The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on obstetrics and gynecology hospitalization rate and on reasons for seeking emergency care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: During the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, utilization of emergency care units has been reported to be reduced for obstetrical and gynaecological reasons. The aim of this systematic review is to assess if this phenomenon reduced the rate of hospitalizations for any reason and to evaluate the main reasons for seeking care in this subset of the population. METHODS: The search was conducted using the main electronic databases from January 2020 to May 2021. The studies were identified with the use of a combination of: "emergency department" OR "A&E" OR "emergency service" OR "emergency unit" OR "maternity service" AND "COVID-19" OR "COVID-19 pandemic" OR "SARS-COV-2" and "admission" OR "hospitalization". All the studies that evaluated women going to obstetrics & gynecology emergency department (ED) during the COVID-19 pandemic for any reason were included. RESULTS: The pooled proportion (PP) of hospitalizations increased from 22.7 to 30.6% during the lockdown periods, in particular from 48.0 to 53.9% for delivery. The PP of pregnant women suffering from hypertensive disorders increased (2.6 vs 1.2%), as well as women having contractions (52 vs 43%) and rupture of membranes (12.0 vs 9.1%). Oppositely, the PP of women having pelvic pain (12.4 vs 14.4%), suspected ectopic pregnancy (1.8 vs 2.0), reduced fetal movements (3.0 vs 3.3%), vaginal bleeding both for obstetrical (11.7 vs 12.8%) and gynecological issues (7.4 vs 9.2%) slightly reduced. CONCLUSION: During the lockdown, an increase in the proportion of hospitalizations for obstetrical and gynecological reasons has been registered, especially for labor symptoms and hypertensive disorders.

Oil-based vitamin E oral spray for oral health in pregnancy.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of vitamin E oral spray in pregnancy. Materials & methods: This was a retrospective study aimed to evaluate efficacy of vitamin E oral spray (vitamin E acetate in a medium chain tryglicerides vehicle - patented formulation) starting from the first trimester of pregnancy, with a control group. Results: A total of 100 women were included in the study and were compared with a matched control group. Only 25/200 women reported to have at least one teeth cleaning during pregnancy. Women who received the oral spray had a significantly lower risk of preterm birth compared with the control group, and lower risk of periodontal diseases. Conclusion: Use of oil-based vitamin E oral spray in pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk of periodontal diseases and therefore preterm birth.

Bleeding epulis gravidarum: what to evaluate?

INTRODUCTION: Hormonal changes during pregnancy may induce modifications in oral mucosa. Epulis gravidarum (EG) is an oral disease arising during pregnancy, usually regressing after delivery. A case of EG managed at our department is described and those previously reported in literature are reviewed in order to define EG clinical features for stratifying the risk of complications and the need of surgery during pregnancy as well as which factors should be considered more relevant in EG management. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Sciences, Scopus and Cochrane Library) were searched from inception of each databases until May 2021 to identify clinical studies on management of EG diagnosed during pregnancy. The aim of this review was to identify factors influencing the need and timing of surgical management. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A woman with a triplet pregnancy suffering from EG, complicated by profuse bleeding, required Caesarean section (CS) given the triplet pregnancy and the impending preterm labor. The surgical removal of EG was not performed because it spontaneously regressed without consequences 40 days after delivery. Review analysis indicated that EG clinical management is dependent on types of symptoms and their severity. Multilinear regression analysis showed that operative management strategy was associated with bone loss on X-ray (t=4.23, P=0.003), while EG surgical treatment during pregnancy was associated with pain (t=-2.91, P=0.03). No significant differences were found in management strategy, according to pain (P=0.12), interference with mastication (P=0.98) and speech (P=0.36). A poor oral hygiene was described in 71% of patients as hypothetical trigger. CONCLUSIONS: EG management strategy depends on bleeding, pain and bone loss on X-ray. A multidisciplinary approach is useful to perform a rapid and appropriate diagnosis and to better evaluate pros and cons of surgery during pregnancy and following management.

