McDonald versus Shirodkar cervical cerclage for the prevention of preterm birth: impact of body mass index

<p><b>Objective:</b> To compare obstetrical outcomes on women undergoing a McDonald or Shirodkar cerclage and to estimate the impact of maternal body mass index (BMI) on these outcomes.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of all women with singleton pregnancies who underwent placement of a McDonald or Shirodkar cerclage at St. Francis Hospital from January 2008 to October 2013. The subjects were categorized based on BMI groups (normal: less than 25 kg/m², overweight: 25–29 kg/m², obese: 30 kg/m² or more). The primary outcome was gestational age at delivery. Statistical analyses included chi-square, Student’s <i>t</i>-test, and multivariable regression analysis.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Of 95 women, 47 (49.5%) received a Shirodkar, and 48 (50.5%) a McDonald cerclage. 16 women (16.8%) were categorized as normal weight, 35 (36.8%) as overweight, and 44 (46.3%) as obese. Gestational age at delivery differed significantly by group, decreasing with each categorical increase in BMI (normal: 39.0 ± 0.3 weeks; overweight: 36.6 ± 0.7 weeks; obese: 33.0 ± 1.1 weeks; <i>p</i> < .01). Overall, women receiving a Shirodkar cerclage had significantly longer pregnancies than women with a McDonald cerclage (36.7 ± 0.6 weeks versus 33.9 ± 1.0 weeks; <i>p</i> = .02). However, analysis showed a significant interaction between weight status and gestational age at delivery. Obese women had significantly longer pregnancies when they received a Shirodkar cerclage versus a McDonald cerclage (32.6 ± 1.0 weeks versus 28.8 ± 0.9 weeks; <i>p</i> < .01). However, there was no significant difference in gestational age at delivery between women categorized as normal/overweight (Shirodkar: 33.5 ± 0.9 weeks; McDonald: 32.9 ± 0.9 weeks; <i>p</i> = .63).</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Compared to obese women receiving a McDonald cerclage, obese women receiving a Shirodkar cerclage had significantly longer pregnancies. No significant differences in pregnancy duration were found in normal/overweight women regardless of cerclage technique. Pregnancy duration in obese women receiving a Shirodkar cerclage was similar to the pregnancy duration of normal/overweight women.</p

Validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of tinnitus handycap inventory

Background: To translate and assess the validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of Tinnitus Handycap Inventory (THI) as an psychometric instrument for evaluating the quality of life in tinnitus patients. This instrument will support the clinicians to determine the appropriate tinnitus management for them.Methods: A cross-sectional psychometric validation study was performed to assess the internal consistency, reliability and validity of the Indonesian version of THI in 50 subjective tinnitus patients at ENT outpatient clinic of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital between May-August 2010. 25 question items of original THI were translated, back-translated and validated using the transcultural validation by WHO.Results: The validity test demonstrated a significant correlation in the emotional and the catastrophic scale whilst there was no significant correlation in the functional scale for item F2 and particularly for item F15. Nevertheless, the validity test on the functional scale showed a good result. This study also showed high internal consistency and reliability for the total scale (Cronbach-α = 0.91)Conclusion: The evaluation result indicated that the reliability of adapted Indonesian version of the THI in our study is relatively high and could be applied in clinical examination or further otolaryngology study by both specialists and general physicians.</p