Frequency of endometriotic lesions in peritoneum samples from asymptomatic fertile women and correlation with CA125 values

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Serological testing for CA125 has been widely used to detect endometriosis and to monitor its progression. However, controversy still exists regarding the usefulness of the plasma CA125 assay for diagnosing endometriosis. Furthermore, some authors have described superficial endometriosis as a cyclical and normal phenomenon in women's lives, and have indicated that development and progression of this disease would only occur in some women as a result of immunological changes. This study aimed to determine the frequency of endometriosis and the correlation between serum CA125 levels and the presence of endometriotic lesions in the peritoneum of asymptomatic fertile patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Family Planning outpatient clinic of Faculdade de Medicina do ABC. METHODS: Eighty asymptomatic fertile patients who underwent tubal sterilization surgery were studied. Blood and peritoneum samples were collected. CA125 levels were measured from blood samples, and peritoneum biopsies were studied using histopathological tests. RESULTS: Histopathological evaluation of the peritoneum revealed that 16.25% of the patients had minimal or mild endometriosis. There was no statistically significant difference in CA125 levels between patients with and without endometriosis. CONCLUSION: The presence of endometriotic lesions in the peritoneum of fertile patients supports the hypothesis that incidental findings of minimal or mild endometriosis may not be of clinical significance, and that the progression of the disease probably occurs as a result of immunological and genetic abnormalities. Serum CA125 levels did not show any diagnostic significance with regard to detecting the disease.

Download Full-text

Comparison of various aspects of women’s lives between infertile and women with and without tubal ligation: a comparative cross-sectional study

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01454-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mahnaz Ashrafi ◽

Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh ◽

Negin Mirzaei ◽

Nadia Jahangiri ◽

Samaneh Youseflu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Women's Lives ◽

And Control ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

Fertile Women

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to compare anxiety, depression, body image, self-esteem, sexual function, and quality of life (QoL) between infertile women and control fertile women undergoing tubal ligation (TL) and using condom. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 women in three groups of infertile and control fertile women with or without TL (200 women in each group), who met the inclusion criteria. They were selected from Royan Institute and a number of health care centers in Tehran (Iran) from May 2017 to February 2019. The subjects were asked to fill out the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), and Rosenberg’ Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). One-way ANOVA was used to identify the possible statistical differences between the three groups of participants. Results The mean scores of all FSFI domains were lower in the control TL women, and the differences between the three groups in all dimensions were statistically significant. In addition, the TL group had more female sexual dysfunction (FSD) comparing to the infertile and condom group (22.43 ± 5.30, 24.79 ± 4.74, and 28.03 ± 3.29, respectively P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the three groups in SF-12 scores (76.59 ± 13.14, 68.49 ± 14.47, and 78.87 ± 12.62, respectively P < 0.001). Also there was a significant difference between the three groups in anxiety, depression, and total scores of HADS (P < 0.001). Furthermore, infertile women had lower body image (P < 0.05) and the TL group had lower self-esteem comparing to the two other groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions The findings revealed the adverse effects of using TL on the anxiety, depression, sexual life, body image, and QoL of women. It is recommended that health-care professionals should increase their awareness and knowledge regarding the side-effects of using TL on women’s lives and share this information with the patients.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of Rubella Antibodies among Fertile Women in the West of Romania, 18 Years after the Implementation of Immunization

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9020104 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 104

Author(s):

Florin Gorun ◽

Daniel Malita ◽

Ioana Ciohat ◽

Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek ◽

Horea Feier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mmr Vaccine ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Family ◽

Group 2 ◽

Simplex Virus ◽

Fertile Women ◽

Group 1 ◽

Main Strategy

Seronegative women are susceptible to primary rubella virus (RV) infection during pregnancy, which can cause fetal damage. Vaccination represents the main strategy in rubella prevention. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the rubella seroprevalence and identify populations with a high susceptibility to RV. A cross-sectional study was performed on 6914 Caucasian fertile women who had Toxoplasma gondii, other viruses, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and the herpes simplex virus (TORCH) screening in two distinct periods—1452 at the Timișoara Municipal Hospital, Romania (Group 1: 2008–2010) and 5462 at the laboratory Bioclinica S.A., Timișoara, Romania (Group 2: 2015–2018). The RV seroprevalence decreased (Group 1 versus Group 2; 94.1% (92.7–95.2) versus 91.4% (90.6–92.1), OR = 0.76 (p = 0.0007)). According to the year of birth and eligibility to vaccination program, RV seroprevalence rates were 82.4% (76.8–86.8)/1997–2004, 85.4% (80.5–89.3)/1995–1996, 90.1% (89.0–91.1)/<1989, and 95.8% (94.7–96.6)/1989–1994. No significant difference in the RV seropositivity according to the place of residence was found. The overall RV susceptibility increased from 2008–2010 to 2015–2018. The highest susceptibility was found in women born between 1997–2004 eligible for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine through the family practice system and the lowest in women born between 1989–1994 eligible for monovalent rubella vaccine conducted in schools.

