Demographic characteristics and mental health condition of Tehran Municipality employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global health issue with various effects on the physical and mental state of the societies. The aim of this study was to identify the demographic characteristics and mental health condition of Tehran Municipality employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on Tehran Municipality employees in 2020-2021. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling and were divided into COVID-19 and uninfected groups. Demographic characteristics, COVID-19 risk behaviors, General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and Well- Being Social Inventory were filled for all participants. RESULTS: A total of 510 participants (363 uninfected participants and 147 participants with COVID-19) were evaluated. The prevalence of female gender was significantly higher in COVID-19 group compared to uninfected group (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between groups in terms of education level (p < 0.001), prevalence of excess weight (p < 0.001), and working sector (p < 0.001). The uninfected group mainly had low contact with clients (p < 0.001) and few underlying diseases (p = 0.004) compared to the COVID-19 group. The mean GHQ-28 and Well- Being Social Inventory were significantly higher in the uninfected group compared to the COVID-19 group (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of no and low contact level was significantly higher in the high infection cluster compared to moderate and low infection clusters (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicated that all workers should be educated about the significance of social distancing and follow the recommendations regardless of their level of contact with clients.

Factors predicting age at menopause among Iranian women in the Bandare-Kong cohort study (a cross-sectional survey of PERSIAN cohort study).

BACKGROUND: Menopause is a natural period in women's life and can be affected by several factors. The aim of this study was to identify the associated factors for age of natural menopause and among women with early and premature menopause based on a cohort study in Iran. METHODS: This population-based study was conducted on 894 post menopause women between 35 and 70 years old who participated in the Bandare-Kong Non-Communicable Diseases (BKNCD) Cohort Study, a part of Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN) from March 2016 to February 2019. All women completed a standard self-reported questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, independent t test, and ANOVA as well as a multivariable linear regression model. RESULTS: The mean age at natural menopause was 48.31 ± 6.34 years. After adjusting other variables, gravida, history of cardiac disease, socioeconomic status and residence status were predictive of age at menopause (P < 0.001). Among the premature menopause group, the mean age at menopause was significantly higher among women with diabetes compared to women without diabetes group (35.68 ± 2.92 vs. 33.82 ± 3.06; P = 0.043), while the mean age at menopause was significantly lower in women with infertility compared to women without infertility (29.13 ± 5.22 vs. 34.84 ± 2.826; P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the predictors of menopausal age differed in women with premature menopause compared to overall menopause age. Prospective studies are needed to evaluation the effects of these factors on menopausal age.

Relationship Between Amoxicillin Use in Pregnancy and Congenital Anomalies: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Amoxicillin is among the most used antibiotics in the treatment of a wide spectrum of bacterial infections. Although amoxicillin is categorized as group B in pregnancy, the findings of studies regarding its effects on the fetus are controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to review the reported effects of amoxicillin administration in pregnancy on congenital anomalies. METHODS: Published articles in PubMed, Scopus, SID, and Magiran databases, as well as Google Scholar were searched till May 2021 based on a search strategy. Case-control and cohort studies in Persian or English language were included. Four studies, including two case-control and two cohort studies, with an overall sample size of 260491 pregnant mothers, were included in the review. RESULTS: A review of case-control studies revealed an increased risk for cleft palate in one study. Cohort studies did not reveal a significant relationship between amoxicillin use and major congenital anomalies. CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review showed that although no major congenital anomaly was reported for the administration of amoxicillin consumption with or without clavulanic acid, there is a possibility that amoxicillin administration in pregnancy might be related to some anomalies, including cleft palate. Amoxicillin should be administered with caution during pregnancy till more evidence is provided regarding its safety.

Predicting factors for breast cancer screening in Middle Eastern women based on health belief model: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer screening can reduce mortality and improve the quality of life in affected women. The present study aimed to determine the predictive factors of breast cancer screening in Iranian women based on the health belief model (HBM). METHODS: This review was conducted by searching electronic databases of Google Scholar; electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, Embase, and Google scholar Magiran; and SID with the English keywords of "breast cancer," "mammography," "health belief model," and "breast self-exam" and the equivalent Persian keywords. The results were evaluated based on the health belief model (HBM) constructs. Articles were evaluated for quality and the findings were extracted and reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 8 relevant articles were selected for review. Women's awareness of breast cancer screening methods was moderate in two studies and poor in two other studies. Among the constructs of HBM, knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and action plan were poor in the majority of the studies, while perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy were mainly good. CONCLUSION: Considering the observed weakness of many HBM constructs, it is recommended that special attention be given to all HBM constructs in implementing HBM-based education programs.

Knowledge Level of Health Care Providers about Complicated Grief during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID -19) pandemic had great psychological impact on COVID-19 patients and their families. Relatives of the deceased COVID-19 patients are at risk for complicated grief. Healthcare providers (HCPs) should be able to identify complicated grief cases. The aim of this study was to assess HCP knowledge regarding complicated grief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method : This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed and validated before being used in this study. The questionnaire included demographic questions as well as knowledge about complicated grief and its symptoms, risk factors and management. The link to the questionnaire website was sent to HCP governmental and private sectors. Data was analyzed using the ordinal regression model by the SPSS 16 software. Results: A total of 887 HCPs (69% female and 31% male) participated in this study. Majority of the participants (594, 70%) had fair overall knowledge about complicated grief while 206 (23.2%) participants had poor knowledge. Poor knowledge level about risk factors for complicated grief was observed in 44.3% of the participants. Fair or poor knowledge about prevention and management of complicate grief was observed in 39.2% of participants. Knowledge about complicated grief had a significant positive relationship with female gender (OR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.15-2.08) and higher education level (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.37-2.54). Conclusion: Knowledge of HCPs about complicated grief was low. There is need for HCP knowledge improvement regarding complicated grief by appropriate education.

A randomised controlled trial on the effects of a structural education module among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome on nutrition and physical activity changes.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic, endocrine and reproductive disorder that has a huge impact on the life of women. To ascertain the effectiveness of health education module among women with PCOS. METHODS: This single-centre, randomised controlled trial was conducted on female staff of the University Putra Malaysia who were diagnosed with PCOS. Subjects were randomly assigned into intervention (n = 34) and control group (n = 35). In the intervention group, they need to take part in 8 education sessions in total over 6 months, and feedback was collected at the end of the session. RESULTS: Primary outcome was changes in knowledge, attitude and practise of nutrition. Secondary outcomes were eating attitude and behaviour as well as knowledge, attitude and practise towards physical activity. After 6-months of intervention, there was a significant difference observed in nutrition knowledge 1 score (p < 0.001) and nutrition knowledge 2 score (p = 0.01) between intervention and control groups. Similarly, there was a significant difference observed in international physical activity questionnaire score (p = 0.02) between intervention and control groups. However there was no significant changes for attitude and practice of nutrition, eating attitude as well as knowledge, attitude and practise of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that 6-months of education intervention can improve nutrition and physical activity knowledge. Based on this study, the education module may be considered an effective intervention for women with PCOS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Name of the registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12617000135314. Date of registration: 24/01/2017. URL of trial registry record: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=372037.

Factors Affecting Menstrual Cycle Developmental Trajectory in Adolescents: A Narrative Review.

Context: The time interval between the age at menarche and regulation of menstrual cycles (menstrual cycle developmental trajectory) is considered an indicator of the function of the reproductive system later in life. This study aimed to summarize the factors affecting this trajectory. Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science was performed to identify studies investigating factors influencing the regularity of the menstrual cycle in adolescents. Results: The interval between menarche and the onset of the regular menstrual cycle in adolescent girls may vary from several months to several years. Several factors, including genetic, race/ethnicity, intrauterine situation, social factors, geographical factors, lifestyle, and chronic diseases, are considered the predisposing factors for the trajectory. Conclusions: Age at menarche and the onset of regular menstrual cycles are directly and indirectly influenced by several genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Understanding these factors may improve our practice in managing irregular menstrual cycles that commonly happen in the first years after menarche.

