Efficacy of ferric carboxy maltose in treatment of iron deficiency/iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause and intestinal microbiota

Introduction

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is one of the pathological symptoms of menopause, which causes significant physical, psycho-emotional, and sexual discomfort to a woman.

Material and methods

The study describes an examination of 65 middle-aged women, who were divided into 2 groups. Group I included 39 patients with GSM, who, depending on the duration of symptoms (3-5 years, more than 7 years), were divided into subgroups Ia and Ib. Group II included 26 patients who did not have clinical manifestations of GSM. All patients underwent general clinical studies. Bacteriological examination of faeces was used to assess the state of the intestinal microbiota.

Results

It was found that menopause occurred in women with GSM earlier, compared with patients without manifestations of urogenital disorders. Also, the women with GSM were more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, overweight, and iron deficiency anaemia. When analysing the results of a bacteriological study in this group of patients, a statistically significant decrease in the colonization of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, as well as excessive bacterial growth of such conditionally pathogenic bacteria as Escherichia coli with reduced enzymatic activity, and Klebsiella and Streptococcus was revealed. Conclusions: Conducting a fundamental study on the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota in menopausal disorders will be an important step towards understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of their formation, and correction of intestinal metabolism can become an important condition for effective prevention and treatment.

Relation between vitamin D and adolescents' serum prolactin

Introduction

To detect whether there is a relation between vitamin D (Vit. D) and adolescents' serum prolactin (PRL) or not.

Material and methods

Hundred and seventy-six adolescent girls were recruited for the current study, which was conducted in West Kazakhstan (Aktobe) over two years. After thorough evaluation, blood samples were taken from adolescents to measure thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (T4), PRL, glycosylated hemoglobin and 25(OH)D. The studied adolescents were classified into study group [25(OH)D deficient] and controls [normal 25(OH)D]. The acquired adolescents' variables were analyzed using the Student t-test and Pearson's correlation.

Results

The serum TSH and PRL were statistically higher in the study group than normal controls (3.73 ±1.45 mIU/ml and 47.5 ±7.6 ng/ml vs. 2.67 ±1.0 and 10.8 ±5.1, respectively), (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0001, respectively). The free T4 was statistically lower in the study group than normal controls (1.4 ±0.6 ng/ml vs. 1.5 ±0.4), (p = 0.0001). Strong negative associations between the serum PRL and 25(OH)D [r = -0.803 (p < 0.00001)], and between the serum PRL and free T4 [r = -0.6959 (p < 0.00001)] were detected in this study. Additionally, there was a strong positive association between the serum PRL and TSH [r = 0.8137 (p < 0.00001)].

Conclusions

A strong negative association between the serum PRL and 25(OH)D and a strong positive association between the serum PRL and TSH were detected in this study. This study recommends further studies to confirm the relation between Vit. D and PRL and screening Vit. D deficient adolescents for PRL and thyroid disorders.

Menstrual changes after the thrombo-prophylaxis or anticoagulants used during the COVID-19 infection

Introduction

To detect the menstrual changes after the thrombo-prophylaxis or anticoagulants used during the COVID-19 infection.

Material and methods

A total of 176 diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, were included in this retrospective study after giving informed consent. Participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire, and the collected participants` data were analysed using the χ2 test to detect the menstrual changes after the thrombo-prophylaxis or anticoagulants used during the COVID-19 infection.

Results

The number of participants` number who reported menstrual flow for 2 to < 5 days, and menstrual flow > 7 days after the COVID-19 infection [31/176 (17.6%), and 42/176 (23.9%), respectively] was significantly higher compared to the number of participants` who reported menstrual flow for 2 to < 5 days, and menstrual flow > 7 days before the COVID-19 infection [12/176 (6.8%), and 15/176 (8.5%), respectively], (p = 0.005, and 0.0009, respectively). The use of thrombo-prophylaxis or anticoagulants during the COVID-19 infection was also associated with significant menstrual pattern changes (37.8% increased menstrual flow, 18.5% menstrual flow for 2 to < 5 days, 59.7% menstrual flow > 7 days, 5.9% contact bleeding, and 6.7% abnormal menstrual pattern for one cycle).

Conclusions

Significant menstrual changes were observed in this study after the COVID-19 infection infection (17.6% reported menstrual flow for 2 to < 5 days, and 23.9% reported menstrual flow > 7 days). The use of thrombo-prophylaxis or anticoagulants during the COVID-19 infection infection was associated with significant menstrual changes (37.8% increased menstrual flow, 18.5% menstrual flow for 2 to < 5 days, 59.7% menstrual flow > 7 days, 5.9% contact bleeding, and 6.7% abnormal menstrual pattern for one cycle).

Assessing psychometric challenges and fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic

Environmental hazards and/or pandemics may push humans to use different protective methods to maintain their well-being. This study aimed to identify populations vulnerable to psychometric challenges and fatigue during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Kazakhstan. A total of 1,592 participants were recruited and asked to complete the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20). Participants were classified according to gender and age. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test (x2) and MedCalc to detect the odds of MFI-scales with a score ≥12 in women compared to men. Young women had significantly higher odds (OR) of reduced activity (OR 2.4, p<0.0001), physical (OR 2.5, p<0.0001), and mental fatigue (OR 3.4, p<0.0001) than young men. Middle-aged women had significantly higher odds of general fatigue (OR 2.1; p<0.0001), reduced motivation (OR 2.1, p<0.0001), physical (OR 2.1, p<0.0001), and mental fatigue (OR 1.9, p<0.0001) than did middle-aged men. Elderly women had significantly higher odds of general fatigue (OR 3.6, p<0.0001), reduced motivation (OR 3.5, p<0.0001), and physical fatigue (OR 3.5, p<0.0001) than men in the same age category. The study highlights that women were more susceptible, with significantly increased odds of experiencing various aspects of fatigue syndrome compared to men during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate individual behavioral changes to help identify vulnerable populations and provide relevant evidence for developing protocols and guidelines during pandemics and/or outbreaks.