Vaginal probiotics on the outcomes of premature rupture of membranes: a pilot randomised clinical trial.

The published literature shows that a balanced vaginal microbiota can have a favourable impact on decreasing the prevalence of premature rupture of membranes (PROM). We studied the effects of vaginal probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and L. gasseri) on the outcomes of PROM in pregnant women between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation. We performed a randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 27 participants were divided into two groups-group 1 (probiotics; n = 16) and group 2 (placebo; n = 11). Although most outcomes did not show much variation, the latency period and gestational age at delivery were higher in group 1 than in group 2. Thus, vaginal use of L. rhamnosus and L. gasseri along with standard treatment appears to increase the latency period and gestational age at delivery in women with PROM.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Delaying delivery increases the risk of infections, but the prolongation of pregnancy allows further foetal maturation, thus reducing the risk of complications associated with premature birth. Moreover, a more extended latency period in pregnancies of <37 weeks of gestation is associated with a better neonatal prognosis.What do the results of this study add? The use of probiotics (L. rhamnosus and L. gasseri) prolongs the latency period in pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Probiotics are an exciting option for extending the time to delivery in cases of premature rupture of the membrane, allowing the maturation of the foetal lung.

Pain and anxiety in office histeroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is almost always present before medical interventions and may play a role in pain perception. We aim to evaluate factors associated with pain intensity reported by patients submitted to Office Hysteroscopy (OH). METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study, with data from April to November 2015. It included patients attended at the Assis Chateaubriand Maternity School (MEAC/UFC) with an indication of office hysteroscopy. Before the examination, the patients answered a validated questionnaire about anxiety (STAI). After the examination, women answered the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0, with Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney U-test, and analyses of variance. RESULTS: 252 patients were included, with a mean age of 45.7 years, of whom 29% were postmenopausal (mean pain 5.5) and 71% were in menacme (mean pain 5.1) (p = 0.258). The anxiety trait and state showed a significant influence on the pain scale (p <0.001 and p=0.001), but age or endometrial sample did not. 27% of the patients were nulliparous. Less pain was associated with the number (p=0.01) and vaginal (p=0.005) of deliveries. The main indication for the procedure was abnormal uterine bleeding (54.4%). CONCLUSION: OH may be associated with moderate but tolerable discomfort. There was a significant correlation between higher scores on the pain scale and anxiety. There was evidence of reduced pain with parity and type of delivery, but not with reproductive age or endometrial biopsy.

Pain and anxiety in office histeroscopy

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Anxiety is almost always present before medical interventions and may play a role in pain perception. We aim to evaluate factors associated with pain intensity reported by patients submitted to Office Hysteroscopy (OH). METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study, with data from April to November 2015. It included patients attended at the Assis Chateaubriand Maternity School (MEAC/UFC) with an indication of office hysteroscopy. Before the examination, the patients answered a validated questionnaire about anxiety (STAI). After the examination, women answered the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0, with Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney U-test, and analyses of variance. RESULTS: 252 patients were included, with a mean age of 45.7 years, of whom 29% were postmenopausal (mean pain 5.5) and 71% were in menacme (mean pain 5.1) (p = 0.258). The anxiety trait and state showed a significant influence on the pain scale (p <0.001 and p=0.001), but age or endometrial sample did not. 27% of the patients were nulliparous. Less pain was associated with the number (p=0.01) and vaginal (p=0.005) of deliveries. The main indication for the procedure was abnormal uterine bleeding (54.4%). CONCLUSION: OH may be associated with moderate but tolerable discomfort. There was a significant correlation between higher scores on the pain scale and anxiety. There was evidence of reduced pain with parity and type of delivery, but not with reproductive age or endometrial biopsy.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: A ansiedade está quase sempre presente antes de intervenções médicas e pode desempenhar um papel importante na percepção da dor. Buscou-se avaliar os fatores associados à intensidade da dor relatados pelos pacientes submetidos a histeroscopia ambulatorial (HA). MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional transversal, com dados de abril a novembro de 2015. Foram incluídas pacientes atendidas na Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand (Meac/UFC) com indicação de HA. Antes do exame, as pacientes responderam a um questionário validado sobre ansiedade (IAM). Após o exame, as mulheres responderam à Escala Visual Analógica (EVA). Os dados foram analisados no Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0, com correlação de Spearman, teste U de Mann-Whitney e Anova. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídas 252 pacientes, com idade média de 45,7 anos, das quais 29% estavam na pós-menopausa (dor média 5,5) e 71% eram menacme (dor média 5,1) (p = 0,258). O traço e o estado de ansiedade mostraram influência significativa na escala de dor (p<0,001 e p=0,001). Vinte e sete por cento das pacientes eram nulíparas. Menor dor foi associada ao número (p=0,01) e tipo vaginal (p=0,005) de partos. A principal indicação para o procedimento foi sangramento uterino anormal (54,4%); 66,1% necessitaram de amostra endometrial. CONCLUSÕES: A HA pode estar associada a um desconforto moderado, mas tolerável. Houve correlação significativa entre escores mais altos na escala de dor e ansiedade, menor paridade, mas não com idade reprodutiva ou procedimento de biópsia endometrial.

