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Śliwa, A., Kubiczak, M., Szczerba, A., Walkowiak, G., Nowak-Markwitz, E., Burczyńska, B., Butler, S., Iles, R., Białas, P. and Jankowska, A. (2019) Regulation of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin β Subunit Expression in Ovarian Cancer. BMC Cancer, 19, Article No. 746.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-019-5960-2

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Beta-HCG Levels and Ovarian Ultrasonography Results among Non-Pregnant Women of Reproductive Age in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

  AUTHORS: Celine C. Agonsi, Francis Anacletus, Joel Aluko, Chinemerem Eleke, Joy C. Samuel

  KEYWORDS: Biomarkers, Ovarian Cancer, Pregnancy, Ultrasonography

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, Vol.12 No.5, May 24, 2024

  ABSTRACT: Background: Certain ovarian cancers that were previously common in postmenopausal women are now increasingly observed in women of reproductive age. The research on using β-HCG as a diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer in women of reproductive age is ongoing. Aim: This study assessed the level of serum β-HCG in non-pregnant women of reproductive age and determined its potential association with suspicious ovarian ultrasonography results. Methods: The study was conducted in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This study adopted a cross-sectional design on a quota sample of 224 case notes of women aged 18 - 40 years obtained from eight diagnostic centres. A data extraction form was used for data collection. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and Odds Ratio at 95% confidence and 5% significance levels. Results: About 5.8% of the participants exhibited detectable levels of serum β-HCG above 5 IU/L (World Health Organization reference) at a mean concentration of 5.87 (±1.75) IU/L. About 4.0% of the participants had suspicious ovarian lesions identified through ultrasonography. Participants with elevated serum β-HCG levels above the WHO reference were 59 times more likely to have suspicious ovarian lesions (Odds ratio: 59.4, 95%CI: 12.3 - 287.8, p β-HCG level and age (p = 0.041) as well as parity (p Conclusion: Serum β-HCG levels above the WHO reference in non-pregnant women were associated with suspicious ovarian lesions. More rigorous primary research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses are needed to confirm the findings of this study.