scholarly journals Decline of ovarian function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in a longitudinal cohort

RMD Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e001307
Author(s):  
Jenny Brouwer ◽  
Radboud J E M Dolhain ◽  
Johanna M W Hazes ◽  
Nicole S Erler ◽  
Jenny A Visser ◽  
...  

ObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) often affects women in their fertile age, and is known to compromise female fertility. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are a proxy for the total number of primordial follicles, and a reliable predictor of the age at menopause. Our objective was to study the longitudinal intra-individual decline of serum AMH levels in female RA patients.MethodsFemale RA patients from a nationwide prospective cohort (2002–2008) were re-assessed in 2015–2016. Serum AMH levels were measured using the picoAMH assay and compared with healthy controls. A linear mixed model (LMM) was built to assess the effect of RA-related clinical factors on the decline of AMH levels.ResultsA group of 128 women were re-assessed at an age of 42.6±4.4 years, with a median disease duration of 15.8 (IQR 12.7–21.5) years. The time between first and last AMH assessments was 10.7±1.8 (range 6.4–13.7) years. Participants represented a more fertile selection of the original cohort. At follow-up, 39% of patients had AMH levels below the 10th percentile of controls (95% CI 31% to 48%), compared with 16% (95% CI 9.3% to 22%) at baseline. The LMM showed a significant decline of AMH with increasing age, but no significant effect of RA-related factors on AMH.ConclusionAMH levels in RA patients showed a more pronounced decline over time than expected, supporting the idea that in chronic inflammatory conditions, reproductive function is compromised, resulting in a faster decline of ovarian function over time and probably an earlier age at menopause.

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1361-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sytske Anne Bergstra ◽  
Cornelia F. Allaart ◽  
Sofia Ramiro ◽  
Arvind Chopra ◽  
Nimmisha Govind ◽  
...  

Objective.To assess differences in initial treatment and treatment response in male and female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily clinical practice.Methods.The proportion of patients with RA starting different antirheumatic treatments (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; DMARD) and the response to treatment were compared in the international, observational METEOR register. All visits from start of the first DMARD until the first DMARD switch or the end of followup were selected. The effect of sex on time to switch from first to second treatment was calculated using Cox regression. Linear mixed model analyses were performed to assess whether men and women responded differently to treatments, as measured by Disease Activity Score (DAS) or Health Assessment Questionnaire.Results.Women (n = 4393) more often started treatment with hydroxychloroquine, as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or a glucocorticoid, and men (n = 1142) more often started treatment with MTX and/or sulfasalazine. Time to switch DMARD was shorter for women than for men. Women had a statistically significantly higher DAS over time than men (DAS improvement per year β −0.69, 95% CI −0.75 to −0.62 for men and −0.58, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.55 for women). Subanalyses per DMARD group showed for the conventional synthetic DMARD combination therapy a slightly greater decrease in DAS over time in men (−0.89, 95% CI −1.07 to −0.71) compared to women (−0.59, 95% CI −0.67 to −0.51), but these difference between the sexes were clinically negligible.Conclusion.This worldwide observational study suggests that in daily practice, men and women with RA are prescribed different initial treatments, but there were no differences in response to treatment between the sexes.


Author(s):  
Anoek M. Adank ◽  
Dave H.H. Van Kann ◽  
Teun Remmers ◽  
Stef P.J. Kremers ◽  
Steven B. Vos

