O-257 The effect of the presence of intramural myomas smaller than 6 cm on reproductive outcome in IVF treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Study question

What is the effect of small intramural myomas on the reproductive outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment?

Summary answer

Non-cavity-distorting intramural myomas with the size of < 6 cm have a significant adverse effect on reproductive outcomes in IVF treatment.

What is known already

There is a consensus that submucous myomas have a significant unfavorable impact on reproductive outcomes, whereas subserosal myomas do not seem to have any adverse effects. Women with large (≥6 cm) non-cavity-distorting intramural myomas should be evaluated individually, considering their reproductive history. However, there is scarce data on the effect of relatively smaller intramural myomas (<6 cm) on reproductive outcomes and how to manage them before IVF treatment.

Study design, size, duration

This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis according to PRISMA guidelines. We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies from inception until 31 November 2021. Search terms were used as “intramural fibroid*” [tw] OR “intramural leiomyom*” [tw] OR “intramural myom*” [tw]. English language and human subjects were applied to search filters.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The target population was infertile women undergoing IVF treatment with non-cavity-distorting intramural myomas <6 cm in diameter. History of myomectomy and the presence of predominant subserous myomas, submucous myomas, or other cavity distorting pathologies were exclusion criteria. The primary outcome measures were live birth rate (LBR) and miscarriage rate (MR). Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. All statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4.1.

Main results and the role of chance

The initial search strategy yielded 378 studies. After adopting exclusion criteria, eight studies were included in the final analysis. Six of these studies had a NOS score of 8 out of 10, and the remaining two studies had 9 out of 10. Three studies had a prospective design, and five studies had a retrospective design. Two of eight studies did not report LBR as an outcome. In pooling data analysis of six studies including 2058 cycles (1980 women), 41% relative reduction in LBR was observed in women with non-cavity-distorting intramural myomas with the size of < 6 cm compared to women without myomas (RR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.49–0.71, I2=0%, p<0.00001). A sub-group analysis for smaller intramural myomas (<3 cm) was also performed and concordantly 27% decrease in the LBR (RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.57–0.93, I2=0%, p=0.01) was found. Regarding the MR, for women with non-cavity-distorting intramural myomas with the size of < 6 cm, 50% relative increase in MR was found when compared with women without myomas (RR = 1.50, 95%CI: 1.11–2.04, I2=0%, 8 studies, p=0.009).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Lack of information regarding the distance of myomas from endometrium and the number of myomas in most of the included studies is a limitation. Differences in IVF treatment and uterine cavity evaluation methods among studies may limit generalizability of the findings. Future RCTs are warranted to confirm our findings.

Wider implications of the findings

This study is the first meta-analysis with overall moderate-quality evidence from observational studies to demonstrate the adverse effect of the presence of small (<6 cm) intramural myomas on reproductive outcomes in IVF treatment. Surgical removal of such small myomas should be considered before IVF treatment.

Trial registration number

not applicable

P-679 Comparison of hormone replacement treatment (HRT) and true-natural cycle (t-NC) protocols for endometrial priming: An analysis of 1,815 warmed blastocyst transfer cycles

Study question

Does the ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) of HRT with or without GnRH-agonist suppression and t-NC protocols differ in patients undergoing warmed blastocyst transfer?

Summary answer

HRT, with or without GnRH-agonist suppression, and t-NC protocols are associated with comparable OPRs in patients undergoing warmed blastocyst transfer.

What is known already

Despite the worldwide increase in frozen embryo transfer cycles, the most optimal protocol for priming of the endometrium is debated. Although HRT offers flexibility, recent evidence points tot-NC being superior to HRT regarding safety, i.e., maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes.However, there are still conflicting data regarding pre-clinical losses and reproductive outcomes when comparing the two protocols.

Study design, size, duration

In this longitudinal prospective study, 1,815 consecutive patients undergoing 1,815 warmed blastocyst transfer cycles at the Anatolia IVF Centre, Ankara, between 2015-2021, were included. HRT with pituitary suppression was the protocol of choice during 2015- 2017, whereas HRT without suppression and t-NC were more commonly employed during the latter part of the period.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

All patients with an available day-5/6 vitrified blastocyst(s) were included. Each patient was included only once. The three protocols were t-NC and HRT - with or without suppression. The prerequisites for t-NC was being a local patient with regular menstrual cycles. For t-NC, neither human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) nor luteal phase support was administered. The primary outcome measure was OPR, defined as pregnancy >12 weeks of gestation.

