Association between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS waves: a prospective case-control study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS, a non-invasive indicator of cardiovascular risk and myocardial ischemia, in women with uterine leiomyoma. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, a total of 47 patients diagnosed with uterine leiomyoma (case group) and 47 healthy individuals without uterine leiomyoma (control group) who had undergone bilateral tubal ligation surgery were included. Various demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and the presence of fragmented QRS were recorded. RESULTS: The leiomyoma group showed significantly higher body mass index (27.46±2.18 vs. 25.9±2.87 kg/m2, p=0.005) and waist circumference (91.34±9.30 vs. 84.97±9.3 cm, p=0.001) compared with the control group. Uterine volumes were also significantly higher in the leiomyoma group (235.75±323.48 vs. 53.24±12.81 mm3, p<0.001). The presence of fragmented QRS was detected in 18.1% of the patients. Multiple regression analysis identified age, fasting blood glucose value, and the presence of fragmented QRS as independent risk factors for the presence of leiomyoma. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS. The presence of fragmented QRS was identified as an independent risk factor for the presence of leiomyoma. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms connecting uterine leiomyoma and cardiovascular health.

HYSTEROSCOPIC MYOMECTOMY.

Leiomyomas are the most common pelvic tumors. Submucosal fibroids are a common cause of abnormal bleeding and infertility. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is the definitive management of symptomatic submucosal fibroids, with high efficacy and safety. Several techniques have been introduced over time and will be covered in depth in this manuscript. Advances in optics, fluid management, electrosurgery, smaller diameter scopes, and tissue removal systems, along with improved training have contributed to improving the safety and efficiency of hysteroscopic myomectomy.

Uterine volume, menstrual patterns, and contraceptive outcomes in users of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: A cohort study with a five-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of the LNG-IUS on uterine volume, bleeding patterns, and LNG-IUS-related outcomes among women using the device to treat abnormal uterine bleeding caused by fibroids, adenomyosis, HMB (without structural cause), or contraception. STUDY DESIGN: This was a 5-year cohort study with LNG-IUS users. We selected 147 women, who were allocated to four groups: a) control (contraception indication); b) fibroids; c) adenomyosis; d) HMB. The visits for clinical and ultrasound evaluations were made at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months postinsertion. All data are expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD) or absolute and relative (%) frequency. Differences among groups were established by using the χ2 (chi-square) test and Fisher's exact tests for categorical outcomes, as well as the Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis tests and Friedman's ANOVA for continuous variables. We used the 5% significance level as an indication of statistical significance. Logistic regression analyses were performed to study the association between predictors and outcomes. Results are expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI 95%). RESULTS: Although all groups had real rates of bleeding patterns, troublesome bleeding appeared to be more frequent in the fibroid group (∼15%). Also, along the 60 months of follow-up, uterine volume slightly decreased in the groups of HMB, adenomyosis, and fibroids, but not in the contraception group. However, the isolated volume of fibroids remained unchanged. In this cohort, we observed high continuation rates among LNG-IUS users. The uterine volume ≥200 cm3 was the main predictor of hysterectomy or IUS expulsion in the adenomyosis and fibroid groups. CONCLUSION: The LNG-IUS may control uterine menstrual bleeding as well as uterine volume in adenomyosis, fibroids, and HMB. An initial uterine volume smaller than 200 cm3 is an important predictor of adherence to treatment and better outcomes.

Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy: How Do They Affect Each Other?

The present narrative review is aimed to rekindle discussion regarding whether and how uterine leiomyoma and pregnancy may impact each other. Although fibroids are hormone-dependent lesions, their growth during pregnancy seems to have a nonlinear trend. Besides placental estrogens and progesterone, an array of endocrine and paracrine factors affect fibroid blood supply, growth rate, and risk of degeneration along the gestational and puerperal periods. According to current evidence, the presence of leiomyomas might increase the risk of some adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although a causative relation between fibroids and spontaneous abortion is questionable, the presence of multiple submucosal lesions in certain populations, such as infertile women, may increase the risk of pregnancy loss. Slightly increased risks of placenta previa, placental abruption and fetal malpresentation may occur, mainly due to the mechanical influence of multiple and large fibroids. Cesarean section and preterm birth rates are also probably increased in the presence of fibroids. The risk associations are based on meta-analyses of cohort studies (level of evidence 2a), retrospective cohort studies (2b), case-control (3a), and cross-sectional studies (3b), but with a predominantly low risk of bias. For evaluating the growth pattern of leiomyomas and their real influence on obstetric outcomes, future studies should enroll women with fibroids diagnosed prior to pregnancy and follow them prospectively throughout the gestation and puerperium.