Background: This study examined longitudinal associations of motor competence (MC) and physical activity (PA) enjoyment with moderate to vigorous PA and sedentary behavior among boys and girls aged 10–12 years old. In addition, this study explored the predictive strength of satisfaction of basic psychological needs in physical education (PE) and PA enjoyment. Methods: At 3 time points (baseline, +1 y, and +2 y), PA levels, MC, PA enjoyment, satisfaction of basic psychological needs in PE and height and weight of 371 children were measured. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures linear mixed model analyses stratified for gender and adjusted for relevant covariates. Results: Sedentary behavior decreased over time and was significantly predicted by PA enjoyment in boys and by PA enjoyment and MC in girls. Boys’ moderate to vigorous PA decreased over time and was predicted by MC, whereas girls’ moderate to vigorous PA remained low, yet stable over time and was predicted by PA enjoyment and MC. Furthermore, children’s need for competence and teacher relatedness (girls only) during PE significantly predicted PA enjoyment. Conclusions: Children need sufficient and well-designed opportunities to improve their MC and PA enjoyment. PE may be pivotal in advancing PA enjoyment, indicating that PE could have more beneficial effects on PA levels in children, especially in girls.


Author(s):  
Qian Hui Chew ◽  
Yvonne Steinert ◽  
Kang Sim

Abstract Introduction Conceptual frameworks for professional identity (PI) formation highlight the importance of developmental stages and socialization as the learner progresses from legitimate peripheral to full participation. Based on extant literature and clinical impressions, the authors aimed to explore factors associated with PI formation in psychiatry residents over time, and hypothesized that time in training, seniority status, and duration of exposure to psychiatry prior to residency would be associated with PI formation. Methods Eighty out of 96 psychiatry residents (response rate, 83.3%) from the National Psychiatry Residency Program in Singapore participated and rated their PI development using the Professional Self Identity Questionnaire (PSIQ) across four timepoints from January 2016–December 2019. The residents were classified as junior (first 3 years) or senior residents (years 4–5). Linear mixed model analyses were conducted, with time in training, seniority status (junior versus senior residents), duration of psychiatry postings prior to residency, and their interaction as associated factors with PI over time. Results Time in training, seniority, and duration of psychiatry postings before residency (all p < 0.01) were significantly associated with higher PSIQ scores at baseline. Over time, although all residents had increases in PSIQ scores, this rate of change did not differ significantly between junior and senior residents. Discussion Exposure to psychiatry postings before residency, time in learning, and seniority are factors which influence PI development in residents. This has implications for psychiatry residency selection and training, adequate clinical exposure during training rotations, and continual support for new and senior residents to foster PI formation over time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Kamijo ◽  
Koji Hashimoto ◽  
Yosuke Yamada ◽  
Makoto Harada ◽  
Masatsugu Aida ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims Recently, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) slope has attracted attention as an important surrogate marker for the prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a reduction in slope of eGFR decline by 0.75 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year reportedly having clinical significance. As few large clinical studies on Japanese CKD patients exist, this investigation addresses the clinical significance of GFR slope and its related factors. Method To evaluate the clinical impact of GFR slope, we conducted a prognostic investigation of CKD patients in Japan by means of a large, multicenter, retrospective, observational study. Patients with CKD who were seen at among 15 general hospitals between January and March 2014 were surveyed using medical records. The selection criteria were age ≥20 years, estimated GFR (eGFR) &lt;60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and receiving medical treatment for CKD. Baseline patient characteristics, eGFR changes, and hard endpoints (death or end-stage kidney disease requiring renal replacement therapy) during observation were analysed. We calculated GFR slope using GFR data of 2 years following the observation start point by 2 calculation methods, the linear mixed model and least squares linear regression, and examined the relationship of GFR slope with the hazard ratio of the composite hard endpoints. The factors related to GFR slope were also assessed by multiple regression analysis. Results Among a total of 11233 collected patients, we analyzed the data of 7490 CKD G3 and G4 patients whose GFR data during 2 years could be obtained (60% male, mean age: 71 years, CKD G3a: 55%, G3b: 30%, G4: 15%, mean eGFR: 44.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, urine protein positive: 51%, diabetes mellitus: 49%, use of RAS inhibitors: 57%). The mean observation period was 1040 days. Hard endpoints after the GFR slope measurement period occurred in 301 subjects. The GFR slope of the cohort was -0.948 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year (95% confidence interval [CI] -1.016, -0.880) in the linear mixed model and -0.982 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year (95% CI -1.075, -0.889) according to least squares linear regression. Both calculated GFR slopes were significantly related to the hazard ratio of the composite hard endpoints. Hazard ratio decreased by 0.85 (linear mixed model) and 0.9 (least squares linear regression) times in case of a reduction in slope of eGFR decline by 0.75 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. Multiple regression analysis revealed strongly significant associations for GFR slope with urine protein and CKD stage and undetectable relationships for GFR slope with diabetes and age. Conclusion This study demonstrated the clinical significance of GFR slope as a surrogate marker for renal prognosis in Japanese CKD patients. In order to reduce slope of eGFR decline, active intervention for proteinuria before the progression to an advanced CKD stage appears to be effective.


2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 1018.2-1018
Author(s):  
M. Robustillo Villarino ◽  
E. Rodilla Sala ◽  
F. Gil Latorre ◽  
M.D. Ybañez Garcia ◽  
M.A. Martínez Ferrer ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Elias ◽  
James Meza ◽  
Brian W. McCrindle ◽  
Julie A. Brothers ◽  
Stephen Paridon ◽  
...  

Background: Management of young patients with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) may involve exercise restriction. We sought to identify the association of exercise restriction with changes over time in body mass index (BMI) and exercise capacity in this cohort. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with AAOCA seen at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia between January 1, 1998, and August 31, 2014. Linear mixed model repeated-measures analysis assessed changes in BMI and exercise capacity. Results: We included 72 patients with a median age at presentation of 12.6 years (interquartile range: 10.1-15.8) and mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 3.0 years. The majority had an anomalous right coronary artery (71%) and interarterial ± intramural coronary course (90%). Surgery was performed in 54%, more often in those with interarterial/intramural course ( P < .001) and symptoms ( P = .003). Most patients (82%) were exercise-restricted on presentation, and restricted patients were older than those who were not restricted ( P = .01). There was no significant difference between restricted and nonrestricted patients in initial BMI z scores, percentage of patients with BMI over 85th percentile (26%) or exercise capacity variables. In univariable analysis, exercise restriction over time was not associated with change in BMI z score ( P = .25) or change in exercise variables. Restriction was not associated with significant change in these variables in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Although further investigation is warranted to determine the degree of adherence to exercise restriction, the recommendation of restriction alone is not associated with increasing BMI or decreasing exercise performance in the short-term.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jørn Henrik Vold ◽  
Fatemeh Chalabianloo ◽  
Christer F. Aas ◽  
Else-Marie Løberg ◽  
Kjell Arne Johansson ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundContinuous use of amphetamines, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, or opioids contributes to health impairments, increased morbidity, and overdose deaths among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). This study evaluates the impact of inpatient detoxification, specialized opioid agonist therapy (OAT), and low-threshold municipality care on substance use over time. MethodsWe used data from a cohort of SUD patients in Norway through health assessments of self-reported substance use and sociodemographic and clinical factors. A total of 881 substance use measurements, including type and amount of substances, were assessed from 708 SUD patients in 2016-2020. Substance use for individual and total substances was calculated, creating a substance use severity index (SUSI) ranging from zero (no use) to one (daily use). We defined baseline as the first substance use measurement when the measurements were listed chronologically. Time was defined as years from baseline. We used a linear mixed model to analyze associations between the SUSI and inpatient detoxification, specialized OAT compared with low-threshold municipality care, as well as the factors like injecting substance use, gender, and age, presented with coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsNeither inpatient detoxification (mean SUSI change: 0.01, -0.03;0.04) nor specialized OAT (0.03, -0.09;0.14) compared with low-threshold municipality care were associated with changes in substance use over time. Patients who were over 60 years of age (mean SUSI difference: -0.06, -0.13;0.00) had a lower SUSI than those under 30 years of age, while patients who injected substances had a higher SUSI than those who did not inject substances (0.18, 0.15;0.20) at baseline. The mean SUSI for the individual substances were 0.50 (standard deviation (SD): 0.38) for cannabis, 0.40 (0.37) for benzodiazepines, 0.33 (0.34) for amphetamines and cocaine, 0.31 (0.29) for alcohol, and 0.22 (0.31) for opioids at baseline. The mean SUSI of all substances was 0.35 (0.20). Conclusion The present study demonstrates that neither inpatient detoxification nor specialized OAT compared to low-threshold municipality care were associated with changes in substance use over time. Future research needs to evaluate the impact on substance use and healthy survival of multiple health care interventions to this patient group.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margriet van Iersel ◽  
Corine Latour ◽  
Marjon van Rijn ◽  
Rien de Vos ◽  
Paul A. Kirschner ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Extramuralisation in healthcare has influenced medical and nursing curricula internationally with the incorporation of themes related to primary/ community care. Despite this, students do not easily change their career preferences. The hospital is still favourite, leading to labour market shortages in extramural care. This study investigates how baccalaureate nursing students’ perceptions of community care and placement preferences develop over time in a more 'community-care-oriented' curriculum, to gain insights on which curriculum elements potentially influence career choices. Methods: A nursing student cohort of a University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands ( n = 273) underwent a new four-year curriculum containing extended elements of community care. The primary outcome was assessed with the Scale on Community Care Perceptions (SCOPE). Data were collected each year of study. Descriptive statistics were used to investigate students’ placement preferences and perceptions, and linear mixed model techniques (LMMs) for measuring how students’ perceptions develop over time. Patterns of placement preferences at individual level were visualised. Results: Students’ perceptions of community care, as measured with SCOPE, show a slight decrease between year 1 and 4, while items mutually differ substantially. In contrast, the preference of community care for a placement increases from 2.6% in year 1 tot 8.2% in year 4. The hospital is favourite in year 1 (79.8%), and remains most popular. At individual level, students often change placement preferences, although a preference for the hospital is more consistent. The LMMs indicates that, at the four time-points, the estimated marginal means of students’ perceptions fluctuate between 6 and 7 (range 1-10). A placement in community care did not positively influence students’ perceptions, and an intensive one week theoretical programme was only temporarily influential. Conclusion: Although interest for placement in community care increased substantially, it was not clear which curriculum elements stimulated this, nor did the curriculum positively influence students’ perceptions. As most students do not look forward to the high responsibility of the field, other curricula with educational tracks for more mature students/ nurses with a vocational training may be an alternative contribution to solving the labour market problems in community care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Cervigni ◽  
L. Nasta ◽  
C. Schievano ◽  
N. Lampropoulou ◽  
E. Ostardo

