The association between uterus shape and development of chronic conditions in a retrospective corhort of diethylstilbestrol-exposed women in Minnesota and Texas

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposed women are well known to be at increased risk of gynecologic cancers and infertility. Infertility may result from DES associated abnormalities in the shape of women's uteri, yet little research has addressed the effect of uterine abnormalities on risk of infertility and reproductive tract infection. Changes in uterine shape may also influence the risk of autoimmune disease and women's subsequent mental health. A sample of consenting women exposed in utero to hormone who were recruited into the DESAD project, underwent hysterosalpingogram (HSG) from 1978 to 1984. These women also completed a comprehensive health questionnaire in 1994 which included women's self-reports of chronic conditions. HSG data were used to categorize uterine shape abnormalities as arcuate shape, hypoplastic, wide lower segment, and constricted. Women were recruited from two of the four DESAD study sites in Houston (Baylor) and Minnesota (Mayo). All women were DES-exposed. Adjusted relative risk estimates were calculated comparing the range of abnormal uterine shaped to women with normal shaped uteri for each of the four outcomes: infertility, reproductive tract infection, autoimmune disease and depressive symptoms. Only the arcuate shape (n=80) was associated with a higher risk of infertility (relative risk [RR]= 1.53, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.15) as well as reproductive tract infection (RR= 1.74, 95% CI = 1.11, 2.73). In conclusion, DES-associated arcuate shaped uteri appeared to be associated with the higher risk of a reproductive tract infection and infertility while no other abnormal uterine shapes were associated with these two outcomes.^

Epidemiology of isolated obstructive genitourinary defect in Texas: 1999--2003

Background. Obstructive genitourinary defects include all anomalies causing obstruction anywhere along the urinary tract. Previous studies have noted a large excess of males among infants affected by these types of defects. This is the first epidemiologic study focused solely on obstructive genitourinary defects (OGD). ^ Methods. Data on 1,683 mild and 302 severe cases of isolated OGD born between 1999 and 2003 and ascertained by the Texas Birth Defects Registry were compared to all births in Texas during the same time period. Adjusted prevalence odds ratios (POR) were calculated for infant sex, birth weight, gestational age, mother’s race/ethnicity, mother’s age, mother’s education, parity, birth year, start of prenatal care, multiple birth, and public health region of birth. Severe cases were defined as those cases that died prior to birth, died after birth, or underwent surgery for OGD in the first year of life. Cases of OGD that had other major birth defects besides OGD were excluded from this study. ^ Results. Severe cases of OGD were more likely than mild cases to have multiple obstructive genitourinary anomalies (37.8% vs. 18.9%) and bilateral defects (40.9% vs. 31.3%). Males had a significantly greater risk of OGD than females for both severe and mild cases: adjusted POR = 3.26 (95% CI = 2.45-4.33) and adjusted POR = 2.60 (95% CI = 2.33-2.90), respectively. Infants with both severe and mild OGD were more likely to be very preterm birth at birth compared with infants without OGD: crude POR of 16.19 (95% CI = 10.60-24.74) and 4.75 (95% CI = 3.54-6.37), respectively. Among the severe group, minority races had a decreased risk of OGD with an adjusted POR of 0.74 (95% CI = 0.55-0.98) compared with whites. Among the mild cases, increased rates of OGD were found in older mothers (adjusted POR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05-1.15), college/higher educated mothers (adjusted POR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01-1.13) and multiple births (adjusted POR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.01-1.62). There was also a decreased risk of mild cases among black mothers compared to whites (adjusted POR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.52-0.76). Compared to 1999, the prevalence of mild cases of OGD increased significantly over the 5 year study period with an adjusted POR of 1.10 (95% CI = 1.06-1.15) by 2003. ^ Conclusion. Risk factors of OGD for both severe and mild forms were male sex and preterm birth. Severe cases were more likely to have multiple OGD defects and be affected bilaterally. An increase in prevalence of mild cases of OGD over time and differences in rates of black, older, and higher educated mothers in mild cases may be attributed to ultrasound use. ^

Deployed military women: A second look at gender-specific infections

This descriptive, cross-sectional study addressed the relationship between variables of deployed military women and prevalence of gender-specific infections. The analysis of secondary data will look at the last deployment experience of 880 randomly selected U.S. military women who completed a mailed questionnaire (Deployed Female Health Practice Questionnaire (FHPQ)) in June 1998. The questionnaire contained 191 items with 80 data elements and one page for the subject's written comments. The broad categories of the questionnaire included: health practices, health promotion, disease prevention and treatment, reproduction, lifestyle management, military characteristics and demographics. The research questions are: (1) What is the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), urinary tract infections (UTI) and vaginal infections (VI) related to demographic data, military characteristics, behavioral risk factors and health practices of military women during their last deployment? and (2) What are the differences between STD, UTI and VI related to the demographic data, military characteristics, behavioral risk factors and health practices of military women during their last deployment. The results showed that (1) STDs were found to be significantly associated with age and rank but not location of deployment or military branch; (2) UTI were found to be significantly associated with intrauterine device (IUD) use, prior UTI and type of items used for menses management, but not education or age; and (3) VI were significantly associated with age, rank and deployment location but not ethnicity or education. Although quantitative research exploring hygiene needs of deployed women continues, qualitative studies may uncover further “hidden” issues of importance. It cannot be said that the military has not made proactive changes for women, however, continued efforts to hone these changes are still encouraged. Mandatory debriefings of “seasoned” deployed women soldiers and their experiences would benefit leadership and newly deployed female soldiers with valuable “lessons learned.” Tailored hygiene education material, prevention education classes, easy access website with self-care algorithms, pre-deployment physicals, revision of military protocols for health care providers related to screening, diagnosing and treatment of gender-specific infections and process changes in military supply network of hygiene items for women are offered as recommendations. ^

A case-control study of the risk factors for eclampsia

Objective. To study the risk factors for eclampsia, a rare but significant complication of pregnancy.^ Target population. All deliveries at or after the 20th week of gestation that took place between January 1, 1977 and March 1992, and between January 1990 and April 1992 at two hospitals in Houston, Texas, respectively.^ Study population. Sixty-six confirmed cases of eclampsia, and 2 groups of randomly selected controls: Non-preeclamptic and preeclamptic deliveries matched to cases on hospital and month of delivery on a 1:4 ratio.^ Exclusions. Women with chronic hypertension, gestational epilepsy, a previous history of epilepsy, and convulsions attributed to encephalitis, meningitis, cerebral tumor, and intracerebral bleeding, and women without a definite diagnosis of preeclampsia/eclampsia.^ Results. Eclampsia developed in 0.52-0.93/1000 deliveries. Fifty-six percent of seizures occurred in the antepartum period, 2% as early as 20 weeks of gestation and 39% between 37 and 42 weeks. Twenty-nine percent and 15% occurred in the postpartum and late postpartum periods, respectively, 8% as late as one week postpartum. A different set of risk factors was involved in the development of eclampsia in non-preeclamptic women than in the progression from preeclampsia to eclampsia. Factors involved in the development of eclampsia included, in addition to twin pregnancy and family history of pregnancy-induced hypertension, fewer than 3 prenatal care visits, urinary tract infections, primigravidity, obesity, black ethnicity, diabetes mellitus, and age $\le$20 years. Risk factors involved in the progression from preeclampsia to eclampsia included fewer than 3 of prenatal care visits, and age $\le$20 years. Protective factors were magnesium sulfate administration prior to seizure, history of abortions and longer gestational age. Having less than 3 prenatal care visits and being less than or equal to 20 years of age were predictors of eclampsia, whether of its development or progression from preeclampsia. Once preeclampsia is diagnosed, primigravid, diabetic, black, or obese women and those with urinary tract infections did not appear to exhibit any increased risk for the progression to eclampsia. The administration of magnesium sulfate was especially protective, followed by a positive history of abortions, 3 or more prenatal care visits, and longer gestational age. The protective effect of MgSO$\sb4$ was only slightly diminished when cases were restricted to the 65% who had a diagnosis of preeclampsia. The progression from preeclampsia to eclampsia may be largely preventable through adequate prenatal care and presumably the administration of magnesium sulfate. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) ^

AN ASSESSMENT OF AFLATOXIN B1, AND OTHER SELECTED VARIABLES, IN A RURAL ENVIRONMENT AND ASSOCIATED CANCER RISK (TEXAS)

A study to assess possible exposure to carcinogenic metabolites (aflatoxins) from a mold Aspergillus flavus has been made in a rice producing area of Brazoria County, Texas. One hundred samples of unmilled rice were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for the amount of aflatoxin produced by the mold during rice growth and storage. Two well water samples and two rice elevator dust samples were also checked for possible aflatoxin content. The mortality rates from gastrointestinal and urinary tract cancers in the rice-growing part of the county were compared with mortality rates in the nonrice-producing areas of the same county.^ This study was an outgrowth of an earlier investigation by Cech and co-workers in Brazoria County which focused on environmental differences, specifically on the quality of drinking water in the former residences of decedents from primary liver cancer. It also compared subjects who died from other causes. The author of this dissertation participated in this phase of the overall investigation by performing some of the chemical analyses and by preparing synographic maps of water quality, and thus, part of those results from the early phase is also included in this manuscript.^ No aflatoxin was detected by TLC methods. However, when extracts of rice dust were checked for mutagenesis by the Ames Salmonella-microsome assay as a supplement to the TLC analysis, the result suggested that these dusts might have contained mutagenic material. The age-adjusted mortality rates in the rice-growing area were higher than those in the comparison area for both male and female gastrointestinal tract cancer and for male urinary tract cancer, but the differences were not statistically significant. ^

Prescripción de medicamentos en las farmacias : una realidad preocupante

Se presume que la prescripción de medicamentos sin receta médica en las farmacias es una práctica frecuente. El objetivo fue conocer la conducta del personal de las farmacias ante una consulta realizada por estudiantes de medicina entrenados para actuar como pacientes simulados de las siguientes situaciones: 1: Infección respiratoria alta, 2: Diarrea aguda; 3: Disuria, 4: Ulcera genital, 5: Hipertensión arterial, 6: Cefalea aguda, 7: Artralgia de tobillo. Se efectuaron 100 entrevistas y cada una de las situaciones se realizó al menos 12 veces. En solo el 28% de los casos no se indicó tratamiento y las 72 prescripciones fueron realizadas por 38 farmacéuticos y 34 no profesionales. La medicación se consideró inadecuada en 58.3%, iatrogénica en 51.4% y la posología incorrecta en 50%. Los fármacos más indicados fueron antibióticos (23.6%), AINES (20.8%), antidiarreicos (11.8%) y antigripales (9.7%). Las situaciones 7 (100%), 1 (93.3%) y 2 (84.6%) tuvieron la mayor frecuencia de indicación de tratamiento y fue significativa la negativa a medicar en las situaciones 4 (OR, 0.16) y 5 (OR, 0.22) (p<0.05). La prescripción fue incorrecta en el 100% de las situaciones 2 y 4 y iatrogénica en el 100% de las situaciones 2, 4 y 5. En 48 casos se sugirió consulta médica y la situación 5 tuvo 4.27 veces más posibilidades de ser derivada (p= 0.01). Este estudio demuestra que en las farmacias del gran Mendoza es común la venta de medicamentos sin prescripción médica lo que compromete la seguridad y salud de las personas.

Antibiotic treatment for intermittent bladder catheterisation with once daily prophylaxis (the AnTIC study) : Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Funder statement This article/paper/report presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the UK Government’s Department of Health. Acknowledgements We would like to acknowledge Dr Graeme MacLennan, Mr Simon Skene, Mr Julian Shah and Dr Nadine Dougall (past member) for their valuable contribution to the study as DMC members. We would like to thank Professor Chris Butler, Dr Emma Hall, Mr Roland Morley, Mr Dan Wood, Ms Jane Laws and Ms Sarah Bittlestone for their oversight of the AnTIC study as members of the TSC, and we would like to thank Ms Heather Armstrong for her contributions as a patient group representative. We thank all Principal Investigators and site staff for their commitment in recruitment for the AnTIC study. Finally, we would like to thank Hazel Wilde for secretarial support. The trial is funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (project reference: 11-72-01) and will be published in full in the Health Technology Assessment journal series. The authors also acknowledge the support of the National Institute for Health Research through the Comprehensive Clinical Research Network.

Desenvolvimento de video educativo para a aprendizagem do autocateterismo vesical intermitente

A bexiga neurogênica é uma disfunção vesical decorrente principalmente da lesão medular. O cateterismo vesical intermitente é o tratamento mais indicado na atualidade, deve ser realizado de 4 a 6 vezes ao dia, durante toda a vida, visando a proteção do trato urinário superior e a aquisição da continência urinária. Na reabilitação desses indivíduos, a autocateterização vesical é um desafio enfrentado na busca pela autonomia, privacidade, inserção social e participação. Os vídeos educativos são utilizados para o aprendizado do autocateterismo em vários países, por serem de fácil utilização e acesso via internet. Apesar disso, não existem vídeos realizados para o contexto brasileiro, levando em consideração os cateteres urinários e a técnica utilizada no Brasil. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e validar um vídeo educativo para a realização do autocateterismo vesical intermitente limpo. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, desenvolvido em duas fases: 1ª fase com a avaliação de vídeos educativos públicos direcionados para a aprendizagem do autocateterismo vesical intermitente com a técnica limpa; e 2ª Fase, com o desenvolvimento e validação de um vídeo educativo voltado para aprendizagem do autocateterismo. O levantamento dos vídeos utilizou um site de compartilhamento de vídeos utilizando o descritor \"autocateterismo\". Os vídeos foram avaliados por três juízes da área de saúde. O processo de desenvolvimento e validação do roteiro do vídeo educativo utilizou questionários previamente ratificados. Participaram dessas etapas, respectivamente, 18 e 17 juízes experts em reabilitação e/ou no ensino em saúde. O levantamento mostrou que apenas 3,5% (172) do total de vídeos disponíveis no site pesquisado eram voltados para o aprendizado do autocateterismo no contexto brasileiro. Seis vídeos eram específicos para o autocateterismo, dos quais quatro tinham informações desatualizadas ou incorretas, apenas dois atingiram a pontuação aceitável. Na validação do roteiro observou-se um predomínio de participantes do sexo feminino (94,44%), com idade de 30 a 60 anos, dos quais 72,22% possuíam mestrado e 50% atuavam há mais de cinco anos na área de reabilitação. O roteiro foi considerado validado com 96,29% das respostas dos juízes \"concordo\" ou \"concordo totalmente\" nas questões referentes ao quesito objetivo, 91,09% para quesito conteúdo, 98,12% em relação ao quesito relevância, 75% quanto ao quesito ambiente, 71,11% no quesito linguagem verbal e 92,70% referente à inclusão de tópicos. A produção do vídeo contou com uso de tecnologia 3D e apoio de uma equipe técnica especializada. No que se refere à validação do conteúdo do vídeo educativo, o conteúdo do vídeo foi considerado validado com 100% dos juízes que responderam \"concordo\" ou \"concordo totalmente\" nas questões referentes à funcionalidade, 86,27% referentes à usabilidade, 97,06% no quesito eficiência, 100% para técnica audiovisual, 94,11% quanto ao ambiente e 97,05% procedimento. O vídeo educativo foi avaliado positivamente tanto pela qualidade das informações quanto pela didática do ensino, mostrando a relevância da validação de materiais educativos. A expectativa é disseminar o vídeo educativo em diferentes centros de reabilitação e Universidades, visando propagar e tornar o conhecimento sobre a temática mais acessível à sociedade e aos profissionais de saúde, em especial os de reabilitação. Além de incentivar e embasar metodologicamente o desenvolvimento de outros vídeos educativos na área da saúde

Avaliação dos biomarcadores urinários no controle do tratamento de estenose de junção ureteropélvica em adultos

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVO: A estenose de junção ureteropélvica (EJUP) é importante causa de obstrução do trato urinário e pode levar a deterioração progressiva da função renal. Há espaço para o aprimoramento de novos métodos diagnósticos capazes de discriminar hidronefrose e uropatia obstrutiva. Acredita-se que os biomarcadores urinários podem fornecer indícios de lesão renal precoce na obstrução urinária. Neste contexto, KIM-1 pode elevar-se na urina por lesão tubular proximal, NGAL por lesão no túbulo proximal, distal ou alça de Henle, CA19-9 por produção excessiva no túbulo obstruído e ?2-microglobulina (beta2M) por injúria ao glomérulo ou ao túbulo proximal. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as propriedades diagnósticas dos biomarcadores urinários citados em adultos com EJUP, sendo o primeiro estudo na literatura a avaliar tais moléculas nesta população. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados de modo prospectivo pacientes consecutivos acima de 18 anos com diagnóstico de EJUP submetidos a pieloplastia videolaparoscópica de dezembro de 2013 a fevereiro de 2015. Foram excluídos do estudo pacientes com EJUP bilateral, rim contralateral patológico, EJUP em rim único, antecedentes de tratamento cirúrgico para estenose de JUP ou taxa de filtração glomerular inferior a 60 ml/min/1,73m2. Cada paciente forneceu quatro amostras de urina para medição de biomarcadores, uma no pré-operatório e outras com 1, 3 e 6 meses de seguimento pós-operatório. O grupo controle foi constituído por voluntários saudáveis sem hidronefrose à ultrassonografia. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 47 pacientes com idade média de 38,6 ± 12,7 anos (intervalo 19 a 64 anos), sendo 17 (36,2%) do sexo masculino e 30 (62,8%) do sexo feminino. O grupo controle foi composto por 40 indivíduos semelhantes ao grupo com EJUP no que concerne idade (p = 0,95) e sexo (p = 0,82). KIM-1 foi o marcador com melhores propriedades diagnósticas, apresentando área sob a curva (AUC) de 0,79 (95% CI 0,70 a 0,89). O NGAL, por sua vez, teve AUC de 0,71 (95% CI 0,61 a 0,83), CA19- 9 teve AUC de 0,70 (95% CI 0,60 a 0,81) e (beta2M) apresentou AUC de 0,61 (95% CI 0,50 a 0,73), sendo o único biomarcador com propriedades inadequadas neste cenário. O KIM-1 foi o marcador mais sensível com o ponto de corte 170,4 pg/mg de creatinina (sensibilidade 91,4%, especificidade 59,1%) e o CA 19-9 o mais específico para o ponto de corte de 51,3 U/mg de creatinina (sensibilidade 48,9%, especificidade 88,0%), enquanto o NGAL foi o que apresentou maior queda após desobstrução, com 90,0% dos pacientes apresentando clareamento superior a 50%. CONCLUSÕES: A avaliação dos biomarcadores urinários é útil no diagnóstico de obstrução em adultos com EJUP submetidos a pieloplastia videolaparoscópica. O KIM-1 foi o marcador mais sensível e o CA 19-9 o mais específico, enquanto o NGAL foi o que apresentou maior que com a desobstrução. Houve queda das concentrações dos marcadores após pieloplastia no período estudado. O papel exato dos biomarcadores urinários no cenário de obstrução em adultos deve ser mais amplamente investigado

Ureter retrocava : uma anomalia congénita rara

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Cirurgia intra-renal retrógrada para o tratamento da litíase : um procedimento de ambulatório?

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Sistemas duplos renais : revisão sistemática

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Traité des maladies des voies urinaires /

Vol. 2 published by G. Masson.

Canine model for investigating the impact of oral enrofloxacin on commensal coliforms and colonization with multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli

A model was developed in dogs to determine the impact of oral enrofloxacin administration on the indigenous coliform population in the gastrointestinal tract and subsequent disposition to colonization by a strain of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDREC). Dogs given a daily oral dose of 5 mg enrofloxacin kg(-1) for 21 consecutive days showed a significant decline in faecal coliforms to levels below detectable limits by 72 In of administration. Subsequently, faecal coliforms remained suppressed throughout the period of enrofloxacin dosing. Upon termination of antibiotic administration, the number of excreted faecal coliforms slowly returned over an 8-day period, to levels comparable to those seen prior to antibiotic treatment. Enrofloxacin-treated dogs were more effectively colonized by MDREC, evidenced by a significantly increased count of MDREC in the faeces (7.1 +/- 1.5 log(10) g(-1)) compared with non-antibiotic-treated dogs (5.2 +/- 1.2; P = 0.003). Furthermore, antibiotic treatment also sustained a significantly longer period of MDREC excretion in the faeces (26.8 +/- 10.5 days) compared with animals not treated with enrofloxacin (8.5 +/- 5.4 days; P = 0.0215). These results confirm the importance of sustained delivery of an antimicrobial agent to maintain and expand the colonization potential of drug-resistant bacteria in vivo, achieved in part by reducing the competing commensal coliforms in the gastrointestinal tract to below detectable levels in the faeces. Without in vivo antimicrobial selection pressure, commensal coliforms dominated the gastrointestinal tract at the expense of the MDREC population. Conceivably, the model developed could be used to test the efficacy of novel non-antibiotic strategies aimed at monitoring and controlling gastrointestinal colonization by multidrug-resistant members of the Enterobacteriaceae that cause nosocomial infections.