Jaqueline Neves Lubianca

Oral contraceptives: a risk factor for uncontrolled blood pressure among hypertensive women

The objective of the study was to assess the association between systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and the use of oral contraceptives (OC) in hypertensive women. In a prospective cross-sectional study, we evaluated 171 women who were referred to the Hypertension Outpatient Clinic of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre; 66 current users of OC, 26 users of other contraceptive methods and 79 women who were not using contraception. The average of six blood pressure readings was used to establish the usual blood pressure of the participants. Current OC users were compared with users of other methods and with patients not using contraception. Main outcome measures were SBP and DBP among the different groups, and prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension (SBP >or= 140 mmHg and DBP >or= 90 mmHg). DBP was higher in OC users (100.2 +/- 15.9 mmHg) than in patients using other contraceptive methods (93.4 +/- 14.7 mmHg) and not using contraceptives (93.3 +/- 14.4 mmHg, p = 0.016). Women using OC for more than 8 years presented higher age-adjusted blood pressure levels than women using OC for shorter periods. Patients using OC had poor blood pressure control (p for trend = 0.046) and a higher proportion of them presented moderate-severe hypertension. These results were independent of antihypertensive drug use. In a logistic regression model, we found that current OC use was independently and significantly associated with prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. It is concluded that hypertensive women using OC present a significant increase in DBP and poor blood pressure control, independent of age, weight and antihypertensive drug treatment.

Impact of etonogestrel-releasing implant and copper intrauterine device on carbohydrate metabolism: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND We investigated the influence of an etonogestrel-releasing (ETG) implant and copper intrauterine device (IUD) on carbohydrate metabolism. STUDY DESIGN In this nonrandomized, open-label, prospective controlled trial, 40 healthy women received an implant or IUD (20 per group). Outcome measures were fasting glucose, fasting insulin, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and glycosylated hemoglobin A(1)C (HbA(1)C) levels at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS The groups were similar in age, body mass index and laboratory parameters at baseline. Carbohydrate metabolism was not modified by the ETG implant at baseline and at 6 and 12 months (mean ± SD) (fasting glucose: 85.9 ± 5.13, 87.05 ± 5.36, 88.19 ± 5.05; insulin: 7.77 ± 2.42, 10.64 ± 9.4, 8.82 ± 3.73; OGTT: 94.8 ± 25.28, 96.5 ± 19.67, 99.47 ± 24.6; HbA(1)C: 5.27 ± .34, 5.55 ± .39, 5.7 ± 0.37). The same was true for the IUD (fasting glucose: 88.87 ± 7.2, 89.65 ± 5.86, 88.75 ± 4.79; insulin: 7.94 ± 3.6, 8.3 ± 4.1, 7.34 ± 3.02; OGTT: 96.85 ± 15.16, 97.48 ± 13.42, 91.3 ± 22.16; HbA(1)C: 5.41 ± .49, 5.75 ± .41, 5.9 ± 0.73). CONCLUSIONS The ETG-releasing implant did not affect carbohydrate metabolism in normal women after 12 months.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

Unwanted pregnancy is a major public health problem both in developed and developing countries. Although the reduction in the rates of these pregnancies requires multifactorial approaches, increasing access to long-acting contraceptive methods can contribute significantly to change this scenario. In Brazil, gynecologists and obstetricians play a key role in contraceptive counseling, being decisive in the choice of long-acting reversible methods, characterized by intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the contraceptive implant. The vast scope due to the reduced number of situations to indicate long-acting methods should be emphasized in routine contraceptive counseling. On the other hand, gynecologists and obstetricians should adapt the techniques of insertion of long-acting methods, and engage in facilitating conditions to access these contraceptives through public and private health systems in Brazil. This study is part of a project called Diretrizes e Recomendações FEBRASGO (Guidelines and Recommendations of the FEBRASGO - Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations from the Portuguese acronym). It aims to review the main characteristics of long-acting contraceptives and critically consider the current situation and future prospects to improve access to these methods, proposing practical recommendations of interest in the routine of gynecologists and obstetricians.

Spleen rupture during labor

Background: A ruptured splenic artery aneurysm is rare but potentially fatal and has a greater chance of occurring during pregnancy. Case: A 38-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to hospital in labor and presented with dyspnea and hypovolemic shock during the expulsion stage. After delivery, a bedside ultrasound was performed and showed a large amount of free fluid in the abdominal cavity. The patient was submitted to an exploratory laparotomy, which found a ruptured splenic hilum, and anatomopathological examination confirmed a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm. Both mother and baby survived without sequelae. Conclusion: Ruptured aneurysm must be considered among the causes of hypovolemic shock in pregnancy, and early detection can reduce the morbidity and mortality of this event.