title: Case-control study on risk factors for premature ovarian failure.
abstract: Objective of this case-control study was to investigate the potential risk factors for premature ovarian failure (POF). Seventy-three patients with secondary hypergonadotropic amenorrhea and, as control group, 144 women with acute, non-gynecological, non-neoplastic, non-hormone-related diseases were included in the study. Information was obtained on sociodemographic characteristics, gynecological and obstetric data, general lifestile habits, smoking habits and history of selected gynecological and other clinical conditions. A statistically significant association between high education level and POF was found (p = 0.03). Parity was related to a reduced risk of POF and this reduction increased with the number of live births (p = 0.02). No association emerged between POF risk and age at menarche, cycle length and oral contraceptive use. Women with POF could not be distinguished from control women by behavioral and reproductive history, except for lower fertility. The minor influence that reproductive and lifestyle factors have on the occurrence of POF suggests that genetic inheritance plays a more important role.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiaffarino
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vegetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolosi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caliari
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alagna
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Bolis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parazzini
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Crosignani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008572:Menarche; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010298:Parity; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral