Treatment of menopausal symptoms: concomitant modification of cortisol.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether change in menopausal symptoms is related to modification of 24-hour urinary cortisol. METHODS: Sixty-nine postmenopausal women were treated for their menopausal symptoms with either estrogen progestin therapy (0.3 mg conjugate equine estrogens and 1.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate; n = 25), phytoestrogens (75 mg isoflavones, twice daily; n = 21) or acupuncture (once a week; n = 23). Baseline and treatment-induced changes of total and subscale scores (vasomotor, depression, anxiety, somatization, sexuality) of the Greene's Climacteric Scale and of 24-hour urinary cortisol were evaluated. RESULTS: At baseline, 24-hour urinary cortisol was related to Greene's Climacteric Scale score (P < 0.0001). Independent determinants (R2 = 0.319) were the Greene's subscales scores of depression (with a mean difference of 24-h cortisol for score unit expressed as beta coefficient of regression (b) of 4.91, 95% CI 2.14-7.7; P = 0.0007), and of somatization (b 3.04 95% CI 0.69-5.4; P = 0.012). The Greene's Climacteric Scale score (-5.67 ±â€Š6.8; P = 0.0001) and 24-hour cortisol (-23.6 ±â€Š45.7 µg/24 h; P = 0.0001) declined after 3 months of treatment. Changes of 24-hour cortisol values were linearly related to changes of total Greene's Climacteric Scale score with a mean change for unit score (b) of 2.10, 95% CI 0.47-3.73; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Present data indicate that greater reduction in menopausal symptoms is associated with a larger decrease in cortisol levels. Possible implication of this finding on the long-term consequences for women's health needs to be explored.

Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors in women treated for climacteric symptoms with acupuncture, phytoestrogens, or hormones.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the response of cardiovascular risk factors to the treatment of climacteric symptoms. METHODS: In this prospective study, women reporting climacteric symptoms were randomized to 3 months of treatment with either acupuncture (n = 19), phytoestrogens (75 mg soy isoflavones, BID; n = 22), or low-dose hormone therapy (HT; 0.3 mg conjugated equine oestrogens plus 1.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate; n = 20). Greene's climacteric scale, blood pressure (BP), lipids, glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance were assessed before and after treatment. Observed changes were compared by analysis of variance. RESULTS: HT and acupuncture reduced Greene climacteric score to a similar extent, but the effect of phytoestrogens was significantly lower (P < 0.05). With acupuncture, systolic (-7.4 ±â€Š15.3 mm Hg; P < 0.05) and diastolic BP (-8.3 ±â€Š7.7mm Hg; P < 0.01) decreased, and the same occurred with phytoestrogens (-8.4 ±â€Š9.0 mm Hg [P < 0.01] and -6.6 ±â€Š7.9 mm Hg [P < 0.01]). Neither BP systolic (1.9 ±â€Š17.5 mm Hg) nor BP diastolic (-1.4 ±â€Š9.6 mm Hg) changed during HT. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased with phytoestrogens (-9.9 ±â€Š19.6 mg/dL; P < 0.05), and triglycerides increased with both HT (34.5 ±â€Š12.2 mg/dL; P < 0.01) and phytoestrogens (17.41 ±â€Š24.4 mg/dL; P < 0.01). A slight but significant increase in homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (0.14 ±â€Š0.5; P < 0.05) was observed after HT. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of climacteric symptoms with acupuncture and phytoestrogens, but not HT, is associated with a clear BP reduction, and phytoestrogens with potentially positive alterations in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudractCT Number 2008-006053-41. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A637.

Pelvic ring fractures: what about timing?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pelvic ring fractures represent a challenge for orthopaedic surgeon. Their management depends on patient's condition, pattern of fracture and associated injuries. Optimal timing for synthesis is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to define if surgical timing influenced clinic and radiographic outcomes following open reduction and internal fixation for Tile B and C fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 38 patients were included. Patients underwent a clinical examination with the Majeed Score, Iowa Pelvic Score and Orlando Pelvic Score. The radiographic assessment was performed according to Matta Pelvic Score. A statistical analysis of the data compared patients who were operated within 3 weeks (group 1) and those operated later (group 2). RESULTS: Both clinical and radiological outcomes were influenced by timing of surgery. CONCLUSION: Pelvic ring fractures interest many polytrauma patients and, therefore, their surgical orthopedic approach is frequently delayed as consequence of the severity of the associated clinical conditions. An early surgery of pelvic rong fractures allows a better quality of reduction and osteosynthesis.

