ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to be the main cause of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes in smear specimens taken from women who had normal or abnormal cytology using a multiplex PCR method. Methods: The study included 270 women aged between 19 and 69 yr with or without suspicious cervical abnormalities. A Pap smear sample from each patient was cytologically examined, and HPV typing was performed using a multiplex fluorescent PCR method. Those who were high-risk HPV positive and had a normal or abnormal cytology were further evaluated by colposcopy and biopsy. Results: The total HPV positivity was 43 per cent (116/270). HPV positivity in the patients with an abnormal cytology was 77 per cent (33/43), whereas it was only 37 per cent (83/227) in women with normal cytology, which showed a significant difference (P<0.05). HPV positivity was also related to the age group when all the subjects were considered (P<0.05), and the highest prevalence of HPV infection was in the 30-39 yr age group. High-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31, 35, 51 and 56 were more common in the normal cytology patients, whereas high-risk HPV types 16, 31, 35, 45, 58 and 68 were commonly found in the abnormal cytology patients. Interpretation & conclusions: The determination of high-risk HPV genotypes in women with clinically suspicious cervical lesions should be conducted during an annual follow-up, irrespective of a normal or abnormal cytology by the age of 30 years or above.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the impact of polycystic ovary syndrome on women's body image and sexual function. METHODS: In this case-control study, 97 women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 95 healthy women were interviewed in a hospital using the Personal Information Form, Body Image Scale, and Female Sexual Function Index. RESULTS: The total score of body image of women in the polycystic ovary syndrome group was found to be 132.11±19.44 and it was 133.35±21 in the control group; there was no statistically significant difference between them (p>0.05). In this study, 74.23% of the women with polycystic ovary syndrome (+) experienced sexual dysfunction. Sex drive, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and averages of pain subscales and female sexual function index total score were found to be significantly lower in the polycystic ovary syndrome group than in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest a difference between women with polycystic ovary syndrome and healthy women in terms of sexual function, while body image was similar in both groups. Our data suggest that the polycystic ovary syndrome has a negative effect on the sexuality.
ABSTRACT
This study is a descriptive study conducted to determine women's views on sexuality in the postpartum period. This study was conducted in the postpartum clinic of a state hospital in a city in Turkey. The study sample included 355 women with 95% confidence and 5% margin of error. The data was collected through questionnaire which were conducted face to face interviews. Chi-square test was used in statistical analysis. The average age of participant women is 26.31 (SD=5.54). The 51.3% of women agreed that “it is a sin to have sexual intercourse within 40 days following the childbirth”. There is no significant difference between primipara and multipara women in the sense of agreement frequency of this statement (p>0.05). On the other hand, the 46.8% of women agreed with the statement that “Resuming sexual intercourses after birth would be difficult” and 46.5% agreed “Sexual intercourse after birth would be painful”. There was a statistically significant difference in the acceptance rate of these statements between multiparous and primiparous women (p<0.05). According to these results, it is recommended to address the issue of postpartum sexuality within the scope of both prenatal and postnatal care services.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The development of osteoporosis is associated with several risk factors, such as genetic structures that affect bone turnover and bone mass. The impact of genetic structures on osteoporosis is not known. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 regulates the bone matrix and bone balance. This study assessed the correlation between plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphisms and osteoporosis in a population of Turkish women. METHODS: A total of 195 postmenopausal female patients who were diagnosed with osteoporosis (Group I) based on bone mineral density measurements via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and 90 females with no osteoporosis (Group II) were included in this study. Correlations between PAI-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphisms and osteoporosis were investigated through the identification of PAI-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphism genotypes using the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: No significant differences in the genotype and allele frequency of 4G/5G plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 polymorphisms were observed between the two groups, and both groups exhibited the most frequently observed 4G5G genotype. CONCLUSION: No correlation between the development of osteoporosis in the female Turkish population and 4G/5G plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene polymorphisms was observed.