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A Strandell

Publications and source records attributed to A Strandell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Economic evaluation of infertility treatment for tubal disease.

PURPOSE: The number of published studies comparing cost-effectiveness of tubal surgery and IVF treatment is limited, in part because of the difficulties of conducting randomized trials, given that IVF is now a clinically accepted treatment and the decision to offer surgery or IVF is often dictated by the severity of the tubal disease and by the availability of the methods. The aim of this study was to compare the costs of our policy of offering tubal surgery to patients with mild or moderate tubal disease with the cost of offering IVF to these and severe tubal disease. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study patients with tubal pathology as the sole reason for their infertility were included: 61 patients in the tubal surgery group and 464 patients in the IVF group. The delivery rates and costs per delivery were compared. RESULTS: Delivery rates were 28% in the tubal surgery group within 2 years of follow-up and 52% in the IVF group that involved up to three cycles of treatment. This economic evaluation demonstrated only small differences in the average cost when considering the cost per delivery. CONCLUSIONS: With a policy involving strict selection of patients, tubal surgery will continue to have a role in the treatment of infertility.

Fallopian Tube Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Hydrosalpinx and IVF outcome: cumulative results after salpingectomy in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A randomized controlled trial of salpingectomy prior to IVF in patients with hydrosalpinges has been conducted in Scandinavia. The results from the first transfer cycle have been published and clearly demonstrated an improved pregnancy outcome after salpingectomy had been performed in patients with hydrosalpinges large enough to be visible on ultrasound. The present article is aimed at analysing the effect of salpingectomy on cumulative birth rate, including all individual transfer cycles. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 186 women underwent 452 cycles. Among the 77 women randomized to no surgical intervention, 24 underwent salpingectomy after one or two failed cycles. Cumulative results were analysed by Cox regression, taking into account the number of cycles per patient and the presence of a salpingectomy after a previous transfer. Salpingectomy implied a significant increase in birth rate (hazard ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-3.6, P = 0.014). Within the subgroup of patients with ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinges, the birth rate was even higher (hazard ratio 3.8, 95% CI 1.5-9.2, P = 0.004). Implantation rate was significantly higher in patients who had undergone salpingectomy (27.2% versus 20.2, P = 0.03) and, in the subgroup of patients with ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinges, the difference was even larger (30.3% versus 17.1%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the cumulative cycles strengthen the recommendation for a laparoscopic salpingectomy prior to IVF in patients with ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinges.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Prophylactic salpingectomy does not impair the ovarian response in IVF treatment.

To examine the effect of prophylactic salpingectomy in patients with hydrosalpinges on the ovarian response to stimulation prior to IVF, 26 patients were included in a study in which they acted as their own controls. They were all part of a randomized controlled study, in which they had been randomized to no surgical intervention prior to IVF. After one or two failed cycles, they underwent laparoscopic uni- or bilateral salpingectomy of their diseased tubes. The cycles before and after surgery were compared and the ovarian response was assessed as the dose and duration of gonadotrophins and the number of retrieved and fertilized oocytes. There were no significant differences in any of the measured outcomes. The increasing age between cycles did not influence the ovarian response, assessed by a comparison with two matched control groups from the same original study; 46 patients salpingectomized before IVF and 25 patients without surgery. It is concluded that removal of hydrosalpinx as a prophylactic laparoscopic procedure does not compromise ovarian function.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A simplified ultrasound based infertility investigation protocol and its implications for patient management.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether a simplified infertility investigation protocol, focusing on the use of hysterocontrast sonography (HyCoSy), one blood test, and a semen analysis, would be sufficient as an initial screening test to select couples for specific treatment. METHODS: The infertile couples underwent gynaecological examination, cervical sampling for cytology and Chlamydia trachomatis culture, B-mode transvaginal ultrasonography and basic hormonal analyses followed by a HyCoSy, and a semen analysis. A preliminary diagnosis was made for all patients. A management plan for treatment was suggested when possible; otherwise further examinations were recommended. The data were stored for later analysis and the routine investigation protocol was then adhered to and a final diagnosis and treatment were decided upon. RESULTS: Agreement between the diagnosis based on HyCoSy and our routine protocol was present in 74% of cases (N = 73). In 13% (N = 13) there was partial agreement. In 36% the HyCoSy based protocol was considered sufficient to suggest treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A simplified approach may lead to a significant reduction in both the time and cost of investigating an infertile couple.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed2000

Hydrosalpinx and ART. Salpingectomy prior to IVF can be recommended to a well-defined subgroup of patients.

