Sexual function in patients presenting to a urogynecology practice

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sexual function in women referred to a urogynecology practice. All new patients were mailed an optional female sexual function index (FSFI) in conjunction with their history forms; other sexual function information was obtained during the physician interview. Over 6 months, four hundred fifty new patients were enrolled. Of these, 243 (54%) were not sexually active. Reasons listed for sexual inactivity included partner problems/no partner (32%), low desire (14%), prolapse (10%), and pain (10%). There were several differences between sexually active and non-sexually active participants; however, after a multivariate analysis, only age, marital status, and stage/grade 1–2 of prolapse remained significant. One hundred nine sexually active patients completed the FSFI; the majority was sexually active two to four times per month. Female sexual dysfunction was noted in 70 (64%) patients. Lowest scores were noted for the domain of desire, followed by arousal, orgasm, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain. Reduced frequency of intercourse was the only factor significantly associated with dysfunction. Ninety-four percent were not embarrassed by the survey. Overall, sexual inactivity is common in patients presenting for urogynecologic care. Those that are sexually active report low rates of sexual activity and high rates of sexual dysfunction. Most sexually active patients will accept a sexual function questionnaire as part of their routine assessment.This research was presented at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists annual clinical meeting, May 10, 2005, San Francisco, CA, USA.     

The role of the le fort I maxillotomy in the management of incompletely resected pituitary macroadenomas.

Objective: The options available for the treatment of a nonsecreting pituitary macroadenoma that has been incompletely resected include reoperation, fractionated radiation therapy, and radiosurgery. Reoperation in this setting may be hindered by the same obstacles that prevented a complete resection during the initial surgical procedure, and should prompt consideration of an alternate approach or exposure. Methods: Between January 1998 and December 2003, 10 consecutive patients were referred to the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for the evaluation of a nonsecreting pituitary macroadenoma that measured 3 cm or greater in diameter despite having undergone an attempt at a complete resection elsewhere. Each of these patients was reoperated using a Le Fort I maxillotomy to enhance the exposure provided by a traditional transsphenoidal approach. Results: A total or near total (> 95%) resection was achieved in each case. One patient required reoperation for the repositioning of a fat graft to treat a cerebrospinal fluid fistula and one patient experienced a worsening of anterior pituitary function postoperatively. Five patients noted improved vision and no patient experienced further visual loss. Three patients have required subsequent treatment of small foci of recurrent or progressing tumor with stereotactic radiation therapy. No patient has received fractionated radiation therapy. Conclusion: The added exposure provided by a Le Fort I maxillotomy facilitates the resection of pituitary macroadenomas that have been incompletely resected by a traditional transnasal, trans-sphenoidal approach.     

Missed opportunities for participation in prevention of mother to child transmission programmes: Simplicity of nevirapine does not necessarily lead to optimal uptake, a qualitative study

Background  

The objective of this study was to examine missed opportunities for participation in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme in three sites in South Africa. A rapid anthropological assessment was used to collect in-depth data from 58 HIV-positive women who were enrolled in a larger cohort study to assess mother-to-child HIV transmission. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the women in order to gain an understanding of their experiences of antenatal care and to identify missed opportunities for participation in PMTCT.     

Three-Year Prospective Adherence to Three Breast Cancer Screening Modalities

Background.This study prospectively examined rates of adherence to mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and breast self-examination (BSE) in a cohort of women over 3 years to determine whether participation in BSE influenced participation in the other two screening modalities.Methods.Women ages 51 and older (n= 450) who attended a small group educational session to learn BSE and to hear about CBE and mammography guidelines were assessed annually by telephone for 3 consecutive years to determine their subsequent breast cancer screening behavior.Results.Annual CBE and mammography screening are highly positively associated. Regular performance of BSE has a modest positive association with both CBE and mammography adherence over time.Conclusions.Women who perform BSE regularly over time may be more likely to adhere to the other breast cancer screening guidelines.     

