Polycystic ovaries and associated clinical and biochemical features among women with infertility in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of polycystic ovaries (PCO) and associated clinical and biochemical features among women with infertility attending gynaecological outpatient department (GOPD) at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. All women with infertility attending the GOPD from 11 th September 2006 to 15 th February 2007 were recruited to the study. Information on socio-demographic, obstetric and menstrual characteristics was collected. Anthropometric measurement, clinical examination of acne and hirsutism, vaginal ultrasonography for PCO and biochemical analysis of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were performed. All 102 women who attended the GOPD during the study period due to infertility were recruited. Two women were excluded after diagnosis of pregnancy made by hormonal assay and ultrasonography thus remaining with 100 women for analysis. Oligomenorrhoea and acne were significantly higher in a group of women with PCO than among women with normal ovaries. The mean hirsutism score though was not significant, was higher in women with PCO than in women with normal ovaries (5.1±2.7 vs. 4±2.4, P<0.057). Using the Rotterdam criteria 32 (32%) women were diagnosed to have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Among these women 25 (78.1%) had PCO, 24 (75%) had signs of oligoanovulation, and 18 (56.3%) had hirsutism. Among 68 women with no PCOS, 7 (10.3%) had polycystic ovaries, 15 (22.1%) had signs of oligoanovulation and 6 (8.8%) had hirsutism. In conclusion, polycystic ovaries are common among women with infertility, however are not necessarily associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. Doctors should investigate their clients for PCOS and offer appropriate treatment. _______________________________________________________________________________________

The impact of polycystic ovary syndrome on women’s quality of life: Nursing guidelines for its

“…These findings in partial supported with Pembe & Abeid in Tanzania, who found that the frequency of nulliparous women with PCOS was 62.5%. [54] Also, the present study revealed that 36.0% of women with PCOS had of previous abortion. This is matching with Norman et al, the study in Australia who noted the high-risk of spontaneous-abortion in women with PCOS, and they related this to the high prevalence of obesity and the treatment type they received.…”

“…[58] In the contract, Pembe et al in Tanzania reported a higher rate of infertility (53.1%) among the studied women with PCOS. [54] Familial clustering of PCOS has been consistently reported suggesting that genetic factors play a role in the development of this syndrome. [59] In the current study, more than one-half of women (62.0%) had a positive family history of PCO syndrome.…”

Insulin Sensitivity and Gynaecological Features of Infertile Cameroonian Females with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The majority of patients in the PCOS group consulted for primary infertility, while the majority in the non PCOS group consulted for secondary infertility. Pembe and collaborators [16] had similar findings. Denakpo and collaborators in Cotonou [13] found spaniomenorrhea, hirsutism and polycystic ovaries as signs with the highest frequency in the PCOS population.…”

Why we need epidemiologic studies of polycystic ovary syndrome in Africa

“…and Australia (Fig. [21][22][23][24][25] This is particularly alarming given the need to improve women's health in the region 26 and the great need to address health disparities globally. 5 In fact, there are no significant data from South America, Russia (i.e., northern Asia), the island countries of Oceania (Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia), or Africa.…”

“…18,20 An assessment of studies in Africa highlights the lack of research among black women in Sub-Saharan Africa, where there have been no large-scale epidemiologic studies of PCOS and only a very few studies of the PCOS phenotype. [21][22][23][24][25] This is particularly alarming given the need to improve women's health in the region 26 and the great need to address health disparities globally. 27 Furthermore, PCOS among black women may be associated with additional or more severe morbidities, such as uterine leiomyomata, as compared with white women.…”