Comprehensive evaluation of the incidence and prevalence of surgically diagnosed pelvic endometriosis in a complete population.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence and prevalence of pelvic endometriosis is still being debated. Population-based studies have shown annual incidences between 0.1% and 0.3%, which translates to a prevalence of symptom-giving disease of between 2% and 6% over a 20-year span in the reproductive years. However, a prevalence of 10% or higher is often assumed. We used Iceland's extensive record linkage possibilities, secure access to patient data and personal identification numbers to search for all cases with a surgical and/or histological first diagnosis over a 15-year study period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information was obtained from all healthcare facilities where an operative and/or histological diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis might have been made during 2001-2015. Hospital discharge diagnostic data and private clinic data sources were scrutinized and double-checked through a central register. Individual medical records, operation notes and pathology records were inspected. Visually and pathologically diagnosed cases were included. The data covered women aged 15-69 years, but the age range 15-49 (reproductive years) was specifically considered. Annual incidence was estimated per 10 000 person-years and prevalence possibilities calculated for varying disease durations. Disease severity was staged (revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification) and main lesion sites determined. RESULTS: A total of 1634 women 15-69 years old were diagnosed; 1487 of them between 15 and 49 years old. Histological verification was obtained for 57.1%. The age-standardized annual incidence for all confirmed endometriosis diagnoses was 12.5/10 000 person-years among women in their reproductive years. The overall estimate of prevalence was 0.6%-3.6%, dependent on duration of symptoms from 5 up to 30 years. The most common sites by order of frequency were ovaries, deep pelvis, central pelvis, vesicouterine pouch and uterine appendages. Of the women, 1080 (66.1%) had minimal/mild and 553 (33.8%) moderate/severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: We have in a comprehensive study covering a recent 15-year period confirmed an annual incidence of pelvic endometriosis of between 0.1% and 0.15% in the female population of reproductive age. Endometriosis is variably severe but, depending on the duration of symptomatic disease, the approximated prevalence during women's reproductive years could range from 1% to 4%.

[Catamenial pneumothorax due to pulmonary endometriosis].

Endometriosis is a chronic condition causing menstrual pain, irregular bleeding and infertility among women. Although usually in the pelvis, it can manifest in atypical places. We describe a 39-year old woman with a previous endometriosis diagnosis who presented three times on the second menstrual day with dyspnea and chest pain. Imaging showed right-sided pneumothorax on all three occasions. Thoraco-scopy revealed endometriosis-like lesions. Histology was suggestive of endometriosis. After treatment with chemical pleurodesis and hormonal suppression she has remained symptom-free. Diagnosis should be obtained by concomitant thoraco- and laparoscopy with biopsies to verify the disease and give a basis for appropriate treatment.

Evaluating the Benefits of Exercise Training in HFrEF or COPD Patients: ISO-LEVEL COMPARISON CAN ADD VALUABLE INFORMATION TO V˙o2peak.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are relatively common conditions with similar symptoms of exercise intolerance and dyspnea. The aim of this study was to compare exercise capacity, ventilatory response, and breathing pattern in patient groups with either advanced HFrEF or COPD before and after exercise training. METHODS: An observational study was conducted with parallel groups of 25 HFrEF and 25 COPD patients who took part in 6 wk of inpatient rehabilitation with exercise training. All patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise tests at the start and end of the training, with resting arterial blood gas measurements. RESULTS: The average peak oxygen uptake (V˙o2) was low at the start of the study but increased significantly after training in both groups, or by 2.2 ± 2.1 mL/kg/min in HFrEF patients and 1.2 ± 2.2 mL/kg/min in COPD patients. At ISO-V˙o2 (ie, same level of V˙o2 in pre- and post-exercise tests), carbon dioxide production (V˙co2) decreased after exercise training in both groups. Similarly, at ISO-V˙E (ie, same level of ventilation), breathing frequency (f) decreased and tidal volume (VT) increased, resulting in an improved breathing pattern (lower f/VT ratio) after training. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that exercise training in severely affected patient groups with HFrEF or COPD led to an increase in maximal exercise capacity, a more favorable breathing pattern, and a diminished V˙co2 during exercise. Therefore, comparisons of V˙co2 and breathing pattern at ISO-levels of V˙o2 or V˙E before and after training are valuable and underutilized outcome measures in treatment studies.

Chest wall motion and pulmonary function are more diminished following cardiac surgery when the internal mammary artery retractor is used.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary complications following cardiac surgery through sternotomy have been widely studied. The duration of these complications, however, has been less studied and the proposed alterations in chest wall mechanism even less. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in chest wall motion and pulmonary function of cardiac surgery patients, where both the median and the internal mammary artery retractor was used (IMA group) and cardiac surgery patients, where only the median retractor was used (Median group). DESIGN: Subjects were 20 cardiac surgery patients with mean age 65 years (12 in the IMA group and 8 in the Median group). Bilateral respiratory movements (RMs) using the Respiratory Movement Measuring Instrument, lung volumes including vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) using the Vitalograph Alpha were measured and pulmonary radiographs analyzed before, 3 and 12 months after the operation. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, t-tests, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used for analyses, p < or = 0.05. RESULTS: RMs were symmetrical in both groups prior to the operation and the differences in RMs and lung volumes between the groups were not significant. Three and 12 months postoperatively bilateral abdominal respiratory movements (ARM) were significantly less in the IMA group than in the Median group. Average left ARM were significantly less than the average right ARM in the IMA group 3 months postoperatively, while symmetrical in the Median group. Average FVC and FEV1 were significantly less in the IMA group than in the Median group 3 months postoperatively and FVC was still significantly less in the IMA group 12 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: The significantly more reduced ARM and lung volumes 3 months postoperatively in the IMA group than in the Median group suggests that the IMA retractor causes greater injury to the rib cage and the diaphragm.

Respiratory movements are altered three months and one year following cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary complications following cardiac surgery through sternotomy are well known, but little is known about the proposed alterations of the chest wall mechanism. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in chest wall motion and pulmonary function after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: The subjects were 20 cardiac surgery patients, 13 men and 7 women, mean age 65 years. MEASUREMENTS: Bilateral respiratory movements were measured using the Respiratory Movement Measuring Instrument before, 3 and 12 months after the operation. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) were measured with the Pulminet III (Gold Godart Ltd Vitalograph Alpha Ltd. Maids Morton, Buckingham, England) preoperatively, 3 and 12 months postoperatively, and radiographs were taken at the same points in time. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, paired sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used for analyses, p < or = 0.05. RESULTS: Average abdominal movements 3 months postoperatively were significantly decreased and the difference between right and left side in upper thoracic and abdominal movements was significant. All pulmonary function measurements except the FEV1/FVC showed a significant decrease and a restrictive pattern compared with preoperative values. Twelve months after the operation the upper thoracic movements were significantly increased. Five patients had an abnormal chest x-ray before the operation, eight 3 months and three 12 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: The motor system of the respiratory organs suffers considerable injury from cardiac surgery, which in part at least can explain the restrictive breathing 3 months postoperatively.

Short-term changes in pulmonary function and respiratory movements after cardiac surgery via median sternotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in bilateral respiratory motion and pulmonary function following sternotomy and the relationships between the changes in respiratory movements, spirometry, radiographic analyses, and several intra-operative surgical characteristics. DESIGN: Respiratory motion during deep breathing and lung volumes were measured in 20 patients (mean age 65 years, SD 16) before and after median sternotomy. Chest x-rays were analyzed pre- and postoperatively and a variety of perioperative variables were measured. RESULTS: Average abdominal motion decreased to 57% of preoperative values bilaterally 1 week postoperatively, the average lower thoracic motion decreased to 72%, and the average upper thoracic motion decreased to 87%, whereas the right upper thoracic motion increased 3% compared with preoperative values. Lung volumes decreased to around 60% of preoperative values (p<0.05). Significant correlations were found between the decrease in pulmonary function and the mean respiratory movements. Abnormal chest radiographs were found in all patients. CONCLUSION: The breathing pattern before sternotomy is predominantly abdominal but moves to a thoracic and upper thoracic pattern postoperatively and is associated with reduced pulmonary function. Therapeutic interventions aimed at correcting the less effective upper thoracic breathing pattern should likely be implemented.