Sonia Cipriani

Temporal trends and determinants of peripartum hysterectomy in Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1996-2010

PurposeTo analyze the temporal trends of peripartum hysterectomy (PH) in the period 1996–2010 in Lombardy, Italy.MethodsUsing data from the Regional Database, PH ratios/1,000 deliveries were calculated from 1996 to 2010, in strata of age and mode of delivery among women resident in Lombardy, Italy. PH cases were identified searching the database for the ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for subtotal and total hysterectomy. PH ratios/1,000 deliveries in strata of age, mode of delivery and calendar year were computed. Poisson’s regression analysis was used to test trend over time.ResultsA total of 905 PH and 1,289,163 deliveries were recorded between 1996 and 2010. The overall PH ratio was 0.70/1,000 deliveries. The PH ratio/1,000 deliveries increased over time, being 0.57 in 1996 and 0.88/1,000 deliveries in 2010 (Pxa0<xa00.0001). After including calendar year, mode of delivery and maternal age in the Poisson’s regression equation, no significant linear trend emerged in the PH ratio over time (Pxa0=xa00.28). Women who underwent cesarean section (CS) (CS vs. vaginal delivery: OR 5.66, 95xa0% CI 4.91–6.54) and older women were at increased risk of PH (maternal age ≥40 vs. <30xa0years: OR 5.66, 95xa0% CI 4.48–7.15). The frequency of intractable peripartum hemorrhage and placenta praevia/accreta, the main indications for PH, significantly increased over the study period.ConclusionsIn Lombardy, the PH ratio increased between 1996 and 2010. In our population, rising frequency of CS and older maternal age may explain this trend.

Perinatal factors and the risk of atopic dermatitis: A cohort study

To analyze the effects of pregnancy and early events in the newborn on the risk of subsequent atopic dermatitis (AD) during the first year of life.

Hysterectomy rates for benign conditions are declining in Lombardy, Italy: 1996–2010

OBJECTIVEnTo analyse the hysterectomy rates (HR) temporal trends for gynecological benign conditions in Lombardy, Northern Italy.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnSince 1991, discharges from public or private hospitals have been registered in a standard form (Lombardy Region registry). Women aged ≥20 years, residing in Lombardy, who underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions, were included in the study. Admissions were codified according to the ICD-9 and ICD-10. HRs per 1000 women residing in Lombardy, of the same age class, were computed.nnnRESULTSnIn 1996-2010, 143,045 hysterectomies were performed for benign indications. HR showed a declining trend (average annual percent change (AAPC) -2.9), mainly due to the falling number of total abdominal hysterectomies (AAPC -5.3). The most remarkable decrease was seen in women aged 45-54 years (HR 8.05 in 1996 and 4.83 in 2010). Leiomyoma was the most frequent indication in women aged <55 years, whereas in older patients it was uterine prolapse.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn 1996-2010, the frequency of hysterectomy in Lombardy fell markedly. This study confirms the declining trend in abdominal hysterectomies observed in most developed countries, though the surgical approaches to hysterectomy differ in different countries. In particular, in Lombardy the proportion of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomies, though increasing, is low.

Semen quality and alcohol intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Alcohol consumption is widespread in the Western world. Some studies have suggested a negative association between alcohol intake and semen quality although others have not confirmed this. MEDLINE and Embase were searched using alcohol intake OR alcohol consumption OR alcohol drinking OR lifestyle combined with semen quality OR sperm quality OR sperm volume OR sperm concentration OR sperm motility for full-length observational articles, published in English. Reference lists of retrieved articles were searched for other pertinent studies. Main outcome measures were sperm parameters, if provided as means (standard deviation or standard error) or as medians (interquartile range). Fifteen cross-sectional studies were included, with 16,395 men enrolled. Main results showed that alcohol intake has a detrimental effect on semen volume (pooled estimate for no/low alcohol consumption 0.25u2009ml, 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.42) and normal morphology (1.87%, 95% CI, 0.86 to 2.88%). The difference was more marked when comparing occasional versus daily consumers, rather than never versus occasional, suggesting a moderate consumption did not adversely affect semen parameters. Hence, studies evaluating the effect of changes on semen parameters on the reproductive outcomes are needed in advance of providing recommendations regarding alcohol intake other than the advice to avoid heavy alcohol drinking.

Coffee and caffeine intake and male infertility: a systematic review

BackgroundSemen quality, a predictor of male fertility, has been suggested declining worldwide. Among other life style factors, male coffee/caffeine consumption was hypothesized to influence semen parameters, but also sperm DNA integrity. To summarize available evidence, we performed a systematic review of observational studies on the relation between coffee/caffeine intake and parameters of male fertility including sperm ploidy, sperm DNA integrity, semen quality and time to pregnancy.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed up to November 2016 (MEDLINE and EMBASE). We included all observational papers that reported the relation between male coffee/caffeine intake and reproductive outcomes: 1. semen parameters, 2. sperm DNA characteristics, 3. fecundability. All pertinent reports were retrieved and the relative reference lists were systematically searched in order to identify any potential additional studies that could be included.ResultsWe retrieved 28 papers reporting observational information on coffee/caffeine intake and reproductive outcomes. Overall, they included 19,967 men. 1. Semen parameters did not seem affected by caffeine intake, at least caffeine from coffee, tea and cocoa drinks, in most studies. Conversely, other contributions suggested a negative effect of cola-containing beverages and caffeine-containing soft drinks on semen volume, count and concentration. 2. As regards sperm DNA defects, caffeine intake seemed associated with aneuploidy and DNA breaks, but not with other markers of DNA damage. 3. Finally, male coffee drinking was associated to prolonged time to pregnancy in some, but not all, studies.ConclusionsThe literature suggests that caffeine intake, possibly through sperm DNA damage, may negatively affect male reproductive function. Evidence from epidemiological studies on semen parameters and fertility is however inconsistent and inconclusive. Well-designed studies with predefined criteria for semen analysis, subject selection, and life style habits definition, are essential to reach a consistent evidence on the effect of caffeine on semen parameters and male fertility.

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome : are risk factors the same in preterm and term infants?

Abstract Objective: To analyze respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) incidence and risk factors at different gestational age. Methods: We considered data from 321 327 infants born in Lombardy, a Northern Italian Region. We computed multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for RDS by dividing infants in early- and moderate-preterm, late-preterm and term infants. Results: Low-birth weight is the main risk factor for RDS, with higher odds ratio in term births. The risk was higher in infants delivered by cesarean section and in male, for all gestational age. Pathological course of pregnancy resulted in increased risk only in late-preterm and term infants. Maternal age and multiple birth were not associated with increased risk in any group. Babies born at term after assisted conception were at higher risk of RDS. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests as some risk factors do not influence RDS incidence in the same way at different gestational age.

Leisure and occupational physical activity at different ages and risk of endometriosis

OBJECTIVEnCohort and case-control studies have suggested that adult physical activity (PA) may lower endometriosis risk and improve symptoms, but evidence is still controversial. To add information on leisure and occupational PA impact, if any, on endometriosis risk, we have analyzed data from a small case-control study conducted in Milan (Italy).nnnSTUDY DESIGNnNinety cases and 90 controls (median age 35 years, range 18-76) were compared. Endometriosis was laparoscopically diagnosed within the year before interview. Information on demographic variables, menstrual and reproductive history, occupational and recreational physical activity was collected.nnnRESULTSnA consistent protective effect emerged between leisure PA and endometriosis risk. For <2-4 and ≥5h/week (reference no PA), the estimated odds ratios (ORs) were, respectively: 0.36 (95% CI 0.18-0.74) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.27-2.53) as regards PA in early adolescence; 0.31 (95% CI 0.15-0.63) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.25-2.38) as regards PA in teenage years; 0.34 (95% CI 0.12-0.94) and 0.33 (95% CI 0.08-1.28) for PA in adulthood. However, no significant trend was seen according to hours spent in leisure PA. Occupational PA did not show statistical significant differences among different types or across age classes.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThese results suggest that leisure PA in early adolescence, teenage years and adulthood may, to some extent, decrease the risk of endometriosis. In the interpretation of these results, however, the role of potential biases cannot be totally ruled out.

Scoring human sperm morphology using Testsimplets and Diff-Quik slides

OBJECTIVEnTo compare two staining methods to assess sperm morphology: Diff-Quik (DQ), which is the fastest of the recommended techniques, and Testsimplets (TS), a technique that uses prestained slides and is quite popular in inxa0vitro fertilization (IVF) centers.nnnDESIGNnProspective study.nnnSETTINGnPatients at the Sterility Center of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of the Hospital of S.S. Cosma and Damiano (Azienda USL 3 of Pistoia, Italy).nnnPATIENT(S)n104 randomly enrolled male patients evaluated by the seminology laboratory.nnnINTERVENTION(S)nNone.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)nStatistical comparison of sperm morphology results obtained after staining of semen samples both with DQ and TS.nnnRESULT(S)nOur data show that TS gives a statistically significantly lower number of normal forms than DQ (median: 6% [range: 0-29%] vs. 12% [range: 0-40%], respectively) as well as an overestimation of sperm head defects (median: 92.0% [range: 67%-100%] vs. 82.3% [range: 55%-100%], respectively).nnnCONCLUSION(S)nThe two staining methods should not be considered equivalent. Specifically, the lower reference limit established by the World Health Organization is not appropriate when sperm morphology is assessed by TS. The routine application of TS in the evaluation of sperm morphology is therefore not recommended because it leads to an overestimation of patients with sperm morphology values below the lower reference limit (4%), thus potentially influencing clinical decisions.

Cigarette smoking and risk of uterine myoma: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVEnTo review the literature on the relationship between smoking and the risk of uterine myoma, we conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of published studies. In this meta-analysis, we included all identified studies of association between smoking and uterine myoma where these were case-control or cohort studies, reporting original data, ultrasound or histological confirmed diagnosis of myomas and information on the association between tobacco smoking and myomas.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnWe carried out a literature search on MEDLINE/EMBASE of all studies published as original articles in English up to October 2015, using the Medical Subject Heading terms and free search terms about myoma and smoking. We selected only studies published in English. Moreover, bibliographies of the retrieved papers were reviewed, to identify any other relevant publication. A total of 14 different studies were eligible for a qualitative synthesis and data extract from 10 studies were combined in a meta-analysis.nnnRESULTSnThe summary OR of former compared to never smokers was 0.93 (0.88-0.99) with no heterogeneity. The summary OR of current smokers compared to never smokers, was 0.83 (0.65-1.04), even if the subtotal OR in cohort studies was 0.85 (0.73-0.98) with no heterogeneity. When sensitivity analysis was performed the summary OR was 0.83 (0.71-0.97).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe primary meta-analyses found no significant effect of smoking on risk of uterine myoma. Subgroup analysis for study design showed a small risk reduction for current and former smokers in cohort studies. A sensitivity analysis showed an inverse association between ever smoking and uterine myoma. However, given the limited number of studies in each sub-analysis, weak associations and the absence of a dose dependent effect, caution should be paid in the interpretation of these findings and further investigation are needed.

Dietary habits and semen parameters: A systematic narrative review

Semen quality and male fertility are declining worldwide. As it was observed that physiologic and pathologic processes of spermatogenesis can be influenced by diet, the relation between dietary habits and semen parameters has been the focus of much interest. To review the human observational studies on this issue, we performed a systematic literature search, up to November 2016 (MEDLINE and EMBASE). We included all observational full‐text papers reporting the relation between dietary habits and semen parameters. Article selection was carried out in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses. Twenty‐three observational studies were included. Overall, 8477 healthy men and 1204 men presenting at Fertility Clinics were included in the selected studies. Even if some inconsistencies are present, possibly due to the different effect of nutrients in fertile and infertile men, results support the hypothesis that diets including fruit and vegetables, for their contents in vitamins, and fish or low‐fat dairy products as the main source of proteins, are associated with better semen quality. Recommendations may be confidently provided because of the many beneficial effects of a healthy diet, although further studies are needed to clarify the currently inconsistent findings and to shed light on the underlying mechanisms.