title: Hirsutism in Kashmir: an etiological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hirsutism refers to the presence of terminal hairs at the body sites under androgenic control. Various factors, including genetic makeup and hormonal status, influence the rate and pattern of hair growth at these sites.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the pattern of hirsutism in Kashmir.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty five consecutive patients of hirsutism were included in the study. After detailed history taking, physical examination and relevant investigations, scoring of hirsutism was done using the Ferriman Gallwey (FG) scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FG score ranged from 10-34. Twenty patients had associated menstrual abnormalities. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was diagnosed in four patients, hypothyroidism in two and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in one. The rest of the patients had idiopathic hirsutism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Idiopathic hirsutism was the most common category, whilst PCOS, hypothyroidism and CAH were also seen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Qazi Masood
authors.initials: QM
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Iffat Hassan
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sameem
authors.forename: Qurat-ul-ain
authors.initials: QU
authors.lastname: Kamili
authors.forename: Javeed
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sultan