Download Full-text

ANOSMIA AND AGEUSIA IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal ◽

10.51253/pafmj.v71isuppl-3.7934 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 71 (Suppl-3) ◽

pp. S512-16

Author(s):

Tahir Ghulam Abbas ◽

Atif Hafeez Siddiqui ◽

Syed Hasan Abbas Zaidi ◽

Danish -Ur- Rahim ◽

Irfan Ahmed Shaikh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Smoking History ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Data ◽

Diagnostic Significance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cigarette Smokers ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Online Data Collection ◽

Diagnostic Clue

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and diagnostic significance of anosmia and ageusia among COVID-19 positive patients of Karachi, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Dr Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital, (Dow University of Health Sciences), Karachi Pakistan, from Jan 2021 to Feb 2021. Methodology: The data were collected prospectively from 265 COVID-19 positive patients. Some patients were interviewed over the telephone, while for patient's ease, an online Google form was also formed, facilitating the online data collection. The patient's demographics, comorbidities, allergies, and COVID-19 associated characteristics were inquired. The statistical analysis was performed on SPSS version 23. Results: The observed frequency of anosmia and ageusia in COVID-19 patients was 49.1% & 43.8% respectively. The median time to recovery was 8-8.5 days (median) for both symptoms. We found no significant difference for gender, BMI, marital status, residential area, comorbidities and reason for long-standing breathing difficulties between patients with or without both anosmia and ageusia (p>0.05). Furthermore, most of the cigarette smokers reported none of the two symptoms (anosmia and ageusia), 24% and 25.2% of COVID-19 positive cases with smoking history were presented without anosmia and ageusia, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: Loss of sense of smell and taste was reported in almost half of the studied population infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, screening for anosmia and ageusia must be considered while COVID-19 suspicion as an important diagnostic clue.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Infertility on Various Aspects of Women's Lives in Comparison With Tubal Ligation Control: A Cross-sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-38747/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mahnaz Ashrafi ◽

Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh ◽

Negin Mirzaei ◽

Jahangiri ◽

Samaneh Youseflu

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Women's Lives ◽

Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to assess anxiety, depression, body image, self-esteem, sexual function (SF), and quality of life (QoL) in infertile women in Iran and to compare the results with fertile women (used a condom) and those with tubal ligation (TL) (as control groups). Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on infertile women, women who had undergone TL (control 1), and women who had used a condom (control 2) (200 women in each group). They were selected from the Royan Institute in Tehran (Iran) and a number of health care centers in Tehran (Iran) from May 2017 to February 2019. The subjects were asked to fill out the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), and Rosenberg’ Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). One-way ANOVA was used to find the statistical differences between the three groups. Results All mean values FSFI were found to be lower in the TL women and the differences between the three groups were statistically significant in all domains. Women with TL had more female sexual dysfunction (FSD) (22.43 ± 5.30 vs 24.79 ± 4.74 vs 28.03 ± 3.29, P˂0.001). There was a significant difference between the three groups in SF-12 scores (76.59 ± 13.14 vs 68.49 ± 14.47 vs 78.87 ± 12.62, P˂0.001). Also, there was a significant difference between the three groups in anxiety, depression, and total scores HADS (P˂0.001). Infertile women had lower body image (P˂0.05) and self-esteem was lower in the TL group (P˂0.05). Conclusions Our findings reveal the adverse effects of TL on the anxiety and depression, sexual life, body image, and QoL of women. It is recommended that the awareness and knowledge of health-care professionals regarding the side-effects of TL in the above-mentioned aspects of women’s lives should be increased and discussed with patients.

Download Full-text

Comparison of various aspects of women’s lives between infertile and women with and without tubal ligation: a comparative cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-38747/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mahnaz Ashrafi ◽

Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh ◽

Negin Mirzaei ◽

Jahangiri ◽

Samaneh Youseflu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Women's Lives ◽

Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background: The aim of this study is to compare anxiety, depression, body image, self-esteem, sexual function (SF), and quality of life (QoL) between infertile women and women with or without tubal ligation (TL).Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 women, distributed equally as infertile women, women with or without TL, who met the inclusion criteria. They were selected from the Royan Institute in Tehran (Iran) and a number of health care centers in Tehran (Iran) from May 2017 to February 2019. The subjects were asked to fill out the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), and Rosenberg’ Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). One-way ANOVA was used to find the statistical differences between the three groups.Results: Mean scores of all FSFI domains were found to be lower in the TL women and the differences between the three groups were statistically significant in all domains. Women with TL had more female sexual dysfunction (FSD) (22.43±5.30 vs 24.79±4.74 vs 28.03±3.29, P˂0.001). There was a significant difference between the three groups in SF-12 scores (76.59±13.14 vs 68.49±14.47 vs 78.87±12.62, P˂0.001). Also, there was a significant difference between the three groups in anxiety, depression, and total scores HADS (P˂0.001). Infertile women had lower body image (P˂0.05) and self-esteem was lower in the TL group (P˂0.05).Conclusions: Our findings reveal the adverse effects of TL on the anxiety and depression, sexual life, body image, and QoL of women. It is recommended that the awareness and knowledge of health-care professionals regarding the side-effects of TL in the above-mentioned aspects of women’s lives should be increased and discussed with patients.

Download Full-text

Nutritional status of underfive children of less privileged families in Medan

Paediatrica Indonesiana ◽

10.14238/pi41.1.2001.11-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Indra B. Hutagalung ◽

Bangun Lubis ◽

Ridwanto Ridwanto ◽

Hakimi Hakimi ◽

Endang D. Hamid

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Occupational Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Under Five ◽

Under Five Children ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Family

A cross sectional study was done on 94 under five children taken from Keluarga Pra-sejahtera (pre-prosperous family=-pre-PF) and Keluarga Sejahtera Tahap-1 (prosperous family phase-I=PF-I) in the East Medan subdistrict, municipality of Medan in period of August 1995 up to February 1996. The aim of the study was to measure nutritional status of under five children in both groups. There were 94 under five children in group of ore-PF and 94 under five children in group of PF-l. It was found that the nutritional status of both groups was significantly different. Significant difference was also noted when they were classified according to father's occupational status and father's education level. However when they were grouped according to maternal education, number of children in the family, and occurrence of disease in the previous month no significant difference was detected.

Download Full-text

Satisfaction and discontinuation with the use of family planning methods among eligible couples of rural and urban areas of Karimnagar

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20191370 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 1476

Author(s):

Dasari Gayathry ◽

Anil Moluguri ◽

Sachin Gurnule ◽

Chandra Sekhar ◽

Visweswara Rao Guthi

Keyword(s):

Family Planning ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Family Welfare ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Family ◽

Field Practice

Background: Family planning in which the major component is use of contraceptive methods is a key constituent of health services. The growing use of contraception around the world has given couples the ability to have child as they wish and has tremendous life-saving benefits. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the family planning practice among the couples of reproductive age group in the field practice areas.Methods: A cross - sectional study was conducted during February 2013-January 2014 among the couples residing in the field practice study areas. A semi-structured questionnaire regarding practices towards family planning was administered to 406 couples of the study area.Results: It has been observed that about, 250 (61.6%) couples were practicing contraception, while 156 (38.4%) were not practicing any method. There was no statistically significant difference observed between the family planning practices of couples in rural and urban area (p=0.54).Conclusions: The study revealed that most of the couples were practicing at least one family planning method with marginal difference in urban and rural area. Among those who were practicing, most common method was tubectomy followed by vasectomy, OCPs and IUDs and most of them were satisfied regarding the adopted method. Sustained efforts on dissemination of information, providing education and increasing communication with couple in reproductive ages and improved family welfare service along with regular availability of contraceptive level would also help in improving adoption and use of family planning measures.

Download Full-text

A Validation Study of The Greek Version of The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire In Medical Students And A Measurement of Their Empathy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-566867/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Polychronis Voultsos ◽

Fotios Chatzinikolaou ◽

Angeliki Papana ◽

Aspasia Deliliga

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Greek Version ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preliminary Validation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Family ◽

