Lack of seasonal variations in fertilization, pregnancy and implantation rates in women undergoing IVF

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated seasonal variations during IVF. Their results are contradictory, especially concerning fertilization and pregnancy rates. The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate these parameters using a large number of IVF cycles. METHODS: A total of 7368 IVF cycles conducted in Switzerland between 1995 and 2003 were retrospectively analysed. To avoid a bias in the evaluation of the fertilization rate, only IVF cycles without ICSI were considered for analysis. Cycles were assigned to seasons according to the date of the beginning of stimulation. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the seasons concerning the fertilization, the pregnancy and the implantation rates. However, statistically significant variables deciding on the outcome of an IVF cycle are age, centre, aetiology of infertility and day of transfer. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant seasonal differences in central Europe (Switzerland) that influenced the outcome of IVF treatment. The only statistically significant variables of IVF outcome were age, centre, aetiology of infertility and day of transfer. A change to routine fertility treatment concerning the different seasons should therefore not be taken into accoun

Effect of a single, oral, high-dose vitamin D supplementation on endothelial function in patients with peripheral arterial disease: a randomised controlled pilot study

Apart from its role in bone metabolism, vitamin D may also influence cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was: (1) to determine the effect of a single, oral, high-dose vitamin D supplementation on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and (2) to investigate the impact of this supplementation on coagulation and inflammation parameters

Chronic Venous Insufficiency in Italy: The 24-cities Cohort Study

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the relationship between sex, age, geographical region, lower limb symptoms and the presence of trunk varicose veins and venous incompetence.DesignCross-sectional population study in 24 cities in the North, centre and South of Italy.ParticipantsFive thousand two hundred and forty-seven people were selected during spring and summer 2003 by advertising on television, in newspapers, and by leaflets in 24 Italian cities. In all 5187 (4457 [85.9%] women and 730 men [14.1%]) volunteers were assessed. The median age was 54 (range: 18–90) years for the women and 61 (range: 18–89) years for the men.MethodsSelf-administered questionnaire on subjective symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in the lower limbs, and clinical examination, including colour duplex ultrasonography to assess the presence and severity of varicose veins.ResultsOverall only 22.7% of the subjects examined were free of visible signs of venous disease, with approximately 53% of the population over 50 years of age showing some venous reflux. People living in Southern Italy were more severely affected than those living in the North. Varicosities and telangiectases were the most frequent objective signs in both sexes. Trunk varicosities (27%) and saphenous reflux (41%) increased with age and were more common in men; in contrast, minor objective symptoms such as telangiectases (70%), as well as subjective symptoms such as heavy (79%) and tired legs (78%), were more common in women and were not age-related.ConclusionsVenous disease is very common in Italy, in particular in people living in the South. A correlation between varicose veins and venous incompetence is more marked in men, while minor objective and subjective symptoms prevail in women. The findings from this non-random sample closely match results from previous studies, in which random sampling was used

Effect of chronic venous insufficiency on activities of daily living and quality of life: Correlation of demographic factors with duplex ultrasonography findings

The study evaluates to what extent symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and functional venous incompetence as investigated using color-coded duplex ultrasonography may interfere with activities of daily living (ADLs). This study comprises a cross-sectional survey conducted in urban areas surrounding 24 Italian cities. A spontaneous sample of 5187 subjects (4457 women [mean age, 54 years] and 730 men [mean age, 61 years]), selected by advertising on television and in newspapers, underwent a clinical examination that included duplex ultrasonography in 3 vein segments in both legs to determine the presence and severity of venous reflux. Subjective perception of lower limb symptoms of CVI and the effect of leg problems on the ability to perform normal ADLs are assessed by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Most of the respondents have some CVI symptoms, with women being 1.5 to 3 times as likely as men to report leg symptoms. The risk of developing the most frequent subjective symptoms such as heaviness and tiredness in the legs is not statistically significantly different for younger subjects compared with older subjects. Advanced age is considered to be a relevant risk factor only for heat sensation and swollen legs. Persons living in southern Italy are at higher risk of almost all lower limb symptoms. Results of duplex ultrasonography performed on 3875 subjects show that fewer than 1 in 5 young persons, regardless of sex, manifest some degree of venous reflux (primarily mild symptoms). The risk of developing venous incompetence increases rapidly with age until it triples among subjects 50 years and older. Adjusting for all other factors, men are on average 1.5 times as likely as childless women to have venous reflux, and the risk increases in the case of family history of CVI or (among women) in the case of past pregnancies. More women than men report that their leg problems affect their ADLs. Pregnancy and living in the south contribute to a reduction in the ability to perform most heavy housework. Although milder lower limb symptoms such as evening heaviness and tiredness in the legs may begin early in life, venous reflux and related symptoms of heat sensation and swollen legs become more pronounced with age, and their severity can be disabling for those afflicted. ©2007 Sage Publications

Therapy of venous disorders in Italy: Results of a three-year survey

Aim. The aim of this paper was to investigate the behavior of a non-random sample of Italian chronic venous disorders (CVD) sufferers in the management of their complaints and to analyse the treatments recommended by phlebologists towards this problem. Methods. This was a cohort study as a part of a large CVD prevention programme. The sample was a non-random, cross-sectional sample of male and female patients selected through advertisements. Subjects described subjectively the presence of CVD complaints and the presence of CVD was then assessed conclusively by a specialist. Information about the different types of therapeutic intervention implemented before the examination or recommended by the specialist was collected. Each treatment option was related to socio-demographic variables, with particular reference to the region where patients lived, their family history and the severity of objective clinical signs. Results. The study analysed 31 659 subjects. In this sample, the most common manifestations of venous disease, especially in young women, were telangiectases; saphenous or non-saphenous varicose veins are slightly more frequent in males and subjects over 50 years of age. Medical or compression therapies were performed by a large portion of the population (>30%). Young people tend to prefer medical to compression therapy. In Southern Italy, medical therapy is widespread whereas in Central Italy compression stockings are only infrequently used. Specialists tend generally to prescribe conservative therapies for less severe forms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Compression stockings seem to be gradually replaced by drug therapy, in particular products of natural origin. Among natural remedies, bioflavonoids are the most used ones, whereas among terpenes, topical aescine is the most widespread. Conclusion. The present study has demonstrated that in a large percentage of cases, Italian consumers suffering from problems related to venous insufficiency carry out conscious and informed self-medication

Chronic venous insufficiency in Italy: The 24-cities Cohort study

Objective: To assess the relationship between sex, age, geographical region, lower limb symptoms and the presence of trunk varicose veins and venous incompetence. Design: Cross-sectional population study in 24 cities in the North, centre and South of Italy. Participants: Five thousand two hundred and forty-seven people were selected during spring and summer 2003 by advertising on television, in newspapers, and by leaflets in 24 Italian cities. In all 5187 (4457 [85.9%] women and 730 men [14.1%]) volunteers were assessed. The median age was 54 (range: 18-90) years for the women and 61 (range: 18-89) years for the men. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire on subjective symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in the lower limbs, and clinical examination, including colour duplex ultrasonography to assess the presence and severity of varicose veins. Results: Overall only 22.7% of the subjects examined were free of visible signs of venous disease, with approximately 53% of the population over 50 years of age showing some venous reflux. People living in Southern Italy were more severely affected than those living in the North. Varicosities and telangiectases were the most frequent objective signs in both sexes. Trunk varicosities (27%) and saphenous reflux (41%) increased with age and were more common in men; in contrast, minor objective symptoms such as telangiectases (70%), as well as subjective symptoms such as heavy (79%) and tired legs (78%), were more common in women and were not age-related. Conclusions: Venous disease is very common in Italy, in particular in people living in the South. A correlation between varicose veins and venous incompetence is more marked in men, while minor objective and subjective symptoms prevail in women. The findings from this non-random sample closely match results from previous studies, in which random sampling was used. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved