Biomaterial Database

Cost effectiveness of routine gonadotropin and androgen measurements in hirsute women. 1990

E L Helfer, and J L Miller, and L I Rose

Endocrinology-Metabolism Department, Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Many physicians routinely measure the gonadotropins PRL, LH, and FSH and the androgens dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (ADIONE), and testosterone, as well as testosterone's biologically active fractions in the evaluation of hirsute women. Is this cost effective? To answer this question, 38 consecutive premenopausal hirsute women were evaluated. Two women each had minor elevations in PRL and FSH, and 11 had minor elevations in LH. Three women had minor elevations in the LH/FSH ratio, and only one was above a ratio of 3, believed to be indicative of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Because these gonadotropin elevations did not correlate with the androgens measured and were of no value in the diagnosis or management of these women, they were not believed to be cost effective. Their routine measurements should be abandoned.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006966	Hyperprolactinemia	Increased levels of PROLACTIN in the BLOOD, which may be associated with AMENORRHEA and GALACTORRHEA. Relatively common etiologies include PROLACTINOMA, medication effect, KIDNEY FAILURE, granulomatous diseases of the PITUITARY GLAND, and disorders which interfere with the hypothalamic inhibition of prolactin release. Ectopic (non-pituitary) production of prolactin may also occur. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch36, pp77-8)	Prolactin Hypersecretion Syndrome,Prolactin, Inappropriate Secretion,Hyperprolactinaemia,Inappropriate Prolactin Secretion,Inappropriate Prolactin Secretion Syndrome,Hyperprolactinemias,Hypersecretion Syndrome, Prolactin,Inappropriate Secretion Prolactin,Prolactin Secretion, Inappropriate,Secretion Prolactin, Inappropriate,Secretion, Inappropriate Prolactin,Syndrome, Prolactin Hypersecretion
D007986	Luteinizing Hormone	A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Luteinizing hormone regulates steroid production by the interstitial cells of the TESTIS and the OVARY. The preovulatory LUTEINIZING HORMONE surge in females induces OVULATION, and subsequent LUTEINIZATION of the follicle. LUTEINIZING HORMONE consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity.	ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone),Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,LH (Luteinizing Hormone),Lutropin,Luteoziman,Luteozyman,Hormone, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating,Hormone, Luteinizing,Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
D009839	Oligomenorrhea	Abnormally infrequent menstruation.	Oligomenorrheas
D011388	Prolactin	A lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). It is a polypeptide of approximately 23 kD. Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation. Prolactin receptors are present in the mammary gland, hypothalamus, liver, ovary, testis, and prostate.	Lactogenic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropin,PRL (Prolactin),Hormone, Pituitary Lactogenic,Hormone, Pituitary Mammotropic,Pituitary Lactogenic Hormone,Pituitary Mammotropic Hormone
D011446	Prospective Studies	Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group.	Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D003362	Cost-Benefit Analysis	A method of comparing the cost of a program with its expected benefits in dollars (or other currency). The benefit-to-cost ratio is a measure of total return expected per unit of money spent. This analysis generally excludes consideration of factors that are not measured ultimately in economic terms. In contrast a cost effectiveness in general compares cost with qualitative outcomes.	Cost and Benefit,Cost-Benefit Data,Benefits and Costs,Cost Benefit,Cost Benefit Analysis,Cost-Utility Analysis,Costs and Benefits,Economic Evaluation,Marginal Analysis,Analyses, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Utility,Analysis, Marginal,Benefit and Cost,Cost Benefit Analyses,Cost Benefit Data,Cost Utility Analysis,Cost-Benefit Analyses,Cost-Utility Analyses,Data, Cost-Benefit,Economic Evaluations,Evaluation, Economic,Marginal Analyses
D003687	Dehydroepiandrosterone	A major C19 steroid produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX. It is also produced in small quantities in the TESTIS and the OVARY. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be converted to TESTOSTERONE; ANDROSTENEDIONE; ESTRADIOL; and ESTRONE. Most of DHEA is sulfated (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE) before secretion.	Dehydroisoandrosterone,Prasterone,5-Androsten-3-beta-hydroxy-17-one,5-Androsten-3-ol-17-one,Androstenolone,DHEA,Prasterone, 3 alpha-Isomer,5 Androsten 3 beta hydroxy 17 one,5 Androsten 3 ol 17 one,Prasterone, 3 alpha Isomer
D005260	Female		Females
D005640	Follicle Stimulating Hormone	A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates GAMETOGENESIS and the supporting cells such as the ovarian GRANULOSA CELLS, the testicular SERTOLI CELLS, and LEYDIG CELLS. FSH consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH, and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity.	FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone),Follicle-Stimulating Hormone,Follitropin
D006628	Hirsutism	A condition observed in WOMEN and CHILDREN when there is excess coarse body hair of an adult male distribution pattern, such as facial and chest areas. It is the result of elevated ANDROGENS from the OVARIES, the ADRENAL GLANDS, or exogenous sources. The concept does not include HYPERTRICHOSIS, which is an androgen-independent excessive hair growth.