Insertion of intrauterine contraceptives immediately following first- and second-trimester abortions

Background

The study was conducted to assess the continuation and patient satisfaction with intrauterine contraception (IUC) insertion immediately after elective abortion in the first and second trimesters in an urban, public hospital-based clinic.

Study Design

A cohort of 256 women who elected to have insertion of a copper-T IUC (CuT380a) or a levonorgestrel-releasing IUC (LNG-IUC) were followed postoperatively by phone calls or chart review to evaluate satisfaction and continuation with the method.

Results

Of our 256 subjects, 123 had first-trimester abortions and 133 had second-trimester abortions (14 or more weeks). Median time to follow-up was 8 weeks (range 7-544 days). Nineteen discontinuations occurred: eight (6.5%, 95% CI 2.8-12.4%) following first-trimester and 11 (8.3%, 95% CI 4.2-14.3%) following second-trimester abortion (p=.6). Five women reported expulsion; one (0.8%, 95% CI 0.0-4.4%) in the first-trimester group and four (3.0%, 95% CI 0.8-7.5%) in the second-trimester group. (p=.4) Seven infections resulting in discontinuation occurred (2.7%, 95% CI 1.1-5.6%); none were positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia at time of insertion. No perforations occurred. Nearly all (93.8%) of the women were satisfied with IUC. Rates of satisfaction between women after first- and second-trimester abortions were equal.

Conclusion

In an urban clinic, IUC has high initial continuation and high patient satisfaction when inserted immediately following either first- or second-trimester abortions.     

Early molar pregnancy: experience in a large abortion service

Background

With 1.1 million US women having first-trimester abortions annually, clinicians have an opportunity to diagnose molar pregnancy early. Early moles, however, may lack “classic” diagnostic hallmarks.

Study Design

This study aimed to assess the accuracy of the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole in women seeking abortion services at a large Planned Parenthood affiliate. We retrospectively identified women with a histopathologic diagnosis of mole from the affiliate's risk management database. The tissue specimens were reviewed by an expert independent pathologist and analyzed by flow cytometry and p57^KIP2 immunohistochemical staining to clarify the diagnosis.

Results

Of 21 patients who received an initial histopathologic diagnosis of mole, only six proved to have the condition. The interobserver correlation coefficient (kappa) for pathology examination was (−) 0.353. Overdiagnosis of partial moles was the most common error.

Conclusions

Improved, cost-effective strategies for detection of early moles would benefit patients and providers.     

Subjective well‐being of mental health nurses in the United Kingdom: Results of an online survey

The aim of the present study was to measure the subjective well‐being of a group of 225 UK registered mental health nurses (MHN) using three survey measures, and to identify whether certain demographic and workplace factors correlated with subjective well‐being measure scores. An online survey incorporating the subjective well‐being questions used by the Office for National Statistics, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well‐Being Scale was administered to members of two professional bodies for MHN. There was good consistency between the three subjective well‐being measures, each demonstrating that UK MHN had a relatively low subjective well‐being. Apart from the Office for National Statistics question, ‘Overall, to what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile?’, demographic and workplace factors did not correlate with subjective well‐being measure scores, although the characteristics of being male, living alone, and being aged 40–49 years were associated with lower mean scores on all three measures. The findings of the exploratory study suggest that a similar study should be undertaken with a larger representative population of MHN, and that qualitative research should explore why and how UK MHN have relatively low subjective well‐being. The limitations of this study, namely the response rate and sample representativeness, mean that the results of the present study must be tested in further research on the MHN population.     

Challenges in translating evidence to practice: the provision of intrauterine contraception

OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine contraception is used by many women worldwide, however, it is rarely used in the United States. Although available at no cost from the state family planning program for low-income women in California, only 1.3% of female patients obtain intrauterine contraceptives annually. This study assessed knowledge and practice patterns of practitioners regarding intrauterine contraception. METHODS: We conducted a survey among physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants (n=1,246) serving more than 100 contraceptive patients per year in the California State family planning program. The response rate was 65% (N=816). We used multiple logistic regression to measure the association of knowledge with clinical practice among different provider types. RESULTS: Forty percent of providers did not offer intrauterine contraception to contraceptive patients, and 36% infrequently provided counseling, although 92% thought their patients were receptive to learning about the method. Regression analyses showed younger physicians and those trained in residency were more likely to offer insertions. Fewer than half of clinicians considered nulliparous women (46%) and postabortion women (39%) to be appropriate candidates. Evidence-based views of the types of patients who could be safely provided with intrauterine contraception were associated with more counseling and method provision, as well as with knowledge of bleeding patterns for the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and copper devices. CONCLUSION: Prescribing practices reflected the erroneous belief that intrauterine contraceptives are appropriate only for a restricted set of women. The scientific literature shows intrauterine contraceptives can be used safely by many women, including postabortion patients. Results revealed a need for training on updated insertion guidelines and method-specific side effects, including differences between hormonal and nonhormonal devices. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.     

Elevated levels of a C-terminal agrin fragment identifies a new subset of sarcopenia patients

Sarcopenia is a recently defined medical condition described as age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Recently, a transgenic mouse model was described linking dispersal of the neuromuscular junction caused by elevated agrin degradation to the rapid onset of sarcopenia. These mice show a significant elevation of serum levels of a C-terminal agrin fragment (CAF) compared to wild-type littermates. A series of experiments was designed to ascertain the significance of elevated agrin degradation in the development of human sarcopenia. A quantitative Western blot method was devised to detect CAF in sera of humans. A first trial on consenting blood donors (n = 169; age 19–74 years) detected CAF in the limited range of 2.76 ± 0.95 ng/ml. In sarcopenia patients (diagnosed according to clinical and instrumental standards) mean CAF levels were significantly elevated (p = 9.8E10-9; n = 73; age 65–87 years) compared to aged matched controls. Of all sarcopenia patients, 40% had elevated, non-overlapping CAF levels compared to controls. Evidence is presented for a pathogenic role of the agrin/neurotrypsin system in a substantial subset of sarcopenia patients. These patients are characterized by elevated CAF blood levels compared to aged-matched healthy volunteers suggesting the identification of an agrin-dependent form of sarcopenia. Elevated CAF levels in a large subpopulation of sarcopenic patients suggest the existence of a specific form of sarcopenia for which CAF could become a biomarker and a new target for therapeutic interventions. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated by the development of a small molecule capable of inhibiting neurotrypsin in vitro and in vivo.