Community-based situation analysis of maternal and neonatal care in South Africa to explore factors that impact utilization of maternal health services

This community situational analysis determined factors impacting the utilization of maternal health services in South Africa. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used, including semistructured household interviews, case studies of women with no antenatal care and/or home birth, and verbal/social autopsies of maternal and infant deaths, conducted in three diverse sites across the country. Data analysis used quantitative statistics for the semistructured interviews and a qualitative thematic content approach for the case studies and verbal/social autopsies. Each component was analyzed separately and then triangulated. The following themes emerged: 1) transport and distance to care were the biggest problems, particularly in rural areas; 2) providers' communication with families was very poor; 3) health-seeking behavior was better than anticipated; 4) treatment by health providers and quality of care showed mixed results; 5) HIV/AIDS is a major issue; however, basic maternity and neonatal service quality cannot be overlooked; and 6) families and communities are an untapped resource for improving maternal and neonatal health. Implications for maternal and infant health care in developing countries are discussed, with a particular focus on barriers to utilization and involvement of communities and families in maternity care.     

HEMATOCRIT VALUES DURING PREGNANCY IN A NURSE-MIDWIFERY CASELOAD

This article reviews the normal hematologic changes in pregnancy and the kinetics of iron metabolism. The differences between iron depletion and anemia are described. The hematocrit levels of a nurse-midwifery caseload in a tertiary-care setting are described and compared with recently published population norms. Hematocrits of the sample compared favorably to the population hematocrits until 24 weeks' gestation, when the sample hematocrit mean became statistically lower and remained that way throughout pregnancy. Further analysis was done on the sample hematocrits, comparing differences in parity, age, pregnancy spacing, and AS versus AA hemoglobin. Parous women with a pregnancy interval >12 months had a higher mean hematocrit then nulliparous women. Mean hematocrits of age groups varied significantly only at the 29–32-week interval, with women younger than 18 having lower mean hematocrits than those ≥18. A trend of women with AS hemoglobin having higher hematocrits than women with AA hemoglobin was identified, reaching statistical significance at the 29–32-week interval.     

Cyclophosphamide 'pulses' in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. A preliminary clinical trial

To our knowledge, this is the first clinical trial in multiple sclerosis (MS) demonstrating the feasibility of directing immunomodulating therapy by monitoring immunologic results. Cyclophosphamide was administered at monthly intervals, escalating the dose until there was a significant reduction in both the number of blood B lymphocytes and helper/inducer (CD4) T cells of 14 patients with chronic progressive MS. The frequency and severity of adverse effects led us to conclude that the regimen is too toxic for the long-term treatment of patients with MS.     

A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-masked, variable dosage, clinical trial of azathioprine with and without methylprednisolone in multiple sclerosis

Ninety-eight patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the chronic progression phase entered a 3-year clinical trial to determine if azathioprine (AZ) alone or with adrenal cortical steroids stabilizes the course of MS. In group AM, the patients took AZ throughout and methylprednisolone (MP) for the first 36 weeks. Group AP received AZ and placebo instead of MP. Group PP took placebos for both drugs. We adjusted the AZ to maintain the total white blood cell count within 3,000 to 4,000/mm3; we gave the MP in a fixed dose "pulse" and alternate-day regimen. The "intent-to-treat" groups had no statistically significant differences in the rates of progression among the 3 treatments. Subgroup analysis suggests that patients in the AM group who completed treatment exactly according to protocol did statistically significantly better than the placebo recipients using the sum of Standard Neurological Examination scores, slightly better using the quantitative neuro-performance tests, but no better using Mickey's Illness Severity Scores or Kurtzke's Disability Status Scale. Also, the AZ-treated groups had half the relapse rate of the placebo-treated group. Adverse reactions to AZ accounted for most withdrawals. Hematologic and hepatic abnormalities were significantly associated with AZ, but serious non-MS abnormalities were uncommon and were equally distributed among the 3 groups. Addition of MP to the AZ slightly improved the efficacy of the treatment, but also increased the adverse effects. The benefits of AZ with or without steroids did not outweigh the risks, and therefore we do not recommend this treatment for patients with chronic progressive MS.     

Assessment of Self-Reward Strategies for Maintenance of Breast Self-Examination

This study examined the relative impact of different self-reward strategies on maintenance of breast self-examination (BSE) practice among 1649 women trained to do BSE. Training groups were randomized into four conditions: (a) self-reward instructions and materials delivered at the end of the BSE training session; (b) self-reward suggestions delivered through the mail each month, contingent upon the BSE performance; (c) external monetary rewards and self-reward suggestions delivered through the mail each month on an intermittent schedule, contingent upon BSE practice; and (d) a no-reward control condition. Follow-up assessments 12 months following training revealed a pattern of evidence in support of the benefits of external monetary rewards and self-reward prompts on BSE frequency and quality; however, it is likely that the value of that condition lies in the external reward component.