Comparison of Presence of Autoimmune Activity in Patients with Premature Ovarian Failure and Menopause

Abstract

Objective: To assess and compare autoimmune activity
in patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) and
menopause.
Method: Thirteen women with premature ovarian failure
but with no history of autoimmune disease were
recruited into the study group and 15 women with
natural menopause into control group between January
1999 and November 2000. The mean FSH levels of
patients with premature ovarian failure were
73.95±29.11 (range: 41-130.7 U/L). Nuclear (antinuclear
antibody=ANA, double-stranded DNA antibody=anti-dsDNA) and cardiolipin antibodies (IgM, IgG),
immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA) and complement (C3,
C4) levels were determined. Student’s t test was used
to compare the groups.
Results: Antinuclear antibody was positive in 30.7%
of patients with premature ovarian failure and in 13.3%
of controls. There was no significant difference in
anticardiolipin antibodies, immunoglobulins and
complement levels between the groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: In our study, no autoimmune deficiency
was found in patients with POF.
Key words: Premature ovarian failure, autoimmunity and
menopause.

Keywords

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