Unveiling the spectrum: A cross-sectional exploration of hirsutism causes in women.

Background and Objective: Hirsutism is a common endocrine disorder and its etiology varies from benign and idiopathic disorders to serious malignant diseases. Hirsutism creates negative impact on quality of life and considerable effects on fertility. Our objective was to determine the various causes of hirsutism in women presenting at two endocrine clinics. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Karachi and at Jinnah hospital, Lahore from August 2020 to December 2021 women between 12-45 years of age with complains of hirsutism were included in the study. Severity of Hirsutism was evaluated using modified Ferriman-Gallwey score (FG). Patients with modified FG score of 8 or more were considered having hirsutism. Results: The study had 113 patients with a mean age of 15.50+7.29 years with 89% having moderate hirsutism (FG score 16-25). Polycystic ovaries was the most common cause of hirsutism. Common sites for hirsutism included back (83%), arms (74%), buttocks (70%), and upper abdomen (47%). High BMI (p-value <0.01) and high Dehydroepiandrosterone levels were positively associated with the severity of hirsutism (p-value of 0.006.). Conclusion: The various causes of hirsutism identified were polycystic ovaries, followed by idiopathic, thyroid dysfunction, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and hyperprolactinemia; therefore, all women presenting with hirsutism should be evaluated for potential serious and curable etiologies, before embarking on a treatment plan.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on renal function of people with diabetes; a prospective longitudinal study.

AIM: To observe the effect of Ramadan fasting on renal function of people with diabetes. METHODS: This prospective, observational, and longitudinal study was conducted at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, between April-July 2019. People with type2 diabetes mellitus were recruited using convenient sampling. Demographic data along with renal function were recorded before Ramadan. Kidney functions were assessed in those who came for follow up at 6 weeks, 3 months, and a year after Ramadan. RESULTS: A total of seventy people with diabetes participated in this study with the mean age of 53.11 ± 8.70 years. A significant decline in eGFR was noted around six weeks post Ramadan with a significant improvement of eGFR at 3 months follow-up. The normalization of kidney functions among the study participants was observed even after one year of Ramadan. CONCLUSION: In this study post Ramadan assessment of creatinine clearance showed a significant fall among fasting people with diabetes though remained with in normal limits. Significant improvement and reversal of kidney functions was noted in those who followed within three months' time.

Clinical Presentation and Frequency of Metabolic Syndrome in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Experience From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to determine the variations in the clinical presentation and frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in women with PCOS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan, from April 2019 to March 2020. Women attending the endocrine clinic who satisfied the Rotterdam criteria of PCOS and agreed to participate in the study were included. Detailed personal and family history of menstrual cycle, hirsutism, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity was noted along with measurement of vitals, anthropometric measures and calculation of the body mass index. Physical examination performed for signs of hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and biochemical and hormonal evaluation was also carried out in recruited participants. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS:  A total of 153 participants with mean age of 27.2±8.13 years were included in this study. Regarding clinical presentation, menstrual irregularity (oligomenorrhea 39.85%, amenorrhea 38.9%), followed by hirsutism 52.3%, was the most common presentation. Polycystic appearance of ovaries was noted in 33.3% of our study participants. MetS was identified in 46.4% participants (obesity was noted at the highest frequency at 82.4% followed by dyslipidemia at 56.2%). CONCLUSION:  We observed a high frequency of MetS in females presenting with PCOS. There is a need to evaluate women with PCOS for various components of MetS to prevent potential complications.