Archives of gynecology and obstetrics
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Jul 2006
Comparative StudyComparison of clinical and laboratory characteristics of cases with polycystic ovarian syndrome based on Rotterdam's criteria and women whose only clinical signs are oligo/anovulation or hirsutism.
This study was an attempt to determine whether the hormonal and clinical profiles of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or non-PCOS cases whose only admission signs were oligo/anovulation or hirsutism. This retrospective study comprised a total number of 118, age-matched, young Turkish women with initial admission signs and symptoms of menstrual disorders (MD) like oligo/anovulation or hirsutism. Of these, 66 cases were diagnosed as PCOS, based on 2003 Rotterdam criteria [presence of two of first three criteria such as oligo- and/or anovulation, signs of clinical hyperandrogenism (HA-c) and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism (HA-b) and polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography after exclusion of specific identifiable disorders]. ⋯ To conclude, non-PCOS women with only sign or symptom of oligo/anovulation or hirsutism had a more favorable endocrine milieu. These cases should be followed in vigilance in an aim to confront the development of short- and long-term adverse effects of impending PCOS in the future. Furthermore, different phenotypes of PCOS cases were clinically or biochemically similar in characteristics.
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Jul 2006
ReviewLabor analgesia for the parturient with herbal medicines use: what does an obstetrician need to know?
The use of herbal medicines in the developed world is widespread, and increasing. Herbal medicines, which include a wide spectrum of substances ranging from home-made teas to the national regulatory bodies-approved medicinal substances, are defined as plant-derived products that are used for medicinal and/or nutritional purposes. The use of herbal self-therapy is common in pregnancy, with many parturients consuming more than one agent at a time. ⋯ As epidural analgesia is the most popular form of pain relief in labor, the potential for herbal remedies-related alterations in maternal hemodynamics (e.g., hypertension, tachycardia), and increased bleeding tendencies (e.g., spinal-epidural hematoma) remain a significant concern. Obstetricians and obstetric anesthesiologists must be familiar with the effects of herbal medicines and should specifically inquire about the use of herbal medicines during prenatal/preanesthetic assessment. This review article attempts to summarize current data on special considerations for labor analgesia in parturients with herbal medicines use.
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Jun 2006
Multicenter StudyIncreased peri- and post-elective cesarean section morbidity in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1: a case-controlled multicenter study.
Although elective cesarean section (ECS) is the currently recommended modality for delivering women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), historical evidence suggests that they are at higher risk of postoperative complications than noninfected women. Those risks have to be carefully balanced against the presumed minimal benefit of ECS, especially in the case of low viral load and high CD4 counts. We therefore compared the incidence and type of post-ECS complications in HIV-infected women, most with low viral loads and high CD4 cell counts, with those in matched noninfected women treated by the same surgical teams. ⋯ HIV-positive women have a higher risk of post-ECS morbidity, even with high CD4 counts and low viral load. Therefore, the blanket recommendation of ECS in HIV-infected women requires a review.
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Jun 2006
Comparative StudyCorrelations of serum prolidase activity between bone turnover markers and mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Prolidase is a specific imidodipeptidase involved in collagen degradation. The increase in the enzyme activity is believed to be correlated with the increased intensity of collagen degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum prolidase activity and its relationship between bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. ⋯ However, there was no statistical difference in serum prolidase activity between the three groups. There were also no significant correlations between serum prolidase and any biomarkers of bone turnover as well as BMD. To conclude, in postmenopausal osteoporotic women with increased bone turnover, serum prolidase concentration was not correlated with the biomarkers of bone formation or bone resorption and with BMD.