Embryo migration following ART documented by 2D/3D ultrasound

Embryos have traditionally been thought to implant at the exact site they are transferred during assisted reproductive technology (ART). The introduction of 2D/3D ultrasound has allowed for mapping of the transfer site using air bubbles as a surrogate marker of embryo location. This study's aim was to compare the location of embryo transfer (ET) on ultrasound to that of embryo implantation. We present four cases of ectopic pregnancy at four sites: tubal, cervical, interstitial and ovarian. We compare the site of implantation on 2D/3D ultrasound at six weeks of pregnancy to that of transfer as assessed on 2D/3D ultrasound. In all four cases, the embryo flash was visualised in the centre of the uterine cavity on ultrasound at ET. At six weeks of pregnancy, the uterine cavity was empty and an ectopic pregnancy was identified. The tubal and ovarian ectopics were managed surgically whilst the cervical and interstitial pregnancies were treated with systemic methotrexate. These cases demonstrate embryo implantation distal to the ultrasound-confirmed site of transfer. These cases provide visually compelling evidence of embryo migration following ET and lend support to the theory that ectopic pregnancy may occur as a result of embryo migration, rather than poor ET technique.

1007 Sociodemographic, Lifestyle and Dietary Correlates of Actigraphy-Measured Irregular Sleep Schedules in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Introduction

Increasing evidence links daily variability in sleep schedules to increased cardiometabolic risk. Little is known, however, regarding sociodemographic and behavioral correlates of irregular sleep schedules that may help identify causes or consequences of irregular sleep.

Methods

Among 1,946 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, we examined the cross-sectional associations of irregular sleep schedules with sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary factors, and actigraphy-based indices of rest-wake rhythms using multiple linear regression with adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, marital status and work schedules. Sleep regularity was assessed using standard deviations (SD) in actigraphy-measured sleep duration and sleep onset timing across 7 days.

Results

Compared to Whites, the 7-day sleep duration SD (95% CI) was 17.4min (12.6, 22.2) higher in African-Americans, 10.4min (4.8, 16.0) higher in Hispanics and 7.9min (1.3, 14.4) higher in Chinese. Shift versus regular work was associated with 11.4min (5.1, 17.7) higher sleep duration SD. Irregular sleep duration was associated with lower income (p=0.006), higher depressive symptoms (p<0.0001), higher BMI (p=0.004) and current smoking (p=0.06). Higher sleep duration variability was associated with lower Alternative Healthy Eating Index (p=0.01), mainly due to suboptimal intakes of fruits, whole grains and nuts/legumes. No associations were observed for age, sex, education, marital status or number of meals per day. While sleep duration variability was not associated with self-reported physical activity level or actigraphy-measured 7-day mean activity count, sleep duration SD was inversely associated with relative amplitude (difference between the most versus the least active period; p<0.0001) and inter-daily stability (synchronization between rest-activity patterns and environmental zeitgebers; p<0.0001) of 24-h rest-activity patterns. Similar results were observed for sleep onset timing SD.

Conclusion

Substantial differences by sociodemographic factors exist regarding the consistency of day-to-day sleep schedules. Irregular sleep schedules are associated with overall circadian disruption across the day and some unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Future studies are needed to understand temporal relationships of the observed associations.

Support

NIH grants K01HL143034, R35HL135818

0363 Racial/Ethnic Differences in Actigraphy, Questionnaire, and Polysomnography-Measured Indicators of Sleep Health and Sleep Quality: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Introduction

Paradigm shifts in sleep research suggest the importance of considering multi-dimensional sleep health, compared to single metrics, to promote physical and mental well-being and to understand racial/ethnic disparities in sleep.

Methods

We used data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA; n = 1,740) to create a Sleep Health Score (SHS), including questionnaire (quality, sleepiness); 7-day actigraphy (total sleep time, sleep continuity [sleep maintenance efficiency], timing consistency [midpoint variability], fragmentation, wake after sleep onset, sleep onset latency); and in-home polysomnography (%N3 sleep, %REM sleep, AHI). Sleep parameters were dichotomized based on prior literature or by healthiest quartile(s), with positive values denoting healthier sleep (e.g. Epworth scores < 10). All 11 dichotomized parameters were summed to calculate the SHS (mean=4.9, sd=1.58). We used modified Poisson and linear regression for individual sleep outcomes and the SHS, respectively, adjusting for age and sex.

Results

The sample was older (mean age=68.28, sd=9.08) and 54% female. SHSs were associated with Black race (β=-0.60 [-0.78, -0.42]) and Hispanic ethnicity (β=-0.40 [-0.59, -0.21]), but not Chinese ethnicity (β=-0.16 [-0.41, 0.08]). Compared to Whites (n=644), Blacks (n=485) showed lower adjusted probability of obtaining favorable levels of: sleep continuity, fragmentation, timing consistency, alertness/sleepiness, and sleep depth (%N3 sleep). Chinese respondents (n=202) had lower probability of obtaining favorable levels of: sleep continuity and timing consistency, but higher probability of quality. Hispanics (n=409) had lower probability of obtaining healthy levels of: sleep continuity, timing consistency, and fragmentation. Neither healthy total sleep time (middle quartiles) nor AHI (<30) differed by race/ethnicity.

