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2.
Genes (Basel) ; 14(4)2023 04 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2295858

ABSTRACT

Recently, we have observed two significant pandemics caused by communicable (COVID-19) and non-communicable factors (obesity). Obesity is related to a specific genetic background and characterized by immunogenetic features, such as low-grade systemic inflammation. The specific genetic variants include the presence of polymorphism of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors gene (PPAR-γ2; Pro12Ala, rs1801282, and C1431T, rs3856806 polymorphisms), ß-adrenergic receptor gene (3ß-AR; Trp64Arg, rs4994), and Family With Sequence Similarity 13 Member A gene (FAM13A; rs1903003, rs7671167, rs2869967). This study aimed to analyze the genetic background, body fat distribution, and hypertension risk in obese metabolically healthy postmenopausal women (n = 229, including 105 lean and 124 obese subjects). Each patient underwent anthropometric and genetic evaluations. The study has shown that the highest value of BMI was associated with visceral fat distribution. The analysis of particular genotypes has revealed no differences between lean and obese women except for FAM13A rs1903003 (CC), which was more prevalent in lean patients. The co-existence of the PPAR-γ2 C1431C variant with other FAM13A gene polymorphisms [rs1903003(TT) or rs7671167(TT), or rs2869967(CC)] was related to higher BMI values and visceral fat distribution (WHR > 0.85). The co-association of FAM13A rs1903003 (CC) and 3ß-AR Trp64Arg was associated with higher values of systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). We conclude that the co-existence of FAM13A variants with C1413C polymorphism of the PPAR-γ2 gene is responsible for body fat amount and distribution.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , PPAR gamma , Humans , Female , PPAR gamma/genetics , Postmenopause/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Polymorphism, Genetic , Obesity/genetics , GTPase-Activating Proteins/genetics
3.
Clin Interv Aging ; 18: 143-155, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2292546

ABSTRACT

Purpose: We compared two different strategies providing professional coaching to administer an exercise program for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (POP): individual training (IT) at home with trainer's supervision provided by telephone contacts at regular time-intervals or group training (GT) with trainer's live supervision. Our working hypothesis was that IT is a valid alternative to GT when GT is not feasible. Patients and Methods: This was a single-blind, randomized study. We recruited 52 women with POP, without significant comorbidity, and no participation in any structured exercise program within the previous 6 months. They were assigned randomly to IT or GT groups (n = 26 each). Distribution of age (IT: 68±4, GT: 67±8 years) and body mass index (IT: 23.0±2.5, GT: 21.4±5.1) was similar between groups. Each group performed the exercise program in two 1-hour sessions per week for 18 months. Primary outcome measure was Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), as measured by the Short Osteoporosis Quality of Life Questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures focused on domains acknowledged to influence HRQoL (disability, fear of falling, weekly physical activity, physical function) or the effectiveness of the exercise program (retention, adherence, and safety). Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: No significant differences were observed between IT and GT groups for any domain. Retention, adherence, and safety were also similar. HRQoL, disability and fear of falling did not change between baseline and follow-up for either group. However, for both groups, physical function (knee flexion, shoulder mobility) and functional capacity (6-minute walking test) improved. Weekly physical activity levels increased from moderate range at baseline to intense at final assessment for both groups. Conclusion: IT and GT supervised exercise programs for women with POP provide similar effectiveness, participation and safety. Hence, both modalities should be considered for future translation in clinical practice of exercise recommendations for POP.


Subject(s)
Mentoring , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal , Osteoporosis , Humans , Female , Aged , Exercise Therapy , Quality of Life , Single-Blind Method , Postmenopause , Fear , Exercise , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/therapy
4.
Arch Osteoporos ; 18(1): 41, 2023 03 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2274274

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The burden and mechanisms of endocrine therapy-related bone loss have been studied in detail. However, there is limited data regarding cytotoxic chemotherapy's impact on bone health. There are no definitive guidelines for bone mineral density (BMD) monitoring and treatment with bone-modifying agents during cytotoxic chemotherapy. The study's primary objective was to evaluate the changes in BMD and fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) scores among breast cancer women on cytotoxic chemotherapy. METHODS: One hundred and nine newly diagnosed early and locally advanced postmenopausal breast cancer patients planned for anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy were recruited prospectively during the study period from July 2018 to December 2021. BMD of the lumbar spine, the femoral neck, and the total hip were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. BMD and FRAX scores were evaluated at baseline, end of chemotherapy, and 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 53 (45-65) years. Early and locally advanced breast cancers were seen in 34 (31.2%) and 75 (68.8%) patients, respectively. The duration of follow-up between two BMD measurements was 6 months. The percentage of decrease in BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip were - 2.36 ± 2.90, - 2.63 ± 3.79, and - 2.08 ± 2.80, respectively (P-value = 0.0001). The median risk of major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) at 10 years (FRAX score) increased from 1.7 (1.4) to 2.7% (2.4) (P-value = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This prospective study in postmenopausal breast cancer women shows a significant association of cytotoxic chemotherapy with the worsening of bone health in terms of BMD and FRAX score.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Osteoporotic Fractures , Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Bone Density , Prospective Studies , Postmenopause , Absorptiometry, Photon , Osteoporotic Fractures/epidemiology , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors
5.
BMC Urol ; 23(1): 18, 2023 Feb 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2249075

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common symptoms during menopause, leading to a decreased quality of life and limited social activities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence and associated risk factors in postmenopausal women. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study using cluster sampling on 433 postmenopausal women in Tabriz-Iran, 2021-2022. Data were collected using questionnaires of socio-demographic characteristics, Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID), and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UISF). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors related to urinary incontinence. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was 39.5%; 20.6% stress urinary incontinence (SUI), 10.4% urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and 8.5% mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of SUI (aOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.18-0.77) and UUI (aOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.94) was significantly lower in women with three childbirths than the ones with fewer childbirths. Also, the odds of UUI increased significantly in women at the 50-55 age range (aOR 3.88; 95% CI 1.16-12.93) than those less than 50 years. CONCLUSION: Due to the high prevalence of urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women, caregivers should screen for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of urinary incontinence to prevent its destructive impact on the quality of life.


Subject(s)
Urinary Incontinence, Stress , Urinary Incontinence , Female , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Quality of Life , Prevalence , Postmenopause , Urinary Incontinence/diagnosis , Urinary Incontinence/epidemiology , Urinary Incontinence, Urge/epidemiology , Urinary Incontinence, Stress/diagnosis , Urinary Incontinence, Stress/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires
6.
Expert Rev Anticancer Ther ; 23(1): 67-86, 2023 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2233031

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: While endocrine therapy is the standard-of-care adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancers, there is also extensive evidence for the role of pre-operative (or neoadjuvant) endocrine therapy (NET) in HR+ postmenopausal women. AREAS COVERED: We conducted a thorough review of the published literature, to summarize the evidence to date, including studies of how NET compares to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which NET agents are preferable, and the optimal duration of NET. We describe the importance of on-treatment assessment of response, the different predictors available (including Ki67, PEPI score, and molecular signatures) and the research opportunities the pre-operative setting offers. We also summarize recent combination trials and discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic led to increases in NET use for safe management of cases with deferred surgery and adjuvant treatments. EXPERT OPINION: NET represents a safe and effective tool for the management of postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- breast cancer, enabling disease downstaging and a wider range of surgical options. Aromatase inhibitors are the preferred NET, with evidence suggesting that longer regimens might yield optimal results. However, NET remains currently underutilised in many territories and institutions. Further validation of predictors for treatment response and benefit is needed to help standardise and fully exploit the potential of NET in the clinic.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , COVID-19 , Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods , Postmenopause , Pandemics , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use , Receptor, ErbB-2
7.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 20(3)2023 01 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2225159

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic affects women's mental health, because they are more predisposed to vulnerabilities and adverse impacts. Therefore, is important to find strategies for preventing and treating these mental health consequences in the female population. The main purposes of our study were to determine the level of social support received by peri- and postmenopausal women during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, as well as factors related to this level with reference to health status and sociodemographic variables. A total of 218 women in peri- and postmenopausal status participated in the study. The study assessed depression (Beck Depression Inventory), anxiety (the Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Scale), climacteric symptoms (the Blatt-Kupperman Index), social support (the Inventory of Social Supportive Behaviors). The majority of the respondents had a moderate level of anxiety as a state (40.8%), a low level of anxiety as a trait (51.4%), no depressive symptoms (75.2%) and no climacteric symptoms (52.3%). Age was found to significantly correlate with anxiety as a state (p = 0.036). The anxiety as state was significantly stronger in people with higher education than in people with secondary education (p = 0.019). Professionally inactive women had more emotional (p = 0.05) and appraisal (p = 0.014) support than women who work. The analysis demonstrated no statistically significant correlation between social support and depression, anxiety or climacteric symptoms (p > 0.05). The majority of peri- and postmenopausal women had no depressive symptoms and/or anxiety symptoms. Professionally inactive women had more emotional and appraisal support than women who work. The analysis demonstrated no statistically significant correlation between social support and depression, anxiety or climacteric symptoms.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Female , Humans , Depression/epidemiology , Pandemics , Postmenopause/psychology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Mental Health , Anxiety/epidemiology , Social Support
8.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci ; 77(Supplement_1): S13-S21, 2022 Dec 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2017917

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures, including stay-at-home orders, were widely instituted in the United States by March 2020. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of these measures on continuity of care among older adults living with chronic diseases. METHODS: Beginning in June 2020, participants of the national Women's Health Initiative (WHI) (N = 64 061) were surveyed on the impact of the pandemic on various aspects of their health and well-being since March 2020, including access to care appointments, medications, and caregivers. Responses received by November 2020 (response rate = 77.6%) were tabulated and stratified by prevalent chronic diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). RESULTS: Among 49 695 respondents (mean age = 83.6 years), 70.2% had a history of hypertension, 21.8% had diabetes, and 18.9% had CVD. Half of the respondents reported being very concerned about the pandemic, and 24.5% decided against seeking medical care to avoid COVID-19 exposure. A quarter reported difficulties with getting routine care, and 45.5% had in-person appointments converted to telemedicine formats; many reported canceled (27.8%) or rescheduled (37.7%) appointments. Among those taking prescribed medication (88.0%), 9.7% reported changing their method of obtaining medications. Those living with and without chronic diseases generally reported similar changes in care and medication access. CONCLUSIONS: Early in the pandemic, many older women avoided medical care or adapted to new ways of receiving care and medications. Therefore, optimizing alternative services, like telemedicine, should be prioritized to ensure that older women continue to receive quality care during public health emergencies.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cardiovascular Diseases , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Hypertension , United States/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Pandemics , Postmenopause , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Women's Health , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Hypertension/epidemiology , Continuity of Patient Care
10.
Mymensingh Med J ; 31(3): 848-850, 2022 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1919027

ABSTRACT

To develop an efficient and practical pathway to reduce the waiting list for outpatient hysteroscopy in patients with post menopausal bleeding. The clinical data was retrospectively analysed in Welsh Clinical Portal of 1339 patients who were referred for hysteroscopy as urgent suspected cancer over a period of 12 months (1st January to 31st December 2019) in Hywel DDA University Health Board in Wales, United Kingdom. A total of 1339 patients were referred for hysteroscopy over 12 months. Among them 133 patients underwent hysteroscopy for evaluation of PMB despite ET being less than 4 mm; 1.50% patients were on tamoxifen and 16.45% were on HRT. Biopsy was taken for 86.00% of patients. Among them 1.50% were reported as malignant, 72.00% benign and 9.80% as insufficient sample. Patients with PMB and ET less than 4 mm and without suspicious features on ultrasound and who are without clinical risk factors can be reviewed virtually (in virtual clinics) by consultants or senior doctor and can be discharged. They should be instructed to report back if they experience persistent bleeding and then they would need hysteroscopy for further evaluation.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Hysteroscopy , Female , Humans , Pandemics , Postmenopause , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies , Waiting Lists
13.
Women Health ; 62(3): 223-233, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1740583

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to compare the eatingt attitudes, depressive symptoms, physical activity levels, and menopausal symptoms of postmenopausal women who had been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and women without. This study utilized a case-control design and included 137 postmenopausal women, 70 women in the case group and 67 women in the control group. The case group was composed of all postmenopausal women who were registered in the COVID-19 polyclinic of a public hospital in Turkey, who had positive PCR results, and who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at least one month before. Each woman in the case group was matched by age (±1 year) with controls who visited the Family Health Center for any reason and who did not have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 disease. Data were collected using the Socio-demographic Form, the Eating Attitudes Test, the Beck Depression Inventory, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Menopause Rating Scale between the 27th of January and the 5th of March 2021. Statistical analyses included percentage distributions, arithmetic means, standard deviation, t-test in independent groups, chi-square, Cronbach's alpha reliability analysis, binary logistic regression analysis, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results showed that women who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 had the risk of experiencing postmenopausal symptoms 1.36 times more than the women without (OR = 1.36 , %95 CI 1.084-1.48, p < .001). A statistically significant difference was found between women who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and women without (F = 7.372, p < .05) in the ANCOVA model established to see the effect of depressive symptoms, physical activity levels, and eating attitudes on menopausal symptoms by eliminating the effects of smoking, age and menopause hormone therapy (MHT) use, and it explained 4.2% of the variance (È 2 = .042). This study showed that postmenopausal women who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced more menopausal symptoms. Health professionals are recommended to carefully evaluate the menopausal symptoms of postmenopausal women who had been diagnosed with COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Depression , Attitude , COVID-19/epidemiology , Case-Control Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/epidemiology , Exercise , Female , Humans , Male , Menopause , Postmenopause , Reproducibility of Results , Smoking
14.
BMJ Open ; 12(2): e053032, 2022 02 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1685589

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Determine whether augmentation of oestrogen in postmenopausal women decreases the risk of death following COVID-19. DESIGN: Nationwide registry-based study in Sweden based on registries from the Swedish Public Health Agency (all individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2); Statistics Sweden (socioeconomical variables) and the National Board of Health and Welfare (causes of death). PARTICIPANTS: Postmenopausal women between 50 and 80 years of age with verified COVID-19. INTERVENTIONS: Pharmaceutical modulation of oestrogen as defined by (1) women with previously diagnosed breast cancer and receiving endocrine therapy (decreased systemic oestrogen levels); (2) women receiving hormone replacement therapy (increased systemic oestrogen levels) and (3) a control group not fulfilling requirements for group 1 or 2 (postmenopausal oestrogen levels). Adjustments were made for potential confounders such as age, annual disposable income (richest group as the reference category), highest level of education (primary, secondary and tertiary (reference)) and the weighted Charlson Comorbidity Index (wCCI). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Death following COVID-19. RESULTS: From a nationwide cohort consisting of 49 853 women diagnosed with COVID-19 between 4 February and 14 September 2020 in Sweden, 16 693 were between 50 and 80 years of age. We included 14 685 women in the study with 11 923 (81%) in the control group, 227 (2%) women in group 1 and 2535 (17%) women in group 2. The unadjusted ORs for death following COVID-19 were 2.35 (95% CI 1.51 to 3.65) for group 1 and 0.45 (0.34 to 0.6) for group 2. Only the adjusted OR for death remained significant for group 2 with OR 0.47 (0.34 to 0.63). Absolute risk of death was 4.6% for the control group vs 10.1% and 2.1%, for the decreased and increased oestrogen groups, respectively. The risk of death due to COVID-19 was significantly associated with: age, OR 1.15 (1.14 to 1.17); annual income, poorest 2.79 (1.96 to 3.97), poor 2.43 (91.71 to 3.46) and middle 1.64 (1.11 to 2.41); and education (primary 1.4 (1.07 to 1.81)) and wCCI 1.13 (1.1 to 1.16). CONCLUSIONS: Oestrogen supplementation in postmenopausal women is associated with a decreased risk of dying from COVID-19 in this nationwide cohort study. These findings are limited by the retrospective and non-randomised design. Further randomised intervention trials are warranted.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Cohort Studies , Estrogens , Female , Humans , Postmenopause , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Sweden/epidemiology
15.
JAMA Netw Open ; 5(2): e2146461, 2022 02 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1669325

ABSTRACT

Importance: Social isolation and loneliness are increasing public health concerns and have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults. Objective: To examine the associations of social isolation and loneliness with incident CVD in a large cohort of postmenopausal women and whether social support moderated these associations. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study, conducted from March 2011 through March 2019, included community-living US women aged 65 to 99 years from the Women's Health Initiative Extension Study II who had no history of myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary heart disease. Exposures: Social isolation and loneliness were ascertained using validated questionnaires. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was major CVD, which was physician adjudicated using medical records and included coronary heart disease, stroke, and death from CVD. Continuous scores of social isolation and loneliness were analyzed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for CVD were calculated for women with high social isolation and loneliness scores (midpoint of the upper half of the distribution) vs those with low scores (midpoint of the lower half of the distribution) using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusting for age, race and ethnicity, educational level, and depression and then adding relevant health behavior and health status variables. Questionnaire-assessed social support was tested as a potential effect modifier. Results: Among 57 825 women (mean [SD] age, 79.0 [6.1] years; 89.1% White), 1599 major CVD events occurred over 186 762 person-years. The HR for the association of high vs low social isolation scores with CVD was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.13-1.23), and the HR for the association of high vs low loneliness scores with CVD was 1.14 (95% CI, 1.10-1.18). The HRs after additional adjustment for health behaviors and health status were 1.08 (95% CI, 1.03-1.12; 8.0% higher risk) for social isolation and 1.05 (95% CI, 1.01-1.09; 5.0% higher risk) for loneliness. Women with both high social isolation and high loneliness scores had a 13.0% to 27.0% higher risk of incident CVD than did women with low social isolation and low loneliness scores. Social support was not a significant effect modifier of the associations (social isolation × social support: r, -0.18; P = .86; loneliness × social support: r, 0.78; P = .48). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, social isolation and loneliness were independently associated with modestly higher risk of CVD among postmenopausal women in the US, and women with both social isolation and loneliness had greater CVD risk than did those with either exposure alone. The findings suggest that these prevalent psychosocial processes merit increased attention for prevention of CVD in older women, particularly in the era of COVID-19.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/psychology , Loneliness , Social Isolation , Social Support , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Incidence , Postmenopause , Prospective Studies , United States , Women's Health
16.
Aging (Albany NY) ; 13(18): 21903-21913, 2021 09 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1436455

