An assessment of the protective effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and antagonist on bleomycin-induced ovarian toxicity in rats.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist therapy on bleomycin-administered rats by examining ovarian follicle counts and AMH levels. A total of 30 female Wistar albino rats aged 4-6 months were randomly divided into 4 groups. First, an intramuscular injection of bleomycin (30 mg/m2) was administered to all except the control group on the 1st, 8th and 15th days. The control group (Group I) was administered 0.1 mL intramuscular saline on those days. The bleomycin group (Group II) was followed up without any further treatment. The bleomycin + GnRH agonist group (Group III) was administered subcutaneous GnRH agonist triptorelin (1 mg/kg) at the same time as the bleomycin injections. The bleomycin + GnRH antagonist group (Group IV) was administered 1 mg/kg cetrorelix acetate subcutaneously, concurrently with the bleomycin. Although AMH levels were lower in the bleomycin group than in all the other groups, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of AMH levels (p > .05). In the bleomycin + cetrorelix acetate and bleomycin + triptorelin groups, significantly higher primordial, secondary and tertiary follicle counts were determined compared to the bleomycin group (p < .001). In conclusion the harmful effects of bleomycin on ovarian reserve can be reduced by the simultaneous administration of GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist.

Wnt signaling pathway in early- and late-onset preeclampsia: evaluation with Dickkopf-1 and R-Spondin-3 glycoproteins.

OBJECTIVE: Wnt signaling has been identified as an essential pathway that can direct cell proliferation, migration, and tissue homeostasis. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Wnt signaling pathway in early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia (PE) using serum Dickkopf-1 and R-Spondin-3 glycoproteins. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 80 pregnant women were included in this study. The patients were divided into three groups: (1) control (2) early-onset PE, and (3) late-onset PE. The serum levels of Dickkopf-1 and R-Spondin-3 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Of the 80 pregnant women enrolled in the study, 27 were control, 27 had early-onset PE, and 26 had late-onset PE. No differences were found in the maternal age, gravida, parity, and body mass index among the groups (P = 0.536, 0.230, 0.202, and 0.642, respectively). The serum level of Dickkopf-1 was significantly higher in the early-onset PE group compared with the control group (P = 0.006). The serum level of Dickkopf-1 was statistically similar in control group compared to late-onset PE group (P = 0.064). However, no significant difference was found in the serum levels of Dickkopf-1 and R-Spondin-3 between the early- and late-onset PE groups (P > 0.05). Additionally, the Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between maternal serum level of Dickkopf-1 and maternal age (r = - 0.522, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The increased serum level of Dickkopf-1 might be associated with the process of pathogenesis of early-onset PE. Further studies would elucidate their exact roles in the pathogenesis of PE.

Transcervical Foley balloon catheter and vaginal prostaglandin E2 insert combination vs. vaginal prostaglandin E2 insert only for induction of labor at term: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of combined application of intravaginal PGE2 insert and intracervical Foley balloon catheter for induction of labor. METHODS: Patients with unfavorable cervices who required induction of labor from August 2017 to December 2017 were evaluated for the study. Three hundred and ten participants were randomly assigned to study (n:155) and control group (n:155). Nine patients in study group and seven patients in control group were excluded, because they declined to participate in the study. Totally, 294 women analyzed in this prospective randomized study: Group 1 (control group): labor induction with intravaginal PgE2 vaginal insert alone (n = 148) and Group 2 (study group): intracervical Foley balloon catheter insertion adjunct to the intravaginal PgE2 insert (n = 146). The primary outcome of our study was the period from induction to delivery. The secondary outcome was the period from induction to active phase of labor. RESULTS: In the analysis of primiparous pregnants, combination of intracervical Foley balloon catheter and intravaginal PgE2 insertion was shown to be associated with shorter duration from induction to active stage of labor (1000 vs. 585 min, P < 0.001) and also to delivery (1386 vs. 1001 min, P < 0.001). Groups were found to be similar in terms of duration from induction to active stage of labor (670.5 vs. 535.2, P > 0.05) and also to delivery (933.1 vs. 777.9, P > 0.05, Table 2) in subgroup of women with the previous vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Combined application of intracervical Foley balloon catheter and intravaginal PgE2 insert may result in a shorter time from labor induction to delivery without rising the risk of cesarean section in primiparous women with an unfavorable cervix.

