Depressive Symptoms in Expecting Fathers: Is Paternal Perinatal Depression a Valid Concept? A Systematic Review of Evidence.

BACKGROUND: Since the identification of Couvade syndrome in the late 1950s, little attention has been dedicated to the issue of depression in expecting fathers. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the extent of depression in expecting fathers and find out if they match their pregnant partners' depression. METHODS: We conducted a PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov search using paternal depression and all its variants as terms. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement to include eligible studies. RESULTS: We identified a grand total of 1443 articles, of which 204 were eligible. The total number of fathers/expecting fathers involved was 849,913. Longitudinal studies represented more than half of the included studies; more than three-quarters of the studies used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The average occurrence of paternal depression was around 5%, which confers the entity some clinical dignity. Depression tends to occur more in expecting women and new mothers than in expecting partners or new fathers, while the co-occurrence in the same couple is quite low. LIMITATIONS: The methodological heterogeneity of the included studies prevents us from meta-analyzing the obtained data. The validity of the instruments used is another issue. CONCLUSIONS: Paternal depression is distinct from maternal depression and occurs at lower rates (about half). The very existence of a paternal depression clinical entity is beyond any doubt. Future research should address methodological heterogeneity.

Antiangiogenic Therapy as a New Strategy in the Treatment of Endometriosis? The First Case Report.

Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in implantation and development of ectopic endometrial lesions. Thus, the potential usefulness of anti-angiogenic therapies has been speculated. Several reports describe their usefulness in animal models. Nonetheless this therapy has not been tested on humans yet. Here we report the outcome of a patient treated for a severe endometriosis with Bevacizumab (Avastin®), a monoclonal antibody directed against the vascular endothelial growth (VEGF). After a first-look laparoscopy with confirmatory biopsies was performed, three doses of Bevacizumab at 2-week intervals were administered. The therapy showed a well-tolerated profile and the prompt disappearance of the therapy-refractory chronic dysmenorrhea. A suppression of metabolic activity at the PET-scan compared to the basal one performed at diagnosis was also recorded. Furthermore, compared to the diagnostic biopsies prior the treatment, we documented a shift in the hormonal receptors profile toward a higher expression of progesterone and estrogen receptors in the endometriotic lesions.

Focusing Treatment on Pregnant Women With COVID Disease.

Since the emergence of a novel coronavirus in China at the end of December 2019, its infection - COVID-19 - has been associated with high morbidity and mortality and has left healthcare systems wrestling with the optimal management strategy, especially for vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women. At this moment, few resources exist to guide the multi-disciplinary team through decisions regarding optimal maternal-fetal treatment and delivery timing. In this article, we present the drugs and vaccines under investigation as potential treatments and prevention for COVID-19 infection. Based on a comprehensive evaluation, we prioritized these possible treatments, and provide dose-response and dose-toxicity information on each drug. Currently, there is limited but very increasing reassuring information concerning vaccines to prevent SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy, and in this review, we also emphasize the results (mostly positive) provided by the few small trials evaluating COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant patients.

Metformin, the Rise of a New Medical Therapy for Endometriosis? A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Medical treatments for endometriosis aim to control pain symptoms and stop progression of endometriotic lesions. However, their adverse effects and their contraceptive effect in women who desire pregnancy, limit their long terms use. Although there is only one study investigating the effects of metformin on women with endometriosis, metformin seems to have a unique therapeutic potential. It may be a helpful anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative agent in the treatment of endometriosis. As such metformin may be more beneficial thanks to the lack of serious side effects.

Relationship between Patient Age and Disease Features in a Prospective Cohort of 1560 Women Affected by Endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between age, location of the disease, and surgical procedures performed in patients undergoing surgical management of endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study using data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis database. SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Women who underwent surgical management of symptomatic endometriosis between April 2009 and April 2014. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were allocated to 6 groups according to their age at the time of surgery: ≤20, 21 to 25, 26 to 30, 31 to 35, 36 to 40 and >40 years. Patient characteristics, prior history, location of endometriotic lesions, stage of disease, intraoperative findings, and surgical procedures were retrieved from a prospectively recorded database. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patient characteristics, symptoms, location of endometriosis, and type of surgery performed were compared between groups. In total, 1560 procedures were performed. Of these, more than one-half were carried out in women between the age of 26 to 35 years and the majority were performed in women aged between 26 and 30 years. Only 2% of procedures were performed in women under the age of 20 years. The mean stage of the disease at the time of surgical diagnosis was stage II for women younger than 20 years, stage III for those in the age group of 21 to 25 years, and stage IV for those older than 26 years. The rate of diagnosis of deep colorectal nodules increased progressively from 20 to 26 years and remained stable thereafter. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm that endometriosis is a disease that probably progresses from adolescence until the adult period when symptoms (pain or infertility) become debilitating and require surgery. Our data suggest that policies relating to the prevention and early diagnosis of endometriosis should focus on women younger than 25 years.

Effect of ultramicronized-palmitoylethanolamide and co-micronized palmitoylethanolamide/polydatin on chronic pelvic pain and quality of life in endometriosis patients: An open-label pilot study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the ultramicronized-palmitoylethanolamide (um-PEA) and co-micronised palmitoylethanolamide/polydatin m(PEA/PLD) in the management of chronic pelvic pain related to endometriosis in patients desiring pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty symptomatic women with laparoscopic diagnosis of endometriosis and pregnancy desire were enrolled. Patients were treated with um-PEA twice daily for 10 days followed by m(PEA/PLD) twice daily for 80 days. Intensity of chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, and dysuria were evaluated at baseline, after 10, 30, 60, 90 days and after 30 days from the end of treatment, by VAS. Quality of life and women's psychological well-being were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the treatment after 90 days with 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire and Symptom Check list-90 questionnaire, respectively. All collected data were analyzed with the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment, all patients showed a significant improvement in chronic pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, as well as in quality of life and psychological well-being. CONCLUSION: In spite of the study's limited sample size and the open-label design, this research suggests the efficacy of um-PEA and m(PEA/PLD) in reducing painful symptomatology and improving quality of life as well as psychological well-being in patients suffering from endometriosis. Additionally, this treatment did not show any serious side effect, proving particularly suitable for women with pregnancy desire and without other infertility factors.

Surgery for deep endometriosis without involvement of digestive or urinary tracts: do not worry the patients!

OBJECTIVE: To report postoperative outcomes after surgery for deep endometriosis without involvement of the digestive or urinary tracts. DESIGN: Retrospective study using data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis (CIRENDO) database. SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirty consecutive patients whose follow-up ranged from 1 to 6 years. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic excision of deep endometriosis nodules. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Postoperative complications were recorded in the CIRENDO database and medical charts. Postoperative digestive function was assessed using standardized gastrointestinal questionnaires: the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index and the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott Symptom Questionnaire. RESULT(S): Deep endometriosis nodules involved uterosacral ligaments, rectovaginal space, and vagina and spared the bowel, the bladder, and the ureters. Nodule size was <1 cm, 1-3 cm, and >3 cm in diameter in 20.8%, 64.6%, and 14.6% of cases, respectively. Clavien-Dindo 1, 2, and 3b complications occurred in 0.8%, 4.6%, and 5.4% of cases, respectively. Among Clavien-Dindo 3b complications, most involved pelvic hematoma. Gastrointestinal scores revealed significant improvement in digestive function or defecation pain at 1 and 3 years after surgery. The pregnancy rate was, respectively, 43.3% and 56.7% at 1 and 3 years postoperatively, among which 66.7% and 64.7% were spontaneous conceptions. CONCLUSION(S): Our data suggest that surgery for deep endometriosis without involvement of the digestive or urinary tracts provides a low rate of postoperative complications and satisfactory fertility outcomes.

