Comparability of different Z-score equations for aortic root dimensions in children with Marfan syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Aortic root dilation is a major complication of Marfan syndrome and is one of the most important criteria in establishing the diagnosis. Currently, different echocardiographic nomograms are used to calculate aortic root Z-scores. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential differences in aortic root measurements when aortic root Z-scores were obtained in a cohort of paediatric Marfan patients using several published nomograms. METHODS: In a cohort of 100 children with Marfan syndrome, Z-scores for aortic root dimensions were calculated according to the nomograms of Pettersen et al, Gautier et al, Colan et al, and Lopez et al. Bland-Altman plots were used to estimate mean differences in Z-scores and to establish limits of agreement. RESULTS: The mean Z-score of the sinus of Valsalva for Lopez et al was significantly higher compared to Gautier et al (p < 0.01) and Pettersen et al (p = 0.03). The nomogram of Lopez et al resulted in substantially higher Z-scores in patients with a large sinus of Valsalva diameter. Thirty-five percentage of the studied patients would have a Z-score ≥ 2 using Lopez et al compared to 20% for Pettersen et al, 21% for Gautier et al, and 33% for Colan et al. CONCLUSION: The currently available nomograms for calculating Z-scores of aortic dilation in children with Marfan syndrome lead to clinically relevant differences in Z-scores, especially in children with a relative large aortic root diameter. This could have impact on both the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Marfan syndrome.

Long-Lasting Increased Risk of Human Papillomavirus-Related Carcinomas and Premalignancies After Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 3: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related carcinomas and premalignancies in women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3). Knowledge of this risk is important to preventing the development and progression of other HPV-related premalignancies and carcinomas, by considering prophylactic HPV vaccination and/or by paying increased attention to other HPV-related carcinomas and premalignancies when CIN3 is identified. Methods Women diagnosed with a CIN3 between 1990 and 2010 were identified from the Dutch nationwide registry of histopathology and cytopathology (PALGA) and matched with a control group of women without CIN3. Subsequently, all cases of high-risk (hr) HPV-associated high-grade lesions and carcinomas in the anogenital region and oropharynx between 1990 and 2015 were extracted. Incidence rate ratios were estimated for carcinomas and premalignancies of the vulva, vagina, anus, and oropharynx. Results A total of 178,036 women were identified: 89,018 with a previous diagnosis of CIN3 and 89,018 matched control subjects without a history of CIN3. Women with a history of CIN3 showed increased risk of HPV-related carcinomas and premalignancies, with incidence rate ratios of 3.85 (95% CI, 2.32 to 6.37) for anal cancer, 6.68 (95% CI, 3.64 to 12.25) for anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3, 4.97 (95% CI, 3.26 to 7.57) for vulvar cancer, 13.66 (93% CI, 9.69 to 19.25) for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3, 86.08 (95% CI, 11.98 to 618.08) for vaginal cancer, 25.65 (95% CI, 10.50 to 62.69) for vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3, and 5.51 (95% CI, 1.22 to 24.84) for oropharyngeal cancer. This risk remained significantly increased, even after long-term follow-up of up to 20 years. Conclusion This population-based study shows a long-lasting increased risk for HPV-related carcinomas and premalignancies of the anogenital and oropharyngeal region after a CIN3 diagnosis. Studies that investigate methods to prevent this increased risk in this group of patients, such as intensified screening or vaccination, are warranted.