Hum Reprod. 2008 Apr;23(4):797-802.
Does free androgen index predict subsequent pregnancy outcome in women with recurrent miscarriage?
Cocksedge KA, Saravelos SH, Wang Q, Tuckerman E, Laird SM, Li TC.
Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, University of Sheffield, Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield S10 2SF, UK. mdc06kc@sheffield. Ac.uk
Background:
Several studies have investigated plasma androgen levels in women with recurrent miscarriage (RM) with conflicting results on whether an association between hyperandrogenaemia and RM exists. However, none of these studies included sensitive androgen measurements using a large data set. We therefore investigated the free androgen index (FAI) in a large number of women with RM in order to ascertain whether hyperandrogenaemia is a predictor of subsequent pregnancy outcome.
Methods:
We studied 571 women who attended the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic in Sheffield and presented with > or =3 consecutive miscarriages. Serum levels of total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured in the early follicular phase and FAI was then deduced.
Results:
The prevalence of hyperandrogenaemia in RM was 11% and in a subsequent pregnancy, the miscarriage rate was significantly higher in the raised FAI group (miscarriage rates of 68% and 40% for FAI > 5 and FAI < or = 5 respectively, P = 0.002).
Conclusions:
An elevated FAI appears to be a prognostic factor for a subsequent miscarriage in women with RM and is a more significant predictor of subsequent miscarriage than an advanced maternal age (> or =40 years) or a high number (> or =6) of previous miscarriages in this study.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is a miscarriage?
- 2 What are the different types of miscarriage?
- 3 How accurate are pregnancy tests?
- 4 What is a blighted ovum?
- 5 I have had a hydatidiform mole. What is this?
- 6 Why did I have a spontaneous miscarriage?
- 7 How frequently do miscarriages occur?
- 8 I am miscarrying. How should this be treated?
- 8a Can miscarriage result in anxiety and depression?
- 9 What is meant by recurrent miscarriage?
- 10 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What is the chance of my next pregnancy being successful?
- Q 12.11 Recurrent Miscarriage I have miscarried again. Why does this keep happening?
- 12 What congenital problems might be associated with recurrent miscarriage and how could they be treated?
- 13 What traumatic conditions can cause recurrent miscarriage and how can they be treated?
- 14 Can infection cause recurrent miscarriage and would treatment help?
- 15 Could a metabolic disorder cause recurrent miscarriage?
- 16 Could a hormonal problem account for recurrent miscarriage and would hormone treatment help me?
- 17 Could an autoimmune problem cause recurrent miscarriage and how could this be treated?
- 18 Could a tumour cause recurrent miscarriage?
- 19 What degenerative processes may be associated with recurrent miscarriage?
- 20 After every miscarriage I become more depressed. Could this account for the problem?
- 21 Is it always possible to explain recurrent miscarriage?
- 22 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What treatment is available to ensure that this does not happen again?
- 23 What is an ectopic pregnancy?
- 24 How frequently do ectopic pregnancies occur?
- 25 Why do ectopic pregnancies occur?
- 26 How can an ectopic pregnancy be diagnosed?
- 27 How can an ectopic pregnancy be treated?
- 28 Where can I obtain more information?
- 29 Support Groups.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, retired Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
- Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.
David Viniker retired from active clinical practice in 2012.In 1999, he setup this website - www.2womenshealth.com - to provide detailed
information many of his patients requested. The website attracts thousands of visitors every day from around the world.
Website optimisation (SEO) has became more than an active hobby. If you would like advice on your website, please visit his website Keyword SEO PRO or email him on david@page1-on-google.com.
![]() |