Conclusion

Among MESA-Sleep participants, summary SHSs were lowest in Blacks, followed by Hispanics. Multiple dimensions of sleep - particularly related to continuity and timing consistency - were less favorable across race/ethnic minority groups. A summary SHS may help monitor sleep health across populations, while measurement of specific sleep components may help identify modifiable targets.

Support

Joon Chung is supported by a T-32 NIH training grant.

External validation of a simple scoring system to predict pregnancy viability in women presenting to an early pregnancy assessment clinic

INTRODUCTION

A scoring system combining clinical history and simple ultrasound parameters was developed to predict early pregnancy viability beyond the first trimester. The scoring system has not yet been externally validated. This study aimed to externally validate this scoring system to predict ongoing pregnancy viability beyond the first trimester.

METHODS

This prospective observational cohort study enrolled women with singleton intrauterine pregnancies before 12 weeks of gestation. Women underwent examination and ultrasound scan to assess gestational sac size, yolk sac size, and fetal pulsation status. A pregnancy-specific viability score was derived in accordance with the Bottomley score. Pregnancy outcomes at 13 to 16 weeks were documented. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the discriminatory performance of the scoring system.

RESULTS

In total, 1508 women were enrolled; 1271 were eligible for analysis. After adjustment for covariates, miscarriage (13%) was significantly associated with age ≥35 years (odds ratio [OR]=1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-3.34), higher bleeding score (OR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.25-4.38), gestational age (OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.13-1.22), absence of yolk sac (OR=4.73, 95% CI: 2.11-10.62), absence of fetal heart pulsation (OR=3.57, 95% CI: 1.87-6.84), mean yolk sac size (OR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.06-1.47), and fetal size (OR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.77-0.88). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.89-0.93). Viability score of ≥1 corresponded to a >90% probability of viable pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

The scoring system was easy to use. A score of ≥1 could be used to counsel women who have a high likelihood of viable pregnancy beyond the first trimester.

Efficacy and Safety of Flow-Diverter Therapy for Recurrent Aneurysms after Stent-Assisted Coiling

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Flow-diverter treatment for previously stented aneurysms has been reported to be less effective and prone to complications. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of flow diverters for recurrent aneurysms after stent-assisted coiling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent flow-diverter placement for recurrent aneurysms after stent-assisted coiling between March 2015 and March 2019 were recruited. Clinical and radiographic characteristics and clinical and angiographic outcomes were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 133 patients who underwent flow-diverter insertion, 17 (male/female ratio = 5:12; mean age, 53.8 years) were treated for recurrent aneurysms after stent placement with (n = 16) or without (n = 1) coiling. Eight patients initially presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage; 7, with headache; and 2, with visual field defects. Angiographic morphology included large/giant saccular in 12 patients, dissecting in 2, fusiform in 1, traumatic pseudoaneurysm in 1, and ruptured blood blister-like aneurysm in 1. The duration between the first treatment and flow-diverter placement ranged from 2 weeks to 15 months (median, 6 months). Flow-diverter placement was successful in all cases without any complications. All patients had favorable outcomes (mRS, 0-2), without any newly appearing symptoms. Aneurysms were followed up with conventional angiography at least once in 6-18 months. Sixteen aneurysms showed complete occlusion, and 1 aneurysm was enlarged.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this case series investigating flow-diverter placement for recurrent aneurysms after stent-assisted coiling suggested that the procedure is safe and effective. Further study in a larger population may be warranted.

Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire: a Chinese translation and validation study

INTRODUCTION

The Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-related Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire is a validated tool in English language to assess treatment outcomes for women with fibroids. We performed a Chinese (traditional) translation and cultural adaptation of it and evaluated its reliability, validity, and responsiveness.

METHODS

Overall, 223 Chinese women aged ≥18 years with uterine fibroids self-administered the UFS-QOL, Short-Form Health Survey-12, pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) on fibroid-related symptom severity. Demographics and haemoglobin levels were recorded; physical examination and ultrasound for size of fibroids were performed. Half of the women were followed up 6 months later for responsiveness.

RESULTS

Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.706 to 0.937, demonstrating high internal reliability. The intra-class correlation coefficients to measure test-retest reliability implied excellent stability of symptom scores (0.819, P<0.001), health-related quality of life scores (0.897, P<0.001), and all subscales (range 0.721-0.870, P<0.001). Convergent validity was demonstrated by positive correlations between the findings of various symptom severity assessment tools (PBAC, VAS on fibroid-related symptoms severity) and the symptom severity domain of Chinese UFS-QOL. In addition, there were positive correlations between health-related quality of life scores of Chinese UFS-QOL and the corresponding subscales of the Short-Form Health Survey-12. Responsiveness was shown by reduction of symptom severity scores and improvement of health-related quality of life scores after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese version of the UFS-QOL is valid, reliable, and responsive to changes after treatment.