Minerva

Androgenic alopecia is less common in women than in men but it often causes psychological distress. When associated with acne, hirsutism, and hyperseborrhoea, it is said to be due to hyperandrogenism. A comparison of the two main drug treatments (British Journal of Dermatology 2002;146:992-9) found that minoxidil gave better results in patients with no signs of hyperandrogenism, whereas cyproterone acetate was more effective when other signs of hormonal imbalance were evident and with a higher body mass index.

The SF-36 health questionnaire was sent to 471 patients registered at the adult congenital heart disease clinic in Birmingham (Heart2002;88:71-5). The surprising finding was that patients thought to have been cured (such as those who had had atrial septal defects repaired) reported a poorer quality of life than the general population. One factor may have been the attitudes 30 years ago, when children with congenital heart disease were “wrapped in cotton wool.”

Minerva was fascinated to read that infertile patients have a specific range of …