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.

A Six-Year Gynecological Follow-Up of Immunosuppressed Women with a High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection.

Immunocompromised women are at an increased risk of developing malignancies, especially those that are viral-induced, such as invasive cervical cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The aim of the study was to describe gynecological follow-up of women undergoing chronic immunosuppressive therapy for various reasons (e.g., kidney/liver transplant, systemic lupus erythematosus), diagnosed with a high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection based on a self-sampling test. Twenty-six hrHPV-positive women were invited to take part in a gynecological follow-up, including a visual assessment of the anogenital region, two-handed gynecological examination, and cervical cytology as well as a colposcopy and cervical biopsy when necessary. Four women declined taking part in the study. Over six years of observation, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) were detected at least once in 7/22 women (31.8%), and a cervical intraepithelial lesion 1 (CIN 1) histopathologic result was obtained five times in 3/22 women. No cases of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, CIN 2/3, or invasive cervical cancers were observed. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) was performed in three patients. As immunocompromised women are prone to persistent hrHPV infections, they should be under strict gynecological supervision because only vigilant surveillance enables fast detection and treatment of early dysplasia and, therefore, provides a chance for the reduction of the cervical cancer burden.

Human papilloma virus-related premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix and anogenital tract in immunocompromised women.

The number of immunocompromised patients is rising, and immunodeficiency is an independent risk factor for the development of premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix and anogenital tract. The aim of this review was to summarize and update data on human papilloma virus (HPV) infections and HPV-based anogenital lesions detected in patients who were immunocompromised due to both organ transplantation and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The incidence of HPV infections among solid organ recipients and HIV positive females is reported to be significantly higher when compared with age-matched healthy controls- i.e. higher by up to 65% and 46.6% respectively, vs 38% in the controls. These infections are also more often chronic, high risk HPV and multitype. Data suggest that HPV infections in these patients might not only occur more frequently, but that the course of the infection might also lead to faster oncogenesis. However, the treatment options for malignancies are limited; and this implies the need for intense primary and secondary prevention regimens. As infections with HPV types other than 16 and 18 and multitype infections are particularly frequently discovered in immunocompromised patients, they would probably benefit most from a nonavalent vaccine. Gynecological screening should be performed annually, including cervical smears and/ or HPV testing. In the group of non-responders, self-sampling methods should be considered.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Detection Using Self-Sampling Devices in Women Undergoing Long Term Immunosuppressive Therapy.

Immunosuppression is a risk factor of persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which might lead to development of (pre)malignant lesions of the cervix and lower anogenital tract. Results of HPV DNA testing using cervicovaginal self-samples are comparable to those that are clinician-obtained and therefore might be used in cervical screening. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infections, their risk factors and the genotypes distribution among women undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Women undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for at least three months due to solid organ transplantation or autoimmune disorders were asked to self-collect samples for HPV testing using cervicovaginal brushes and complete questionnaires regarding cervical cancer risk factors. HPV DNA detection and genotyping were performed using Genotyping kit HPV GP version 2. hrHPV was detected in 26/90 (28.9%) specimens. Genotyping revealed a broad range of hrHPV, with type 16 being the most common genotype (11/26). The components of bivalent/quadrivalent or nonavalent vaccines cover all genotypes present in 4.4% and 17.8% women, respectively, and occur as a co-infection with other types in 12.2% and 23.3% of women, respectively. The only feature significantly associated with being hrHPV-positive was having at least two lifetime sexual partners. The high prevalence of hrHPV infections among immunosuppressed women emphasizes the need for regular cervical cancer screening with HPV DNA testing, which might be performed on self-collected specimen.

Evaluation of reproductive health in female patients with multiple sclerosis in Polish population.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease, which affects mostly women and has an early onset. Due to progress in treatment patients maintain a high quality of life for a long period and participate in all of its fields. One of them is reproductive health with all of its aspects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the reproductive health of female MS patients with regard to various features of MS. It was a cross-sectional study. The data was collected via anonymous survey distributed among patients with MS hospitalized at the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw and online. The study group consisted of 218 women diagnosed with MS. The survey consisted of demographic questions, questions assessing features of MS, reproductive health, sexual performance and psychological comorbidities, including depression and fatigue. 53.01% of MS patients declared interest in maternity. Patients interested in pregnancy were significantly younger (p < .01), often nulliparous (p < .001), had lower EDSS score (p < .006) and lower motor deficit (p < .001). History of at least one labour (p < .02) had a negative impact on the frequency of gynaecologic admissions. More advanced age (p < .003), unemployment (p < .01), at least one labour (p < .043), stronger balance problems (p < .003) and more intense motor deficit (p < .002) were related to less frequent Pap smears. Reproductive health of women with MS is similar to that of background population. Therefore, the general gynaecological care in those women should not be neglected.

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.