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PubMed1992

Patient counseling.

The success or failure of oral contraceptive (OC) use depends very heavily on the type and extent of the counseling a woman is given both before and during pill administration. If she selects the OC as her method of choice after considering all the options, a clear, detailed, and accurate discussion should ensue about its proper use; any fears that she may have should be explored; and great emphasis should be placed on the advantages and effectiveness of our current pills and, above all, on their numerous health benefits. All her questions should be answered in a thorough and emphatic fashion, and she should be encouraged to ask for additional answers at any time in the future. Finally, if her history reveals that she is at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), she must be informed that the pill, while highly protective against unplanned pregnancy, will not provide protection against most STDs or HIV infections, and that she should also use condoms and/or a female barrier contraceptive with each act of intercourse.

Communication↗

PubMed1996

Postcoital contraception: who uses the 'morning after pill'?

Postcoital contraception (PCC) is a safe and effective method of avoiding unwanted pregnancy after an occurrence of unprotected sex. It nevertheless represents an absence or failure of preventive strategies. Women engaging in unprotected sex may have been exposed to risks of sexually transmissible diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS. Family planning service providers have expressed concern at the number of women using this emergency measure as a form of contraception, sometimes repeatedly, but little is known about the sort of women they are and the context in which unprotected sex has occurred. This paper reports the sociodemographic characteristics of women requiring PCC in the two clinical sites of Family Planning Victoria. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 206 women who required PCC during a 3-month period. The women were aged 14-43 years with an average age of 23 years. Over half the women had used PCC previously and more than a quarter of these women had used it more than twice before. Most of the women had had sex with a regular boyfriend, husband or partner at their own or their partner's home. The main reasons given for needing PCC were nonuse of condoms, condom breakage and missing an oral contraceptive pill.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Extraperitoneal laparoscopy: anatomical dissections with experimental balloon dilators.

OBJECTIVES: To develop balloon dilators in vitro and in cadavers and to evaluate the anatomy of the extraperitoneal spaces and their surroundings created by such balloons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Balloons of three different materials (condoms, fingers of surgical gloves, whole surgical gloves and 'party' balloons) were tested in an in vitro study and compared with a prototype balloon dilator used in cadavers. The balloon dilators were used to create extraperitoneal spaces in the pelvic, the loin and the iliac regions through stab incisions. The incisions were extended after dilatation to examine the spaces created and the consequent anatomical changes. RESULTS: In vitro, all balloons were found to have capacities of more than 10 L, except that made from the finger of a surgical glove. Early rupture after insertion and during dilatation was a problem in condom and party balloons. In cadavers, there was good exposure of anatomical structures within the extraperitoneal spaces created. Reflections of peritoneum in the loin and the iliac regions were unmoved by balloon dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: The prototype balloon dilator possessed all the characteristics desired of an ideal instrument for creating extraperitoneal spaces. Good exposure of anatomical structures by the balloon dilators allows a minimal dissection in extraperitoneal laparoscopic procedures in the aforementioned regions. That the peritoneal reflection was unmoved despite adequate expansion of the balloons also means that the exact placement of secondary laparoscopic ports is crucial in preventing peritoneal and colonic trauma.