Cimicifuga racemosa isopropanolic extract for menopausal symptoms: an observational prospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of isopropanolic extract of Cimicifuga Racemosa (iCR) on reducing menopausal symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center observational prospective case-control study was performed to assess the improvement of menopausal symptoms in menopausal women undergone iCR administration (cases) or no treatment (controls). Menopausal symptoms were assessed through a modified version of the Menopause Rating Scale questionnaire (mMRS) at T0 (baseline), T1 (1-month follow-up), and T2 (3 months follow-up). Univariate comparisons between cases and controls were performed by using the unpaired T test for two-tailed P value with α = 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: A total of 163 women (83 cases and 80 controls) were enrolled in the study. The difference in menopausal symptoms between cases and controls from T0 to T2, and from T0 to T1, was found significant for all analyses. In particular, the difference in all menopausal symptoms was 20.56 ± 0.90 points (95%CI: 18.77-22.33, p < .001) from T0 to T2, and 10.69 ± 0.6 (95%CI: 9.49-11.88, p < .001) from T0 to T1. CONCLUSION: iCR may be effective in reducing menopausal symptoms, both after 1 month and after 3 months of treatment. The improvement was higher in vasomotor symptoms, sleep problems, and irritability.

Use of routine ureteral stents in cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta.

Objective: To evaluate benefits of use of ureteral stents in association with cesarean hysterectomy in case of placenta accreta.Methods: This was a single center, cohort study. Clinical records of singleton pregnancies with placenta accreta who underwent cesarean hysterectomy were included in the study. For this study, pregnancies with diagnoses of placenta accreta, increta, or percreta were considered under the umbrella term of placenta accreta. For all women with placenta accreta, delivery was planned via cesarean hysterectomy at 340-356 weeks, without any attempt to remove the placenta. Reasons for earlier delivery included vaginal bleeding and spontaneous onset of labor. The primary outcome was the incidence of unintentional urinary tract injury. Outcomes were compared in a cohort of women who had planned the placement of ureteral stents and in those who did not.Results: Forty-four singleton gestations with confirmed placenta accreta at the time of cesarean hysterectomy were included in the study. Twenty-four (54.5%) of the included women had the placing of ureteral stents prior to cesarean, while 20 (45.5%) did not. At histological confirmation, most of them had placenta accreta (17/44, 38.6%), 14 placenta increta (31.8%), and 13 placenta percreta (29.6%). Urinary tract injuries occurred in eight cases (18.2%), six in the ureteral stents and two in the non-ureteral stents group (25 versus 10%; p = .21). All the injuries were bladder injuries, while no cases of ureteral injury were recorded. All injuries were recognized intraoperatively.Conclusion: In case of placenta accreta, the use of ureteral stents in association with cesarean hysterectomy does not reduce the risk of urinary tract injury.

Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems after Radical Vulvectomy for Advanced Vulvar Cancer.

A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy in improving vulvectomy healing. Women who underwent radical vulvectomy with complete inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy for advanced vulvar cancer were divided into two groups according to immediate postoperative care: patients treated with negative pressure wound therapy using the device applied on the site of the wound (including vulva and inguinal region), and patients receiving conventional care. 18 patients were included in the study. 7 (38.9%) women were treated with negative pressure wound therapy immediately after the surgery and were included in the intervention group, and 11 (61.1%) patients were included in the control group. Women who received negative pressure wound therapy had significantly lower length of stay in the hospital (14.2 ± 4.7 versus 17.1 ± 6.1 days, mean difference -6.90 days, 95% confidence interval -11.91 to -1.89), and significantly lower length for wound healing (-31.90 days, 95% confidence interval -43.48 to -20.32). In conclusion, the utilization of the negative wound pressure therapy may contribute to reduce hospitalization after radical vulvectomy for vulvar cancer. Large and well-designed randomized trials with cost effectiveness analyses are needed to confirm these findings.

First-trimester screening based on cell-free DNA vs combined screening: A randomized clinical trial on women's experience.

