Nevin Yilmaz

A prospective study of Willis–Ekbom disease/restless legs syndrome during and after pregnancy

OBJECTIVES Willis-Ekbom disease/restless legs syndrome (WED/RLS) is the most common sleep-related movement disorder in pregnancy. We designed a prospective longitudinal study to investigate the correlates of WED/RLS during and after pregnancy. DESIGN A total of 138 pregnant women with WED/RLS and a control group of 251 age-matched pregnant women were enrolled prospectively. A questionnaire was administered during a face-to-face interview at first evaluation during pregnancy and three months after delivery. RESULTS Among all women in the first trimester, 15.6% were diagnosed with WED/RLS, whereas 32.8% of those in the second trimester and 38.8% of those in the third trimester were diagnosed with WED/RLS (p = 0.032). In regression analysis, later gestational age [p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) 1.054] and previous history of WED/RLS (p = 0.001; OR 2.795) were positively correlated with the presence of WED/RLS, while ferritin levels (p = 0.001; OR 0.956) were negatively correlated with the presence of WED/RLS. Ferritin levels were also negatively correlated with the International RLS Study Group severity index (p = 0.041). Forty-eight patients (34.8%) experienced WED/RLS symptomatology after delivery. The ferritin levels were lower, and the mean number of pregnancies was higher, in women with residual WED/RLS (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION Our survey showed that WED/RLS was more common in the second and third trimesters. Emergence of WED/RLS during the second trimester was strongly associated with residual WED/RLS. Lower ferritin levels were associated with both WED/RLS in pregnancy and residual WED/RLS after delivery. A higher number of pregnancies were also associated with a greater likelihood of having residual WED/RLS after delivery.

Maternal serum apelin and YKL-40 levels in early and late-onset pre-eclampsia

Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate whether alterations in the serum levels of apelin and YKL-40 differ between early and late onset pre-eclampsia and whether there is a correlation between apelin and YKL-40 in women who subsequently develop early and late pre-eclampsia. Materials and methods: A total number of 80 pregnant women, 40 with normal pregnancy and 40 with pre-eclampsia, were included in the present study. Both the normal pregnant and pre-eclamptic subjects were subdivided into two groups. Serum YKL-40 and apelin concentrations were measured. Results: Mean maternal serum YKL-40 levels were both lower in women who subsequently developed early (87.45 ± 3.07 versus 103.40 ± 4.29) or late (96.43 ± 4.06 versus 99.87 ± 3.63) pre-eclampsia than those who remained normotensive. The difference was significant in early-onset preeclamptic women (p < 0.05) rather than late-onset pre-eclamptic ones (p > 0.05). Mean maternal serum apelin levels were both higher in women who subsequently developed early (8.6 ± 3.6 versus 5.7 ± 1.2) or late (9.6 ± 2.5 versus 8.1 ± 1.8) pre-eclampsia than those who remained normotensive. The difference was significant in early-onset preeclamptic women (p < 0.05) rather than late-onset pre-eclamptic ones (p > 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between serum apelin and YKL-40 levels (r = −0.48, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Circulating levels of apelin are significantly increased in early-onset pre-eclampsia, indicating the role of apelin in the discrimination of the early-onset of pre-eclampsia. On the other hand, maternal serum YKL-40 levels are not elavated significantly, indicating that adipose-derived apelin is primarily involved in the vascular pathogenesis of early-onset pre-eclampsia than macrophage-derived YKL-40.

Evaluation of maternal serum hypoxia inducible factor-1α, progranulin and syndecan-1 levels in pregnancies with early- and late-onset preeclampsia

Abstract Objective: To determine the serum levels of HIF-1 α, progranulin, and syndecan-1 in preeclampsia (PE) and normal pregnancy, and to compare whether these markers demonstrate any difference between early-onset PE (EO-PE) and late-onset PE (LO-PE). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 27 women with EO-PE, 27 women with LO-PE, and 26 healthy normotensive pregnant controls matched for gestational age. Maternal levels of serum HIF-1 α, progranulin, and syndecan-1 were measured with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the control and the PE groups in progranulin (p < .001) and syndecan-1 (p <.001) levels. There were no significant differences in the serum HIF-1 α levels between these groups (p= .069). When PE patients were evaluated by considering subgroups; statistical analysis revealed significant inter-group differences in all biomarkers. Serum progranulin levels were significantly higher in LO-PE compared with the other two groups (EO-PE versus LO-PE and LO-PE versus controls p = .000). Control group presented significantly higher syndecan-1 levels, than EO and LO-PE (p < .001). HIF-1 α levels positively correlated with progranulin levels (r = .439, p= .000). Conclusions: Serum progranulin may have potential to be used as a biomarker for the differentiation of EO-PE and LO-PE. The co-operative action between HIF-1 α and progranulin might play a key role in the pathogenesis of LO-PE. The predominant feature of LO-PE seems to be an inflammatory process, whereas in EO-PE placentation problem seems to be the main pathology.

Maternal serum autotaxin levels in early- and late-onset preeclampsia

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to compare the serum autotaxin levels in early- and late- preeclamptic and healthy pregnant patients at a university hospital. Methods: A total of 55 singleton preeclamptic women who delivered at Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty were included in the study. The patients were subdivided into two groups: early-onset preeclampsia (n = 31) and late-onset preeclampsia (n = 24). Demographic and clinical data were compared between early-onset and late-onset preeclamptic patients. The control group was composed of 32 healthy pregnant patients. Results: The mean autotaxin levels were 1.16 ± 0.97 and 0.7 ± 0.35 ng/ml in the early- and late-onset preeclampsia groups, respectively. Autotaxin levels were significantly higher in early-onset preeclampsia group compared with late-onset preeclampsia group. Autotaxin levels were found to be significantly higher in preeclamptic patients compared with control group. Serum autotaxin levels showed a significant positive correlation with maternal systolic, diastolic blood pressures and uric acid levels. Conclusion: Autotaxin might be a promising marker for detecting early-onset preeclampsia. However, further studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Usefulness of Serum Procalcitonin Levels in Predicting Tubo-Ovarian Abscess in Patients with Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

We aimed to investigate the clinical importance of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in the diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). Patients diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID; n = 36) and patients diagnosed with TOA (n = 42) were included in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics, laboratory and clinical parameters were compared between the 2 groups. Mean PCT level was higher in the TOA group (p = 0.004). Mean length of stay in hospital was longer in patients with TOA (p < 0.001). White blood cell count, neutrophil count, percentage of neutrophils and C-reactive protein levels were higher than normal limits in all patients; however, no differences in these parameters were observed between the groups. A cutoff level of 0.330 ng/ml for PCT revealed 62% sensitivity and 75% specificity in predicting TOA. Serum PCT is a promising inexpensive marker for the diagnosis of TOA in PID patients.

See and treat strategy by LEEP conization in patients with abnormal cervical cytology

OBJECTIVES To determine the overtreatment and re-LEEP rates of see and treat strategy (S & T) in women who underwent S & T by LEEP and to identify the risk factors for overtreatment and surgical margin and/or endocervical curettage positivity. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 800 patients who underwent S & T in Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty between June 2010 and June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Overtreatment rate was found to be 46.6%, decreasing with higher grade of cervical smear abnormalities. Age more than 45, low grade of cervical cytologic abnormality and absence of glandular involvement were associated with higher overtreatment rates. The more advanced the histopathology, the more increased risk of surgical margin on LEEP and ECC positivity (p < 0.0001, for both). Glandular involvement was associated with both surgical margin and ECC positivity. CONCLUSIONS S & T can be used in patients with high grade cytologic anomaly with an acceptable overtreatment rate. In addition, bigger pieces of specimens may need to be removed during LEEP in patients who have suspicious images of higher grade of abnormalities on colposcopy to reduce surgical margin or ECC positivity. When high rate of ECC positivity in patients with HSIL cytology is considered, we suggest performing ECC to every patients with HSIL.

The use of colposcopic punch biopsy in the management of abnormal cervical cytology: a 5–year retrospective audit

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of colposcopic punch biopsy to detect cervical epithelial neoplasia (CIN) II + in patients with abnormal cervical cytology and the major colposcopic findings in patients who underwent a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), subsequently. A total of 231 patients with abnormal cervical cytology who underwent a colposcopy guided cervical biopsy and subsequent LEEP were analysed. The mean age was 33.4 ± 8.7 years. CIN II + rate on LEEP pathology was significantly higher in patients with high-grade cytology, compared to those with a low-grade cytology (92 vs. 55%, p < .0001). CIN II + was found in 80, 98 and 100% of colpocopic biopsies of patients with LSIL, HSIL and AGC, respectively. The overall concordance rate between a colposcopic biopsy and LEEP was 41% with a kappa coefficient. The overall underestimation of CIN II + was 10.5%. On a patient-based analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of colposcopic biopsy were 89.4, 47.1, 79.5 and 66%, respectively. More than two cervical biopsies had 100% sensitivity for CIN II + on LEEP pathology. The specificity and PPV decreased with increasing number of cervical biopsies. A see-and-treat strategy may be considered for high-grade cytologies. Patients with a low-grade cytology should be managed with more than two colposcopic biopsies. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The improper management of women with CIN can increase the risk for cervical cancer. The ability of the colposcopic punch biopsy to detect the severity of a cervical abnormality has been called into question as false negative rates of up to 50% being reported. What do the results of this study add? The overall underestimation of CIN II + was found to be 10.5%. More than two cervical biopsies had 100% sensitivity for CIN II + on LEEP pathology. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The see-and-treat strategy is an appropriate choice for patients with a high-grade cytology. Patients with a low-grade cytology should be managed with more than two colposcopic biopsies.

Serum caveolin-1 levels in patients with preeclampsia

Abstract Aim: The expressions of caveolin-1 have only been examined in the placental tissue of patients with preeclampsia and were reported to be low. Therefore, we decided to investigate the maternal serum levels of caveolin-1 in patients with preeclampsia. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted including 87 pregnant women; 32 with normal pregnancy and 55 with preeclampsia. Maternal serum levels of caveolin-1 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (ELISA). Results: The mean serum caveolin-1 level was significantly lower in women with preeclampsia (PE) compared with the control group (11.48 ± 0.92 versus 12.94 ± 1.36 ng/ml) and being lowest in the early onset PE group (11.24 ± 0.74 ng/ml). Serum caveolin-1 concentrations did not correlate with maternal age and BMI. However, caveolin-1 concentrations were negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = –0.467, p = .001) and diastolic blood pressure (r = –0.441, p = .001) as well as with umbilical artery resistance index (r = –0.275, p = .01). Conclusion: Maternal serum caveolin-1 levels are significantly lower in patients with PE than controls. The serum caveolin-1 levels inversely correlate with blood pressure and umbilical artery Doppler parameters.

Serum collectrin levels in patients with early- and late-onset preeclampsia

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the maternal levels of collectrin in early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) and late-onset preeclampsia (LOPE). To assess the correlation between serum collectrin levels and blood pressure in humans. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted including 79 pregnant women, 27 with normal pregnancy, 30 with EOPE and 22 with LOPE. Maternal serum levels of collectrin were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: The mean serum collectrin level was significantly lower in women with PE compared with the control group (8.49 ± 3.12 ng/ml (EOPE), 9.69 ± 3.01 ng/ml (LOPE) versus 11.51 ± 4.33 ng/ml) and was found to be the lowest in the EOPE group (8.49 ± 3.12 ng/ml). The mean serum urea and uric acid levels were significantly higher in the PE group than the control group. Serum collectrin concentrations did not correlate with maternal age, BMI and serum creatinine levels. However, collectrin concentrations were negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = −0.284, p = .011) and diastolic blood pressure (r = −0.275, p = .014) as well as with maternal serum urea (r = −0.269, p = .017) and uric acid (r = −0.219, p = .049) concentrations. Conclusion: Maternal serum collectrin levels are significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia than in the control group. There is an inverse correlation between serum collectrin levels and blood pressure.

Pregnancy in cancer patients and survivors; experience of a university hospital in Turkey

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies in cancer patients and survivors. A retrospective analysis of 68 pregnancies with a history of cancer and 31 newly diagnosed pregnant cancer patients were included in the study. The mean birth weight and the mean gestational age at delivery were significantly lower in the pregnant cancer patients (p < .001). The incidences of delivery less than 34 weeks were 8.8% and 29.1% in the cancer survivors and cancer diagnosed during pregnancy groups respectively (p < .01). In 23 (76.4%) pregnant cancer patients, a single or a combination of treatment modalities was initiated. There were four (12.9%) maternal deaths in pregnant cancer patients. There were no early neonatal death and any congenital anomaly detected in the newborns. Pregnancy in cancer patients and cancer survivors has completely different clinical outcome. Pregnancy in cancer patients has increased the risk of pregnancy complication.