Voiding trial outcome following pelvic floor repair without incontinence procedures

Introduction and hypothesis

Our aim was to identify predictors of postoperative voiding trial failure among patients who had a pelvic floor repair without a concurrent incontinence procedure in order to identify low-risk patients in whom postoperative voiding trials may be modified.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent pelvic floor repair without concurrent incontinence procedures at two institutions from 1 November 2011 through 13 October 2013 after abstracting demographic and clinical data from medical records. The primary outcome was postoperative retrograde voiding trial failure. We used modified Poisson regression to calculate the risk ratio (RR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI).

Results

Of the 371 women who met eligibility criteria, 294 (79.2 %) had complete data on the variables of interest. Forty nine (16.7 %) failed the trial, and those women were less likely to be white (p?=?0.04), more likely to have had an anterior colporrhaphy (p?=?0.001), and more likely to have had a preoperative postvoid residual (PVR) ≥150 ml (p?=?0.001). After adjusting for race, women were more likely to fail their voiding trial if they had a preoperative PVR of ≥150 ml (RR: 1.9; 95 % CI: 1.1–3.2); institution also was associated with voiding trial failure (RR: 3.0; 95 % CI: 1.6–5.4).

Conclusions

Among our cohort, postoperative voiding trial failure was associated with a PVR of ≥150 ml and institution at which the surgery was performed.

     

What is the true catheterization rate after intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA injection?

Introduction and hypothesis

A known side effect of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®) injection for overactive bladder (OAB) is urinary retention requiring clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), the fear of which deters patients from choosing this therapy. In clinical practice, patients with an elevated postvoid residual (PVR) are often managed by observation only, providing they do not have subjective complaints or contraindications. We sought to determine the true rate of urinary retention requiring CIC in clinical practice.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed over a 3-year period of patients who received 100 units of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of OAB. Patients were seen 2 weeks after the procedure to measure PVR. CIC was initiated in patients with a PVR ≥350 ml and in those with subjective voiding difficulty or acute retention.

Results

A total of 187 injections were performed on 99 female patients. CIC was required following three injections (1.6%): for acute retention in two patients and subjective voiding difficulty in one patient with a PVR of 353 ml. Following 12 injections, the patient had a PVR of ≥350 ml, and following 29 injections, the patient had a PVR of >200 but <350 ml without symptoms. CIC was not initiated in these 41 patients. None of these patients experienced subsequent retention, and all showed resolution of their elevated PVR within 8 weeks.

Conclusions

In our series of 187 intravesical injections for OAB, the rate of postprocedure urinary retention requiring catheterization was only 1.6%. This low rate can be attributed to less rigorous criteria for CIC initiation than those applied in previous studies. While important to counsel patients on the risk of retention, patients can be reassured that the actual rate of CIC is low.

     

Therapeutische Hypothermie

Background and objectives

Nowadays mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) is the standard of care in treatment of patients after cardiac arrest. Beside the protective effect on neurological recovery, MTH may interfere with metabolic and hemodynamic variables. We therefore investigated fluid balance and lactate/glucose levels during MTH.

Materials and methods

A total of 88 patients treated with MTH were included. Initial values at admission and 24 h thereafter for lactate and glucose were collected. Furthermore, fluid intake, diuresis, and cumulative doses of insulin and vasopressors were recorded. The data were compared to a historical control group consisting of 56 patients treated in the era prior to MTH.

Results

Lactate levels did not differ between the two groups. There was also no difference in the need of insulin. Patients with MTH received significantly more fluids in the first 24 h (4800 vs. 3500 ml/24 h, p?=?0.0001) and required higher doses of norepinephrine (2 vs. 0 mg/24 h, p?=?0.02). Diuresis was not different compared to the control group (2075 vs. 2025 ml, p?=?0.93).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that patients treated with MTH have a pronounced need of fluids and vasopressors. Lactate monitoring may be feasible during MTH.

     

Effect of vaginal infiltration with ornipressin or saline on intraoperative blood loss during vaginal prolapse surgery: a randomised controlled trial

Introduction and hypothesis

Hydrodissection incorporating different types of vasoconstrictors is commonly used in vaginal prolapse surgery. There is little evidence as to whether it adds clinical value or whether it exposes the patient to unnecessary risk. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a vasoconstrictor compared with saline alone on operative blood loss and cardiovascular parameters in a randomised clinical trial setting.

