Association between Serum Homocysteine Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in Middle Aged Women / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: Hyperhomocysteinemia is known to be related with the early onset of osteoporosis. This study was to examine the association between serem homocysteine levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in middle aged women. METHODS: The study included 409 women who underwent bone density tests in the health screening centers from January 2009 to october 2010. Serum homocysteine levels and BMD were measured. RESULTS: Postmenopause group (n = 109) showed significantly lower BMD score in lumbar spine and femoral neck and significantly higher serum homocysteine concentration compared to premenopause group (n = 300). However, after adjusting for age, body mass index, and the menopausal condition in total 409 women, there were no significant correlations between serum homocysteine levels and BMD. CONCLUSION: Measurement of serum homocysteine levels may not be useful, but adjunctive for the risk assessment of osteoporosis in middle aged women.

Effect on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Invasive Cervical Cancer Patients with Radical Operation and CCRT / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal invasive cervical cancer patients treated with radical operation and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). METHODS: We analyzed the BMD of spinal bone and the femur in 48 invasive cervical cancer patients treated with CCRT after radical operation. All BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. For comparison with control women, 96 patients without gynecological disease whose age and body mass index are consistent with the case group were selected. The measurement interval was 1 year. All of the patients and control women had reached their menopause. RESULTS: Age, height, body weight and body mass index were not significantly different between the two groups. The serum levels of calcium and phosphate were not significantly different between the patients with cervical cancer and control women before and after treatment. On the other hands, the concentrations of total alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin of patients with invasive cervical cancer were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of control women after treatment. BMD showed inconsistent outcomes, but there is a trend of decrease after operation and CCRT in invasive cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that invasive cervical cancer patients treated with radical operation and CCRT have a lower BMD, resulting in an increased risk of osteoporosis.

A Retrospective Study of Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Endometrial Cancer without Bone Metastases / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal endometrial cancer patients without bone metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the BMD of spinal bone and the femur in 26 endometrial cancer patients and 32 control women. All of the patients and control women had reached their menopause. The control group was treated with benign uterine myoma whose age and body mass index are consistent with the case group. All BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Effect of Black Cohosh on Genital Atrophy and Its Adverse Effect in Postmenopausal Women / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: It is to evaluate the effect of black cohosh on genital atrophy and its adverse effect in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 100 postmenopausal women having moderate to severe degree of climacteric symptoms were randomly allocated to receive black cohosh combined proparation (n = 50) or placebo (n = 50) daily for 12 weeks. A total of seventy eight subjects completed the study. The effect of black cohosh on vaginal atrophy was evaluated by measuring Maturation value (MV). MV was determined from vaginal smear at 0 and 12 weeks of treatment. Safety assessment included vital signs, physical examinations, adverse events, and routine laboratory parameters. Assessments were carried out at the beginning, and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The mean (+/- standard deviation) MV decreased 0.18 (0.48 +/- 0.33 to 0.30 +/- 0.24) in the black cohosh group and 0.13 (0.44 +/- 0.31 to 0.31 +/- 0.22) in the placebo group. There was no statistical difference between the groups. But adverse events were observed in 7 (14%) patients in the black cohosh group and 6 (12%) patients in the placebo group, without statistical significance. No significant effects were observed on blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, physical findings, and laboratory values. Black cohosh was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Black cohosh did not exert estrogenic effects with regards to vaginal atrophy. Further studies on the long-term safety and the appropriate doses of cohosh are needed.

Inguinal hernia of ovary and fallopian tube in adult woman / 대한산부인과학회지

Anomalous presence of fully developed female reproductive organs in the inguinal canal is extremely rare. But, early recognition and reduction of an ovary is thought to be important to prevent strangulation of the hernia and necrosis of the ovary. Ultrasound scan diagnose positively the presence of ovaries in the majority of cases. So we advise ultrasound scan must be performed routinely in those female with inguinal hernia. We experienced a case of inguinal hernia of ovary and fallopian tube in a fully developed adult woman. So we present it with a brief review of literature.