Maria Thereza Albuquerque Barbosa Cabral Micussi

Resistência à insulina em mulheres com síndrome dos ovários policísticos: relação com as variáveis antropométricas e bioquímicas

PURPOSE: To analyze the prevalence of insulin resistance, according to different biochemical and anthropometric measurements in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: A total of 189 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were retrospectively analyzed. Insulin resistance diagnosis was performed using fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, insulin sensibility index and glucose/fasting insulin ratio. Body mass index and lipid accumulation product were used. Data were analyzed statistically by descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Tukey post-test, and Pearsons correlation. RESULTS: The polycystic ovary syndrome patients had a mean age of 24.9±5.2 and a mean body mass index of 31.8±7.6. The percentage of obese patients was 57.14%. Among the methods of insulin resistance investigation, the insulin sensibility index was the technique that most detected (56.4%) the presence of insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The insulin resistance was detected in 87% of obese patients. The fasting glucose/fasting insulin ratio and insulin sensibility index were strongly correlated with lipid accumulation product. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of insulin resistance varied according to the method used, and it was greater the higher the body mass index. Lipid accumulation product was also related to insulin resistance.

The relationship between the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms and waist circumference

Purpose The aim of the study is to evaluate the pressure of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) according to waist circumference (WC) and correlate the presence of urinary tract symptoms (UTS) with WC. Patients and methods The study was observational and cross-sectional. One-hundred and sixty-four females between 45 and 65 years of age were evaluated. The sample was divided into two groups, according to WC: Group ≤80 (G≤80) was composed of females in whom WC was up to 80 cm; and Group >80 (G>80) was composed of females with WC above 80 cm. The subjects were assessed in terms of sociodemographic data, pre-existing conditions, urogynecological and obstetric history, and the presence of lower UTS (LUTS), as well as physical examination, measurement of WC, height, and weight. The PFM assessment was made by perineometry. To compare the mean between groups, the independent samples t-test was applied, and to correlate the WC with perineometry and LUTS, the Pearson’s correlation test was used. Results The final sample was composed of 156 patients. The average age of participants was 55.21 (±24.5) years in G≤80 and 57.23 (±6.12) years in G>80. There were significant differences regarding the presence of LUTS between the groups (P<0.05); as to the perineometry, there was a significant difference (P=0.03) between the groups: 38.68±13.63 cmH2O for G≤80 and 30.11±11.20 cmH2O for G>80. There was a correlation between the presence of urinary urgency (r=0.7; P=0.00), nocturia (r=0.7; P=0.00), and urinary incontinence (r=0.9; P=0.00) with WC. Conclusion Females with larger abdominal diameter have a higher prevalence of LUTS such as urinary incontinence, nocturia, and urinary urgency, as well as a lower PFM pressure. Furthermore, a relationship between LUTS with WC was also observed.

Assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms in different stages of menopause.

[Purpose] To assess lower urinary tract symptoms in different stages of menopause and the quality of life of females with incontinence. [Subjects and Methods] The sample consisted of 302 females, aged between 40 and 56 years, divided into three groups: PRE (n= 81), PERI (n= 108) and POST (n= 113). This was a cross-sectional, analytical, observational study. Data were collected by assessment chart and conducting the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form. [Results] Most of the women had less than 10 years of schooling and were married. In PERI and POST menopause, the most frequent lower urinary tract symptoms were urinary urgency and stress incontinence. The PRE group did not exhibit nocturia, urge incontinence or urinary urgency, and had the lowest symptoms frequency. In the three stages, stress incontinence was the most prevalent symptom. Of the three menopause stages, PERI had a greater impact on urinary incontinence according to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire. [Conclusion] The presence of lower urinary tract symptoms can vary across the different stages of menopause and the urinary incontinence was the most frequent complaint. Moreover, it was observed that quality of life was more affected in the perimenopause stage.

