Background: Hirsutism is a clinical situation in Cameroon which is poorly elucidated
due to a paucity of clinical and biological data; hence our interest in this
study. The aim of this work was to describe the clinical, psycho-social and
metabolic profile of women with hirsutism in Yaoundé. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out from May 2013 to
December 2013. Participants were recruited by announcement through social
media. Our study included women at least 18 years old, notin menopausal, not pregnant, not breastfeeding, with hirsutism regardless of severity. They were
assessed through an interrogation, anthropometric parameters, a physical
examination usingthe modified Ferriman and Gallwey score, the measurement
of fasting capillary blood glucose and a lipid profile. The psycho-social
assessment was carried out using a pre-designed questionnaire on the
participant’s perception and daily experience with hirsutism. The metabolic
syndrome was established according to the criteria of the International
Diabetes Federation of 2005 and the National Cholesterol Education
Program-third adult treatment panel of 2001. Results: We recruited 60
women aged 27.6 ± 7.0 years. The median Ferriman and Gallwey score was 12. The
mean duration of evolution was 9 years. A family history of hirsutism was found
in 88.8% of the participants, especially in the mother.
Signs of virilization were found in 3.3% of the participants. Association was
found between menstrual cycle abnormalities and severity of hirsutism (p = 0.023).
Psycho-socially, 58.8% of women found
hirsutism normal. The metabolic syndrome was found in 21.7% and 18.3% according to the IDF and NCEP-ATP III, respectively. Conclusion: Hirsutism in our context seems normal
to most of our participants. It is, however, associated with menstrual
irregularities, signs of virilization and metabolic
References
[1]
Sakiyama, R. (1996) Approach to Patients with Hirsutism. Western Journal of Medicine, 165, 386-391.
[2]
Asunción, M., Calvo, R.M., San Millán, J.L., Sancho, J., Avila, S. and Escobar-Morreale, H.F. (2000) A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Caucasian Women from Spain. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 85, 2434-2438. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.85.7.6682
[3]
Nourbala, M. and Kefaei, P. (2010) The Prevalence of Hirsutism in Adolescent Girls In Yazd, Central Iran. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 12, 111-117.
[4]
Martin, K.A., Chang, R.J., Ehrmann, D.A., Ibanez, L., Lobo, R.A., Rosenfield, R.L., et al. (2008) Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 93, 1105-1120. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2007-2437
[5]
Tekin, O., Işįk, B., Avcį, Z., Catal, F., Erarslan, E., Delibaşį, T., et al. (2004) Hirsutism: Common Clinical Problem or Index of Serious Disease? Medscape General Medicine, 6, Article No. 56.
[6]
Kopera, D., Wehr, E. and Obermayer-Pietsch, B. (2010) Endocrinology of Hirsutism. International Journal of Trichology, 2, 30-35. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.66910
[7]
Sonino, N., Fava, G.A., Mani, E., Belluardo, P. and Boscaro M. (1993) Quality of Life of Hirsute Women. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 69, 186-189. https://pmj.bmj.com/content/69/809/186.long https://doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.69.809.186
[8]
Carmina, E. (2006) Metabolic Syndrome in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Minerva Ginecologica, 58, 109-114.
[9]
Cameroon Data Portal (2010) Census Data. https://cameroon.opendataforafrica.org/rfdefze/census-data
[10]
Sharma, D., Shanker, V., Tegta, G., Gupta, M. and Verma, G.K. (2012) Clinico-In-vestigative Profile of Patients of Hirsutism in a Tertiary Level Institution. International Journal of Trichology, 4, 69-74. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.96904
[11]
Ansarin, H., Aziz-Jalali, M.H., Rasi, A. and Soltani-Arabshahi, R. (2007) Clinical Presentation and Etiologic Factors of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Iranian Women. Archives of Iranian Medicine, 10, 7-13.
[12]
Zargar, A.H., Wani, A.I., Masoodi, S.R., Laway, B.A., Bashir, M.I. and Salahuddin, M. (2002) Epidemiologic and Etiologic Aspects of Hirsutism in Kashmiri Women in the Indian Subcontinent. Fertility and Sterility, 77, 674-678. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(01)03241-1
[13]
Zhao, X., Ni, R., Huang, J., Huang, L., Du, S., Ma, M., et al. (2013) Study on the Facial and Body Terminal Hair Growth in Women in Guangdong by Using Modified Ferriman-Gallwey Scoring System. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 48, 427-431. (In Chinese)
[14]
Carmina, E., Koyama, T., Chang, L., Stanczyk, F.Z. and Lobo, R.A. (1992) Does Ethnicity Influence the Prevalence of Adrenal Hyperandrogenism and Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 167, 1807-1812. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(92)91779-A
[15]
Gatee, O.B., Attia, H.M.A. and Salama, I.A. (1996) Hirsutism in the United Arab Emirates: A Hospital Study. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 72, 168-171. https://doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.72.845.168
[16]
Knochenhauer, E.S., Hines, G., Conway-Myers, B.A. and Azziz, R. (2000) Examination of the Chin or Lower Abdomen Only for the Prediction of Hirsutism. Fertility and Sterility, 74, 980-983. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(00)01602-2
[17]
Rosenfield, R.L. (1990) Hyperandrogenism in Peripubertal Girls. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 37, 1333-1358. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-3955(16)37014-6
[18]
Flier, J.S., Eastman, R.C., Minaker, K.L., Matteson, D. and Rowe, J.W. (1985) Acanthosis Nigricans in Obese Women with Hyperandrogenism. Characterization of an Insulin-Resistant State Distinct from the Type A and B Syndromes. Diabetes, 34, 101-107. https://doi.org/10.2337/diabetes.34.2.101
[19]
Azziz, R., Sanchez, L.A., Knochenhauer, E.S., Moran, C., Lazenby, J., Stephens, K.C., et al. (2004) Androgen Excess in Women: Experience with Over 1000 Consecutive Patients. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 89, 453-462. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2003-031122
[20]
Al-Ruhaily, A.D., Malabu, U.H. and Sulimani, R.A. (2008) Hirsutism in Saudi Females of Reproductive Age: A Hospital-Based Study. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 28, 28-32. https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2008.28
[21]
Morán, C., Tapia, M.C., Hernández, E., Vázquez, G., García-Hernández, E. and Bermúdez, J.A. (1994) Etiological Review of Hirsutism in 250 Patients. Archives of Medical Research, 25, 311-314.
[22]
Sommer, S., Render, C., Burd, R. and Sheehan-Dare, R. (1998) Ruby Laser Treatment for Hirsutism: Clinical Response and Patient Tolerance. British Journal of Dermatology, 138, 1009-1014. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02268.x
[23]
Richards, R.N. and Meharg, G.E. (1995) Electrolysis: Observations from 13 Years and 140,000 Hours of Experience. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 33, 662-666. https://doi.org/10.1016/0190-9622(95)91290-8
[24]
Apter, D., Bützow, T., Laughlin, G.A. and Yen, S.S. (1995) Metabolic Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Are Found in Adolescent Girls with Hyperandrogenism. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 80, 2966-2973. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.80.10.7559882
[25]
Fezeu, L., Balkau, B., Kengne, A.P., Sobngwi, E. and Mbanya, J.C. (2007) Metabolic Syndrome in a Sub-Saharan African Setting: Central Obesity May Be the Key Determinant. Atherosclerosis, 193, 70-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2006.08.037
