Premenstrual syndrome and fibromyalgia: the frequency of the coexistence and their effects on quality of life

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the association between Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), to assess common symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of them.

METHODS

Patients with PMS formed the PMS group and age-matched healthy normal controls were included in the control group. The diagnosis of the FMS and PMS were based on new American College of Rheumatology FMS criteria and DSM-IV PMS criteria. FMS-related symptoms assessed by visual analog scale and number of tender points (TePs) were analyzed. QOL, PMS severity and FMS severity were assessed with SF-36, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and premenstrual assessment form (PAF), respectively. Patients with PMS were divided into two subgroups according to coexistence of FMS or not.

RESULTS

The frequency of FMS in PMS and control group were 20 and 0%, respectively (p = 0.002). FMS-related symptoms, number of TePs in the PMS group were higher than those in the control group. The mean mental component summary (MCS) score of SF-36 was low in the PMS group. The mean PAF score in PMS with FMS subgroup was higher than those in without FMS subgroup. The mean physical component summary of SF-36 was low in the PMS patient with FMS. There was correlation between PAF score and FIQ score (r = 0.476, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

FMS was common among the patients with PMS and frequently seen in the PMS patients having severe premenstrual complaints. Mental QOL was distressed in the patients with PMS but while FMS accompanied to PMS, the physical QOL was decreased.

The evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness and visceral obesity as an atherosclerosis predictor in newly-diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome

PURPOSE

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder which is associated with multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the CIMT which is used in the early diagnosis of atherosclerosis and visceral obesity by ultrasound in newly diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome with normal body mass index.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on 25 PCOS women (18-30 years of age) and 25 controls. BMI was matched volunteer controls. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and fat distribution as visceral fat thickness (VFT) with subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were measured by ultrasound. After, visceral fat ratio (VFR) fat ratio (VFR) was calculated using VFT divided by SFT. The variables were compared using the χ(2)-test and Student's t test.

RESULTS

Comparing women with PCOS to the control group showed that CIMT was similar in both groups (p=0.84). The VFT in the PCOS group was higher than the control group (p=0.048). Whereas, the SFT was higher in the control group when compared to women with PCOS (p=0.007). The VFR was significantly higher in women with PCOS when compared to the control group (1.12 ± 0.38 vs. 0.81 ± 0.34; p=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

CIMT which used as early atherosclerosis predictors have not increased in newly diagnosed PCOS women. Body fat distribution was observed in visceral area in the newly diagnosed PCOS women. VFR follow up may provide benefit as a quantitative method for the assessment and follow up of visceral obesity in women with PCOS.

Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and mobile phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-induced risks on oxidative stress and elements in kidney and testis of rats during pregnancy and the development of offspring

The present study was designed to determine the effects of both Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and mobile phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-induced electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on oxidative stress and trace element levels in the kidney and testis of growing rats from pregnancy to 6 weeks of age. Thirty-two rats and their 96 newborn offspring were equally divided into four different groups, namely, control, 2.45 GHz, 900 MHz, and 1800 MHz groups. The 2.45 GHz, 900 MHz, and 1,800 MHz groups were exposed to EMR for 60 min/day during pregnancy and growth. During the fourth, fifth, and sixth weeks of the experiment, kidney and testis samples were taken from decapitated rats. Results from the fourth week showed that the level of lipid peroxidation in the kidney and testis and the copper, zinc, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total antioxidant status (TAS) values in the kidney decreased in the EMR groups, while iron concentrations in the kidney as well as vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations in the testis increased in the EMR groups. Results for fifth-week samples showed that iron, vitamin A, and β-carotene concentrations in the kidney increased in the EMR groups, while the GSH and TAS levels decreased. The sixth week results showed that iron concentrations in the kidney and the extent of lipid peroxidation in the kidney and testis increased in the EMR groups, while copper, TAS, and GSH concentrations decreased. There were no statistically significant differences in kidney chromium, magnesium, and manganese concentrations among the four groups. In conclusion, Wi-Fi- and mobile phone-induced EMR caused oxidative damage by increasing the extent of lipid peroxidation and the iron level, while decreasing total antioxidant status, copper, and GSH values. Wi-Fi- and mobile phone-induced EMR may cause precocious puberty and oxidative kidney and testis injury in growing rats.

Antidepressants and menstruation disorders in women: a cross-sectional study in three centers

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between menstruation disorders and antidepressant drugs usage in women remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence rate of antidepressant-related menstruation disorders and to examine whether or not antidepressant use is associated with menstrual disorders in women.

METHODS

The study sample was gathered from three centers and four hospitals. A total of 1432 women who met the criteria of inclusion were included in the study. The sample was divided into two groups: the antidepressant group (n=793) and the control group (n=639). The menstruation disorders were established with reports from the study participants on the basis of related gynecological descriptions.

RESULTS

The prevalence of menstrual disorders was significantly higher in the antidepressant group (24.6%) than the control group (12.2%). The incidence of antidepressant-induced menstruation disorder was 14.5%. The antidepressants most associated with menstrual disorders were paroxetine, venlafaxine, sertraline and their combination with mirtazapine. Overall, the incidence rate was similar in women receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study suggest that menstruation disorders are frequently observed in women taking antidepressants and that it appears to be associated with antidepressant use at least in some women.