The result of the Scandinavian multicentre study on salpingectomy prior to IVF has promoted a discussion on whether there is a risk of unnecessary salpingectomies being performed. We agree that physicians have to discriminate carefully between a hydrosalpinx that should be removed and one that is suitable for surgical repair. Tubal endoscopy is the most advanced tool for that purpose, while transvaginal ultrasound is not appropriate in selecting patients to undergo either salpingectomy or salpingostomy. The Scandinavian study showed that patients with hydrosalpinges which are large enough to be visible on ultrasound before ovarian stimulation, benefit from salpingectomy in terms of improved fertility outcome after IVF. The result of the study does not interfere with the management of distal tubal infertility in general, since it was concluded that not every woman with a large hydrosalpinx should undergo salpingectomy. Hydrosalpinges with preserved mucosa may be better treated with reconstructive surgery as primary treatment instead of salpingectomy and IVF. The latter option may, however, be the secondary treatment after failed conception and re-occlusion of the tubes. Unnecessary salpingectomies should, of course, not be performed and they may easily be avoided by appropriate evaluation of the tubal mucosa at laparoscopy before any final decision of salpingectomy is made. We do not see a major conflict: functional surgery to the tubes with healthy mucosa and salpingectomy to the dilated tubes that are visible on ultrasound and have a severely damaged mucosa.

Fallopian Tube Diseases↗
PubMed2000

Selection of patients suitable for one-embryo transfer may reduce the rate of multiple births by half without impairment of overall birth rates.

The aim of the present study was to identify a subset of patients at high risk of multiple birth after IVF and hence suitable for one-embryo transfer, which undoubtedly would reduce the multiple birth rate. This retrospective study included 2107 IVF cycles in which two embryos were transferred. Factors with possible correlation to multiple birth were studied in a multivariate analysis. The factors included background data (female age, previous pregnancies and births, previous IVF cycles, indication for IVF) and IVF cycle characteristics. The following factors were independently predictive of multiple birth: female age expressed a negative correlation while number of good quality embryos transferred was positively correlated. A subset of patients was identified as being at high risk of multiple birth by including age, cycle number and presence of tubal infertility in a model derived from a logistic regression analysis. The rate of multiple births can be reduced from 26% to 13% of all births if one-embryo transfer is performed in selected cases. The total birth rate will decrease from 29% to 25% but may be completely restored by performing one additional one-embryo freeze transfer in high risk patients who do not achieve a term pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in assisted reproduction.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for ectopic pregnancy (EP) after IVF-ET. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: In vitro fertilization clinic at a university hospital. PATIENT(S): A total of 725 women who conceived after IVF were studied with regard to background factors, indications for IVF, and factors related to the IVF procedure through review of their medical charts. The rate of EP was 4%, corresponding with 29 EPs, of which 2 were heterotopic. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy outcome, defined as intrauterine pregnancy or EP. Background factors, indications for IVF, and factors related to the IVF procedure were analyzed for possible correlation with the outcome of EP. Risk factors for EP were identified by logistic regression analysis. RESULT(S): Tubal factor infertility, various previous abdominal surgeries, previous EP or pelvic infection, presence of a hydrosalpinx or fibroid, and type of transfer catheter used showed a positive correlation with EP as outcome. Logistic regression analysis identified two factors with predictive power: tubal factor infertility and previous myomectomy. CONCLUSION(S): Tubal factor infertility was the most prominent risk factor for EP after IVF. Previous myomectomy appeared to be another important risk factor, but this is a new finding that needs to be confirmed by further study.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The assessment of endometrial pathology and tubal patency: a comparison between the use of ultrasonography and X-ray hysterosalpingography for the investigation of infertility patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine the role of hysterosalpingocontrast sonography (HyCoSy) as a screening test for endometrial and tubal pathology at the start of the infertility investigation protocol. METHODS: HyCoSy was compared with X-ray hysterosalpingography (HSG) for the assessment of the endometrial cavity and Fallopian tube patency. A total of 103 women with a history of at least 1 year's infertility were included. Each woman underwent both HyCoSy and HSG on the same day. Laparoscopy was performed in 43 cases. For HyCoSy examinations, saline was used for evaluation of the endometrial cavity and Echovist contrast medium to assess Fallopian tube patency. RESULTS: The concordance between HyCoSy and HSG for the presence of endometrial cavity pathology was 90%, but for tubal patency the concordance was lower (72%). HyCoSy classed more examinations of tubal patency as uncertain. HSG more frequently classified tubes as occluded. In the subset of patients in whom all three techniques were used, HSG and HyCoSy demonstrated a high concordance with laparoscopy (83% and 80%, respectively). The prevalence of occluded tubes according to laparoscopy as the reference standard was 13%. The two methods had a high negative predictive value for tubal disease (HSG, 94%; HyCoSy, 88%), and the positive predictive values were 47% and 75%, respectively. The detection rate for occluded tubes was 73% and 27%, and specificity 87% and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that HyCoSy obtains similar information about the status of the endometrial cavity and Fallopian tube patency to that of HSG. It is possible that in some cases HyCoSy may replace HSG in order to select women with patent tubes who may be suitable for further infertility treatment without more invasive investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Hydrosalpinx and IVF outcome: a prospective, randomized multicentre trial in Scandinavia on salpingectomy prior to IVF.

