Introduction. - Intrauterine device (IUD) is a reliable contraceptive method that is long term reversible, and well tolerated. Numerous studies prove its efficiency and report rare complications that are attributed to it. However, its use is limited due to fear that it can cause a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is based on historical data on infections related to the "Dalkon Shield", which was removed from the market in 1974. Method. - The analyzed articles were extracted from PUBMED database between 2000 and 2016. In total, 22 studies were retained. A meta-analysis was not possible due to the methodological diversity among the selected articles contributing to this narrative review of the literature. Results. - After analysis, the following factors influence the risk of PID linked to IUDs: an advanced age and sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion. - The risk of PID linked to IUDs is lower than 1%. This is explained by new models of IUD, better screening tests, more frequent follow-up of the patients and the improvement of care PID patients. In the light of our results, the threat of pelvic inflammatory disease should not hinder the use of IUDs. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Introduction: Estetrol (E4), a naturally occurring estrogen produced exclusively by human fetal liver, is currently being evaluated for potential use in contraception and menopausal care in humans. The present study was designed to profile E4 effects on the central nervous system, to assess the in vivo effects of E4 administration on Beta-Endorphin (beta-END) release in specific brain structures and to evaluate whether E4 has synergic or antagonistic effects on estradiol-mediated beta-END synthesis.Experimental: Intact female adult rats received different doses of E4 and ovariectomized (OVX) rats received different doses of E4 or E2V or combinations of both drugs. The concentrations of beta-END were assessed in the frontal and parietal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, neurointermediate lobe, anterior pituitary and plasma.Results: E4 at the dose of 1 mg/kg/day did not alter beta-END content in most brain areas, as well as, plasma levels of intact animals E4 administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day decreased beta-END content in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and in the neurointermediate lobe, as well as, plasma levels, compared to intact animals receiving vehicle. E4 increased beta-END values in the frontal cortex, but not in the plasma, following the administration of 1 mg/kg/day in OVX rats, whereas treatment with 5 mg/kg/day in OVX rats induced a significant increase in beta-END levels in most brain areas and in the plasma. However, in the presence of estradiol, E4 showed an estrogen-antagonistic effect in selected brain structures at the dose of 5 mg/kg/day and in plasma levels of beta-END at the dose of 1 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day.Conclusion: In OVX rats, E4 increases CNS and peripheral levels of beta-END, behaving as a weak estrogenagonist. The antagonistic effect observed after combined estradiol and E4 administration further profiles E4 as a natural SERM. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Although patients' fertility is diminished in the period of perimenopause, they still need efficient contraception. Thorough knowledge of the physiological changes occuring during this period of transition is essential in order to provide optimal care. Until the age of 50, no contraceptive method is specifically considered unsuitable due to age alone. The choice of contraceptive needs to be adapted to the patient, assessing the individual risk factors and favouring the potential non-contraceptive advantages of the method selected. Long-term contraceptive methods (e.g., the copper intrauterine device (IUD), the Mirena IUD or a subcutaneous implant) offer an excellent solution on both levels.

A 34-year-old woman without any medical history presented to our hospital emergency unit with a history of 4 days of progressively increasing pain in the left iliac fossa, fever and vaginal bleeding for the past 3 weeks. Urine pregnancy test and serum bhCG were negative. CT scan showed a left pelvic mass compatible with a tubo-ovarian abscess. After transfer to our gynaecology unit, transvaginal ultrasound revealed an empty uterus with a heterogeneous mass in the left adnexal area. We performed a laparoscopy, which revealed an enlarged left haematosalpinx with firm adhesions to the surrounding organs, but no abscess. A total left salpingectomy was undertaken and the histopathological examination revealed the presence of chorionic villi, suggesting the diagnosis of chronic ectopic tubal pregnancy. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Genital prolapse is frequent and can be found in about 50% of parous women. Its etiology is complex and multifactorial. Predisposing factors include: genetics (connective tissue disorders, family history); general state (age, parity, weight, smoking, obstructive pulmonary disease); trauma (carrying heavy loads, intense physical exercise); or iatrogenic (post hysterectomy). Treatment can be conservative or surgical and depends mainly on the severity of symptoms. Developments in surgical techniques and synthetic material in the last 20 years enabled us to use minimally invasive procedures with improved post operative course and decreased recurrence rates.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in Israel by applying the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases core questionnaire (CCQ).Methods: Representative samples (total of 2520 people) of the Israeli Jewish population aged >= 20 were surveyed for rheumatic complaints on 4 separate occasions by the CCQ telephone interview. The findings of the telephone interview were compared with a face-to-face interview and to rheumatologist examination, in 2 separate stages.Results: The telephone applied CCQ had a sensitivity level of 88.6% and specificity of 70.0% when compared with the rheumatologist evaluation (kappa = 0.576) (P < 0.001). A lower prevalence of rheumatic complaints was found in the summer months (17.7%) than in winter months (26.2%, P < 0.01). Prevalence was related to country of origin (0.008 < P < 0.03) (P range in separate surveys) and increasing age (P < 0.001) and was higher in women than in men (0.003 < P < 0.043). Body sites most affected were the lower back (63%) and the knees (47%). Medically related unemployment was more common in those with rheumatic complaints (7.9%) than in those without such complaints (2.9%, P < 0.01). Among those with rheumatic ailments, 12.7% had a related discapacity recognized by the Israeli National Insurance Institute.Conclusions: The telephone applied CCQ was reliable in screening for rheumatic complaints. Rates for rheumatic complaints in Israel were similar to those in some other countries. Rheumatic complaints were common, age- and gender-related, associated with work discapaciry, and with country of origin. This is the first longitudinal prevalence survey of rheumatic complaints in Israel. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Semin Arthritis Rheum 40:473-478

