Inter- and intra-observer variability in Sonographic measurements of the cross-sectional diameters and area of the umbilical cord and its vessels during pregnancy

Background. The purpose of the study was to evaluate inter- and intra-observer variability in sonographic measurements of the cross-sectional area of the umbilical cord and the diameters of its vessels in low-risk pregnancies of 12 to 40 weeks of gestation. Methods. A prospective cross sectional study was performed in 221 pregnant women at different gestational ages. Measurements were carried out also by a second observer to evaluate inter-observer variability and repeated once again by the first observer to assess intra-observer variability. The linear correlation between the measurements (Spearman's coefficient of correlation) and their reliability through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the limits of agreement proposed by Bland and Altman were evaluated. Results. The results showed that inter-observer and intra-observer variability did not show any significant difference between examiners. A good linear correlation between the measurements and reliability was obtained, with values of R, ICC and Cronbach's alpha all above the standard limits. Conclusion. It is possible to conclude that inter- and intra-observer variability in the measurements of the umbilical cord and its vessels was small; their reliability and agreement were good. © 2008 Barbieri et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

The age and symptomatology of natural menopause among United Arab Emirates women

Objectives: To determine the median age of natural menopause in United Arab Emirates women, the factors affecting that age and the prevalence of climacteric symptoms amongst those women. Methods: A population-based survey was conducted on a community sample of United Arab Emirates women who had had natural menopause defined as cessation of menstruation for at least 6 months at the end of reproductive years. A total of 742 women aged 40 years and above were recruited from both urban and rural areas of the country using the multi-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and face to face interviews and included a number of familial, reproductive and life-style variables. Results: The median age of the menopause in the United Arab Emirates is 48 years (mean = 47.3 +/- 3.29, range 40-59). This is significantly lower than the median age reported from the West (50.3 years). The subject median age of the menopause was significantly related to that of the mother (P < 0.001), older sister (P < 0.001), parity (P < 0.0001) and the previous use of oral contraceptive pills for more than 1 year (P < 0.001). Hot flushes were the commonest feature of the menopause occurring in 45% of women. Conclusion: The age of natural menopause in United Arab Emirates women, as in other developing countries, is less than in Western women and may be influenced by genetic factors, parity and previous use of oral contraceptives. Climacteric symptomatology, however, is similar in the different patient groups. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Consanguinity and the age of menopause in the United Arab Emirates

Objective: The study examined the association between some biosocial factors, consanguinity and age at natural menopause in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method: A cross-sectional population-based study using a multi-stage sampling design and face-to-face interview. Results: In a sample of 800 UAE females aged 40 years and above, there were 742 (85.8 %) respondents. The median age of natural menopause was 48 years. The bodyweight, parity number, occupation, smoking habits and consanguinity in marriage were the significant variables associated with the age at natural menopause. There were statistically significant differences between women in consanguineous and non-consanguineous marriages with regard to BMI (P < 0.002), occupation (P < 0.008), weight (P < 0.0001), age (P < 0.03), age of menopause (P < 0.005), parity (P < 0.0001), mother's age at menopause (P < 0.007) and sister's age at menopause (P < 0.002). Conclusion: The study showed that among UAE women, consanguinity of marriage, maternal and sister's age at menopause, BMI, parity number and smoking habits significantly influence the natural age of menopause. (C) 1998 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics