Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device to treat abnormal uterine bleeding; not one treatment option fits all.

Objective: Initially, medical treatment options are preferred in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) who are hemodynamically stable. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) in reducing bleeding symptoms in patients with AUB stratified by underlying pathology. Material and Methods: In line with the polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy (and hyperplasia), coagulopathy, ovulatory disorders, endometrial, iatrogenic and not otherwise classified classification system, patients who were administered LNG-IUD due to adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, leiomyoma and AUB due to not otherwise classified causes were included in the study. Results: A total of 172 otherwise patients with a mean age of 42.58±5.00 years were included. The distributions in the adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, leiomyoma and otherwise unclassified groups were 30.8%, 12.8%, 26.2%, and 30.2%, respectively. Overall effectiveness of LNG-IUD in reducing menstrual bleeding was 82%. The proportion whose bleeding decreased was 95.50% in the endometrial hyperplasia group, 88.70% in the adenomyosis group, 55.60% in the leiomyoma group and 92.30% in the not otherwise classified group. The power of the current study was 99%. The efficacy of LNG-IUD was significantly less in the leiomyoma group (p<0.05) and thus this group were more likely to require surgical intervention. The overall incidence of spotting was 50%. Amenorrhea developed in 14% of patients. Conclusion: While LNG-IUD was more effective in reducing symptoms of AUB in patients with adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia and not otherwise classified causes, LNG-IUD was less effective in cases of leiomyoma.

Increased maternal mortality in unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant patients.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the poor prognosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in unvaccinated pregnant women. In this retrospective study, the clinical and laboratory parameters of 26 pregnant or immediately postpartum patients, who were hospitalised and needed intensive care unit (ICU) follow-up due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection were reported. All pregnant patients who followed up in the ICU were unvaccinated. The mortality rate was calculated as 34.62% in the patients included in the study who were admitted to the ICU. Among patients hospitalised in the ICU, the maternal mortality and stillbirth rates associated with COVID-19 infection were found to be 156.28/100,000 and 11.54%, respectively. Preterm birth occurred in 58.33% of the patients who delivered. 79.17% of the patients were delivered by caesarean section. Lymphopenia, high ferritin, interleukin-6, lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer and C-reactive protein values were found to be associated with mortality. The course of pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection is not always predictable. Clinical and laboratory data should be evaluated in combination for disease prognosis. Adequate information should be given about the importance of vaccination.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? The SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused a public health crisis worldwide. As a result of studies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected pregnant women, it was observed that there was an increase in maternal and perinatal mortality. There has been an increase in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, especially after patients infected with the Delta variant. The pandemic continues with an unpredictable course of the new variants.What do the results of this study add? Compared to the pre-pandemic period, COVID-19 infection caused a more than 10-fold increase in maternal mortality, particularly after the Delta variant. In intensive care follow-up, low lymphocyte count, high lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, ferritin and interleukin-6 values are indicators of poor prognosis.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? COVID-19 infection causes increased maternal mortality. Considering that all of the patients admitted to the ICU in our study were unvaccinated, pregnant women should be encouraged to get vaccinated.

