Previous cancers in women diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency: A nationwide population-based case-control study

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the occurrence of previous cancer diagnoses in women suffering from premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and compare it with the general population, shedding light on the association between cancer, cancer treatments, and POI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a nationwide case-control study based on registry data from various sources, including the Social Insurance Institution, Finnish Population Information System, and Finnish Cancer Registry spanning from 1953 to 2018. Our participants comprised all women in Finland who, between 1988 and 2017, received hormone replacement therapy reimbursement for ovarian insufficiency before the age of 40 years (n = 5221). Controls, matched in terms of age and municipality of residence, were selected from the Finnish Population Information System (n = 20 822). Our main exposure variable was a history of cancer diagnosis preceding the diagnosis of POI. We analyzed odds ratios (OR) to compare the prevalence of previous cancers in women with POI with that in controls, stratifying results based on cancer type, age at cancer diagnosis, and the time interval between cancer diagnosis and POI. We also assessed changes in OR for previous cancer diagnoses over the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Out of the women diagnosed with POI, 21.9% had previously been diagnosed with cancer, resulting in an elevated OR of 36.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.9 to 43.3) compared with 0.8% of the controls. The risk of developing POI was most pronounced during the first 2 years following a cancer diagnosis, with an OR of 103 (95% CI 74.1 to 144). Importantly, this risk remained elevated even when the time interval between cancer and POI exceeded 10 years, with an OR of 5.40 (95% CI 3.54 to 8.23).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals that 21.9% of women with POI have a history of cancer, making the prevalence of cancer among these women 27.5 times higher than age-matched controls in the Finnish population. The risk of developing POI is most substantial in the first 2 years following a cancer diagnosis. These findings underscore the role of cancer treatments as an etiological factor for POI and emphasize the importance of recognizing the risk of POI in cancer survivors for early diagnosis and intervention.

Climacteric status at age 46 is associated with poorer work ability, lower 2-year participation in working life, and a higher 7-year disability retirement rate: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between an advanced climacteric status at 46 years of age and current perceived work ability, the consequent 2-year accumulation of disability and unemployment days, and the 7-year incidence of disability pensions.

METHODS

Study participants (n = 2,661) were recruited from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study's 46-year follow-up in 2012. The participants' perceived work ability was investigated using the Work Ability Score (0-7 = poor vs 8-10 = good), along with potential covariates. Data concerning their consequent disability days, unemployment days, and disability pensions were collected from national registers. The association between their climacteric status at age 46 years, work ability, and working life participation was assessed using regression models.

RESULTS

The climacteric women were more often smokers and more often had a lower level of education. The odds ratio for poor perceived work ability was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.06-1.87), and the incidence rate ratios for disability and unemployment days during the 2-year follow-up were 1.09 (95% CI, 1.07-1.11) and 1.16 (95% CI, 1.14-1.18), respectively, for the climacteric women compared with the preclimacteric women in models adjusted for smoking and education. The 7-year hazard ratio for disability pensions was 1.72 (95% CI, 1.02-2.91) for the climacteric women.

CONCLUSIONS

An earlier menopausal transition is associated with poorer perceived work ability, and it predicts lower recorded work participation and a higher disability pension rate in subsequent years.

Sleep disturbances in women with early-onset menopausal transition: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate sleep disturbances in 46-yr-old women and their association with early-onset menopausal transition.

METHODS

The women of this cross-sectional birth cohort study were divided into climacteric (n = 359) and preclimacteric (n = 2,302) groups by their menopausal status, defined by follicle-stimulating hormone levels and menstrual history. Sleep disturbances were evaluated with Athens Insomnia Scale 5. We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression models in which sleep parameters were dependent variables and climacteric status, hot flashes, smoking, and education level were independent variables. The use of hormone therapy was also evaluated in women suffering from sleeping disturbances.

RESULTS

On the basis of the scale questions, climacteric women experienced significantly delayed sleep induction (12.2% vs 8.7%, P = 0.047), more problems with awakenings during the night (23.4% vs 14.6%, P < 0.001), earlier final awakening (13.8% vs 9.9%, P = 0.039), and more unsatisfying sleep quality (11.9% vs 7.9%, P = 0.023). Climacteric women who were experiencing hot flashes reported unsatisfactory sleep quality more frequently compared with climacteric women who did not experience hot flashes (17.0% vs 9.2%, P = 0.047). In the univariable and multivariable logistic regression models, being climacteric was independently associated with different impaired sleeping parameters. Most climacteric women who had a scale score of 4 or greater were not using hormone therapy, according to their medicine purchases over the past year.

CONCLUSIONS

Being climacteric was associated with sleep disturbances in women in their mid-40s. However, this association seemed to be particularly driven by hot flashes. Most climacteric women with clinically significant sleeping disturbances were not using hormone therapy.

Association of genetic disorders and congenital malformations with premature ovarian insufficiency: a nationwide register-based study

STUDY QUESTION

Are genetic disorders and congenital malformations associated with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

A wide range of genetic disorder and congenital malformation diagnoses are associated with POI, especially early onset POI.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

POI is known to be associated with some genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome and Fragile X premutation. Multiple genetic syndromes, such as ataxia teleangiectasia and galactosemia, have also been associated with an increased risk of POI, and many of these genetic syndromes manifest with various congenital malformations. In previous studies, a genetic aetiology has been found for 7-15% of POI cases.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This population-based study included 5011 women diagnosed with POI in 1988-2017. The data were collected from various national registries and covers women with POI nationwide.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We identified 5011 women diagnosed with POI from 1988 to 2017 from the drug reimbursement registry of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Women with surgical POI (bilateral oophorectomy for benign indications) were not included. We selected four population controls per woman with POI matched by month and year of birth and municipality of residence. Diagnostic codes for genetic disorders and congenital malformations (GD/CM) for the cases and controls were searched from the Hospital Discharge Register. Binary logistic regression was used to compare the odds for GD/CM among cases and controls. To minimize bias, for the statistical analyses, we excluded diagnoses which were reported <2 years prior to the index date.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Of the women with POI, 15.9% (n = 797) had at least one diagnostic code for GD or CM. The odds ratio (OR) for Turner syndrome was 275 (95% CI 68.1-1110), and for other sex chromosome abnormalities, it was 12.7 (95% CI 4.1-39.1). For autosomal single gene disorders, the OR was 16.5 (95% CI 6.2-43.7). Women with POI had a higher odds of having a GD/CM diagnosis in all categories. The OR for GD/CM diagnoses was highest among the youngest POI patients (10-14 years old, OR 24.1, 95% CI 15.1-38.2). The odds of having POI were higher the more GD or CM diagnoses a woman had.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Some women with POI might not have sought help for their symptoms and therefore remain undiagnosed. Due to the register-based nature of our study, we did not have access to more specific genetic diagnoses than international classification of diseases offers.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

GD/CM diagnoses were strongly associated with POI, especially when POI was diagnosed at a young age. The risk of POI was highest in women with multiple GD/CM diagnoses. Early onset POI can be a sign of underlying genetic disorder or congenital anomaly, and this should serve as a reminder for clinicians to consider further examinations. To avoid unnecessary delay in the diagnosis of POI and starting relevant hormone replacement therapy treatment, clinicians should be aware of these associations.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Oulu University Hospital financially supported this work. H.S. has received personal grants from the Finnish Menopause Society, Oulu Medical Research Foundation, and Finnish Research Foundation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. S.S. has received grants from the Finnish Menopause Society, the Finnish Medical Foundation, and the Juho Vainio Foundation. None of the authors have any competing interests to declare.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Incidence and familial risk of premature ovarian insufficiency in the Finnish female population

STUDY QUESTION

What is the incidence of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), has the incidence of POI changed over time, and what is the risk of POI among relatives of POI women?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The incidence of POI increased among females aged 15-19 years from 2007 onwards and decreased in older age groups, and among relatives of women with POI the risk of POI is significantly increased.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

