Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Essay Example

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Introduction: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is also referred as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome. It generallyoccurs in women reflecting hormonal problems that result in different symptoms. In this small cysts are formed in the ovaries. Although cysts in ovaries may be due to several other reasons as well, however it is from the symptoms and their characteristics that it can be determined whether an individual has obtained the PCOS. Studies reveal that PCOS is found in almost 5 to 10 percent of all women and the syndrome is mostly responsible for causing infertility in women (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS, POS, POD, Stein-Leventhal Syndrome), 2012). The present study focuses on an understanding of the etiology, treatment options and coding of PCOS. PCOS: Etiology: The major cause of PCOS is hormonal imbalance within the body of a woman that is supported by obesity associated with resistance of insulin in the body. Resistance of insulin has been obtained as the prime cause of the disease of disorder. However the symptoms of the disorder vary among different women. The different symptoms of the syndrome include “irregular or completely absent periods, ovarian cysts, Hirsutism (excessive facial or body hair), Alopecia (male pattern hair loss), obesity, acne, skin tags, Acanthosis Nigricans (brown skin patches), high cholesterol levels, exhaustion or lack of mental alertness, decreased sex drive, excess male hormones, and infertility” (What Causes PCOS?, n.d.). Also symptoms like sleep apnea (breathing difficulties during sleeping), thyroid disorders and depression and anxiety are associated with PCOS (What Causes PCOS?, n.d.). The British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology had released a study in 2000 where it focused on the relation between PCOS and resistance of insulin. The study suggested that of all women suffering from PCOS, around 40 percent had weakened tolerance of glucose and mostly obtained Type 2 Diabetes by the time their age is 40 years. In many cases, often infertility results since in addition to the symptoms of PCOS, higher insulin levels lead to production of large amounts of testosterone that is capable of preventing the release of ovum from the ovaries each month, thereby leading to infertility. Excess growth in body hair, baldness like men, and acne are certain symptoms that reflect the higher levels of testosterone in the body (What Causes PCOS?, n.d.). PCOS: Treatment Options: In general for diagnosis and treatment of PCOS, a physician considers all the physical symptoms that might arise, including the abnormality of periods, the excess weight of body, and the presence of any other diseases of hormonal disorders like thyroid. Tests of glucose and insulin are also conducted. In regard to treatments, it has been now obtained that the traditional methods prove to be difficult as well as expensive to follow. Moreover it has been obtained that the success obtained through the traditional methods is limited. Hence newer techniques have been developed and are in use for treatment. Treatments for infertility include diets for losing weight, medications for ovulations, drilling surgery on ovary and IVF. The ovulation medications include clomiphene,letrozole, Follistim, and Gonal-F. Anti androgen medication is also a part of the treatment process that includes birth control pills, spironolactone, flutamide or finasteride (Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With Insulin Lowering Medications, 2007). Endocrine abnormalities in women owing to the PCOS can be treated with insulin lowering therapy. “The therapy reduces hirsutism, obesity, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, elevated blood clotting factors and facilitates reestablishment of the normal pituitary ovarian cycle, thus often allowing resumption of normal ovulatory cycles and pregnancy (Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With Insulin Lowering Medications, 2007)”. Since the syndrome is associated with other risks of heart and body organs, these therapies enable cure and protection of these organs as well. The process of ovarian drilling leads to lowering of male hormones successfully from the body of a woman. These medications and therapies have been found to have positive effects on the ovulations in women and are effective in the treatment of PCOS (Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With Insulin Lowering Medications, 2007). PCOS: Correct Coding: As far as the correct coding for PCOS is concerned, the code that is used is the ICD-9-CM code 256.4. It is under this code that the term isosexual virilization is built-in. PCOS coding and sequencing for are reliant on the documentations maintained by the physician associated with medical records and submission of the Official Coding Guidelines for inpatient care. Complete and accurate coding can also be ensured through the specific use of “AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-9-CM and American Medical Association CPT Assistant” (Coding for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome For The Record, 2009). ICD-9-CM 256.4 is defined as a billable code in medicines that can be utilized to identify an analysis on a claim of settlement. These codes can be made use to for medical billing and coding purposes. They enable description of diseases and injuries and their respective symptoms and conditions. There are thousands of ICD-9-CM codes of which ICD-9-CM code 256.4 is one (ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 256.4, 2012). ICD-9-CM 704.1 is a billable code in medicine medical that is utilized to indicate a conclusion on a claim of reimbursement. This code is useful for identifying the conditions and symptoms of hirsutism that represents surplus hair in female bodies reflecting a male pattern (ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 704.1, 2012). Another code in association with PCOS is the ICD-9-CM 626.0 which is a billable code in medicines code that identifies an analysis on the claim of reimbursement. This code reflects upon the identification of symptoms and conditions of menstruation absence in women (ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 626.0, 2012). These codes are needed for PCOS since they reflect on description of the symptoms and conditions of the syndrome as definitions discussed above. Conclusion: From the above study, the causes, symptoms and treatment of PCOS could be learnt. The syndrome can become highly severe in women if not corrected at early stages. Hence understanding the symptoms and taking the corrective actions prove to be necessary. In this regard the correct coding also needs to be understood that has also been discussed in the study. PCOS might lead to infertility in women. However with development, there are several therapies and medications available that needs to be utilized correctly such that severe consequences are not suffered. References 1) Coding for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome For The Record (2009), fortherecordmag, Retrieved on October 3, 2012 from: http://www.fortherecordmag.com/archives/ftr_030209p27.shtml 2) ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 256.4 (2012), icd9data, Retrieved on October 3, 2012 from: http://www.icd9data.com/2012/Volume1/240-279/249-259/256/256.4.htm 3) ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 626.0 (2012), icd9data, Retrieved on October 3, 2012 from: http://www.icd9data.com/2012/Volume1/580-629/617-629/626/626.0.htm 4) ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 704.1 (2012), icd9data, Retrieved on October 3, 2012 from: http://www.icd9data.com/2012/Volume1/680-709/700-709/704/704.1.htm 5) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS, POS, POD, Stein-Leventhal Syndrome) (2012), medicinenet, Retrieved on September 27, 2012 from: http://www.medicinenet.com/polycystic_ovary/article.htm 6) Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With Insulin Lowering Medications (2007), IVF, Retrieved on September 29, 2012 from: http://www.ivf.com/pcostreat.html 7) What Causes PCOS? (n.d.), insulitelabs, Retrieved on September 27, 2012 from: http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/What-Causes-PCOS.php Read More