Background/Aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been found to affect 4–8% of women of reproductive age; however, in Mexican-Americans a prevalence of 12.8% has been reported. This study determines the prevalence of PCOS in a sample of Mexican women. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 150 female Mexican volunteers aged 20–45 years. Menstrual cycles were recorded and hirsutism was graded. Pelvic ultrasound was performed and androgen levels were measured. PCOS was diagnosed by hyperandrogenism and/or hyperandrogenemia, and oligo-ovulation (NIH 1990 criteria), and also by 2 of 3 findings: oligo-ovulation, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries (PCO) (Rotterdam 2003 criteria), excluding other disorders. Results: Nine of the 150 women were diagnosed with PCOS, a prevalence of 6.0% (95% CI: 1.9–10.1%), according to NIH criteria. The ultrasound morphology added one patient to give ten PCOS patients, a prevalence of 6.6% (95% CI: 2.3–10.9%) according to Rotterdam criteria. All PCOS patients presented oligo-ovulation, 9 had hirsutism and 7 of them had acne. Eight of the 10 PCOS patients had morphologic characteristics of PCO. Conclusion: The prevalence of PCOS in Mexican women is approximately 6.0%, similar to other populations, but lower than 12.8% reported in Mexican-American women.

We compared the safety and clinical outcome between stapled rectal mucosectomy and closed hemorrhoidectomy for the surgical treatment of noncomplicated hemorrhoidal disease. Eighty-four patients with Grade III and IV hemorrhoidal disease were randomly assigned to two groups: 1) stapled rectal mucosectomy group (n = 42) and 2) closed hemorrhoidectomy group (n = 42). Postoperative pain, analgesic use, symptoms, disability, early and late complications, and patient satisfaction were evaluated, among others. Follow-up was six months. Eighty-four patients, averaging 45 +/- 9 years of age, underwent surgery. Two were lost to follow-up. Length of surgery and disability, postoperative pain, and use of analgesics were significantly less for patients in the stapled rectal mucosectomy group. In the closed hemorrhoidectomy group early complications were more frequent but not statistically significant, and there were no statistically significant differences regarding the frequency of late complications. No serious complications were reported in either group. Closed hemorrhoidectomy proved to be superior for bleeding control (95.1 percent closed hemorrhoidectomy 80.5 percent stapled rectal mucosectomy; P= 0.04). Patient satisfaction was similar in the two groups, but stapled rectal mucosectomy patients were more willing to undergo the same procedure (P = 0.02). Both stapled rectal mucosectomy and closed hemorrhoidectomy are safe procedures. Closed hemorrhoidectomy was superior for bleeding control in Grade III and IV hemorrhoidal disease, but more painful and disabling than stapled rectal mucosectomy.

Obesity or overweight affect most of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Phenotypes are the clinical characteristics produced by the interaction of heredity and environment in a disease or syndrome. Phenotypes of PCOS have been described on the presence of clinical hyperandrogenism, oligoovulation and polycystic ovaries. The insulin resistance is present in the majority of patients with obesity and/or PCOS and it is more frequent and of greater magnitude in obese than in non obese PCOS patients. Levels of sexual hormone binding globulin are decreased, and levels of free androgens are increased in obese PCOS patients. Weight loss treatment is important for overweight or obese PCOS patients, but not necessary for normal weight PCOS patients, who only need to avoid increasing their body weight. Obesity decreases or delays several infertility treatments. The differences in the hormonal and metabolic profile, as well as the different focus and response to treatment between obese and non obese PCOS patients suggest that obesity has to be considered as a characteristic for classification of PCOS phenotypes.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide. It is more prevalent when iron requirements are increased during pregnancy and during growth spurts of infancy and adolescence. The last stage in the process of iron depletion is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin concentration, resulting in iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency, even before it is clinically identified as anemia, compromises the immune response, physical capacity for work, and intellectual functions such as attention level. Therefore, interventions addressing iron deficiency should be based on prevention rather than on treatment of anemia. The aim of this study was to compare short- and medium-term effects on ferritin concentration of daily supplementation with ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate in schoolchildren with iron deficiency but without anemia.