Main results and the role of chance

Of the 1,815 cycles,124 were t-NC, 477 were HRT with suppression, and 1,214 were HRT without suppression. For the stimulated cycles leading to FET, no difference was seen among the three groups regarding female age, body mass index, duration of infertility, number of previous embryo transfer attempts, ovarian stimulation protocol, estradiol levels on the day of hCG trigger, number of oocytes retrieved, number of preimplantation genetic testing-aneuploidy, freeze-all cycles and number of embryos transferred. The positive pregnancy test rates of the HRT protocol with or without suppression were higher when compared with that of t-NC (63.7%, 66.6%, and 58.1%,respectively; p = 0.05). The respective figure for clinical pregnancy rates were 56.6%, 60.8% and 55.6% (p = 0.07). However, the pre-clinical (biochemical) loss rates (11.9%, 10.9%, and 4.9%, respectively; p = 0.05), as well as the miscarriage rates (11.9%, 10.9%, and 4.9%, respectively; p = 0.04), were higher in the HRT groups with or without suppression compared to those of t-NC. The OPRs of t-NC, HRT with or without suppression were comparable (53.2%, 45.1%, and 49.0%, respectively; p = 0.73). The protocol for endometrial priming was not an independent predictor of ongoing pregnancy at logistic regression analysis when potential confounders were used as covariates (OR = 0.998; 95%CI 0.669-1.490, p = 0.99).

Limitations, reasons for caution

The longitudinal study design and the lack of obstetric and perinatal outcome data are limitations.

Wider implications of the findings

Compared with t-NC, the HRT protocol with/without suppression is associated with higher positive pregnancy test rates albeit increased pre-clinical and clinical loss rates, resulting incomparable OPRs. When compared with t-NC, the HRT protocol could be associated with enhanced endometrial receptivity at the expense of decreased selectivity.

Trial registration number

not applicable

P-406 Ongoing pregnancy rates (OPRs) after warmed blastocyst transfer (WBT) in a true-natural cycle (t-NC) are similar using six different luteinizing hormone (LH) surge criteria

Study question

Does timing of WBT in t-NC differ according to six different commonly definitions for LH surge, and if so, do differences in timing impact OPRs?

Summary answer

Performing WBT on follicular collapse+5 days is equivalent to LH surge +7/+8 /+9 days in terms of OPRs, using six different definitions of LH surge.

What is known already

Pinpointing the day of ovulation, usually by documentation of the LH surge, and less commonly by transvaginal-ultrasonography is crucial for timing WBT in t-NC to maximize reproductive success. However, there is no consensus on the definition of the LH surge, and the most commonly used six LH-surge definitions are LH ≥ 10, ≥15, ≥17, ≥20 IU/L, ≥1.8-fold, and ≥2-fold increase from baseline. The usual practice is to schedule warmed blastocyst transfer on LH-surge +6 days.

Study design, size, duration

Prospective monitoring of 115 WBT cycles performed during January 2017-October 2021. The goals of the study were i)to assess how frequently and to what extent there would be a change in WBT related to the day of the LH surge, using the six different definitions of LH surge, compared to follicular collapse +5 days; ii)for each definition of the LH surge to compare OPRs of different WBT timings related to the day of LH surge.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Staying locally and having regular menstrual cycles were the main criteria to perform t-NC. For t-NC, serial serum endocrine (LH, estradiol, and progesterone) and transvaginal ultrasonographic monitoring started on cycle days 8-10. Following precise documentation of follicular collapse by ultrasound, WBT was performed on follicular collapse +5 days. All included cycles were t-NC without human chorionic gonadotropin trigger or luteal phase support administration.

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 115 t-NC cycles were included for the first part of the study, determining the impact of different definitions of the LH-surge for the day of WBT. Our reference timing of follicular collapse +5 days would be equivalent to LH-surge +6 days in only 5.2%-41.2% of the cycles employing the six different LH-surge definitions. In contrast, the reference timing was comparable to LH surge +7 days in the majority of cycles (46.1%-70.8%) and less commonly to LH-surge +8 days (1.8%-38.3%) and +9 days (0%-10.4%). For the second part of the study, a total of 94 cycles were analyzed; 15 cycles were excluded as these cycles constituted 2nd or 3rd t-NC cycles; four cycles due to low serum progesterone (<7 ng/ml) on WBT-1 day and two cycles due to failure of survival after warming. For each LH-surge definition, OPRs were comparable among the different WBT timings related to the LH-surge (+6/+7/+8/+9 days). When logistic regression analysis was performed, taking LH-surge + 6 days as the reference, a change in timing was not an independent predictor of OPR for all six different definitions of the LH-surge.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Assignment of WBT timings related to LH-surge by our standard policy (follicular collapse +5 days), rather than by randomization, is a limitation. Other limitations include single daily measurements of serum LH and limited sample size.

Wider implications of the findings

Differences in warmed blastocyst timing related to the LH surge (LH surge +6/+7/+8/+9) are associated with comparable reproductive outcomes in t-NC, reflecting the flexibility of the window of implantation. Further, trials are warranted to delineate the best tool and timing of FET for warmed blastocyst transfer in t-NC.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Can cystic lesions of the jaws be considered as the cause of mandibular asymmetry?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of condylar and ramal asymmetry in patients with a cyst larger than 10 mm in the maxilla or mandible.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Condylar and ramal asymmetry index measurements of 47 patients (mean age: 28.85 ± 15.348) in the study group and 40 patients in the control group (mean age: 33.73 ± 13.095) were performed using panoramic radiographs. The study group consists of patients with cysts larger than 10 mm in diameter in the maxilla or mandible. The control group consisted of patients with no radiolucent lesions and no history of trauma. The possible statistical difference between the groups was evaluated by the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was observed in asymmetry indices according to gender and the jaw (maxilla or mandible) in which the cyst was located. However, it was determined that CAI and RAI values were statistically significantly different between the study and control groups (p = 0.047 and p = 0.016, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of intraosseous cysts larger than 10 mm in the jaws was found to be associated with condylar and ramal asymmetry.

Clinical characteristics, quality of life and risk factors for severity in palmoplantar pustulosis: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of 263 patients

BACKGROUND

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by sterile pustules on palmar or plantar areas. Data on PPP are scarce.

AIM

To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for disease severity in a large cohort of Turkish patients with PPP.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre study of patients with PPP recruited from 21 tertiary centres across Turkey.

RESULTS

In total, 263 patients (165 women, 98 men) were evaluated. Most patients (75.6%) were former or current smokers. The mean Palmoplantar Pustulosis Area and Severity Index (PPPASI) was 8.70 ± 8.06 and the mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score was 6.87 ± 6.08, and these scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.52, P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that current smoking was significantly associated with increased PPPASI (P = 0.03). Coexisting psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) was reported by 70 (26.6%) patients. Male sex prevalence, PPP onset incidence, disease duration, DLQI, and prevalence of nail involvement and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were significantly increased among patients with PPP with PsV. Of the 263 patients, 18 (6.8%) had paradoxical PPP induced by biologic therapy, and these patients had significantly increased mean DLQI and prevalence of PsA (r = 0.03, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that smoking is a risk factor for both PPP development and disease severity. Patients with PPP with PsV present distinct clinical features and patients with biologic therapy-induced paradoxical PPP have reduced quality of life and are more likely to have PsA.

Clinical and demographic features of hidradenitis suppurativa: a multicentre study of 1221 patients with an analysis of risk factors associated with disease severity

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing and debilitating inflammatory disease associated with profound morbidity.

AIM

In this multicentre study, we investigated the demographic and clinical features of HS, and determined risk factors of disease severity.

METHODS

In total, 1221 patients diagnosed with HS from 29 centres were enrolled, and the medical records of each patient were reviewed.

