Etiology of hirsutism. Is there a correlation between menstrual regularity, body mass index and severity of hirsutism with the cause?

ABSTRACT

Hirsutes having regular menstrual history or with body mass index [BMI] within normal range or mild hisutism are often taken as idiopathic hirsutism. To investigate the hirustism in patients presenting in the Fauji Foundation Hospital [FFH], Rawalpindi and to determine if menstrual regularity, BMI and severity of hirsutism correlates with the cause. It was descriptive study over a period of fourteen months in the departments of Dermatology and Gynecology and Obstetrics of FFH, Rawalpindi. Females who presented to either department with hirsutism were enrolled in this study. A detailed history, clinical examination with special reference to Ferriman-Gallwey [FG] scoring system, endocrinological workup and abdominopelvic ultrasonography [USG] was done in all patients. SPSS version 12 was used for statistical analysis. Out of a total of 71 patients, the commonest cause of hirsutism in our study was polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] in 57.7%. Idiopathic hirsutism was present in 22.6% and late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia in 9.9% patients. Hyperprolactinemia and thyroid disorders were diagnosed in 4.2% respectively. One [1.4%] patient had multiple etiologies. The correlation between menstrual regularity, BMI and severity of hirsutism with the cause of hirsutism was not statistically significant [p >/= 0.05]. PCOS is the commonest cause in our study population. The correlation of menstrual regularity, BMI and severity of hirsutism with its cause is not statistically significant