Investigation of Serum Copper and Iron Deficiency Anaemia In Patients with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Aim: To investigate the association and pathophysiology of copper in anaemic patients suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding. Materials and Methods: The present case control study was undertaken in the Departments of Biochemistry and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India. In this study 120 patients were included, aged between 18-52 years with a history of excessive menstrual bleeding for more than 3 months. Sample size: This study was done in 120 female with a history of abnormal uterine bleeding and 120 controls (women with regular menstrual cycle). Abnormal uterine bleeding was diagnosed based on history of bleeding and haemoglobin concentration. Copper was estimated using 3, 5-dibromo-2-pyridylazo-N-ethyl-N-3 sulphopropyl aniline. Endometrial thickness was obtained from USG. Hemoglobin was estimated using Drabkin’s method. Main outcome measures: The level of serum copper measured and the correlation coefficient is applied with haemoglobin to investigate a probable association of copper and haemoglobin in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Results: The serum copper concentration in patients was 239.55(189.236, 298.497) mg/dl (median IQR) and in control was found to decrease 109.39(91.262, 131.4) mg/dl (median IQR) which is statistically significant p<0.001. Haemoglobin concentration was decreased in abnormal uterine bleeding patients 9.29±1.65 g/dl when compared with control 12.2 ± 0.87 g/dl which is statistically significant p<0.001. Endometrial thickness in patients was 11.43±4.05 mm and in controls was found to decrease 7.7±2.33 mm. The correlation coefficient was plotted between copper and haemoglobin in both cases and controls and weak negative correlation found between these two parameters. Conclusion: Increase serum copper might be seen as predictors of abnormal uterine bleeding and investigation of serum copper could increase efficacy of treatment.

Author(s): Yousef Rezaei Chianeh, Pooja R Shenoy, Azadeh Bagheri, Ullas Kamath, Lavanya Rai, Pratap Kumar and Pragna Rao

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