The relationship of maturation value of vaginal epithelium and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Ji, Yong Il; Cho, Sook; Yoon, Jung Mook; Hwang, Seong Ook; Kho, Seung Kwon; Lee, Woo Young; Kim, Joon Mee

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2000;43(2):167-171.
Published online January 1, 2001.

The relationship of maturation value of vaginal epithelium and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Yong Il Ji, Sook Cho, Jung Mook Yoon, Seong Ook Hwang, Seung Kwon Kho, Woo Young Lee, Joon Mee Kim

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between vaginal cytology and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In 93 postmenopausal women, vaginal cytology smears were taken for maturation index, serum estradiol level and bone mineral density were also taken. the percentage of each cell type found By vaginal cytology was multiplied to its specific value:superficial cells, 1.0; intermediate cell, 0.6; parabasal cell, 0.2 and modified to maturation value. Bone mineral density was measured at lumbar spine using DEXA. RESULTS: The mean bone mineral density was 0.88+/-0.14g/cm2. Mean maturation value was 50.53+/-20.74 and it was related with age and bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: Maturation value of vaginal epithelial cell represents the influence of estrogen on bone mineral density.

Key Words: Maturation index, Maturation value, Bone mineral density