Abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women: sonographic and histopathological correlation and evaluation of uterine endometrium

Background: The objectives of the study was to establish the role of histopathological diagnosis of uterine endometrial lesions in patients of AUB at perimenopausal age and to correlate the transvaginal sonographic (TVS) finding with histopathological examination.Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out over 1 and 1/2 years in the two apex level teaching hospitals in eastern India. A total of 197 women in the age group of 40-49 years and ≥50 years (up to 55 years) who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding were included in the study. After selecting the patient with eligibility criteria in the OPD, detailed clinical history, systemic and gynecological examinations and investigations were done as per proforma. TVS study of endometrial pattern and thickness was measured followed by dilatation and curettage (D and C) and HPE of the endometrial curetting was done.Results: Menorrhagia (44.67%) was the most common clinical finding. Mean endometrial thickness measured by TVS was 7.04±2.11 mm in proliferative phase and 10.25±1.27 mm in the secretory phase. Proliferative endometrium (37.06%) was the most frequent finding in HPE followed by secretory endometrium (20.3%). Hyperplasia of endometrium was noted in 27 cases (100%) at 12-15 mm of endometrial thickness on TVS whereas endometrial hyperplasia with and without atypia and endometrial carcinoma was noted in 25 cases (92.59%) at the same thickness of 12-15 mm of uterine endometrium on HPE. Endometrial hyperplasia and polyp both had sensitivity of 84.21% and 71.43% respectively on TVS as compared with histopathology.Conclusions: Increased endometrial thickness and echo pattern by TVS correlated well with abnormal endometrial tissue histopathology in perimenopausal women with AUB

Prediction of preeclampsia by a combination of maternal spot urinary protein-creatinine ratio and uterine artery doppler

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is heterogeneous disorder. The aim of the study was to observe the role of a spot urinary protein - creatinine ratio (UPCR) and uterine artery doppler velocimetry measured between 20-24 weeks of gestation in prediction of preeclampsia.Methods: Prospective observational study conducted on 120 pregnant mothers with singleton pregnancy between 20-24 weeks of gestational age in two tertiary teaching hospitals in eastern India. A spot urinary protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) was determined in a mid- stream urine sample and estimation of protein was done by immunoturbidimetric micro albumin method and creatinine by modified Jaffe’s method. Doppler velocimetry was also determined at 20-24 weeks of gestation. A notch in uterine artery, unilateral or bilateral; or RI > 0.7 and PI of > 1.45 were considered to have an abnormal result. Women were followed-up and relationship between variables was assessed by Chi- square test.Results: Women who subsequently developed preeclampsia had significantly higher UPCR (median 44.8 mg/mmol) when compared with women of unaffected groups (median 26.6 mg/mmol). The optimum spot urinary UPCR to predict preeclampsia was 35.5 mg/mmol and the cut-off value >35.5 mg/mmol had a test sensitivity (80%), specificity (94.06%), PPV (66.76%) and NPV (96.94%).The area under curve (AUC) of spot UPCR in ROC curve was  0.949 (95% CI,0.891 - 1.000). For predicting preeclampsia, the mean uterine artery RI had to be >0.7 having sensitivity (60%), specificity (97.03%), PPV (75%) and NPV (94.23%). The area under curve (AUC) was 0.856 (95% CI, 0.742 - 0.971).Conclusions: Second trimester UA doppler is a useful screening test for prediction of preeclampsia. This test works best when combined with a spot UPCR and accuracy of both the methods for prediction of preeclampsia was 92.24%

Prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome with comparison of myoinositol and metformin in PCOS women

Background: The objective is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MBS) and the effects of insulin sensitizers to improve the clinical and hormonal milieu for better reproductive outcome in PCOS women.Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 PCOS women and 50 age matched control to determine the prevalence of the MBS in two tertiary hospitals over one year. Diagnosis of PCOS was based on at least two of ESHRE/ASRM criteria and diagnosis of MBS was based on at least three of NCEPATPIII criteria. Patients already diagnosed as PCOS were treated with insulin sensitizers myoionositol and metformin which were compared.Results: The study revealed that the prevalence of MBS was 40 % (20/50) nearly 4-fold higher than that of control groups. Among PCOS women, the most prevalent MBS factors were high BMI (52%) and low serum HDL-C (42%). The least prevalent factor was high fasting serum glucose level (16%). The resumption of spontaneous regular menstrual cycle and pregnancy rate in infertile groups of PCOS patients with myoionositol and metformin were 61% vs. 26% and 50% vs.91% respectively. The myoionositol group did not require any extra ovulating agents for pregnancy, while 7 out of 11 patients in metfromin group needed clomiphen citrate for ovulation induction to achieve pregnancy.  With myoinositol there is significant reduction of weight, BMI, LH/FSH ratio and fasting insulin level; whereas metformin shows decrement of weight and BMI only.Conclusions: The prevalence of MBS in PCOS is nearly 4 times in present study and there is significant improvement of symptom profile, weight, BMI and change of hormonal pattern in myoinositol group

HELLP syndrome in eclampsia and its impact on maternal and foetal outcome: a study in a tertiary care centre of rural India

