Spatial analysis of the distribution of endometriosis in northwestern Italy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence of endometriosis in a northwestern region of Italy. The potential sources of geographical variations in the incidence of endometriosis within the region are discussed. METHODS: The patients selected were women between 18 and 45 years of age, born and residing in Piedmont who had undergone medical or surgical treatment for endometriosis between 2000 and 2005. The data were obtained from official hospital discharge records. RESULTS: The number of women contributed to the study was 3,929. The age-standardized incidence rate of endometriosis was 81.8/100,000 patient-years (95% CI 79.1-84.2). The distribution of relative risks showed some areas with an increased rate of around 30% (southern and central Piedmont), while for other areas the disease risk was lower (southwestern Piedmont). These areas have greater exposure to environmental risk due to the presence of chemical pollutants. CONCLUSION: In order to achieve reliable data and good management of the disease, there is great need for national registers, as well as networks of excellence for the treatment of endometriosis. Our findings suggest that environmental factors may be associated with the development of the disease, but the observed results need to be cautiously interpreted in the context of ineligible biases.

Hysteroscopic management of large symptomatic submucous uterine myomas.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of hysteroscopic resection of large submucous uterine myomas. DESIGN: Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: Surgery unit of minimally invasive gynecology. PATIENTS: Thirty-three women with submucous myomas 5 cm or larger in diameter with menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, or infertility. INTERVENTION: Hysteroscopic myomectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Satisfaction with the surgery and an improvement in symptoms were the primary outcomes. Possibility of 1-step resection; complication rate, and disease recurrence were also considered. Menorrhagia was the most frequent indication (91%). According to the Wamsteker classification, 84.8% were type II myomas, whereas 93.9% scored 5 or higher according to the classification of Lasmar and colleagues. Mean operating time was 50 minutes (interquartile range, 35-65). One-step excision was achieved in 81.8% of patients. Of 5 women with incomplete resection, 3 needed a second surgery, and 2 were symptom-free. Patients with myomas larger than 5 cm or with a Lasmar score higher than 7 were more likely to undergo a 2-step procedure. In patients with myomas larger than 6 cm, recovery time was significantly longer than in those with smaller myomas. We recorded 3 complications: intravasation, uterine perforation, and postoperative anemia, in 1 patient each; at present, all 3 women are symptom-free. Median (range) follow-up was 10 (6-22) months. Twenty-seven patients (81.2%) reported they were very satisfied; 5 patients (15.2%) were satisfied; and 1 patient (3%) was dissatisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopic myomectomy can be the treatment of choice in symptomatic patients with a submucous myoma with diameter of 6 cm or less. Although this technique raises the possibility that complete resection may require 2 surgical sessions, it is a feasible surgical procedure. However, for myomas 6 cm or larger in diameter, this approach is less attractive. Nevertheless, we believe that all of the limiting criteria defined in the available literature should be evaluated individually, bearing in mind each patient's particular condition and the surgeon's experience and skill.

Biochemical markers of sperm function: male fertility and sperm selection for ICSI.

The expression of a 70 kDa chaperone protein, HspA2 (formerly called CK-M), has been identified in mature human spermatozoa. The central role of HspA2 has been established, as the expression level of this protein is related to sperm cellular maturity, DNA integrity, chromatin maturity, chromosomal aneuploidy frequency and sperm function, including fertilizing potential. The spermiogenetic events of cytoplasmic extrusion and remodelling of the plasma membrane, which facilitate the formation of zona pellucida binding site(s) in human spermatozoa, are related. Finally, the presence of the hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor on the plasma membrane of mature sperm coupled with the HA-coated slide sperm-binding assay, facilitates the testing of infertile men and the selection of single mature spermatozoa for ICSI. Because mature spermatozoa have no residual cytoplasm, the HA-bound sperm fraction is also enriched in spermatozoa that are normal by the Kruger strict morphology method.