Uterine peristalsis in women affected by adenomyosis: A step towards functional assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The non-pregnant uterus shows an intrinsic contractility pattern, actively involved in early reproductive processes. Uterine contractility is characterized by endometrial waves that originate from the junctional zone and varies throughout the menstrual cycle due to fluctuations in the concentrations of hormones. The aim of this study was to compare the uterine contractility patterns in the periovulatory phase in a group of patients with isolated adenomyosis and a group of healthy women using transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). METHODS: From March 2019 to March 2021, we enrolled consecutive nulliparous patients in the periovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, divided in patients with isolated adenomyosis (group A, n = 18) and healthy patients in the control group (group B, n = 18). Patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent TVUS for the study of uterine contractility: the uterus was scanned on sagittal plane for 3 min and all the movies were recorded. Then, static images and video were evaluated offline and the uterine contractility patterns were defined. RESULTS: The patients belonging to the study group had a higher incidence of painful symptoms (dysmenorrhea, 6.11 ± 2.81 vs 1.39 ± 2.17; chronic pelvic pain, 2.56 ± 3.01 vs 0.39 ± 1.04) and a larger uterine volume (137.48 ± 117.69 vs 74.50 ± 27.58 cm3; P = 0.04). Regarding the uterine contractility, a statistically significant difference was observed about the retrograde patterns (group A, 27.8% vs group B, 72.2%, P < 0.01) and opposing (group A, 38.9% vs, group B, 5.6%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The study confirms the presence of altered uterine peristalsis in the periovulatory phase in patients with adenomyosis. The abnormal uterine peristalsis could lead to both structural and functional changes, which are the basis of the clinical manifestations of adenomyosis and the perpetuation of the anatomical damage.

Endometriosis in the time of internet: how web navigation affects women with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: Patients often search for health-related information on the internet allthough this trend may have some benefits, it also has some risks, such as misinformation. The aim of this study is to evaluate how Internet information seeking affect the level of anxiety in patients with endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted at our outpatient clinic between March 2019 and December 2020. We enrolled We enrolled all patients with a confirmed sonographic diagnosis of endometriosis who had sought information about the disease prior to our visit. We divided them into two groups based on the source of information (Internet only vs multiple sources). Before the visit, we asked women to fill-in validated questionnaires about anxiety, such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD) and the Spielberg State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI- Y6) and the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP) - 5. After the visit, the STAI-Y6 was resubmitted to each woman. RESULTS: We enrolled 200 women who filled-in the questionnaires: 46 reported the Internet as the only source of information, 52 sought information also from medically qualified sources, 74 consulted only healthcare professionals, and 28 resorted to medical journals. Women who used the Internet as their exclusive source of information were younger on average and their STAI-Y6 score after the visit was significantly lower compared to other group (34.1 ± 11.5 vs 42.1 ± 14.7, p = .001). Moreover, the difference between the STAI-Y6 scores before and after our assessment was higher in these women (-18.3 ± 14.7 vs -10.3 ± 16.5, p = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Women who sought information online were younger, had lower levels of state trait anxiety after our medical evaluation, and a had a greater reduction in anxiety levels after our examination compared to women who consulted other sources to learn more about endometriosis.KEY MESSAGESWomen using only Internet are younger than those who use other sources of information.Women who researched symptoms online showed higher pre-examination anxiety levels.Patients with severe pain symptoms consulted both the internet and professionals.

Psychological status of infertile patients who had in vitro fertilization treatment interrupted or postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To explore the psychological status of infertile women and men who had in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment interrupted or postponed because of the COVID-19 emergency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic survey (NCT04395755) was e-mailed between April and June 2020 to couples whose IVF treatments have been interrupted or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The presence and severity of symptoms suggestive of anxiety and/or depression were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Subjects with preexisting psychiatric disorders were excluded. RESULTS: Overall, 524 out of 646 patients completed the survey. The prevalence of anxiety and/or depression feelings was significantly higher in women, mainly if aged more than 35 years and with a previous IVF attempt. The occurrence of these psychological symptoms was significantly associated with the time spent on COVID-19 related news per day and partner with evidence of psychological disorder and, in females, with a diagnosis of poor ovarian reserve, diagnosis of endometriosis or uterine fibroids. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the infertile couples who should have undergone IVF treatment has been significant. IVF centers should systematically offer these couples adequate psychological counseling to improve mental health.