Acupuncture or phy(F)itoestrogens vs. (E)strogen plus progestin on menopausal symptoms. A randomized study.

The effect of acupuncture and phytoestrogens on climacteric symptoms was compared to the effect of hormone therapy (HT) with estrogen plus progestin. A total of 75 postmenopausal women with hot flushes were randomized to receive for 3 months conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone acetate (0.30 mg/1.5 mg/d), acupuncture weekly or soy isoflavones (75 mg/2/d). Evaluations were performed prior to, at the end, and 3 months after treatments. Main outcomes were modification of the Greene's climacteric scale and menopause quality of life (MenQoL). The Greene's score significantly declined (p < .05) during HT (-5.6 ± 3.1), acupuncture (-6.9 ± 4.5) and phytostrogens (-3.4 ± 4.3) (p < .05 vs. HT). Mean Greene's vasomotor sub-score declined less during phytoestrogens than HT (-0.8 ± 2.0 vs. -2.0 ± 1.9; p < .05) and a ≥ 80% reduction was observed in 17.4% of women on phytoestrogens (p < .05 vs. HT), 44% of women on HT, and 41.7% of women on acupuncture. MenQoL score improved similarly (p < .05) during HT (-1.4 ± 1.3), acupuncture (-1.7 ± 1.0) and phytoestrogens (-1.0 ± 1.3). Three months after treatment end, benefits on MenQoL were conserved more following acupuncture than HT (p < .006). The present data indicate that acupuncture, and in lesser extent phytoestrogens, can be effective therapies for climacteric symptoms. Trial registration: EudraCT Number 2008-006053-4.

Acupuncture in Postdate Pregnancy Management.

OBJECTIVES: Pharmacological labor induction is obtained through prostaglandins application and/or oxytocin infusion; however, the use seems to be related to fetal and maternal side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates the use of acupuncture to soften the cervix and induce uterine contractions. at which presented for The primary outcome was the rate of women admitted for labour induction in case of prolonged pregnancy at 41 + 5 weeks, and the secondary outcome was the rate of induction planning for other indications. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent, 375 undelivered women after 40 + 2 gestational age were enrolled for the study: 112 women received acupuncture and 263, routine care. Acupuncture was applied every odd day starting from 40 + 2 weeks up to 41 + 4 weeks. Women allocated to the control group received standard care. At 41 + 5 weeks, a pharmacological induction was planned. RESULTS: The rate of labor induction significantly differed between acupuncture and observation groups (19.6% vs. 38%; p < 0.01); in particular, women receiving acupuncture showed a lower rate of induction, indicating prolonged pregnancy (5.3% vs. 10.1%; p < 0.01). As far as the pharmacological device is concerned, no differences were observed with regard to the prostaglandins use, whereas oxytocin infusion rate was lower in the acupuncture group than in the observation group. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that acupuncture applied at term of pregnancy seems to be effective in reducing the rate of labor induction which is performed for prolonged pregnancy at 41 + 5 weeks. Moreover, acupuncture also seems to be able to reduce oxytocin use; such a "saving" effect could play a role in childhood, considering that a recent study underlined the adverse effect of oxytocin on birth outcomes.

Pre-induction of labour: comparing dinoprostone vaginal insert to repeated prostaglandin administration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of the dinoprostone vaginal insert compared to repeated prostaglandin administration (including dinoprostone and misoprostol) in women at term. METHODS: Electronic databases and additional handsearching were used to identify randomized controlled trial (RCT). We included studies reporting data separately for nulliparous and/or multiparous in women with unfavourable cervix (Bishop <5) and intact membranes. The primary efficacy outcome was caesarean section (CS) rate. Primary safety outcome was uterine hyperstimulation requiring immediate delivery. RESULTS: Eighteen RCTs were eligible and seven studies were included (totally 911 patients). The dinoprostone vaginal insert reduces CS rate in nulliparous women of 24% compared to the other ways of administration (RR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59, 0.98). The risk of oxytocin use is reduced with the use of vaginal insert (RR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.42, 0.99). The risk of hyperstimulation is statistically higher in nulliparous women using vaginal insert than the other ways of administration with RR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.08,4.33. CONCLUSIONS: In nulliparous women with unprepared cervix and intact membranes vaginal insert perform better than repeated vaginal doses since it is associated with more vaginal deliveries and less oxytocin use. Although vaginal insert is associated with more uterine hyperstimulation, it shows a protective effect toward caesarean section.