Catheterization↗

PubMed2002

Perception of university students in Ghana about emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception (EC) refers to methods that women can use to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, method failure, or incorrect use. There is growing worldwide acceptance and promotion of EC as a measure to reduce the level of unwanted pregnancies and, hence, unsafe abortions. The potential effect of EC in this regard could be most evident in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, the Ministry of Health has since 1996 included EC in its reproductive health service policy and standards. The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana is the only agency involved in the promotion of EC in the country. Very little is known about societal perception of EC. We undertook a study to assess knowledge and attitude toward EC among a sample of students at the University of Ghana. We used a two-page, self-administered questionnaire in a cross-sectional study among students chosen by random sampling. The aspects of EC assessed included level of knowledge, extent of use, common traditional methods of emergency contraception, as well as socially and culturally acceptable ways to promote EC in Ghana. We also assessed how the availability of EC could influence the use of condoms among male respondents. Less than half (43.2%) of the 194 respondents (88 males and 106 females) had heard of modern emergency contraceptive methods. Postinor-2, a dedicated emergency contraceptive product, which was already on the Ghanaian market, was known to 1.5% of respondents. Only 11.3% of respondents indicated correctly the recommended time within which emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are to be taken after unprotected sex. Taking concentrated sugar solutions, having an enema, and douching were commonly used traditional methods of EC. More than half (55.0%) of the male respondents indicated that they would either "certainly" or "probably" reduce how often they used condoms once they knew that EC was available. Almost all (97.4%) the respondents wanted to learn more about EC. The indications from this study are that the promotion of EC in Ghana is desired and must be encouraged. The fact that EC does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections should always be emphasized.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Artificial sphincter in severe urinary incontinence: 9 years of experience].

OBJECTIVE: To present the results achieved with the artificial urinary sphincter in the treatment of 44 patients with severe urinary incontinence. METHODS: From April 1990 to December 1998, an artificial urinary sphincter was implanted in 44 patients with severe urinary incontinence, aged 21 to 82 years (mean 56). These patients were categorized into the following groups: Group A comprised 24 males, aged 37 to 82 years (mean 66), who had undergone previous prostatic procedures. Four of them had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy. The remaining 20 had undergone a total of 34 de-obstructive procedures (mean 1.7 procedures/patient; range 1-3); 28 were endoscopic procedures and 6 open prostatectomy. One of them had a previous ileocystoplasty due to severely low compliance. Ten were completely incontinent and were using a condom catheter (7), penile clamp (2) or permanent indwelling Foley catheter (1). The rest used a mean of 3.7 pads per day. Group B comprised 11 males with a complex urologic history: 9 had neurogenic dysfunction, 1 had bladder exstrophy and 1 had a previous cystectomy and Studer neobladder. Eight were using a condom catheter. The cuff was placed in the bulbar urethra in 8 (4-4.5 cm) and in the bladder neck in 4 (9-10 cm). Group C comprised 9 women with type III stress incontinence after failed previous interventions (range 1-4, mean 2.7). All of these patients required at least 3 pads per day (mean 4.5). The cuff was placed in the bladder neck with diameters ranging from 5 to 10 cm. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 28.5 months (range 8-96). One patient died two years after implantation of the artificial sphincter which was never activated. In group A, 83% are socially continent and 17 do not require pads. Three of the 20 patients with the artificial sphincter have undergone a total of 4 surgical revisions. In group B, the social continence rate was 63% with a 36% revision rate. Four patients required a complete change of the system. In group C, The continence rate with revision was 66%. One patient underwent two successive successful revisions and 3 required removal of the device, accounting for a failure rate of 33%. Definitive removal of the artificial sphincter was required in 3 females and 5 males. Aside from one male who refused a new implant, the rest were considered unsuitable for a new device. Six patients underwent at least one reoperation to change one or more parts of the system. Continence was recovered in 66% after the revision. CONCLUSIONS: The artificial urinary sphincter achieves a good continence rate in patients with severe incontinence, although careful patient follow-up is required.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

The male role in contraception: implications for health education.

Today most contraceptive efforts are focused on the female. The resultant diminished male role may have inadvertently undermined the many societal efforts at birth control. Many men, young and old, still perceive contraception as primarily a woman's responsibility, for after all, she suffers most directly from contraceptive failure. This attitude is unfortunate. Since decisions about pregnancy affect both partners, both should share the contraceptive burden equitably. More specifically, the two-fold purpose of the paper is: (1) to examine the available male contraceptives; and (2) to draw implications of the changing male role in contraception for health professionals in the school and community. The paper argues that while the involvement of men in contraception will not automatically solve the problem of unwanted pregnancy among the young, it can certainly make a difference--an important difference.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Sex and the nation's health.

The Government's 'Health of the Nation', influenced by the WHO's 'Global Strategy for Health for All by the Year 2000', pledges a reduction in sexually transmitted diseases in general and AIDS in particular. The recommendations are clearly sensible but how do you persuade people to believe and comply with the 'sensible' advice? Failure to consider public health measures involving sexual behaviour without considering how different cultures respond and interpret the advice given is bound to fail. People are individuals and there is a danger in assuming that our values and beliefs are shared by people globally. For a message to succeed it needs to be simple and direct, and portrayed in its cultural context through an appropriate medium. An appreciation that the message however sensible may clash with individual needs (eg the economics of prostitution) and research into these aspects of sexual behaviour will ensure that the message remains effective. Changing the slogans and methods of conveying the message regularly will help to reinforce key points and reduce apathy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2002

An image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound device for uterine fibroids treatment.

A high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device was developed for treating uterine fibroid tumors. This prototype device enables image-guided therapy by aligning a commercially available abdominal ultrasound image probe to a vaginal HIFU transducer so the HIFU focus is in the image plane. The device was designed based on anatomical constraints of the female pelvic structures. HIFU was generated using a 3.5 MHz PZT-8 crystal, 25.4 mm in diameter, bonded to an aluminum lens. Computer simulations were performed to ensure that effective focusing was achievable at a fixed focal depth of 40 mm. Transducer efficiency was empirically determined to be 58%, and the half pressure maximum focal dimensions were 11 mm in length and 1.2 mm in width. A water-filled latex condom surrounding the transducer provided acoustic coupling, a stand-off, and allowed water circulation for transducer cooling. In vitro experiments in a tissue-mimicking gel phantom and in turkey breast demonstrated ultrasound image-guided lesion formation, or tissue necrosis, at the focus due to HIFU induced thermal and cavitation effects. The HIFU treatment site appeared as a hyperechoic spot on the ultrasound image at intensities above 1250 W/cm2. The results of in vitro experiments and in vivo ergonomic testing in six human volunteers indicated that the device has the potential of providing a nonsurgical approach for uterine fibroid treatment. Future in vivo studies in large animal models and fibroids patients are planned.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Contraception in the adolescent patient.

Having presented an overview of the available methods of contraception, the authors present one approach to prescribing contraceptives based on their experience. First, adolescent patients in our practice are discouraged from engaging in sexual intercourse. Abstinence is the only fail-safe method of contraception and provides benefits both emotionally and physically (i.e., prevention from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies). If the adolescent plans to be sexually active, however, she is encouraged to select some form of hormonal contraception, namely Norplant, Depo-Provera, or oral contraceptives, in conjunction with condoms. The authors have had little success recommending barrier methods alone. Condoms are used sporadically and the diaphragm is very awkward for adolescents who are still uncomfortable with their bodies and with touching themselves. Of the three hormonal methods, Depo-Provera seems to be well-accepted by our patients. It offers several advantages that we believe make it attractive. First, it does not require any forethought by the patient other than coming in for the injection every 3 months. There is an effective grace period, so the patient is afforded good contraception even if she is up to a month late for her injection. The frequent visits for injections actually can be looked upon as positive, frequent contacts with the patient and can provide opportunities for counseling. In addition, some patients become amenorrheic, which teens view as an advantage, increasing compliance. If it is not likely that a patient will be compliant with every-3-month injections, Norplant is recommended. Studies have shown good acceptance of Norplant by adolescents and that has been the experience of the authors. With appropriate counseling prior to insertion and a counseling session with patients who request removal, the number of actual Norplant removals has been limited. If Depo-Provera and Norplant are not acceptable to the patient, then oral contraceptives are recommended. Of the three methods, more opportunities for failure exist with oral contraceptives. Pills are missed for a variety of reasons, including going away for the weekend; not having a regular schedule, which can interrupt pill-taking; and even ambivalence about becoming pregnant. One recent study demonstrated certain patient characteristics that were associated with good compliance with oral contraceptives, including white race, higher education level, suburban residence, and older age of both the patient and her mate. Keeping these characteristics in mind may be helpful when prescribing oral contraceptives. Of course, it is the patient's prerogative to choose the type of contraception she feels will be best suited for her.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