OBJECTIVE: To compare women's experience of first-trimester combined screening (FTCS), with women's experience of an approach that uses the combination of a detailed early anatomy scan and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis. METHODS: This was single-center, open label, parallel group, randomized clinical trial. Pregnant women were randomized at the time of their first prenatal visit to either a policy of first-trimester risk assessment based on FTCS, or to a policy of first-trimester risk assessment based on ultrasound findings and cfDNA. FTCS included ultrasound evaluation with crown-rump length, nuchal translucency (NT) measurement, and a detailed ultrasound scan, along with biochemistry (PAPP-A and free beta hCG). In this group, invasive diagnostic testing was offered to patients with risk >1 in 100, or NT >3.5 mm, or any fetal abnormalities on ultrasound. Women randomized in the intervention group received an approach of first-trimester risk assessment based on ultrasound findings and cfDNA. cfDNA analysis included a simultaneous microarray-based assay of non-polymorphic (chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y) and polymorphic loci to estimate chromosome proportion and fetal fraction. In the intervention group, invasive diagnostic testing was offered to patients with abnormal cfDNA screening results, or NT >3.5 mm, or any fetal abnormalities on ultrasound. Participants received pre-test and post-test questionnaires regarding to measure reassurance, satisfaction, and anxiety. The primary outcome was the post-test reassurance, defined as mean score of reassurance post-test questionnaire. The effect of the assigned screening test on the mean of each outcome was quantified as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Forty women with singleton gestations were enrolled in the trial. Mean score for reassurance was significantly higher in the cfDNA group compared to the FTCS group in the pre-test questionnaire (MD 0.80 points, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.33) and in the post-test questionnaire (MD 16.50 points, 95% CI 2.18 to 30.82). Women randomized to the cfDNA group had higher satisfaction and lower mean anxiety score as assessed in the STAI pre-test questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: First-trimester risk assessment for fetal aneuploidy with a combination of a detailed ultrasound examination and cfDNA is associated with better maternal reassurance and better maternal satisfaction compared to the standard first-trimester combined screening with nuchal translucency, and biochemistry. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04077060.

Prophylactic use of tranexamic acid after vaginal delivery reduces the risk of primary postpartum hemorrhage.

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is responsible for about 25% of maternal deaths worldwide. Antifibrinolytic agents, mainly tranexamic acid, have been demonstrated to reduce maternal blood loss and need for transfusion requirements at delivery in some settings.Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to evaluate the effectiveness of tranexamic acid for the prevention of PPH after vaginal delivery.Data sources: The search was conducted using electronic databases from the inception of each database through February 2018. Review of articles also included the abstracts of all references retrieved from the search. No restrictions for language or geographic location were applied.Study design: Selection criteria included RCTs comparing the prophylactic use of tranexamic acid after vaginal delivery with control (either placebo or no treatment). Trials in women undergoing cesarean delivery and trials in women with established PPH were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of primary PPH. The summary measures were reported as summary relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model of DerSimonian and Laird.Tabulation, integration, and results: Four RCTs, including 4671 participants, evaluating tranexamic acid usually 1 g intravenous (IV) within 10 min after vaginal delivery in addition to oxytocin, cord traction, and uterine massage, at or near term for prevention of primary PPH, defined mostly as blood loss ≥500 mL in the first 24 h following delivery, were analyzed. Women who received prophylactic tranexamic acid after vaginal delivery had a significantly lower incidence of primary PPH (8.7 versus 11.4%; RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.91) and lower mean blood loss mean difference (MD) -84.74 mL, 95% CI -109.76 to -59.72). The risk of thrombotic events was not increased in the tranexamic acid group.Conclusions: Prophylactic tranexamic acid 1 g IV within 10 min after vaginal delivery reduces the risk of primary PPH.

Diabetes Mellitus Is Associated with Occult Cancer in Endometrial Hyperplasia.

In the management of women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia (EH), it is crucial to determine the risk of coexistent cancer. Diabetes mellitus has been recently suggested as a significant risk factor. However, results in this regard are conflicting. Our aim was to assess the association between diabetes mellitus and coexistent cancer in women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching electronic databases from their inception to October 2018 for studies assessing the presence of coexistent cancer after a preoperative diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia in women stratified for diabetes mellitus. Odds ratio was calculated with 95% confidence interval; a p value <0.05 was considered significant. Twelve retrospective studies with 1579 EH were included. Diabetes mellitus showed significant association with the presence of cancer coexistent with endometrial hyperplasia (OR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.07-3.60; p = 0.03). Heterogeneity among studies was moderate (I2 = 55%). Funnel plot showed asymmetric distribution of OR values, with the large and accurate studies showing results stronger than small and less accurate one; this finding should exclude a publication bias. In women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia, diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for coexistent cancer, and thus may be included in a predictive algorithm for the risk stratification. In women conservatively treated, glycemic control may be required to prevent the risk of progression. Further studies are necessary to confirm the clinical significance of diabetes mellitus in this field.

