Premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in Korean adolescent girls / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To analyze menstrual problems, as well as various factors that affect the PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and dysmenorrhea on Korean female teenagers. METHODS: We analyzed menstrual problems, PMS, and dysmenorrhea based on the survey answered by 400 high school girls (17~18 years old) from randomly chosen schools in Seoul. Final respondents to a questionnaire were 327 students. RESULTS: The prevalence of PMS was reported by 63.0 % (206 people), and dysmenorrhea by 78.3 % (256 people). PMS was strongly linked to dysmenorrhea (P=0.000). The severity of PMS was correlated with normality of menstrual duration (P=0.034) and familial history (P=0.012). In the case of dysmenorrhea, the presence of dysmenorrhea was significantly high among the group with two years after menarche (P=0.003). Also the severity was positively correlated with normality of menstrual duration (P=0.017) and familial history (P=0.000). PMS and dysmenorrhea have no correlation with body mass index. Although PMS had a correlation with depression (P=0.020), it was not related to dysmenorrhea. CONCLUSIONS: There was a correlation between PMS and dysmenorrhea. For PMS, it had a correlation with menstrual duration, familial history and depression. Dysmenorrhea was highly frequent among the group with two years after menarche. Though it was correlated with normal menstrual duration and familial history, it did not have any correlation with depression.

Change of cytokine expression in normal pregnancy and the puerperium / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: To investigate the serial relationship of cytokine production during normal pregnancy and in the puerperium. METHODS: Plasma cytokine (TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, IL-2, TGF-beta, IL-4, and IL-6) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 90 healthy gravidas during the second trimester and 6 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, and TGF-beta levels increased significantly after delivery (p<0.05). Although IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 had a tendency to increase after delivery, the change was not significant. CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in cytokine levels during pregnancy when compared to puerperium. In particular, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, and TGF-beta were inversely related to the maintenance of normal pregnancy.

Clinical and cytogenetic analysis of midtrimester amniocentesis / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical data based on prenatal genetic amniocentesis. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively maternal age, gestational age, indications, cytogenetic results and complications, based on a total of 496 cases of midtrimester prenatal genetic amniocentesis performed at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung hospital from March 2000 to May 2005. RESULTS: The most common age of total subjects was between 35-39 years (37.1%). The indications of amniocentesis were abnormal maternal serum marker (39.72%), advanced maternal age (35.89%), abnormal ultrasonographic finding (5.04%), combined old age and abnormal maternal serum marker (4.23%), in order. Since 2000, the number of amniocentesis due to abnormal ultrasonographic finding was increased. The overall incidence of chromosomal abnormalities were 6.05% (30/496). There was no significant difference between maternal age and abnormal fetal karyotype. According to indications, there was 7.11% (14/197) of chromosomal abnormalities in abnormal maternal serum screening group, 1.69% (3/178) in advanced maternal age group and 22.22% (6/27) in abnormal ultrasonographic finding group. CONCLUSION: Abnormal maternal serum marker and advanced maternal age were the most common indication. There were frequent chromosomal abnormalities in combined old age and abnormal maternal serum marker group and abnormal ultrasonographic finding group.