The fate of the 'modern' artificial urinary sphincter with a follow-up of more than 10 years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term outcome of patients who had an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implanted between 10 and 15 years ago. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 68 patients who had an AUS implanted more than 10 years ago, 61 were followed with sufficient detail for analysis. Thirty-four had a neuropathic bladder with sphincter dysfunction, 15 had post-prostatectomy sphincter weakness incontinence and 12 further patients had a variety of indications. RESULTS: The 61 patients experienced a total of 58 major complications and 49 have required at least one revision procedure. Currently eight (13%) patients are satisfactorily continent with their original AUS in situ and 29 others have a satisfactory revised AUS. Thus 37 of 61 (61%) are continent using an AUS at least 10 years after first implantation. Eleven patients died and of these two had a satisfactory original AUS in situ and seven had successful revisions. In two patients the AUS failed but they were considered unfit for revision. Four female patients were continent and used intermittent catheterization after the explantation of eroded AUS cuffs. In seven patients the AUS was abandoned; two of these patients reverted to condom drainage and five had continent or incontinent urinary diversions fashioned. Thus, if those who died with a functioning AUS are included, 46 of 61 (75%) achieved long-term continence with the AUS. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high complication and revision rate, these results show that acceptable continence rates can be achieved in the long-term, particularly in the male neuropathic bladder and in those with post-prostatectomy sphincter weakness. Many of the complications encountered may be less common with the current re-designed models of the AUS. However, it is essential that both surgeon and patient recognize and accept the likelihood of complications and revisions before using the AUS. The continued use of the AUS where simpler methods of obtaining continence are inappropriate remains justified.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Failure to embrace the barrier/condom use message.

The objective of this study was to examine the consistency of barrier/condom use among men who have sex with men in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The authors sought to determine if barrier/condom usage patterns were associated with the type of sex act and whether it was insertive or receptive, HIV testing frequency, and number of sexual partners. Data were extracted from a 2003 community health assessment of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community in the metropolitan area. The health assessment instrument was anonymous, self-administered, and distributed at events in that community. Responses from 623 men indicated that consistent use of a barrier/condom was low regardless of the sex act. There was no relationship between barrier/condom usage patterns and HIV testing frequency for any sex act or the number of sex partners, with the exception of anal intercourse. The authors concluded that a different approach is needed to translate the barrier/condom use message into a behavioral response.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed1996

Reproductive health and AIDS prevention in sub-Saharan Africa: the case for increased male participation.

Reproduction is a dual commitment, but so often in much of the world, it is seen as wholly the woman's responsibility. She bears the burden not only of pregnancy and childbirth but also the threats from excessive child bearing, some responsibility for contraception, infertility investigation and often undiagnosed sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including AIDS. Failure to target men in reproductive health interventions has weakened the impact of reproductive health care programmes. The paper proposes that sophisticated and dynamic strategies in Africa and elsewhere which target women's reproductive health and research (such as control of STDs including AIDS, family planning, infertility investigation) require complementary linkage to the study and education of men. Men's perceptions, as well as determinants of sexual behavioural change and the socioeconomic context in which STDs, including AIDS, become rife, should be reviewed. There is a need to study and foster change to reduce or prevent poor reproductive health outcomes; to identify behaviours which could be adversely affecting women's reproductive health. Issues of gender, identity and tolerance as expressed through sexuality and procreation need to be amplified in the context of present risks in reproductive health. Researchers and providers often ignore the social significance of men. This paper reviews the impact of male dominance, as manifested through reproductive health and sexual decisions, against the background of present reproductive health problems. A research agenda should define factors at both macro and micro levels that interact to adversely impinge on reproductive health outcomes. This should be followed up by well-developed causal models of the determinants of positive reproductive health-promoting behaviours. Behaviour specific influences in sexual partnership include the degree of interpersonal support towards prevention, for example, of STDs, unwanted pregnancy or maternal deaths. Perceived efficacy and situational variables influencing male compliance in, say, condom use, form part of the wider study that addresses men. Thus preventive reproductive health initiatives and information should move from the female alone to both sexes. Women need men as partners in reproductive health who understand the risks they might be exposed to and strategies for their prevention.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1997

Early protocol renal allograft biopsies and graft outcome.

