Appropriate Age for Height Control Treatment in Patients With Marfan Syndrome

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the most appropriate age for height control treatment in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS).Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with MFS who underwent height control treatment with estradiol valerate. The estrogen dose was increased according to the height change. The cut-off age for the maximum difference between the expected height and actual final height was evaluated.ResultsSeventeen patients were included in this study. The difference between the height predicted by the growth curve and the final height (gcHtD) and that predicted by the bone age and the final height (baHtD) was the largest in the 10.5 years age group (p=0.0045 and p=0.0237, respectively). The gcHtD was 10.6 (10.2, 13.5) cm for patients aged ≤10.5 years, whereas it was 0.6 (−3.65, 5.85) cm for patients aged >10.5 years. The baHtD was 10.1 (7.31, 11.42) cm for patients aged ≤10.5 years, while it was 3.83 (0.84, 6.4) cm for patients aged >10.5 years. When height change was observed for a minimum of 6 months after completion of estrogen treatment, the average growth was 0.6 (0.2, 2.1) cm.ConclusionInitiating height control treatment before the age of 10.5 years is effective in female patients with MFS.

Post-abortion contraception: how to make the right choice?

More than 600 thousands abortions are performed annually in Russia. Women presenting for abortion care are often motivated by the pregnancy to use effective contraception; they are also at high risk for repeat unintended pregnancy. Contraceptive counseling and the supply of contraceptive methods are part of post-abortion care and positively influence the subsequent use of contraceptive methods. Oral contraceptives (OCs) following induced abortion offer a reliable method to avoid repeated abortion. Immediate administration of combined OCs after abortion may reduce vaginal bleeding time and amount, shorten the menstruation recovery period, and reduce the risk of complications and unintended pregnancies. Сombination of ethinylestradiol 30 g + drospirenone 3 mg demonstrates the advantages of a low estrogen dose with the antimineralocorticoid activity of drospirenone that is responsible for the drugs significant antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid effects, reflected clinically in lower rates of adverse events including less fluid retention. Сombination of ethinylestradiol 30 g + drospirenone 3 mg and Metafolin has similar contraceptive efficacy, side effect, safety and benefits profile to other drospirenone-containing contraceptives. The article presents the results of the latest studies about using of combined OCs (ethinylestradiol 30 g + drosperinone 3 mg and Metafolin) after abortion.

Serum estradiol level according to dose and formulation of oral estrogens in postmenopausal women

This study was performed to evaluate serum estradiol level in postmenopausal women using oral menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) with different doses and formulations of estrogens. A total of 344 postmenopausal women who received oral MHT was included in this cross-sectional study. Serum estradiol level was compared according to formulation (estradiol hemihydrate [EH] or valerate [EV], conjugated estrogen [CE]) and dose (estradiol 1 or 2 mg, CE 0.45 or 0.625 mg) of the estrogens. Mean age and years since menopause were 56.9 and 7.9 years, respectively. Mean duration of MHT was 27.4 months. Since serum estradiol levels were not significantly different at either dose, EH and EV at the same dose were combined for comparisons: estradiol 1 mg and 2 mg. The serum estradiol level with estradiol 2 mg (107.6 pg/mL) was significantly higher by 60% than with estradiol 1 mg (65.8 pg/mL) or CE 0.45 mg (60.1 pg/mL), and it was also significantly higher than with CE 0.625 mg (76.8 pg/mL). Our findings suggest that serum estradiol level is not directly proportional to estrogen dose. In terms of serum concentration, CE 0.45 mg is equivalent to estradiol 1 mg.

Preparation of endometrium for frozen embryo transfer cycles

Aim. Aim of the study was to the effectiveness of various endometrial preparation protocols in IVF frozen embryo transfer cycles. Materials and methods. The study included 288 women, which were stratified into two groups depending on the onset of pregnancy: group 1 pregnancy + (n=92), group 2 pregnancy - (n=196). Then endometrium preparation features were evaluated. Results. The pregnancy rate after frozen-thawed embryo transfer was a bit higher in the natural menstrual cycle (41.2%) compared to the hormonal replacement therapy (30.0%); p=0.083. There were no significant differences in the use of various estrogen and progestogen drugs, the average estrogen dose, progestogen administration and the endometrium thickness. In the natural cycle, the odds ratio of pregnancy with the duration menstrual cycle from 28 to 30 days was 4.25 (95% CI 1.15; 17.23). Conclusion. Thus, the pregnancy rate is slightly higher in natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer. However, the duration of the menstrual cycle (from 28 to 30 days) has a key effect on the effectiveness of the IVF program in this case.

Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals Sex Differences in Human Meniscal Cell Response to Estrogen Based on Dosing Kinetics

Osteoarthritis is a disease marked by progressive and irreversible hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage breakdown that affects the lives of millions of patients worldwide. Female sex and menopause are both risk factors for knee osteoarthritis, indicating that estrogen could play a role in this disease. In this study, RNA sequencing was used to determine the effects of estrogen treatment on human meniscal cells. Differences in the number and type of differentially expressed genes were seen based on donor sex, estrogen dose, and dosing kinetics. Significantly more differentially expressed genes were seen from male meniscal cells in response to all dosing conditions compared to female cells. Importantly, more genes were differentially expressed in cells treated with continuous dosing of estrogen, which has been shown to stimulate genomic estrogen signaling, as compared to pulsed dosing. Additionally, functional enrichment analysis revealed that many genes of the extracellular matrix, which is important for joint health and injury repair, were differentially expressed. Overall, this initial study lays the groundwork for future avenues to pursue the effect of estrogen delivery on regenerative pathways. This critical analysis will then inform the design and implementation of estrogen replacement therapies to promote meniscal health and reduce the onset of osteoarthritis.

Das polyzystische Ovarsyndrom: Aktuelle Evidenz und praktische Empfehlungen

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of childbearing age. Due to hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation affected women may suffer from hirsutism, androgenetic alopecia, acne, menstrual disturbance and sub-/infertility. Furthermore underlying insulin resistance promotes hyperandrogenemia, overweight and risk for diabetes. Therefore, routine evaluation of glycemic status is recommended. Treatment strategies are based on therapeutic lifestyle changes and focus on patient-important complaints. First line pharmacologic treatment for infertility in women with PCOS is letrozole. Clomiphene and metformin can be used alternatively with lower success rates. Women seeking medical advice for hyperandrogenism can be offered oral contraceptive pills with the lowest effective estrogen dose without any preference of a certain gestagen. Risk for deep vein thrombosis should be taken into account when choosing estrogen dose and type of gestagen. Antiandrogen substances such as spironolactone should only be prescribed in combination with safe contraception due to their risk of fetal undervirilisation. Additionally, substance specific risks should be considered. Baseline treatment of overweight or metabolic issues includes behaviour modification, weight reduction and physical activity. Additional benefit can be reached by combination of lifestyle changes with metformin. Studies indicate a positive effect of inositol and antidiabetic substances like liraglutide and empagliflozin but should be regarded as experimental therapies.