The new LNG-releasing IUS: a new opportunity to reduce the burden of unintended pregnancy.

Unintended pregnancies still remain a worldwide public health problem. They have received much attention in adolescents given the strong impact they have on their present and future lives. On the other side, as women join the labour market, young women wishing to delay maternity are also especially vulnerable. Studies have revealed a pattern of use of contraceptive methods that is likely to increase this risk. Methods of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), among which cooper and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices (IUD and IUS) are the most common, have been widely recommended to avoid unintended pregnancy at any age. Despite this, the use of these devices is very limited. Several barriers to their wide spread use have been identified, which specially affect a higher use by nulliparous women. A new levonorgestrel-releasing IUS containing only 13.5 mg of levonorgestrel (IUS12), recently marketed as Jaydess® in Europe, which provides a smaller size, a shorter duration of action, and a lower hormonal content compared to Mirena®, along with a similar efficacy and safety profile, may offer a long-term option that better addresses the needs of nulliparous women. Evidence on the risk of unintended pregnancies in young women –with a special emphasis in Europe—, barriers associated with a lower-than-desirable use of LARC methods –especially intrauterine devices (IUD and IUS)—, and the potential benefits of the new IUS12 including changes in bleeding pattern, safety and user satisfaction –especially with respect to nulliparous and adolescents— are reviewed here. Evidence supports that IUS12 may offer a LARC option that better addresses the needs of these women.pre-print332 K

The Effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy

The rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger) have been used since ancient times as a traditional remedy for gastrointestinal complaints. The most active ingredients in ginger are the pungent principles, particularly gingerols and shogaols. Various preclinical and clinical studies have evaluated ginger as an effective and safe treatment for nausea and vomiting in the context of pregnancy and as an adjuvant treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Here, we provide an update and analysis of ginger use for the prevention of nausea and vomiting, with a focus on the types and presentations of ginger available. We also examine the pharmacokinetic properties of ginger and highlight the type and posology of ginger and its metabolites

One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) of Sentinel Lymph Node in Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: Spanish Multicenter Study (ENDO-OSNA)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) for the detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis compared to standard pathological ultrastaging in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC). A total of 526 SLNs from 191 patients with EC were included in the study, and 379 SLNs (147 patients) were evaluated by both methods, OSNA and standard pathological ultrastaging. The central 1 mm portion of each lymph node was subjected to semi-serial sectioning at 200 μm intervals and examined by hematoxylin–eosin and immunohistochemistry with CK19; the remaining tissue was analyzed by OSNA for CK19 mRNA. The OSNA assay detected metastases in 19.7% of patients (14.9% micrometastasis and 4.8% macrometastasis), whereas pathological ultrastaging detected metastasis in 8.8% of patients (3.4% micrometastasis and 5.4% macrometastasis). Using the established cut-off value for detecting SLN metastasis by OSNA in EC (250 copies/μL), the sensitivity of the OSNA assay was 92%, specificity was 82%, diagnostic accuracy was 83%, and the negative predictive value was 99%. Discordant results between both methods were recorded in 20 patients (13.6%). OSNA resulted in an upstaging in 12 patients (8.2%). OSNA could aid in the identification of patients requiring adjuvant treatment at the time of diagnosis.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de la amplificación de ácido nucleico en un solo paso (OSNA) para la detección de metástasis en el ganglio linfático centinela (GC) en comparación con la ultraestadificación patológica estándar en pacientes con cáncer de endometrio (CE) en estadio temprano. Se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 526 SLN de 191 pacientes con EC, y 379 SLN (147 pacientes) fueron evaluados por ambos métodos, OSNA y ultraestadificación patológica estándar. La porción central de 1 mm de cada ganglio linfático se sometió a un seccionamiento semiserie a intervalos de 200 μm y se examinó mediante hematoxilina-eosina e inmunohistoquímica con CK19; el tejido restante fue analizado por OSNA para ARNm de CK19. El ensayo OSNA detectó metástasis en el 19,7 % de los pacientes (14,9 % micrometástasis y 4,8 % macrometástasis), mientras que la ultraestadificación patológica detectó metástasis en el 8,8 % de los pacientes (3. 4% micrometástasis y 5,4% macrometástasis). Usando el valor de corte establecido para detectar metástasis SLN por OSNA en EC (250 copias/μL), la sensibilidad del ensayo OSNA fue del 92 %, la especificidad fue del 82 %, la precisión diagnóstica fue del 83 % y el valor predictivo negativo fue del 99 % Se registraron resultados discordantes entre ambos métodos en 20 pacientes (13,6%). OSNA resultó en una sobreestadificación en 12 pacientes (8,2%). OSNA podría ayudar en la identificación de pacientes que requieren tratamiento adyuvante en el momento del diagnóstico. Se registraron resultados discordantes entre ambos métodos en 20 pacientes (13,6%). OSNA resultó en una sobreestadificación en 12 pacientes (8,2%). OSNA podría ayudar en la identificación de pacientes que requieren tratamiento adyuvante en el momento del diagnóstico. Se registraron resultados discordantes entre ambos métodos en 20 pacientes (13,6%). OSNA resultó en una sobreestadificación en 12 pacientes (8,2%). OSNA podría ayudar en la identificación de pacientes que requieren tratamiento adyuvante en el momento del diagnóstico

Eligibility criteria for Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): a position statement from a consortium of scientific societies for the use of MHT in women with medical conditions. MHT Eligibility Criteria Group

This project aims to develop eligibility criteria for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The tool should be similar to those already established for contraception A consortium of scientific societies coordinated by the Spanish Menopause Society met to formulate recommendations for the use of MHT by women with medical conditions based on the best available evidence. The project was developed in two phases. As a first step, we conducted 14 systematic reviews and 32 metanalyses on the safety of MHT (in nine areas: age, time of menopause onset, treatment duration, women with thrombotic risk, women with a personal history of cardiovascular disease, women with metabolic syndrome, women with gastrointestinal diseases, survivors of breast cancer or of other cancers, and women who smoke) and on the most relevant pharmacological interactions with MHT. These systematic reviews and metanalyses helped inform a structured process in which a panel of experts defined the eligibility criteria according to a specific framework, which facilitated the discussion and development process. To unify the proposal, the following eligibility criteria have been defined in accordance with the WHO international nomenclature for the different alternatives for MHT (category 1, no restriction on the use of MHT; category 2, the benefits outweigh the risks; category 3, the risks generally outweigh the benefits; category 4, MHT should not be used). Quality was classified as high, moderate, low or very low, based on several factors (including risk of bias, inaccuracy, inconsistency, lack of directionality and publication bias). When no direct evidence was identified, but plausibility, clinical experience or indirect evidence were available, "Expert opinion" was categorized. For the first time, a set of eligibility criteria, based on clinical evidence and developed according to the most rigorous methodological tools, has been defined. This will provide health professionals with a powerful decision-making tool that can be used to manage menopausal symptoms

The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy

The rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger) have been used since ancient times as a traditional remedy for gastrointestinal complaints. The most active ingredients in ginger are the pungent principles, particularly gingerols and shogaols. Various preclinical and clinical studies have evaluated ginger as an effective and safe treatment for nausea and vomiting in the context of pregnancy and as an adjuvant treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Here, we provide an update and analysis of ginger use for the prevention of nausea and vomiting, with a focus on the types and presentations of ginger available. We also examine the pharmacokinetic properties of ginger and highlight the type and posology of ginger and its metabolites

La salud reproductiva: datos y reflexiones Reproductive health: some data and reflections

