# Severity of Hirsutism and Its Correlation With Hyperandrogenism: A Cross-Sectional Study in Erbil City

## TL;DR

This study in Erbil City found that most hirsute women had mild hirsutism and no significant testosterone differences, but higher 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were observed.

## Contribution

The study provides local data on hirsutism severity and its hormonal correlations in a specific population.

## Key findings

- 98% of hirsute cases had mild or moderate hirsutism, with only 2% having severe hirsutism.
- No significant differences in serum testosterone levels were found between hirsute and non-hirsute groups.
- Higher mean serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were observed in hirsute females.

## Abstract

Background: Hirsutism is defined as excessive terminal hair growth in females in androgen-dependent areas. Hyperandrogenism is a hormonal disease that clinically often presents as hirsutismus. Hirsutism is associated with high levels of androgens according to a few studies. This study is conducted to analyze this correlation in female individuals in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Methods: This case-control study included 100 hirsute females and their 100 non-hirsute counterparts. A thorough history was obtained for symptoms and conditions associated with hyperandrogenism. The severity of hirsutism was assessed with the modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score. Laboratory tests were performed to include thyroid function and androgen hormone levels.

Results: Most hirsute cases (98%) had mild and moderate hirsutism, and only 2% had severe hirsutism. Thyroid function tests were comparable in cases and controls, and only 4% of the hirsute study population had hypothyroidism. There were no significant differences in serum testosterone (total and free) between groups. But mean serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone values were higher in hirsute cases.

Conclusion: Elevated testosterone levels were present in only 2% of hirsute females and there were no statistically significant differences between the cases and control group. However, 17-hydroxyprogesterone was higher in hirsute females suggesting its possible involvement in the pathophysiology of hirsutism. Further studies that explore this relationship are recommended.