Evaluating e-health literacy, knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 prevention and Self-Protection among Iranian students: a cross-sectional online survey.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires integrated intervention by both the governments and individuals. University students have a great role in distributing reliable information about disease prevention behaviors. The aim of this study was to identify the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of COVID-19 Prevention and Self-Protection behaviors in students. METHODS: This cross-sectional online survey was conducted on Iranian university students. All students filled a questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, e-Health Literacy Scale (EHEALS) questionnaire and a researcher-made knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 925 students (69.9% female) participated in this study. The median age of the students was 23 years old. Majority of students (641, 69.3%) were non-medical students. The median and interquartile range (IQR) for knowledge, attitude, practice and P-EHEALS scores in Medical students were 52.00 (27.00), 4.00 (1.00), 28.00 (8.00), and 26.00 (9.00), respectively which were significantly higher than non-medical students, 28.00 (15.00), 3.00 (2.00), 20.00 (8.00), and 26.00 (9.00), respectively (p < 0.001). Practice score was a significant related to knowledge (p < 0.001), attitude (p < 0.001), having a COVID-19 infected family member (p < 0.001), older age (p < 0.001), medical field of education (p = 0.001), higher EHEALS score (p = 0.018), and female gender (p = 0.013). Knowledge, attitude and having a COVID-19 infected person in family were the strongest predictors of preventive practices. CONCLUSIONS: KAP and E-Health literacy of university students, especially non-medical students, should be considered in order to improve COVID-19 preventive behaviors in the society.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Female Sexual Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only has put populations at risk for mental and sexual health risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on published articles reporting female sexual function before and during COVID-19 pandemic in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran and SID databases till August 2021. From the initial 3198 articles, 8 articles were included in the review. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in total FSFI score and its domains during the COVID-19 pandemic and the pre-pandemic period. Further studies should separately evaluate the effect of lockdown on female sexual function.

Influencing factors on women's attitudes toward menopause: a systematic review.

IMPORTANCE: Menopause is a natural stage of the reproductive life of a woman. This natural event might affect activities of daily living and cause problems for women. Positive attitudes toward menopause can improve women's quality of life and reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the factors influencing women's attitudes toward menopause. EVIDENCE REVIEW: This systematic review was conducted based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guideline in medical databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar, as well as Magiran, and SID until October 2020. FINDINGS: A total of 7,512 articles were identified. Eight articles were included in the review after excluding the duplicates and screening the articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The majority of the studies used the Attitude Toward Menopause Scale to assess the attitudes toward menopause. This variable differed between the studies conducted in different regions and countries. Furthermore, postmenopausal women had more positive attitudes toward menopause compared with peri- or premenopausal women. Other influencing factors of attitudes toward menopause included age, menopausal symptoms, psychological and socioeconomical status, and profession and ethnicity. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: The findings showed that menopausal stage, menopausal symptoms, and psychological and socioeconomic status can influence the attitude of women toward menopause. Therefore, these factors should be considered in interventions that aim to improve women's attitudes toward menopause.

An overview of sex hormones in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Aim: Sex differences in COVID-19 outcomes might be explained from a sex hormones (SexHs) perspective. Materials & methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched up to March 2021. Results: Based on the literature review, the crosstalk between SexHs (estrogens, progesterone and testosterone), their receptors (estrogen α and ß, androgen, and progesterone) and the immune system shaped the sex-related differences in immune responses against COVID-19. Differential production of SexHs over the lifespan (during pregnancy, reproductive years, menopause and andropause) and over different seasons may result in disparities in body response toward COVID-19. Moreover, SexHs-specific differences might affect vaccine efficacy and response to treatment. Conclusion: The roles of SexHs need to be considered in vaccine development and even treatment of COVID-19.

Evaluation of the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on tocophobia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Non-medical approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have been proposed for the management of tocophobia. A new method of performing CBT is through internet. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of internet-based and traditional CBT on tocophobia. A literature search was conducted on qualitative and quantitative articles from 2000 to 2019 in Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases using search terms referring to tocophobia and CBT. Identified articles were screened in two steps; 1) title and abstract and 2) full text screening. The quality of the quantitative and qualitative studies was assessed using the quality criteria proposed by the Cochrane Collaboration and Jonna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist respectively. Out of the 382 relevant studies, 9 studies were eligible for the review. A high level of heterogeneity was observed in the studies (I2 = 94%, P < 0.001). The meta-analysis showed that both internet-based, and traditional CBT were effective in reducing tocophobia. CBT was more effective in interventions in the Middle Eastern compared to European countries. More than five CBT sessions could significantly reduce tocophobia. Healthcare providers and midwives should have basic knowledge on physiological interventions to reduce tocophobia.

Prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dyspareunia is one of the most common postpartum sexual dysfunctions. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia. SEARCH STRATEGY: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched to July 2019 using keywords including 'perineal pain,' 'dyspareunia,' and 'sexual pain'. SELECTION CRITERIA: Observational studies on the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently reviewed articles and extracted data. Study heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 index; publication bias by Egger and Begg tests. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-two studies enrolling 11 457 women were included. Based on meta-analysis, the overall estimated prevalence of dyspareunia was 35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29%-41%). The prevalence was 42% (95% CI, 26%-60%) at 2 months, 43% (95% CI, 36%-50%) at 2-6 months, and 22% (95% CI, 15%-29%) at 6-12 months postpartum. Begg test showed no significant bias in data related to the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia (p = 0.466). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia was 35% and decreased with increasing postpartum duration. Given the high prevalence and its impact on a woman's quality of life, special attention should be paid to this common complaint during the postpartum period.

