Mean Platelet Volume, a Novel Biomarker in Adolescents with Severe Primary Dysmenorrhea.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether mean platelet volume (MPV) would be a profitable marker in predicting disease severity in adolescents with severe primary dysmenorrhea (PD). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A total of 67 patients diagnosed with PD and 37 healthy adolescents with regular menstrual cycles were included in the study. Hemoglobin, MPV, and white blood cell, platelet, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts were measured as part of the automated complete blood examination. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio were obtained from the absolute neutrophil or platelet count, respectively, divided by the absolute lymphocyte count. The visual analog scale was used to assess the level of pain, as mild (<40 mm), moderate (40-60 mm) and severe (>60 mm) PD. RESULTS: The MPV level of the combined severity of PD and control groups were similar. However, the MPV was significantly lower in the severe PD group compared with the control group (P = .04). There were no significant differences in the other hematological parameters between the groups. The mean visual analog scale score of the PD and control subjects were 7.35 ± 2.25 and 1.07 ± 1.96, respectively (P < .01). There was a poor negative correlation, which was statistically insignificant, between MPV and white blood cell count. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that MPV is decreased in adolescents with severe PD. Further studies with larger numbers of subjects are necessary to clarify the roles of platelets in the pathogenesis of severe PD and evaluate the changes in MPV value in response to treatment.

Is there a correlation between maternal serum TGF-ß1 levels and fetal hydronephrosis?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify a noninvasive marker for clinically significant fetal uropathies. To achieve this aim, we detected TGF (transforming growth factor)-ß1 serum level which rises in neonatal hydronephrosis, in pregnant patients with fetal hydronephrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 44 patients, all of whom were pregnant and had a gestational age between 20 and 30 weeks. Twenty-two patients had normal maternal renal ultrasound imaging and had a fetus with fetal hydronephrosis (Group A). The remaining twenty-two patients had normal maternal and fetal renal ultrasound imaging (Group B). The maternal serum levels of TGF-ß1 were measured with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercially available kit. RESULTS: The median value for the study group was 55.90 pg/mL (9.67 ± 574.45) and for the control group was 59.49 pg/mL (12.49 ± 402.04). There was no statistical difference in serum TGF-ß1 levels between the groups (p = 0.769 - Mann-Whitney U test). In the study group, the diameter of the right renal pelvis was 5.7 mm (5.1-8.9 mm), while the diameter of left renal pelvis was 5.75 mm (5.3-10.04 mm). CONCLUSION: In our study, the circulating TGF-ß1 levels were not statistically different in the fetal hydronephrosis group when compared to the controls. According to our study, TGF-ß1 is not useful in the detection and follow-up of fetal hydronephrosis. We therefore require further studies involving larger groups with moderate or severe fetal hydronephrosis to detect the usefulness of the serum levels of TGF-ß1 in pregnant women with fetal hydronephrosis.

Extended high frequency audiometry in polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting 5-10% of women in reproductive age. Insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, hypertension, and obesity are metabolic disorders accompanying the syndrome. PCOS is a chronic proinflammatory state and the disease is associated with endothelial dysfunction. In diseases with endothelial damage, hearing in high frequencies are mostly effected in early stages. We evaluated extended high frequency hearing loss in PCOS patients. MATERIAL METHODS: Forty women diagnosed as PCOS and 25 healthy controls were included in this study. Age and BMI of PCOS and control groups were comparable. Each subject was tested with low (250-2000 Hz), high (4000-8000 Hz), and extended high frequency audiometry (8000-20000). Hormonal and biochemical values including LH, LH/FSH, testosterone, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-I, and CRP were calculated. RESULTS: PCOS patients showed high levels of LH, LH/FSH, testosterone, fasting insulin, glucose, HOMA-I, and CRP levels. The hearing thresholds of the groups were similar at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz; statistically significant difference was observed in 8000-14000 Hz in PCOS group compared to control group. CONCLUSION: PCOS patients have hearing impairment especially in extended high frequencies. Further studies are needed to help elucidate the mechanism behind hearing impairment in association with PCOS.