Multiple Nodule Removal by Disc Excision and Segmental Resection in Multifocal Colorectal Endometriosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To report postoperative outcomes after dual digestive resection for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum and the colon. DESIGN: A retrospective study using data prospectively recorded in the CIRENDO database (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: A university tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Twenty-one patients managed for multiple colorectal deep endometriosis infiltrating nodules. INTERVENTIONS: Concomitant disc excision and segmental resection of both the rectum and sigmoid colon. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The assessment of postoperative outcomes was performed. Rectal nodules were managed by disc excision and segmental resection in 20 patients and 1 patient, respectively. Sigmoid colon nodules were removed by short segmental resection and disc excision in 15 and 6 patients, respectively. The rectal nodule diameter was between 1 and 3 cm and over 3 cm in 33% and 67% of patients, respectively. Associated vaginal infiltration requiring vaginal excision was recorded in 76.2% of patients. The mean diameter of the rectal disc removed averaged 4.6 cm, and the mean height of the rectal suture was 5.8 cm. The length of the sigmoid colon specimen and the height of the anastomosis were 7.3 cm and 18.5 cm, respectively. The mean operative time was 290 minutes, and the mean postoperative follow-up averaged 30 months. Clavien-Dindo 3 complications occurred in 28% of patients, including 4 with rectal fistulae (19%). The pregnancy rate was 67% among patients with pregnancy intention. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that combining disc excision and segmental resection to remove multiple deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the rectum and the sigmoid colon can preserve the healthy bowel located between 2 consecutive nodules. However, the rate of postoperative complications is high, particularly in patients with large low rectal nodules.

Rectal Shaving Using Plasma Energy in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis of the Rectum: Four Years of Experience.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postoperative complications, digestive function and fertility outcomes in patients managed by rectal shaving using plasma energy in deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum. DESIGN: A single-center retrospective cohort study using data recorded prospectively. DESIGN CLASSIFICATION: Canadian Task Force classification II-2. SETTINGS: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Rouen University Hospital (France). PATIENTS: One hundred and ten patients treated between December 2012 and December 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic rectal shaving using plasma energy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical history, baseline symptoms, preoperative assessment, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes were recorded prospectively. Follow-up evaluations were performed at 1 year and 3 years. Mean age of patients was 37 ± 6.4 years. Most patients had rectal nodules infiltrating either the mid or upper rectum and measuring <3 cm long. No intraoperative complications were recorded. One patient with multiple previous surgical procedures presented with a postoperative rectovaginal fistula (0.9%), and 1 patient presented with a postoperative rectouterine fistula treated exclusively with antibiotics (0.9%). Two patients (1.8%) had bladder atony necessitating ≥3 weeks of daily self-catheterization. Four patients (3.6%) had Clavien-Dindo grade I complications, 12 (10.9%) had grade II complications, 1 (0.9%) had a grade IIIa complication, 5 (4.5%) had grade IIIb complications, and 1 (0.9%) had a grade 4a complication. The vast majority of patients (n = 103 patients; 93.6%) were free of serious complications. Significant improvements in constipation and gastrointestinal quality of life were recorded at 1 year and 3 years postoperatively. Thirty-two patients attempted pregnancy after surgery (29.1%), and 17 of them conceived (53.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Rectal shaving using plasma energy allows for a low rate of postoperative complications with good digestive function and fertility outcomes and appears to be suitable in selected women with symptomatic rectal endometriosis.

Surgical Outcomes of Urinary Tract Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes of surgical management of urinary tract endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study based on prospectively recorded data (NCT02294825) (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Eighty-one women treated for urinary tract endometriosis between July 2009 and December 2015 were included, including 39 with bladder endometriosis, 31 with ureteral endometriosis, and 11 with both ureteral and bladder endometriosis. Owing to bilateral ureteral localization in 8 women, 50 different ureteral procedures were recorded. INTERVENTION: Procedures performed included resection of bladder endometriosis nodules, advanced ureterolysis, ureteral resection followed by end-to-end anastomosis, and ureteroneocystostomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome measure was the outcome of the surgical management of urinary tract endometriosis. Fifty women presented with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) of the bladder and underwent either full-thickness excision of the nodule (70%) or excision of the bladder wall without opening of the bladder (30%). Ureteral lesions were treated by ureterolysis in 78% of the patients and by primary segmental resection in 22%. No patient required nephrectomy. Histological analysis revealed intrinsic ureteral endometriosis in 54.5% of cases. Clavien-Dindo grade III complications were present in 16% of the patients who underwent surgery for ureteral nodules and in 8% of those who underwent surgery for bladder endometriosis. Overall delayed postoperative outcomes were favorable regarding urinary symptoms and fertility. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 7 years postoperatively, with no recorded recurrences. CONCLUSION: Surgical outcomes of urinary tract endometriosis are generally satisfactory; however, the risk of postoperative complications should be taken into consideration. Therefore, all such procedures should be managed by an experienced multidisciplinary team.

