Miomira Ivovic

Prolonged psychological stress suppresses cortisol secretion

objective  Response to acute psychological stress is characterized by activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. However, response to the prolonged psychological stress is less well known.

Drospirenone in the treatment of severe premenstrual cerebral edema in a woman with antiphospholipid syndrome, lateral sinus thrombosis, situs inversus and epileptic seizures.

We report herein the case of 32-year-old woman with situs inversus, thrombophilia, antiphospholipid syndrome and severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) with cerebral edema and epileptic seizures prior to menstruation. Seven days prior to regular menstruation she developed severe PMS, including headache, blurred vision, epileptic seizures, urinary incontinence, craving for food, depression and irritability. Papilledema was detected. Daily hormone analyses prior to and during menstruation confirmed an ovulatory cycle with extremely high progesterone, prolactin and insulin levels in the late luteal phase. From day 29 to day 31, progesterone and insulin decreased sharply and the estradiol/progesterone ratio changed, leading to epileptic seizures and the peak of her symptoms. Diuretic treatment was administered. All symptoms disappeared during the first few days of menstruation. A novel oral contraceptive, containing ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone, an antimineralocorticoid progestogen, was given during the next cycle and hormone analyses were repeated. All symptoms were reduced significantly and no cerebral edema and epileptic seizures occurred. This is the first report of a woman with severe PMS and cerebral edema being treated successfully with an oral contraceptive containing drospirenone.

Influence of obesity and hormone disturbances on sexuality of women in the menopause

Abstract Objective: To assess influence of obesity and hormone disturbances on sexuality in the menopause. Methods: The study included 73 menopausal women, who were divided into groups according to body mass index (BMI) ≥ 26.7 kg/m2. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 08:00 for hormones. All the participants filled in McCoy Female Sexual Questionnaire for the assessment of sexual life. Statistics: Student’s t-test, correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were very significantly lower in obese compared to controls. E2 and systolic blood pressure were very significantly, while diastolic blood pressure significantly higher in obese compared to controls. Obese women had significantly decreased frequency of pain during sexual intercourse (3.48 ± 2.64 vs. 4.09 ± 2.81). Influence of age on frequency of sexual intercourse was very significant. Significant influence in interaction between BMI and age on frequency of sexual fantasies as well as significant influence of BMI on satisfaction with partner as lover is also found. Conclusion: Obesity has influence on different aspects of sexuality in the postmenopausal women. Our results suggest the need of awareness toward obesity and its impact on sexuality in the menopause.

Gaining weight and components of metabolic syndrome in the period of menopause

INTRODUCTION Menopause induces redistribution of fat mass and development of abdominal obesity, increasing risk for metabolic syndrome (MS) by 60%. Related cardiovascular diseases become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women after fifty years of age. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of gaining weight on components of MS in the menopause. METHOD The study included 50 obese women, BMI=31.92 +/- 5.83 kg/m2, age 54.40 +/- 3.64, time since menopause 5.90 +/- 5.46 years, and 37 normal weight women, BMI = 23.50 +/- 2.13 kg/m2, age 53.92 +/- 3.95, time since menopause 5.96 +/- 4.92 years. Both groups were divided according to the presence of MS into two subgroups. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 8 am for the following: fasting glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, FSH, LH, prolactin, oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). RESULTS 66% of obese women had MS compared with 22% normal weight women. Significant differences between groups were found for the following: weight, BMI, waist, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, Lp(a), FSH, LH, prolactin (all p < 0.01) and fasting glucose (p < 0.05). Obese women with and without MS were significantly diverse for the following: waist/hip ratio, systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose (all p < 0.01); age, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, Lp(a) and SHBG (all p < 0.05). Normal weight women with and without MS had significantly different values of waist/hip ratio, systolic, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides (all p < 0.01); HDL and testosterone (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found between obese and normal weight women with MS in anthropometric characteristics, ApoA, Lp(a), fibrinogen (all p < 0.01) and FSH (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Abdominal obesity significantly increases incidence of MS as a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors in the menopause.

Finger Length Ratios in Serbian Transsexuals

Atypical prenatal hormone exposure could be a factor in the development of transsexualism. There is evidence that the 2nd and 4th digit ratio (2D : 4D) associates negatively with prenatal testosterone and positively with estrogens. The aim was to assess the difference in 2D : 4D between female to male transsexuals (FMT) and male to female transsexuals (MFT) and controls. We examined 42 MFT, 38 FMT, and 45 control males and 48 control females. Precise measurements were made by X-rays at the ventral surface of both hands from the basal crease of the digit to the tip using vernier calliper. Control male and female patients had larger 2D : 4D of the right hand when compared to the left hand. Control males left hand ratio was lower than in control females left hand. There was no difference in 2D : 4D between MFT and control males. MFT showed similar 2D : 4D of the right hand with control women indicating possible influencing factor in embryogenesis and consequently finger length changes. FMT showed the lowest 2D : 4D of the left hand when compared to the control males and females. Results of our study go in favour of the biological aetiology of transsexualism.

Hot flush values of gonadotropins and estradiol in the menopause

* Accepted papers are articles in press that have gone through due peer review process and have been accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of the Serbian Archives of Medicine. They have not yet been copy edited and/or formatted in the publication house style, and the text may be changed before the final publication. Although accepted papers do not yet have all the accompanying bibliographic details available, they When the final article is assigned to volumes/issues of the journal, the Article in Press version will be removed and the final version will appear in the associated published volumes/issues of the journal. The date the article was made available online first will be carried over.

GENETIC ETIOLOGY OF PRIMARY PREMATURE OVARIAN INSUFFICIENCY

Primary premature ovarian insufficiency (PPOI) is characterized by hypergonadotropic amenorrhea and hypoestrogenism in women under 40 years of age. PPOI incidence is 1:10,000 in women aged 18-25, 1:1000 in women aged 25-30 and 1:100 in women aged 35-40. In 10%-28% of cases, PPOI causes primary and in 4%-18% secondary amenorrhea. The process is a consequence of accelerated oocyte atresia, diminished number of germinated cells, and central nervous system aging. Specific genes are responsible for the control of oocyte number undergoing the ovulation process and the time to cessation of the reproductive function. A positive family history of PPOI is found in 15% of women with PPOI, indicating the existing genetic etiology. Primary POI comprises genetic aberrations linked to chromosome X (monosomy, trisomy, translocation, deletion) or to autosomal chromosome. Secondary POI implies surgical removal of ovaries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and infections. Diagnostic criteria include follicle stimulating hormone level >40 IU/L and estradiol level <50 pmol/L.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OBESITY, LIPIDS AND FASTING GLUCOSE IN THE MENOPAUSE

INTRODUCTION Menopause leads to the development of central adiposity, a more atherogenic lipid profile and increased incidence of metabolic syndrome independent of age and other factors. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between anthropometric characteristics, sex hormones, lipids and fasting glucose in menopausal women. METHODS The study included 87 menopausal women, who where divided into groups according to two criteria: BMI > or = 26.7 kg/m2 and BMI > or = 25 kg/m2. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 08.00 h for fasting glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). RESULTS Significant differences between groups were found for weight, BMI, waist, hips circumference, waist/hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Lp(a), FSH, LH, PRL (for systolic blood pressure p < 0.05, for the rest p < 0.01) and fasting glucose (p < 0.05). In obese and overweight women with BMI > or = 26.7 kg/m2 significant negative correlations were found for FSH and glucose, SHBG and LDL, SHBG and total cholesterol, SHBG and glucose, BMI and HDL, WC and HDL. In obese and overweight women with BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 significant negative correlations were found for BMI and HDL, waist circumference (WC) and HDL, WHR and HDL, FSH and glucose, SHBG and glucose; significant positive correlations were between BMI and glucose, WC and glucose and WHR with triglycerides. CONCLUSION Gaining weight and decreased SHBG are related to dyslipidemia and increased fasting glucose confirming increased incidence of metabolic abnormalities in the menopause.

Adrenal incidentaloma in neurofibromatosis type 1

INTRODUCTION Neurofibromatosis type 1 is one of the most common genetically transmitted diseases with a high index of spontaneous mutations and extremely varied and unpredictable clinical manifestations. It is diagnosed by the existence of certain clinical criteria. The presence of numerous localised cutaneous neurofibromas or a plexiform neurofibroma is virtually pathognomonic of neurofibromatosis type 1. The incidence of pheochromocytoma in neurofibromatosis type 1 is 0.1-5.7%. CASE OUTLINE A 56-year old female patient was admitted for further evaluation of incidental adrenal tumour previously diagnosed on computerized tomography (CT). She had previously unrecognized neurofibromatosis type 1 and a clinical picture which could remind of pheochromocytoma. None of the catecholamine samples in 24 hr urine indicated functionally active pheochromocytoma. Chromogranin A was moderately increased. Decision for operation was made after performing the image techniques. Adrenal incidentaloma had features of pheochromocytoma on abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with positive 131I-MIBG (iodine 131-labelled metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy). After being treated with phenoxybenzamine and propranolol, she was operated on. The pathohistological finding showed the case of left adrenal pheochromocytoma. CONCLUSION Detailed diagnostic procedure for pheochromocytoma should be performed with patients having neurofibromatosis type 1 and adrenal incidentaloma. Pheochromocytomas are rare tumours with fatal outcome if not duly recognized and cured.