Surgical approach to uterine myomatosis in patients with infertility: open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery; results according to the quantity of fibroids.

OBJECTIVE: To compare approaches to myomectomy (laparotomic, laparoscopic, and robotic). To show the relationship between the number of fibroids and the reproduction diagnosis. METHODS: Observational, analytical, retrospective, and cross-sectional study; where the surgical approach used, was evaluated in terms of surgical bleeding, time, number and weight of fibroids and reproductive results. RESULTS: 69 patients were treated through different approaches and divided into 3 groups. The differences found among groups were in favor of laparotomic myomectomy in terms of the number (p=0.000) and weight of fibroids (p=0.004). Robotic surgery was also longer (p=0.000). In the analysis of the influence of the number of fibroids to achieve pregnancy, the result was in favor of the minimally invasive routes, after surgery, both in the group of < 6 fibroids (p=0.017), and that of > 6 fibroids (p=0.001), without differences in the time from surgery to pregnancy (p=0.979). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical approach decision should consider the number and size of resected fibroids, surgical time, and reproductive diagnosis. The minimally invasive route should be offered whenever possible due to its better outcome on achieving pregnancy, without forgetting the benefits of laparotomy, while also accrediting the recently introduced robotic-assisted approach.

Effects of ulipristal acetate in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids. / Efectos del acetato de ulipristal en pacientes con miomas uterinos sintomáticos.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine fibroids are frequently encountered in gynecology and are a therapeutic challenge. New therapies, such as ulipristal acetate, could help with symptomatic relief, improve quality of life, and decrease uterine fibroid size. Notwithstanding, there is controversy about adverse effects, especially for hepatotoxicity. METHODS: We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis, and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified nine systematic reviews and included ten studies overall, of which five were randomized trials. We conclude that ulipristal increases the likelihood of amenorrhea, improves the quality of life, and decreases menstrual bleeding. However, there is also a likely increase in the risk of adverse effects. Furthermore, ulipristal could decrease the size of fibroids.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los miomas uterinos son una patología frecuente en ginecología, que tiene como desafío el enfrentamiento terapéutico. Existen nuevas terapias como el uso de acetato de ulipristal que podrían ayudar con el alivio sintomático y mejoría de la calidad de vida, además de la disminución del tamaño de los miomas uterinos. No obstante, existe controversia respecto a los efectos adversos, especialmente frente a la hepatotoxicidad. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el tamizaje de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, analizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un metanálisis y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Identificamos nueve revisiones sistemáticas que incluyeron diez estudios primarios, de los cuales cinco son ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que el uso de ulipristal aumenta la probabilidad de amenorrea, mejora la calidad de vida y disminuye el sangrado menstrual. Además, el uso de ulipristal podría disminuir el tamaño de los miomas. Sin embargo, podría aumentar el riesgo de efectos adversos.

Monte Carlo evaluation of occupational exposure during uterine artery embolization.

PURPOSE: Uterine fibroids affect women mainly of childbearing age, an alternative for the treatment of these fibroids is uterine artery embolization (UAE), a minimally invasive procedure which uses fluoroscopy, providing radiation doses often high, due to the fact that professionals remain in the room throughout the procedure. In this work, equivalent and effective doses were evaluated for the main physician, for the assistant and for the patient during the UAE procedure. METHODS: Doses were calculated using computer simulation with the Monte Carlo Method, and virtual anthropomorphic phantoms, in a typical scenario of interventional radiology with field sizes of 20 × 20, 25 × 25 and 32 × 32 cm2, tube voltages of 70, 80, 90 and 100 kV, and projections of LAO45, RAO45 and PA. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest doses received by the professionals were for the LAO45 projection with 32 × 32 cm2 field size and 100 kV tube voltage, which is in accordance with the existing literature. The highest equivalent doses, without the protective equipment, were in the eyes, skin, breast and stomach for the main physician, and for the assistant they were in the eyes, breast, thyroid and skin. When she used the protective equipment, the highest equivalent doses for the main physician were on the skin, brain, bone marrow and bone surface, and for the assistant they were on the skin, brain, red bone marrow and bone surface. CONCLUSIONS: Effective doses increased up to 3186% for the main physician, and 2462% for the assistant, without protective equipment, thus showing their importance.

Assessing burden, risk factors, and perceived impact of uterine fibroids on women's lives in rural Haiti: implications for advancing a health equity agenda, a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids, the most common cause of gynecologic surgery, have a reported cumulative incidence of 59% among Black women in the U.S. Uterine fibroids negatively impact the quality of women's lives. No study has been found in the literature about fibroids in Haiti. We conducted a mixed methods study to assess the burden and risk factors of uterine fibroids, as well as their effects on women's quality of life. METHODS: A convergent mixed methods study was conducted between October 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020 at MUH's (Mirebalais University Hospital) OB-GYN outpatient department. Quantitatively, in a cross-sectional study 211 women completed consecutively a structured questionnaire. In-depth interviews with 17 women with fibroids and 7 family members were implemented for the qualitative component. Descriptive statistics were calculated for clinical and social demographic variables. Logistic regression was performed to examine associations between fibroids and related risk factors. An inductive thematic process was used to analyze the qualitative data. A joint display technique was used to integrate the results. RESULTS: Of 193 women analyzed 116 had fibroids (60.1%). The mean age was 41.3. Anemia was the most frequent complication- 61 (52.6%). Compared to women without uterine fibroids, factors associated with uterine fibroids included income decline (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.1-10.9, p = < 0.001), excessive expenses for transport (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.6-12.4, p = 0.005), and family history with uterine fibroids (AOR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.6-13.6, p = 0.005). In contrast, higher level of education and micro polycystic ovarian syndrome were associated with lower prevalence (AOR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9, p = 0.021) and (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.97, p = 0.044), respectively. The qualitative findings delineate how contextual factors such as health system failures, long wait times, gender inequality and poverty negatively affect the quality of women's lives. The poverty cycle of uterine fibroids emerged. CONCLUSIONS: A vicious cycle of poverty negatively impacts access to care for uterine fibroids in Haiti. Health insurance, social support, and income generating activities may be keys to promote social justice through access to adequate care for women with uterine fibroids in Haiti.

A systematic review of the psychosocial impact of fibroids before and after treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence of uterine fibroids, the psychosocial impact of fibroids has not been evaluated across different quality of life indicators and compared with other chronic conditions. Here, we rigorously analyzed available evidence pertaining to the psychosocial burden of uterine fibroids in premenopausal women and compared validated quality of life and symptom scores before and after treatment. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, and Cochrane Library for publications from January 1990 to January 2020. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We considered English-language publications that evaluated the association between uterine fibroids diagnosed by imaging studies in premenopausal women and quality of life by standardized and validated questionnaires at baseline and after treatment. We used a detailed list of terms related to quality of life, questionnaires, and uterine fibroids to conduct the search. METHODS: Three reviewers screened titles and abstracts and then obtained full-text articles for further analysis. The reviewers assessed risk of bias using established Cochrane and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale guidelines. The quality of life scores of premenopausal women with fibroids were reviewed at baseline and compared with those of published quality of life scores in other disease populations in addition to after fibroid treatment. RESULTS: A total of 57 studies were included in the review: 18 randomized controlled trials and 39 observational studies. Of note, the 36-Item Short Form Survey and European Quality of Life Five-Dimension Scale questionnaires both indicated a diagnosis of uterine fibroids to have a disability score that was similar to or exceeded (was a greater psychosocial stressor) a diagnosis of heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or breast cancer. Quality of life scores were lower at baseline than after treatment in all instruments measuring these variables in women with uterine fibroids, indicating significantly impaired psychosocial functioning. Uterine fibroids were associated with significant patient-reported health disabilities related to bodily pain, mental health, social functioning, and satisfaction with sex life. CONCLUSION: A diagnosis of uterine fibroids was a significant psychosocial stressor among women at baseline and relative to other diseases. Validated quality of life instruments indicated therapeutic success and the improvement of both physical and emotional symptoms after treatment.

Leiomioma como simulador de neoplasia maligna uterina: reporte de un caso / Leiomyoma as a simulator of uterine malignant neoplasms: a case report

RESUMEN El cáncer de mama puede originar de forma muy excepcional metástasis en órganos genitales. Estas suelen presentarse de forma asintomática siendo su diagnóstico generalmente tardío. En el estudio de la enfermedad diseminada la tomografía de emisión de positrones con fluordeoxiglucosa asociada a la tomografía computada (FDG PET/CT) juega un rol importante, sin embargo presenta limitantes al momento de diferenciar entre lesiones secundarias, primarias y neoplasias benignas que pueden tener elevada captación de fluordeoxiglucosa (1). Por lo expuesto anteriormente el diagnóstico de certeza solo puede realizarse mediante el estudio anatomopatológico. El caso presentado a continuación abarca uno de los posibles diagnósticos diferenciales con FDG PET/CT que evidencia un incremento en la captación de fluordeoxiglucosa.

