Reproductive assessment: findings from 20 years of the Tehran lipid and glucose study

Context: reproductive domains of the Tehran lipid and glucose study [TLGS] are unique in that they provide reliable information on reproduction of an urban population ofWest Asia. The aim of this review is to present the most important reproductive findings of TLGS

Evidence Acquisition: this review is summarizing all articles published in the context of reproductive aspects of TLGS results over the 20-year follow-up. A comprehensive databases search was conducted in PubMed [including Medline], Web of Science and Scopus for retrieving articles on the reproductive histories in context of the TLGS

Results: the mean [SD] age at menarche and menopause was 13 [1.2] and 49.6 [4.5] years respectively. While pills were the most commonly used modern methods at the initiation of TLGS, the prevalence of condoms rose sharply and significantly over the follow up duration. Among women with history of gestational diabetes, the risk of diabetes and dyslipidemia progression were 2.44 and 1.2 fold higher than others. Prevalences of PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism among reproductive age participants of TLGS were 8.5% [95% CI: 6.8% - 10.2%] and 13.0% [95% CI: 10.9% - 15.1%], respectively. Trend of cardio-metabolic risk factors among women with PCOS showed that there were no statistically significant differences between mean changes of each cardio metabolic variables between PCOS and healthy women; PCOS status also significantly associated with increased hazard of diabetes and prediabetes among women aged younger than 40 years [HR: 4.9; 95% CI: 2.5 - 9.3, P value < 0.001]] and [HR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 - 2.6], P value < 0.005], respectively

Conclusions: the population based nature of TLGS provides a unique opportunity for valid assessment of reproductive issues, the results of which could provide new information for modification of existing guidelines

[ relationship between some risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in reproductive age women with duration of oral contraceptive pills use]

Many of women use oral contraceptive pills [OCP] to prevent pregnancy. So, this study was conducted to evaluate the OCP duration consumption on some risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Women were selected among 4689 of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS] participants whose data were complete. The questionnaires of TLGS were used for data gathering. Comparison of four groups, including non users and users with different duration of consumption, even with adjustment for confounding factors showed no statistical significant difference. It seems duration of consumption of current OCPs is not contributor for cardiovascular diseases

Whether age of menarche is influenced by body mass index and lipoproteins profile? a retrospective study

Menarche, a milestone in the reproductive life span of a woman, is influenced by several genetics and environmental factors. There is no consensus regarding the impact of body mass index [BMI] and lipid profiles on the age of menarche, as the results of various studies demonstrate. To investigate the correlation between age of menarche and BMI/lipoprotein profile in a community sample of Iranian girls. In the study, 370 girls, aged 10-16 years, who began their menarche within six months prior to the study, were recruited from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS] population. Information was documented regarding their body composition, including height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference were collected and their lipid profiles were assessed after a 12-hour fast. In this study, the mean +/- SD of age of menarche and BMI were 12.6 +/- 1.1 years and 21.7 +/- 3.9 kg/m[2], respectively. There were statistically significant relationships between age of menarche and height, BMI, waist circumference, and the maternal educational level. The relationship between age of menarche and the weight and lipid profiles of subjects was not statistically significant. Age at menarche is not influenced by lipid profiles but it is influenced by BMI

[Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction and its correlated factors: a population based study]

Objective [s]: To determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its effective factors in a community based study among reproductive aged women

Methods: In the present study, 784 married women, lived in urban area of Ghazvin, Golestan, Kermanshah and Hormozgan provinces, were recruited using stratified, multistage probability cluster sampling method. The sexual dysfunction was assessed using a standard questionnaire

Results: The study results demonstrated that 27.3% of women had various degrees of sexual dysfunction; 0.8%,% 20.3% and 6.3% of women had sever, moderate and mild dysfunction, respectively. Sexual desire, sexual arousal and lubrication were disturbed in 35.6%, 39.9% and18.9% of women, respectively. Furthermore 27.3% of women had orgasm's problem and 15.2% of participants were unsatisfied with sexual activity, dyspareunia was reported by 56.1% of women. There is a statistical significant relationship between sexual dysfunction with duration of the marriage, the level of attractiveness in the perspective of the husband, the overall satisfaction of common life and the ability for sexual expression

Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is prevalent among Iranian women, as a result providing its educational facilities and counseling center is a priority for women's health

[Healthy nutrition barriers: perception of adults male]

Objective [s]: Existing data show a considerable prevalence of non communicable diseases risk factors and their rising trend in our country. Unhealthy nutrition is an important underlying factor for mentioned diseases. Considering the necessity of understanding the underlying factors of a healthy nutrition from the perspective of society members and lack of related studies from Iran, the current study investigates perceptions and experiences of Tehranian men who are participating in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS]

Methods: This is a qualitative study, conducted according to the grounded theory approach. In total 8 semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted in TLGS unit, during 2008 to 2009. Participants were 96 men, aged 25-65 years, who were selected and recruited in the current study from the fourth phase of TLGS. All interviews and focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data collection and analysis were done simultaneously according to the Strauss and Corbin analysis method

Results: Based on content analysis of data, barriers to a healthy nutrition are [inefficient education], [behavioral models],[lack of access], [women's role] and [personal taste and interest]

Conclusion: Study results demonstrated the main barriers for a healthy nutrition as perceived by men, barriers that any effective interventions require to address for tackling non-communicable diseases in Tehranian families