Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a syndrome of ovarian dysfunction along with the cardinal features of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary morphology. The prevalence of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound is around quarter of all women but is not associated with the full syndrome. The study aimed to assess the status of thyroid disorders in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This prospective hospital-based case-control study involved most outpatients aged 13–45 years who visited the Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Infertility clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital with complaints of hirsutism and/or oligomenorrhea or infertility. This study included 70 patients, including 50 with PCOS (PCOS group) and 20 without (control group). Results: The PCOS group exhibited significantly higher mean thyroid stimulating hormone level (3.9 vs. 3.1 µIU/L), luteinizing hormone level (15.2 vs. 4.7 mIU/mL), and body mass index (28.6 vs. 24.9 kg/m2; all, p<0.001) and a non-significantly higher follicle-stimulating hormone level (9.2 vs. 5.2 mIU/L) than the control group. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a higher prevalence of thyroid disorder among women with PCOS.

Smoking should be considered at an early stage in the differential diagnosis of unexplained polycythemia and to avoid inappropriate treatment and also to motivate the patient to stop.Fourty two patients with secondary polycythemia seen in the outpatient clinic of Baghdad teaching hospital, Medical City over the period from Jan.2008 to Jan. 2010. Total number of patients was 42 patients; follow up was done only to 30 patients with secondary polycythemia who managed to reduce theircigarette consumption. Many results were significantly different between heavy smokers and reduced smokers. The hematocrit, leukocyte count and levels oftotal cholesterol, hemoglobin and triglyceride were significantly higher in heavy smokers, than light smokers, while the level of high-density lipoprotein cholestrol was significantly lower. The weight of the patients and their blood pressure were not changed befor and after reduce smoking. Secondary polycythemia and all related measurments are smoking-related abnormal finding; physicians should know the effects of smoking on medical check-up to improve their disease, prevention and health promotion activities.

People with diabetes can develop different foot problems. In the blood stream glucose reacts with hemoglobin to make a glycosylated hemoglobin molecule called hemoglobin A1c or HbA1c, the more glucose in the blood the more hemoglobin A1c will be present in the blood. The HbAlc test is currently one of the best ways to check diabetes to be under control.  The aim of study is to compare between the blood investigations which includes the fasting blood sugar and HbAlC (glycosylated hemoglobin), and to evaluate the benefit of  HbAlc (measurement for diabetic patients with foot ulcer,  to be a good indicator for controlling blood glucose). Sixty patients with type2 diabetes mellitus from the outpatient clinic of Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City over the period from Nov. 2006 to Nov. 2008, were included in the study. Follow up was done only to 30 patients with diabetic foot ulcer. Twenty (66.66%) were males and 10(33.33%) were females their age range from (23-75) years (mean age of 52years), and 21 normal subjects as control. A (Glycohemoglobin HbAl-Test/fast lon-Exchange Resin Separation Method) kit was used. The data finding that there is a greater association between HbAlc level and foot ulceration healing. There is a relationship between the age of the patients and the HbAlc level. The patients who used (Glibenclamide+Metformin) have the lower range of HbAlC, while those who use (Metformin) have the higher level of HbAlc. HbAlc (glycosylated hemoglobin) is most accurate test to determine actual reading over the past 2-3 months, and to evaluating the risk of glycemic damage to the tissues. So, we recommend the HbAlc testing, but it can't be used to monitor day-to-day blood glucose concentration because it's not influenced by fluctuation in blood concentration. Key words: Diabetic foot ulcer, HbAlc

Hemogloin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels are used to assess anemia in pregnancy. Some studies referred to the influence of maternal age, body mass index (BMI) and parity on Hb and serum ferritin levels. The study aimed to examine the possible association of maternal Hb and serum ferritin with maternal age, parity, and BMI in a sample of pregnant women in Baghdad.  Ninety healthy pregnant women, grouped in three equal groups according to the pregnancy trimester, and thirty apparently healthy non-pregnant women from Baghdad were enrolled in this observational study.  Blood and serum samples were obtained for the estimation of Hb and serum ferritin levels. The pooled data of participants showed a negative correlation between parity and each of blood Hb concentrations (r= -0.147, P=0.046) and plasma ferritin levels (r= -0.186, P= 0.038). The negative correlation of parity with blood Hb concentration was reported in participants in the third trimester of pregnancy (r= -0.270, P=0.048); and between parity and plasma ferritin levels in the second (r= -0.088, P= 0.046) and third (r= -0.398, P=0.029) trimester pregnant. The study did not report a significant correlation between age and BMI with blood Hb concentrations or serum ferritin levels in pregnant women at any trimester of pregnancy. There is a negative correlation between parity and each of blood Hb concentration and serum ferritin levels in pregnant women in Baghdad. While, there is no such correlation with maternal age and BMI at any trimester of pregnancy.