RESULTS

The mean age of disease onset was 26.2 ± 10.4 years, and almost 70% (n = 849) of patients were current or former smokers. Mean disease duration was 8.9 ± 8.4 years with a delay in diagnosis of 5.8 ± 3.91 years. Just over a fifth (21%; n = 256) of patients had a family history of HS. The axillary, genital and neck regions were more frequently affected in men than in women, and the inframammary region was more frequently affected in women than in men (P < 0.05 for all). Acne (40.8%), pilonidal sinus (23.6%) and diabetes mellitus (12.6%) were the most prevalent associated diseases. Of the various therapies used, antibiotics (76.4%) were most common followed by retinoids (41.7%), surgical interventions (32.0%) and biologic agents (15.4%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the most important determinants of disease severity were male sex (OR = 2.21) and involvement of the genitals (OR = 3.39) and inguinal region (OR = 2.25). More severe disease was associated with comorbidity, longer disease duration, longer diagnosis delay and a higher number of smoking pack-years.

CONCLUSIONS

Our nationwide cohort study found demographic and clinical variation in HS, which may help broaden the understanding of HS and factors associated with disease severity.

The Association of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) -572G/C and Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGFB1) 29C/T Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: a Case Control Study

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of the present study was to determine the potential effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TGFB1 and IL-6 on the development and severity of the disease in patients with DDH and investigate the relationship of these two gene polymorphisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS This case control study was conducted on 105 patients diagnosed with DDH and 119 healthy control subjects of any age. The DDH patients were classified according to the Hartofilakidis and IHDI classifications for adult and pediatric patients, respectively. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples using the Salting-out method. TGFB1 gene p.Pro10Leu (c.29C>T) (rs1800470) and IL-6 572G>C (rs1800796) polymorphisms were analyzed using Sanger DNA sequencing. RESULTS There was no statistically significant relationship of TGFB1 and IL-6 SNPs for DDH. When the rs1800470 and rs1800796 polymorphisms were compared according to family history, the homozygous mutation rate of TGFB1 gene was found to be significantly higher in patients with a positive family history than in patients with a negative family history. No significant relationship was found between rs1800796 polymorphisms and family history. TGFB1 homozygous mutation rate was determined to be statistically higher in the positive family history group than control group. No similar relationship was found between the negative family history group and the control group. No statistically significant relationship was determined between rs1800470 and rs1800796 and the severity of DDH. CONCLUSIONS rs1800796 and rs1800470 polymorphisms do not appear to be major responsible genetic factors for DDH. However, the determination of a correlation between a positive family history and homozygous mutation rate of the TGFB1 gene indicates that this gene may have a greater effect on DDH development. Key words: developmental dysplasia of the hip, interleukin-6, transforming growth factor beta 1, case control study.

Effects of arthrocentesis and low-level laser therapy on patients with osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint

This retrospective study examined whether arthrocentesis combined with 10 sessions of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) improved the clinical outcomes of patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) compared with arthrocentesis alone. Data from two groups of patients (total: n=36) with unilateral TMJ-OA were evaluated. The groups were established according to their treatment regimens: Group 1 (arthrocentesis alone; n=19) and Group 2 (arthrocentesis plus LLLT; n=17). All patients had been diagnosed in accordance with the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (RDC/TMD) (Axis I Group IIIb) protocol. They all underwent the same arthrocentesis protocol, but those in Group 2 also received 10 sessions of LLLT immediately afterwards. The outcome variables were the visual analogue scale scores (VAS 1, VAS 2) for various treatment outcomes and millimetric measurements of mandibular movements over both the short and long term. Intra-group comparisons showed significant short and long-term improvements for both groups, but outcomes were better over the long term than the short term in both. In addition, greater improvements in muscle palpation scores and mandibular movements were achieved in Group 2 than in Group 1. In conclusion, although both techniques improved joint pain and function, a combination with LLLT seemed to have an additional benefit for myofascial components.

The relationship between consumption of animal products and expenditure levels with Quality of Life Scores (SF-36) by veterinary students in Turkey

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to calculate the quality of life scores (Short Form-36) of veterinary students in Turkey and review their scores with regards to different socio-demographic characteristics. A total of 1211 students studying veterinary medicine in 26 different faculties in Turkey were selected by stratified sampling method and were asked questions concerning their consumption of and expenditures on foods of animal origin using the SF-36 questionnaire between October and December 2018. Significant differences were found between SF-36 components in terms of year level, gender, accommodation status, income level, and level of expenditures on foods and foods of animal origin (P<0.01). With the increase in the size of the budget set aside for animal products, the scores in the domains of physical functioning, vitality, mental health, pain, and general health perception also enhanced, and statistically significant differences were found (P<0.01). The low quality of life scores of the veterinary students can be improved by increasing their income level and consumption of foods of animal origin. This will ensure that they are energetic and have the desired level of mental and general health perceptions.

Dermatological aspects of tularaemia: a study of 168 cases

BACKGROUND

Tularaemia is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Francisella tularensis, an aerobic, uncapsulated, gram-negative coccobacillus. Several case reports have appeared on the dermatological manifestations of tularaemia, but relatively few longer-term studies are available.

AIM

To identify skin features of tularaemia that aid in its diagnosis.

METHODS

In total, 168 patients (68 male, 100 female) diagnosed with tularaemia were retrospectively examined. All dermatological data for these patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 168 patients, 149 (88.69%) had tularaemia of the oropharyngeal type, 12 (7.73%) had the ulceroglandular type, 5 (2.9%) had the oculoglandular type and 2 (0.59%) had the pulmonary type. Secondary skin manifestations were found in 26 patients (15.47%). Sweet syndrome (SS) was found in 11 patients (6.54%), most of whom presented with the oropharyngeal form, while erythema nodosum (EN) was found in 7 patients (4.16%), dermatitis in 2 (1.19%), urticaria in 2 (1.19%), acneiform eruptions in 1 (0.59%), vasculitis-like eruptions in 1 (0.59%) and SS + EN in 1 (0.59%). Patients with the oropharyngeal form had a statistically significant (P < 0.001) higher number of skin findings than patients with the other forms.

CONCLUSIONS

In clinical practice, tularaemia may present with various cutaneous manifestations, and dermatologists who work in endemic regions must be aware of the possibility of this disease.

Effect of Vitamin E Therapy on Sexual Functions of Uremic Patients in Hemodialysis

Twenty-four uremic patients on hemodialysis who had never been treated with vitamin E or related drugs and 12 control patients with normal renal function were studied. Hemodialysis patients were randomly divided into two groups; 12 were treated with oral vitamin E (300 mg/day) for eight weeks and 12 uremic patients and 12 controls were given placebo. Serum vitamin E, prolactin, FSH, LH, and free testosterone levels were measured in all patients before and after treatment. After the vitamin E treatment serum prolactin levels were significantly decreased (50.8 vs 15.4 ng/ml, p<0.01). Vitamin E levels were significantly increased (1.11 vs 1.22 mg/dl, p<0.05). Serum FSH, LH and free testosterone were not affected. In the other two groups there were no significant changes. These results show that vitamin E treatment lowers prolactin levels in uremic hemodialysis patients. This might be due to inhibition of central prolactin secretion. Vitamin E inhibits pituitary gland hypertrophy in vitamin E-deficient rats.

The evaluation of hormonal and psychological parameters that affect bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

In this study we aimed to investigate the relationships between serum levels of DHEAS, reproductive hormones and low bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. We also examined the relationship between psychological status of patients and their BMD results.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included postmenopausal female patients. BMD measurements were performed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Psychological assessments of all cases were performed using the Hamilton Anxiety and Hamilton Depression scales. All patients provided fasting venous blood samples in order to determine serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and DHEAS.

RESULTS

There were 33 cases (45.2%) with normal BMD levels and 40 cases (54.8%) with abnormal BMD levels (osteopenia and osteoporosis). DHEAS levels did not show any statistically significant difference according to BMD results (p = 0.431). The Hamilton Anxiety and Depression scores also did not show statistically significant differences in accordance with the BMD results (p = 0.889 and p = 0.706, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, anxiety, depression and circulating DHEAS levels are not significantly associated with low levels of BMD, particularly at osteopenic levels. So these parameters are not useful for clinical practice in patients with low BMD in the middle-aged postmenopausal women.