The present study demonstrates a significant increase in androgen concentrations during pregnancy in PCOS women. We propose that these androgen concentrations could provide a potential source of androgen excess for the fetus, without leading to fetal virilization.

No abstract

AimThis study was aimed to set reference values of hand-grip strength by age and sex and validate cut points for risk of functional limitation and mortality in older Chileans.MethodsThis was a pooled analysis of four studies including 6,426 people ≥60 years of nondependent community-dwelling Chileans. After exclusion criteria, the final sample included 5,250 subjects, from whom 2,193 were followed to study all-cause mortality associated with low hand-grip strength. Face-to-face interviews registering sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported chronic diseases, and functional limitations were conducted. Anthropometric measurements and observed mobility were performed by trained professionals. Hand-grip strength was measured with a hand dynamometer T-18 (Country Technology, Inc.) before 2008 or with JAMAR brand from 2008 onwards. Percentiles were calculated through descriptive analysis and quantile regression models for specific groups of age and sex. Adjusted Cox regression hazard models for mortality risk according to low dynamometry condition and covariates were developed.ResultsWe deliver reference values of hand-grip strength for older Chileans proposing the 25th percentile as the cut-off point for low dynamometry risk: men ≤27 kg, women ≤15 kg. Low hand-grip strength was associated with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living limitations (p=0.001), and altered physical performance evaluated through the Timed Up and Go test (p=0.0001), grasping (p=0.001), bending (p<0.0001), and lifting (p<0.0001). After Cox proportional hazard regression models were assessed with a median follow-up of 9.2 years, the adjusted risk of all-cause mortality associated with a hand-grip strength lower than the 25th percentile in older Chileans showed a hazard ratio of 1.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.13–1.71).ConclusionThe cut-off points of dynamometry validated for the older Chileans allow the incorporation in the geriatric evaluation in primary health care of an easy-to-use, inexpensive indicator to identify older adults at risk of sarcopenia, frailty, and dismobility. In addition this also helps to optimize the evaluation of intervention strategies focused on the maintenance of functionality.

No abstract

Aims/hypothesis. Insulin resistance with increased risk of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes is a common feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To investigate antecedents of metabolic disorders in family members of patients with PCOS, we evaluated glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in parents of patients with PCOS compared to parents of healthy women. Methods. A total of 200 parents of women with clinical and hormonal evidence of PCOS (PCOSp) and 120 parents of healthy normally cycling women (HWp) were studied. A 75-g OGGT was performed and subjects were classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (1999). Serum glucose and insulin were measured before the glucose load and 30, 60 and 120 min after. C-peptide and sex hormone-binding globulin were also determined before the glucose load. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA model and ISI composite.Results. The prevalence of Type II diabetes was 1.89-(1.06-3.38)-fold higher in PCOSp compared to HWp. Insulin resistance, evaluated by HOMA IR and ISI composite was also significantly higher in the PCOSp group compared to the HWp group. After both study groups were distributed by sex, and adjusted by age and BMI, the metabolic parameters were still significantly different between PCOSp and HWp. Conclusions/interpretation. The data suggest that parents of PCOS women exhibit insulin resistance and Type II diabetes more frequently than those of healthy women, thus constituting a high-risk group but an ideal cohort to detect and prevent the development of Type II diabetes. [Diabetologia (2002) 45:959-964] Keywords Type II diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, family study.