Symptom-related Ki-67 expression in endometrial polyps.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare Ki-67 expression in endometrial polyps that present with different abnormal uterine bleeding patterns. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 120 women diagnosed with endometrial polyps were included in the study. In this prospective study, tissue samples taken by hysteroscopic polypectomy method between September 2019 and September 2020 at Bursa City Hospital were examined. The main study groups were determined as premenopausal and postmenopausal patients. The patients' complaints at first admission to the hospital, demographic, histopathological and immunohistochemical features were recorded. RESULTS: Ki-67 glandular and stromal expressions were higher in the premenopausal patient group (p = 0.016 and p = 0.005 respectively). Median Ki-67 gland and stroma measurements; was higher in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) than in patients with intermenstrual bleeding (IMB), patients with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB), and patients who were asymptomatic [(p = 0.012, p = 0.011 and p = 0.009 respectively); (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.004 respectively)]. The median Ki-67 stroma measurement was found to be higher in the patient group whose complaint persisted after polypectomy (p = 0.034). In the estimation of response to treatment, the cut-off value for Ki-67 stromal expression was determined as ≤ 6%. CONCLUSION: High Ki-67 expression in endometrial polyps is associated with HMB and may predict the continuation of abnormal uterine bleeding after polypectomy.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes in high compared to low risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (phase 2): the World Association of Perinatal Medicine working group on coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: It has still to be ascertained whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in pregnancy is associated with worse maternal and fetal outcomes compared to low risk gestations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate maternal and perinatal outcomes in high- and low-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multinational retrospective cohort study involving women with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection from 76 centers from 25 countries in Europe, the United States, South America, Asia, and Australia from April 4, 2020, to October 28, 2020. The primary outcome was a composite measure of maternal mortality and morbidity, including admission to the intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death. The secondary outcome was a composite measure of adverse perinatal outcome, including miscarriage, fetal loss, neonatal and perinatal death, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. All outcomes were assessed in high- and low-risk pregnancies. Pregnancies were considered high risk in case of either preexisting chronic medical conditions in pregnancy or obstetrical disorders occurring in pregnancy. The Fisher exact test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 887 singleton pregnancies who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens were included in the study. The risk of composite adverse maternal outcomes was higher in high-risk pregnancies than in low-risk pregnancies (odds ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.24; P=.035). In addition, women carrying high-risk pregnancies were at higher risk of hospital admission (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.04; P=.002), presence of severe respiratory symptoms (odds ratio, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-3.21; P=.001), admission to the intensive care unit (odds ratio, 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-4.88), and invasive mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-5.94; P=.002). When exploring perinatal outcomes, high-risk pregnancies were at high risk of adverse perinatal outcomes (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-2.72; P=.009). However, such association was mainly because of the higher incidence of miscarriage in high-risk pregnancies compared with that in low-risk pregnancies (5.3% vs 1.6%, P=.008); furthermore, there was no difference in other explored outcomes between the 2 study groups. At logistic regression analysis, maternal age (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.22; P=.023) and high-risk pregnancy (odds ratio, 4.21; 95% confidence interval, 3.90-5.11; P<.001) were independently associated with adverse maternal outcomes. CONCLUSION: High-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were at higher risk of adverse maternal outcomes than low-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Investigation of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume in patients diagnosed with preterm labor.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the level of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLO) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in preterm birth in patients who gave birth before 37 weeks. METHOD: This study was conducted by a retrospective examination of the patients who gave birth with preterm labor diagnosis from January 2017 to May 2018 at Ankara Keçiören Training and Research Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic. The study included 138 patients. Patients were divided into three groups: Early Preterm (delivery before 34 weeks, Group I = 39), Late Preterm (delivery between 34 and 37 weeks, Group II = 59) and the Control Group (delivery after 37 weeks, Group III = 40). All three groups were compared with respect to demographic, obstetric and laboratory results, MPV and NLO parameters. RESULTS: The difference between the groups was not significant when the patients were compared in terms of age, gravida, parity, fetal sex and smoking. When the three groups were compared in terms of leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, hemoglobin, MPV and NLO, NLO was higher and MPV rate was lower in the preterm birth group, which was significant (p < 0.05). When the preterm delivery group was further divided as early preterm (<34 weeks) and late (34-37 weeks) preterm delivery group, the NLO rate was higher in the former group, while MPV was lower and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). When the patients were compared in terms of caesarean and vaginal delivery, 58.6% (81) of the total patients were delivered vaginally and 41.4% (57) were delivered by caesarean section. The most common cesarean indication was a previous caesarean section history. Subsequent indications included breech presentation, fetal distress, oligohydramnios, cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD), and placenta previa, respectively. The C-section rate was higher in the preterm group when the groups were compared in terms of the mode of delivery, and the difference between them was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NLO and MPV may be decisive as a proinflammatory process marker in patients who give birth before 37 weeks. Preterm births and fetuses of pregnant women with high NLO and low MPV may be considered to be likely to go to the neonatal care unit.

