Modified Ferriman–Gallwey score in hirsutism and its association with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background:Hirsutism is the presence of terminal hair in females in males pattern. It occurs in 5%–15% of women. Modified Ferriman–Gallwey (mFG) score of ≥ 8 is considered hirsutism, but there are populations with a low mFG score. In clinical practice, hirsutism is subjective. Although hirsutism is considered as a purely esthetic problem, it is associated with many underlying disorders, especially androgen excess disorders. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) disease is the most common cause of androgen excess in females, and there are reports of its association with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome occurs alone in hirsutism.Aims:To assess mFG score in patients who consider themselves as hirsute. To study the association between metabolic syndrome and hirsutism.Methods:Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was adopted. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and clinical data. The severity of hirsutism was assessed using mFG score and metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by the American Heart Association criteria. mFG score was expressed as mean and Student's t-test and Chi-square statistic were used as the tests of significance. Logistic regression analysis was performed.Results:The mean mFG score was 5.5. Metabolic syndrome was present in 44%. About 65.2% of patients with score ≥8 had metabolic syndrome, whereas only 37.7% of patients with score <8 had metabolic syndrome (P = 0.019). Metabolic syndrome (P = 0.018) and PCOS (P = 0.003) were the significant variables in logistic regression analysis. Triglyceride levels ≥150 mg/dl and waist circumference ≥88 cm were the components of metabolic syndrome that were significantly associated with hirsutism (P = 0.006 in both).Conclusions:To find the ideal cutoff of mFG score to define hirsutism in our population, a population study among females in the reproductive age group has to be conducted. As there is a definite association of hirsutism and metabolic syndrome, and metabolic syndrome can result in cardiovascular complications, any women presenting with terminal hair in a male pattern should be evaluated for metabolic syndrome irrespective of the mFG score.

Preliminary effect and feasibility of physiotherapy with strength training and protein-rich nutritional supplement in combination with anabolic steroids in cross-continuum rehabilitation of patients with hip fracture: protocol for a blinded randomized controlled pilot trial (HIP-SAP1 trial)

“…Other safety parameters are blood pressure (assessed using a digital blood pressure monitor, measured in mmHg) and facial hirsutism (assessed using the two face-related items of the modified Ferriman-Galwey hirsutism score, 0–8 points) [56], hoarseness (assessed through weekly interviews and hospital controls every 3 weeks), edema (assessed through weekly interviews and hospital controls every 3 weeks), and falls (a question regarding falls will be part of an interview guide used for the weekly telephone calls). Other AEs/adverse reactions (ARs) will be assessed through weekly interviews and hospital controls every 3 weeks.…”

Thyroid Disorders in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…In this study about clinical manifestations: hirsutism as detected by modified F.G. score [19] was present in 58% of the patient, menstrual disturbance such as irregular periods and oligomenorrhea was present 30% and 36% of the patients respectively, while 24 (16%) patients had acne in their face. These findings also correlate with other studies as stated that hirsutism affects 65% -75% of white, black and south-east Asian women of PCOS [5] [22] [23].…”

Metastatin as a Marker for Hyperandrogenemia in Iraqi Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…Full history regarding signs and symptoms (hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularity, amenorrhea etc.) and examination which includes BMI, hirsutism evaluation according to modified Ferriman–Gallwey score ≥8 [ 11 ] was collected; calculation of their BMI included the ratio of weight divided by the square of height (kg/m 2 ). Routine laboratory investigation was performed including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HDL, LDL, triglyceride, LH, FSH, TSH, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and testosterone level which were all taken at the morning after sample for serum overnight fasting at the early follicular phase (2 nd –5 th day of the menstrual cycle).…”