Background: Objective of current study was to determine the incidence of HELLP syndrome in patients with eclampsia and its impact on maternal and perinatal outcome.Methods: The prospective study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Burdwan medical college, Burdwan on 727 eclamptic mothers, admitted from January 2012 to December 2013. Clinical data and detailed investigations including complete haemogram, liver function tests and relevant investigations for haemolysis were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using student’s t-test and χ2 test where appropriate. All P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: The incidence of HELLP syndrome among the women of eclamptic mothers was 7.43% (54/727). Among 54 patients; abruptio placentae (12.96%), acute renal failure (11.11%) and cerebral haemorrhage (11.11%) were most frequent maternal complications followed by DIC (3.70%). Maternal and perinatal mortality in HELLP syndrome were 7.40% and 30.5% respectively. SGOT level was higher in complete HELLP and it is statistically significant when compared to incomplete variant (P <0.0004). Complete HELLP syndrome is at increased risk for serious complications when compared to incomplete variety.  Conclusions: Classification of HELLP syndrome cases according to the clinical and laboratory findings can help in the monitoring and treatment of the disease.to improve perinatal outcome without increasing maternal morbidity

Seroprevalence of brucellosis among animal handlers in West Bengal, India: an occupational health study

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease and a major human health problem worldwide. Due to its ways of transmission, direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their contaminated biological products, the disease exhibits strong occupational association with animal handlers comprising a significant population at risk. This study was undertaken to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in animal handlers and to understand the epidemiological and serological aspects of the same. The animal handlers from the state of West Bengal, India were included in this study. It was a prospective and observational cohort study from November 2021 to March 2022. A total of 669 sera samples were collected from animal handlers and tested using various serological tests for Brucella antibodies. All serum samples were tested using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), standard tube agglutination test (STAT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 106 (15.8%) patients were diagnosed with brucellosis among the total number of patients tested. Most of the patients affected with brucellosis belonged to the age group 51–60 years (23.5%). The seropositivity rate in male animal handlers was higher than female animal handlers in this study. More studies are needed to understand the occupational association of this disease. Awareness programs, safe livestock practices, and prevention of the disease by timely diagnosis must be implemented in order to control human brucellosis

Pubertal Development in Girls with Beta Thalassaemia and Assessment of the Adequacy of Chelation Therapy: A Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction: Beta thalassaemia is the most prevalent hereditary autosomal disorder, significantly impacting endocrine function during pubertal development. The pathology is rooted in the excessive deposition of iron in vital organs. If left untreated, this condition leads to serious morbidity and mortality. Hypogonadism stands as the most common endocrine complication. Aim: To observe pubertal development in girls with thalassaemia and evaluate the adequacy of chelation therapy in such patients by measuring levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH), oestrogen, and serum ferritin. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Thalassaemia Clinic at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Burdwan Medical College, Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal, India involving 300 diagnosed Beta Thalassaemia Major (BTM) (case) patients aged 13 to 17 years over a period of one and a half years (January 2020 to June 2021). The girls in the study groups were sequentially enrolled from the Outpatient Department of the Thalassaemia Clinic after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and Sexual Maturity Rating (SMR) were recorded. Hormonal assays of serum FSH, LH, oestrogen, and serum ferritin levels were conducted. Thalassaemic girls with serum ferritin levels exceeding 500 ng/mL received chelation therapy. Serum ferritin levels were measured at two-month intervals for up to six months, with reassessment of serum FSH, LH, oestrogen, and ferritin levels at the end of the six-month period. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0, Microsoft excel spreadsheet, and Epi Info 7. Results: A total of 190 (63.3%) of the thalassaemic girls were aged 13 to 15 years, with a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 22.5000±2.6100 kg/m2, and 74 of them (38.94%) experienced menarche in this age group. Out of 300 cases, 269 thalassaemic girls (89.6%) received chelation therapy, and 89 cases (33.09%) reached menarche after chelation therapy. A significant (p<0.0001) increase in mean LH and FSH levels was observed after chelation therapy. The mean ferritin level decreased from 3168.85 ng/mL to 2227.24 ng/mL following chelation therapy. Conclusion: Pubertal development failure is common in beta thalassaemic girls. Intervention in the form of adequate chelation therapy in girls with high serum ferritin levels yielded favourable outcomes, as evident from serum gonadotropin and oestrogen levels

A retrospective study: ABO and Rh phenotype blood group distribution among blood donors in H.N.B. Base Hospital, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India

Objective: To determine the prevalence of ABO and Rh blood groups based on the antigenic presence on the surface of red blood cells with respect to gender and calculate allele frequency of the blood groups. Globally, approximately 700 type red cell antigens have been identified till now. ABO and Rh blood groups play an important role in the process of blood transfusion, resolving certain medicolegal issues, parental testing, and various genetic studies. Methods: This study was conducted in H.N.B. Base Hospital, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, from January 2012 to December 2016. Relevant data of blood donors were collected from blood bank department of the hospital. Blood grouping was conducted using commercially available standard monoclonal antisera applying test tube and column agglutination techniques. Results: Out of 9883 individuals, 9333 (92.4%) were males and 750 (7.6%) were female individuals. The most common blood group found was B (31.68%) and least common being AB (11.70%). The prevalence of Rhesus positive and negative distribution in the present studied population was found as 93.51% and 6.49%, respectively. Overall, male ABO group pattern found was shown by formula B > A > O > AB which was similar among Rh-positive male individuals while Rh-negative males' pattern was found as A > B = O > AB. In females, ABO group pattern was B > O > A > AB which was similar to Rh-positive female pattern while differs in Rh negative. The estimated allele frequencies were found as 0.2403, 0.2475, and 0.5122 for IA (p), IB (q), and IO (r), respectively. Conclusion: The most common blood group found among the Gharwali donors was B positive while the least common was AB negative, which plays an important contribution for making government policies to develop National Health Program