So far, there has been no good quality, nationwide studies of the incidence of POI. Early menopause has been associated with the elevated risk of early menopause among relatives, but the knowledge of the familial risk of POI is scarce. Lower socioeconomic status has been associated with lower age at natural menopause.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Population-based study with 5011 women diagnosed with POI in 1988-2017. The data were collected from national registries and covers POI subjects in entire Finland.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Women with hormone replacement therapy reimbursement for POI were identified from Social Insurance Institution (SII). We calculated POI incidence in different age groups and studied the changes in the incidence rate over time in 5-year segments. Four population-based controls were selected from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) for each POI woman. Family members of the POI cases and controls were identified from the DVV and linked to SII reimbursement data to identify POI diagnoses among them. The familial risk of POI was estimated with a logistical regression model.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The incidence was highest in the 35-39 age group, ranging from 73.8/100 000 women-years in 1993-1997 to 39.9/100 000 women-years in 2013-2017. From 2007, the incidence among 15- to 19-year-olds rose from 7.0 to 10.0/100 000 women-years in 2015-2017. Cumulative incidence of POI for women under 40 years in 1988-2017 was 478/100 000 women. The relative risk of POI among relatives of women with POI was 4.6 (95% CI 3.3-6.5) compared to relatives of women without POI. POI women tended to have slightly lower socioeconomic status and level of education compared to controls.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

For some women with POI, diagnosis or reimbursement may be lacking. However, we presume that these women represent a minority due to the nature of the disease and the economic benefits of reimbursement. Some changes in the incidence of POI can reflect changes in clinical practice and changing treatments and reimbursement criteria.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The risk of developing POI is significantly higher in women who have first-degree relatives diagnosed with POI. Raising awareness of the increased risk might lead to earlier diagnosis and initiation of hormonal replacement therapy, possibly preventing adverse effects of low oestrogen levels, such as osteoporosis.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was financially supported by the Oulu University Hospital. H.S. received a grant from Finnish Menopause Society. S.M.S. received a grant from the Finnish Menopause Society, the Finnish Medical Foundation and the Juho Vainio Foundation. The authors do not have any competing interests to declare.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Is climacterium by the mid-40s associated with thyroid dysfunction or autoimmunity? A population-based study

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether more advanced climacteric stage in the mid-40s is associated with thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction.

METHODS

This cross-sectional cohort study included 2,569 46-year-old women. Thyroid hormone, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were determined. Using menstrual history and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, the participants were divided into climacteric (n = 340) and preclimacteric (n = 2,229) groups. Women diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (menopause by 40 y of age) were excluded. The use of thyroid medication was evaluated from the medication reimbursement register. The prevalence of thyroid medication use, laboratory-based thyroid dysfunction, and thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity was compared between the two groups. The association between climacteric status and thyroid disorders was investigated using a logistic regression model including smoking and thyroid antibody status.

RESULTS

At 46 years old, climacteric women used thyroid medication more often than preclimacteric women (9.1% vs 6.1%; P = 0.04). There was no difference in the prevalence of subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in nonmedicated participants (5.5% vs 5.0%; P = 0.7) or thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity (14.0% vs 15.0%, P = 0.7). In the regression model, being climacteric (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.3; P = 0.02) and antibody positivity (OR 4.9; 95% CI 3.6-6.6; P < 0.001) were associated with a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

More advanced climacteric stage in the mid-40s was slightly associated with thyroid dysfunction but not thyroid autoimmunity.

Early-onset climacterium is not associated with impaired vitamin D status: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate vitamin D status in women with the onset of the climacteric phase by age 46 as both early menopause and inadequate vitamin D status may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study included 2,544, 46-year-old women from a birth cohort. Women were divided into the following two groups according to their menstrual history and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration: 1) climacteric (FSH ≥25 IU/L and amenorrhea ≥4 mo, n = 351) and 2) preclimacteric women (FSH <25 IU/L and having regular/irregular menstrual cycles, n = 2,193). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were compared between the groups. A linear regression model was performed to investigate which factors are associated with 25(OH)D status.

RESULTS

Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in climacteric compared with preclimacteric women (68.1 ± 19.8 nmol/L vs 65.2 ± 19.3 nmol/L, P = 0.01). However, in the linear regression model, climacteric status was not associated with 25(OH)D status (multivariable adjusted mean difference 4.5 nmol/L, 95% confidence interval -1.4 to 10.4, P = 0.137). A total of 76 of the climacteric women were using systemic estrogen hormone therapy (HT). In a subanalysis, including only climacteric women, the use of HT was associated with higher 25(OH)D status (multivariable adjusted mean difference 5.9 nmol/L, 95% confidence interval 1.3-10.5, P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

The onset of the climacteric phase by age 46 was not associated with inadequate 25(OH)D concentrations, whereas HT use was associated with higher 25(OH)D status in women with early-onset climacterium.