Hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG) is a simple method to evaluate the transport function of uterus and fallopian tubes. There is a quick uptake of radionuclides into the uterus and a transport to the side bearing the dominant follicle in 70 % of the patients in the late follicular phase of the cycle. Uptake and transport of the immotile radionuclides imitate the directed sperm transport through the female genital tract at the time of ovulation. 214 of 796 infertility patients with proven patency of fallopian tubes (27 %) showed only an uptake of the particles without a transport towards the fallopian tubes (negative HSSG). In these patients no spontaneous pregnancy occurred and pregnancy rate remained low by the means of timed intercourse or insemination. Indeed, the pregnancy rate (8.4 %) was significantly lower compared with the patients who became pregnant by timed intercourse, insemination or spontaneously and had a positive HSSG before (15 %; p=0.001). However, the pregnancy rate that could only be achieved by methods of ART was significantly higher in the group of patients with negative HSSG (57 % vs. 25 %, p=0.05). Our data suggest that HSSG is a new method to evaluate the integrity of the inner genital tract's transport function, especially in patients suffering from idiopathic infertility. Impaired transport function (negative HSSG) should be considered as an indication for IVF-treatment.

Fallopian Tubes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A correlation between cognitive performance and daily functioning in elderly people.

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely used to detect dementia, but the diagnosis of dementia also depends on a decline in the level of daily functioning. Little is known about the relationship between performance on the MMSE and daily living abilities. This relationship was investigated in this study of an elderly population by comparing scores on the MMSE with those on both a direct assessment of everyday tasks and an indirect questionnaire about activities of daily living and physical self-maintenance. Forty-five subjects with varying mental abilities participated in the study. A significant correlation was found between MMSE scores and the measures of functional abilities; but the specificity and sensitivity to the diagnosis of dementia would be increased by assessing functional status, even indirectly, as well as cognitive ability.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied