Uğur Keskin

Differences in prevalence of sexual dysfunction between primary and secondary infertile women

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of type of infertility on female sexual function. DESIGN Comparison of female sexual function index and prevalence in primary infertile women and secondary infertile women. SETTING Hospital. PATIENT(S) One hundred twenty-two primary infertile and 51 secondary infertile women. INTERVENTION(S) Questionnaires (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] and Beck Depression Inventory). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Prevalence of dysfunction in primary and secondary infertile women. RESULT(S) The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was 64.8% (n = 79) and 76.5% (n = 39) in primary infertile and secondary infertile women, respectively. In analyses of mean overall and subgroup scores of FSFI, there were significant differences between primary and secondary infertile women in the mean scores of orgasm, satisfaction, and total FSFI. Backward logistic regression identified a model with four significant predictors of sexual dysfunction (group, age, income level, and educational level). Secondary infertile women had a 9.5-fold higher risk of sexual dysfunction than primary infertile women after adjustment for confounding factors. CONCLUSION(S) There was a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in secondary infertile women. Secondary infertile women have decreased sexual desire, orgasm, and satisfaction compared with primary infertile women.

Isolated torsion of fallopian tube in a premenarcheal 12‐year‐old girl

Isolated torsion of fallopian tubes should be considered even at premenarcheal ages in cases of acute pelvic pain, and prompt surgery can preserve the tube and thus fertility. It is an uncommon emergency event and a difficult condition to evaluate clinically. This report focuses on a 12‐year‐old premenarcheal girl who presented with acute pelvic pain of 2 days. Pelvic ultrasound showed an adnexal mass on the left side. Laparoscopy was performed and an isolated tubal torsion was discovered. The tube was necrotic and salpingectomy was performed. The appendix appeared to be hyperemic and erectile. Appendectomy was also performed to rule out appendicitis. Its our recommendation that in the differential diagnosis of acute lower abdominal pain of girls, isolated torsion of the fallopian tubes should be considered. Also, preservation of the tube and fertility should be possible with prompt surgical intervention.

Lidocaine 10% spray reduces pain during hysterosalpingography: A randomized controlled trial

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of lidocaine 10% spray was effective in pain control during hysterosalpingography (HSG).

Can serum gamma-glutamyltransferase levels be useful at diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women at oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the diagnosis of GDM and to explore whether this activity is associated with metabolic parameters. Method: This prospective control study included 37 women with GDM and 42 women with normal glucose tolerance in pregnancy (control group). In the study group (GDM), blood was taken for analyzing 100 g OGTT from women who have abnormal 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT). Results: Compared with the controls, the GDM group had significantly higher mean values for serum fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride and GGT. Within the GDM group, GGT levels were only negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (r = −0.41, p = 0.01). GGT was determined to be an independent metabolic parameter for GDM. While performing analyses receiver operational curve analysis, GGT cutoff set was set at 16 IU/L, the sensitivity was calculated as 86%, and specificity was as 37%. Conclusion: The increase at GGT level is an independent risk factor for GDM and identified as high-risk women for diagnosis of GDM.

Anticipated and perceived pain from midtrimester amniocentesis.

To evaluate the anticipated and perceived pain and determine the factors contributing to pain perception in women undergoing midtrimester amniocentesis.

Ovarian reserve testing before and after laparoscopic tubal bipolar electrodesiccation and transection.

OBJECTIVE To find out whether tubal sterilization leads to loss of ovarian reserve, we assessed the hormonal and ultrasonographic parameters of ovarian reserve in women who underwent laparoscopic tubal sterilization by bipolar electrodesiccation and transection. STUDY DESIGN In this preliminary study, laparoscopic tubal sterilization was performed on 49 healthy women who had voluntarily requested elective surgical sterilization. Among the current ovarian reserve indicators, in the early proliferative phases, preoperative (baseline) and postoperative (third month) serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, ovarian volume, and antral follicle counts (AFCs) were determined. Analysis of these hormonal and ultrasonographic parameters of ovarian reserve preoperatively and postoperatively was the main outcome measure. RESULTS Preoperative and third-month postoperative FSH, LH, E2, and AMH levels did not reveal statistically significant differences (p=0.101, p=0.180, p=0.254, and p=0.079; respectively). The ultrasonographic indicators of ovarian reserve did not change in terms of total ovarian volume and total AFC (p=0.793 and p=0.098, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Short-term follow-up study results revealed a slight but non-significant change in the current ovarian reserve markers, especially in the AMH levels.

The role of asymmetric dimethyl arginine and oxidant/antioxidant system in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a syndrome characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. The aim of this study is to find the relationship between preeclampsia, asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), and the oxidant/antioxidant system. Twenty-one preeclamptic and 28 normal pregnant women were included in this study. In cord bloods, ADMA and oxidant/antioxidant parameters were measured. Asymmetric dimethyl arginine levels were significantly increased in preeclamptic pregnancies compared to the control group (p = 0.006). The activities of antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde levels were increased in the preeclamptic group compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.022, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Development of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress may play a role in developing preeclampsia.

Increased neopterin level and chitotriosidase activity in pregnant women with threatened preterm labor

Abstract Objectives: To determine whether the cellular inflammatory markers of activated macrophages, neopterin (NEO), chitotriosidase activity and the acute-phase inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated in pregnancy with threatened preterm labor (TPL). Methods: Thirty-two pregnant women with TPL and 32 women with uncomplicated pregnancy (UP) were included this study. The primary aim was to compare the NEO, chitotriosidase activity and CRP levels between women with TPL and women with UP. Results: NEO levels were all significantly elevated in patients with TPL compared to UP (median 25–75%; 9.61 [8.47–12.29] versus 4.46 [3.59–6.92], respectively; p < 0.001). Chitotriosidase activity was significantly elevated in pregnant women with TPL compared to UP (median 25–75%; 59.00 [38.00–87.25] versus 43.50 [23.25–65.25], respectively; p = 0.036). However, CRP levels were not different in women with TPL compared to UP (p = 0.573). Furthermore, a significant moderate negative correlation was found between delivery week and NEO level (r = −0.557, p = 0.001). However, a significant correlation was not seen between delivery week and chitotriosidase activity (r = −0.042, p = 0.741). Conclusions: Inflammatory markers such as NEO and chitotriosidase activity, which are markers of macrophages, are more elevated in pregnant women with TPL than in women with UP. These data suggest that there are striking increases in inflammation and cellular immune activation in TPL.

Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in pregnant women with chronic disease

Abstract Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disease which is estimated to be undiagnosed to a large extent. Hence, the prevalence of OSAS in pregnant women is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in pregnant women with chronic diseases. Methods: In the study, 97 pregnant women with chronic diseases and 160 healthy pregnant women were included. A form questioning socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy characteristics, Epworth scale and the Berlin questionnaire to evaluate the risk of OSAS were applied to participants. Results: It has been determined that 10–12.5% of healthy pregnant women, 34–45.4% of pregnants with chronic diseases and 20.6–23.3% of all pregnant women had a high risk of OSAS, the pregnants with chronic disease compared to healthy pregnant women had statistically significant higher risk of OSAS. The risk of OSAS was found to be significantly higher especially in pregnant women with hypertension and diabetes. Conclusions: OSAS can lead to the adverse consequences in pregnancy, should be questioned for all pregnants especially those with chronic diseases. Pregnant women with OSAS should be monitored more carefully in terms of diabetes and hypertension in antenatal care.

Levels of neopterin and C-reactive protein in pregnant women with fetal growth restriction

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pregnant women with fetal growth restriction (FGR) have higher plasma neopterin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations compared with those with uncomplicated pregnancy. A total of 34 pregnant women with FGR and 62 patients with uncomplicated pregnancy were included. Neopterin and CRP levels were measured at the time of diagnosis. The primary outcome of this study was to compare the neopterin and CRP levels in pregnant women with FGR and those with uncomplicated pregnancies. The secondary outcome of our study was to evaluate the correlation between fetal birth weight and maternal neopterin levels. The serum neopterin levels were significantly elevated in pregnant women with FGR (22.71 ± 7.70 vs 19.15 ± 8.32). However, CRP was not elevated in pregnant women with FGR (7.47 ± 7.59 vs 5.29 ± 3.58). These findings support the hypothesis that pregnancy with FGR is associated with a marked increase in macrophage activation and the natural immune system.