A comparison of sexual function in primiparous and multiparous women.

Childbirth is one of the most important influencing factors for sexual function. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of comparing sexual function in primiparous and multiparous women. This cross-sectional analytical study was performed using systematic random sampling on 420 women in the postpartum period who referred to Bandar Abbas health Centres in 2018. The data were collected using an interview method which consisted of a Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. The data analysis was performed using the SPSS Version 23 software. The results showed that sexual dysfunction was lower in multiparous women compared to primiparous women (p = .006). Low sexual activity in primiparous women can be due to less privacy and more time and energy loss. Several factors including housing situation, monthly income, episiotomy incision, and the education level of the couple were influential in the sexual function of the primiparous women (p < .05). Sexual function differs between primiparous and multiparous women in postpartum period and the number of deliveries can affect sexual performance.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Sexual function in humans is affected by a complexity of interactions. Childbirth is among the most one of the important factors that influences sexual function. Pregnancy and childbirth affect all organs of the female body, especially the genital tract, and the resulting changes may cause problems in sexual intercourse. Negative childbirth experiences from previous deliveries can affect sexual performance.What do the results of this study add? Regarding the high prevalence of sexual problems during the postpartum period and the direct impact of this on spousal relationship, and also given the controversial data on the relationship between parity and sexual dysfunction, the present study was conducted to compare postpartum sexual function between primiparous and multiparous women.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The sexual and emotional intimacy of couples may be affected due to the changes in women's sexual function as the result of physiological and anatomical changes during pregnancy and postpartum. Therefore, to improve the quality of sexual relations, screening and counselling for sexual disorders should not be limited to pregnancy and postpartum periods, but should also be included in pre-pregnancy counselling centres.

Sexual dysfunction and related factors in pregnancy and postpartum: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction refers to a chain of psychiatric, individual, and couple's experiences that manifests itself as a dysfunction in sexual desire, sexual arousal, orgasm, and pain during intercourse. The aim of this systematic review will be to assess the sexual dysfunction and determine the relevant factors to sexual dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: All observational studies, including descriptive, descriptive-analytic, case-control, and cohort studies published between 1990 and 2019, will be included in the study. Review articles, case studies, case reports, letter to editors, pilot studies, and editorial will be excluded from the study. The search will be conducted in the Cochrane Central Register, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, EMBASE, ProQuest, Scopus, WOS, and CINAHL databases. Eligible studies should assess at least one of the sexual dysfunction symptoms in pregnant women or in the first year postpartum. Quality assessment of studies will be performed by two authors independently based on the NOS checklist. This checklist is designed to assess the quality of observational studies. Data will be analyzed using Stata software ver. 11. Considering that the index investigated in the present study will be the level of sexual disorder, standard error will be calculated for each study using binomial distribution. The heterogeneity level will be investigated using Cochran's Q statistic and I2 index in a chi-square test at a significance level of 1.1. Predictable limitations of this study included a small number and unacceptable quality of studies. DISCUSSION: This systematic review addresses the factors associated with sexual dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum. Considering the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women, the treatment of this problem has been highly sought after by the World Health Organization in recent years. The results of this study can help discover new strategies by introducing factors affecting women's sexual dysfunction, thereby eliminating or diminishing these factors, and play an important role in improving the quality of life of women during pregnancy and postpartum periods. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018083554.

An overview of the phytoestrogen effect on vaginal health and dyspareunia in peri- and post-menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this overview was to evaluate the effectiveness of phytoestrogens on vaginal health and dyspareunia in peri- and post-menopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three databases including MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were from inception to August 2017. RESULT: Two systematic reviews and 11 RCTs were included in the overview. According to the findings, isoflavones increased the maturation value and attenuated the vaginal atrophy in the post-menopausal women. Topical isoflavones had beneficial effects on the vaginal atrophy. Similar efficacy was found in Pueraria mirifica and conjugated estrogen cream on dryness ( p = 0.277), soreness ( p = 0.124) and irritation ( p = 0.469), as well as discharge ( p = 0.225) and dyspareunia ( p = 0.089). However, the conjugated estrogen cream was more effective compared to Pueraria mirifica ( p > 0.005) regarding maturation index improvement. Comparison of fennel 5% vaginal cream and placebo gel showed significant difference in superficial cells ( p < 0.01), parabasal cells ( p < 0.01) and intermediate cells ( p < 0.01), whereas no difference was found between the oral fennel and placebo in terms of superficial, parabasal and intermediate cells as well as Maturation value. Administration of 80 mg red clover oil had a significant effect on superficial ( p < 0.005), intermediate ( p < 0.005) and parabasal and vaginal dryness ( p < 0.005) compared to the placebo. Flaxseed had also a trivial effect on maturation value. Genistein had a more prominent effect on the genital score. The severity of dyspareunia decreased by 27%. CONCLUSION: Phytoestrogens have various effects based on administration route and type on the vaginal atrophy.