To evaluate whether biopsies performed early after transplantation in stable grafts can predict graft failure due to chronic transplant nephropathy, a protocol biopsy was performed at three months in 98 patients treated with antilymphocytic antibodies, cyclosporine and prednisone. Patients were followed for 58 +/- 16 months. Histological diagnosis according to the Banff schema were: normal (N = 41), borderline changes (N = 12), chronic transplant nephropathy (CTN; N = 30), CTN associated to borderline changes (N = 11) and acute rejection (N = 4). Biopsies displaying acute rejection were not considered for statistical analysis. Since clinical characteristics of patients displaying CTN either with or without tubulitis were not different, biopsies were grouped as presence or absence of CTN. Patients displaying CTN had an increased incidence of acute rejection before performing biopsy (24.3 vs. 3.9%, P = 0.003), a higher mean cyclosporine level until biopsy (242 +/- 74 vs. 214 +/- 59 ng/ml, P = 0.049) and a lower actuarial graft survival (80.5% vs. 94.4%, P = 0.024). We conclude that early protocol biopsies are useful to detect patients at risk of losing their graft due to chronic transplant nephropathy.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Long-term protective effect of UR-12670 after warm renal ischemia in uninephrectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: The phospholipid platelet-activating factor (PAF) participates in the pathogenesis of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury, and in vitro, it induces synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins by mesangial and tubular epithelial cells. This study investigated the long-term effects of the potent orally active PAF antagonist UR-12670 in warm ischemic uninephrectomized rats, which was given according to different therapeutic schedules. METHODS: Uninephrectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups and were followed for 52 weeks: rats without ischemia (SK); ischemic kidney for 60 minutes (SIK); ischemic kidney and UR-12670 from 0 to the 7th day (UR 0-7); ischemic kidney and UR-12670 from day 0 to 52 weeks (UR 0-E); and ischemic kidney and UR-12670 from day 8 to week 52 (UR 8-E). Two more groups (ischemic and UR treated) served to evaluate the UR-12670-protective effect on ischemic acute renal failure at one week. RESULTS: UR-12670 administration exerted functional and morphological protection against post-ischemic acute renal failure. The ischemic untreated (SIK) group developed progressive proteinuria from week 12. The onset of proteinuria in ischemic UR-12670-treated groups was delayed to the 24th week, and it was significantly lower than in SIK group throughout the study. Only SIK and ischemic-treated UR 0-7 rats presented with chronic renal failure, as shown by creatinine, creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and renal plasma flow (GFR 52 weeks: SK, 2525 +/- 267; SIK, 992 +/- 149; UR 0-7, 1551 +/- 385 microliter/min). Kidneys from the short-term treated group (UR 0-7) showed a reduction of glomerulosclerosis (SK, 14.4 +/- 3.7; SIK, 75.7 +/- 7.7; UR 0-7, 41. 5 +/- 8.5%) and vascular myointimal hyperplasia, but the tubulointerstitial damage (tubulointerstitial score: SK, 0.2 +/- 0. 2; SIK, 4.4 +/- 0.5; UR 0-7, 3.7 +/- 0.7) was similar to that in the ischemic untreated group. Long-term ischemic treated rats (UR 0-E, UR 8-E) did not develop chronic renal failure (GFR: UR 0-E, 2059 +/- 314; UR 8-E, 2410 +/- 208 microliter/min). In these groups, glomerulosclerosis (UR 0-E, 32.8 +/- 5.8; UR 8-E, 24.3 +/- 3.0%), tubulointerstitial damage (tubulointerstitial score: UR 0-E, 2.1 +/- 0.5; UR 8-E, 1.9 +/- 0.3) and vascular myointimal hyperplasia were significantly lower than in the ischemic untreated group. By in situ hybridization, an increase of transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA expression in glomerular and tubular cells was observed in ischemic untreated and ischemic treated UR 0-7 rats. UR-12670 long-term treated rats showed a clear reduction of transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA-positive glomerular cells. CONCLUSION: The chronic administration of the PAF antagonist UR-12670 attenuates the long-term effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury in uninephrectomized rats. The beneficial effect of this agent, even when given beyond the initial ischemia/reperfusion injury, suggests that PAF plays a role in the mechanisms of progression to late renal damage in this model.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMed1994

Induction of abortion by condom-Foley catheter method in pregnant women with intra-uterine foetal death.

To induce abortion in women with intra-uterine foetal death (IUFD), during a two-year period (August 1990 to October 1992), at Yekatit 12 Hospital, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, condom-Foley catheter method (CFCM) with oxytocin, and oxytocin infusion alone were compared. All 25 pregnant women randomly assigned to the CFCM aborted within 24 hr, a 100% success rate with an induction-abortion time interval of 14.6 hr (p < 0.001), whereas among 20 patients who were treated with oxytocin infusion alone, induction failed in all. Repeated induction in the second group resulted in a marked delay of abortion; these patients were crossed over to either combined medical and surgical induction or to the CFCM depending on their cervical status. The rapid cervical dilatation and safe abortion in pregnant women with IUFD make the CFCM a superior procedure to induction of abortion with oxytocin infusion alone. In places where there is no experience with the use of prostaglandins and the agent, which may have undesirable side-effects, is unavailable, the CFCM is a simple cost-effective technique which could be used safely.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2003

Young women, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and human papillomavirus: risk factors for persistence and recurrence.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young women. They can occur in one or multiple areas of the female genitalia. Usually, the vulva is the initial site of implantation for HPV. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the epidemiological aspects, incidence of single or multiple lesions in the lower genital tract, correlation between sexual behaviour and their localization and behaviour risk factors for persistence and recurrence of HPV lesions and cervical intraepithelial lesion (CIN) in a long-term follow-up among young women. We recruited 268 patients aged 11-21 years who previously had cytology and/or physical examination suspicious for HPV infection. The women were interviewed and asked information about lifestyle, sexual behaviour, work, personal or family history of genital warts and school attendance. We considered individuals to be 'smokers' if they smoked more than five cigarettes/day. No specific data were recorded about oral contraception, nevertheless, no woman had used oral contraceptives (OCs) for more than 2 years. Young women included in the study were between the age of 12 and 21 years who had HVP lesions after entry examinations and had undergone no treatment for HPV lesions prior to entry. Other exclusion criteria relevant to this study included cervical excisional treatment prior to entry or later. Two hundred and thirty-four young women were included in our study group. Our diagnostic schedule for a complete evaluation included exo- and endocervical cytology, colposcopy, directed biopsy and microcolpohysteroscopy. The treatment was performed with a LASER CO2 Coherent 400, model 451, with Zeiss photocolposcopy attachment. The finding that, among 126/234 (53.8%) adolescents using contraceptives, only 85 (36.3%) have used condom, the only barrier form of contraceptive effectively protecting against virus, shows a low awareness of the high risk for contracting HPV infection among young sexually active women. The sites most frequently affected in our study were vulva, perianus and perineum (194/234), 82.9% and the cervix (125/234), 53.4%. Vaginal lesions were detected only in 29/234 patients (12.3%). According to our data, in 161 patients, sexual habits, age at the first intercourse (P=0.68), frequency of intercourses (P=0.49) and number of lifetime partners (P=0.27) as well as age (P=0.26) play a role in transmission and incidence of HPV infection but not on the location of the lesions. This can be due to a coexistent clinical and subclinical multiple infection as well as a transmission via intercourse or from other sources, including tampons. Abnormal Pap test was related to HPV infection, but the low correlation with colposcopic and histological findings in this study justify the support of other examinations such as colposcopy and punch biopsy for diagnosis. Moreover, according to our data, cytology alone shows to be not suitable to exclude CIN (seven underestimated cases of CIN) and a closer correspondence were found between colposcopy and the result of histological sample after punch biopsy in CIN detection. More attention must be paid to psychological aspect of diagnoses and treatment among adolescents, more than older women as the high rate of patients lost shows in our study: 75/234 (32.05%) before LASER surgery and 55/159 (34.59%) during follow-up. International data shows that only 12-45% of sexually active adolescent girls have obtained Pap smear screening. In our study, we found no correlation between treatment failure and cigarette smoking or between the use of oral contraceptives and persistence/recurrence after LASER CO2 surgery. Because the small sample of our study group, further analyses were required.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