Empathy Scale ◽

Key Driver

Abstract Aims and objectives: Empathy is an important key driver of any therapeutic relationship. It is beneficial not only to the patients, but also to physicians. Enhancing physician’s empathy should be an important goal of medical education. As there is a literature gap regarding the topic of empathy among medical students in Greece, this study aims to contribute to filling this gap.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The (validated in Greece) Greek version of Toronto 52‐item empathy 6-point Likert-scale was administered to all the medical students in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece. In addition, participants were asked to provide information regarding their socio-demographics. A demographic comparison was conducted.Results: The preliminary validation of the Greek version of the Toronto Composite Empathy Scale (TCES) demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability among medical students and could be further tested in larger samples of medical students. The overall reliability analysis of the TCES questionnaire is high (Cronbach's α = 0.895, Sig. from Hotelling’s T-Squared Test < 0.000). The mean total score of empathy showed that students have a moderately high empathy. The 52‐item TCES, 26 for the personal (Per) setting and another 26 for professional (Pro) life, equally divided into cognitive (Cog) and emotional (Emo) empathy in each case. It was found that there is a statistically significant difference in means between the Per-Cog and Per-Emo settings (Sig < 0.001), the Pro-Cog and Pro-Emo (Sig < 0.001), the Per-Cog and Pro-Cog (Sig = 0.004), and the Per-Emo and Pro-Emo (Sig < 0.001). Females had significantly higher empathy scores (mean score 208.04) than males (mean score 192.5) on the Per-Cognitive, Per-Emo and Pro-Emo subscales. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between empathy and factors such as love for animals, interest in medical ethics, belief in God, having an ill person in the family, class year or carrier intention. Conclusions: The Toronto Composite Empathy Scale (TCES) is applicable to medical students. For the most part our findings were consistent with previous literature. However, we identified some nuances that might draw researchers’ attention.

Download Full-text

The challenge of the approach to oral cancer in primary health care

Ciência & Saúde Coletiva ◽

10.1590/1413-81232017225.12402015 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 1579-1587 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Luiz Roberto Augusto Noro ◽

Jordânia Rodrigues Landim ◽

Mychele Cavalcante de Andrade Martins ◽

Yuliana Castro Ponciano Lima

Keyword(s):

Oral Cancer ◽

Family Health ◽

Health Department ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Routine Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Technological Complexity ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Family ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Abstract The aim of this study was to understand the performance of dentists in public health about mouth cancer. A cross-sectional study was performed whit 121 dentists from Fortaleza Health Department, interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. The study did not identify statistically significant difference regarding the ability to perform biopsy by gender, year of graduation, expertise or time of public service. Only 22 professionals (18.2%) reported being able to perform biopsies and 13 (10.7%) would do so at the Family Health Unit. The reference and counter-reference system, by including another stage in patient care, increase the possibility of absenteeism from patient to health service. Although clearly identify the relevance of oral cancer mortality in the population, the vast majority of dentists is not equipped to perform the biopsy as a routine activity. Whereas the vast majority of biopsies of the oral tissues is performed as an outpatient, low technological complexity to perform the procedure and the effectiveness of biopsy in the early diagnosis of oral cancer, it is essential to hold this procedure in primary care, what can effectively contribute to decreasing mortality from oral cancer.

Download Full-text

A Validation Study of the Greek Version of the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire in Medical Students and a Measurement of Their Empathy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-566867/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Polychronis Voultsos ◽

Angeliki Papana ◽

Fotios Chatzinikolaou ◽

Aspasia Deliliga

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Greek Version ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preliminary Validation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Family ◽

Empathy Scale ◽

Key Driver

Abstract Aims and objectivesEmpathy is an important key driver of any therapeutic relationship. It is beneficial not only to the patients, but also to physicians. Enhancing physician’s empathy should be an important goal of medical education. As there is a literature gap regarding the topic of empathy among medical students in Greece, this study aims to contribute to filling this gap.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. The (validated in Greece) Greek version of Toronto 52‐item empathy 6-point Likert-scale was administered to all the medical students in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece. In addition, participants were asked to provide information regarding their socio-demographics. A demographic comparison was conducted.ResultsThe preliminary validation of the Greek version of the Toronto Composite Empathy Scale (TCES) demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability among medical students and could be further tested in larger samples of medical students. The overall reliability analysis of the TCES questionnaire is high (Cronbach's α = 0.895, Sig. from Hotelling’s T-Squared Test < 0.000). The mean total score of empathy showed that students have a moderately high empathy. The 52‐item TCES, 26 for the personal (Per) setting and another 26 for professional (Pro) life, equally divided into cognitive (Cog) and emotional (Emo) empathy in each case. It was found that there is a statistically significant difference in means between the Per-Cog and Per-Emo settings (Sig < 0.001), the Pro-Cog and Pro-Emo (Sig < 0.001), the Per-Cog and Pro-Cog (Sig = 0.004), and the Per-Emo and Pro-Emo (Sig < 0.001). Females had significantly higher empathy scores (mean score 208.04) than males (mean score 192.5) on the Per-Cognitive, Per-Emo and Pro-Emo subscales. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between empathy and factors such as love for animals, interest in medical ethics, belief in God, having an ill person in the family, class year or carrier intention.ConclusionsThe Toronto Composite Empathy Scale (TCES) is applicable to medical students. For the most part our findings were consistent with previous literature. However, we identified some nuances that might draw researchers’ attention.

Download Full-text