Aims. To assess the efficacy of a micronized-palmitoylethanolamide-polydatin (m-PEA-Pol) based product on chronic pelvic pain and severity of other symptoms in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients refractory to conventional therapies. Methods. A pilot, open-label bicentric study was carried out involving 32 IC/BPS patients. Chronic, oral m-PEA-Pol treatment lasted 6 months. Bladder pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale, while changes from baseline in other urinary symptoms were evaluated by means of the O’Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Index and the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) symptom scale questionnaires. The generalized linear mixed model was used to evaluate significant mean changes across time. Results. A significant and progressive reduction of pain intensity was observed during m-PEA-Pol treatment (p<0.0001 for reduction over time). The effect was associated with a reduction in severity of patients’ symptoms evaluated with the O’Leary-Sant questionnaire (p=0.0110 and p=0.0014 for cystitis symptoms and problem mean scores, respectively) and the PUF scale (p=0.0163 and p=0.0005 for symptom and bother mean scores, respectively). m-PEA-Pol therapy elicited a significant reduction over time in the urinary frequency evaluated with voiding diary (p=0.0005) and a small but not significant improvement of bladder capacity. Conclusions. These data highlight the potential benefit of m-PEA-Pol in patients with rare pathology such as IC/BPS and confirm the good safety profile of micronized PEA-based products.


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