La necesidad de respetar los derechos humanos de la población hace que el concepto de salud reproductiva, entendido como el hecho de llevar una vida sexual responsable, satisfactoria y segura, además de la capacidad de reproducirse y decidir libremente el tamaño de la familia que se desea, sobrepase la planificación familiar, para abordar conceptos como la fecundidad, los embarazos no deseados, las técnicas de reproducción asistida y otros. España, en 2003, presenta una de las tasas más bajas de natalidad del mundo, con un índice sintético de fecundidad de 1,24 hijos por mujer. Al mismo tiempo, se observa que un importante porcentaje de la población femenina en edad fértil (7,2%) se expone al riesgo de un embarazo no deseado, ya sea por no utilizar ningún método anticonceptivo, o bien por utilizar alguno de baja eficacia y efectividad. Esta situación está relacionada con el incremento de las tasas de interrupción voluntaria del embarazo que se observa en nuestro país (7 por 1.000 mujeres). Por otro lado, y gracias al avance de la tecnología sanitaria, son cada vez más las parejas que consultan por problemas relacionados con la esterilidad y la oferta de los servicios sanitarios públicos no cubre, probablemente, las necesidades de la población.Respect for human rights goes beyond the concept of reproductive health. The right to a responsible, satisfactory and safe sex life and the right to choose the number of children means that we must also concern ourselves with such concepts as fertility, unwanted pregnancy and assisted reproduction. Spain has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, with 1.24 children per woman. Data from a recent national survey showed that 7.2% of Spanish women are at risk for an unwanted pregnancy, either due to failure to use contraceptive measures or to use of poorly efficient measures. The abortion ratio, which has been increasing since 1992, was about 7 per 1000 women in 2001. On the other hand, although more and more couples are consulting with problems of sterility, the public health services do not appear to be covering their requirements

The Effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy

The rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger) have been used since ancient times as a traditional remedy for gastrointestinal complaints. The most active ingredients in ginger are the pungent principles, particularly gingerols and shogaols. Various preclinical and clinical studies have evaluated ginger as an effective and safe treatment for nausea and vomiting in the context of pregnancy and as an adjuvant treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Here, we provide an update and analysis of ginger use for the prevention of nausea and vomiting, with a focus on the types and presentations of ginger available. We also examine the pharmacokinetic properties of ginger and highlight the type and posology of ginger and its metabolites

Efficacy and side-effects profile of the ethinylestradiol and etonogestrel contraceptive vaginal ring: a systematic review and meta-analysis

<p><b>Objective:</b> To assess the efficacy and tolerability (side-effects profile), and compliance of the combined contraceptive vaginal ring (CCVR) compared with combined oral hormonal contraceptives (COC).</p> <p><b>Data sources:</b> The PubMed, Embase, POPLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) and CINAHL databases were searched.</p> <p><b>Methods of study selection:</b> Electronic databases were searched for randomised clinical trials comparing the CCVR with COC with a duration of at least 3 months between 01 December and 15 December 2015. The primary outcome was efficacy. The secondary outcomes were compliance, absence of withdrawal bleeding, breakthrough bleeding, nausea and headache. Heterogeneity was assessed using <i>I</i>² statistic and Cochran's Q statistic. Results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models or fixed-effects models depending on the heterogeneity.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> 4368 records were identified, 2844 of which were removed after duplicates and 1524 records were screened. Of these, 1503 were excluded and 21 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. After removing another 7 articles, 14 records were finally included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis. The results show a trend to higher efficacy for the CCVR in preventing pregnancy (Peto OR: 0.52 [95% CI: 0.26–1.04]) and a significantly lower presence of nausea (Peto OR: 0.66 [95% CI: 0.46–0.93]). More cycles were compliant in the CCVR group (Peto OR: 1.22 [95% CI: 1.12–1.32]) and fewer women reported breakthrough bleeding (Peto OR: 0.68 [95% CI: 0.51–0.91]).</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings demonstrate that the CCVR is as effective and tolerable as the COC but with a better bleeding profile.</p

Update on the combination of myo-inositol/d-chiro-inositol for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

AbstractIn this article, we present a narrative review on the use of inositol in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Of the different inositols that exist, only myo-inositol (MYO) and D-chiro inositol (DCI) have been studied in the treatment of PCOS. The results of the studies show that there is insufficient or controversial evidence to recommend the use of DCI alone, while MYO alone shows positive results and, above all, the MYO/DCI combination is effective when used at a ratio of at least 40:1, but there is enough rationale to further study ratios such as 66:1 to 100:1 as other possible effective combinations