Abdominal wall endometriosis following cesarean section: a study of the growth rate of parietal endometriosis implants.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to estimate the growth rate of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) following cesarean section (CS), in order to potentially identify a growth model of endometriosis in vivo. METHODS: This monocentric, retrospective study included 23 patients presenting 26 nodules of post-CS AWE treated by surgical excision. Nodule surface and volume, time-lapse between surgery and AWE as well as the contraception used were noted. A comparison between nodules' features was performed depending on hormonal vs. non-hormonal contraception. RESULTS: The time-lapse between CS and AWE surgery had a mean value of 48 months. The mean surface of an AWE nodule was of 3.83 cm2, and the mean volume was of 5.32 cm3. Comparison between the main surface and volume in patients receiving hormonal vs. non-hormonal contraception was statistically non-significant. No statistically significant correlation between AWE dimension and time was revealed. In patients presenting more than one lesion, nodules appeared to grow following variable patterns. CONCLUSIONS: AWE natural history was characterized by inter- and intra-individual variability, independently of the method of contraception used.

Does preoperative antimüllerian hormone level influence postoperative pregnancy rate in women undergoing surgery for severe endometriosis?

OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative pregnancy rates as they relate to presurgery antimüllerian hormone (AMH) level in patients with stage 3 and 4 endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study using data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter-Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis (CIRENDO) database. SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): One hundred eighty patients with stage 3 and 4 endometriosis and pregnancy intention, managed from June 2010 to March 2015, were divided into two groups according to their preoperative AMH levels: group A (AMH ≥2 ng/mL) and group B (AMH <2 ng/mL). INTERVENTION(S): Surgical procedure involved ovarian endometrioma ablation by plasma energy along with resection of various localizations of the disease. Postoperative conception was either spontaneous or used assisted reproductive technology, depending on patient characteristics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patient characteristics, preoperative symptoms, infertility history, intraoperative findings, and probability of pregnancy were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULT(S): Among 180 women enrolled in the study, 134 (74.4%) were assigned to group A and 46 (25.6%) to group B. The women's ages were, respectively, 30 ± 3.8 and 32 ± 4.6 years. Pregnancy was achieved by 134 (74.4%) patients, and conception was spontaneous in 74 of them (55.2%). Pregnancy rates in groups A and B were, respectively, 74.6% (100 women) and 73.9% (34 women), while spontaneous conception represented 54% (54 women) and 58.8% (20 women). The probability of pregnancy at 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery in groups A and B was comparable, respectively, 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 55%-75%), 77% (95% CI, 86%-68%), and 83% (95% CI, 90%-75%) versus 50% (95% CI, 69%-34%), 77% (95% CI, 90%-61%), and 83% (95% CI, 94%-68%). Supplementary analysis in women with normal (≥2 ng/mL), low (1-1.99 ng/mL), and very low (<1 ng/mL) AMH level showed an inverse relationship between AMH level, age, and antecedents of miscarriage; however, postoperative pregnancy rates were comparable among the three groups at 12 and 24 months, respectively, 59.5% (95% CI, 49.3%-70%) and 77.4% (95% CI, 68%-85.4%); 57.1% (95% CI, 34%-83%) and 78.6% (95% CI, 55.2%-94.8%); and 46.7% (95% CI, 25.6%-73.7%) and 73.3% (95% CI, 50.4%-91.7%). CONCLUSION(S): The probability of postoperative pregnancy was comparable between women with low and normal AMH level who were managed for stage 3 and 4 endometriosis and who were a mean age of 30 years. However, the small sample size might have been unable to detect differences in pregnancy and live-birth rates between the two groups. As the majority of pregnancies were spontaneous, our results suggest that surgical management may be offered to young patients with severe endometriosis and reduced ovarian reserve with good fertility outcomes.

Rectal shaving for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum: a 5-year continuous retrospective series.

OBJECTIVE: To report postoperative outcomes after rectal shaving for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum. DESIGN: Retrospective study using data prospectively recorded in the CIRENDO database. SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): One hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients whose follow-up observation ranged from 1 to 6 years. INTERVENTION(S): Rectal shaving performed using ultrasound scalpel or scissors and plasma energy in 68 and 54 women, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Postoperative digestive function assessed using standardized gastrointestinal questionnaires: the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-Symptom Questionnaire (KESS). RESULT(S): Nodules were between 1 and 3 cm, <1 cm, and >3 cm in diameter, in 73.7%, 11.5%, and 14.8% of cases, respectively. They were located on the middle (49.2%) and upper rectum (50.8%). Clavien-Dindo 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b complications occurred in 0.8%, 5.7%, 1.6%, and 0.8% of cases, respectively. Excepting two rectal fistulas (1.6%), the majority of complications were not related to rectal shaving itself. Gastrointestinal scores revealed statistically significant improvement in digestive function and pelvic pain at 1 and 3 years after rectal shaving, but not constipation. Rectal recurrences occurred in 4% of patients, 2.4% of whom had segmental resection, 0.8% shaving, and 0.8% disc excision. Three years postoperatively, the pregnancy rate was 65.4% among patients with pregnancy intention, 59% of whom conceived spontaneously. CONCLUSION(S): Our data suggest that rectal shaving is a valuable treatment for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum, providing a low rate of postoperative complications, good improvement in digestive function, and satisfactory fertility outcomes.

Recurrent Hemoperitoneum During Pregnancy in Large Deep Endometriosis Infiltrating the Parametrium.

We present the case of a young woman at 16 weeks' gestation who presented to a peripheral hospital with severe recurrent hemoperitoneum related to severe deep endometriosis infiltrating the left parametrium. She underwent 2 surgical open procedures in emergency, followed by pregnancy loss. Deep endometriosis infiltrated the rectum, the vagina, and the left parametrium, leading to stenosis of the left ureter and advanced destruction of the left kidney. Ovarian reserve was low with an antimullerian hormone level at .6 ng/mL. To improve endometriosis-related symptoms and preserve fertility, a laparoscopic conservative rectal and ureteral management was proposed with an aim to relieve symptoms, avoid further destruction of the left kidney, preserve the right splanchnic nerves and inferior hypogastric plexus, and enhance spontaneous conception. We performed a combined vaginal-laparoscopic approach that consisted of vaginal infiltration resection, adhesiolysis, rectal shaving, ureterolysis, and restoration of the permeability of the fallopian tubes. Seven months after surgery the patient spontaneously conceived and is doing well.

Focusing on surgery results in infertile patients with deep endometriosis.

Infertility is a common problem in patients with endometriosis and the involved mechanisms are still not completely known. The management of infertility in endometriosis patients includes surgery as well as assisted reproductive technology. Laparoscopic surgery has shown better results in infertility patients with endometriosis in comparison to laparotomy procedures. Laparoscopic surgery has proposed benefits in both minimal to moderate diseases. However, while there may be some benefits with severe diseases, there is still not enough evidence to recommend laparoscopic surgery as the recommended surgery when the main goal is to obtain fertility. We performed a MEDLINE search for articles on fertility in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) published between 1990 and April 2015 using the following keywords: "endometriosis", "deep infiltrative endometriosis", "infertility", "fertility after surgery", "laparoscopy surgery", "laparotomy", "pregnancy", "fertility outcome", "bladder endometriosis", and "ureteral endometriosis". The aim of this review was to analyze the results of available clinical studies (randomized controlled or not controlled studies; retrospective cohort studies; or case-control and prospective studies) and guidelines on surgical treatment of infertile endometriosis patients, and pregnancy outcomes after surgery.