may be helpful for better management of PCOS and its associated complications. However, further investigations are recommended in this regard.

The effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance, visceral fat and adiponectin in vitamin D deficient women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Low plasma 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the development of insulin resistance, visceral fat and low level of adiponectin which are common feature in PCOS women. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance, visceral fat, and adiponectin in hypovitaminosis D women with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: In this randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 44 PCOS women aged 20-38 years with plasma 25OHD <20 ng/mL were randomized in the intervention or placebo groups and followed for 8 weeks. Participants received 50,000 IU of oral vitamin D3 once weekly in the intervention group or placebo. The visceral adipose tissue, Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HOMA-B, QUICKI, and circulating adiponectin were compared before and after the intervention within groups using paired tests and the mean changes were analyzed between two groups by independent t-test. RESULTS: Of 44 eligible participates, 36 patients (81.8%) completed the study. After 8 week intervention, vitamin D supplementation compared to the placebo group significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (7.67 ± 7.66 versus 1.71 ± 7.50 mg/dL, p = .001) and significantly increased homeostasis model of assessment-estimated B cell function (HOMA-B) (129.76 ± 121.02 versus 48.32 ± 128.35, p = .014), Adiponectin (5.17 ± 8.09 versus -5.29 ± 8.64 mg/dL, p = .001), and serum vitamin D level (28.24 ± 6.47 versus 3.55 ± 4.25 ng/mL, p = .001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient women with PCOS, improved the FPG, HOMA-B, Adiponectin, and serum vitamin D level.

Associations of dietary inflammatory indices (DII and E-DII) with sperm parameters.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the ambiguous link between dietary inflammatory indices and sperm parameters. Specifically, it investigated the associations between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) with sperm motility, morphology, and count in men undergoing routine semen analysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 144 men enrolled, where semen samples were collected and evaluated according to the 2010 World Health Organization guidelines. Dietary data were gathered using a 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire developed by the researchers. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to assess the relationships of the DII and E-DII with sperm parameters. Results: The mean DII and E-DII scores were 1.23±1.1 and 0.49±0.43, respectively. The mean values for sperm motility, morphology, and count were 43.08%±19.30%, 78.03%±26.99%, and 48.12±44.41 million, respectively. Both motility (r=-0.353) and count (r=-0.348) were found to be inversely and significantly correlated with DII. Similarly, Pearson correlation tests revealed strong and significant inverse correlations of motility (r=-0.389) and count (r=-0.372) with E-DII. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a diet with a higher anti-inflammatory potential may be associated with increased sperm count and motility, but not with changes in morphology. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings, elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and identify dietary modifications that could improve male fertility.

Prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women with miscarriage and their aborted fetuses in the northwest of Iran.

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease of various animals and human and results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Abortion and congenital defects are important consequences of the T. gondii infection. The aim of this study was to determine the Toxoplasma-induced abortions among women with miscarriage and the presence of T. gondii in their aborted fetuses in Urmia, the northwest of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 215 women with abortion and their aborted fetuses, from 2020 to 2021. Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM were determined using the sera of the aforesaid women. Nested PCR was carried out using RE-529 gene sequences, and sequencing was performed using the T. gondii GRA6 gene on the remnant of pregnancy after abortion. The tissue positive samples were then subjected to another PCR on GRA6 gene and sequenced for genotyping. Among 215 serum samples of women with abortion, 70 (32.6%) were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG, and three (1.4%) were positive for IgM. The RE-529 sequence of T. gondii was positive in three (1.4%) of the aborted fetuses. The analysis of GRA6 gene indicated that all three positive samples carried a GRA6 allele (GRA6I) of T. gondii type I genotype. Our findings suggest that T. gondii is one of the causative agents of spontaneous abortion in West Azerbijan Province, the northwest of Iran.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A Narrative Review.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most common disorders in women that is associated with social and economic consequences. In general, this disorder imposes direct and indirect costs on the economy of various societies. This review aimed to investigate pelvic floor dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this narrative review, the published articles on pelvic floor dysfunction were examined in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar. We searched for terms related to polycystic ovary syndrome and pelvic floor dysfunction. Inclusion criteria of this research were observational, experimental, and review studies. In this investigation, the complications associated with polycystic ovary syndrome were examined as risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction. In this narrative review, we discuss about changes in hormone levels, obesity and overweight, hormonal medications and complications such as diabetes and metabolic disorders and obstetric complications of PCOS can be involved in the pathophysiology of pelvic floor dysfunctions, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women with PCOS. This review highlights knowledge gaps about protective effect of hyperandrogenism on pelvic floor dysfunction as well as destructive effect of metabolic changes on pelvic floor dysfunction in women with PCOS. Further cohort and prospective studies are recommended in women with PCOS to investigate the concept of pelvic organ dysfunction in these women.