Many retrospective studies have shown that hydrosalpinx is associated with poor in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. The mechanism of the actual cause is not yet fully understood. A clinical practice of performing salpingectomy before IVF has developed, without any evidence from prospective trials. The aim of the present prospective randomized trial was to test if a salpingectomy prior to IVF was effective in terms of increased pregnancy rates. Patients with hydrosalpinx were randomized to either a laparoscopic salpingectomy or no intervention before IVF. A total of 204 patients was available for an intention-to-treat analysis and 192 actually started IVF. Clinical pregnancy rates per included patient were 36.6% in the salpingectomy group and 23.9% in the non-intervention group (not significant, P = 0.067) and the ensuing delivery rates were 28.6% and 16.3% (P = 0.045). The corresponding delivery rates per transfer cycle were 29.5% versus 17. 5% (not significant, P = 0.083). A subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in favour of salpingectomy, in implantation rates in patients with bilateral hydrosalpinges (25.6% versus 12.3%, P = 0.038) and in clinical pregnancy rates (45.7% versus 22.5%, P = 0.029) and delivery rates (40.0% versus 17.5%, P = 0.038) in patients with ultrasound visible hydrosalpinges. The delivery rate was increased 3.5-fold in patients with bilateral hydrosalpinges visible on ultrasound (P = 0.019).

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Hydrosalpinx fluid does not adversely affect the normal development of human embryos and implantation in vitro.

Several retrospectively designed studies have shown an association between the presence of hydrosalpinx and impaired implantation and pregnancy rates among in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. In the present study we have evaluated the influence of hydrosalpinx fluid on normal human embryo development and implantation. Surplus, donated frozen embryos (n = 183) from IVF patients were used to study the effects on blastocyst development of hydrosalpinx fluid at concentrations of 50 and 100% compared with controls in S2 medium. The fluids were analysed for concentrations of electrolytes, osmolarity, protein content, endotoxin levels, bacterial or fungal contamination, pH and haemoglobin content. There was no difference in blastocyst development in cultures under mineral oil when control cultures (15/42 = 36%) were compared with cultures in 50% hydrosalpinx fluid (32/96 = 33%). The only biochemical parameter which correlated with capacity for blastocyst development was pH in hydrosalpinx fluid/medium (50/50%) after equilibration in 5% CO2 in air. When embryos were cultured in 100% hydrosalpinx fluid the blastocyst development was 14% (5/36) in comparison to control 33% (3/9). The original experiment was repeated in an open culture system without the protection of mineral oil but still in the presence of 50% hydrosalpinx fluid. The rate of blastocyst development was within the same range in the open system. In three separate experiments, the capability of expanded blastocyst to implant on multilayer artificial endometrium was tested. In these experiments, 1/3, 4/5 and 9/9 blastocysts implanted. The present study demonstrates that hydrosalpinx fluid does not generally exert any major negative effects on in-vitro development of human embryos or on the implantation process in vitro.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Previous ectopic pregnancy should be considered a contraindication for microsurgery.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the risk of subsequent ectopic pregnancy (EP) after tubal surgery, given that the woman becomes pregnant, by means of a logistic model, a retrospective study was initiated. METHODS: During the period 1986-1990, 221 women with tubal infertility underwent microsurgery. Subsequent fertility was evaluated in 1991. Ninety women conceived, of whom 84 were included in the study (30 with EP and 54 with intra-uterine pregnancy as the only outcome). Clinical background factors of importance, surgical procedures used, scoring systems for tubal lesions, adnexal adhesions and risk of EP were analysed for possible correlation to subsequent EP. These factors were further used in a logistic model to estimate the risk of subsequent EP as only outcome. RESULTS: The risk of EP after microsurgery is minimum 15% without any risk factors. Previous EP and endometriosis could be identified as factors with prognostic power in the logistic model. One previous EP implies a 60% risk, whereas two previous EPs and endometriosis increase the risk to 95%. CONCLUSION: Patients with previous EP should generally not be considered for microsurgery owing to the high risk of recurrence and to the reduced chance of intra-uterine pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A cost-effectiveness study of a randomised trial of laparoscopy versus laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy.

