Sexuality of Female Spina Bifida Patients: Predictors of a Satisfactory Sexual Function / Sexualidade feminina em pacientes com espinha bífida: preditores de uma função sexual satisfatória

Abstract Objective To assess the sexual function of women with spina bifida (SB), and to verify the factors that influence their sexual function. Methods A cross-sectional study in which a validated female-specific questionnaire was applied to 140 SB female patients from four different cities (Porto Alegre, Brazil; and Barcelona, Madrid, and Málaga, Spain) between 2019 and 2020. The questionnaires collected data on the clinical characteristics of SB, and female sexual function was assessed using the 6-item version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6) validated to Portuguese and Spanish. Results Half of the patients had had sexual activity at least once in the life, but most (57.1%) did not use any contraception method. Sexual dysfunction was present in most (84.3%) patients, and all sexual function domains were impaired compared those of non-neurogenic women. The presence of urinary and fecal incontinence significantly affected the quality of their sexual activity based on the FSFI-6. Conclusion The specific clinical aspects of the SB patients, such as urinary and fecal incontinence, should be properly addressed by their doctors, since they are associated with reduced sexual activity and lower FSFI-6 scores in the overall or specific domains. There is also a need to improve gynecological care among sexually-active SB patients, since most do not use any contraceptive methods and are at risk of inadvertent pregnancy.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a função sexual de pacientes do sexo feminino com espinha bífida (EB), e avaliar quais fatores influenciam na função sexual. Métodos Uma pesquisa transversal em que um questionário validado para mulheres foi aplicado em 140 pacientes com EB de quatro cidades diferentes (Porto Alegre, Brasil; e Barcelona, Madri e Málaga, Espanha) entre 2019 e 2020. Os questionários coletaram dados sobre características clínicas da espinha bífida, e a função sexual feminina foi avaliada com a versão de seis itens do Índice de Funcionamento Sexual Feminino (IFSF-6) nas versões validadas para português e espanhol. Resultados Metade das pacientes havia praticado atividade sexual pelo menos uma vez na vida, mas a maioria (57.1%) não utilizava nenhum método contraceptivo. A disfunção sexual estava presente na maioria das pacientes (84.3%), sendo todos os domínios de função sexual prejudicados em comparação com os de mulheres não neurogênicas. A presença de incontinência urinária e fecal afetou significativamente a qualidade da atividade sexual das pacientes. Conclusão Aspectos clínicos específicos da EB, como incontinência urinária e fecal, devem ser adequadamente abordados pelos médicos assistentes, visto que estão associados à redução na atividade sexual e piores resultados no IFSF-6. Também é necessário melhorar o atendimento ginecológico das pacientes sexualmente ativas, uma vez que a maioria não utiliza métodos contraceptivos e corre o risco de gravidez inadvertida.

Effects of remote ischemic preconditioning and topical hypothermia in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate whether combining hypothermia and remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) results in protection from ischemia-reperfusion (IR). Methods: Thirty-two Wistar rats underwent right nephrectomy and were randomly assigned to four experimental protocols on the left kidney: warm ischemia (group 1), cold ischemia (group 2), RIPC followed by warm ischemia (group 3), and RIPC followed by cold ischemia (group 4). After 240 minutes of reperfusion, histological changes in the left kidney, as well as lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activity, were analyzed. The right kidney was used as the control. Serum creatinine was collected before and after the procedures. Results: RIPC combined with hypothermia during IR experiments revealed no differences on interventional groups regarding histological changes (p=0.722). Oxidative stress showed no significant variations among the groups. Lower serum creatinine at the end of the procedure was seen in animals exposed to hypothermia (p<0.001). Conclusions: Combination of RIPC and local hypothermia provides no renal protection in IR injury. Hypothermia preserves renal function during ischemic events. Furthermore, RIPC followed by warm IR did not show benefits compared to warm IR alone or controls in our experimental protocol.

Combined effects of melatonin and topical hypothermia on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate whether their combination was more effective than either alone in decreasing renal damage due to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Methods: Thirty-two Wistar rats were assigned to four groups. Following right nephrectomy, their left kidneys were subjected to warm ischemia (IR), cold ischemia (TH+IR), intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg melatonin (MEL+IR), or injection of 10 mg/kg melatonin followed by cold ischemia (MEL+TH+IR). Eight randomly assigned right kidneys constituted the control group. After 240 min of reperfusion, left nephrectomy was performed for histopathological evaluation, lipid peroxidation, and measurement of antioxidant enzyme activity. Serum was collected to measure urea and creatinine concentrations. Results: Histopathological damage induced by ischemia and reperfusion was more attenuated in the MEL+TH+IR group than in the MEL+IR and TH+IR groups (p<0.037). Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher (p<0.029) and creatinine (p<0.001) and urea (p<0.001) concentrations were significantly lower in the MEL+TH+IR group than in the MEL+IR and TH+IR groups. Conclusion: The combination of melatonin (MEL) and topical hypothermia (TH) better protects against renal I/R injury than does MEL or TH alone.

Simple and complicated rectal diverticula: endoscopic analysis of a case series from Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Diverticular disease of the colon is a very common condition, present in most of the elderly population. However, the occurrence of rectal diverticula is extremely unusual. It is typically an incidental finding at colonoscopy. OBJECTIVE: Describe epidemiological, clinical, surgical and endoscopic characteristics of a case series of rectal diverticula in Brazil. METHODS: Four patients with rectal diverticula were analyzed in terms of symptomatology, associated conditions and colonoscopy findings. Endoscopic findings were discussed individually. RESULTS: The prevalence of rectal diverticula at our endoscopy unit was 0.15% of all colonoscopies, affecting 0.74% of patients with colonic diverticulosis. The endoscopic analysis showed the diverticulum ostium with mean size of 2.3 cm, depth of 2.8 cm and anal margin distance of 6.8 cm. Colonoscopy also demonstrated simple rectal diverticulum in all patients. Diverticula were located in the anterior, right lateral and posterior walls of the rectum. One patient developed diverticulitis as complication and underwent to diverticulectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal diverticulum is an incidental finding at colonoscopy and associated with diverticulosis. Its rarity and specific colonoscopic characteristics make it a unique entity. Asymptomatic in most cases, it rarely needs intervention. Surgery is reserved for complicated cases. (AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: Diverticulose é uma condição muito comum, presente em grande parte da população idosa. Divertículo retal, entretanto, é condição rara. Geralmente é um achado incidental em colonoscopias. OBJETIVO: Descrever as características epidemiológicas, clínicas, cirúrgicas e, especialmente, endoscópicas de uma série de casos de divertículos retais no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Quatro pacientes com divertículos retais são analisados em relação a sintomatologia, condições associadas e colonoscopias. Os achados endoscópicos são discutidos especificamente. RESULTADOS: Em nosso Serviço de Endoscopia, a prevalência de divertículos retais foi de 0,15% de todas as colonoscopias realizadas e de 0,74% em pacientes portadores de diverticulose. Análise endoscópica revelou tamanho médio do óstio do divertículo de 2,3 cm, profundidade de 2,8 cm e distância da margem anal de 6,8 cm. Colonoscopia demonstrou presença de divertículo retal único em todos pacientes, os quais se localizaram nas paredes anterior, lateral-direita e posterior do reto. Um dos pacientes apresentou diverticulite como complicação, sendo submetido à cirurgia de diverticulectomia. CONCLUSÕES: Divertículo retal é um achado incidental em colonoscopias, estando associado à diverticulose. Sua raridade e seus aspectos endoscópicos específicos tornam importante o reconhecimento como uma entidade única. Assintomático na maioria dos casos, raramente necessita intervenção. Cirurgia está reservada para os casos em que ocorrem complicações. (AU)

Pyoderma gangrenosum as a initial manifestation of ulcerative proctocolitis

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory skin condition characterized by progressive and recurrent skin ulceration of destructive course. It is usually associated with rheumatoid arthritis, paraproteinemia, myeloproliferative diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases, especially non-specific ulcerative proctocolitis. In these situations, skin lesions are described as concurrent with the intestinal condition. However, reports on pyoderma gangrenosum preceding intestinal findings are less frequent. The authors describe a case of a woman with febrile condition associated with skin lesions diagnosed by biopsy as pyoderma gangrenosum. Two weeks later, she developed diarrhea, arthralgia and sepsis, being diagnosed as ulcerative proctocolitis. After the administration of the treatment for ulcerative proctocolitis, she showed improvements in sepsis care, remission of diarrhea and regression of skin lesions. This case highlights the importance of considering pyoderma gangrenosum as a manifestation associated with inflammatory bowel disease, regardless of its timing in relation to intestinal symptoms. (AU)

Pioderma gangrenoso é uma forma de inflamação cutânea, caracterizada por ulceração progressiva e recorrente da pele, com curso destrutivo. Geralmente é associada à artrite reumatoide, paraproteinemia, doenças mieloproliferativas e doença inflamatória intestinal, em especial retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica. Em tais casos, as lesões cutâneas são descritas concomitantes ao quadro intestinal, porém, relatos com descrição de pioderma gangrenoso precedendo achados intestinais são menos frequentes. Os autores relatam caso de mulher com quadro febril associado a lesões cutâneas diagnosticadas por biópsia como pioderma gangrenoso. Duas semanas depois, apresentou diarreia, artralgia e sepse sendo diagnosticada retocolite ulcerativa. Com o tratamento para retocolite ulcerativa apresentou melhora do quadro séptico, remissão da diarreia e regressão das lesões cutâneas. Este caso enfatiza a importância em considerar o pioderma gangrenoso como manifestação associada à doença inflamatória intestinal, independente de sua temporalidade em relação aos sintomas intestinais. (AU)