Methods

Patients undergoing vaginal prolapse surgery were randomised to an ornipressin (Por-8, Ferring) solution or saline alone for hydrodissection. The surgeon and patient were blinded to the solution used. Operative blood loss was accurately quantified and blood pressure and pulse readings recorded Pre, intra- and postoperatively.

Results

Eighty women were randomised. There was a statistically significant difference in the median blood loss: 35 ml (1-209 ml) in the ornipressin group compared with 81 ml (2-328 ml) in the saline group, p?=?0.03. There was no statistically significant difference in the median pre and postoperative blood pressure or pulse rate between groups.

Conclusions

The use of a vasoconstrictor (ornipressin) resulted in a statistically significant decrease in operative blood loss during vaginal prolapse surgery. This occurred without any significant changes in measured cardiovascular parameters.

     

Urinary Diversion After Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Comparing Trends in the US and Germany from 2006 to 2014

Objective

Our aim was to assess and compare trends of urinary diversion (UD) for patients receiving radical cystectomy for the treatment of bladder cancer in the US and Germany, and to investigate decisive predictors for the choice of UD.

Methods

We analyzed the nationwide German hospital billing database and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2006 to 2014. Cases with a bladder cancer diagnosis combined with RC were included, and trends in the choice of UD, transfusion rates, length of stay, and mortality were assessed.

Results

From 2006 to 2014, the total number of RCs recorded within the NIS were 17,711, with a varying annual caseload of 1666–2009, while RC numbers increased from 5627 to 7390 in Germany (p < 0.001 for trends), with a total of 60,447 cases. The share of incontinent UD in the US remained stable at 93%, while increasing from 63.2 to 70.8% in Germany. Multivariate models indicated age and sex were the most important factors associated with the choice of UD in both countries, while hospital caseload and teaching status were less relevant factors in the US. In-hospital mortality was lower in the US compared with Germany (1.9% vs. 4.6%; p < 0.001), with significantly shorter hospital stays (10.7 days in the US vs. 25.1 days in Germany; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The increasing age of patients with presumably higher comorbidity in recent years led to increased use of incontinent UD in Germany, while continent UD appears to be underused in the US. Mortality and transfusion rates were significantly lower in the US within a shorter hospital stay.

     

The Additional Value of Laparoscopic Ultrasound to Staging Laparoscopy in Patients with Suspected Pancreatic Head Cancer

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the additional value of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) to staging laparoscopy (SL) for detecting occult liver metastases in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic head cancer.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed including all patients who underwent SL and LUS between 2005 and 2016. LUS was performed during SL to detect liver metastases not found by preoperative imaging or visual inspection of the liver.

Results

Out of 197 patients, visual inspection during SL detected distant metastases in 29 (14.7%) patients. LUS was performed in 127 patients, revealing 3 additional liver metastases. The proportion of patients with unresectable disease after SL and negative LUS was 32.3%, which was similar to 36.6% of patients with unresectable disease after SL without LUS (difference 4.3%; 95% CI ??13–23%; P?=?0.61). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of LUS to detect liver metastases were 30, 100, 100, and 94%, respectively. The proportion of patients with distant metastases diagnosed at SL significantly increased over time (P?=?0.031).

Conclusion

The routine use of LUS during SL for patients with potentially resectable pancreatic head cancer cannot be recommended. Imaging should be repeated when significant delay occurs between index CT and the scheduled surgery.

     

Five years after midurethral sling surgery for stress incontinence: obesity continues to have an impact on outcomes

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective was to evaluate the impact of preoperative body mass index ≥30 on objective and subjective cure rates 5 years after midurethral sling surgery.

Methods

Secondary analysis of the 5-year results of a randomized clinical trial evaluating tension-free vaginal tape vs transobturator tape surgery. Women (n?=?176) were classified as obese or non-obese based on preoperative height and weight. Women self-reported symptoms and quality of life, and underwent standardized physical examinations and pad-testing. Categorical data were analyzed using Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests, continuous data by Mann–Whitney U test. Primary outcome was objective cure defined as <1 g urine lost on pad-test at 5 years post-surgery. Secondary outcomes were subjective cure of incontinence, urinary urge incontinence symptoms, and quality of life scores.