ABSTRACT Breast cancer rarely metastasize on pelvic organs and its diagnosis is often delayed due to the asymptomatic nature of this disease. Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG PET/CT) is a useful method for early diagnosis. However, may present a false positive diagnosis from benign lesions that have an increased uptake of glucose. We present a case in which a patient who had breast cancer had an increase glucose uptake in FDG PET/CT from a benign lesion.

Haplotypes of CYP1B1 and CCDC57 genes in an Afro-Caribbean female population with uterine leiomyoma.

Uterine leiomyomas (UL) are prevalent benign tumors, especially among women of African ancestry. The disease also has genetic liability and is influenced by risk factors such as hormones and obesity. This study investigates the haplotypes of the Cytochrome P450 1B1 gene (CYP1B1) related to hormones and coiled-coil domain containing 57 gene (CCDC57) related to obesity in Afro-Caribbean females. Each haplotype was constructed from unphased sequence data using PHASE v.2.1 software and Haploview v.4.2 was used for linkage disequilibrium (LD) studies. There were contrasting LD observed among the single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP1B1 and CCDC5. Accordingly, the GTA haplotype of CYP1B1 was significantly associated with UL risk (P = 0.02) while there was no association between CCDC57 haplotypes and UL (P = 0.2) for the ATG haplotype. As such, our findings suggest that the Asp449Asp polymorphism and GTA haplotype of CYP1B1 may contribute to UL susceptibility in women of Afro-Caribbean ancestry in this population.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Transcervical Radiofrequency Ablation of Uterine Fibroids: The VITALITY Study.

Objective: The aim of this research was to learn the long-term (> 5 years) clinical outcomes of transcervical radiofrequency ablation of uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: For this retrospective, single-arm, long-term data-collection study, 23 women with heavy menstrual bleeding secondary to fibroids were treated with transcervical radiofrequency ablation guided by integrated intrauterine sonography (using the Sonata® System, Gynesonics, Redwood City, CA). This study was within the 12-month Fibroid Ablation Study-EU clinical trial in Mexico. Symptoms were assessed using the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality-of-Life's Symptom Severity Score (SSS) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) subscales. Patients were queried regarding pregnancy and surgical reinterventions. Results: Seventeen women (73.9%) provided long-term follow-up information, with a mean of 64.4 months ±4.5 months (range: 57-73 months). From baseline, mean SSS decreased significantly from 64.9 ± 16.9 to 27.6 ± 36.1, and mean HRQoL improved significantly from 27.2 ± 22.4 to 76.0 ± 32.6 (p = 0.002, and p = 0.0001, respectively). There were no surgical reinterventions through the first 3.5 years post-treatment. There was an 11.8% incidence of surgical reinterventions over 5.4 years of average follow-up, with 2 hysterectomies occurring after 3.5 and 4 years postablation, respectively (event rate: 2.2% per year; 95% confidence interval; 0.3%, 7.9%). Freedom from surgical reintervention at 1, 2, and 3 years was 100%, and, at 4 and 5 years, was 88.2% ± 7.8%. There was a single pregnancy occurring within the first year of treatment leading to a normal-term delivery by elective repeat cesarean section. Conclusions: Transcervical radiofrequency ablation with the Sonata System produced substantial durable clinical benefits beyond 5 years with a low reintervention rate.

Quality information about uterine fibroids on the internet / Qualidade da informação presente na Internet sobre Leiomioma uterino

Abstract Objective There are no published studies analyzing the quality of the information for lay women on the Internet regarding uterine fibroids. The accuracy of the provided material is also unknown. Thus, we have performed a cross-sectional study with 381 websites in the English and Brazilian Portuguese languages between May and December 2017. Methods Two investigators performed the analysis, and the Cohen kappa coefficient was calculated to analyze the agreement between them. Search terms (uterine fibroids and derivatives) in the English and Brazilian Portuguese languages were used. The accuracywas analyzed by a 10-itemchecklist created based on the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) consensuses about uterine fibroids. The item-test correlation and the intraclass coefficient were performed in the 16 questions from the DISCERN instrument, which was designed to measure the quality of health information on the Internet. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) measurements were performed for the independent variables and the DISCERN/accuracy scores. Results Google was the most used search engine, and uterine fibroid was the search term that generatedmost of the analyzed material. The median score for accuracy in all websites was 5 out of 10, and the median score of the DISCERN instrument was 38 out of 80. The top-scoring sites in the English language were derived from scientific organizations and federal governments, and they regarded the DISCERN score (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], the Food and Drug Administration [FDA]) and the accuracy criteria (NIH, and FDA). On the other hand, in the Brazilian Portuguese language, the highest scores in both instruments were from magazines or physician's blogs. The Cronbach α test showed a higher correlation (0.77-0.79) between the sites and DISCERN; however, the item-test correlation varied from 0.39 to 0.56. Conclusion There is a need to improve the quality of the information regarding uterine fibroids for lay women.

Resumo Objetivos Não existem estudos publicados analisando a qualidade de informação para mulheres leigas na internet sobre o leiomioma uterino. A acurácia do material existente também não é conhecida. Portanto, realizamos um estudo transversal envolvendo 381 sites em língua inglesa e portuguesa de maio a dezembro de 2017. Métodos Dois pesquisadores fizeram a análise, e o coeficiente kappa de Cohen foi calculado para analisar a concordância entreambos. Termos de pesquisa (leiomioma uterino e derivados)eminglês e português foramusados. A acurácia foi analisada por meio de uma lista de 10 itens criados após a fusão de consensos da Sociedade Americana de Medicina da Reprodução (ASRM, na siglaeminglês), dos InstitutosNacionais de Saúde (NIH, na siglaem inglês) e da Sociedade Europeia de Menopausa e Andropausa (EMAS, na sigla em inglês) sobre leiomioma uterino. A correlação item-teste e o coeficiente intraclasse foram realizados nas 16 questões do questionário DISCERN, um instrumento desenvolvido para medir a qualidade da informação de saúde disponível na internet. O método de análise de variância (ANOVA, na sigla em inglês) foi utilizado para as variáveis independentes e as pontuações de acurácia e do DISCERN. Resultados O Google foi a ferramenta mais utilizada, e o leiomioma uterino foi o termo de busca que gerou a maior parte do material analisado. A pontuação média para a acurácia dos websites foi 5/10, e do questionário DISCERN, 38/80. Os sites de língua inglesa commaior pontuação foram os de organizações científicas e de governos federais, tanto no questionário DISCERN (Faculdade Americana de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia [ACOG, na sigla em inglês], Administração de Alimentos e Medicamentos [FDA, na sigla em inglês]) quanto na acurácia (NIH e FDA). Entretanto, em língua portuguesa, os sites com as maiores pontuações em ambos os instrumentos foram de revistas ou blogs médicos. O teste α de Cronbach evidenciou maior correlação entre os sites e o DISCERN (0,77-0,79); contudo, a correlação item-teste variou de 0,39 a 0,56. Conclusão Há necessidade demelhorar a qualidade da informação sobre o leiomioma uterino para mulheres leigas.

Plasticity in Uterine Innervation: State of the Art.

Early studies often claimed that autonomic nerves were unimportant for uterine function, since denervation of the uterus had little effects on reproductive success. In 1979, Thorbert wrote, "It seems unlikely that Nature has equipped the uterus with a complex innervation merely as a structural ornament. Our ignorance in this area may be rather due to defects in methods of study". Investigations carried out over the last four decades proved that Thorbert's words were correct, because it is now clear that autonomic and sensory nerves regulate many critical uterine functions. However, the most remarkable aspect of uterine innervation is its capacity to change in response to physiological fluctuations in levels of sex hormones, as those accompanying pregnancy, the sex cycle and puberty. The present review provides an overview about how sex hormones influence uterine innervation. Data are presented about how this physiological plasticity is mimicked by exogenous administration of sex hormones, particularly estrogen. We will review recent developments illustrating the complex multifactorial mechanisms regulating uterine neural plasticity and the nature of molecular signals involved. Finally, we will go through recent findings pointing to the relevance of uterine innervation in gynecological diseases leading to pain and infertility.

Miomatosis uterina: implicaciones en salud reproductiva / Uterine myomatosis: Implications on reproductive health

Resumen OBJETIVO: dar a conocer a los ginecoobstetras un documento donde pueda consultarse, a la luz de los estudios más recientes y con la mejor evidencia en la fisiopatología, prevalencia y significado clínico de los miomas uterinos, así como la mejor evidencia posible acerca de las diversas modalidades de tratamiento. METDOLOGÍA: estudio retrospectivo efectuado por los miembros del Comité de expertos de la Asociación Mexicana de Medicina de la Reproducción, empleando los artículos publicados entre los años 2000 a 2016 en Pubmed y que en el resumen contuvieran los MeSH: leiomyomatosis uterus, leiomyoma, leiomyomatosis uterine, leiomyomatosis uterine in pregnancy. La calidad de la evidencia y la formulación de las recomendaciones se realizaron con la metodología establecida por el sistema GRADE. RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 97 artículos en los que se encontró que la prevalencia en mujeres en edad reproductiva es variable, según la edad (20 a 80%). En la mayoría el diagnóstico se establece entre los 35 y 54 años. Para el tratamiento existen varias opciones con distintos porcentajes de eficacia. CONCLUSIONES: queda de manifiesto la evidencia de la eficacia de varios medicamentos indicados para el control de los síntomas y para mejorar la calidad de vida de las pacientes. En la comparación entre acetato de leuprolide y acetato de ulipristal no se encontraron que originaran síntomas vasomotores, ni disminuyeran la masa ósea. En relación con el último se vislumbra la posibilidad de evitar la cirugía, aunque aún se requiere más investigación a este respecto.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To make known to the gynecological obstetricians a document where they can be consulted, in the light of the most recent studies and with the best evidence on the pathophysiology, prevalence and clinical significance of uterine fibroids, as well as the best possible evidence about the various treatment modalities. METDOLOGY: A retrospective study carried out by the members of the Committee of experts of the Mexican Association of Reproductive Medicine, using the articles published between 2000 and 2016 in Pubmed and that in the abstract contained MeSH: leiomyomatosis uterus, leiomyoma, Leiomyomatosis uterine, leiomyomatosis uterine in pregnancy. The quality of the evidence and the formulation of the recommendations were made using the methodology established by the GRADE system. RESULTS: 97 articles were included in which the prevalence was found to be variable, according to age (20 to 80%) in women of reproductive age. In most, the diagnosis is established between 35 and 54 years. There are several treatment options with different percentages of effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of the efficacy of several medications indicated for the control of symptoms and to improve the quality of life of the patients is evident. In the comparison between leuprolide acetate and ulipristal acetate, they were not found to cause vasomotor symptoms or to decrease bone mass. Regarding the latter, the possibility of avoiding surgery is envisaged, although more research is still needed in this regard.

Pharmacological treatment of uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids (UF) are common, benign gynecologic tumors, affecting one in three to four women, with estimates of up to 80%, depending on the population studied. Their etiology is not well established, but it is under the influence of several risk factors, such as early menarche, nulliparity and family history. More than 50% of affected women are asymptomatic, but the lesions may be related to bothersome symptoms, such as abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain and bloating or urinary symptoms. The treatment of UF is classically surgical; however, various medical options are available, providing symptom control while minimizing risks and complications. A large number of clinical trials have evaluated commonly used medical treatments and potentially effective new ones. Through a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, through which we included 41 studies out of 7658 results, we thoroughly explored the different pharmacological options available for management of UF, their indications, advantages and disadvantages.

Operative hysteroscopy in a jamaican cohort / Histeroscopia operatoria en una cohorte jamaicana

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the indications, success, and complications of operative hysteroscopy performed at The University of the West Indies (UWI). METHODS: A five-year retrospective cohort study was done of women undergoing operative hysteroscopy at the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit (HWFMU) of the University of the West Indies from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2005. The demographics of the patients, indications, complications of the procedure and postoperative follow-up were assessed. Patient's post-procedural quality of life was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: During this period, 92 operative hysteroscopies were performed on 87 patients, with repeat procedures being performed in three patients. The mean age of patients undergoing operative hysteros-copy was 36.65 years with a range of 23 to 50 years. The main indications for operative hysteroscopy at the HWFMU were submucosal fibroids (50%), intrauterine synechiae (26%) and removal of an intrauterine contraceptive device (11%). There were four procedure-related complications, all of which occurred during myomectomy and required hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Operative hysteroscopy is a safe and highly effective therapy for carefully selected women. As a consequence of technological advancements, an increasing number of gynaecological conditions, traditionally treated by laparotomy, can now be treated safely and effectively using outpatient operative hysteroscopy.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio es determinar las indicaciones, éxito, y complicaciones de las histeroscopías operatorias realizadas en la Universidad de West Indies (UWI). MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de cinco años con mujeres sometidas a Histeroscopia operatoria en la Unidad de Fertilidad "Hugo Wynter", en la Universidad de West Indies (HWFMU), del 1ero de enero de 2001 al 31 de diciembre de 2005. Se evaluaron los datos demográficos de los pacientes, así como las indicaciones, las complicaciones del procedimiento y el seguimiento post-operatorio. Se aplicó un cuestionario para evaluar la calidad de vida del paciente luego del procedimiento. RESULTADOS: Durante este período se realizaron 92 histeroscopías operatorias a 87 pacientes, repitiéndose los procedimientos en tres pacientes. La edad promedio de los pacientes sometidos a Histeroscopia operatoria fue 36.65 años, con una rango de 23 a 50 años. Las indicaciones principales para la histeroscopía operatoria en la Unidad HWFMU fueron los miomas submucosos (50%), las sinéquias intrauterinas (26%) y la extracción del dispositivo anticonceptivo intrauterino (11%). Hubo cuatro complicaciones relacionadas con los procedimientos, todas las cuales tuvieron lugar durante la miomectomía y requirieron hospitalización. CONCLUSIÓN: La histeroscopía operatoria es una terapia segura y altamente efectiva para mujeres cuidadosamente seleccionadas. Como consecuencia de los avances tecnológicos, un número creciente de condiciones ginecológicas, tradicionalmente tratadas mediante laparotomía, pueden ahora ser tratadas con seguridad y efectividad mediante histeroscopía operatoria ambulatoria.

Pregnancy after uterine arterial embolization

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes, complications and neonatal outcomes in women who had previously undergone uterine arterial embolization. METHODS: A retrospective study of 187 patients treated with uterine arterial embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids between 2005-2008 was performed. Uterine arterial embolization was performed using polyvinyl alcohol particles (500-900 mm in diameter). Pregnancies were identified using screening questionnaires and the study database. RESULTS: There were 15 spontaneous pregnancies. Of these, 12.5 percent were miscarriages (n = 2), and 87.5 percent were successful live births (n = 14). The gestation time for the pregnancies with successful live births ranged from 36 to 39.2 weeks. The mean time between embolization and conception was 23.8 months (range, 5-54). One of the pregnancies resulted in twins. The newborn weights (n = 14) ranged from 2.260 to 3.605 kg (mean, 3.072 kg). One (7.1 percent) was considered to have a low birth weight (2.260 kg). There were two cases of placenta accreta (12.5 percent, treated with hysterectomy in one case [6.3 percent]), one case of premature rupture of the membranes (PRM) (6.3 percent), and one case of preeclampsia (6.3 percent). All of the patients were delivered via Cesarean section. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was an increased risk of Cesarean delivery. There were no other major obstetric risks, suggesting that pregnancy after uterine arterial embolization is possible without significant morbidity or mortality.

Embolização de mioma uterino em mulheres portadoras de miomas volumosos / Uterine fibroid embolization in women with giant fibroids

OBJETIVO: avaliar a eficácia da embolização de mioma uterino (EMUT) em pacientes com miomas volumosos no que diz respeito tanto à evolução clínica quanto à redução do tamanho dos mesmos. MÉTODOS: vinte e seis pacientes com média etária de 36,5 anos, portadoras de miomas uterinos sintomáticos com volume acima de 1.000 cm³, foram submetidas à EMUT. Todas possuíam indicação para tratamento percutâneo. Os procedimentos foram realizados sob anestesia epidural e sedação, empregando-se protocolo institucional de analgesia. Após punção femoral unilateral, foi realizado o cateterismo seletivo das artérias uterinas e infusão de microesferas calibradas por meio de microcateter. A avaliação clínica pós-procedimento foi realizada em ambulatório de ginecologia segundo o protocolo de atendimento. Todas as pacientes tinham ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) antes do procedimento e 15 pacientes RNM de controle após 6 meses. RESULTADOS: o sucesso técnico foi de 100 por cento. Não houve complicação relacionada aos procedimentos. A média de volume uterino das 15 pacientes foi 1.401 cm³ antes da embolização (min. 1.045 cm³, max. 2.137 cm³) e, após 6 meses 799 cm³ (min. 525 cm³, max. 1.604 cm³), constituindo uma redução média de 42,9 por cento. A melhora clínica foi constatada em 25 das 26 pacientes. Uma paciente com útero de 1.098 cm³ apresentou necrose e expulsão parcial do mioma, sendo submetida à miomectomia. Outra paciente foi submetida à miomectomia após seis meses devido ao desejo de gravidez, apesar da redução parcial do volume dos miomas. Uma paciente com volume uterino de 2.201 cm³ necessitou de segunda intervenção para alcançar um resultado adequado. Nenhuma paciente foi submetida à histerectomia. Foram utilizadas em média 9,2 seringas de microesferas por paciente. CONCLUSÃO: a embolização de miomas uterinos de grande volume é um procedimento factível, com aceitáveis resultados clínico e radiológico. Pode ser considerada uma opção para as pacientes que desejam a preservação uterina e também servir como terapêutica adjuvante à miomectomia de alto risco.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the effectiveness of uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) in patients with giant fibroids, with regard to both clinical outcomes and size reduction. METHODS: twenty-six patients with a mean age of 36.5 years, carrying symptomatic fibroids with a volume over 1,000 cm³, were referred for UFE. All patients had indication for percutaneous treatment. The procedures were performed under epidural anesthesia and sedation, using an institutional protocol. By unilateral femoral access, selective catheterization of uterine arteries and infusion of calibrated microspheres through microcatheter were carried out. Clinical evaluation was performed by means of regular outpatient gynecology consultation. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before the procedure and 15 patients underwent control MRI after 6 months. RESULTS: technical success was 100 percent. There was no complication related to the procedures. Mean uterine volume of the 15 patients studied was 1,401 cm³ before embolization (min 1,045 cm³, max 2,137 cm³) and 799 cm³ after 6 months (525 cm³ min, max. 1,604 cm³), resulting in a total reduction of 42.9 percent. Clinical improvement was observed in 25 of 26 patients. One woman with uterine volume of 1,098 cm³ who developed necrosis and partial fibroid expulsion underwent myomectomy. Another patient was submitted to myomectomy six months after the procedure because she wanted to become pregnant, despite partial fibroid size reduction. One patient with a uterine volume of 2,201 cm³ required a second intervention to achieve an adequate angiographic result. No patient underwent hysterectomy. On average, 9.2 microsphere syringes were used per patient. CONCLUSION: embolization of giant uterine fibroids is a feasible procedure with acceptable clinical and radiological outcomes. It can be considered an option for patients who desire to preserve the uterus, and it may serve as adjuvant therapy for high-risk myomectomy.

