The effect of ethnicity on the prevalence and presentation of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was examined in a cross-sectional study of women with clinical - and ultrasound - diagnosed PCOS. European, Maori and Pacific Island women were seen in proportion to the general population, whereas Indian women were over-represented and Chinese women under-represented. European and Maori women were more likely to present with hirsutism than other ethnic groups (43% versus 25%, p < 0.05), while European women were less likely to present with infertility (46% versus 68%, p < 0.01). The Pacific Island women had little or no acne but other signs of PCOS were similar among ethnic groups. Although less than 10% of patients were referred with obesity, the majority of PCOS women were overweight on examination. Maori and Pacific Island women were more obese and had the highest rates of insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities. The adverse metabolic profile of many of these women, particularly the Maori and Pacific Islanders, is very likely to predispose them to early cardiovascular disease.

No abstract

Recent reports have suggested a correlation between congenital protein C deficiency and tissue necrosis complicating oral anticoagulants (warfarin necrosis). The authors studied blood samples of 13 patients, obtained two weeks to more than six months after warfarin necrosis. Protein C antigen levels were assayed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (Diagnostica Stago, France). Factors II, VII, IX, and X were assayed by functional methods, and IX and X additionally by immunologic methods. The results show that 11 of 13 patients with a history of tissue necrosis had low protein C levels, ranging from 23 to 69%, with the normal range being 70-140%. These results confirm that low protein C antigen levels are implicated in the pathogenesis of warfarin necrosis.

No abstract