Dysmenorrhea is common in adolescent years, especially after the onset of ovulatory cycles, usually 2 to 3 years after menarche. Pain and symptoms are responsible for school absenteeism and interruption of sports and social activities.Objectives. This study aims to measure the prevalence of severe dysmenorrhea and its consequences on adolescent girls in Switzerland. Treatment of dysmenorrhea is discussed and recommendations for clinical practice are given.Study design. Cross sectional survey (SMASH 02) on a nationally representative sample of adolescents (n = 7548; 3340 females), aged 16 to 20 years who attended post-mandatory education. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the severity of dysmenorrhea and its consequences on daily life pursuit of medical help and medications used.Results. Among 3340 girls, 86.6% suffered from dysmenorrhea-related symptoms: 12.4% described having severe dysmenorrhea and 74.2% moderate dysmenorrhea. Girls with severe dysmenorrhea described heavier consequences on daily activities compared with girls without dysmenorrhea: 47.8% of girls with severe dysmenorrhea reported staying at home and 66.5% declared reducing their sportive activities. Yet fewer than half have consulted a physician for this complaint and even fewer were treated properly.Recommendation. The pediatrician has a pivotal role in screening young patients for dysmenorrhea, as well as, educating and effectively, treating adolescent girls with menstruation-associated symptoms. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are considered the first-line of treatment for dysmenorrhea, and adolescents with symptoms that do not respond to this treatment for 3 menstrual periods should be offered combined oestroprogestative contraception and must be followed up, as non-responders may have an underlying organic pathology.Conclusion. Dysmenorrhea is a frequent health problem in adolescent years and adolescent care providers should be able to care for these patients in an efficient way. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Background. Substance P receptor modulates stress, depression, anxiety and pain. Substance P is increased in CSF of fibromyalgia (FMS) patients. We examined the frequency of the substance P receptor (TACR1) 1354 G>C polymorphism in FMS. The dopamine transporter (DAT) SLC6A3 3' variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism is associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition with clinical and epidemiological overlap with FMS. We have evaluated the allele frequency of this polymorphism in FMS. Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is an autosomal recessive metabolic disease. The PI ZZ phenotype, encoded by the E342K mutation, is associated with emphysema and liver disease, and has been linked with FMS. We have examined the frequency of this mutation in FMS. Methods. Eighty-seven Jewish FMS patients participated; 45 of Ashkenazi origin, 32 of non-Ashkenazi origin and 10 of unknown or mixed Jewish origin. Controls consisted of 200 health Jewish individuals. Genotyping of the 1354G>C allele in the 3' UTR of TACR1 gene was performed by DdeI restriction analysis, genotyping the SCL6A3 DAT 3' VNTR polymorphism was performed by PCR combined with GeneScan analysis, and the AAT E342K mutation was identified by TaqI restriction analysis. Results. No significant association was found between FMS and the three genetic markers studied here. Conclusions. The current candidate-gene approach study failed to identify significant associations between FMS and three genetic markers with hypothesis-driven clinical relevance. We suggest that a genome-wide association study would be a more fruitful approach for further investigation of the genetic basis of FMS.

Study Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) prophylaxis for persistant trophoblast after laparoscopic salpingostomy.

Infection with Mycobacterium kansasii is most frequently manifested as pulmonary disease closely resembling pulmonary tuberculosis, albeit milder. M. kansasii has, on occasion, also been implicated as a cause of extrapulmonary disease, mainly septic arthritis and tenosynovitis. We report a case of M. kansasii infection presenting as carpal tunnel syndrome and developing into tenosynovitis of the forearm, necessitating repeated operative debridements in addition to pharmacotherapy spanning a 7 year period.