Sexual Dysfunction and its Associated Factors After Delivery: Longitudinal Study in Iranian Women.

INTRODUCTION: Considering physical and emotional changes affecting women's sexual function in postpartum period. AIM: This study was conducted to determine the sexual dysfunction and postpartum-related factors in Bandar Abbas women in 2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study used systematic random sampling on 432 postpartum women referred to Bandar Abbas Healthcare Centers. Data were collected by Demographic and Obstetrics Questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) Questionnaire through interview and were analyzed by using SPSS ver.22 method. RESULTS: The overall rate of sexual dysfunction was reported 85.95%. The most common postpartum sexual dysfunction was pain sexual dysfunction during sexual intercourse. The mean score of all types of sexual dysfunction increased over time after delivery except sexual satisfaction so that the mean score of sexual satisfaction did not show significant differences over time. There was a significant relationship between sexual dysfunction with factors such as duration of marriage (p< 0.001), number of children (p<0.001), familial relationship (p=0.028), episiotomy status (P=0.002) and contraceptive method (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of sexual disorders in this study, healthcare systems need to pay more attention to this area. In order to promote the health status of the family and ultimate of the society, attention to sexual health as well as the early diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction of couples are important, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth.

The Beneficial and Adverse Effects of Raloxifene in Menopausal Women: A Mini Review.

OBJECTIVES: The present mini review aimed to summarize the existing knowledge regarding the beneficial and adverse effects of raloxifene in menopausal women. METHODS: This study is a review of relevant publications about the effects of raloxifene on sleep disorder, depression, venous thromboembolism, the plasma concentration of lipoprotein, breast cancer, and cognitive function among menopausal women. RESULTS: Raloxifene showed no significant effect on depression and sleep disorder. Verbal memory improved with administration of 60 mg/day of raloxifene while a mild cognitive impairment risk reduction by 33% was observed with administration of 120 mg/day of raloxifene. Raloxifene was associated with a 50% decrease in the need for prolapse surgery. The result of a meta-analysis showed a significant decline in the plasma concentration of lipoprotein in the raloxifene group compared to placebo (standardized mean difference, -0.43; 10 trials). A network meta-analysis showed that raloxifene significantly decreased the risk of breast cancer (relative risk, 0.572; 95% confidence interval, 0.327-0.881; P = 0.01). In terms of adverse effects of raloxifene, the odds ratio (OR) was observed to be 1.54 (P = 0.006), indicating 54% increase in the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while the OR for pulmonary embolism (PE) was 1.05, suggesting a 91% increase in the risk of PE alone (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Raloxifene had no significant effect on depression and sleep disorder but decreased the concentration of lipoprotein. Raloxifene administration was associated with an increased risk of DVT and PE and a decreased risk of breast cancer and pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women.

A Review on the Assessment of the Efficacy of Common Treatments in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome on Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition amongst women of reproductive age that can result in increased mortality and morbidity in women due to increased risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of common treatments of PCOS on the predictors of diabetes in non-diabetic PCOS women. Materials and methods: An extensive search was performed on the publications in three medical databases including pubmed, scopus and google scholar from 1995 till 2017. The articles were screened based on their quality and included in this systematic review. A total of 25 articles including cohort, randomised controlled trial, review and meta-analysis were included in the review. Results: This systematic review revealed that the effect of lifestyle modification might be low in PCOS subjects due to high drop-out rate while the benefits of this intervention including weight and fat reduction may not be achieved by medical interventions. Metformin treatment may result in improvements in insulin sensitivity while its weight reduction effect is still not documented in PCOS subjects. Thiazolidendiones might be tolerated by the PCOS subjects and may result in similar effects as metformin but this effect should be documented by further studies. Conclusion: Combination of lifestyle modification with metformin or thiazolidinedions might improve the outcome of the prevention strategies. On the other hand this study revealed a different response to treatments in non-obese compared with obese PCOS subjects.