Modified laparoscopic pectopexy: short-term follow-up and its effects on sexual function and quality of life.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study examined the early outcomes of laparoscopic (LS) pectopexy and evaluated its effects on female sexual function and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Twenty-two patients with apical prolapse who underwent LS pectopexy were included. Outcomes of the procedure were noted; the Female Sexual Function (FSFI) and Prolapse Quality of Life (P-QOL) questionnaires were completed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no evidence of recurrent prolapse or constipation; the percentages of exacerbation of cystocele, rectocele, de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and de novo urgency (UUI) were 4.5%, 9.0%, 4.5%, and 4.5%, respectively (mean follow-up 10.41 months). FSFI and P-QOL scores improved significantly (p < 0.05) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: LS pectopexy shows promising results for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery with comparable outcomes. It also improved the FSFI and P-QOL scores in POP patients.

The Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on the Macula, the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, and Choroidal Thickness.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on the macula, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and choroidal thickness (CT). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 24 healthy women taking monophasic OCP (3 mg drospirenone and 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol) for contraception only for at least one year were compared with a control group of 24 healthy women who were not taking an OCP. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to evaluate the posterior ocular segments, and measurements were taken in the follicular phase (day 3) of the cycle in all women. RESULTS No disparity in terms of age and body mass index between the groups was observed (p=0.436, p=0.538, respectively). In comparison of the macular region and CT between groups, we found that all variables except foveal center thickness and CT were significantly thinner in the OCP group. Nasal and temporal inferior parts of the RNFL and average RNFL were significantly slimmer in the study group versus the control group (p=0.013, p=0.018, and p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS OCP resulted in several structural changes in the posterior ocular segment. Thus, women using OCP for more than one year may have some eye problems. Therefore, it OCT should be performed for these women. Further clinical trials researching long-period effect of OCP on the eyes are needed.

Comparison of lidocaine spray and paracervical block application for pain relief during first-trimester surgical abortion: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Surgical abortion is one of the most frequently performed gynaecological procedures and its associated pain has always been a problem in gynaecology. Here we studied the analgesic efficacy of lidocaine spray and paracervical block (PCB) in patients undergoing first-trimester surgical abortion. A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on 108 women requesting pregnancy termination. The subjects were randomly assigned into four groups: Group 1 (PCB plus lidocaine spray) (n=27), Group 2 (PCB) (n=27), Group 3 (lidocaine spray) (n=27) and Group 4 (placebo) (n=27). Intra-procedural and post-procedural pain scores were measured with a standard visual analogue scale (VAS). The median VAS scores during procedure in placebo, lidocaine spray, PCB plus lidocaine spray and PCB groups were 8 (7-9), 5 (4-8), 4 (3-4) and 5 (3-5), respectively. The most effective method of pain relief during first-trimester abortion can be achieved through a combined use of PCB plus lidocaine spray. Therefore, lidocaine spray is a non-invasive complementary anaesthetic method versus traditional PCB for first-trimester surgical abortion.

Comparison of blood and urine nephrin levels in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between nephrin levels and preeclampsia severity by comparing serum and urine levels of nephrin in the severe and mild groups according to severity of associated intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) development. METHODS: A total of 150 patients who attended our ante-natal clinic (ANC) were included in this study. We had 5 groups; Group 1:30 patients with mild preeclampsia (MP) and normal fetal development (NFD), Group 2:30 patients with severe preeclampsia (SP) and NFD, Group 3: 30 patients with MP and IUGR, Group 4: 30 patients with SP and IUGR and Group 5: 30 volunteers who were normotensive and non-preeclamptic. We obtained both blood and urine samples for measuring nephrin levels. RESULTS: Both serum and urine nephrin levels were significantly higher for the fourth group compared with all other groups (p<0.001). The levels of SP group with NFD were measured considerably higher than MP group out of IUGR and control group (p<0.001). Urine and serum nephrin levels with gestational age of delivery showed a negative correlation (r=-0.621, p<0.001) and also urine and serum nephrin levels with birth weight showed a negative correlation too (r=-0.655 p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Both serum and urine nephrin levels correlated with the severity of preeclampsia and IUGR development.

Maternal serum mitofusin-2 levels in patients with preeclampsia: the possible role of mitochondrial dysfunction in preeclampsia.

Purpose: Hypoxia alters mitochondria function and our aim was to measure mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) in patients with preeclampsia.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted including 82 pregnant women, 27 with normal pregnancy and 55 with preeclampsia (27 with early-onset preeclampsia and 28 with late-onset preeclampsia). Maternal serum levels of Mfn2 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.Results: The mean serum mitofusin-2 levels were higher in women with preeclampsia than in the control group (68.02 ± 8.7 pg/mL vs. 99.72 ± 37.27 pg/mL, p < .0001). The mean serum mitofusin-2 level was found to be the highest in the early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) group (EOPE: 101.6 ± 38.5 pg/mL). Maternal serum mitofusin-2 levels correlated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressures as well as uterine artery pulsatility index. The optimal cutoff value of Mfn2 for determining preeclampsia was 75.3 pg/mL.Conclusion: Mfn2 has regulatory roles in stress response. Maternal serum Mfn2 is higher in patients with preeclampsia suggesting that Mfn2 increases in the maternal system as a stress response against hypoxia and endothelial dysfunction.What do the results of this study add? Hypoxia causes mitochondrial dysfunction that has been linked to the etiology of many diseases including preeclampsia. Mitofusin-2 is a mitochondrial fusion protein, and the levels can be altered in preeclampsia. For the first time, we showed that maternal levels of mitofusin-2 are higher in patients with preeclampsia. Further, we reported the correlation of mitofusin-2 with blood pressures and uterine artery pulsatility index. These findings will open up other avenues for researchers to investigate other mitochondrial molecules while under stress.

Comparison between cycles of the same patients when using recombinant luteinizing hormone + recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), human menopausal gonadotropin + rFSH and rFSH only.

INTRODUCTION: Recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH), and urinary human menopausal gonadotropin (uHMG) are widely used for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). This study compares the effects of rFSH only, rLH + rFSH, and HMG + rFSH administration on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes for patients in three different yearly follow-up cycles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted from January 2001 to June 2016 at Istanbul Memorial Hospital, Artificial Reproductive Technology Center. From a total of 27,024 IVF cycles in women aged 18 to 45 years (17,536 rFSH only; 2147 rLH + rFSH; 7341 HMG + rFSH), the results of 2,147 cycles receiving a treatment of rLH + rFSH over the 3-year evaluation and 2,081 total cycles in which rLH + rFSH was used at least once were evaluated, and different gonadotropin combinations were compared. RESULTS: The age and body mass index of the patients in the uHMG + rFSH group were found to be significantly higher than those of the patients in the rLH + rFSH and rFSH only groups (p < 0.001). The total gonadotropin (GND) dosage of the patients in the rLH + rFSH group was found to be significantly lower than that of the HMG + rFSH group (p = 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between the clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates, while the highest clinical and ongoing pregnancy rate was observed in the rLH + rFSH group at age 35-39 years. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant luteinizing hormone administration may increase the number of clinical pregnancies for patients aged 35-39 years.

Role of ischemia-modified albumin in the evaluation of oxidative stress in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level, and the IMA/albumin ratio (IMAR) in healthy pregnant women, and pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Material and method: This cross-sectional study included 53 women with ICP and 52 healthy pregnant women. Their serum IMA and albumin levels were analyzed, and the women were followed up to delivery. Results: No significant intergroup differences were identified in maternal age, body mass index, and gestational age at the time that the blood samples were taken. The gestational age at delivery and the serum albumin level was significantly lower (p = .002 and p < .0001, respectively) in the ICP group than in the healthy pregnant women. Although no differences in IMA levels were shown between the groups, IMA/albumin levels were higher in the ICP group than in the healthy pregnant women (p = .004). Conclusion: Serum IMA levels did not differ between pregnant women with ICP and healthy pregnant women, while the IMAR was significantly higher in the ICP group versus the healthy pregnant women.

Comparison of de novo urinary incontinence after abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the frequency and risk factors of de novo urinary incontinence (UI) following abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies for benign disease. METHODS: The study included patients without incontinence history who underwent abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy for benign indications. Incontinence statuses were assessed at least one year after hysterectomies. Data for age, body mass index (BMI), parity, mode of delivery, and the types of hysterectomy and postoperative UI were recorded. RESULTS: The study included a total of 196 patients with mean age of 52.8±11.4 years. Of these, 149 (76%) underwent abdominal hysterectomy (AH) and 47 (24%) had vaginal hysterectomy (VH). The mean follow-up period was 1.97±1.43 years. A total of 41 (20.9%) patients were diagnosed with UI after hysterectomy. De novo UI occurrence following AH and VH was similar(p>0.05). Also, UI types were not significantly found different in either group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that de novo UI occured frequently after hysterectomies. In addition, development and types of UI following AH and VH were comparable. KEY WORDS: Abdominal hysterectomy, Urinary incontinence, Vaginal hysterectomy.

Maternal cytoglobin (CYGB) serum levels in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cytoglobin levels in women with preeclampsia and women with uncomplicated pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 26 pregnant women complicated with early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE) and 26 pregnant women complicated with late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE) were recruited for the study group. Twenty-seven healthy pregnant women selected randomly were included in the control group. The serum CYGB concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Gestational age at delivery and mean birth weight were significantly lower in the preeclampsia groups than in the control group and were found to be the lowest in the EO-PE group (p < .001). Serum CYGB levels were significantly higher in the EO-PE and LO-PE groups as compared with the control group (9.99 (6.08) ng/ml (EOPE), 10.04 (7.04) ng/ml (LOPE) versus 2.84 (0.82) ng/ml), (p < .001). However, a significant difference was not found between the EO-PE and LO-PE groups regarding CYGB levels (p = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CYGB levels were significantly higher in patients with EO-PE and LO-PE as compared to healthy pregnant women.

Maternal serum sestrin 2 levels in preeclampsia and their relationship with the severity of the disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate sestrin 2 (SESN2) levels in preeclampsia (PE) cases and uncomplicated pregnancies. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 26 pregnant women with PE, 24 with severe-PE, and 30 randomly selected healthy pregnant women. RESULTS: The mean arterial pressure, severe proteinuria, number of HELLP syndrome cases, and serum SESN2 levels in the severe PE group were significantly higher than those in the other groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.006, and p = 0.004, respectively). Negative correlation was found between the birth interval (r = -.262, p = 0.019) and the SESN2 level. CONCLUSION: SESN2 seems to play a role in the pathophysiology of PE, especially in severe PE cases.

Evaluation of FGF-19 and ß-klotho as biomarkers in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF-19) and its co-receptor, beta-klotho, regulate bile acid synthesis in the liver as an enterohepatic feedback mechanism. In this study, our aim was to investigate the circulating FGF-19 and ß-klotho levels in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 40 women whose pregnancies were complicated with ICP were recruited for the study group. Forty randomly selected healthy pregnant women comprised the control group. The patient characteristics, including maternal age, gravidity, parity, gestational age at the time of diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), and obstetric history, were recorded. The serum FGF-19 and ß-klotho concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Maternal age, gravidity, parity, body mass index at assessment, and gestational age at blood sampling were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences in the FGF-19 and ß-klotho concentrations between the two groups (p = 0.341 and p = 0.086, respectively). A positive correlation was detected between the ß-klotho and FGF-19 levels, as well as between the FGF-19 level and BMI (r = 0.368, p = 0.020 and r = 0.389, p = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The serum FGF-19 and ß-klotho concentrations did not differ between the pregnancies with ICP and the healthy controls. However, in some cases, abnormalities in the FGF-19, ß-klotho, and FGFR4 signaling system may play roles in the pathogenesis of ICP.

An evaluation of two different screening criteria in gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevalence difference according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria and International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) criteria for 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). METHODS: This study was conducted at Erciyes University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. A total of 320 pregnant who met the criteria were included in the study and 75 g OGTT was applied. Irrespective of the first results, the test was applied to most participants 2 weeks later. RESULTS: The GDM prevalence was found to be 9.1% according to the ADA criteria and 19.4% according to the IADPSG criteria. According to the ADA criteria, GDM prevalence was found to be statistically significantly high (p < .05) in patients with risk factors. According to the IADPSG criteria no relationship was found between GDM prevalence and any of the risk factors (p > .05). The patients diagnosed with GDM were observed not to reach the threshold levels for HbA1c. CONCLUSION: According to the IADPSG criteria, GDM prevalence doubles and leads to an increase in healthcare costs and workloads. HbA1c has no role in the diagnosis of GDM.

Perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated late preterm pregnancies with borderline oligohydramnios.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated late preterm pregnancies with borderline oligohydramnios. METHODS: A total of 430 pregnant women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at a gestational age of 34 + 0-36 + 6 weeks were included. Borderline oligohydramnios was defined as an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of 5.1-8 cm, which was measured using the four-quadrant technique. Adverse perinatal outcomes were compared between the borderline and normal AFI groups. RESULTS: Approximately 107 of the 430 pregnant women were borderline AFI, and 323 were normal AFI. The demographic and obstetric characteristics were similar in both groups. Delivery <37 weeks, cesarean delivery for non-reassuring fetal heart-rate testing, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, Apgar 5 min <7, transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal intensive care unit, and hyperbilirubinemia were not statistically different between the groups (p = .054, p = .134, p = .749, p = 0.858, p = .703, p = .320, p = .185, and p = .996, respectively). Although gestational age was full-term, induction of labor rates were significantly higher in the borderline AFI group (p = .040). In addition, fetal renal artery pulsatility index pulsatility index (PI) was significantly lower in the borderline AFI group than in the normal AFI group (p = .014). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that borderline AFI was not a risk for adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated, late preterm pregnancies.

Cosmetic outcomes of infraumbilical, supraumbilical, and transumbilical entry routes in laparoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine which of the umbilical entry routes for intraperitoneal access has a better cosmetic result. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). In total, 105 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery were included. A vertical or transverse umbilical incision is appropriately made for the trocar to be inserted, and an infraumbilical, supraumbilical, or transumbilical route was preferred for initial intraperitoneal access. Demographic data of patients, body mass indices, entry point of the trocars (infraumbilical-transumbilical-supraumbilical), type of incision (vertical-transverse), duration of the operation, and scar properties at postoperative week 12 were prospectively collected and analyzed. The Vancouver scar scale was used to evaluate the cosmetic results. RESULTS: Cosmetic results did not differ statistically between the transumbilical-infraumbilical-supraumbilical groups. The variables, such as vascularity, height, and total score, of the Vancouver scar scale were significantly higher in patients who had transverse incisions. There was no statistically significant effect of using a Veress needle with the cosmetic results. There was no statistically significant correlation between age, gravida, body mass indices, skin thickness, time of entry, duration of the operation, and cosmetic results in terms of vascularity, height, and total score. CONCLUSION: During laparoscopic surgery, each patient should be assessed individually for the satisfaction of the patient and, thereby, of the surgeon in terms of cosmetic outcomes. Vertical incision offers superior cosmetic effects than transverse incision. Further research is required to define long-term scar-related outcomes of the laparoscopic intraperitoneal access techniques.

Predictive value of some hematological parameters for non-invasive and invasive mole pregnancies.

AIM: The aim of this study was to discriminate mole pregnancies and invasive forms among cases with first trimester vaginal bleeding by the utilization of some complete blood count parameters conjunct to sonographic findings and beta human chorionic gonadotropin concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive 257 cases with histopathologically confirmed mole pregnancies and 199 women without mole pregnancy presented with first trimester vaginal bleeding who admitted to Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Health Training Hospital between January 2012 and January 2016 were included in this cross-sectional study. The serum beta HCG level at presentation, and beta hCG levels at 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of postevacuation with some parameters of complete blood count were utilized to discriminate cases with molar pregnancy and cases with invasive mole among first trimester pregnants presented with vaginal bleeding and abnormal sonographic findings. RESULTS: Levels of beta hCG at baseline (AUC = 0.700, p < 0.05) and 1st (AUC = 0.704, p < 0.05), 2nd (AUC = 0.870, p < 0.001) and 3rd (AUC = 0.916, p < 0.001) weeks of postevacuation period were significant predictors for the cases with persistent disease. While area under curve for mean platelet volume is 0.715, it means that mean platelet volume has 21.5% additional diagnostic value for predicting persistency in molar patients. For 8.55 cut-off point for mean platelet volume, sensitivity is 84.6% and specificity is 51.6%. Area under curve for platelet/lymphocyte ratio is 0.683 means that platelet/lymphocyte ratio has additional 18.3% diagnostic value. For 102.25 cut-off point sensitivity is 86.6% and specificity is 46.2. CONCLUSIONS: Simple, widely available complete blood count parameters may be used as an adjunct to other risk factors to diagnose molar pregnancies and predict postevacuation trophoblastic disease.

The Effect of Anterior Uterocervical Angle on Primary Dysmenorrhea and Disease Severity.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea, defined as painful menstrual cramps originating in the uterus without underlying pathology, is a gynecological disease that affects quality of life and school success. Our goal was to determine the effect of anterior uterocervical angle on primary dysmenorrhea and disease severity. Methods: A total of 200 virgin adolescents, 16 to 20 years of age, were included in the study. The Andersch and Milsom scale was used to determine dysmenorrhea severity. Those with pathologies causing secondary dysmenorrhea were excluded from the study. Study subjects were grouped based on severity of pain. Demographic characteristics and uterocervical ultrasonographic measurements were compared among groups. Results: Of the 200 participants enrolled in the study, 50 were healthy controls and 150 had primary dysmenorrhea. Those with primary dysmenorrhea had a significant family history of primary dysmenorrhea compared with controls (P < 0.001). Age (P=0.668), body mass index (P=0.898), menarche age (P=0.915), and length of menstrual cycles (P=0.740) were similar in all groups. The uterine corpus longitudinal axis, uterine corpus transverse axis, and uterine cervix longitudinal axis were also similar (P=0.359, P=0.279, and P=0.369, resp.). The mean uterocervical angle was 146.8 ± 6.0 in controls and 143.3 ± 7.3 in those with mild pain with no significant difference between the groups. In those with moderate pain, the mean uterocervical angle was 121.2 ± 7.3 compared with 101 ± 9.2 in those with severe pain, which was a significant difference. Additionally, there was also a significant difference in the uterocervical angle among those with mild, moderate, and severe pain (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results indicate that a narrower anterior uterocervical angle is associated with primary dysmenorrhea and disease severity.

Could first- and second-trimester biochemical markers for Down syndrome have a role in predicting intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to compare first- and second-trimester Down syndrome biochemical screening markers in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and normal pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational case-control study was conducted at Health Sciences University Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Health Training and Research Hospital and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Erciyes University Medical Faculty during 2016-2017. The study included 165 patients, and consisted of 62 women who had been diagnosed with ICP (the ICP-diagnosed group) and 103 healthy pregnant women (the control group). First-trimester free ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and second-trimester total ß-hCG, estriol (E3), α-fetoprotein (AFP), and inhibin A levels were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 28.67 ±5.96 years, with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Average PAPP-A levels were significantly lower in the ICP-diagnosed group (p < 0.001). When the cut-off value for PAPP-A was taken as ≤ 0.93 multiple of median (MoM), the sensitivity and specificity values for ICP were 73.8% and 56.3%, respectively (95% CI, AUC ± SE: 0.663 ±0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in PAPP-A MoM value indicates an increase in the risk of developing ICP, while changes in other markers were not sufficient to predict ICP.