Twin Chorionicity and the Risk of Hypertensive Disorders: Gestational Hypertension and Pre-eclampsia.

Twin gestation is known to be a risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, the relationship between hypertensive disorders (pre-eclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH)) and chorionicity of twin pregnancy is unclear, and published data is conflicting. We decided to analyze the relationship between placentation and prevalence of hypertensive disorders. It was a retrospective cohort study. 312 twin pregnancies delivered between 2009 and 2014 were analyzed, 79 of which were monochorionic and 233 dichorionic. The occurrence of PE and GH was established according to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) guidelines. Hypertensive disorders were diagnosed significantly more often in dichorionic than in monochorionic twin pregnancies (19.7% vs. 8.9%; OR = 2.53 95% CI 1.04-6.45; p = .03). PE occurred more frequently in DCP (13.3% vs. 3.8%; OR = 3.88 95% CI 1.09-16.46; p = .02). There were no differences between those two groups in the prevalence of GH (6.4% vs. 5.1%; p = .79). The logistic regression model for the occurrence of PE included chorionicity, mother's age lower than 18 or higher than 40, pre-gestational obesity, in vitro fertilization, primiparity, gestational age at delivery, gestational diabetes, and active smoking. It showed that dichorionicity remained an independent risk factor for PE (adjusted OR = 4.97.0 95% CI 1.06-23.38; p = .04). Dichorionicity seems to be a risk factor for PE but not for GH development.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis in patient with malignant astrocytoma.

UNLABELLED: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe, life-threatening mucocutaneus adverse reaction, most commonly triggered by medication. Treatment in some aspects is still controversial. CASE REPORT: Patient with malignant astrocytoma, treated with palliative radiotherapy, developed massive erythema with bullae. Patient suffered from tumor-related epilepsy, treated pharmacologically with carbamazepine. After dermatological consultation TEN was diagnosed. The bacterial growth tests from blood were Staphylococci positive. An antibiotic therapy was performed and carbamazepine was withdrawn. Cyclosporine was administered. After 2 weeks of treatment, skin changes vanished and patient's condition improved. TEN could not be omitted in diagnosis of extensive skin changes because the causative drug removal is crucial for survival and pharmacological treatment varies in similar conditions. TEN as a drug-related disease more likely occurs in severely ill patients.

Pregnancy beyond the age of 40 - the influence of parity on perinatal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the pregnancy course and neonatal outcome in women at least 40 years old during conception. DESIGN: Data were collected on the basis of medical records of patients who gave birth between 2009-2014 at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw. Women enrolled were at least 40 years old at the moment of conception and delivered after 22 completed weeks of gestation - they were also assigned into 2 groups: primiparas and multiparas. Demographic features, pregnancy and delivery complications, mode of delivery and neonatal outcome were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: 9760 women delivered at the Department during the study period, among them 193 met the inclusion criteria for the study: 40 primiparas (average age 40.9 ± 1.14) and 153 multiparas (average age 41.3 ± 1.35). No relation between parity and preterm delivery was observed (5% primiparas vs 11.1% multiparas; p>0.05). However, gestational age at delivery was associated with the number of pregnancies - the higher the pregnancy number, the lower the gestational age (p=0.009; R=-0.188). Primiparity was associated with an increased rate of oligohydramnios (RR=4.78; 95% CI 1.15-20.63) and pregnancy induced hypertension (RR=2.34; 95% CI 0.93-5.58). Primiparas had a significantly greater risk of operative delivery (RR=1.83; 95% CI 1.42-2.12) and unsuccessful labor inductions (RR=3.60; 95% CI 1.04-5.29). They were more often diagnosed with fibroids (RR=3.04; 95%CI 1.15-7.81). No relations between parity and birth weight, fetal abnormalities or Apgar score were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed childbearing of a first child seems to increase the risk of perinatal complications, which is important for counseling purposes.

Sexual dysfunction in female patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is one of the common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is often underdiagnosed, especially in women. Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is the most widespread form of the disease, but the data on SD occurrence in this particular group of patients is limited. The aim of the study was to analyze the associations between demographic factors, symptoms and signs of MS, psychiatric comorbidities and SD in female patients with RRMS. MATERIAL & METHODS: A subgroup of 86 sexually active women with RRMS out of 218 total MS respondents was analyzed. Exclusion criteria included active relapse, EDSS score equal or higher than 6.5, and current pregnancy. All patients completed questionnaires including demographic data, questions about symptoms and signs of MS, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for sexual performance, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) for depression, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) for fatigue evaluation. RESULTS: According to FSFI, SD occurred in 21 (27.27%) of the respondents. SD occurrence was associated with depression (p < .05) and speech disturbances (p < .04). A negative effect on sexual performance was associated with depression intensity (p < .003), fatigue intensity (p < .05), more advanced age at diagnosis (p < .02), lower education level (p < .05), and smaller area of residence (p < .002). CONCLUSIONS: SD in women with RRMS is mostly associated with psychosocial parameters. Patients who are more depressed, presenting speech problems, less educated, and from smaller towns, should be considered high-risk for sexual dysfunction.

Results of Further Diagnostic Procedures Among Patients with Cytological Characteristics of Minor Changes on Pap Smears.

BACKGROUND: Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) are the two most common results of positive Pap smears. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the management of patients with ASCUS and LSIL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All procedures were performed between 2003 and 2014 in an outpatient clinic affiliated to a tertiary referral center, and included Pap smears, colposcopy, histology and invasive treatment. RESULTS: There were 131 patients in the ASCUS group and 84 in the LSIL group. Further negative cytological results were obtained more frequently among the ASCUS group than the LSIL group [relative risk (RR)=1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.33-2.40; p<0.001]. Histological results revealed higher occurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III or invasive squamous cancer in the LSIL group than the ASCUS group [RR=6.8 (95% CI=0.95-144.63), p=0.033]. Patients from the LSIL group more frequently required invasive treatment [RR=2.53, 95% CI=1.40-4.67, p=0.001]. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of ASCUS is associated with more frequent cases of total remission in follow-up Pap smears and requires for less-invasive management.

Postmyomectomic Uterine Rupture Despite Cesarean Section.

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. Fibroids can develop anywhere within the muscular wall. Leiomyomas may be associated with infertility. Laparoscopic myomectomy is often used to remove symptomatic intramural or subserosal fibroids. Advantages of the procedure include short recovery time and minimal perioperative morbidity. At the same time, the multilayer suture technique is more complicated during laparoscopy. A rare but serious complication of laparoscopic myomectomies is uterine rupture. A brief review of the literature and a clinical example of a 33-year-old woman with history of infertility, laparoscopic myomectomies and uterine rupture followed by peripartum hemorrhage is presented. The treatment of leiomyomas is a challenge not only because of possible recurrence but also due to long-term consequences following successful myomectomy. Management of patients with uterine scars should include careful planning of the route of delivery, as the risk of rupture may be increased.