Results

Non-obese women had a higher rate of objective cure, 87.4 % (n?=?83 out of 95) compared with 65.9 % (n?=?29 out of 44) in the obese group (P?=?0.003, risk difference [RD] 21.5 %, 95 % CI 5.9–37.0 %). Subjectively, non-obese women also reported higher rates of cure, 76.7 % (n?=?89 out of 116) compared with 53.6 % (n?=?30 out of 56) of obese women (P?=?0.002, RD 23.2 %, 95 % CI 8.0–38.3 %). Overall rates of urge incontinence symptoms were similar in the two groups, but rates of bothersome symptoms were higher for obese women (58.9 % vs 42.1 %, P?=?0.039, RD 16.8 % 95 % CI 1.1–32.6).

Conclusions

Five years after surgery, obese women continued to experience lower rates of cure compared with non-obese women.

     

Inhalational Ciclesonide found beneficial in prevention of fat embolism syndrome and improvement of hypoxia in isolated skeletal trauma victims

Background

Many studies have established intravenous corticosteroid as an effective prophylactic therapy in fat embolism syndrome (FES). However, its use is limited among surgeons because of systemic side effects. Inhalational steroids have least systemic effects and are widely used for several chest conditions (i.e., asthma), but their effectiveness in FES has not been established.

Question/purpose

This study was sought to evaluate the (1) efficacy and (2) safety of inhalational Ciclesonide (CIC) in prevention of FES and treatment of hypoxemia in isolated skeletal trauma victims.

Methods

A nonrandomized prospective control trial was designed in which all patients between 18 and 40 years with isolated skeletal injury who presented within 8 h of injury were allocated to either Trial group or control group. Trial group patients received 640 mcg of inhalational CIC with a metered-dose inhaler at the time of admission, and at 24 h. Control group patients did not receive any prophylactic therapy. Both groups were evaluated for development of FES (Gurd’s criteria) and hypoxemia (PaO₂ <70 mmHg) for 72 h. The complications related to CIC administration were evaluated in trial group patients during their hospital stay.

Results

Of 35 patients in each group, two patients in Trial group and nine patients in control group developed FES (P = 0.022). Eight patients in Trial group had hypoxemia at the time of admission, six of them improved and one additional patient developed hypoxemia after inhalational CIC administration. In control group, ten patients had hypoxia at the time of admission, only one of them improved and remaining nine patients had persistent hypoxemia even after 72 h. Additionally, three patients developed hypoxemia. A significant improvement in hypoxemia and a significant decrease in the incidence of FES were observed in Trial group (P < 0.05) compared to control group. None of the patients presented with any complications or adverse effects of steroid in Trial group.

Conclusion

Inhalational CIC is a safe and effective therapy for prevention of FES and also an effective drug for treatment of hypoxemia in orthopedic trauma victims.

Level of evidence

Level III, therapeutic study.

     

Age- and sex-specific association of circulating osteocalcin with dynamic measures of glucose homeostasis

Summary

Our study showed that serum osteocalcin levels are closely related to glucose metabolism in men of all ages and younger women. This association disappeared in postmenopausal women in which increases bone turnover rates. The association between serum osteocalcin levels and glucose homeostasis should be interpreted according to age and sex.

Introduction

Osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, appears to be associated with glucose homeostasis. We investigated the age- and sex-specific association of serum osteocalcin level with variables related to glucose metabolism.

Methods

This study was based on cross-sectional analysis from 719 participants aged 20–85 years after excluding patients taking antidiabetic or antiosteoporotic drugs. The subjects were divided into four groups according to age and sex as follows: men <50 years (n?=?131), men ≥50 years (n?=?191), women <50 years (n?=?108), and women ≥50 years (n?=?279). Anthropometric and biochemical variables including insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and β cell function (HOMA-β) from a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and serum 25-OH-vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were measured.

