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Introduction: During menopause, women experience various psychological or physical changes which need adequate attention. Moreover, women don’t seek help for these problems due to their hesitancy, lack of awareness, socio-cultural, financial constraints or as they feel this is a natural-phenomenon. The study aims to explore the postmenopausal experiences faced by women during menopause and to elicit the constraints faced by them in seeking health-care services. Methodology: This was a qualitative study with phenomenological approach conducted among post-menopausal women (≥45 years) from Oct 2022-Jan 2023 with the help of In-Depth-Interview guide in four villages of Bhatar Block, Purba-Bardhaman District. Considering the availability of the study participants, they were selected purposively from the list prepared by ASHA of each village and recruitment done till the point of data-saturation. Inductive thematic-analysis was used to identify codes and themes. Results: During menopause, women experienced physical and psychological changes in the body, changes in social life and for these changes they had to adjust to cope-up. They felt various needs like empathy from hus-bands, children, peers. On the other hand, they did not seek help from health-care services due to their knowledge gap, dissatisfaction from previous-visit, cost-issue and unavailability of resources in health-care delivery system. Conclusion: Majority of the post-menopausal women faced various problems associated with menopause, but very few had sought help. So, health care providers have an important role to generate awareness among post-menopausal women regarding physical and mental changes during this phase.
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The indicators for structural analysis of blood formed elements are prominent in the assessment of pathologies, diagnostics and the degree. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the ongoing alterations that reflect on the structural characteristics of blood formed elements based on the hormonal imbalance among menopausal women with uterine tumors. Blood samples from the women with benign (n=20), malignant (n=20) uterine tumors, and healthy menopausal women (control, n=20) were used. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used for the quantitative determination of hormones. The blood formed elements ultrastructure observations were conducted using transmission electron microscope. Compared to control (33.8±0.7 pg/mL), estradiol level was higher in benign (45.7±0.9 pg/mL) and malignant (70.7±3.7 pg/mL) cases (P< 0.001). Similar pattern was noted in testosterone levels [control=0.38±0.03 ng/mL, benign=0.55±0.04 ng/mL (P< 0.01), malignant=1.56±0.14 ng/mL (P< 0.001)] was higher in malignant cases. In contrast, progesterone levels were decreased in the disease cases [control=0.93±0.05 ng/mL, benign=0.44±0.003 ng/mL, malignant=0.31±0.02 ng/ml (P< 0.001)]. Assessments of the morphologic structure of erythrocytes revealed pathological forms of erythrocytes (poikilocytosis) in case of benign, as well as in malignant tumors. particularly target cells (codocytes), hamlet cells, teardrop cells (dacrocytes), sickle cell (drepanocytes) erythrocytes. Using ELISA and transmission electron microscopy our results demonstrate that in case of malignant uterine tumor quantitative/structural changes occur in blood formed elements indicating ongoing alterations in hormonal imbalance. Assessing these changes in structural characteristics would be useful in examining uterine pathologies and subsequent treatment plans
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OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the effect of Xuezhikang on the markers of the serum lipid levels of cholesterol synthesis and absorption in early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia, and preliminarily explore its lipid-lowering mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled from December, 2014 to May, 2016 from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, who were randomly allocated to receive Xuezhikang (1200 mg/d, orally) or atorvastatin (10 mg/d, orally) according to a random number table. Serum levels of some related biomarkers, including cholesterol synthesis markers (squalene, dihydrocholesterol, dehydrocholesterol, and lathosterol), and absorption markers (campesterol, stigmasterol, and sitosterol) as well as safety indices were obtained at baseline and after 8 weeks of the intervention.@*RESULTS@#Eight weeks after treatment, both Xuezhikang and atorvastatin significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density cholesterol compared to baseline (all P<0.01). Xuezhikang significantly reduced the levels of squalene, dehydrocholesterol and lathosterol compared to baseline (all P<0.01), but atorvastatin only significantly reduced the level of squalene (P<0.01), compared to baseline. All cholesterol absorption markers showed no significant differences before and after treatment (P>0.05), however, a more obvious downward trend was shown in the Xuezhikang group. In addition, all the safety indices showed no significant differences between the two groups. Although the creatinekinase level in the Xuezhikang group was significantly higher, it remained within the safe range.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Xuezhikang may have more comprehensive effects on the markers of cholesterol synthesis and metabolism in early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia through ergosterol and flavonoids in its "natural polypill."
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Female , Humans , Biomarkers , Cholesterol , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Hypercholesterolemia/drug therapy , MenopauseABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia(CBT-I)for menopausal women with insomnia.Methods:A total of 76 menopausal women with insomnia who were hospitalized from April 2020 to October 2021 were enrolled.Then they were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 38 cases in each group.Both observation group and control group were treated with CBT-I. Meanwhile, the patients in observation group were treated with low-frequency repetitive rTMS, on the contrary, the patients in control group were treated with sham rTMS.The intervention lasted for 4 weeks.Insomnia severity index (ISI), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) were all recorded at baseline and 4 weeks after intervention, as well as adverse events. Data was analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software. Data which was normally distributed, was compared by independent t-test and paired t-test. Results:(1)The scores of ISI (16.39±4.03, 15.66±4.89) and the PSQI(14.97±2.70, 14.11±3.60) in observation group and control group at baseline were not significantly different( t=-0.716, -1.190, both P>0.05). After treatment, the ISI and PSQI scores of the observation group (10.08±3.65, 9.58±1.73)were lower than those of the control group (12.82±4.47, 12.13±2.32), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.926, 5.440, both P<0.05). (2) After treatment, all sleep parameters were significantly improved from baseline in observation group (all P<0.05). Sleep efficiency, wake time during sleep, and number of awakenings were significantly improved from baseline in control group(all P<0.05). Compared with control group((70.38±12.99)%, (17.39±11.75)%, (13.98±6.35)%), the observation group reported a greater statistically improvement in sleep efficiency, N3% and REM%((79.52±9.31)%, (22.80±6.05)%, (18.78±6.68)%, respectively)( t=-3.526, -2.524, -3.212, all P<0.05). Neither group had serious adverse effects. Conclusion:The rTMS combined with CBT-I can significantly improve the sleep quality in menopausal women with insomnia. With its high safety rTMS combined with CBT-I may be a recommended non-drug therapy among menopausal women with insomnia.
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ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the relationship between exercises with the serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels and glucose and lipid profile in menopausal type II diabetic women. Methods: Menopausal women with type II diabetes mellitus were divided into three groups including control (n = 14), aerobic exercise (n = 14) and resistance exercise groups (n = 14). The mean levels of serum glucose, LDL-C, HDL-C, insulin, TG and cholesterol were measured in all participants after 8 weeks of exercise. Serum FGF21 was also measured by ELISA method. Results: The mean of FGF21 levels after exercise was increased significantly in the both aerobic (p < 0.001) and resistance exercise (p = 0.001) groups. The mean of glucose, LDL-C, TG and cholesterol was decreased significantly after exercise in the both exercised groups (p < 0.01). A significant decline had been found for insulin levels and also insulin resistance in the both aerobic (p = 0.001) and resistance (p = 0.003) groups. There was a negative and significant correlation between FGF21 levels with total cholesterol contents (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Aerobic and resistance exercises increase the mean value of FGF21 levels and as the result decline the mean levels of glucose and lipids in blood of menopausal women with type II diabetic mellitus.
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Background: The physiological changes associated with menopause are responsible for increase in cardiovascular disease after menopause. BMI, physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension and diabetes mellitus increase in post-menopausal women which are all powerful predictors of cardiovascular events. The risk factor profile between pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women presenting with acute coronary syndrome was thus studied.Methods: This study was a prospective cross-sectional hospital based study and was conducted in the Department of Medicine and Department of Cardiology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana wherein 50 pre-menopausal women and 50 post- menopausal women who presented with acute coronary syndrome were enrolled. The risk factor profile and angiography findings amongst the 2 groups were compared.Results: There was no difference in the incidence of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension among the pre & post-menopausal groups. The prevalence of family history of cardiovascular disease was higher in the pre-menopausal group. The post-menopausal women showed a significant decrease in physical activity due to sedentary lifestyle. Both the groups had high BMI and increased waist circumference. Lipid parameters did not show any significant difference between the two groups. However, pre-menopausal women had higher LDL-C and triglyceride levels and lower HDL-C levels. On analysis of the angiographic findings in diabetics and non-diabetics, of both the groups diabetes mellitus was much higher in subjects presenting with triple vessel disease suggesting extensive atherosclerosis.Conclusions: study showed physical inactivity as an important cardiovascular risk factor in post-menopausal women. Obesity is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease in both pre- and post-menopausal women.
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Background: The phase of menopause is a physiological event which occurs as a result of progression of reproductive ageing. Women from developing countries view variations due to menopause as natural process and there is no need for medical care. The objective of the study was to assess the health seeking behaviour among the post menopausal women.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural and urban field practice areas of department of Community Medicine of Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad. About 300 urban and 300 rural women were interviewed using a semi-structured and pretested questionnaire from August 2015 to September 2017.Results: Among the rural women, 100 (25.4%) women did not seek health care and among those who sought health care, majority (34.3%) preferred government healthcare services followed by 23% who consulted private facility. Of the urban women, 14.7% did not seek health care, 42% of the women approached private practitioner followed by 23% who sought health care in government hospital. Majority of the women (42.2%) did not seek health care as they thought they will be normal with time.Conclusions: More than one third of the women are not aware of menopause and related problems. Among those who did not seek health care, higher proportion felt they will be Ok with time followed by financial constraints, fear/shy, family problems and lack of transport.
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Background: Menopausal women may experience vasomotor, urogenital and psychological symptoms as well as sexual dysfunction. These problems are often attributed to hormonal changes during midlife and are projected as health risk. The present study was conducted to assess the quality of life (QOL) and determinants in postmenopausal women. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 140 postmenopausal women age ranged 45- 60 years of age. All women were provided with a pre-designed questionnaire containing 24 questions about quality-of-life in menopause. Scores for vasomotor aspect ranged from 0 to 6, for psychosocial aspect from 0 to 18, for physical aspect from 0 to 42 and for sexual aspects from 0 to 6. Results: 60 women were <50 years and 80 were >50 years. Psychosocial score of 5-15 was observed in 42 women, vasomotor score of 2-5 was seen in, physical score of 24-33 was seen in 12 and sexual score of 2-4 was seen in 32 women. 65 women had more than 5 years of menopause while 75 had less than 5 years. 110 women exercise in the form of brisk walking while 30 do not. In 90 women, relation with husband deteriorated after menopause and 50 women never complained of this. 80 were living with their children while 60 not. 50 women had support from their children while 90 had not. 75 women had good perception of her heath while 65 had average perception. All domain showed significant difference in QOL. Conclusion: Post-menopausal women who fall in a transitional population between the reproductive age group and geriatric population need special attention. Their quality of life is highly determined by physical domain and psychosocial domain
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Background: Drug prescription in menopause is complex as estrogen deficiency, hypertension (HT) and other risk factors, rapidly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in post-menopausal women (PMW). Objectives: To evaluate the prescription trends of anti-hypertensive drugs in PMW. Methods: This was an observational, cross sectional study conducted over a period of 1 year, on hypertensive PMW. The prescriptions were evaluated for antihypertensive drug use patterns and also as per WHO core drug indicators. Results: 21.82% of prescriptions had monotherapy, amongst which angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) (10%) and individually, telmisartan (5.45%) were most commonly prescribed. Majority of prescriptions had two drug therapy (44.09%), among which ARB + beta-blockers (BB) (20.91%) and individually, Telmisartan + Metoprolol (13.64%) were most frequently prescribed. ARB + Diuretic (DI) (9.55%) was the most common fixed drug combination (FDC) prescribed. ARB + BB + DI (10.45%), ARB + 2DI + BB (4.09%) and ARB + 2DI + BB + Calcium channel blocker (1.82%) were most commonly prescribed three, four and ≥five drug combinations, respectively. Hypolipidemic drugs (60.45%) were maximally co-prescribed. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 4.63% and from essential drug list was 32.62%. Conclusions: A high trend of polypharmacy was observed in hypertensive PMW. HT, being a multifactorial disease, deserves a multidisciplinary and a comprehensive approach in the care of this population subgroup. Knowledge of prescription pattern and thus the rational utilisation of drugs will help achieve better control rates of HT and hence curb down the burden of CVDs in PMW.
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Background: Drug prescription in menopause is complex as estrogen deficiency, hypertension (HT) and other risk factors, rapidly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in post-menopausal women (PMW). Objectives: To evaluate the prescription trends of anti-hypertensive drugs in PMW. Methods: This was an observational, cross sectional study conducted over a period of 1 year, on hypertensive PMW. The prescriptions were evaluated for antihypertensive drug use patterns and also as per WHO core drug indicators. Results: 21.82% of prescriptions had monotherapy, amongst which angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) (10%) and individually, telmisartan (5.45%) were most commonly prescribed. Majority of prescriptions had two drug therapy (44.09%), among which ARB + beta-blockers (BB) (20.91%) and individually, Telmisartan + Metoprolol (13.64%) were most frequently prescribed. ARB + Diuretic (DI) (9.55%) was the most common fixed drug combination (FDC) prescribed. ARB + BB + DI (10.45%), ARB + 2DI + BB (4.09%) and ARB + 2DI + BB + Calcium channel blocker (1.82%) were most commonly prescribed three, four and ≥five drug combinations, respectively. Hypolipidemic drugs (60.45%) were maximally co-prescribed. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 4.63% and from essential drug list was 32.62%. Conclusions: A high trend of polypharmacy was observed in hypertensive PMW. HT, being a multifactorial disease, deserves a multidisciplinary and a comprehensive approach in the care of this population subgroup. Knowledge of prescription pattern and thus the rational utilisation of drugs will help achieve better control rates of HT and hence curb down the burden of CVDs in PMW.
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OBJECTIVES: Menopause is a transitional time in a woman's life leading to both physical and emotional challenges which affects the quality of life (QOL). Average age of menopause is around 48 years but it strikes Indian women at the age of 40 to 45 years. So, menopausal health demands higher priority in Indian as well as global scenario. The present study was conducted to compare the QOL of postmenopausal women residing in urban and rural communities. METHODS: The study adopted quantitative research approach with comparative survey design. The samples were 100 postmenopausal women from rural urban communities selected using non probability purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by interview using demographic performa and menopause specific QOL. RESULTS: The mean QOL score (X2 = 27.24) of rural women was higher than the mean QOL score (X1 = 26.34) of urban women. The calculated independent ‘t’ value (t = 0.86; P < 0.05) is lesser than the table value (t 98 = 1.980). There was association between QOL of urban postmenopausal women and monthly income of the family (χ2 = 4.023) was statistically significant at 0.05 levels. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the QOL of postmenopausal women in rural and urban areas. Indian women are ignorant about the changes taking place in their reproductive system. Religion and culture of our society also inhibits to express these changes. Health care professionals have a great role in addressing these issues to prepare women to face the challenges of reproductive health.
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Female , Humans , Delivery of Health Care , Menopause , Quality of Life , Reproductive Health , Rural Population , Strikes, EmployeeABSTRACT
Background: In today’s era lifestyle related diseases like diabetes mellitus, have emerged as a major public health problem. Diabetes mellitus, a common metabolic disorder, which accounts for a high incidence of morbidity leads to various events including micro and macro vascular complications. This study aims to assess the baseline levels of (KAP) knowledge, attitude and practices of general population of Vadodara. Materials and methods: The present cross sectional study was carried out on general population of Vadodara with the help of a suitably designed and validated KAP questionnaire. The questionnaire was pretested and verified for errors. The data was analyzed statistically. Results: Altogether, 60.12 % of respondents scored 100% in the questions related with knowledge. However 23.54% scored 100% in the attitude questions and12.80% scored 100% in practice questions. Conclusions: We can conclude that the responders had good knowledge but poor attitude and practice towards diabetes. We can overcome this by increasing quality of health education and improving applicability of scope of health education at all level. The effect of the hormonal changes associated with menopause may play an important role in most cardiovascular disorders in post-menopausal women. So the present study was undertaken to identify various cardiovascular profile changes in postmenopausal women and women were recruited for the study. We check for various parameters like hypertension, diabetes, Ischemic heart disease, Cerebrovascular Stroke, metabolic syndrome, anaemia, fundus examination. Results: Prevalence of Hypertension, dyslipidaemia, metabolic Bhavik Prajapati, Shirish Raval, Jigar Patel, Ishwar Parmar, Janak Chokshi, Nilay Thakore. A study of clinical profile of cardiovascular manifestations in postmenopausal women. IAIM, 2018; 5(4): 100-106. Page 101 syndrome, CV stroke, ischemic heart disease is higher in postmenopausal women. Five deaths due to cardiovascular disease were observed. This study showed high prevalence of most of the conventional cardiovascular risk factors, especially diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and other risk factors in postmenopausal women. Therefore it is important to consider each and every postmenopausal woman to undergo screening for cardiovascular profile and very important to identify and treat these cardiovascular risk factors properly to prevent mortality and morbidity.
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Introduction: Abnormal uterine bleeding should include all abnormalities of menstruation like hypermenorrhea as well as hypomenorrhea. Abnormal bleeding is synonymous only with excessive menstruation. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is one of the most common conditions for which women consult their gynaecologists. Material and methods: This was a retrospective study done in Dhiraj Hospital over a period of six month on patients presenting with AUB. Patients were selected based on clinical details. The study material included a total no. of 60 patients which were inclusive of endometrial samples. Patients with isolated endometrial causes of abnormal uterine bleeding were included for this study and those with pregnancy, profusely bleeding per vaginum, anemic patients were excluded. All specimens were transported in 10% formalin to the pathology laboratory. The gross morphology was recorded. Microscopic examination was done by two pathologist so as to reduce inter observer findings. The data collected for this study was statistically analyzed using chi-square test.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone mineral density and the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Korean women with low-energy distal radius fractures and compared with those of aged-matched normal Korean women. Two hundred and six patients with distal radius fractures between March 2006 and March 2010 were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups by age; group 1 (50-59 years), group 2 (60-69 years), and group 3 (70-79 years). Controls were age-matched normal Korean women. The bone mineral density values at all measured sites, except for the spine, were significantly lower in group 1 than those of control. While the bone mineral density values in group 2 and 3 were lower than those of controls, these differences were not statistically significant. All groups had significantly higher prevalence of osteoporosis at the Ward's triangle; however, at the spine, femoral neck and trochanteric area it was not significantly different from those of age-matched controls. Although the prevalence of osteoporosis of the postmenopausal women with low-energy distal radius fractures may not be higher than that of the control, osteoporosis should be evaluated especially in younger postmenopausal patients to prevent other osteoporotic hip and/or spine fractures.
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Aged , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Body Mass Index , Bone Density , Femoral Neck Fractures/diagnosis , Osteoporosis/epidemiology , Postmenopause , Prevalence , Radius Fractures/diagnosis , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Spinal Fractures/diagnosisABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy ofErxian Decoction combined with elcatonin for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.Methods Eighty cases of female patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, 40 cases in each group. The control group received intramuscular injections elcatonin treatment, and the treatment group received oralErxian Decoction on the basis of the treatment of the control group, for 12 weeks. The main clinical symptom score, VAS score and bone mineral density (BMD) of L2-L4 and in the tibia of the two groups were observed before and after treatment to assess the therapeutic effect.Results After treatment, VAS scores of the two groups were significantly lower (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the treatment group was 92.5% (37/40); the control group was 75.0 (30/40), with statistical significance (P<0.05). The treatment group was significantly better than the control group in main symptom scores, especially in improving body symptoms (P<0.05). BMD of the treatment group was significantly higher than the control group.ConclusionErxian Decoction combined with elcatonin therapy for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis can significantly improve clinical symptoms and increase BMD.
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Aims: Menopause is associated with a myriad of chronic health risks. This study assessed the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk profile of post-menopausal women from a semi-urban community in Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Ife Central Local Government, Ile - Ife, Nigeria Methodology: One hundred and twenty menopausal women aged 55 years and older participated in this study. The respondents were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. The Framingham Heart Study Questionnaire was used to assess CVD risk level. Risk scores were classified as low (0-19), medium (20-29) and high risk (40+). Socio-Economic Status (SES) was assessed using a validated questionnaire while cardiovascular and anthropometric parameters were measured following standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of respondents were 64.9±8.4 years, 73.4±15.2kg and 27.3±5.4kg/m² respectively. A majority, 84(70.0%) of the respondents had high blood pressure, 77(64.2%) had over five years duration of onset of menopause while 13(10.8%) had high cardiovascular risk. Half of the respondents, 64(53.3%) were in the low SES class. High CVD risk was higher among individuals with over five years of menopause. Pearson Product Moment Correlation revealed significant relationship between CVD risk and each of age (r = 0.507; P = 0.01), body weight (r = 0.257; P = 0.01), onset time of menopause (0.359; P = 0.01), blood pressure status (r = 0.665; P = 0.01), occupation (r = 0.330; P = 0.01) and SES (r = 0.406; P = 0.01) among post-menopausal women. Conclusion: Prevalence of CVD risk was high among Nigerian post-menopausal women in a semi-urban community. Age, body weight, years of onset menopause, blood pressure, occupation and socio-economic status level had significant relationship with high cardiovascular disease risk.
