Ankum, W.M.

Open-access transvaginal sonography in women of reproductive age with abnormal vaginal bleeding: A descriptive study in general practice (Article)

2011-06-01T00:00:00Z

Background: Diagnostic ultrasonography is used by GPs in approximately 10% of patients of reproductive age with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Transvaginal sonography is recommended as a first-line diagnostic instrument for assessing uterine pathology. Aim: To assess if findings resulting fromopenaccess sonography were in agreement with the GPs' working hypotheses and if these findings contributed to GPs'management. Design and setting: Prospective observational cohort study of GPs working in the health district of the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdamand their patients consulting with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Method: Data on patients' history, GPs' primary working hypotheses, and intendedmanagement were recorded. After sonography, GPs recorded their actualmanagement. Results : A total of 122 patients were included by 18 GPs fromJune 2003 to December 2004. Data from 89 patients were available for analysis. The GPs'working hypotheses implied 'no structural pathology' in 65/89 patients, and 'fibroids' in 24/89 patients. Sonographic findings were confirmed in 50/65 patients where 'no structural pathology', and in 14/24 of those where 'fibroids' were expected. Initially, GPs had intended to refer nine patients to a gynaecologist. Actualmanagement after sonographic assessment was watchful waiting or drug therapy in 57/89 patients. Eighty-nine per cent of these patients had normal sonographic findings. The actual referral rate rose to 27/89 patients. In 17 referred patients, sonographic findings were suggestive of intracavitary abnormalities. Conclusion: Open-access sonography contributed tomore accurate diagnoses and improved GPs'management of women with abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Uterine artery embolization vs hysterectomy in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: 5-Year outcome from the randomized EMMY trial (Article)

2010-06-25T00:00:00Z

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcome and health related quality of life (HRQOL) 5 years after uterine artery embolization (UAE) or hysterectomy in the treatment of menorrhagia caused by uterine fibroids. Study Design: Patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who were eligible for hysterectomy were assigned randomly 1:1 to hysterectomy or UAE. Endpoints after 5 years were reintervention rates, menorrhagia, and HRQOL measures that were assessed by validated questionnaires. Results: Patients were assigned randomly to UAE (n = 88) or hysterectomy (n = 89). Five years after treatment 23 of 81 UAE patients (28.4%) had undergone a hysterectomy because of insufficient improvement of complaints (24.7% after successful UAE). HRQOL measures improved significantly and remained stable until the 5-year follow-up evaluation, with no differences between the groups. UAE had a positive effect both on urinary and defecation function. Conclusion: UAE is a well-established alternative to hysterectomy about which patients should be counseled.

Uterine artery embolization vs hysterectomy in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: 5-year outcome from the randomized EMMY trial (Article)

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcome and health related quality of life (HRQOL) 5 years after uterine artery embolization (UAE) or hysterectomy in the treatment of menorrhagia caused by uterine fibroids. Study design: Patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who were eligible for hysterectomy were assigned randomly 1:1 to hysterectomy or UAE. Endpoints after 5 years were reintervention rates, menorrhagia, and HRQOL measures that were assessed by validated questionnaires. Results: Patients were assigned randomly to UAE (n = 88) or hysterectomy (n = 89). Five years after treatment 23 of 81 UAE patients (28.4%) had undergone a hysterectomy because of insufficient improvement of complaints (24.7% after successful UAE). HRQOL measures improved significantly and remained stable until the 5-year follow-up evaluation, with no differences between the groups. UAE had a positive effect both on urinary and defecation function. Conclusion: UAE is a well-established alternative to hysterectomy about which patients should be counseled.

Clinical-decision taking in primary pelvic organ prolapse; the effects of diagnostic tests on treatment selection in comparison with a consensus meeting (Article)

2009-05-27T00:00:00Z

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective of the study was to establish the effects of additional diagnostic tests compared to a consensus outcome on treatment selection in primary pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: Three expert gynecologists individually defined a management plan in 53 patients after magnetic resonance imaging, defecography, urodynamic, and anorectal function test information was provided. These management plans were compared with basic treatment advices in the absence of any test and with consensus advices (opinion-based references). The experts assigned a subjective score (assigned diagnostic value [ADV], 0-100%) to rate the test's relative importance. RESULTS: On average, additional diagnostic testing resulted in a revised initial management plan in 38% of the cases; 24% of the individual management plans did not meet the consensus reference. Overall defecography was regarded most valuable (ADV range 19-65%) vs. magnetic resonance imaging rated least (ADV range 0-37%). CONCLUSIONS: Although additional diagnostic tests frequently led to adaptations of basic treatment proposals, consensus was not reached in a fourth of the cases.

The METEX study: Methotrexate versus expectant management in women with ectopic pregnancy: A randomised controlled trial (Article)

2008-06-19T00:00:00Z

Background: Patients with ectopic pregnancy (EP) and low serum hCG concentrations and women with a pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) and plateauing serum hCG levels are commonly treated with systemic methotrexate (MTX). However, there is no evidence that treatment in these particular subgroups of women is necessary as many of these early EPs may resolve spontaneously. The aim of this study is whether expectant management in women with EP or PUL and with low but plateauing serum hCG concentrations is an alternative to MTX treatment in terms of treatment success, future pregnancy, health related quality of life and costs. Methods/Design: A multicentre randomised controlled trial in TheNetherlands. Hemodynamically stable patients with an EP visible on transvaginal ultrasound and a plateauing serum hCG concentration < 1,500 IU/L or with a persisting PUL with plateauing serum hCG concentrations < 2,000 IU/L are eligible for the trial. Patients with a viable EP, signs of tubal rupture/abdominal bleeding, or a contra-indication for MTX will not be included. Expectant management is compared with systemic MTX in a single dose intramuscular regimen (1 mg/ kg) in an outpatient setting. Serum hCG levels are monitored weekly; in case of inadequately declining, systemic MTX is installed or continued. In case of hemodynamic instability and/or signs of tubal rupture, surgery is performed. The primary outcome measure is an uneventful decline of serum hCG to an undetectable level by the initial intervention. Secondary outcomes are (re)interventions (additional systemic MTX injections and/or surgery), treatment complications, health related quality of life, financial costs, and future fertility. Analysis is performed according to the intention to treat principle. Quality of life is assessed by questionnaires before and at three time points after randomisation. Costs are expressed as direct costs with data on costs and used resources in the participating centres. Fertility is assessed by questionnaires after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Patients' preferences will be assessed using a discrete choice experiment. Discussion: This trial will provide guidance on the present management dilemmas in women with EPs and PULs with low and plateauing serum hCG concentrations.

MR reproducibility in the assessment of uterine fibroids for patients scheduled for uterine artery embolization (Article)

2008-03-01T00:00:00Z

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly applied in the evaluation of uterine fibroids. However, little is known about the reproducibility of MRI in the assessment of uterine fibroids. This study evaluates the inter- and intraobserver variation in the assessment of the uterine fibroids and concomitant adenomyosis in women scheduled for uterine artery embolization (UAE). Forty patients (mean age: 44.5 years) with symptomatic uterine fibroids who were scheduled for UAE underwent T1- and T2-weighted MRI. To study inter- and intraobserver agreement 40 MR images were evaluated independently by two observers and reevaluated by both observers 4 months later. Inter- and intraobserver agreement was calculated using Cohen's κ statistic and intraclass correlation coefficient for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Inter-observer agreement for uterine volumes (κ = 0.99, p < 0.0001), dominant fibroid volumes (κ = 0.98, p ≤ 0.0001), and number of fibroids (κ = 0.88; CI, 0.77-0.93; p < 0.0001) was excellent. For the T1- and T2-weighted signal intensity of the dominant fibroid there was good agreement between the observers (87%; 95% CI, 71.9%-95.6%) and the intraobserver agreement was good for observer A (95%; 95% CI, 83.1%-99.4%) and moderate for observer B (κ = 0.47). The interobserver agreement with respect to the presence of adenomyosis was good (κ = 0.73, p < 0.0001), while both intraobserver agreements were fair to moderate (observer A, κ = 0.55, p = 0.0003; and observer B, κ = 0.66, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, MRI criteria used for the selection of suitable UAE patients show good inter- and intraobserver reproducibility.

Loss of ovarian reserve after uterine artery embolization: A randomized comparison with hysterectomy (Article)

2007-07-01T00:00:00Z

Background: Ovarian failure as a complication of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic uterine fibroids has raised concerns about this new treatment modality. Methods: We investigated the occurrence of ovarian reserve reduction in a randomized trial comparing UAE and hysterectomy by measuring follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). A total of 177 pre-menopausal women with menorrhagia due to uterine fibroids were included (UAE: n = 88; hysterectomy: n = 89). FSH and AMH were measured at baseline and at several time-points during the 24 months follow-up period. Follow-up AMH levels were also compared to the expected decrease due to ovarian ageing during the observational period. Results: FSH increased significantly compared to baseline in both groups after 24 months follow-up (within group analysis: UAE: +12.1; P = 0.001; hysterectomy: +16.3; P < 0.0001). No differences in FSH values between the groups were found (P = 0.32). At 24 months after treatment the number of patients with FSH levels > 40 IU/l was 14/80 in the UAE group and 17/73 in the hysterectomy group (relative risk = 0.75; P = 0.37). AMH was measured in 63 patients (UAE: n = 30; hysterectomy: n = 33). After treatment AMH levels remained significantly decreased during the entire follow-up period only in the UAE group compared to the expected AMH decrease due to ageing. No differences were observed between the groups. Conclusions: This study shows that both UAE and hysterectomy affect ovarian reserve. This results in older women becoming menopausal after the intervention. Therefore, the application of UAE in women who still wish to conceive should only be considered after appropriate counselling.

Prevalence of Asherman's syndrome after secondary removal of placental remnants or a repeat curettage for incomplete abortion (Article)

1998-01-01T00:00:00Z

This prospective study assesses the prevalence of intrauterine adhesions among women undergoing secondary removal of placental remnants after delivery, or a repeat curettage for incomplete abortions, and evaluates risk factors associated with the presence of intrauterine adhesions. In 50 women, undergoing either a secondary removal of placental remnants more than 24 h after delivery, or a repeat curettage for incomplete abortions, ambulatory hysteroscopy was performed 3 months after the intervention. Intrauterine adhesions were found in 20 of the women (40%): five patients had Asherman's syndrome grade I, six had grade II, six had grade III and three had grade IV. In women with menstrual disorders a statistically significant 12-fold increased risk for Asherman's syndrome grade II-IV was found. Previous abortion as well as infection during surgery were associated with a mildly but non-significant increased risk. Based on our findings, hysteroscopy is recommended only in those patients who develop menstrual disorders, either after secondary intervention for placental remnants after delivery or after a repeat curettage.