We compared the cost-effectiveness of therapeutic laparoscopy and open laparotomy for treatment of laparoscopically diagnosed ectopic pregnancy. Clinical outcomes of ectopic pregnancy treatment were based on results of a randomised trial done between 1987 and 1989 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Göteborg, Sweden). We estimated costs for inpatient and follow-up care of ectopic pregnancy by the two methods. Observed resource use (eg, procedure duration) was multiplied by 1992 estimates of resource unit cost (eg, cost per minute of laparoscopy time), based on detailed internal cost accounting data from Huddinge University Hospital. By specified criteria, the initial procedure eliminated trophoblastic activity without major complications in 81% (95% CI: 68-90) of 52 laparoscopy patients, versus 95% (85-99) of 57 laparotomy patients. Residual trophoblast or complications were successfully treated in all remaining patients. Mean simulated costs (standard error) for the overall laparoscopy strategy were 28,058 (1780) Swedish kronor versus 32,699 (1080) kronor for laparotomy (p = 0.03). In the baseline simulation and most sensitivity analyses, laparoscopy produced final outcomes equivalent to those of laparotomy at lower costs. As laparoscopic outcomes improve, this newer approach should become increasingly preferable.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1995

Swedish population reference standards for height, weight and body mass index attained at 6 to 16 years (girls) or 19 years (boys).

Swedish population reference standards for height, weight and body mass index (BMI) attained at 6 to 16 years (girls) or 19 years (boys) are presented. Data were obtained from two independent nationwide samples of Swedish children; one (740 children) born in 1955, the other (2907 children) born in 1967. The weights of the children born in 1955 were adjusted to equal those born in 1967; heights did not differ. These reference standards refer therefore to Swedish children born at around 1970. The observations were fitted by the power transformation, or L, M, S method of Cole and Green. Weights and BMIs were thus normalized and valid SD scores for individuals obtained. Centile charts are given for clinical use. The means of the present, nationwide standards were 1-2 cm and 1-2 kg greater than those of the Solna-based standards currently in use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Background factors and scoring systems in relation to pregnancy outcome after fertility surgery.

BACKGROUND: A study was initiated to identify background factors, clinical features and pre-operative scoring systems of importance for future selection of patients suitable for fertility surgery. METHODS: Surgical procedures, background factors and scoring systems for tubal lesions and adnexal adhesions and risk factors for ectopic pregnancy were analyzed with respect to possible correlation to subsequent fertility in a retrospective study of 246 patients undergoing fertility surgery (adhesiolysis, salpingostomy, tubal anastomoses, implantation and myomectomy) between 1986 and 1990. Follow-up periods varied between one to six years. RESULTS: In 94% of cases a second look laparoscopy was performed. Adhesiolysis was done in 62%. The conception rate was 41.1%, the ectopic pregnancy rate was 14.6% and the delivery rate was 22.0%. Myomectomy procedures were most successful, with a delivery rate of 44.0% and no ectopic pregnancy. Previous ectopic pregnancy indicated a higher risk for recurrence, as did a high risk score for ectopic pregnancy. The extent of tubal damage was most relevant to subsequent fertility. Salpingostomies in women with mild or moderate tubal damage resulted in a delivery rate of 25.4% compared with those with severe damage (5.6%). No deliveries were seen after lysis of extensive adnexal adhesions. CONCLUSION: Adhesion formation is not negligible and a second look laparoscopy is recommended. Women with fibroids should always be considered for fertility surgery, not only because of high success rates, but also as an adjuvant to subsequent in vitro fertilization. Patients with previous ectopic pregnancy, extensive adhesions and unfavorable tubal scores should not be considered for surgery but referred for in vitro fertilization.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1994

Adverse reactions after diphtheria-tetanus booster in 10-year-old schoolchildren in relation to the type of vaccine given for the primary vaccination.

This prospective open study investigated adverse reactions in 527 schoolchildren to a diphtheria-tetanus (DT) booster given within a national vaccination programme at 10 years of age. Evaluation was based on those whose immunization records showed that they had received either three doses of an adsorbed DT vaccine (n = 388) or a non-adsorbed DT-pertussis vaccine (DTP) (n = 69) for primary series vaccination. No differences in systemic reactions to the booster between the two groups were observed. Local reactions were significantly (p < 0.001) more common 1 day after vaccination in children who had received DT for primary series vaccination: redness, 73% compared with 23%; swelling, 56% versus 15%; and itching, 47% versus 21%. One and 2 weeks after the booster, itching was still more pronounced in the group who had received DT for primary series vaccination (p < 0.001 and 0.014, respectively). The study indicates that there was a real basis for the increase in spontaneous notifications of local side-effects to the school DT booster in Sweden. The most likely cause for the increase seems to be the aluminium adjuvant in the vaccine given for primary vaccination, a late and unexpected consequence of a change in the infant immunization programme.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