BACKGROUND:
Chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) have been described in patients with
secondary amenorrhea (SA). However, studies on this association are
scarce.
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the frequency and types of CAs detected by karyotyping in
patients with SA.
DESIGN AND SETTING:
This retrospective study was performed in a reference clinical genetic
service in South Brazil.
METHODS:
Data were obtained from the medical records of patients with SA who were
evaluated between 1975 and 2022. Fisher’s bicaudate exact test and Student’s
t-test were used, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS:
Among 43 patients with SA, 14 (32.6%) had CAs, namely del (Xq) (n = 3), 45,X
(n = 2), 46,X,r(X)/45,X (n = 2), 46,XX/45,X (n = 1), 46,X,i(q10)/45,X (n =
1), 47,XXX (n = 1), 46,XX/47,XXX (n = 1), 46,XX/47,XX,+mar (n = 1),
45,XX,trob(13;14)(q10;q10)/46,XXX,trob(13;14)(q10;q10) (n = 1), and
46,XX,t(2;21)(q23;q11.2) (n = 1). Additional findings were observed mostly
among patients with CA compared with those without CA (P = 0.0021). No
difference in the mean age was observed between the patients with SA with or
without CAs (P = 0.268025).
CONCLUSIONS:
CAs are common among patients with SA, especially those with short stature
and additional findings. They are predominantly structural, involve the X
chromosome in a mosaic, and are compatible with the Turner syndrome.
Patients with SA, even if isolated, may have CAs, particularly del (Xq) and
triple X.