Does the use of probiotics in pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes improve the maternal and perinatal outcome? A systematic review / O uso de probióticos em gestantes com rotura prematura de membranas ovulares melhora o desfecho materno e perinatal? Uma revisão sistemática

Introduction: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a condition that affects 8­10% of all pregnancies, and contributes with 20­40% of preterm deliveries. Evidence shows that changes in the vaginal microbiota may also have a favorable impact on the decrease in the prevalence of PROM, and that expectant treatment may be an appropriate approach to reduce morbidity in these cases. Objective: To investigate whether the use of probiotics in pregnant women with premature rupture of ovary membranes improves the maternal and perinatal outcome. Methods: This is a systematic review, developed from articles published between January 2001 and August 2018, which justify the use of probiotics in pregnant women with PROMto improve maternal and perinatal outcome. Results: Some studies have shown a potential role of probiotics in modulating vaginal bacterial communities, reducing rates of cesarean section and PROM, and increasing the latency and weight of newborns in pregnant women with PROM. However, in other studies, there was no confirmation of changes in the vaginal microbiota from the use of oral probiotics. Conclusion: There are benefits in the administration of probiotics to the mother-fetus binomial. However, there are still doubts about routes of administration, choice of strains and period of use. More studies are necessary to settle them.

Introdução: A rotura prematura de membranas ovulares é uma condição que afeta 8­10% de todas as gestações e contribui com 20­40% dos partos prematuros. Evidências mostram que mudanças na microbiota vaginal podem ter impacto favorável na diminuição de sua prevalência, e o tratamento expectante pode ser uma abordagem adequada para reduzir a morbidade nesses casos. Objetivo: Investigar se o uso de probióticos em gestantes com rotura prematura de membranas ovulares melhora o desfecho materno e perinatal. Métodos: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática desenvolvida com base em artigos publicados no período de janeiro de 2001 a agosto de 2018, que justificam o uso de probióticos em gestantes com rotura prematura de membranas ovulares para melhorar o desfecho materno e perinatal. Resultados: Alguns estudos mostraram potencial atuação dos probióticos em modular comunidades bacterianas vaginais, em reduzir taxas de cesarianas e rotura prematura de membranas ovulares, além de aumentar o período de latência e peso do recém-nascido de gestantes com esse quadro. Porém, em outros trabalhos, não houve confirmação de mudanças na microbiota vaginal pelo uso de probióticos orais. Conclusão: Há benefícios na administração dos probióticos sobre o binômio mãe-feto, contudo ainda há dúvidas sobre vias de administração, sobre escolha das cepas e sobre tempo de uso. Mais estudos precisam ser realizados para dirimi-las.