Parametrial Endometriosis: The Occult Condition that Makes the Hard Harder.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Despite the enormous impact of lateral parametrial endometriosis (LPE), only a few studies have evaluated its diagnosis, prevalence, and clinical features. Our aim was to estimate the intraoperative prevalence of LPE in patients affected by deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and to analyses clinical and surgical data associated with LPE. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Endometriosis tertiary level referral center, Sant'Orsola Academic Hospital, Bologna, Italy. PATIENTS: We included 1360 consecutive women submitted to surgery for DIE between 2007 and 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence (study group, n = 231) or absence (control group, n = 1129) of LPE. INTERVENTION: We retrospectively compared data records on the demographic features, preoperative data, and surgical outcomes of the 2 groups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The intraoperative prevalence of LPE was 17%. Preoperatively, LPE patients complained of having a more severe intensity of dysmenorrhea (p <.001), more frequent voiding symptoms (p <.001), and more constipation (p = .02). At surgery, significant correlations were found with rectovaginal septum, vaginal, rectal, and ureteral involvement (p <.001). LPE patients intraoperatively presented a concomitant posterior nodule with a larger transverse diameter (p <.001). The operation time and hospital stay were longer for patients with LPE. Postoperatively, the LPE group needed self-catheterization more often than the control group at discharge (p <.001) and at the 1-month follow-up evaluation (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: LPE is a condition that reflects a more severe manifestation of endometriosis, requiring more aggressive surgery.

Surgical, Clinical, and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Rectosigmoid Endometriosis in the Gray Zone: 13-Year Long-Term Follow-up.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term surgical, clinical, and functional outcomes between conservative and radical surgery in patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis (RSE) and preoperative intermediate risk of segmental resection. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Endometriosis tertiary level referral center, St. Orsola Academic Hospital, Bologna, Italy. PATIENTS: Three hundred and ninety-two patients with RSE presented for complete macroscopic surgical excision between January 2004 and January 2017. INTERVENTION: Assessment of laparoscopic bowel shaving, discoid excision, or segmental resection for the treatment of RSE. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The 392 patients were divided into 3 groups according to surgical technique: shaving (n = 297; 75.8%), discoid excision (n = 33; 8.4%), and segmental resection (n = 62; 15.8%). Preoperative characteristics, surgical data, short- and long-term complications, and rates of proven and suspected recurrence were assessed. The segmental resection group had a higher rate of short-term complications compared with the discoid and shaving groups (17.7% vs 9.1% vs 5.4%, respectively; p = .004). The median follow-up time was 43 months (range, 12-163 months). Suspected and proven RSE recurrence rates showed no statistically significant differences among the 3 groups. There also were no significant differences concerning the rate of de novo chronic constipation and urinary retention. CONCLUSION: To date, there is no consensus regarding the choice between radical (segmental resection) or conservative (shaving, discoid excision) surgical management for RSE, particularly for patients with preoperative intermediate risk of bowel segmental resection (the gray zone). Our data suggest that conservative surgery is preferred over radical surgery in patients with RSE in the gray zone risk category, resulting in similar suspected and proven RSE recurrence rates and associated with fewer short-term complications.

Do prostaglandin analogs affect eyelid position and motility?

PURPOSE: The authors aim at investigating the possible clinical effects of topical Prostaglandin Analogs on eyelid position and motility with this single masked protocol in a cross-sectional study. METHODS: A group (group A) of 182 patients on treatment for glaucoma with prostaglandin analogs (latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost) and a group of 191 age-matched normal controls (group B) were enrolled in the study. Group A was subdivided into 3 subgroups according to the prostaglandin analogs used by the patients. Group A1: 84 patients on latanoprost, group A2: 56 patients on travoprost, and group A3: 42 patients on bimatoprost. Two positive control groups (group H of 115 patients with lower lid involutional entropion or ectropion secondary to horizontal lid laxity (HLL), and a group P of 137 patients with involutive aponeurotic blepharoptosis) were also enrolled in the study. For the upper eyelid, the following parameters were measured: margin-reflex distance (MRD), upper lid crease position, levator function. For the lower lid, the following parameters were used: HLL and lower lid excursion (LLE). Statistical analysis of the data was done to assess whether there was any statistical significant difference for each of the parameter between group A (and its subgroups) and, respectively, groups B, H, and P. Similarly, it was also compared with group B, with group H, and then with group P. Analysis of variance of the eyelid parameters was also carried out in the 3 subgroups A1, A2, and A3. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference for each studied parameter between group B and, respectively, groups A1, A2, A3 and group A, nor there was any statistically significant variance between parameters in the 3 subgroups A1, A2, and A3. The accuracy of the eyelid parameters was confirmed while obtaining statistically significant differences in LLE (P<0.05) and in HLL (P<0.001) comparing group A (and its subgroups) and group H and also in MRD and upper lid crest (P<0.001) comparing group A (and its subgroups) and group P. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that prostaglandin analogs significantly affect the eyelids' tissues to produce eyelid malposition.

Correlation between frequency doubling technology and heidelberg retina tomograph.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) parameters and the Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) indices in ocular hypertension or primary open angle glaucoma patients. METHODS: One eye was randomly chosen from 85 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (abnormal visual field and/or abnormal optic nerve and untreated IOP > 21 mm Hg) and ocular hypertension (normal visual field and normal optic nerve and untreated IOP > 21 mm Hg). All the patients were examined with Humphrey Perimeter program 30-2 full threshold, FDT program C 20-5, and HRT. Findings were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression. RESULTS: Within the entire sample of studied subjects we found a statistically significant correlation (Pearson's r) (P < 0.05) between FDT mean deviation and RA, CA, RV, CSM, RNFLt, and RNFLc of HRT, and between FDT pattern standard deviation and RA, CA, VOLC, CV, RV, CSM, RNFLt, and RNFLc of HRT. Linear regression analysis showed that cup shape measure was the most predictive parameter for FDT MD. No correlation was found between HRT parameters and FDT PSD indices in the glaucoma subgroup; in the ocular hypertensive subgroup some correlation was found between FDT PSD and some of the HRT parameters. CONCLUSION: In the entire group, cup shape measure showed to be the most significant factor correlating functional and morphologic changes. The presence of significant correlations between some HRT parameters and visual field indices in the ocular hypertensive and glaucoma subgroup suggested that HRT parameters and FDT indices could detect glaucoma damage differently.

Ptosis secondary to anterior segment surgery and its repair in a two-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Aponeurotic blepharoptosis is a postoperative complication of anterior segment surgery with a reported incidence of 1-2% and a variable aetiology. In this 2-year follow-up study, we investigated the incidence of this postoperative complication in our experience of anterior segment surgery and propose a modified technique of aponeurosis advancement for its repair. METHODS: 200 consecutive patients undergoing anterior segment surgery in our eye clinic were enrolled in the study. Patients who developed any other operative or postoperative complication were excluded from the study. In all patients, the following upper lid parameters were calculated to determine whether postoperative blepharoptosis had occurred: margin-reflex distance, upper eyelid crease, use of frontalis muscle and levator function. A questionnaire was submitted to all blepharoptosis patients investigating mainly their subjective judgement of the impact of blepharoptosis on their quality of life and if they had been informed accurately about the incidence of this postoperative complication. RESULTS: 163 patients were included in our study. 11 had postoperative blepharoptosis (6.7%). 9 patients wanted ptosis repair and were operated on with our modified technique. None of the 11 ptosis patients had been informed about the possible occurrence of the blepharoptosis as postoperative complication. Our modified technique shows good, long-lasting results. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative blepharoptosis is a well-known postoperative complication of anterior segment surgery. It can be successfully treated surgically by aponeurosis advancement. It is our opinion that all patients should be informed of the possibility of postoperative blepharoptosis when consenting for anterior segment surgery.

Modified retractor plication technique in lower lid entropion repair: a 4-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Lower eyelid entropion is an eyelid malposition characterized by inward rotation of the eyelid margin associated with potentially significant discomfort and, occasionally, keratopathy. In this study we evaluated and compared the efficacy of two surgical techniques of retractor plication for involutional lower lid entropion repair. METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients (62 eyes) with involutional lower lid entropion were included. Of the 62, 34 underwent the Jones retractor plication technique, and 28 underwent a modification of this technique that simplifies the procedure. We evaluated horizontal lid laxity, medial canthal tendon laxity and lower lid excursion before and after surgery, and determined the rate of entropion recurrence in the two groups. All measures were obtained before and 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years after surgery. RESULTS: Preoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in any of the measures studied. Postoperatively, the mean amount of horizontal lid laxity was significantly less in the modified technique group than in the Jones technique group (6.86 mm [standard deviation (SD) 0.41 mm] vs. 7.30 mm [SD 0.64 mm]) (p < 0.05). Similarly, the mean amount of medial canthal tendon laxity in the resting position was significantly less in the modified technique group than in the Jones technique group (1.90 mm [SD 0.56 mm] vs. 1.25 mm [SD 0.43 mm]) (p < 0.05). The rate of entropion recurrence was significantly lower in the modified technique group (7.1%) than in the Jones technique group (14.7%) (p < 0.05). INTERPRETATION: The modified retractor plication technique showed encouraging results in terms of successful and long-lasting lower lid entropion repair.

Retinal peripapillary blood flow before and after topical brinzolamide.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of topical brinzolamide on retinal capillary blood flow by the Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter (HRF) in patients with glaucoma. METHODS: Twenty patients with glaucoma were consecutively recruited. One eye for each patient was randomly selected. Patients were classified as glaucomatous if they had an abnormal visual field and/or an abnormal optic nerve head with an intraocular pressure (IOP) greater than 21 mm Hg without any treatment. After an eye examination, baseline retinal blood flow measurements were made with confocal scanning laser Doppler flowmetry. Blood flow and IOP measurements were then repeated after 1 month of treatment. Blood flow measurements were analyzed by using an automatic full-field perfusion image analysis (AFFPIA) program. The blood flow was calculated in the superior and inferior part of the optic disk. In each area, the blood flow was calculated as temporal area, the nasal area and the rim area as for software AFFPIA. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 56 +/- 7 (mean +/- standard deviation) years. The mean IOP before treatment was 23.7 +/- 1.5 mm Hg while the mean IOP after 4 weeks of treatment was 19.1 +/- 2.2 mm Hg. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Significant (p < 0.05) increases in retinal blood flow were found for the temporal and nasal areas between baseline and 1 month after the treatment. No difference was found between superior and inferior sectors. CONCLUSION: Topical brinzolamide reduced the IOP significantly and apparently improved retinal blood flow as measured by the HRF.

