Gene polymorphisms and serum levels of BDNF and CRH in vitiligo patients.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is one of the most common hypomelanoses, in which the destruction of functioning melanocytes causes depigmentation of the skin, hair and mucous membranes. The genes encrypting brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) might be the conceivable contributors to the development of vitiligo. This study was aimed at investigation of the serum levels of BDNF and CRH as well as their selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitiligo patients in comparison with the healthy controls. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was carried out between October 2020 and June 2021 in 93 vitiligo patients (age range from 23 to 48 years) and 132 healthy controls (age range from 24 to 52 years). The psychological status of study participants was evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Serum levels of BDNF and CRH were measured with the help of a commercially available sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Genotyping for the rs11030094 polymorphism of the BDNF gene and for the rs242924 polymorphism of the corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRH-R1) gene was performed by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between the CRH-R1 rs242924 and BDNF rs11030094 polymorphisms and vitiligo. Moreover, serum levels of neurotransmitters differed significantly between vitiligo and control groups and were associated with the CRH-R1 rs242924 and BDNF rs11030094 SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated the association between CRH-R1 rs242924 and BDNF rs11030094 polymorphisms and vitiligo. Further studies need to be carried out in vitiligo patients to confirm the results observed.

Are Kazakhstani Women Satisfied with Antenatal Care? Implementing the WHO Tool to Assess the Quality of Antenatal Services.

Women's satisfaction is a part of the quality assurance process with potential to improve antenatal health services. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of women's satisfaction with antenatal care in an urban Kazakhstani setting and investigate associated factors. A total of 1496 women who delivered in all maternity clinics from 6 February through 11 July 2013 in Semey, East Kazakhstan, filled out a standardized pretested questionnaire on satisfaction with antenatal care. Independent associations between dissatisfaction and its correlates were studied by logistic regression. Ninety percent of the women were satisfied with the antenatal care. Women who were dissatisfied had lower education. These women would have preferred more checkups, shorter intervals between checkups, more time with care providers, and shorter waiting times. The overall dissatisfaction was associated with long waiting times and insufficient information on general health in pregnancy, results of laboratory tests, treatment during pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Although most of the women in the study setting were satisfied with the new antenatal care model, we identified the main sources of dissatisfaction that should be addressed. Given that Semey is a typical Kazakhstani city, the results can be generalized to other Kazakhstani urban settings.