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Background: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of fractures with advancing age in postmenopausal women. BMD measurements with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) are costly and not widely available The Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA) index is a simple tool based on age and body weight to predict low BMD and identify women at risk of osteoporosis. The objective was to study the association of OSTA index with BMD (T-score) and to validate OSTA index in comparison with calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) for the prediction of low BMD in peri-menopausal Indian women. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out in department of physiology of a tertiary care teaching hospital (Navi Mumbai). Seventy two peri-menopausal women between 40 to 55 years with no previous diagnosis of osteoporosis were included. Participants’ socio-demographic detail, anthropometric measurements, OSTA index and QUS-based BMD was recorded. Pearson’s correlation test was used. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value was calculated. Results: OSTA index did not correlate with BMD in the entire samples. On subgroup analysis, OSTA index significantly correlated in a positive direction with BMD (T-score) in women in the age group of 50-55 years. OSTA index had a sensitivity of 70 %, and specificity of 84.62 % at T-score cutoff value of < -1. Conclusions: OSTA index is a simple risk assessment tool that can be used to identify women with low BMD in the age group of 50-55 years.
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Objective: Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynaecological malignancy. Approximately 80% of endomentrial carcinoma occur in post-menopausal women. Present study aimed to evaluate the role of transvaginal ultrasonography and colour flow imaging in diagnosing endometrial pathologies especially endometrial carcinoma and later its confirmation by histopathology. Methods: 38 women presenting with history of at least 6 months amenorrhoea followed by bleeding per vaginum were included in the study. Transvaginal colour Doppler (TVS) followed by fractional curettage was done in all cases and cervical biopsy was done in selected cases. Uterine size, endometrial thickness and blood flow indices (RI, PI) were measured. Analysis of data was done using ‘z’ test and ‘t’ test. Results: Out of 38 women maximum number of cases (39.47%) were between 50 – 55 years. Using 4 mm of endometrial thickness as cut off value for discriminating normal and abnormal endometrium, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 94.12%, 50%, 95.12% and 50% respectively (p < 0.05). No case of endometrial carcinoma was detected when the endometrium was <4 mm, making the sensitivity as 100%, NPV 100%, specificity 13.33% and PPV 23.53%. Using RI = 0.81 as cut off value for discriminating benign and malignant endometrium, sensitivity was 62.5%, specificity 53.33%, PPV – 26.3% and NPV as 84.2%. Conclusion: Transvaginal sonographic (TVS) evaluation of endometrial thickness (ET) is a reliable method of screening women with post-menopausal bleeding. Conservative approach may be offered to women showing ET of less than 4 mm and high impedance to flow in uterine and endometrial vessels.
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Aged , Endometrium/anatomy & histology , Endometrium/blood supply , Endometrium/cytology , Endometrium/pathology , Endometrium/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Postmenopause/epidemiology , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/methodsABSTRACT
Introduction: Osteoporosis is a global health problem contributing to increased functional limitations (mortality, morbidity, disability) and economic costs. The study aimed at assessing the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in a sample of post-menopausal women from the states of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh in North India. Methods: A total of 250 post-menopausal women, ranging in age from 45 to 80 years, were selected by purposive sampling from three states in North India. Information was collected on height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, grip strength, dietary intake, physical activity, and exposure to sunlight. Bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) at lumbar spine (L1-L4). Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis at lumbar spine (L1-L4) was found in 26.4% of the post-menopausal women. Osteoporotic women were significantly shorter (155.17 vs. 157.57,p
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Since the effect of the submaximal aerobic exercise on bone had been controversial, the aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of the bench step (BS), that seemed to deliver higher mechanical load on bone than any other aerobic exercises, on the total bone mineral content (BMC) and the bone metabolism of menopausal women. Sixteen menopausal women (65 ± 9 years old) as the exercise group (ExG) and 28 pre-menopausal women (43 ± 3 years old) as the control group (CG) were studied. ExG carried out BS training with the exercise intensity at lactate threshold (LT) for 21 weeks. In ExG, BMC was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at one year before the intervention (A year before), pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post). Serum osteocalcin (OC) as the marker of bone formation and serum type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTx) as the marker of bone absorption at Pre, 11th week of the intervention and Post. In CG, BMC was measured annually without the intervention. In ExG, OC was not changed, but NTx was significantly decreased by intervention (<i>p</i><0.05). The decreased amount of annual change in BMC between a year before and Pre (T1) was significantly higher compared to that between Pre and Post (T2) (<i>p</i><0.01) and CG (<i>p</i><0.001). There was no significant difference between T2 and CG. In conclusion, BS with LT could prevent decreasing BMC in menopausal women, and maintain the same level of BMC in pre-menopausal women by suppressing the bone absorption.