Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Scienes, Tehran, Iran.
2
MSc of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Scienes, Iran University of Medical Scienes, Tehran, Iran
3
Professor, Department of Mental Health, Health Metric Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Science Research Center, Tehran, Iran
4
Professor, Department of Nourology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Scienes, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Hirsutism is one of the most common endocrine disorders and considering the impact of epilepsy on the function of endocrine system and reproductive hormon, this study was performed with aim to determine and compare the frequency and intensity of hirsutism in women with and without epilepsy.
Methods: This cross-sectional and comparative study was performed on 338 women aged 18-35 years with and without epilepsy in 2016. Ferriman-Gallwey modified scoring scale was used for hirsutism scoring in three area subsed of above the lip, lower abdomen and thighs. A score of ≥4 was considered as hirsutism. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 21) and Chi-square test. PResults: There was significant difference between two groups of with and without epilepsy in terms of frequency and intensity of hirsutism (P<0.002). Also, significant relationship was found between hirsutism and menstrual irregularityincluding menorrhagia, metrorrhagia and or menometrorrhagia and also emotional disorders such as anxiety and stress (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The frequency and intensity of hirsutism was higher in women with epilepsy compared to women without epilepsy. Also, the frequency of irregular menstruation and emotional disorders was higher in women with epilepsy and in women with hirsutism. The study’s young cases indicates the need to pay more attention to this findings in patients who are of reproductive age.
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