[Frequency of hirsutism in medical students in Tehran]

Hirsutism is a common clinical problem among women; however estimates regarding its prevalence in our population are limited. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency and features of hirsutism in yound women in Iran. This descriptive-cross sectional study was performed on 800 female [18-25 years] medical students of Tehran medical universities in 1999. Evaluation included a history and a modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score in four different androgen-sensitive skin areas. The volunteers recorded their weight and height, the presence of menstural dysfuncion, acne, positive family history for hirsutism, as well as ingestion of oral contraceptive pills, corticosteroids or anabolic steroids using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and P<0.05 was considered significant. The frequency of hirsutism in our population was 22.8% [183 of 800]. 17.3%, 5.1% and 0.3% of the population studied had mild, moderate and severe hirsutism, respectively. The prevalence of obesity [body mass index > 25], acne, positive family history for hirsutism, menstrual dysfunction, and consumption of corticosteroid and OCP was significantly higher in hirsutes. Hirsutism is a very common abnormality in this group of woman in Iran. Higher hirsutism frequency in this survey comparing to previous records in other population shows that the hirsutism definition and scoring system should be modified due to racial/ethnic variations in terminal hair quantity and distributions and different concept of this abnormality in each population

Phenytoin as the first option in female epileptic patients?

Objective: Phenytoin (PHT) is one of the first-choice drugs in several epileptic syndromes, mostly in partial epilepsies, in which case it is effective as carbamazepine and phenobarbital. However, like any other anti-epileptic drug (AED), unpleasant side-effects are not rare. The aim of this study is the evaluation of dermatological troubles related to chronic PHT usage in female patients. Method: Between 1990-93, 731 new patients underwent investigation for epilepty at the Multidisciplinary Clinic for Epilepsy in our State. In this sample 283 were AED users at the time of the first assessment. Sixty one female patients taking PHT were identified. They were taking PHT in a dosage ranging from 100 to 300 mg daily, in mono or polytherapy regimen, during 1-5 previous years. Results: More than 50 per cent of the sample showed coarse facial features made by the combination of several degrees of acne, hirsutisn and gingival hyperplasia. Conclusion: Except in emergency situations, PHT should not be prescribed as the first option to the treatment of female epileptic patients, because not uncommonly the cosmetic side-effects are more socially handicapping than the epileptic syndrome by itself.

Epilepsia generalizada secundária em caso de hipoparatireoidismo pós-cirúrgico / Generalized epilepsy secondary in case of post-surgical hypoparathyroidism

Os autores relatam caso de epilepsia generalizada secundária ao depósito de cálcio putaminal em paciente de 33 anos de idade com hipoparatireoidismo conseqüente á tireoidectomia sofrida aos 15 anos. Discutem a descoberta näo fortuita de calcificaçöes intracerebrais na paciente, a necessidade de realizaçäo de tomografia computadorizada de crânio em todo o paciente epilético, além da iatrogenia medicamentosa anticomicial