antanasis T

Pregnancy and oral health: utilisation of dental services during pregnancy in northern Greece.

Background. Recent studies have shown that gingivitis and periodontal infection during pregnancy represent an independent risk factor for pre‐term birth. However, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of dental attendance during pregnancy. Methods. During the first 3 days postpartum, an anonymous questionnaire was administered to 425 women in order to explore their dental condition and utilisation of dental health services during pregnancy, as well as their perceptions on the potential associations between dental care during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. Results. Almost half of the respondents (46.8%) reported symptoms of gingivitis during their pregnancy. Pregnancy gingivitis was independently associated with non‐Greek ethnicity (p = 0.008), multiparity versus primiparity (p<0.005), lower economic class versus middle and upper classes (p = 0.001), and the lack of routine primary dental care (p = 0.005). Some 27.3% reported a visit to the dentist during their pregnancy. The majority (72.2%) believed that dental treatment during pregnancy might have a negative affect on pregnancy outcome. The presence of pregnancy gingivitis and the belief that dental treatment during pregnancy is safe were both independently associated with visiting a dentist during pregnancy (p<0.0005 for both). Conclusions. Despite the increased prevalence of dental problems among pregnant women, few women seek dental services in this population, which can be primarily attributed to womens erroneous beliefs regarding the safety of dental examination. Therefore, there is an imperative need to offer oral health education and develop preventive programs for women of reproductive age.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are common disorders that share many characteristics, particularly abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of MetS between a large cohort of patients with PCOS and body mass index ‐matched controls.

Anterior vaginal wall reconstruction: anterior colporrhaphy reinforced with tension free vaginal tape underneath bladder base

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of the polypropylene tape in preventing cystocele recurrence. Methods. Fifty Caucasian women aged 50‐77 years (mean age 66.6 years), with stage II–IV pelvic organ prolapse, enrolled into the study. Vaginal reconstructive surgery included an anterior colporrhaphy on all patients, posterior colpoperineorrhaphy on 28 patients and hysterectomy on 36 patients. Patients were divided into a study group of 28 women and a control group of 22 women. As reinforcement to the anterior colporrhaphy procedure, in the study group a polypropylene tape (TVT‐O) was placed underneath the bladder base and fixed with polyglactin sutures. Postoperative follow‐up was carried out every 4 months (total 48 months). The assessment of the anatomic result included both clinical evaluation of the operated sites and perineal sonography. Results. The mean postoperative distance of the bladder base to the inferior edge of the symphysis pubis was 1.5 cm (range: 1.0–2.2 cm) in the study group and 2.8 cm (range: 2.0–3.8) in the control group. Postoperatively, there were two cases of stress incontinence and two cases of urge incontinence, one in each group. No case of tape erosion was noted, no dyspareunia and no recurrent cystocele in the study group. Four cases of recurrent cystocele (20%) were reported in the control group. Conclusion. While the preliminary results of our study are encouraging, larger series of patients and longer follow‐up are required to verify the effectiveness of the aforementioned modification.

Hemoglobin E-Saskatoon and pregnancy: Report of two cases

Hemoglobin E‐Saskatoon (β22‐Glu‐Lys) is found worldwide but is extremely rarely. Two cases of pregnant women who carried the abnormal hemoglobin and the various problems that arise from it are reported. A discussion of the combinations with other abnormal hemoglobin is also presented.

Hemoglobin E-Saskatoon and pregnancy: Report of two cases: Hb E-Saskatoon and pregnancy

Hemoglobin E‐Saskatoon (β22‐Glu‐Lys) is found worldwide but is extremely rarely. Two cases of pregnant women who carried the abnormal hemoglobin and the various problems that arise from it are reported. A discussion of the combinations with other abnormal hemoglobin is also presented.