[ evaluation of Hirsutism at Khatam-Alanbia hospital]

Hirsutism is a common problem with the presence of terminal [coarse] hair in female, in a male-like pattern, that has different etiologic factors. This project was carried out to determine the etiologic factors of hirsutism with clinical and para clinical studies. This descriptive cross sectional study was performed at Khatam -Alanbia Hospital in Zahedan, Iran, from August 2001 to September 2003. Clinical and para clinical findings of 180 hirsute women, referred to Dermatology Clinic were evaluated. Paraclinical tests included serum testostrone, dihydroepandrostendion sulfate, thyroid stimulating hormone, follicle stimulatig hormone, luteinzing hormone, prolactin, 17-OH progesterone, and ultrasonography. Levels of one or more androgens elevated in 70 patients [39%]. Poly cystic ovary syndrome was diagnosed in 96 patients [53/3%]. A group of 80 patients [44/4%] with regular menstrual cycles and normal laboratory and sonographic findings had idiopathic hirsutism. Of patients 28, [29/2%] with poly cystic ovaries had regular menstruation. Late onset of adrenal hyper plasia, due to partial 21- Hydroxylase deficiency, was diagnosed in 4 patients [2/2%]. There are various causes of excessive hair in women. The present study's results like other studies indicated that poly cystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause and a screening work-up should be recomended on all patients with hirsutism, even women with regular menstrual cycles