Karine Morcel

Cumulative pregnancy rate after ICSI–IVF in patients with colorectal endometriosis: results of a multicentre study

BACKGROUND There is currently no consensus about indications for surgery for infertility associated with colorectal endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate cumulative pregnancy rates (CPRs) after ICSI-IVF cycles in patients with colorectal endometriosis and to identify determinant factors of fertility outcome. METHODS Prospective longitudinal multicentre study from January 2005 to June 2011. We included 75 patients with colorectal endometriosis and proved infertility without prior surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis. Univariable analysis was used to identify determinant factors of pregnancy rate. CPR was calculated using cumulative-incidence methods from log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier curves. For multivariable analysis, Cox proportional hazards model was used. RESULTS For CPR per patient analysis, the total number of cycles was 113 and the median number of cycles per patient was 1 (range: 1-3). In the whole population the CPR per patient after three ICSI-IVF cycles was 68.6%. The CPR for patients with or without associated adenomyosis was 19 and 82.4%, respectively (P= 0.01). In addition, a patient age over 35 years (P= 0.02) and anti-Mullerian hormone serum level under 2 ng/ml (P= 0.02) were associated with a decreased CPR per patient. At multivariable analysis, adenomyosis [HR = 0.34, 95% CI (0.12-0.99), P= 0.49] was associated with a decreased CPR. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm that ICSI-IVF offers a high CPR per patient. However, determinant factors of CPR should be taken into account when informing couples of their options.

Sexual and functional results after creation of a neovagina in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome: a comparison of nonsurgical and surgical procedures

OBJECTIVE To compare nonsurgical and surgical procedures for creation of a neovagina in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome in terms of sexual satisfaction. STUDY DESIGN We report a cross-sectional study of 91 women with MRKH syndrome undergoing a neovagina creation procedure. They were members of the French National Association of Women with MRKH syndrome. We analyzed all answers to a questionnaire mailed to each woman. The questionnaire solicited short answers concerning the diagnosis and the neovagina procedure, and included the standardized FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) questionnaire. All analyses were performed using the chi-squared test and Students t-test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Forty women answered the questionnaire. Twenty had been treated by Franks method (non-surgical group) and 20 had undergone a surgical procedure, sigmoid vaginoplasty (12 cases) or Davidovs technique (8 cases) (surgical group). The mean time after neovagina creation was 7 years (range 1-44 years). The population characteristics did not differ significantly between the nonsurgical and surgical groups. The total FSFI score indicated good and similar functional results in the two groups (25.3±7.5 versus 25.3±8.0). CONCLUSIONS Functional sexual outcomes after nonsurgical and surgical methods were similar. Therefore, the Franks method should be proposed as first line therapy because it is less invasive than surgical procedures. In the case of failure of this technique or of refusal by the patient, surgical reconstruction may then be offered.

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis using self-collected vaginal swabs at a public pregnancy termination clinic in France: results of a screen-and-treat policy.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection and the risk factors for CT infection among women presenting for abortion at a clinic in France. Methods: Women seeking surgically induced abortions were systematically screened by PCR on self-collected vaginal swabs between January 1, 2010, and September 30, 2010. CT-positive women were treated with oral azithromycin (1 g) before the surgical procedure. Results: Of the 978 women included in the study, 66 were CT positive. The prevalence was 6.7% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 5.1%–8.3%). The risk factors for CT infection were the following: age <30 years (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.0 [95% CI: 1.2–3.5]), a relationship status of single (OR: 2.2 [95% CI: 1.2–4.0]), having 0 or 1 child (OR: 5.2 [95% CI: 2.0–13.0]), not using contraception (OR: 2.4 [95% CI: 1.4–4.1]), and completing 11 weeks or more of gestation (OR: 2.1 [95% CI: 1.3–3.6]). Multiple logistic regression indicated that 4 factors—having 0 or 1 child, a single relationship status, no contraceptive use, and a gestation of 11 weeks or more—were independently associated with CT infection. The rate of postabortion infection among all patients was 0.4% (4/978). Conclusions: These results reveal a high prevalence (6.7%) of CT-positive patients among French women seeking induced abortions. Because it is not common practice to screen the general population for CT, screening before induced abortions seems relevant. A cost-effectiveness study is required to evaluate this screen-and-treat policy.

Involvement of ITIH5, a candidate gene for congenital uterovaginal aplasia (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome), in female genital tract development.

The ITI (inter-trypsine inhibitor) gene family includes five genes (ITIH1 to ITIH5) that encode proteins involved in the dynamics of the extracellular matrix (ECM). ITIH5 was found inactivated by partial deletion in a case of congenital uterovaginal aplasia, a human rare disease also called Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome. The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of ITIH5 in the uterus in adult life and during embryogenesis in order to establish the involvement of this gene in both normal and pathological conditions of uterus development. This was achieved in mice by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, whole-mount hybridization, and Western blot analysis. Itih5 expression was much stronger in female genital tract primordia (Müllerian ducts) and derivatives than elsewhere in the body. This gene was strongly expressed during pregnancy and development of the female genital tract, indicating that the encoded protein probably had an important function in the uterus during these periods. Two different specific isoforms of the protein were detected in Müllerian derivatives during embryogenesis and in adults. Although ITIH genes are expected to be predominantly expressed in the liver, ITIH5 is mainly expressed in the uterus during development and adult life. This tends to indicate an additional and specific role of this gene in the female reproductive tract, and furthermore reinforces ITIH5 as a putative candidate gene for MRKH syndrome.

Scoring system avoids Chlamydia trachomatis overscreening in women seeking surgical abortions

Objective To develop and validate a predictive score to avoid unnecessary screening and prophylactic antibiotic use in abortion clinics by identifying a group of women who are at very low risk for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection. Methods This population-based retrospective study includes 1000 women who underwent surgical abortion between January and September 2010. The main outcome measure was the rate of CT infection among women seeking an induced abortion according to sociodemographic and clinical data. The score was developed by using two-thirds of the data set as the derivation sample to identify the strongest predictors of CT. A receiver operating characteristic curve established cutoffs and applied the score to the remaining one-third (validation sample). Results The rate of CT infection was 6.7%. Three criteria were independently associated with CT: gestation more than 10 weeks (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.06–3.64), not using contraception (aOR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.41–5.16), and having 0 or 1 child (aOR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.34–8.93). The CT score was based on these 3 criteria. The low-risk group was derived from values of the score (probability of CT, 1.3% [95% CI, 0–3.0]). Application of these criteria to the validation data set confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of the score (probability of CT, 0%). Sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 26.9% for the score in the validation data set. When applied to the validation data set, the score avoided 25.4% of CT tests and screened 100% of CT-infected women before surgical abortion. Conclusions This easy-to-calculate score may prove useful for avoiding CT test in 25% of patients seeking surgical abortion.

Surgery is not superior to dilation for the management of vaginal agenesis in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: a multicenter comparative observational study in 131 patients

BACKGROUND: Vaginal agenesis in Mayer‐Rokitansky‐Küster‐Hauser syndrome can be managed either by various surgeries or dilation. The choice still depends on surgeon’s preferences rather than on quality comparative studies and validated protocols. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare dilation and surgical management of vaginal agenesis in Mayer‐Rokitansky‐Küster‐Hauser syndrome, in terms of quality of life, anatomical results, and complications in a large multicenter population. STUDY DESIGN: Our multicenter study included 131 patients >18 years, at least 1 year after completing vaginal agenesis management. All had an independent gynecological evaluation including a standardized pelvic exam, and completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (general quality of life) as well as the Female Sexual Function Index and Female Sexual Distress Scale‐Revised (sexual quality of life) scales. Groups were: surgery (N = 84), dilation therapy (N = 26), and intercourse (N = 20). One patient was secondarily excluded because of incomplete surgical data. For statistics, data were compared using analysis of variance, Student, Kruskal‐Wallis, Wilcoxon, and Student exact test. RESULTS: Mean age was 26.5 ± 5.5 years at inclusion. In all groups, World Health Organization Quality of Life scores were not different between patients and the general population except for lower psychosocial health and social relationship scores (which were not different between groups). Global Female Sexual Function Index scores were significantly lower in the surgery and dilation therapy groups (median 26 range [2.8–34.8] and 24.7 [2.6–34.4], respectively) than the intercourse group (30.2 [7.8–34.8], P = .044), which had a higher score only in the satisfaction dimension (P = .004). However, the scores in the other dimensions of Female Sexual Function Index were not different between groups. The Female Sexual Distress Scale‐Revised median scores were, respectively, 17 [0–52], 20 [0–47], and 10 [10–40] in the surgery, dilation therapy, and intercourse groups (P = .38), with sexual distress in 71% of patients. Median vaginal depth was shorter in dilatation therapy group (9.6 cm [5.5–12]) compared to surgery group (11 cm [6–15]) and intercourse group (11 cm [6–12.5]) (P = .039), but remained within normal ranges. One bias in the surgery group was the high number of sigmoid vaginoplasties (57/84, 68%), but no differences were observed between surgeries. Only 4 patients achieved vaginas <6.5 cm. Delay between management and first intercourse was 6 months (not significant). Seventy patients (53%) had dyspareunia (not significant), and 17 patients all from the surgery group had an abnormal pelvic exam. In the surgery group, 34 patients (40.5%) had complications, requiring 20 secondary surgeries in 17 patients, and 35 (42%) needed postoperative dilation. In the dilation therapy group, 13 (50%) needed maintenance dilation. CONCLUSION: Surgery is not superior to therapeutic or intercourse dilation, bears complications, and should therefore be only a second‐line treatment. Psychological counseling is mandatory at diagnosis and during therapeutic management.