scholarly journals Diagnostic Considerations in the Measurement of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Aging Women

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (10) ◽  
pp. 1830-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Snyder ◽  
Shannon Haymond ◽  
Curtis A Parvin ◽  
Ann M Gronowski ◽  
David G Grenache
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Aging Women ◽  
Perimenopausal Women ◽  
History Of ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Hcg Test

Abstract Background: Human chorionic gondadotropin (hCG) screening tests are performed on nearly all female patients of childbearing age before any medical intervention. Although older women usually have negative hCG test results, positive results do occur and may cause clinical confusion. We examined changes with age in serum hCG concentrations in nonpregnant women and investigated the use of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) measurements as an aid to interpreting higher than expected (“positive”) hCG results. Methods: We used 240 serum specimens for each of 4 female cohorts: pregnant, ≥18 years; nonpregnant, 18–40 years (premenopausal); nonpregnant, 41–55 years (perimenopausal); and nonpregnant, >55 years (postmenopausal). Patients were excluded if they had an ectopic pregnancy, a history of trophoblastic disease or a germ-cell tumor, or if no chart was available for review. Quantitative hCG and FSH tests were performed on each specimen. Results: Serum hCG concentrations in nonpregnant women increased with the age of the women. hCG results were higher and significantly different (P <0.0001) for nonpregnant women >55 years (<2.0 to 13.1 IU/L) compared with nonpregnant women 18–40 years (<2.0 to 4.6 IU/L) and 41–55 years (<2.0 to 7.7 IU/L). Nineteen nonpregnant women >40 years of age had hCG concentrations ≥5.0 IU/L, all with an FSH concentration >32.4 IU/L. The highest FSH concentration in pregnancy was 7.3 IU/L. Conclusions: Serum hCG increases with age in nonpregnant women. A cutoff of 14.0 IU/L should be used when interpreting hCG results in women >55 years of age. Pregnancy is unlikely in perimenopausal women 41–55 years of age with an hCG between 5.0 and 14.0 IU/L if serum FSH is >20.0 IU/L.

scholarly journals Screening for non-communicable diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1092
Author(s):  
D. M. Christe ◽  
S. Vijaya ◽  
K. Tharangini
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Positive Results

Background: This study was conducted to enumerate the results of screening for non-communicable diseases in the NCD clinic over a period of one year in a tertiary health centre.Methods: The results from screening tests conducted in the NCD clinic, for detecting hypertension, diabetes mellitus, breast cancer and cervical cancer, in Government tertiary care Hospital for Women, Chennai, were recorded. The flowchart and screening methods followed were those recommended by the NHM - NPCDCS. Data thus obtained was analyzed using standard statistical methods.Results: Of 42,519 women screened for common non communicable diseases - hypertension, diabetes mellitus, breast cancer and cervical cancer, nearly 5.55% women (n = 2359) had positive results, for any one of the diseases screened. Of 11,708 women screened for diabetes mellitus and 13,971 screened for hypertension, positive results were found in 856 women and 1,216 women respectively. Around 7,568 women were screened for cervical cancer and 175 women tested positive. A large number of 9,272 women were screened for breast cancer and 112 women had positive results. As per the guidelines, women who tested positive for screening tests were referred to the concerned departments in RGGGH.Conclusions: Nearly 42,519 women were screened for common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) - hypertension, diabetes mellitus, breast cancer and cervical cancer, and 5.55% women had positive test results for any one of the diseases screened. The screening revealed, 8.7% of women had raised blood pressure, 7.31% had raised blood sugar levels, 1.21% women had positive screening test results for breast cancer, and 2.31% women for cervical cancer.

scholarly journals New Meconium Biomarkers of Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Increase Identification of Affected Neonates

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 856-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa R Gray ◽  
Tamsin Kelly ◽  
Linda L LaGasse ◽  
Lynne M Smith ◽  
Chris Derauf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
False Negative ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽  
Tandem Mass Spectrometric ◽  
New Biomarkers ◽  
Related Compounds ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract Background: Prenatal methamphetamine (MAMP) exposure is poorly reflected in neonatal meconium. Often, maternal self-reported MAMP use is not corroborated by positive results in amphetamines immunoassays of meconium, and even if initial test results are positive, they frequently are not confirmed for MAMP or amphetamine (AMP) by chromatographic analysis. The presence of the MAMP metabolites p-hydroxymethamphetamine (pOHMAMP), p-hydroxyamphetamine (pOHAMP), and norephedrine (NOREPH) in meconium may improve the identification of MAMP- and AMP-exposed neonates. Methods: Immunoassay-positive and -negative meconium samples were subjected to liquid chromatography– tandem mass spectrometric reanalysis for these recently identified metabolites. Results: pOHAMP and NOREPH were detected only when MAMP and/or AMP were present and thus do not appear to be promising biomarkers of prenatal MAMP exposure. pOHMAMP, in contrast, identified 6 additional neonates whose mothers reported MAMP exposure, yet had a meconium sample screened as negative; pOHMAMP was more likely to be present if maternal MAMP use continued into the third trimester. Although the pOHMAMP results for meconium samples corroborated the maternal self-reports, the confirmation rate for positive meconium screening results did not improve with the inclusion of these new biomarkers. Conclusions: pOHMAMP identified additional MAMP- exposed neonates; therefore, MAMP, AMP, and pOHMAMP should be included in meconium chromatographic analyses. Maximizing the identification of MAMP-exposed children requires improvement in immunoassay screening tests to reduce false-negative and false-positive results. Additional research will help clarify which AMP-related compounds, if any, contribute to unconfirmed positive results in screening tests. Furthermore, nonamphetamine compounds endogenous to the complex meconium matrix also may cross-react, making chromatographic confirmation of screening results essential.

Appreciation of the importance of pregravid preparation and reproductive attitudes of women of childbearing age in the city of Omsk

GYNECOLOGY ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
E N Kravchenko ◽  
R A Morgunov
Keyword(s):  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽  
Perinatal Center ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Complicated Pregnancy ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City

The aim of the study. Assess the importance of pregravid preparation and outcomes of pregnancy and childbirth, depending on the reproductive attitudes of women in the city of Omsk. Materials and methods. The study included 92 women who were divided into groups: group A (n=43) - women whose pregnancy was planned; group B (n=49) - women whose pregnancy occurred accidentally. Each group was divided into subgroups depending on age: from 18 to 30 and from 31 to 49 years. For each patient included in the study, a specially designed map was filled out. These patients were interviewed at the City Clinical Perinatal Center. Results. Comparative analysis revealed the relationship between the reproductive settings of women of childbearing age and the peculiarity of the course of pregnancy and childbirth in these patients. Summary. The majority of women of fertile age are married: in subgroup AA - 25 (96.2%), AB - 13 (76.5%), BA - 25 (92.6%), BB - 20 (91.0%). The predominant number of women of fertile age have one or more abortions: in subgroup AA - 12 (46.2%), AB - 6 (35.3%), in subgroups of comparison BA - 8 (29.6%), BB - 6 (27.3%). More than half of the women of fertile age surveyed have a history of untreated cervical pathology (from 40.8% to 64.7%). The course of pregnancy in women planning pregnancy in most cases proceeded without complications: in subgroup AA - 13 (50.0%), AB - 11 (64.7%). The most common cause of complicated pregnancy in women whose pregnancy occurred accidentally is the threat of spontaneous miscarriage: in subgroup BA - 15 (55.6%), BB - 16 (72.7%). The uncomplicated course of labor more often [subgroup AA - 19 (73.0%), AB - 12 (70.6%)] was observed in women whose pregnancy was planned and they were motivated to give birth to a healthy child.

scholarly journals Rubella Immunity among Pregnant Women in a Canadian Provincial Screening Program

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J Kearns ◽  
Sabrina S Plitt ◽  
Bonita E Lee ◽  
Joan L Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Significance ◽  
Health Database ◽  
Northern Alberta

BACKGROUND: There are limited recent data on rubella immunity in women of childbearing age in Canada. In the present paper, the proportion of rubella seroreactivity and redundant testing (testing of women previously seropositive when tested by the same physician) in the Alberta prenatal rubella screening program were studied.METHODS: In the present retrospective observational study, data on all specimens submitted for prenatal screening in Alberta between August 2002 and December 2005 were extracted from the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health database. The proportion of rubella screening and immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroreactivity were determined. Demographic variables were compared between rubella seroreactors and nonseroreactors. The proportion of redundant testing was determined.RESULTS: Of 159,046 prenatal specimens, 88.3% (n=140,473) were screened for rubella immunity. In total, 8.8% of specimens tested negative for rubella IgG. Younger women (23.2% of women younger than 20 years of age versus 4.7% of women between 35 and 39 years of age; P<0.001) and women from northern Alberta (11.9% versus 8.1% [overall]; P<0.001) were significantly more likely to have seronegative specimens. Of the 20,044 women who had multiple rubella immunity screenings, 88.1% (n=17,651) had multiple positive test results. In total, 20.7% of the 42,274 specimens submitted from women with multiple screenings were deemed redundant.DISCUSSION: Younger women were most likely to be seronegative for rubella. The public health significance of women entering their childbearing years with low or undetectable rubella IgG levels remains to be determined. A large number of women with documented rubella immunity were unnecessarily retested.

The diagnosis of early pneumoconiosis in dust-exposed workers: comparison of chest radiography and computed tomography

2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110225
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Hayashi ◽  
Kazuto Ashizawa ◽  
Masashi Takahashi ◽  
Katsuya Kato ◽  
Hiroaki Arakawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Chest Radiography ◽  
Pulmonary Emphysema ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Occupational History ◽  
Exposed Workers ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ct Data ◽  
Positive Results

Background Chest radiography (CR) is employed as the evaluation of pneumoconiosis; however, we sometimes encounter cases in which computed tomography (CT) is more effective in detecting subtle pathological changes or cases in which CR yields false-positive results. Purpose To compare CR to CT in the diagnosis of early-stage pneumoconiosis. Material and Methods CR and CT were performed for 132 workers with an occupational history of mining. We excluded 23 cases of arc-welder’s lung. Five readers who were experienced chest radiologists or pulmonologists independently graded the pulmonary small opacities on CR of the remaining 109 cases. We then excluded 37 cases in which the CT data were not sufficient for grading. CT images of the remaining 72 cases were graded by the five readers. We also assessed the degree of pulmonary emphysema in those cases. Results The grade of profusion on CR (CR score) of all five readers was identical in only 5 of 109 cases (4.6%). The CR score coincided with that on CT in 40 of 72 cases (56%). The CT score was higher than that on CR in 13 cases (18%). On the other hand, the CT score was lower than that on CR in 19 cases (26%). The incidence of pulmonary emphysema was significantly higher in patients whose CR score was higher than their CT score. Conclusion CT is more sensitive than CR in the evaluation of early-stage pneumoconiosis. In cases with emphysema, the CR score tends to be higher in comparison to that on CT.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Among Health Care Personnel at a Health Care System in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110110
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Aun Raza ◽  
Ayesha Iftikhar ◽  
Aamir Khan ◽  
Shahzaib Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Care Personnel ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Health care personnel (HCP) are at high risk for coronavirus disease-2019 acquisition. Serum antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) indicate past infection. Our institution offered SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing to HCP. We surveyed HCP with positive test results to explore past exposure to SARS-CoV-2, details of symptoms during the preceding 6 months, and a history of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing. A total of 2162 HCP underwent antibody testing. Eight hundred fifty-seven (39.6%) employees tested positive and, of these, 820 (95.7%) participated in the survey. When adjusted for age, males had higher odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies compared with females (OR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.37-2.05; P = .00) and clinical staff had higher odds of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity compared with nonclinical staff (OR = 1.273; 95% CI = 1.06-1.53; P = .01). Implementation of effective infection control measures is essential to protect HCP from coronavirus disease-2019.

