Comparison and correlation of visual inspection with acetic acid, papanicolaou smear and colposcopy in detection of precancerous cervical lesions

Background: Cervical cancer is a huge emotional and financial burden on society. To curb the disease, there is a need to develop a screening test that has good sensitivity and specificity. The present study is aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Pap smear, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and colposcopy for mass screening of premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix. The objective of this study was to screen women of 30-45 years of age for precancerous cervical lesions with VIA, Pap smear and colposcopy. And compare and correlate the findings of Pap smear, colposcopy and VIA in detecting precancerous lesions of cervix.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from 1 January 2015 till 1 June 2016 (36 months) in OPD, department of obstetrics and gynaecology among 500 women of 30-45 years. of age group. Pap smear was performed by the conventional method and then VIA was carried out for all; colposcopy was done in all VIA positive patients.Results: Out of 500 study group, 364 (72.8%) women were VIA negative and 136 (27.2%) were VIA positive. Pap results in VIA negative women were either NILM or normal, none was with intraepithelial lesions. Out of 136 VIA positive women 42 (34%) pap results were LSIL or HSIL and on colposcopy 59 (44.7%) women had CIN I/II/III.Conclusions: These results establish VIA as an effective screening test for cancerous and precancerous conditions of the cervix and thus VIA can be implemented as a single primary screening method. Colposcopy can further interpret the VIA positive lesion with almost 100 % sensitivity, specificity, NPV in high grade lesions.

Efficacy of ultrasonography for structural categorisation of abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is defined as bleeding from the uterine corpus endometrium to be precise, the bleeding is abnormal in regularity, volume, frequency, or duration. The international federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO) categorized AUB based on structured medical history, laboratory tests, ultrasound, and or hysteroscopy-based techniques.The classification is based on the phrase "PALM- COEIN", (pronounced “pahm-koin”) of which "PALM" represents polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy (and hyperplasia) and defines structural pathologies that can be assessed visually. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is the first-line imaging test for the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to estimate the diagnostic effectiveness of two-dimensional ultrasound (TAS and TVS) in assessing the structural causes of AUB and to compare the histopathological and intraoperative findings with ultrasound.Methods: It was a prospective observational study. A total of 200 women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding between the age group of 18-55 years were included in study. All patients were subjected to routine investigations for AUB and ultrasonography (USG). Wherever appropriate the findings of USG were compared with intra-operative and histopathology findings.Results: Diagnostic accuracy of USG was 78.1% with sensitivity and specificity of 88.5% and 60%. Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) was 79.4% and 75%. USG is a simple, safe, fast, efficient and tolerable procedure. In diagnosing structural uterine pathology responsible for abnormal uterine bleeding, it has outstanding diagnostic accuracy and should be followed in all such cases.Conclusions: We cannot be definitive in our approaches always, USG act as a wonderful modality to help us not only in identifying the structural causes but also the functional causes. However, the gold standard of identifying endometrial pathology is histopathology and it can’t be replaced by anything

Comparison and correlation of visual inspection with acetic acid, papanicolaou smear and colposcopy in detection of precancerous cervical lesions

Background: Cervical cancer is a huge emotional and financial burden on society. To curb the disease, there is a need to develop a screening test that has good sensitivity and specificity. The present study is aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Pap smear, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and colposcopy for mass screening of premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix. The objective of this study was to screen women of 30-45 years of age for precancerous cervical lesions with VIA, Pap smear and colposcopy. And compare and correlate the findings of Pap smear, colposcopy and VIA in detecting precancerous lesions of cervix.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from 1 January 2015 till 1 June 2016 (36 months) in OPD, department of obstetrics and gynaecology among 500 women of 30-45 years. of age group. Pap smear was performed by the conventional method and then VIA was carried out for all; colposcopy was done in all VIA positive patients.Results: Out of 500 study group, 364 (72.8%) women were VIA negative and 136 (27.2%) were VIA positive. Pap results in VIA negative women were either NILM or normal, none was with intraepithelial lesions. Out of 136 VIA positive women 42 (34%) pap results were LSIL or HSIL and on colposcopy 59 (44.7%) women had CIN I/II/III.Conclusions: These results establish VIA as an effective screening test for cancerous and precancerous conditions of the cervix and thus VIA can be implemented as a single primary screening method. Colposcopy can further interpret the VIA positive lesion with almost 100 % sensitivity, specificity, NPV in high grade lesions.

Differential regional fatty acid distribution in normotensive and preeclampsia placenta

Background: Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are biologically active fatty acids which regulate placental angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Abnormalities in these aspects have been associated with preeclampsia (PE). Further, placenta has a heterogeneous structure with differential vascularization across different regions. We therefore hypothesize that the distribution of fatty acids in various regions of the placenta is altered in PE leading to poor fetal outcome. Methods: In this cross-sectional study we recruited 69 normotensive control (NC) and 44 women with PE. PE women were further classified as those delivered preterm (PTPE, n = 24) and at term (TPE, n = 20). Fatty acid levels were analyzed from placental samples from four different regions (CF—central fetal, PF—peripheral fetal, CM—central maternal and PM—peripheral maternal). Results: In the NC placenta, AA levels were lower (p < 0.05) in CM as compared with CF region. However, such differences were not seen in the TPE and PTPE. In contrast, the DHA levels varied between regions only in the PTPE placenta. Between groups, DHA levels were lower (p < 0.05 for both) in the CM and CF regions of the PTPE as compared with NC. The levels of DHA in TPE placenta were similar to NC. AA levels were lower (p < 0.05 for both) in CF region of TPE and PF region of PTPE placenta than NC. Conclusions: There is differential pattern of LCPUFA distribution across various regions of the NC, TPE and PTPE placenta. This may have implications for placental growth and development as well as transfer of LCPUFA to the fetus

Gestation dependant changes in angiogenic factors and their associations with fetal growth measures in normotensive pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies indicate that altered angiogenesis at birth is associated with poor birth outcome in women with preeclampsia. Now, we hypothesize that the progressive gestation dependant changes in markers of angiogenesis will be more useful to predict birth weight early even in a normotensive pregnancy. This study for the first time examines the association of gestation dependant changes in the levels of maternal angiogenic factors in addition to their levels in cord with birth weight. METHOD: Ninety two pregnant women were followed at three different time points: 16-20 weeks, 26-30 weeks and at delivery during pregnancy. Plasma levels of angiogenic and anti angiogenic factors were determined by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. RESULTS: Maternal plasma VEGF levels increased (p<0.01) till the second time point and decreased (p<0.05) up to delivery while plasma sFlt-1 levels increased (p<0.01) at delivery. PlGF levels peaked (p<0.01) at second time point and decreased (p<0.01) at delivery. Cord plasma VEGF levels were higher (p<0.01) and sFlt-1 levels were lower (p<0.01) as compared to maternal values at all time points. Maternal plasma VEGF levels at first time point and PlGF levels at delivery were positively (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively), while sFlt-1/PlGF ratio at delivery was negatively associated (p<0.05) with birth weight. CONCLUSION: Levels of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors may be differentially regulated across gestation. Maternal VEGF levels at early gestation (16-20 weeks) may be predictive of birth weight in healthy term pregnancies

Differential Expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Different Regions of Normal and Preeclampsia Placentae

Background: Our recent study indicates differential protein levels of neurotrophins and angiogenic factors in various regions of the normotensive and preeclampsia (PE) placenta. These changes may be in a response to differential mRNA expression of neurotrophins. Methods: This study examines the mRNA levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in different regions of the placenta in normotensive control (NC) women and women with PE. Thirty NC women and forty one women with PE (18 delivered at term [T-PE] and 23 delivered preterm [PT-PE]) were included in the study. Placental samples were taken from four regions: central basal (CM), central chorionic (CF), peripheral basal (PM), and peripheral chorionic (PF). The mRNA levels of neurotrophins were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The BDNF mRNA levels were higher in peripheral fetal region as compared to peripheral basal region in NC (p < 0.05) group, PE group (p < 0.05) and term PE group (p < 0.01). The BDNF mRNA levels were lower in the central basal region of preterm PE group (p < 0.05) as compared to the NC group. Conclusion: The present study indicates that NGF and BDNF are expressed differentially across various regions of the placenta. This has implications for selection of the sampling site in the placenta while carrying out placental studies

Maternal Fatty Acids and Their Association with Birth Outcome: A Prospective Study

<div><p>Maternal nutrition, especially LCPUFA, is an important factor in determining fetal growth and development. Our earlier cross sectional study reports lower docosahexanoic acid (DHA) levels at the time of delivery in mothers delivering low birth weight (LBW) babies. This study was undertaken to examine the role of the maternal omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid profile across the gestation in fetal growth. This is a hospital based study where women were recruited in early gestation. Maternal blood was collected at 3 time points, i.e., T1 = 16^th–20^th week, T2 = 26^th–30^th week and T3 = at delivery. Cord blood was collected at delivery. At delivery, these women were divided into 2 groups: those delivering at term a baby weighing >2.5kg [Normal birth weight (NBW) group] and those delivering at term a baby weighing <2.5kg [LBW group]. The study reports data on 111 women recruited at T1, out of which 60 women delivered an NBW baby at term and 51 women delivered an LBW baby at term. Fatty acids were analysed using gas chromatography. At T1 of gestation, maternal erythrocyte DHA levels were positively (p<0.05) associated with baby weight. Maternal plasma and erythrocyte arachidonic acid and total erythrocyte omega-6 fatty acid levels at T2 were higher (p<0.05 for both) in the LBW group. Total erythrocyte omega-3 fatty acid levels were lower (p<0.05) while total erythrocyte omega-6 fatty acid levels were higher (p<0.05) in the LBW group at delivery. Our data demonstrates the possible role of LCPUFA in the etiology of LBW babies right from early pregnancy.</p></div

Changes in erythrocyte fatty acid proportions from 16^th week of gestation till delivery (T1 = 16^th–20^th week, T2 = 26^th–30^th week, T3 = at delivery, Cord erythrocytes).

<p>Changes in erythrocyte fatty acid proportions from 16^th week of gestation till delivery (T1 = 16^th–20^th week, T2 = 26^th–30^th week, T3 = at delivery, Cord erythrocytes).</p

Associations between cord fatty acids and maternal fatty acids at T1, T2, T3 in whole cohort.

<p>Associations between cord fatty acids and maternal fatty acids at T1, T2, T3 in whole cohort.</p