ABSTRACT
Elephantiasis, the result of chronic lymphedema, is characterized by gross enlargement of the limbs or genitalia. It occurs because of obstructive diseases of the lymphatic system. Genital elephantiasis is a common result of filariasis. Other causes are lymphogranuloma venereum. granuloma inguinale, carcinomas, lymph node dissection, irradiation and tuberculosis. Filarial elephantiasis of the female genitalia is extremely uncommon, about 1-2% of the total cases of filarial elephantiasis. Mrs. X, 25 years old female, P1L1, resident of a village in Bihar presented to gynaecology OPD of ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital on 06th January 2020 with complaint of huge progressively increasing vulval swelling since 3 years. Patient had come from Bihar for treatment. She had been showing in her native place for 2 years but now the lump had made her walking difficult. She did not give history of any drug given for treatment for filariasis. She gave history of being treated for pulmonary Koch 10 years back. On examination, there was a non- ulcerative, polypoidal growth of around 20×14×11 cm arising from bilateral labia majora and minora obstructing the vulval cleft. There was no associated lymphadenopathy or limb oedema. All the investigations were within normal limits. Microfilaria antigen testing done at night was negative. Patient was given diethylcarbamazine and excision of the lump was done on 14th February 2020. Histopathological report showed dilated lymphatics with non-caseating granulomas, consistent with filariasis. In endemic countries like India, filariasis is the commonest cause of elephantiasis; however genital filariasis in woman is very rare. Other cause could be tuberculosis which is still rarer. Early diagnosis and treatment of filariasis can eradicate this neglected tropical disease which causes disfigurement and severe morbidity as its sequelae.
ABSTRACT
Background: There are large number of post menopausal patients in India deserving more care and attention than is given at present.MRS questionnaire in Hindi (MRS-H), a translated and validated version of original MRS Scale (MRS-E), self assessed by patients in their own native language. This tool can be used to assess and document current quality of life as well as improvement with treatment of severe post menopausal symptoms, in Indian population.Methods: 30 bilingual English and Hindi speaking postmenopausal patients were recruited for this study.MRS Questionnaire has 11 questions covering somatic, pschycological and genitourinary symptoms of menopause. The scoring system is simple. Hindi translation of MRS Questionare was done from English (MRS-E) to Hindi (MRS-H) by 4 independent translations using standard protocol. The MRS-H was tested for internal validity and also compared with MRS - E.Results: Quality of life is a subjective perception modified by the cultural habitat in which one lives. MRS-H showed high validity and good co-relation with MRS-E. The MRS-H possessed good convergent and discriminant validity. MRS-H showed anICC (Intraclass coefficient) was more than 0.5 and cronbach alpha more than0.5. There was found to be strong correlation between MRS-E and MRS-H questionnaire with all correlation value above 0.7.Conclusions: The authors recommend the use of the self assessed MRS-H in Hindi should be used to assess menopausal complaints and relief with treatment in India.