Results

The serum osteocalcin level was significantly higher in women aged ≥50 years compared with women <50 years (20.4?±?7.8 vs. 17.9?±?6.8 ng/ml, p?<?0.001), but there was no difference between men aged ≥50 years and men <50 years (16.4?±?5.9 vs. 16.8?±?6.0 ng/ml, p?=?0.905). The participants diagnosed with diabetes had lower serum osteocalcin levels than normal or prediabetic participants. Multivariable regression analyses including HOMA-IR and HOMA-β indicated that serum osteocalcin levels had a negative and independent association with HbA1c levels in men and women aged <50 years, but not in women ≥50 years.

Conclusions

Low osteocalcin levels are associated with impaired glucose metabolism in men and premenopausal women. The osteocalcin levels may be determined by factors related to bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. Our data suggest that the serum levels of osteocalcin associated with glucose homeostasis should be interpreted according to age and sex.

     

Patient characteristics associated with treatment choice for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence

Introduction and hypothesis

Women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) frequently undergo more than one treatment prior to settling on their final strategy. We hypothesize that women who are younger, with worse POP and SUI symptoms will desire and choose surgical treatment.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed over 1 year identifying new patients presenting with POP and/or SUI at a university hospital. Our aim was to determine patient desire for either surgical or conservative treatment, as well as the actual treatment chosen and received after the first visit and 1 year later. To identify predictors of choice, baseline demographic characteristics were obtained.

Results

Of the 203 women who met the inclusion criteria, 44.3 % (90/203) desired surgery and 55.7 % (113/203) desired conservative treatment at their first visit. Women who desired surgery were more likely to be younger (p?=?0.003), sexually active (p?=?0.001), have more advanced prolapse (p?=?0.006), and have more bothersome symptoms (p?=?0.05). Of the women who desired surgery at their first visit, 12.2 % (11/90) actually chose conservative treatment. These women were less likely to be insured (p?=?0.01). By 1 year, of the women who initially desired and subsequently chose conservative treatment, 26.5 % (30/113) had undergone surgery. The women who changed from conservative to surgical treatment were more likely to be younger (p?=?0.01), non-White (p?=?0.03), and sexually active (p?=?0.04).

Conclusions

In this study, younger, sexually active women were more likely to either opt for surgery initially or to change their treatment plan from conservative to surgical.

     

Dry eye findings worsen with anticholinergic therapy in patients with urge incontinence

Introduction and hypothesis

To evaluate the effects of oral anticholinergic (OAC) drugs on tear secretion in women with overactive bladder over a 3-month follow-up period.

Methods

In this prospective study, 108 women with a diagnosis of overactive bladder were evaluated. All patients were examined ophthalmologically at baseline (day 0), and after 1 month (day 30) and 3 months (day 90) of OAC treatment. Tear film break-up time (BUT) and Schirmer 1 test results were recorded. The subjective complaints of the patients including dry mouth, and burning, dryness and foreign body sensation in the eyes, were also recorded. The chi-squared test or the paired sample t test as appropriate, was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 51.8?±?9.2 years (30 – 69 years). The most frequent subjective complaints were dry mouth and dry eyes and both complaints were significant on both day 30 and day 90. Both tear film BUT and Schirmer 1 test results were significantly lower on day 30 and day 90. Dry eye measurement values worsened with prolongation of OAC treatment (p?=?0.037 and p?=?0.012 for BUT, and p?=?0.046 and p?=?0.035 for Schirmer 1 test, on day 30 and day 90, respectively).

Conclusions

OAC treatment in women with overactive bladder significantly and progressively affects tear secretion.

     

Accuracy and precision of a new portable ultrasound scanner,the Biocon-700, in residual urine volume measurement

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of a new portable abdominal ultrasound (US) machine (Biocon-700, Mcube Technology, Seoul, Korea) for measuring postvoid residual (PVR) urine.

Method

One-hundred and twenty-five patients with voiding problems underwent PVR measurements, which were compared with the postvoid bladder volume measurements obtained by catheterization within 5 min in the same patients. Accuracy was assessed by comparing the two methods, and correlation coefficients were obtained.

Result

The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between PVR volume as measured by US and by catheterization was 0.872 (R ² ?=?0.76). The mean difference was 23.59?±?37.32 ml (95% confidence interval, 17.5–30.65 ml), and the absolute scan error tended to increase with a greater amount of catheterized residual urine volume (R ²?=?0.49).

