Knowledge and attitude changes of pregnant women regarding prenatal screening and diagnostic tests after counselling.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reveal the knowledge level of pregnant women about prenatal diagnostic tests, Down syndrome (DS) and amniocentesis, their attitudes toward uptaking these tests, undergoing amniocentesis, and the termination of pregnancy. It also aimed to evaluate the effects of providing information, as well as a written information brochure about all the issues concerning women's knowledge and attitudes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gynecologists provided verbal and written information on prenatal screening tests (PSTs) and invasive prenatal diagnostic tests. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire, which was designed by the researchers on the basis of the literature. RESULTS: Knowledge of both DS and amniocentesis was found to be significantly higher after the education (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively). Attitudes toward amniocentesis changed significantly after the education. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that women had an inadequate knowledge about PSTs, DS, and amniocentesis. It has also revealed that education provided by gynecologists along with a written brochure of information tended to increase women's knowledge about PSTs.

Associations of coronary plaque characteristics and coronary calcification with bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at investigating the association of postmenopausal osteoporosis in different measurement locations, with the coronary plaque burden and morphology detected by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed a total of 223 postmenopausal women who had undergone both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and CCTA. Coronary plaque characteristics were analyzed using CCTA. RESULTS: The number of burdens was higher in the osteoporosis/osteopenia group of patients than in the normal group. Agatston score and BMI were not significantly different between the two groups. T-score femur and bone mineral density (BMD) femur were higher in patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD as compared to those with mild CAD (p=0.036 and p=0.049, respectively), whereas T-score lumbar and BMD lumbar were not significantly different. Non-calcified/mixed plaque burden was an independent predictor of osteopenia/osteoporosis (OR: 1.396, 95% CI 1.007-1.934; p=0.045) together with age (OR: 1.053, 95% CI 1.015-1.093; p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Non-calcified/mixed plaque burden was significantly and independently associated with osteoporosis/osteopenia at femoral neck but not at lumbar spine. Osteopenia/osteoporosis was not significantly associated with CAC.