BACKGROUND: Although low-dose aspirin is used by many elderly patients, monitoring of renal function is currently not recommended. We recently reported transient retention of uric acid and creatinine caused by aspirin in doses of 75 to 325 mg/d. We therefore evaluated the renal effects of aspirin (100 mg/d), including post-treatment effects.METHODS: We studied 83 stable geriatric patients in long-term care (aged 56 to 98 years) who were treated with low-dose aspirin (100 mg/d) for 2 weeks and 40 control patients. Other medications and diet were kept constant. Biochemical monitoring including blood samples and 24-hour urinary collections for creatinine and uric acid at baseline and weekly for a total of 5 weeks.RESULTS: After 2 weeks on aspirin, urinary excretion of creatinine decreased in 60 (72%) and excretion of uric acid de-creased in 54 (65%) of the 83 patients, and their mean clearances decreased; during the same period, serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid levels increased (P < 0.05 for all). Deterioration from baseline levels was significantly greater (and more prevalent) in the aspirin-treated group than in the 40 control patients (P = 0.001 to 0.09). After withdrawal of aspirin these parameters improved. However, 3 weeks after stopping aspirin, 48% (35 of the 73 in whom this measurement was available) had a persistent decline in creatinine clearance from baseline, as compared with only 8% (3/36) controls (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Short-term low-dose aspirin treatment may affect renal function in elderly patients. These effects persist 3 weeks after cessation of the drug in some of these patients. (C) 2003 by Excerpta Medica Inc.

A previously diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus patient presented with arthralgia, skin rash and muscular weakness. When treated with high-dose corticosteroids and methotrexate she improved, except for a persistent lesion in the hand which evolved into a profound ulcer, along with tender subcutaneous nodules in the calf. A skin biopsy disclosed necrotizing vasculitis with giant cell granuloma revealing acid fast positive bacteria on ziels nilsen staining. A chest X-ray disclosed miliary tuberculosis (TB). The patient was diagnosed as miliary TB with prominent cutaneous involvement and treated with four anti-tuberculous drugs with slow resolution of her systemic, pulmonary and skin signs.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of conservative management of ectopic pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity by combined local sonographically guided and systemic injection of methotrexate. Study Design: The study group included 12 patients with ectopic pregnancy and fetal cardiac activity, treated by combined local and systemic injection of methotrexate in the period from January 1, 2000 to July 1, 2002. The outcome of these patients was compared with the outcome of 53 patients who had ectopic pregnancy without fetal cardiac activity and were being treated only by systemic injection of methotrexate during the same period of time. Results: The success rate was 91.6% (11 out of 12) in the group of patients with ectopic fetal cardiac activity and 90.5% (48 out of 53) in the group of patients with ectopic pregnancy, but without fetal cardiac activity. There was also no significant difference between the two groups comparing the percentage of cases treated by an additional dose of methotrexate (8.3 and 13.2%, respectively), nor comparing the number of days to resolution of β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (BHCG; 40 ± 2 and 34 ± 10 days, respectively). Conversely, there was a significant difference in the initial BHCG level comparing the group of patients treated by combined local and systemic injection of methotrexate (12,616 ± 9,585 mIU/ml) and the group of patients treated by systemic injection of methotrexate (1,499 ± 2,065 mIU/ml) (p < 0.00001). Seventy-five percent of patients (6 out of 8) diagnosed with ectopic fetal cardiac activity, who desired to become pregnant, succeeded to conceive within 6 months following the combined local and systemic injection of methotrexate. Conclusion: The combined local sonographically guided and systemic injection of methotrexate is associated with a successful outcome in asymptomatic patients presenting with ectopic pregnancy and fetal cardiac activity.

Objective: To assess retrospectively if there is a trend of change in the epidemiology of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) and to define the epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with failed response to conservative antibiotic therapy. Study Design: The charts of 60 patients, admitted with clinically and sonographically diagnosed TOA between January 1995 and December 2000, were reviewed. On admission, all patients were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, and were divided into two groups according to the response to medical treatment. Forty-three patients, responding to antibiotic therapy, constituted group A, whereas 17 patients who did not respond and were further treated by sonographically guided drainage or surgery, were included in group B. The groups were compared with respect to patient characteristics, clinical and sonographic presentation, laboratory findings, duration of hospital stay and recovery rate of different pathogens from the endocervix. Results: The mean age of patients responding to medical therapy (group A) was significantly lower (39.6 ± 8.3) than the age of patients who did not respond (group B) (45.3 ± 6.6) (p = 0.02). The gravidity as well as the percentage of menopausal women were significantly increased in group B (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). There was a significantly lower incidence of previous pelvic surgery and past history of PID in group B versus group A (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively), yet the duration of IUD use was significantly prolonged in group B (p = 0.02). The size of TOA, evaluated clinically and sonographically, was significantly increased in group B compared with group A (p = 0.04 and p = 0.009, respectively). Pelvic peritonitis was observed in 40% of group B patients and in none of group A patients (p = 0.0001). The only laboratory finding differentiating between the two groups was the mean sedimentation rate, being significantly higher in group B than in group A (p = 0.0005). The time interval from admission to afebrile condition as well as the duration of hospitalization were significantly shorter in group A (6.1 ± 2.3 days) than in group B (10.7 ± 4.7 days) (p = 0.00003). The incidence of positive culture from the endocervix was significantly higher in group B than in group A (p = 0.007). One hundred percent of patients in group B versus 65.2% of patients in group A were treated with triple agent therapy (p = 0.007). Conclusion: The results of the current study strengthen our previous assumption that there is probably a new trend in the epidemiology of TOA, occurring in older women, who do not present the traditional risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease and TOA.