Antenatal intervention for congenital fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of antenatal intervention for the treatment of congenital lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) in improving perinatal survival and postnatal renal function.Methods: Electronic databases were searched from their inception until May 2018. Selection criteria included randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies including fetuses with ultrasound evidence of LUTO evaluating antenatal intervention for improving perinatal outcomes. Any type of antenatal bladder drainage technique was analyzed. The primary outcome was perinatal survival. The secondary outcome was postnatal survival with normal renal function. The summary measures were reported as summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% of confidence interval (CI).Results: Ten articles with a total of 355 fetuses were included in the meta-analysis. Inclusion criteria of the selected studies were singleton pregnancy with severe LUTO confirmed on detailed fetal ultrasound examination. Nine studies analyzed the efficacy of vesico-amniotic shunt performed in the second trimester. The overall estimate survival was higher in the vesico-amniotic shunt group compared to the conservative group (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.14-5.67). 64/112 fetuses (57.1%) survived in the vesico-amniotic shunt group compared to 52/134 (38.8%) in the control group. Five studies reported on postnatal renal function between 6 months and 2 years. Rate of good postnatal renal function was higher in the vesico-amniotic shunt group compared to the conservative group (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 0.74-5.9). Fetal cystoscopy was performed in only two included studies. Overall, 45 fetuses underwent fetal cystoscopy. The perinatal survival was higher in the cystoscopy group compared to the conservative management group (OR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.07-6.47). Normal renal function was noted in 13/34 fetuses in the cystoscopy group versus 12/61 in the conservative management group at 6 months follow-up (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.05-2.92)Conclusions: Antenatal bladder drainage appears to improve perinatal survival in cases of LUTO.

Intrapartum cardiotocography with and without computer analysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate whether intrapartum cardiotocography with computer analysis decreases the incidence of newborn metabolic acidosis or obstetric intervention when compared with visual analysis through a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Methods: The research was conducted using Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrial.gov, Ovid and Cochrane Library as electronic databases from the inception of each database to May 2018. Selection criteria included randomized trial evaluating women with cephalic presentation at term or late preterm term during labor who were randomized to electronic fetal heart rate monitoring with either computer analysis (i.e. intervention group) or standard visual analysis (i.e. control group). Trials evaluating antenatal fetal heart rate monitoring in women not in labor were excluded. The primary outcome was incidence of newborn metabolic acidosis, defined as pH less than 7.05 and base deficit greater than 12 mmol/L. Secondary outcomes were mode of delivery, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and perinatal death. The summary measures were reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including 54,492 participants, which met inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis, were analyzed. All the included trials enrolled women with cephalic presentation at term or late preterm. Women were randomized in the active first stage of labor and all of them received continuous cardiotocography (CTG) from randomization until delivery. Women who received continuous CTG during labor with computerized analysis had similar risk of newborn metabolic acidosis. No between group differences were found in the secondary outcomes.Conclusions: Compared with visual analysis, use of computer analysis of fetal monitoring signals during labor did not significantly reduce the rate of metabolic acidosis or obstetric intervention.

Luteal phase after conventional stimulation in the same ovarian cycle might improve the management of poor responder patients fulfilling the Bologna criteria: a case series.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical contribution of luteal-phase stimulation (LPS) to follicular-phase stimulation (FPS) in a single ovarian cycle (DuoStim) for poor responder patients fulfilling the Bologna criteria. DESIGN: Observational study (years 2015-2017) including women satisfying ≥2 of the following characteristics: maternal age ≥40 years and/or ≤3 oocytes retrieved after previous conventional stimulation and/or reduced ovarian reserve (i.e., antral follicle count <7 follicles or antimüllerian hormone <1.1 ng/mL). The LPS was started regardless of the outcome of the FPS. SETTING: Private in vitro fertilization center. PATIENT(S): A total of 100 of 297 patients fulfilling the Bologna criteria chose to undergo DuoStim. INTERVENTION(S): The FPS and LPS with the same antagonist protocol and agonist trigger, intracytoplasmic sperm injection with ejaculated sperm, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies, and vitrified-warmed euploid single blastocyst transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The contribution of LPS to the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) per intention-to-treat (ITT). RESULT(S): Patients (100) underwent FPS (maternal age, 42.1 ± 1.4 y; previous in vitro fertilization cycles with ≤3 collected oocytes, 0.7 ± 0.9; antral follicle count, 3.8 ± 1.2 follicles; and antimüllerian hormone, 0.56 ± 0.3 ng/mL). Ninety-one patients completed DuoStim. All patients were included in the analysis. More oocytes were obtained after LPS with similar developmental and chromosomal competence as paired FPS-derived ones. The CLBR per ITT increased from 7% after FPS to 15% after DuoStim. Conversely, the CLBR per ITT among the 197 patients that chose a conventional controlled ovarian stimulation strategy was 8%, as only 17 patients who were not pregnant returned for a second stimulation after the first attempt (drop-out rate, 81%). CONCLUSION(S): The LPS-derived oocytes increased the CLBR per ITT in a single ovarian cycle in patients fulfilling the Bologna criteria. The DuoStim strategy is promising to manage this thorny population of patients, especially to avoid discontinuation after a first failed attempt.

Significant risk of occult cancer in complex non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: In the 2014 WHO classification of endometrial hyperplasia (EH), complex EH is lumped together with simple EH in the benign category of non-atypical EH. OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of coexistent cancer in complex EH and simple EH without atypia, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched from their inception to January 2019 for relevant articles. RESULTS: Twelve studies assessing a total of 804 non-atypical EH were included. The risk of coexistent cancer was significantly higher in complex EH (12.4%) than in simple EH (2%), with an OR of 6.03 (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Even in the absence of cytologic atypia, complex EH is associated with a significant risk of coexistent cancer. Further studies are necessary to investigate the need for a revision in the WHO classification.

Sexual Intercourse for Induction of Spontaneous Onset of Labor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual intercourse during pregnancy is commonly believed to trigger the onset of contractions and, therefore, labor. However, in low-risk pregnancies, there is neither association with preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, or low birth weight, nor with spontaneous onset of labor at term. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of sexual intercourse for spontaneous onset of labor at term in singleton pregnancies. METHODS: The systematic search was conducted using electronic databases from inception of each database to June 2019. Review of articles also included the abstracts of all references retrieved from the search. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials comparing sexual intercourse in singleton low-risk pregnancies at term with controls (either reduced number of coitus or no coitus) for spontaneous onset of labor. Estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the incidence of spontaneous onset of labor. The summary measures were reported as summary relative risk with 95% CI using the random-effects model of DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: Data extracted from 3 trials, including 1,483 women with singleton pregnancy at term and cephalic presentation, were analyzed. Women who were randomized in the sexual intercourse group had similar incidence of spontaneous onset of labor compared with control subjects (0.82% vs 0.80%; relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.98-1.07). CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Sexual intercourse should not be restricted in low-risk term pregnancies. Further studies are needed to properly evaluate the impact of orgasm, penetration, condom use, frequency of intercourse and other factors on induction of labor at term. STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: Our study has several strengths. The three included trials had low risk of allocation bias; intention-to-treat analysis was used; this is the first meta-analysis on this issue so far. Limitations mainly depend on the design of the included studies. Firstly, compliance to the protocol relied on self-reporting by patients; in addition, not all the features of sexual intercourse could be adequately assessed (orgasm, nipple stimulation, sexual positions, etc.). CONCLUSION: In women with singleton, cephalic, low-risk pregnancies, sexual intercourse at term does not significantly increase the incidence of spontaneous onset of labor. Carbone L, De Vivo V, Saccone G, et al. Sexual Intercourse for Induction of Spontaneous Onset of Labor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Sex Med 2019;16:1787-1795.

Nuclear expression of ß-catenin in endometrial hyperplasia as marker of premalignancy.

We aimed to assess (1)-whether nuclear ß-catenin is a marker of endometrial precancer, and (2)-the diagnostic accuracy of ß-catenin immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis between benign and premalignant endometrial hyperplasia (EH), defining criteria for its use. Electronic databases were searched for studies evaluating ß-catenin immunohistochemistry in normal endometrium (NE), benign and/or premalignant EH, and endometrioid carcinoma (EC). Odds ratio (OR; p < 0.05), sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic OR (DOR), positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+, LR-) were calculated. Subgroup analyses were based on the classification system used (WHO or EIN) and criteria to define aberrant ß-catenin expression (only nuclear or cytoplasmic/nuclear). Twelve studies with 1510 specimens were included. Nuclear ß-catenin rate significantly increased from NE to benign EH (OR = 26.01; p = 0.0002, only in WHO subgroup), and from benign EH to premalignant EH (OR = 3.89; p = 0.0002; more markedly in EIN subgroup), but not from premalignant EH to EC (OR = 0.78; p = 0.29). Nuclear ß-catenin accuracy was very low in WHO subgroup (sensitivity = 0.40, specificity = 0.76, LR+ = 1.85, LR- = 0.72; DOR = 2.89) and moderate in EIN subgroup (sensitivity = 0.19, specificity = 1.00, LR+ = 14.80, LR- = 0.83; DOR = 18.14). Cytoplasmic/nuclear ß-catenin accuracy was absent in WHO subgroup (sensitivity = 0.45, specificity = 0.54, LR+ = 1.01, LR- = 1.01; DOR = 0.99) and low in EIN subgroup (sensitivity = 0.57, specificity = 0.86, LR+ = 3.63, LR- = 0.51; DOR = 8.30). Considering nuclear expression and using EIN system, ß-catenin immunohistochemistry might be reliable as rule-in test for diagnosis of endometrial precancer, with perfect specificity and moderate overall accuracy.

The Genetics of Non-Syndromic Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: A Systematic Review.

Several causes for primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) have been described, including iatrogenic and environmental factor, viral infections, chronic disease as well as genetic alterations. The aim of this review was to collect all the genetic mutations associated with non-syndromic POI. All studies, including gene screening, genome-wide study and assessing genetic mutations associated with POI, were included and analyzed in this systematic review. Syndromic POI and chromosomal abnormalities were not evaluated. Single gene perturbations, including genes on the X chromosome (such as BMP15, PGRMC1 and FMR1) and genes on autosomal chromosomes (such as GDF9, FIGLA, NOBOX, ESR1, FSHR and NANOS3) have a positive correlation with non-syndromic POI. Future strategies include linkage analysis of families with multiple affected members, array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) for analysis of copy number variations, next generation sequencing technology and genome-wide data analysis. This review showed variability of the genetic factors associated with POI. These findings may help future genetic screening studies on large cohort of women.

A more accurate method to interpret lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes' results in patients with uterine masses.

OBJECTIVE: Since there are no approved reliable biomarkers for detecting preoperatively uterine sarcoma, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes are usually required. We first evaluated the role of LDH isoenzymes in detecting uterine sarcoma risk, and then we tried to introduce a model to easily interpret the biochemical results. METHODS: We retrospectively retrieved records of patients who underwent surgical treatment for uterine masses from 2004 to 2016, and we compared data of 2211 patients with a definitive surgical diagnosis of uterine fibroids and 43 with uterine sarcomas. Quantitative relationships between serum LDH isoenzymes levels, as different single markers or in multiple assays, and the final diagnosis were investigated. RESULTS: LDH isoenzymes levels significantly differed between patients with benign uterine masses or sarcomas. LDH3 isoenzyme exhibited better predictive performances than the other four isoforms. Combining LDH3 with LDH1 isoenzymes into an inverse algebraic relationship, named Uterine mass Magna Graecia (U.M.G.) risk index, the accuracy of markers in discriminating between benign and suspicious malignant uterine masses was significantly enhanced, sensitivity at 100% and specificity at 99.6%, with nine false positive over 2211 benignant cases and no false negative over 43 sarcomas. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis suggests to consider U.M.G. risk index as an inexpensive and accurate prognostic index that, once validated in a prospective study, may help clinicians in discriminating between benignant and suspicious malignant uterine masses.

Subcutaneous Progesterone for Endometrial Polyps in Premenopausal Women: A Preliminary Retrospective Analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 3 cycles of subcutaneous progesterone administered during the luteal phase on the regression rate of symptomatic and asymptomatic endometrial polyps in premenopausal woman. DESIGN: A retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: A department of obstetrics and gynecology in a university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-seven reproductive-aged women presented with endometrial polyps from January to December 2016. INTERVENTIONS: A retrospective comparison of patients treated with subcutaneous progesterone and those managed by the "wait and see" approach. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were divided into 2 groups: the group treated with subcutaneous progesterone (cases) and the wait and see group (controls). Women in the treatment group were administered 25 mg subcutaneous progesterone during the luteal phase for 7 days for 3 months. The wait and see group included patients refusing progesterone therapy who were reevaluated 3 menstrual cycles after the transvaginal sonographic diagnosis. Both the treatment group (n = 61) and the wait and see group (n = 32) were evaluated with a follow-up ultrasound examination after 3 months. The regression rate of endometrial polyps in women treated with subcutaneous progesterone was compared with the wait and see patients. The regression in the number and/or dimensions of the polyps was greater in the treatment group than the control group. The regression rate was 47.5% and 12.5%, respectively (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Progesterone appears to be a valid therapeutic alternative for the management of endometrial polyps. A prospective, randomized study is ongoing at our institution to further validate these findings.