Trimester-specific reference intervals of thyroid function tests in Turkish pregnants.

Physiological changes in hormone levels occur in thyroid gland during pregnancy. Screening of the thyroid hormone levels and determining trimester-specific reference intervals in pregnancy are important. Guidelines recommend the use of trimester-specific reference ranges for each country. The aim of this study is to determine trimester-specific thyroid function reference intervals for pregnancy in Turkish population. In total, 5000 patients were screened out of which 1258 patients have all of fT3, fT4 and TSH levels measured, were included in the study. Patients were grouped as follows: 482 women were in first trimester, 361 women were in second trimester, and 415 women were in third trimester. All analyses were performed by means of chemiluminescence methods (Liaison®; DiaSorin S.p.A., Saluggia, Italy). The TSH reference intervals were 0.005-3.65, 0.01-3.63, and 0.2-3.46 mIU/L at the first, the second, and the third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. The fT4 reference intervals were 0.72-1.79, 0.71-1.26, and 0.65-1.12 ng/dL at the first, the second, and the third trimesters, respectively. The fT3 reference intervals were 2.45-4.03, 2.37-3.85, and 2.31-3.77 ng/dL at the first, the second, and the third trimesters, respectively. It is crucial to determine population- and gestational-specific reference intervals for trustworthy treatment of pregnants.

Endometrial histopathology results and evaluation of endometrial cancer risk in geriatric women.

The incidence of premalignant and malignant endometrial disorders increases during the postmenopausal period. In the literature, endometrial disorders are usually discussed in the context of menopausal status. But there are limited data regarding endometrial disorders in geriatric patients. Early diagnosis of endometrial cancers with aggressive behaviour that increases during the geriatric period may allow simpler treatment options and also decrease the treatment-associated morbidity risk. Records of geriatric patients who underwent an endometrial histopathological evaluation between 2011 and 2016 were evaluated. Clinical findings, transvaginal ultrasonography findings, endometrial sampling methods, and histopathological results were evaluated. A total of 188 patients were included in the study (mean age 70.3 ±5.6 years). The most common histopathological results were endometrial polyp, atrophic endometrium, and surface epithelium (26.6%, 22.3%, and 12.8%, respectively). None of the 57 patients without vaginal bleeding had endometrial cancer. In 131 patients with vaginal bleeding, mean endometrial thickness was 9.8 ±8.1 mm (2-49 mm) and the rate of endometrial disorders was 56.5% (74 patients). Endometrial cancer was diagnosed in 19 patients (10.1%), and 36.8% of them had non-endometrioid cancers. The presence of vaginal bleeding was significantly associated with the diagnosis of endometrial cancer and any endometrial disorder (p = 0.001 and p = 0.000, respectively). The incidence of non-endometrioid endometrial cancers increased in the geriatric period. An endometrial histopathological examination should be considered, especially for patients with a history of vaginal bleeding. Further investigation of the endometrial thickness cut-off levels in the geriatric period will contribute to the literature.

Fibroids During Pregnancy: Effects on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of fibroids on pregnancy and neonatal parameters. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 12,855 consecutive pregnant women admitted to a tertiary care university hospital between January 2002 and December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Of those, 267 patients with fibroids and 267 age- and parity-matched controls were included. The Clavien-Dindo classification was used to grade postoperative complications. RESULTS: Mean gestational age at delivery (p<0.001) and mean neonatal birthweight (p=0.034) were significantly different between the 2 groups. We recorded a higher rate of pain-related hospitalization in the large fibroid group (38.2% and 7.8%, p <0.001). Myomectomy was performed in 124 of 267 patients during cesarean section (C/S). The myomectomy group was associated with lower postoperative hemoglobin levels (p=0.01) and higher need for transfusion (p=0.009). When postpartum hemoglobin levels of the control group and fibroid group without myomectomy were compared, hemoglobin levels were higher in favor of the control group (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Beyond lower gestational age and mean birthweight, perinatal complications did not increase with fibroids during pregnancy. Performing myomectomy increases the need for transfusion (Grade 2) without an increase in the risk of hysterectomy (Grade 3) and other life-threatening complications (Grade 4-5). Leaving fibroids in situ during C/S did not prevent a fall in post-partum hemoglobin levels.

