Question 1

What is the Meaning of Ferriman-Gallwey Score?

Accepted Answer

The Ferriman-Gallwey Score is a standardized clinical assessment tool used to quantify the degree of hirsutism, which is the excessive growth of terminal hair in women in a male-like pattern. This scoring system provides an objective measure of androgen-dependent hair growth, aiding in the evaluation of hormonal imbalances.

Question 2

What is the Context of Ferriman-Gallwey Score?

Accepted Answer

This scoring system operates within the context of reproductive endocrinology and metabolic health, primarily in the assessment of conditions associated with androgen excess, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or androgen-secreting tumors. It serves as a visual indicator of peripheral androgen action on sensitive hair follicles.

Question 3

What is the Significance of Ferriman-Gallwey Score?

Accepted Answer

The practical importance of the Ferriman-Gallwey Score lies in its ability to standardize the diagnosis and monitoring of hirsutism, a common symptom that can significantly impact a patient's well-being. By providing a numerical value, it helps clinicians track disease progression or regression with treatment, guiding therapeutic decisions and assessing patient response to interventions aimed at reducing androgen effects.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of Ferriman-Gallwey Score?

Accepted Answer

The Ferriman-Gallwey Score exerts its effect by systematically evaluating the presence and density of terminal hair across nine specific body areas known to be sensitive to androgen stimulation: the upper lip, chin, chest, upper back, lower back, upper abdomen, lower abdomen, upper arm, and thigh. Each area is assigned a score from 0 (no terminal hair) to 4 (extensive terminal hair growth), and these individual scores are summed to yield a total score reflecting the overall severity of hirsutism.

Question 5

What is the Application of Ferriman-Gallwey Score?

Accepted Answer

In clinical practice, a healthcare professional applies the Ferriman-Gallwey Score by visually inspecting and manually palpating the designated body regions to assess hair growth. This structured assessment helps distinguish between normal physiological hair growth and pathological hirsutism. A total score of 8 or higher is generally considered indicative of hirsutism and often prompts further biochemical evaluation for underlying endocrine disorders.

Question 6

What is the Metric of Ferriman-Gallwey Score?

Accepted Answer

The effects of androgen excess, as reflected by hirsutism, are measured through the summed numerical score derived from the Ferriman-Gallwey assessment. This metric is a subjective clinical observation, yet it provides a reproducible and comparable measure of hair growth across patients and over time. While not a direct measure of circulating hormone levels, it correlates with androgen activity at the follicular level and guides the need for specific serum blood tests.

Question 7

What is the Risk of Ferriman-Gallwey Score?

Accepted Answer

Potential clinical risks associated with the Ferriman-Gallwey Score primarily involve the subjective nature of its assessment, which can lead to inter-observer variability if not performed by experienced clinicians. Patient practices such as hair removal can also artificially lower the score, potentially leading to an underestimation of hirsutism severity and a delay in diagnosing underlying endocrine conditions. It is crucial to interpret the score in conjunction with a comprehensive clinical history and relevant biochemical tests to avoid misdiagnosis or inadequate management.

Ferriman-Gallwey Score

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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