Comparison of three techniques for repair of involutional lower lid entropion: a three-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify the efficacy of three different surgical techniques for entropion repair in a 3-year follow-up study: (1) the Fox procedure, (2) everting sutures and (3) a modified technique of lower lid retractor plication. METHODS: We included in our study 32 eyelids of 32 consecutive patients with involutional lower lid entropion; 10 lids underwent the Fox procedure, 13 the everting sutures and 9 the modified retractor plication. We evaluated the pre- and postoperative horizontal lid laxity (HLL), the pre- and postoperative lower lid excursion (LLE) and the number of recurrences in each patient group. Statistical analysis was performed with the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test and the exact Fisher's test where appropriate. RESULTS: Only the modified retractor plication technique showed statistically significant differences in HLL and LLE (p < 0.05). In the group treated with this technique, there was a lower incidence of entropion recurrence (p < 0.05). The everting suture technique showed a statistically significant improvement of the LLE only (p < 0.05). The Fox procedure did not show any statistically significant improvement of the studied parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The modified retractor plication technique gave the best results in terms of improvement of HLL and LLE and a lower incidence of entropion recurrence compared to the two other techniques studied.

Detection of glaucomatous visual field defect by nonconventional perimetry.

PURPOSE: To report the correlations among Humphrey Field Analyzer 750 (HFA), high-pass resolution perimetry (HRP), and frequency-doubling technology (FDT) perimetry in glaucoma patients and ocular hypertensive patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Eighty-two eyes of 82 consecutive patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension were included in this study. One eye of each patient was randomly selected for data analysis. Visual fields were assessed by HFA, HRP, and FDT perimetry. HRP global deviation (HRP-GD), HRP local deviation (HRP-LD), FDT-mean deviation (FDT-MD), and FDT-pattern standard deviation (FDT-PSD) were considered for the analysis. Clinical agreement between HRP and FDT was evaluated. All data were analyzed by Pearson r coefficient when the distribution of the data was normal and by Spearman coefficient correlation when the distribution of the data was not normal. A P <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fifty-two eyes (52 patients) were classified as glaucoma and 30 eyes (30 patients) as ocular hypertension. In the entire group, a significant (P >.001) correlation was found between the HFA indices and those of either HRP or FDT. A significant (P <.001) correlation was found between HRP-GD and FDT-MD as well as between HRP-LD and FDT-PSD. In 14% of the glaucomatous patients and in 33% of the subjects with ocular hypertension, FDT and HRP showed different clinical features. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that FDT and HRP are useful for detection of early glaucomatous visual field damage.

Intraobserver reproducibility of a two-dimensional mapping of the optic nerve head perfusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the intraobserver reproducibility of a software designed to assess retinal blood flow with the Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter (HRF). METHODS: Ten subjects were consecutively recruited, and one eye of each patient was randomly selected for study. Blood flow measurements were analyzed by using an automatic full field perfusion image analysis (AFFPIA) program, which calculates the Doppler frequency shift and hemodynamic variables (flow, volume, and velocity) for each pixel. The resulting perfusion image is processed with respect to underexposed and overexposed pixels, saccades, and retinal vessel tree. Intraobserver reproducibility was calculated for the AFFPIA program. All the optic nerve heads were horizontally divided into three sections (superior, central, and inferior). The retinal blood flow was calculated in the superior and inferior section, and each section was further divided into three areas (temporal, nasal, and rim). The blood flow was evaluated for each area. RESULTS: When the same observer analyzed the same image five times (intraobserver intraimage reproducibility), the AFFPIA coefficient of variation ranged from 0.5% to 5% in the temporal area, from 0.1% to 5.3% in the nasal area, and from 0.5 to 28% in the rim area. When the same observer analyzed three different images of the same section once (intraobserver interimage reproducibility), the AFFPIA coefficient of variation of flow measurements ranged from 1% to 7.3% in the temporal area, from 1.5% to 10% in the nasal area, and from 2 to 30% in the rim area. CONCLUSION: Retinal blood flow measured by HRF and analyzed by AFFPIA had good intraobserver reproducibility. The reproducibility was significantly better in the temporal and nasal areas than in the rim area.