Jozef Zahumensky

Urinary Incontinence in a Group of Primiparous Women in the Czech Republic

Background/Aim: Not only the process of childbirth itself, but also processes during pregnancy seem to be strongly associated with urinary incontinence (UI). According to some epidemiological studies, UI during pregnancy occurs in 23–70% of the pregnant women. These studies also documented some risk factors (e.g., race, age, or body mass index). The aim of our study was to explore the prevalence of UI during pregnancy in the Czech Republic. Methods: 474 primiparas who gave birth at our maternity ward from June 14, 2004, through January 31, 2005, received a questionnaire. The questionnaire concentrated on the occurrence and presentation of UI before and during pregnancy . Results: 339 women (72%) completed the questionnaire. UI and the length of pregnancy are significantly related. We found a baseline UI prevalence before pregnancy of 17%, but before delivery one of 64%. We did not find any statistically significant relation between the prevalence of UI during pregnancy and body mass index before pregnancy as well as before delivery, weight gain during pregnancy, age, and birth weight. Conclusion: Our results show that pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of UI.

Comparison of labor course and women's sexuality in planned and unplanned pregnancy.

Objective. This study compares several parameters of sexual life and course of labor in women with planned and unplanned pregnancy. Methods. 339 primiparas participated in our study; they filled in a questionnaire concerning their sexual life during pregnancy on the second or third day after the delivery. One question also stressed planning of pregnancy. 246 women (i.e., 72.6%) indicated planned pregnancy, 93 pregnancies (i.e., 27.4%) were not planned. Results. Significant decrease of coital activity and number of orgasms and increase of sexual dysfunctions were observed in the whole study group during pregnancy. Significant differences between women with planned and unplanned pregnancy were observed only in frequency of vaginal dryness and pelvic pain. Conclusions. According to the results of this study, unplanned pregnancy has no adverse effect on parameters of the labor. The equal rate of partners presence at delivery shows a high involvement of the partners of unmarried women.

Expression of selected proteins in breast cancer brain metastases

The aim of the study was to assess the immunohistochemical (IHC) profiles of SRC3, Pax2, ER, PgR, Her2, EGFR, CK5/6, and Ki67 proteins in breast-cancer brain metastasis. The study utilized tumor samples from 30 metastatic patients and calculated correlations between all IHC variables. In fourteen cases, primary breast cancers paired with secondary deposits were analyzed. We evaluated the association between IHC status in the primary and secondary deposits, grade, and histotype of the tumors. The examination of the metastatic deposits in all 30 patients resulted in positive detection in the following cases: SRC3 in 20 cases (66.6%), Pax2 in 22 (73.3%), ER in 22 (73.3%), PgR in 25 (83.3%), Her2 in 10 (33.3%), EGFR in 12 (40%), CK5/6 in 7 (23.3%), and Ki67 in 23 (76.6%). Grade 2 was found in 13.3% of all patients, and grade 3 in 86.7%. SRC3 and Pax2 were positive in both G2 and G3. Invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma were diagnosed in 23.3% and 76.7% of cases, respectively. There were no differences between the IHC expression of the studied proteins in either grading or histotype of the tumors. In the IHC profiles, which included SRC3, Pax2, ER, PgR, Her2, CK5/6, Ki67, and EGFR, we found no statistically significant differences between the primary cancer and the brain metastasis. In our study of metastatic breast carcinoma deposits, there was no correlation between SRC3, Pax2 status and histotype, and tumor grade. The IHC status of the paired primary and metastatic deposits did not differ in a statistically significant manner.

The impact of physiological peripartal stress on the lifelong health of newborn

In the last decades the exponential increase in frequency of Caesarean sections is being observed. At the same time, there is growing amount of epidemiologic data showing higher lifetime risk of incidence of several diseases in offspring who do not experience natural labour. These findings lead to investigation of mechanisms which are responsible for maladaptation of several organ systems. Authors of this article describe these mechanisms, focusing especially on epigenetic programming, production of microbiome and positive effect of peripartal stress on successful beginning of extrauterine life.The best prevention strategy is following the strict indications of elective Caesarean sections. The current trend worldwide is to prepare the chronically ill patient for vaginal birth instead of indicating elective Caesarean section. From obstetric point of view it is possible to offer the external version of the foetus in breech presentation, the possibility of vaginal birth after Caesarean section and leave out controversial indications. The inevitable elective Caesarean sections should be planned close to term or after the beginning of spontaneous labour. The composition of intestinal microbiome could be partially influenced by application of vaginal secretion on newborn born by Caesarean section but there is not enough data proving long term positive outcomes (Ref. 48).

Predicting axillary sentinel node status in patients with primary breast cancer.

The aim of this study is to determine the combination of characteristics in early breast cancer that could estimate the risk of occurrence of metastatic cells in axillary sentinel lymph node(s). If we were able to reliably predict the presence or absence of axillary sentinel involvement, we could spare a considerable proportion of patients from axillary surgery without compromising therapeutic outcomes of their disease. The study is based on retrospective analysis of medical records of 170 patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer. These women underwent primary surgery of the breast and axilla in which at least one sentinel lymph node was obtained. Logistic regression has been employed to construct a model predicting axillary sentinel lymph node involvement using preoperative and postoperative tumor characteristics. Postoperative model uses tumor features obtained from definitive histology samples. Its predictive capability expressed by receiver operating characteristic curve is good, area under curve (AUC) equals to 0.78. The comparison between preoperative and postoperative results showed the only significant differences in values of histopathological grading; we have considered grading not reliably stated before surgery. In preoperative model only the characteristics available and reliably stated at the time of diagnoses were used. The predictive capability of this model is only fair when using the data available at the time of diagnosis (AUC = 0.66). We conclude, that predictive models based on postoperative values enable to reliably estimate the likelihood of occurrence of axillary sentinel node(s) metastases. This can be used in clinical practice in case surgical procedure is divided into two steps, breast surgery first and axillary surgery thereafter. Even if preoperative values were not significantly different from postoperative ones (except for grading), the preoperative model predictive capability is lower compared to postoperative values. The reason for this worse prediction was identified in imperfect preoperative diagnostic.

Postpartum examination, breastfeeding, and contraception in the postpartum period in the Czech Republic

In the majority of recent textbooks of obstetrics, a routine follow-up examination at the end of the postpartum period is recommended. To date, no studies have been done in the Czech Republic addressing use of contraception and follow-up care in the postpartum period. Questionnaires were sent to 672 participants who gave birth in the year 2008, inquiring about follow-up examinations in the postpartum period and use of contraception. In total, 458 (68.2%) questionnaires were returned. 430 women (93.9%) underwent routine examinations at 6 weeks into the postpartum period. At the time of examination, 36 women were asked about their particular health problems (8.4%). In 130 instances, the question most often addressed by the outpatient gynecologist concerned use of contraception (30.2%). However, only 34 physicians expressed concern about changes in sexual life or other sexually related problems. 426 women (93.0%) were sexually active and 310 women (72.8%) did not use any contraception with the exception of breastfeeding. The current practice of outpatient gynecological visits at 6 weeks postpartum and advice on contraception both seem inadequate.

Impact of introducing specific measures to reduce the frequency of cesarean delivery for non‐obstetric indications

To identify the frequency of cesarean delivery for non‐obstetric indications before and after the introduction of specific measures to lower the rate of elective cesarean, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the introduced measures.

Synthetic osmotic dilators in the induction of labour—An international multicentre observational study

INTRODUCTION To evaluate the effects of synthetic osmotic dilators (Dilapan-S/ Dilasoft) in women who required induction of labour in a large prospective multicentre international observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Primary outcomes were duration of Dilapan-S/Dilasoft insertion (hours), total induction - delivery interval (hours) and the rate of vaginal deliveries within 24 h (%). Secondary outcomes were the number of dilators inserted, Bishop score increase after extraction of Dilapan-S/Dilasoft, complications during induction (uterine contractions, uterine tachysystole and hyperstimulation, effect on the fetus) and post induction (infections and neonatal outcomes), agents / procedures used for subsequent induction of labour, immediate rate of spontaneous labours following cervical ripening period, rate of spontaneous vaginal deliveries, rate of instrumental vaginal deliveries and caesarean sections. RESULTS Total of 543 women were recruited across 11 study sites, of which, 444 women were eligible for analysis. With Dilapan-S/Dilasoft use of <12 h (n = 188) the overall vaginal delivery rate was 76.6% with 45.7% of these births occurring within 24 h, 66% within 36 h and 75.5% within 48 h from insertion of Dilapan-S/Dilasoft. The mean insertion-delivery interval for this group was 24.3(±10.4) hours. With Dilapan-S/Dilasoft use of >12 h (n = 256), the overall vaginal delivery rate was 64.8%, with 16% of these births occurring within 24 h, 48.4% within 36 h and 54.7% within 48 h from insertion of Dilapan-S/Dilasoft. The mean insertion-delivery interval for this group was 39.1(±29.2) hours. The mean gain in the Bishops score was +3.6(±2.3). The mean number of Dilapan-S/Dilasoft dilators used was 3.8 (±1.1). The overall rate of caesarean section was 30.1%. The overall complication rate was low including infection risk. No adverse neonatal outcome was attributable to the use of Dilapan-S/Dilasoft. CONCLUSION Dilapan-S/Dilasoft are safe and effective methods for cervical ripening. Their use is associated with low maternal and neonatal complication rates. Future research should aim at level I clinical trials comparing Dilapan-S to other mechanical or pharmacological cervical ripening agents. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02318173.

Conservative management of biopsy confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions

OBJECTIVES Follow-up of women with biopsy-confirmed CIN2+ who were either treated immediately with LLETZ or managed conservatively to determine the rates of patients back on routine screening programme after a median of three years in two groups. METHODS In this retrospective study, 310 patients were involved who had undergone biopsy with result of CIN2+ between January 2011 and December 2014. Depending on the management, i.e. based on whether cytology and colposcopy follow-up or immediate treatment were performed, they were divided in two groups. Then the number of patients back on routine screening up to 15/2/2016 as well as the results of last cytology were compared within both groups. RESULTS A total of 310 women at average age of 30 years met the inclusion criteria. Of them, 230 (74 %) had immediate treatment whereas 80 (26 %) were managed conservatively. There were no statistically significant demographic differences between the two groups. The mean time of follow up was 1.091 days (2.98 years). The patients managed conservatively required more follow-up visits at colposcopy clinic (p<0.001). The last documented cytology in the immediate treatment group was negative in 93 % and low-grade/borderline in 7 % of patients, while in the conservative management group, it was negative in 84 %, low-grade/borderline in 15 % and high-grade in 1 % of patients (p = 0.015). Overall, the proportions of patients who are back on routine screening recall are 96 % and 87.5 % for the immediate treatment and conservatively managed groups, respectively (p=0.022). CONCLUSION The conservative management of high-grade CIN with cytology and colposcopic follow up is an OPTION in selected group of patients, but it cannot be routinely recommended (Tab. 2, Ref. 20).

Vaginal delivery with prior cesarean delivery following appendix rupture and diffuse purulent peritonitis in a patient with complete wound dehiscence

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