Conclusions

Accuracy of the Biocon-700 scanner is as good as catheter assessments of residual volume and is therefore a sufficient alternative to catheterization for determining residual urine volume.

     

Visceral fat measured by DXA is associated with increased risk of non-spine fractures in nonobese elderly women: a population-based prospective cohort analysis from the São Paulo Ageing &amp; Health (SPAH) Study

Summary

The present study investigates the relationship between visceral fat measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and the incidence of non-spine fractures in community-dwelling elderly women. We demonstrated a potential negative effect of visceral fat on bone health in nonobese women.

Introduction

The protective effect of obesity on bone health has been questioned because visceral fat has been demonstrated to have a deleterious effect on bone. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of visceral fat measured by DXA with the incidence of non-spine fractures in community-dwelling elderly women.

Methods

This longitudinal prospective population-based cohort study evaluated 433 community-dwelling women aged 65 years or older. A specific clinical questionnaire, including personal history of a fragility fracture in non-spine osteoporotic sites, was administered at baseline and after an average of 4.3 years. All incidences of fragility fractures during the study period were confirmed by affected-site radiography. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was measured in the android region of a whole-body DXA scan.

Results

The mean age was 72.8?±?4.7 years, and 28 incident non-spine osteoporotic fractures were identified after a mean follow-up time of 4.3?±?0.8 years. According to the Lipschitz classification for nutritional status in the elderly, 38.6 % of women were nonobese (BMI?≤?27 kg/m²) and 61.4 % were obese/overweight. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between VAT and non-spine fractures in elderly women. After adjusting for age, race, previous fractures, and BMD, VAT (mass, area, volume) had a significant association with the incidence of non-spine fractures only in nonobese elderly women (VAT mass: OR, 1.42 [95 % CI, 1.09–1.85; p?=?0.010]; VAT area: OR, 1.19 [95 % CI, 1.05–1.36; p?=?0.008]; VAT volume: OR, 1.40 [95 % CI, 1.09–1.80; p?=?0.009]).

Conclusion

This study suggests a potential negative effect of visceral adiposity on bone health in nonobese women.

     

Artificial urinary sphincter implantation in women with stress urinary incontinence: preliminary comparison of robot-assisted and open approaches

Introduction and hypothesis

We aimed to compare outcomes of open and robot-assisted artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation in female patients.

Methods

The charts of all female patients who underwent an AUS implantation between 2008 and 2014 in a single center were retrospectively reviewed. From 2008 to 2012, AUS were implanted using an open approach and from 2013 to 2014 using a robot-assisted approach. Perioperative and functional parameters were compared between groups. The primary endpoint was continence status.

Results

Twenty-four women were assessed: 16 in the open group and eight in the robot-assisted group. Three patients had neurogenic stress urinary incontinence. Most patients had undergone previous procedures for urinary incontinence (15 in the open group and seven in the robotic group). Mean operative time was similar in both groups (214 vs. 211 min; p?=?0.90). Postoperative complicationsrate was lower in the robot-assisted group (25 vs. 75 %; p?=?0.02). There was a trend toward a lower intraoperative complication rate (37.5 vs. 62.5 %; p?=?0.25), decreased blood loss (17 ml vs. 275 ml; p?=?0.22), and shorter length of stay (3.5 vs. 9.3 days; p?=?0.09) in the robot-assisted group. Continence rates were comparable in both groups (75 vs. 68.8 %; p?=?0.75). Three AUS explantations were needed in the open group (18.8 %) compared with one in the robot-assisted group (12.5 %; p?=?0.70).

Conclusions

In female patients, the robot-assisted approach compared with open AUS implantation could decrease intraoperative and postoperative complication rates, length of hospital stay, and blood loss.

     

Response of bone turnover markers to three oral bisphosphonate therapies in postmenopausal osteoporosis: the TRIO study

Summary

We used bone turnover markers to identify women who responded to bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis. Response was more likely with alendronate and ibandronate than risedronate. There was a greater decrease in bone markers if baseline bone turnover markers were higher and if the patient took more than 80 % of her medication.