The two most common indications for long-term catheterization are recalcitrant urinary incontinence and urinary obstruction that is not corrected by surgery. For incontinent patients, if behavioral changes, nursing care, special clothes, special bed clothes, and medications have not been successful, then a device to collect urine must be considered. For men such a device is a condom catheter; for women an analogous external collection device would be very useful. Suprapubic catheterization may offer an alternative but has been inadequately studied in this patient population. Long-term urinary catheterization has salutary effects for selected patients including patient comfort, family satisfaction, and nursing efficiency and effectiveness. To the patient for whom any physical movement is uncomfortable or painful, and indwelling catheter may be preferable to frequent changes of clothes. Similarly, the family of of severely impaired patients may want to accept the risks of urethral catheterization in order to keep the patient dry. Further, to the extent that the indwelling catheter is effective in decubitus ulcer prevention and/or management, long-term catheterization may diminish the risk of bacteremia or death from soft tissue infection. These benefits of long-term urethral catheterization, in addition to its risks, should be examined in future studies. Once a urethral catheter is in place, even with good catheter hygiene, bacterial entry can be postponed only temporarily; eventually all patients become bacteriuric. Indeed, as the catheter remains in place, organisms continue to enter, others leave or die, and the bacteriuria becomes complex, polymicrobial, and dynamic. Some organisms, particularly recognized uropathogens such as E. coli and K. pneumoniae, appear to reside in the urinary tract itself. Others, such as P. mirabilis, P. stuartii, and M. morganii, probably establish a niche within the urinary catheter, thus increasing their ability to cause subsequent bladder bacteriuria. The complications of long-term urinary catheterization include fevers, acute pyelonephritis, and bacteremias (such as seen in short-term catheterized patients), as well as catheter obstructions, urinary stones, chronic renal inflammation, local periurinary infections, vasicoureteral reflux, renal failure, and, for very long-term catheterized patients, bladder cancer. The thrust of catheter care for the long-term catheterized patient is to prevent complications of the omnipresent bacteriuria. Unfortunately, clinical opportunities for preventing complications are limited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Surrogate end points in clinical research: hazardous to your health.

Surrogate end points in clinical research pose real danger. A surrogate end point is an outcome measure, commonly a laboratory test, that substitutes for a clinical event of true importance. Resistance to activated protein C, for example, has been used as a surrogate for venous thrombosis in women using oral contraceptives. Other examples of inappropriate surrogate end points in contraception include the postcoital test instead of pregnancy to evaluate new spermicides, breakage and slippage instead of pregnancy to evaluate condoms, and bone mineral density instead of fracture to assess the safety of depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate. None of these markers captures the effect of the treatment on the true outcome. A valid surrogate end point must both correlate with and accurately predict the outcome of interest. Although many surrogate markers correlate with an outcome, few have been shown to capture the effect of a treatment (for example, oral contraceptives) on the outcome (venous thrombosis). As a result, thousands of useless and misleading reports on surrogate end points litter the medical literature. New drugs have been shown to benefit a surrogate marker, but, paradoxically, triple the risk of death. Thousands of patients have died needlessly because of reliance on invalid surrogate markers. Researchers should avoid surrogate end points unless they have been validated; that requires at least one well done trial using both the surrogate and true outcome. The clinical maxim that "a difference to be a difference must make a difference" applies to research as well. Clinical research should focus on outcomes that matter.

Biomarkers↗