Luteal phase stimulation versus follicular phase stimulation in poor ovarian responders: results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In young women with poor ovarian response, luteal-phase ovarian stimulation (LPOS) is a potential method for collecting competent oocytes. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of LPOS compared with follicular phase ovarian stimulation (FPOS) in young women with poor ovarian response (POR). METHODS: This single-center, prospective, randomized pilot study compared LPOS and FPOS in women with POR fulfilling Bologna criteria who underwent in vitro fertilization at the Instituto Bernabeu. The primary outcome was the number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes obtained by follicular puncture. RESULTS: Sixty women were included in the study, with 27 women completing LPOS and 30 undergoing FPOS. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of MII oocytes obtained between the LPOS group and the FPOS group (2.1 ± 2.0 vs. 2.6 ± 2.2, p = 0.31). Length of stimulation was also similar in both groups (8.35 ± 2.8 vs. 8.15 ± 4.1 days, p = 0.69). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the follicle-stimulating hormone total dose, number of cumulus-oocyte complexes, survival rate, fertilization rate, or cancellation rate between groups. A significantly higher Ovarian Sensitivity Index was observed in the LPOS group versus the FPOS group (0.96 vs. 0.57, p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: LPOS was comparable with FPOS in terms of efficacy and may improve ovarian responsiveness in young women with POR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02625532; EudraCT identifier: 2015-003856-31.

¿Cómo realizamos el cribado de infección tuberculosa latente en pacientes candidatos a terapias biológicas en España? Una encuesta multidisciplinar / Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Patients who are Candidate for Biological Therapies in Spain? A Multidisciplinary Survey

Introducción: El tratamiento con terapias biológicas aumenta la incidencia de enfermedad tuberculosa. La implementación sistemática del cribado de la infección tuberculosa latente en pacientes que van a recibir estas terapias ha conseguido reducir el riesgo de desarrollarla. En 2016 se publicó en España el Documento de consenso sobre la prevención y el tratamiento de la tuberculosis en pacientes candidatos a tratamiento biológico. El objetivo principal del estudio fue evaluar la adherencia al mismo. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, descriptivo, observacional en forma de encuesta anónima online, difundida entre las diferentes sociedades médicas que trabajan con biológicos. Resultados: Se recibieron 747 respuestas. La mayoría de los encuestados realizaba el cribado en el momento adecuado y con la indicación correcta (93,7%). Solo un 36,6% de los encuestados solicitaba las pruebas diagnósticas adecuadas, mientras que el 56,3% acertaron las indicaciones de quimioprofilaxis. Hasta el 96% conocía las pautas de quimioprofilaxis recomendadas, mientras que solo el 63,9% las iniciaba en el momento adecuado. La especialidad con más participación y que más realizaba el cribado de infección tuberculosa latente fue reumatología (54%). En la mayoría de los casos, los neumólogos participaban como consultores. Conclusiones: Este estudio pone de manifiesto un bajo grado de adherencia a las recomendaciones, realizando un cumplimiento aceptable el 56% de los encuestados. Enfatizando en las pruebas diagnósticas adecuadas y en el algoritmo diagnóstico de infección tuberculosa latente, se podría reducir aún más la incidencia de enfermedad tuberculosa en los pacientes que van a recibir terapias biológicas

Introduction: Treatment with biological therapies increases the incidence of tuberculous disease. The introduction of systematic screening for latent tuberculosis infection in patients who are to receive these therapies has reduced this risk. In 2016, the consensus document on the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in patients who are candidates for biological treatment was published in Spain. The main objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to these guidelines. Methods: Multicenter, descriptive, observational study via an anonymous online survey sent to medical societies involved in biologics. Results: We received 747 responses. Most respondents performed screening at the right time in the right patients (93.7%). Only 36.6% of respondents requested the appropriate diagnostic test, while 56.3% correctly recommended chemoprophylaxis. Up to 96% were familiar with the recommended chemoprophylaxis regimens, while only 63.9% initiated them at the right time. The specialist area that participated most and screened most patients for latent tuberculosis infection was rheumatology (54%). In most cases, pulmonologists were involved in an advisory capacity. Conclusions: This study shows poor overall adherence to recommendations, with only 56% of respondents reporting appropriate compliance. The incidence of tuberculous disease in patients who are to receive biological therapies could be reduced further by emphasizing the importance of the right diagnostic test and use of the diagnostic algorithm for latent tuberculosis infection

Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Patients who are Candidate for Biological Therapies in Spain? A Multidisciplinary Survey. / ¿Cómo realizamos el cribado de infección tuberculosa latente en pacientes candidatos a terapias biológicas en España? Una encuesta multidisciplinar.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment with biological therapies increases the incidence of tuberculous disease. The introduction of systematic screening for latent tuberculosis infection in patients who are to receive these therapies has reduced this risk. In 2016, the consensus document on the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in patients who are candidates for biological treatment was published in Spain. The main objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to these guidelines. METHODS: Multicenter, descriptive, observational study via an anonymous online survey sent to medical societies involved in biologics. RESULTS: We received 747 responses. Most respondents performed screening at the right time in the right patients (93.7%). Only 36.6% of respondents requested the appropriate diagnostic test, while 56.3% correctly recommended chemoprophylaxis. Up to 96% were familiar with the recommended chemoprophylaxis regimens, while only 63.9% initiated them at the right time. The specialist area that participated most and screened most patients for latent tuberculosis infection was rheumatology (54%). In most cases, pulmonologists were involved in an advisory capacity. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows poor overall adherence to recommendations, with only 56% of respondents reporting appropriate compliance. The incidence of tuberculous disease in patients who are to receive biological therapies could be reduced further by emphasizing the importance of the right diagnostic test and use of the diagnostic algorithm for latent tuberculosis infection.

Reproducción asistida en mujeres solas y mujeres lesbianas / Assisted reproduction in single women and lesbian women

Las sociedades contemporáneas conciben los modelos familiares de otra manera, a los que la Medicina Reproductiva ha tenido que dar respuesta. Se estima que en España, la población lesbiana es el 2,7% de las mujeres entre 18 y 49 años (unas 258.500). Hubo 1.384 matrimonios entre mujeres en el año 2006, además existen 3.619 parejas formadas por mujeres, y se estima que unos 300.000 niños viven en el seno de familias homoparentales. En los últimos años hemos asistido a un incremento de demandas de Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida para estos colectivos. Se presentan datos del IB de las diferentes TRA empleadas desde el año 2007 hasta el año 2013 y se revisa la situación jurídica, legal y médica

Contemporary societies conceive family models in a different way, to which reproductive medicine has given an answer. It is estimated that in Spain, lesbian population is 0.2% of women between 18 and 49 years old (around 258,500). There were 1,384 lesbian marriages in 2006. Additionally there are 3,619 couples made up of women, and it is estimated that around 300.000 children live within gay or lesbian parents. In the last years we have assisted to an increase on the demand of assisted reproduction techniques by these social groups. Data of different assisted reproduction techniques employed at IB from 2007 until 2013 is shown, and legal and medical situation reviewed

Cribado cromosómico del primer trimestre. Resultados en gestaciones tras reproducción asistida / Chromosomal Screening in the first trimester. Results in pregnant women after assisted reproduction

Objetivo: Comprobar la eficacia del test combinado de aneuploidías del primer trimestre en gestaciones espontáneas y compararlas con embarazos conseguidos con técnicas de reproducción asistida (TRA). Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los 1.675 cribados del primer trimestre realizados en nuestro centro, incluyendo la proteína plasmática A asociada al embarazo (PAPP-A) y la fracción libre de la subunidad b de la gonadotropina coriónica humana (b-hCG libre), edad materna y la translucencia nucal (TN). De ellos, 1.299 fueron en gestaciones espontáneas (77,5%) y 376 en gestaciones tras TRA (22,5%). El punto de corte para recomendar una prueba invasiva fue de 1/270. Resultados: El test combinado se aplicó en 74 gemelares, con dos falsos negativos. Entre las gestaciones únicas, se obtuvieron 70 cribados positivos, correspondiendo 49 de ellos (3,79%) a los espontáneos y 21 casos (6,84%) a las TRA. Se encontraron 11 cromosomopatías, 9 en espontáneos y 2 en TRA. La sensibilidad de la prueba fue de un 89% en espontáneos y de un 100% en TRA. La especificidad fue del 96 y el 93,77%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: El cribado del primer trimestre presenta una sensibilidad y especificidad elevadas en gestaciones únicas, espontáneas y tras TRA. La tasa de cribados positivos es superior en el caso de TRA (AU)

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the combined test for aneuploidies in the first trimester of spontaneous pregnancies in comparison with pregnancies following assisted reproductive technology (ART). Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective study of 1675 triple tests performed in the first trimester in our center, including pregnancy-associated plasma-A (PAPP-A) and the free fraction of the b subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (free b-hCG), maternal age and nuchal scan. Of these, 1299 (77.5%) were spontaneous pregnancies and 376 (22.5%) were pregnancies following ART. The cut-off point for recommending an invasive test was 1/270. Results: The combined test was carried out in 74 twin pregnancies, with two false-positive results. Among single pregnancies, 70 positive triple tests were obtained, 3.79% of spontaneous pregnancies and 6.84% of ART pregnancies. Eleven chromosomal abnormalities were found, nine in spontaneous pregnancies and two in ART pregnancies. The sensitivity of the test was 89% in spontaneous pregnancies and 100% in ART pregnancies. The specificity was 96% and 93.77%, respectively. Conclusions: The first trimester triple test has high sensitivity and specificity in single pregnancies, whether spontaneous or following ART. The rate of positive triple tests is higher in pregnancies following ART (AU)