Some hormonal profile in hirsute women

This study aimed to obtain an assessment of hirsutism regarding the frequency of its various causes, distribution, pattern, severity and some hormone assay findings. The study was conducted on 25 female patients complaining of hirsutism. The total score of hirsutism was calculated. Abdominal and pelvic examination both clinically and by ultrasonography revealed polycystic ovaries in five patients. Serum testosterone and prolactin were elevated in over than 50%, while serum FSH and LH and cortisol were normal in all patients. Hormonal profile for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome revealed that serum testosterone was raised in 60% of cases and serum prolactin in 80%. Sex hormone binding globulin was also measured, diminished in all patients with hirsutism. LH and FSH were normal in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] but the mean LH levels were significantly higher in these patients than in those without PCOS. The PCOS comprised 20% of cases of hirsutism in the present study. The other cases would be either idiopathic or related to suprarenal hyperactivity [80%]. Although there was no clinical evidence of suprarenal dysfunction in the present series, yet precise assessment of suprarenal function is needed

Endoscopic study of upper gastrointestinal changes during steroids therapy and the effect of a cytoprotective drug

The present study included 25 patients [15 males and 10 females] with various disorders. They were under systemic treatment with corticosteroids for at least 8 weeks. The upper GIT was examined endoscopically to study the effect of prolonged use of corticosteroids. Patients that showed ulcer and/or erosions stopped corticosteroids and received a cytoprotective agent [sucralfate] for 3-4 weeks and re-examined endoscopically. Serum cortisol level was estimated to all the patients and was repeated for those patients with GIT lesions after the stoppage of corticosteroids and the intake of sucralfate. The study showed that 12 patients had ulcers and/or erosions while the rest of the patients [13 patients] had no such lesions. On endoscopic re-examination, it was found that lesions were completely healed after the stoppage of corticosteroids and the intake of sucralfate. Serum cortisol was subnormal in 23 patients due to the inhibitory influence of corticosteroids on the hypothalamic pituitary axis. On stoppage of corticosteroids, the serum cortisol level was significantly elevated. The study also revealed that the effect of corticosteroids on GIT does not depend totally on the dosage and the duration or the route of administeration. The effect of corticosteroids depends to some extent on personal susptibility