Quality of Life and Emotional States of Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The chronic condition of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents can affect different aspects of quality of life in them. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the quality of life with emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescents with PCOS. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 120 adolescents with PCOS in Tehran, Iran in 2019. The sociodemographic checklist, quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress (DASS) were assayed by valid and reliable questionnaires. The Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression were used for data analysis, which was performed by SPSS (V.22). RESULTS: The mean (SD) age and menarche age of participants were 16.58 (1.36) and 12.52 (1.19) years, respectively. The most common clinical symptoms of adolescence were irregular menstruation (85%) and acne (61.7%). According to the result of this study, there was a significant reverse correlation between total score of SF-12 with total scores of depression, anxiety and stress (r=-0.395, p=0.001) and a significant reverse correlation was also found between each dimension of DASS scale and 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) (p<0.001). Based on the linear regression model and after controlling the demographic variables, there was a linear regression relationship between total DASS score and SF-12 (Beta= -0.367, p= 0.003). CONCLUSION: The study results reveal the role of emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress in the quality of life of adolescents with PCOS. Based on our findings, we emphasize the interventional studies and guides for improving all dimensions of quality of life and reducing the psychological burden of PCOS in later life of adolescence.

Relationship between low maternal vitamin D status and the risk of severe preeclampsia: A case control study.

BACKGROUND: Low maternal vitamin D status has been associated with several adverse outcomes during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the vitamin D levels in preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women and the role of vitamin D deficiency in the etiology of preeclampsia. METHODS: In this case-control study, 80 preeclamptic women and 80 healthy pregnant women were selected from Motahari hospital in Urmia, Iran. 2 ml of venous blood sample was collected from each pregnant woman and the serum 25-OH-D level was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and reported in nanograms per milliliter. levels of 25-OH-D less than 10 ng mL-1, between 10 ng mL-1 and 29 ng mL-1 and more than 30 ng mL-1, were considered as deficient, insufficient and normal 25-OH-D concentrations, respectively. Results were analyzed by independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Preeclamptic women (n = 80) were noted to have decreased total 25-OH-D levels relative to healthy control women (n = 80; P = 0.01). This difference in total 25-OH-D remained significant after control for potential confounders [odds ratio (OR) = 4.79, confidence interval (CI) = 1.45-9.87, P = 0.01]. CONCLUSION: These results showed that vitamin D deficiency has a statistically significant relationship with preeclampsia and support the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for preeclampsia.

Systemic administration of curcumin nanoparticles protects ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries: An animal model study.

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian torsion must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries. METHOD: Thirty-five (35) healthy female Wistar rats weighing approximately 250 g were randomized into seven experimental groups (n=5): Group SSG - The rats underwent only laparotomy. Group I: A 3-hour ischemia only. Group I/R: A 3-hour ischemia and 3-hour reperfusion. Group I/C: A 3-hour ischemia only, and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of curcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/C: A 3-hour ischemia, 3-hour reperfusion, and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of curcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/NC: A 3-hour ischemia only and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/C: A 3-hour ischemia, 3-hour reperfusion and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. RESULTS: Nanocurcumin-treated animals showed significantly improved development of ischemia and reperfusion tissue injury compared to those in the other groups (p<0.05). Significant higher values of SOD, tGSH, GPO, GSHRd and GST were observed in I/R/NC animals compared to those in the other groups (p<0.05). The damage indicators (NOS, MDA, MPO and DNA damage level) were significantly lower in I/R/NC animal compared to those of other groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin can be helpful in minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian tissue exposed to ischemia.

Protective effects of intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries: Histological and biochemical assessments in a rat model.

PURPOSE: Ovarian torsion must be diagnosed and treated as much early as possible. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries. METHODS: Thirty healthy male Wistar rats weighing approximately 250g were randomized into six experimental groups (n=5): Group Sham: The rats underwent only laparotomy. Group I: A 3-h ischemia only. Group I/R: A 3-h ischemia and a 3-h reperfusion. Group I/Nimodipine: A 3-h ischemia only and 1mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine 2.5h after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/Nimodipine: A 3-h ischemia, a 3-h reperfusion and 1mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine 2.5h after induction of ischemia. RESULTS: Nimodipine treated animals showed significantly ameliorated development of ischemia and reperfusion tissue injury compared to those of other groups (P<0.05). The significant higher values of SOD, tGSH, GPO, GSHRd and GST were observed in I/R/Nimodipine animals compared to those of other groups (P<0.05). The damage indicators (NOS, MDA, MPO and DNA damage level) were significantly lower in I/R/Nimodipine animal compared to those of other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal administration of nimodipine could be helpful in minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian tissue exposed to ischemia.

Association of Hypothyroidism and Anti-Thyroid Antibodies With Preterm Delivery: A Cross Sectional Study.

Objective: Preterm delivery is a common and eventful phenomenon with long standing complications, heavily burdening the health system. Many risk factors have been suggested to increase the likelihood of this event, one being hypothyroidism and high levels of anti-thyroid antibodies. The present study sought to explore the association between hypothyroidism and anti-thyroid antibodies with preterm delivery. Materials and methods: A case control study was conducted on 400 patients attending Educational-Medical centers of Urmia University of Medical Sciences (Urmia, Iran) between November 2013 and April 2016, in which 200 patients with term deliveries and 200 patients with preterm deliveries were compared for differences in hypothyroidism, existence of anti- thyroperoxidase (TPO) antibodies based on blood samples obtained from the patients which were tested using chemi-luminescence method. Results: In the group of patients with preterm delivery, 85 patients had hypothyroidism (42.5%), and from the term delivery group, 67 patients (33.5%) had hypothyroidism, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.14). But, when groups of early and late preterm deliveries were compared in terms of having anti-TPO antibodies, there was a significant difference between them, with early preterm delivery having 8 patients positive out of 44 patients and late preterm delivery having 7 positives out of 141 patients (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Hypothyroidism had an insignificant effect on preterm delivery rates, but the existence of anti-TPO antibodies in the serum had a significant increasing effect on early preterm deliveries and could be regarded as a risk factor.

Systemic administration of curcumin nanoparticles protects ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries: An animal model study

Summary Objective: Ovarian torsion must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries. Method: Thirty-five (35) healthy female Wistar rats weighing approximately 250 g were randomized into seven experimental groups (n=5): Group SSG - The rats underwent only laparotomy. Group I: A 3-hour ischemia only. Group I/R: A 3-hour ischemia and 3-hour reperfusion. Group I/C: A 3-hour ischemia only, and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of curcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/C: A 3-hour ischemia, 3-hour reperfusion, and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of curcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/NC: A 3-hour ischemia only and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/C: A 3-hour ischemia, 3-hour reperfusion and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Results: Nanocurcumin-treated animals showed significantly improved development of ischemia and reperfusion tissue injury compared to those in the other groups (p<0.05). Significant higher values of SOD, tGSH, GPO, GSHRd and GST were observed in I/R/NC animals compared to those in the other groups (p<0.05). The damage indicators (NOS, MDA, MPO and DNA damage level) were significantly lower in I/R/NC animal compared to those of other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Intraperitoneal administration of nanocurcumin can be helpful in minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian tissue exposed to ischemia.