Prevalence and patterns of premenstrual disorders and possible association with sexual harassment: a cross-sectional study of young Arab women.

BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) represent a range of both psychiatric and physical symptoms that impair quality of life and interfere with daily activities in females. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of PMS and PMDD in Egypt, Jordan and Syria, its demographic associations and the potential link to sexual harassment (SH). METHODS: We used an Arabic version of the premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST) to assess the prevalence of PMS and PMDD. Another two-part questionnaire was used to assess the harassment experience. RESULTS: 22,021 women agreed to fill the questionnaire; the majority (65%) aged 18-25 years old. PMS was more prevalent in Egyptian women 77.7% followed by women from Jordan 72.9% then Syria 66.3%. PMDD prevalence followed the same order (40%, 34.7% and 28.2%). Both conditions were significantly associated with obesity and working in medical careers (P = .001). 5733 women agreed to share their sexual harassment experience. Results showed a significant association between the diversity and frequency of sexual harassment and the frequency of the pre-menstrual conditions, PMS Frequency was 87.6%, 80.7% and 78% in participants who were harassed on daily basis Vs. once weekly or monthly vs. few times in their lifetime (p = .04). A similar statistically significant difference was noticed regarding having PMDD (66.4% vs. 47.6% vs. 42.5%). CONCLUSION: The study showed high levels of both PMS and PMDD. The data provided by this study also sheds light on a potential link between SH and developing Pre-menstrual disorders.

Therapeutic effect of Internal iliac artery ligation and uterine artery ligation techniques for bleeding control in placenta accreta spectrum patients: A meta-analysis of 795 patients.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) can cause complications like hysterectomy or death due to massive pelvic bleeding. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of two different arterial ligation techniques in controlling postpartum haemorrhage and minimizing bleeding complications. We searched six databases. 11 studies were finally included into our review and analysis. We graded their quality using the Cochrane tool for randomized trials and the NIH tool for retrospective studies. Our analysis showed that internal iliac artery ligation has no significant effect on bleeding control (MD = -248.60 [-1045.55, 548.35] P = 0.54), while uterine artery ligation significantly reduced the amount of blood loss and preserved the uterus (MD = -260.75, 95% CI [-333.64, -187.86], P < 0.00001). Uterine artery ligation also minimized the need for blood transfusion. Bleeding was best controlled by combining both uterine artery ligation with uterine tamponade (MD = 1694.06 [1675.34, 1712.78], P < 0.00001). This combination also showed a significant decrease in hysterectomy compared to the uterine artery ligation technique alone. Bilateral uterine artery ligation in women with placenta accreta spectrum can effectively reduce the amount of bleeding and the risk of complications. The best bleeding control tested is a combination of both, uterine artery ligation and cervical tamponade. These techniques may offer an easy and applicable way to preserve fertility in PAS patients. Larger randomized trials are needed to define the best technique.

Efficacy and safety of intrathecal morphine in total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Morphine is a potent analgesic used to manage the pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We aim to assess the safety and efficacy of intrathecal morphine (ITM) compared with placebo following TKA. METHODS: We systematically searched four databases for trials that study the safety and efficacy of ITM in TKA. From relevant studies, data were extracted and pooled as mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 percent confidence interval (CI) using Review Manager software (Version 5.3). RESULTS: We included six randomized controlled trials in our study. ITM significantly reduced pain scores at 4 hours (SMD = -0.82, 95 percent CI [-1.52, -0.12], p = 0.02) and 24 hours (MD = -2.01, 95 percent CI [-2.93, -1.09], p = 0.0001) after surgery compared to placebo. No statistically significant difference in cumulative morphine use or nausea episodes was observed after 24 hours. ITM in-creased the risk of pruritus more than placebo (relative risk [RR] = 4.82, 95 percent CI [2.34, 9.93], p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: ITM reduces pain at 4 and 24 hours post-operatively with no effect on cumulative morphine consumption. The only feared side effect is pruritus.