Should we interpret the results of 'two-step' glucose screening again according to the obstetric outcomes?

We aimed to re-evaluate the 'two-step' antenatal glucose screening programme in relation to maternal and foetal outcomes in pregnant women screened for gestational diabetes mellitus and to compare maternal and foetal outcomes between different groups divided according to glucose tolerance test results. Two-thousand four-hundred and two pregnant women attending for antenatal care were recruited retrospectively for the study. Mean birthweight for pregnancies with single-value abnormality (SVA) in 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was significantly higher than the control group [3420 ± 378 vs. 3294 ± 444]. We found a significantly higher rate of macrosomia in the subgroup of 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) between 130 and 140 mg/dl [9.7% vs. 4.8%]. Pregnant women whose 50-g GCT results are between 130 and 140 mg/dl or who have SVA in 100-g OGTT not only have gestational diabetes, but are also at increased risk for diabetic complications.

Effect of reproductive history, lactation, first pregnancy age and dietary habits on bone mineral density in natural postmenopausal women.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible risk factors related with osteoporosis in women with spontaneous menopause. METHODS: Five hundred and one postmenopausal women were divided into three groups as normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic according to their bone mineral density (BMD). By face-to-face interview, parity, age at menarche, age at menopause, duration of fertility, duration of menopause, first pregnancy age, total lactation period, exercise, smoking were assessed. Women with menopause age before 40 years, surgical menopause, who had any anti-osteoporosis treatment, hormone replacement therapy at the time of BMD measurement and corticosteroid use longer than 6 months were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Among 501 postmenopausal women, 107 women were classified as normal, 170 as osteopenic and 224 as osteoporotic. Among demographic features of patients, there was statistically significant difference between the groups in age, BMI and parity (p < 0.001, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.002, respectively). There were statistically significant differences between the groups in case of age at menopause, duration of fertility and duration of menopause (p = 0.013, p = 0.013 and p < 0.0001, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, BMI over 32 and fertility duration over 33 years had a statistically significant protective effect against osteoporosis (OR 0.42, CI 95 % 0.27-0.66; OR 0.36, CI 95 % 0.24-0.56, respectively), but age was positively correlated with osteoporosis (OR 1.13, CI 95 % 1.01-1.17) CONCLUSIONS: Duration of fertility (years of menstruation) longer than 33 years and body mass index higher than 32 seem to protect against postmenopausal osteoporosis. Age is also an independent risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Postcoital bleeding due to cervical endometriosis.

Endometriosis of the uterine cervix is a rare lesion that is generally asymptomatic in gynaecological practice. We present a case with postcoital bleeding due to a cervical mass mimicking cervical polyp or fibroma which was histologically proven as cervical endometriosis later. Cervical endometriosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical masses with postcoital bleeding.

Lipoleiomyoma of broad ligament mimicking ovarian cancer in a postmenopausal patient: case report and literature review.

Lipoleiomyoma is a very rare tumor which is composed of adipocytes and smooth muscle cells. It is most commonly located in uterine corpus although cervical, ovarian, and retroperitoneal locations were also reported. Lipoleiomyoma located in broad ligament is extremely uncommon and only five cases were reported to date. Here, we report the sixth case of lipoleiomyoma of broad ligament which was diagnosed in a postmenopausal woman who was subjected to exploratory laparotomy with a preoperative diagnosis of a solid adnexal mass suggesting an ovarian malignancy.

Severe factor X deficiency in a twin pregnancy.

Factor X deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. In severe cases with a definitive bleeding phenotype, prophylaxis with prothrombin complex concentrate appears to prevent bleeding very effectively. Management of factor X-deficient pregnant patients continues to be a challenge. We present a new case of successful twin pregnancy in a severe factor X-deficient patient.