OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of alteration of social conditions towards pregnancy termination on the acceptance of genetic amniocentesis. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records was conducted for women (<20 weeks' gestation, singleton pregnancy) who visited our outpatient department between February 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010. Acceptance of genetic amniocentesis was compared between two groups of women: one from February 1, 2009 to November 30, 2009 (2009 group) and the other from December 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010 (2010 group) after strict regulation of pregnancy termination. The acceptance rate of those who were referred to our center for genetic amniocentesis in same time period was also evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 19 of 101 (19%) women in the 2009 group and 10 of 93 (11%) in the 2010 group, opted for invasive diagnostic methods (P=0.16). Women > 35 years in the 2010 group (5/30, 17%) were less likely to accept genetic amniocentesis than 2009 group (15/30, 50%; P=0.01). Similar results were observed in those who were indicated for genetic amniocentesis. (9/35, 26% vs 19/34, 56%; P=0.02). Acceptance rate of genetic amniocentesis was increased for those who were referred from private clinic, but without statistical significance (15/21, 71% vs 13/14, 93%; P=0.20). CONCLUSION: After strict regulation of pregnancy termination, acceptance rate of genetic amniocentesis was significantly decreased among women who had increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities or neural tube defect at our center. Whereas, there were no significant change in acceptance rate for those who were referred for amniocentesis from private clinic.
Abortion, Therapeutic ; Amniocentesis ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Neural Tube Defects ; Outpatients ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Social Conditions

Diabetes insipidus is an unusual cause of urinary frequency during pregnancy. It occurs in 2 to 6 per 100,000 pregnancies. It is a disorder in which the abnormal secretion, degradation, or activity of vasopressin cause hypotonic polyuria, polydipsia, and dehydration. And this syndrome appears to be associated with multiple gestations, preeclampsia, and abnormal liver function. We report two cases of pregnancies complicated with diabetes insipidus. One patient was diagnosed during pregnancy and DDAVP (L-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin) was used to manage diabetes insipidus. The other patient was diagnosed before pregnancy and DDAVP was not used.
Deamino Arginine Vasopressin ; Dehydration ; Diabetes Insipidus ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic* ; Humans ; Liver ; Polydipsia ; Polyuria ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy* ; Vasopressins

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of metformin and rosiglitazone in overweight or obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. METHODS: Twenty Six overweight or obese patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome were randomly treated with either metformin (500 mg three times daily, n=13) or rosiglitazone (4 mg once daily, n=13) for 6 months. Hormonal studies were performed before and after treatment. Insulin resistances were calculated by computerized HOMA 2 Calculator v2.2. RESULTS: Testosterone decreased while SHBG increased after 6 months treatment in both metformin and rosiglitazone treatment groups. Fasting glucose decreased after metformin or rosiglitazone treatment. HOMA insulin resistance improved after treatment with either drug. There was no differences in hormonal changes and insulin resistance between 2 treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that metformin and rosiglitazone are effective in improving insulin sensitivity and ameliorating hyperandrogenism in overweight/obese polycystic ovarian syndrome women.
Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Metformin* ; Overweight* ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Testosterone

PURPOSE: To obtain basic information for studies of female sexual dysfunction, we investigated the sexual activities and attitudes of young Korean women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey via the Internet. From July 2004 to August 2004, we sent e-mail to 43,000 women who registered with an internet research company. The recipients of the e-mail were asked to join our study if they had stable sexual activities more than once a month for the most recent 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 508 subjects completed the questionnaire, a response rate of 24.7%. Among 423 questionnaires analyzed, 176 women were single and 247 were married. The mean frequency of coitus per month was 5.5 3.9. About 40% of the women had experienced masturbation, and 112 women (26.5%) had masturbated regularly, even though they had stable sexual activities with their partner(s). Among the 423 subjects, 349 had no plan to have a baby; however, only 287 subjects (67.8%) had used a contraceptive method(s). Among those who used contraceptive methods, 183 subjects (63.8%) used methods with low success rates, such as menstrual timing or extra-vaginal ejaculation. Most of the women answered that they have a positive attitude toward sex (3.4 0.8 point on a 5 point scale) and their sex life has great importance in their life. CONCLUSIONS: Via an Internet survey, we investigated the sexual life and attitudes of young Korean women. An Internet survey requires less manpower, a shorter study period, and less research funds than classical survey methods such as mail or interview surveys. The study results obtained will be useful as basic data for studies of female sexual function in Korean women.
Coitus ; Contraception ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ejaculation ; Electronic Mail ; Female ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Internet* ; Male ; Masturbation ; Postal Service ; Sexual Behavior

OBJECTIVE: We undertook this study to find out general characteristics of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy and to clarify whether polymorphic marker of promoter region of angiotensinogen G(-6)A polymorphism is associated with the development of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. METHODS: From August 1998 to March 2002, we recruited 230 pregnant women complicated by hypertension in pregnancy. Retrospective chart review was done. They were assigned to each group according to a new classification. Hypertensive groups were divided into two groups: high blood pressure group (High) was defined as having diastolic blood pressure (DBP) higher than 110 mmHg and low blood pressure group (Low) as having DBP lower than 110 mmHg. Maternal blood was collected and DNA was extracted from 161 normotensive and 200 hypertensive Korean pregnant women. Genomic DNA was prepared and the relevant genomic region was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were digested with the restriction enzyme, Mva I, size fractionated on 3% agarose gels containing ethidium bromide. RESULTS: Family history of hypertension was more common in women with chronic hypertension or superimposed preeclampsia than in women with transient hypertension or preeclampsia (p<0.05). No significant difference in genotype distribution was found between diagnostic groups and control. However, among hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, high blood pressure group had AA genotype more frequently than low blood pressure group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Family history is more common in women with underlying hypertension. Angiotensinogen AA genotype may be associated with high blood pressure level in hypertensive disorder in pregnancy.
Angiotensinogen* ; Blood Pressure ; Classification ; DNA ; Ethidium ; Female ; Gels ; Genotype ; Humans* ; Hypertension ; Hypotension ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepharose

Existence of Y derived chromosome in Turner patients is significant due to the risk of gonadoblastoma development, but cytogenetic analysis may fail to detect low levels of Y chromosomal materials. Recent studies using PCR based methods showed higher sensitivity to detect Y-specific sequences, in patients who were Y chromosome-negative cytogenetically. In this study PCR was performed on 44 Turner patients with no Y chromosome by cytogenetic analysis to detect the SRY, AMELY, ZFY, and DYZ1 sequences. Of seven patients whose karyotypes were 45,X/46,X,+mar, three patients were positive for SRY, ZFY, and AMELY. DYZ1 sequences was negative in them. And any of SRY, ZFY, AMELY, and DYZ1 sequences was detected in the remaining 37 patients. This result shows that PCR analysis for Y-specific sequences in Turner patients, especially in patients who have marker chromosome is a significant effort.
Cytogenetic Analysis ; Genes, sry ; Gonadoblastoma ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Turner Syndrome* ; Y Chromosome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of serum CA19-9 determination for the detection of endometriosis. DESIGNS: A retrospective analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative serum CA19-9 and CA125 concentrations were measured in 53 patients with surgically and/or histologically diagnosed endometriosis. The extent of disease was staged according to the revised American Fertility Society (1985) classification system. RESULTS: Serum CA19-9 levels were elevated (>or=37 U/ml) in 13 (24.5%) out of 53 patients with endometriosis and serum CA125 levels were elevated (>or=35 U/ml) in 13 (24.5%). Either CA19-9 or CA125 levels in serum were elevated in 18 (34.0%) patients. In patients with stage III or IV endometriosis, elevated CA19-9 levels were noted in 11 (31.4%) of 35 patients, while CA125 in 12 (34.3%). Either CA19-9 or CA125 levels in serum were elevated in 15 (42.9%) of 35 patients with stage III or IV. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that serum CA19-9, in addition to CA125, measurement could help in identifying patients with moderate to severe endometriosis.
Classification ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference between estrogen only therapy and estrogen-androgen combination therapy in surgical menopause patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Surgical menopause patients received 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens or 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens plus 1.25 mg methyltestosterone for 2 years. Bone mineral density, menopausal symptoms, lipoprotein profiles were measured. RESULTS: Both groups showed increased bone mineral density. In the combination group, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides decreased. In the estrogen only group, low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased but high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly. In both groups, menopausal symptoms were much improved. Side effects were easily tolerated in both groups. CONSLUSIONS: Estrogen-androgen combination therapy had comparable benefits compared with estrogen only therapy.
Bone Density ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Estrogens* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Menopause* ; Methyltestosterone ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference between estrogen only therapy and estrogen-androgen combination therapy in surgical menopause patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Surgical menopause patients received 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens or 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens plus 1.25 mg methyltestosterone for 2 years. Bone mineral density, menopausal symptoms, lipoprotein profiles were measured. RESULTS: Both groups showed increased bone mineral density. In the combination group, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides decreased. In the estrogen only group, low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased but high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly. In both groups, menopausal symptoms were much improved. Side effects were easily tolerated in both groups. CONSLUSIONS: Estrogen-androgen combination therapy had comparable benefits compared with estrogen only therapy.
Bone Density ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Estrogens* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Menopause* ; Methyltestosterone ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effectiveness of bone turnover indexes for bone loss or gain in early postmenopausal women. METHOD: This study was performed in 240 menopausal women(mean age, 50 yr), who were randomized to hormone replacement therapy(HRT) or calcium supplementation(CS, 500mg/day) for 1yr. Urinary N-telopeptide(NTx) and osteocalcin(OC), as well as spine and femoral neck bone mineral density(BMD) were measured at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Women receiving HRT(n=110) showed a significant increase in spine BMD(+2.6%; P<0.0001) and hip BMD(+1.1%; P<0.05) compared to women receiving CS, who showed a decline at both sites (-1.0%; P<0.01). Both markers showed time dependent decreases in women receiving HRT(P<0.001) and no change in women receiving calcium alone. When baseline indexes of turnover were divided by quartile, there was a significantly greater increase in BMD among those with the highest NTx, OC levels compared to that in those with the lowest NTx, OC levles(P<0.05). When subjects receiving HRT were compared by their positive or negative skeletal response at 1yr and their baseline turnover marker, initial NTx values were significantly higher in those that gained bone than in those that lost bone (P<0.001). Calcium supplementation women in the highest quartile for NTx at baseline had significantly greater decreases in spine BMD than subjects with the lowest NTx values(P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: For early postmenopausal women there are differential responses of biochemical markers to HRT and calcium supplementation. Baseline urinary NTx and serum osteocalcin were good predictors of change in spine BMD after 1yr of either HRT or calcium supplementation. It is concluded that markers of bone formation and resorption can be used clinically to predict future BMD in early postmenopausal women.
Biomarkers* ; Bone Density* ; Calcium* ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Hip ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Spine