scholarly journals Complicated cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by an imported case of Leishmania tropica in Japan: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Kitano ◽  
Chizu Sanjoba ◽  
Yasuyuki Goto ◽  
Kazumasa Iwamoto ◽  
Hiroki Kitagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Leishmania Tropica ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Imported Case ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hematoxylin And Eosin ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract Background Leishmaniasis is not endemic in Japan, and imported cases are rare. However, there are increasing concerns regarding imported cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis from endemic countries to Japan. This report describes a case of imported cutaneous leishmaniasis that was diagnosed and treated in Japan. Case presentation A 53-year-old Pakistani man presented with skin lesions on both malleoli of his right ankle and the dorsum of the left foot. The skin lesions manifested as erythematous nodules surrounding an ulcer in the center of the lesion. The lesions of the malleoli of his right ankle each measured 3 × 3 cm, and the lesion on the top of his left foot measured 5 × 4 cm. He had been living and working in Japan but had a history of a visit to Pakistan for about 2 months in 2018. The skin lesions were biopsied. Giemsa and hematoxylin and eosin staining of biopsy samples showed amastigotes of Leishmania in macrophages, and the presence of Leishmania was confirmed by skin tissue culture. Polymerase chain reaction using biopsy specimens identified Leishmania parasites, and DNA sequence analysis revealed that the species was Leishmania tropica. The patient was treated with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B for 6 days. The erythema disappeared, and the erythematous nodules resolved within 3 weeks. Conclusion This is the first report of imported cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica from Pakistan, and it is interesting that all three testing modalities showed positive results in this case.

scholarly journals Spirituality and Conflict in Healthcare: The History of the Canadian Baptists and Medical Mission in Orissa, 1900–1970

Histories ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-84
Author(s):  
Tiasa Basu Roy
Keyword(s):  
Religious Identity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Word Of God ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Medical Mission ◽  
The People ◽  
Medical Facilities ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ganjam District ◽  
Positive Results

It was from the middle of the eighteenth century that discussions regarding the strategies taken up by the Protestant missionaries to propagate the Gospel generated the issue of healthcare and medical facilities among people in India. Medical mission, which hitherto was not considered, started to gain importance and reaped positive results in terms of curing individuals and its trustworthiness among tribes residing in the frontier regions. However, this developed a separatist religious identity among the population, which apparently did not appear lethal, but later culminated in the fragmentation and impeachment of solidarity among the adivais (tribal) and vengeance from the Hindu population. This article will show how the Canadian Baptist Mission, with its primary aim of spreading the Kingdom of God among the tribal Savaras in the Ganjam district of Orissa, undertook measures for serving health issues and provided medical facilities to both the caste Oriyas and the tribal Savaras. Although medical activities oriented towards philanthropy and physical well-being, medical mission was not limited to healing illness and caring for all, but also extended to spreading the word of God and influencing the people to embrace Christianity as well, which invited political troubles into the region.

scholarly journals To Give or Not to Give: RhD Immunoglobulin for an RHD*39 Pregnant Woman with Sickle Cell Disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Justin E. Juskewitch ◽  
Craig D. Tauscher ◽  
Sheila K. Moldenhauer ◽  
Jennifer E. Schieber ◽  
Eapen K. Jacob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Woman ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Pregnancy Termination ◽  
Acute Chest Syndrome ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Procedural Complications ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chronic Hemolysis

Introduction: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have repeated episodes of red blood cell (RBC) sickling and microvascular occlusion that manifest as pain crises, acute chest syndrome, and chronic hemolysis. These clinical sequelae usually increase during pregnancy. Given the racial distribution of SCD, patients with SCD are also more likely to have rarer RBC antigen genotypes than RBC donor populations. We present the management and clinical outcome of a 21-year-old pregnant woman with SCD and an RHD*39 (RhD[S103P], G-negative) variant. Case Presentation: Ms. S is B positive with a reported history of anti-D, anti-C, and anti-E alloantibodies (anti-G testing unknown). Genetic testing revealed both an RHD*39 and homozygous partial RHCE*ceVS.02 genotype. Absorption/elution testing confirmed the presence of anti-G, anti-C, and anti-E alloantibodies but could not definitively determine the presence/absence of an anti-D alloantibody. Ms. S desired to undergo elective pregnancy termination and the need for postprocedural RhD immunoglobulin (RhIG) was posed. Given that only the G antigen site is changed in an RHD*39 genotype and the potential risk of RhIG triggering a hyperhemolytic episode in an SCD patient, RhIG was not administered. There were no procedural complications. Follow-up testing at 10 weeks showed no increase in RBC alloantibody strength. Discussion/Conclusion: Ms. S represents a rare RHD*39 and partial RHCE*ceVS.02 genotype which did not further alloimmunize in the absence of RhIG administration. Her case also highlights the importance of routine anti-G alloantibody testing in women of childbearing age with apparent anti-D and anti-C alloantibodies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document