Is there a difference in the electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles across the phases of the menstrual cycle

[Purpose] To evaluate the electrical activity of the pelvic floor muscle in women during the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle and its correlation with estradiol and total testosterone levels. [Subjects and Methods] This cross-sectional study involved 30 women with ovulatory menstrual cycles. Total testosterone and estradiol levels were measured and the muscle tone and maximum voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles were evaluated using surface electromyography. [Results] Muscle tone was significantly lower during the follicular (21.1±3.3 μV) and ovulatory (27.1±5.9 μV) phases than the luteal phase (30.4±4.1 μV). The maximum voluntary contraction was not different across phases. The estradiol level on the 7th day of the menstrual cycle showed a strong positive correlation with muscle tone and maximum voluntary contraction, and the testosterone level was positively correlated with muscle tone on the 21st day. [Conclusion] Women have better muscle tone during the luteal phase. The muscle tone and maximum voluntary contraction were strongly correlated with the estradiol level on the 7th day, and the muscle tone was correlated with the testosterone level on the 21st day of the menstrual cycle. These findings suggest that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle alter pelvic floor muscle activity.

Evaluation of the relationship between the pelvic floor muscles and insulin resistance.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) in women with insulin resistance (IR) using surface electromyography and to associate the results with insulin levels. Patients and methods Through an analytical, cross-sectional study, 86 women were evaluated and divided into two groups: a control group (n=35) and an IR group (n=51). Data were collected through detailed history-taking, physical examination, and biochemical analysis. Fasting insulin levels were used for diagnosing IR. Electromyography of the PFMs was used for analyzing the tone and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The measures of central tendency and linear regression models were used. Results The average age was 25.3±4.5 years in the IR group and 27.2±4.4 years in the control group. The mean weight was 75.6±17.6 kg and 51.8±4.9 kg in the IR and control groups, respectively. Fasting insulin levels were 19.7±6.6 µIU/mL in the IR group and 5.4±1.8 µIU/mL in the control group (P<0.010). There were significant differences between the groups with regard to PFM tone (IR: 13.4±3.4 µV; control: 25.1±3.3 µV; P<0.001) and MVC (IR: 47.6±4.5 µV; control: 64.3±5.0 µV; P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis using the insulin levels as dependent variable showed a significant association for MVC (P=0.047), weight (P=0.017), and waist circumference (P=0.000). Conclusion Compared with the control group, the IR group showed lower electromyographic activity of the PFMs, and there was an association between insulin levels and electromyographic activity.

A importância do teste de tolerância à glicose oral no diagnóstico da intolerância à glicose e diabetes mellitus do tipo 2 em mulheres com síndrome dos ovários policísticos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the importance of the oral glucose tolerance test for the diagnosis of glucose intolerance (GI) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2) in women with PCOS. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 247 patients with PCOS selected at random. The diagnosis of GI was obtained from the two-hour oral glucose tolerance test with 75 g of glucose according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) (GI: 120 minutes for plasma glucose >140 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL) and fasting glucose using the criteria of the American Diabetes Association (impaired fasting glucose: fasting plasma glucose >100 and 126 mg/dL). A logistic regression model for repeated measures was applied to compare the oral glucose tolerance test with fasting plasma glucose. ANOVA followed by the Tukey test was used for the analysis of the clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients with and without GI and/or DM-2. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: PCOS patients had a mean age of 24.8±6.3, and body mass index (BMI) of 18.3 to 54.9 kg/m2 (32.5±7.6). The percentage of obese patients was 64%, the percentage of overweight patients was 18.6% and 17.4% had healthy weight. The oral glucose tolerance test identified 14 cases of DM-2 (5.7%), while fasting glucose detected only three cases (1.2%), and the frequency of these disorders was higher with increasing age and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the superiority of the oral glucose tolerance test in relation to fasting glucose in diagnosing DM-2 in young women with PCOS and should be performed in these patients.

Impacts of social support on symptoms in Brazilian women with fibromyalgia.

We aimed to assess the impact of social support on symptoms in Brazilian women with FM. An observational, descriptive study enrolling 66 women who met the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Social support was measured by the Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), functionality was evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), anxiety was measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS), affectivity was measured by Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and algometry was carried out to record pressure pain threshold (PPth) and tolerance (PPTo) at 18 points recommended by the ACR. Patients were divided into normal (NSS) or poor social support (PSS) groups with PSS defined as having a MOS-SSS score below the 25th percentile of the entire sample. Mann-Whitney or Unpaired t-test were used to compare intergroup variables and Fishers for categorical variables. Analysis of covariance and Pearson correlation test were used. No differences in sociodemographic variables between PSS and NSS were found. Differences between NSS and PSS groups were observed for all four subcategories of social support and MOS-SSS total score. Significant differences between NSS and PSS on depression (p=0.007), negative affect (p=0.025) and PPTh (p=0.016) were found. Affectionate subcategory showed positive correlation between pain and positive affect in PSS. Positive social interaction subcategory showed a negative correlation between FIQ and depression state. Therefore social support appears to contribute to ameliorate mental and physical health in FM.

A manometry classification to assess pelvic floor muscle function in women

Objective To develop a classification scale for manometry of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in Brazilian women, according to the modified Oxford scale. Methods A cross sectional study, with 288 women enrolled in the Maternity, Natal, Brazil. Manometry and PFM strength data were collected and classified according to the modified Oxford scale. A simple linear regression was performed to determine the classification scale of manometry using the modified Oxford scale as the explanatory variable and the arithmetic mean of the manometry measurements as the response variable. Results The average age was 52.80 (±8.78; CI: 51.67–53.93) years. Manometry showed an average of 35.1 (±22.7; CI: 32.1–38.0) cmH2O and most women (29.7%) scored grade 3 on the modified Oxford scale. According to the proposed scale, values between 7.5 to 14.5 cmH2O correspond to very weak pressure; 14.6 to 26.5 cmH2O represent weak pressure; 26.6 to 41.5 cmH2O represent moderate pressure; 41.6 to 60.5 cmH2O represent good pressure, and values above 60.6 cmH2O correspond to strong pressure. Conclusion Manometry values were rated on a five-point scale. It is possible to rank the pressure levels performed by voluntary contraction of PFM with this new scale.

Relationship between pelvic floor muscle and hormone levels in polycystic ovary syndrome.

To evaluate the electrical activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Vascular physiotherapy: a strategy for treatment of chronic venous disease

The study was carried out at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil. We read with great interest the recent manuscript by Leal et al.1 entitled “Vascular physiotherapy in treatment of chronic venous disease”. The authors investigate the results of a supervised rehabilitation protocol including warm-up, training and relaxation. The training protocol consisted of vascular kinesiotherapy using manual lymph drainage and resistance and aerobic exercises. The importance of this type of study is unquestionable since chronic venous disease (CVD) affects a considerable proportion of the worldwide population and can involve chronic wounds and disability.2 This is an initial treatment for CVD and its aim is to reduce symptoms and help prevent the development of secondary complications and disease progression.3 However, another preliminary therapeutic option for all CEAP clinical classes of CVD is continuous compression therapy.3 In this case, the objective is to administer graded external compression to the leg, opposing the hydrostatic forces of venous hypertension.3 A number of compression garments are available including elastic compression stockings, multilayer elastic wraps, dressings, elastic and nonelastic bandages and nonelastic garments.3 The American College of Phlebology strongly recommends compression therapy as an effective method for the management of symptoms related to CVD.4 These recommendations apply to most patients in most circumstances without reservations.3,4 It is clear that the results of the treatment protocol applied by Leal et al.1 were good, but they could have been enhanced by addition of elastic compression stockings or nonelastic bandages worn during the exercise protocol and afterwards.5 Treatment with 30 to 40 mm Hg compression stockings results in significant improvement in pain, swelling, skin pigmentation, activity, and well-being if compliance of 70% to 80% is achieved.5 Compression stockings have been shown to reduce the residual volume fraction, which is an indicator of improved calf muscle pump function, and they also reduce reflux in vein segments.5 Another important question is standardization of exercises prescribed for CVD. Structured exercise improves calf muscle pump function in chronic venous insufficiency and the efficacy of physical conditioning has been convincingly demonstrated in patients with chronic venous disease, but none of the practice guidelines for treatment of chronic venous disease describe the aerobic or strength training used in detail.5-7 Perhaps this is the reason Leal et al.1 did not provide details of the aerobic and resistance exercises prescribed. If the objective of physical treatment is to improve calf muscle pump function, we suggest following the American College of Sports Medicine’s guidelines for exercise prescription.7 These recommendations may also be applied to adults with certain chronic diseases or disabilities, when appropriately evaluated and advised by a health professional. In conclusion, the vascular physiotherapy protocol for treatment of chronic venous disease conducted by Leal et al.1 achieved important results and could be enhanced with compression garments. The protocol with resistance and aerobic exercises could have been explained in greater detail in order that it could be reproduced by other health professionals.