Introduction

Biochemical response to bisphosphonate therapy can be assessed using either a decrease in bone turnover marker beyond the least significant change (LSC) or a reduction to within a reference interval (RI). We compared the performance of these target responses and determined whether response was related to the type of bisphosphonate, compliance and baseline bone turnover markers.

Methods

Biochemical responses to three oral bisphosphonates were assessed in an open, controlled trial comprising 172 postmenopausal osteoporotic women (age 53–84 years), randomised to alendronate, ibandronate or risedronate, plus calcium and vitamin D supplementation for 2 years. The LSC for each marker was derived within the study population, whereas RIs were obtained from a control group of healthy premenopausal women (age 35–40 years).

Results

Over 70 % of women achieved a target response for serum CTX and PINP, irrespective of the approach used. The percentage decrease at 12 weeks was greater for women with baseline PINP above the RI ?63 % (difference 13 %, 95 % CI 0 to 27.1, P?=?0.049) and good compliance ?67 % (difference 15.9 %, 95 % CI 6.3 to 25.5, P?=?0.001). Responders had a greater increase in spine bone density compared to nonresponders; for example 6.2 vs. 2.3 % (difference 3.9 %, 95 % CI 1.6 to 6.3, P?=?0.0011) for PINP LSC. The magnitude of change in bone markers was greater with ibandronate and alendronate than risedronate.

Conclusions

Both approaches to response identified similar proportions of women as responders. Nonresponders had smaller increases in BMD, and we suggest that biochemical assessment of response is a useful tool for the management of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

     

Four years’ follow-up changes of physical activity and sedentary time in women undergoing roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and appurtenant children

Background

Objectively measured levels of physical activity (PA) in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) surgery remain essentially unchanged from before to one year after surgery. Effects from RYGB on objectively measured levels of PA among women undergoing RYGB and appurtenant children beyond one year post-surgery are unknown.The aim of the present study was to objectively assess longitudinal changes in PA and sedentary time (ST), among women undergoing RYGB and appurtenant children, from three months before to nine and 48 months after maternal surgery.

Methods

Thirty women undergoing RYGB and 40 children provided anthropometric measures during home visits and valid accelerometer assessed (Actigraph GT3X+) PA data, three months before and nine and 48 months after maternal RYGB surgery.

Results

Women undergoing RYGB decreased time spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) with 2.0 min/day (p?=?0.65) and increased ST with 14.4 min/day (p?=?0.35), whereas their children decreased time spent in MVPA with 13.2 min/day (p?=?0.04) and increased ST with 110.5 min/day (p?<?0.001), from three months before to 48 months after maternal surgery. Twenty, 27 and 33% of women, and 60, 68 and 35% of children reached current PA guidelines three months before and nine and 48 months after maternal RYGB, respectively.

Conclusions

Objectively measured PA in women remains unchanged, while appurtenant children decrease time spent in MVPA and increase ST, from three months before through nine and 48 months after maternal RYGB. The majority of both women undergoing RYGB and children are insufficiently active 48 months after maternal RYGB.

     

Sexual activity and dyspareunia the first year postpartum in relation to degree of perineal trauma

Introduction and hypothesis

Knowledge on sexual complaints and time to sexual resumption after obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is scarce. The aim of the study was to investigate self-reported sexual activity and coital problems 1 year postpartum in relation to perineal trauma, in addition to delivery mode.

Methods

Among 2,846 women recruited during pregnancy, all women who delivered with OASI (n?=?42, all third-degree perineal tears), in addition to 20 randomly selected controls per OASI case, a total of 882 women, were sent a self-administered questionnaire addressing time to coital resumption after delivery and potential coital difficulty 1 year postpartum.

Results

By 8 weeks, half of the 561 responders (51.4 %) had resumed intercourse, increasing to 75.2 % by 12 weeks and 94.7 % 1 year postpartum. In multivariate regression analysis OASI was the strongest predictor for postponed coital onset, defined as after 8 weeks (aOR 5.52, CI 1.59–19.16). OASI was also the only significant predictor for dyspareunia 1 year after delivery (aOR 3.57, CI 1.39–9.19). Episiotomy was neither a risk factor for postponed coital onset nor for dyspareunia. There were no differences between episiotomy and second-degree laceration injury groups regarding postponed coital onset (p?=?0.45) or dyspareunia (p?=?0.67) 1 year postpartum.

Conclusions

Obstetric anal sphincter injury was a strong and independent predictor for both postponed coital resumption after delivery and for dyspareunia 1 year postpartum, whereas episiotomy and spontaneous second-degree lacerations were not. Our main finding of affected sexual activity after OASI further supports the need to reduce the rates of this obstetric injury to a minimum.

     

B-lines score on lung ultrasound as a direct measure of respiratory dysfunction in ICU patients with acute kidney injury

Purpose

Fluid overload is frequently found in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and is associated with adverse outcomes. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) are potentially useful tools for the noninvasive volume assessment. We evaluated the utility of these measures, alone or in combination, in estimating the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio in critical patients with AKI.

Methods

In a prospective pilot observational study we included 45 patients who presented on admission or developed at any time during intensive care unit stay AKI defined according to KDIGO criteria. Patients were studied at baseline and after 48 h with LUS, BIS and arterial blood gas.

Results

In the univariable analysis, the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio was negatively correlated with the B-lines score, and this association was maintained even after adjustments. A cutoff value of 17 for the B-lines score has a sensibility of 76% and a specificity of 65% in identifying patients with PaO₂/FiO₂ < 300.

Conclusion

LUS can be used for functional lung evaluation and identification of patients with increase pulmonary water content and decrease PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio.

     

Longitudinal patterns of urine biomarkers in infants across gestational ages

Background

Urinary biomarkers may be indicators of acute kidney injury (AKI), although little is known of their developmental characteristics in healthy neonates across a full range of gestational age (GA). The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of urinary biomarkers across GA groups from birth to 3 months of age.

Methods

Fifty-two infants ranging from 24 to 41 weeks’ GA had urine assayed from birth through 3 months of age for 7 biomarkers including albumin (ALB), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), cystatin-C (CysC), epidermal growth factor (EGF), neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), osteopontin (OPN), and uromodulin (UMOD).

Results

Of the seven urinary biomarkers, EGF and UMOD increased while others decreased with advancing GA. By 3 months of age, EGF and UMOD had increased in preterm infants to levels similar to those of term infants. UMOD/ml and EGF/ml appeared to be predominantly developmental biomarkers distinguishing estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 ml/min/1.73 m² with receiver operator characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) of 0.82; p?=?0.002. When factored by urine creatinine CysC/cr?+?ALB/cr were the most significant functional markers with AUC?=?0.79; p?=?0.004; sensitivity 96 %; specificity 58 %.

Conclusions

Among healthy neonates, urinary biomarkers vary with GA. These data support the use of urinary biomarkers in the assessment of normal kidney development in the absence of injury.

     

Accelerometer-Measured Versus Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Behavior in Women Before and 9 Months After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients report significant pre- to post-surgery increases in physical activity (PA). Conversely, objectively assessed PA does not increase after RYGB. The aim of the study was to compare self-reported and accelerometer-measured changes in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and exercise from pre- to post-surgery, in women undergoing RYGB.

Methods

Forty-three women with an average pre-surgery body mass index of 39.2 kg/m2 (SD 3.1) were recruited at Swedish hospitals. PA was measured by the Actigraph GT3X+ and by a previously validated short PA questionnaire, at home visits 3 months before and 9 months after surgery, thus limiting seasonal effects.

Results

Self-reported time spent in exercise increased with 75 % and time spent in MVPA increased with 51 %, whereas accelerometer-assessed time spent in exercise increased with 0.9 % and time spent in MVPA increased with 2.1 %, from before to after surgery. Correlations comparing accelerometers with the questionnaire were 0.35 (P?=?0.02) for MVPA and 0.13 (P?=?0.4) for exercise before RYGB and 0.52 (P?≤?0.001) for MVPA and 0.12 (P?=?0.4) for exercise after RYGB.

Conclusions

Pre- to post-RYGB surgery increases in self-reported PA were not confirmed by accelerometer-measured PA. Thus, health care workers should use objective measures of PA in patients undergoing RYGB, in order to assess whether patients achieve sufficient levels of PA.