Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2023
Randomized Controlled TrialComparable Efficacy of Submucosal Platelet-Rich Plasma and Combined Platelet-Rich Plasma Noncrosslinked Hyaluronic Acid Injections in Vulvovaginal Atrophy: A Cancer Survivorship Issue.
Background: Cancer survivors are often reluctant to discuss sexual complaints with their oncologists and treatment is frequently unsatisfactory due to paucity of controlled studies and inapplicability of vaginal estrogen. We aimed to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections alone or in combination with noncrosslinked hyaluronic acid compared with standard therapy with topical hyaluronic acid gel in the management of cancer therapy-induced or aggravated vulvovaginal atrophy. Materials and Methods: This prospective, parallel-group comparative study was conducted on 45 female patients with a history of cancer and complaining of symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy either induced or aggravated by cancer treatment. ⋯ Conclusion: Both PRP and PRP-HA have comparable efficacy and patient-reported treatment satisfaction. PRP injections were better tolerated by patients than PRP-HA. Clinical trial registration number: NCT05782920.
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Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and preterm birth (PTB), but it is unclear whether this association is due to the pregnancy complication(s) or prepregnancy/early pregnancy confounders. The study examines the association of GDM, HDP, and PTB with MetS 2-7 years later, independent of early pregnancy factors. Materials and Methods: Large, diverse cohort of nulliparous pregnant people with singleton gestations enrolled during their first trimester and who attended a follow-up study visit 2-7 years after delivery. ⋯ Those who had both HDP and PTB (n = 113) had an aRR = 1.95 (95% CI 1.50-2.54). Conclusions: People whose pregnancies were complicated by GDM, HDP, or PTB are at a higher risk of MetS within 2-7 years after delivery, independent of early pregnancy risk factors. The highest MetS risk follows pregnancies complicated by both HDP and PTB.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2023
Psychometric Analysis of the Modified Differential Emotions Scale and the Six-Item Life Orientation Test-Revised in a Cohort of Older Women from the Women's Health Initiative.
Background: Positive affect and emotional resources, such as optimism, may play a major role in women's health and promote healthy well-being later in life. However, positive affect and optimism measures have not been psychometrically assessed in older women, despite relations to health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to psychometrically assess measures of positive affect and optimism and test their association with other measures of well-being. ⋯ Exploratory factor analyses suggest a two-factor solution for the LOT-R. Significant, but small correlations in expected directions to well-being measures confirmed validity hypotheses. Conclusions: The mDES and LOT-R measured positive affect and optimism with good reliability, item performance, and validity in a large sample of older postmenopausal women, supporting use of these measures to quantify effects of positive affect and optimism-promoting interventions.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2023
Analysis of Race and Ethnicity Among United States Medical Board Leadership.
Background: The inequitable representation of women and members of racial and ethnic minority groups in leadership positions within academic medicine is an ongoing challenge with practical and realistic solutions. The purpose of this study was to assess the race and ethnicity of individuals in leadership positions among the 24 Member Boards of Directors (Boards) of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the race and ethnicity patterns for individuals holding leadership positions among the 24 Boards of the ABMS as of March 1, 2022. ⋯ Conclusion: Disparities exist for members of racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly women from these groups. As a leader in academic medicine, the ABMS should ensure its Boards are diverse with respect to gender, race, and ethnicity. Diverse groups often contribute unique insights that support medical education, advance science, and improve clinical care.