Miomectomía abdominal versus miomectomía laparoscopica: experiencia preliminar del Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile / Laparoscopic versus abdominal myomectomy: initial experience of the Clinical Hospital of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Antecedentes: Múltiples pacientes requieren un manejo conservador del mioma uterino. Muchas de ellas no han completado su paridad, y otras no desean la remoción del útero preocupadas del impacto que esa alternativa tenga en su vida sexual. Objetivos: Evaluar nuestra experiencia en pacientes miomectomizadas mediante laparoscopia o laparotomía y revisar la literatura para definir las ventajas de cada técnica y recomendaciones para su indicación. Método: Estudio prospectivo, no randomizado, de pacientes miomectomizadas en el Servicio de Ginecología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica de Chile, durante el período noviembre de 2007 y mayo de 2008. Resultados: La población incluida fue de 43 casos; 16 casos correspondieron a miomectomía laparoscópica (37,2 por ciento) y 27 a miomectomía por laparotomía (67,8 por ciento). La miomectomía por laparotomía se realizó en 40 por ciento de los casos utilizando una incisión transversa mínima. Esta vía de abordaje fue más frecuentemente utilizada cuando se trataba de miomas de gran tamaño o de múltiples miomas. En nuestra serie, la miomectomía laparoscópica se asociaría a un menor requerimiento de analgesia. No hay diferencias en la frecuencia de complicaciones, tiempo operatorio y estadía hospitalaria entre ambas técnicas, cuando se trata de miomas operados menores de 5 cm. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados sugieren que la miomectomía por laparotomía es una técnica segura que debiese privilegiarse cuando se trata de miomas grandes y múltiples. La laparoscopia es igualmente segura reservada para casos bien seleccionados y cirujanos experimentados en el procedimiento.

Background: Multiple patients ask for a conservative management of uterine fibroids. Some of the patients have not completed their parity at the time of surgery, and others do not want a hysterectomy worried about de impact of this procedure in their sexual life. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate our experience in the short term surgical results of patients undergoing a laparoscopic or abdominal myomectomy. We also did a literature review to define the advantages for each technique and their indications. Methods: A prospective, non-randomized study comparing short term surgical outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic versus abdominal myomectomy in the Gynecology Service of the Clinical Hospital of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, between November 2007 and May 2008. Results: Forty-three patients undergoing myomectomy in our centre were analyzed. 16 of them were approached by laparoscopy (37.2 percent) and 27 by laparotomy (67.8 percent). In 40 percent of them, abdominal myomectomy was performed using a minimal transverse incision. This approach was more frequently used when treating larger size (>5 cm) or multiple myomas. In our study, laparoscopic myomectomy was associated with less requirements of analgesia. No differences in complication rates, operative time, and hospital stay were observed between techniques in myomas smaller than 5 cm. Conclusions: Our results indicate that abdominal myomectomy is a safe technique that should be used in cases of larger size or multiple myomas. Laparoscopy is equally safe but should be reserved for well-chosen cases and performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons.