Role of serum renalase levels in predicting the presence of metabolic syndrome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the serum renalase levels of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women with and without metabolic syndrome (MS) and those of healthy non-PCOS women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients diagnosed with PCOS and age-matched 72 healthy non-PCOS were included in the study. The PCOS group was divided into two groups as having metabolic syndrome or not. General gynecological and physical examination findings and laboratory results were recorded. Renalase levels in serum samples were determined using Enyzme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay method. RESULTS: Mean serum renalase level was significantly higher in PCOS patients with MS compared with both PCOS patients without MS and healthy controls. Additionally, serum renalase correlates positively with body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance values among PCOS women. However, systolic blood pressure was found to be the only significant independent factor that can affect the serum renalase levels. A serum renalase level of 79.86 ng/L had a sensitivity of 94.7% and specificity of 46.4% in discriminating PCOS patients with metabolic syndrome from healthy women. CONCLUSIONS: Serum renalase level increases in women with PCOS in the presence of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, monitoring the serum renalase level in women with PCOS can predict the metabolic syndrome that may develop.

The neglected secret: Association of abdominal striae with stress urinary incontinence in primigravid pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE(S): To compare the presence and severity of striae gravidarum in pregnant women with and without stress urinary incontinence and to evaluate whether there is a relationship between the severity of striae gravidarum and the severity of incontinence in pregnant women with stress urinary incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: Healthy primigravid pregnant women with an uneventful singleton pregnancy at 36-37 weeks of gestation were included. All women were asked two questions to assess the presence of urinary incontinence. Women who answered 'yes' to the question 'Do you have any involuntary urinary leakage during coughing/laughing/sneezing/running/jumping?' and 'no' to the question 'Do you have any involuntary urinary leakage accompanied by a strong urge to void?' were classified as women with stress urinary incontinence, and women who answered 'no' to both questions were classified as women without stress urinary incontinence. The presence and severity of striae gravidarum of these two groups were evaluated with the Davey score, and the severity of incontinence of women with stress urinary incontinence was evaluated with the Incontinence severity index questionnaire. RESULTS: The Davey score of pregnant women with stress urinary incontinence was significantly higher than the score of women without stress urinary incontinence and the presence of severe striae gravidarum was more common in women with stress urinary incontinence. There was a positive, significant correlation between Incontinence severity index and Davey scores in women with stress urinary incontinence, and this was the only independent correlation that was significant in linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION(S): Presence and severity of striae gravidarum is correlated with the presence and severity of stress urinary incontinence in primigravid pregnant women. Evaluation of striae gravidarum may be useful in predicting the development of stress urinary incontinence and taking necessary precautions against it. This issue should be evaluated with good quality studies.

Associations between IL-1α, IL-1ß, TNFα, and IL-6 variations, and susceptibility to transposition of the great arteries.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the relationship between IL-1α -889C/T (rs1800587), IL-1ß -511C > T (rs16944), TNFα -308G > A (rs1800629), TNFα -238G > A (rs361525), IL-6 -174G > C (rs1800795), and IL-6 -572G > C (rs1800796) polymorphisms and the susceptibility to transposition of the great arteries (TGA). METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on mothers whose newborns were diagnosed as having TGA. For each case of TGA, a mother who gave birth to a healthy neonate in the same period was randomly selected for the control group. The sample size was calculated before planning the study with 80% power and 5% alpha. RESULTS: Twenty-seven mothers whose newborn had TGA anomalies (group 1) and 27 mothers whose newborn had no TGA (group 2) were included in the study. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of maternal age, pregestational body mass index, gestational age at birth and infant sex (p > 0.05). The genotype and allele distributions of IL-1α -889C/T (rs1800587), IL-1ß -511C > T (rs16944), TNFα -308G > A (rs1800629), TNFα -238G > A (rs361525), IL-6 -174G > C (rs1800795) and IL-6 -572G > C (rs1800796) gene variants were not different between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no relation between IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNFα promoter gene polymorphisms and TGA occurrence in our study group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This present prospective case-control study was conducted in Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between May 2020 and November 2021. Ethical approval was obtained from the university's Clinical Research Ethics Commitee (No: KA20/211) in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

A blind spot: Manchester Fothergill operation for cervical elongation without uterine descensus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomical results of Manchester Fothergill operation performed due to cervical elongation cases without uterine descensus and its effects on quality of life and sexual function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six women who underwent Manchester Fothergill operation for cervical elongation without uterine descensus were analyzed retrospectively. Pre- and postoperative Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification (POP-Q) measurements, Prolapse Quality of Life (P-QoL) Questionnaire and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12) scores were collected. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in POP-Q measurements, P-QoL Questionnaire and PISQ-12 scores postoperatively. There was no relationship between the change in POP-Q measurements and the changes in questionnaires scores. Reoperation was performed in only one patient due to anterior compartment prolapse. No serious complications were detected. CONCLUSION: Manchester Fothergill operation is an effective and safe surgical option in the surgical treatment of cervical elongation cases without uterine descensus. It provides anatomical improvement, increases the quality of life and improves sexual function in women.