ABSTRACT

The mortality rate of young female COVID-19 patients is reported to be lower than that of young males but no significant difference in mortality was found between female and male COVID-19 patients aged over 65 years, and the underlying mechanism is unknown. We retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics and outcomes of severely ill pre- and post-menopausal COVID-19 patients and compared with age-matched males. Of the 459 patients included, 141 aged ≤55, among whom 19 died (16 males vs. 3 females, p<0.005). While for patients >55 years (n=318), 115 died (47 females vs. 68 males, p=0.149). In patients ≤55 years old, the levels of NLR, median LDH, median c-reactive protein and procalcitonin were significantly higher while the median lymphocyte count and LCR were lower in male than in female (all p<0.0001). In patients over 55, these biochemical parameters were far away from related normal/reference values in the vast majority of these patients in both genders which were in contrast to that seen in the young group. It is concluded that the mortality of severely ill pre-menopausal but not post-menopausal COVID-19 female patients is lower than age-matched male. Our findings support the notion that estrogen plays a beneficial role in combating COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/mortality , Estrogens/metabolism , Menopause , Severity of Illness Index , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , COVID-19/metabolism , Female , Gender Identity , Humans , Lymphocyte Count , Male , Middle Aged , Neutrophils/metabolism , Postmenopause , Premenopause , Procalcitonin/blood , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Sex Factors
17.
BMJ Open ; 11(7): e050755, 2021 07 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1331813

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB), the red flag symptom for endometrial cancer, triggers urgent investigation by transvaginal ultrasound scan, hysteroscopy and/or endometrial biopsy. These investigations are costly, invasive and often painful or distressing for women. In a pilot study, we found that voided urine and non-invasive vaginal samples from women with endometrial cancer contain malignant cells that can be identified by cytology. The aim of the DEveloping Tests for Endometrial Cancer deTection (DETECT) Study is to determine the diagnostic test accuracy of urine and vaginal cytology for endometrial cancer detection in women with PMB. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre diagnostic accuracy study of women referred to secondary care with PMB. Eligible women will be asked to provide a self-collected voided urine sample and a vaginal sample collected with a Delphi screener before routine clinical procedures. Pairs of specialist cytologists, blinded to participant cancer status, will assess and classify samples independently, with differences settled by consensus review or involving a third cytologist. Results will be compared with clinical outcomes from standard diagnostic tests. A sample size of 2000 women will have 80% power to establish a sensitivity of vaginal samples for endometrial cancer detection by cytology of ≥85%±7%, assuming 5% endometrial cancer prevalence. The primary objective is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of urogenital samples for endometrial cancer detection by cytology. Secondary objectives include the acceptability of urine and vaginal sampling to women. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the North West-Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee (16/NW/0660) and the Health Research Authority. Results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presentation at conferences and via charity websites. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN58863784.


Subject(s)
Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Endometrial Neoplasms , Endometrial Neoplasms/diagnosis , Endometrium , Female , Humans , Pilot Projects , Postmenopause , Ultrasonography , Uterine Hemorrhage/etiology
18.
J Obstet Gynaecol Can ; 42(3): 301-303, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1291550

ABSTRACT

Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) resulting from estrogen deprivation at menopause often results in distressing vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. Fewer than 25% of affected women seek help for this condition citing embarrassment, cultural values, an aging or unavailable partner and concerns about use of estrogens following the Women's Health Initiative. Available non-hormonal treatments, such as moisturizers, while affording some relief can be messy to apply and do not prevent disease progression. A new oral selective estrogen receptor modulator, ospemifene, has been found to have strong estrogenic activity in vaginal tissues without adverse estrogenic effects at other sites.


Subject(s)
Atrophy/drug therapy , Menopause , Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/administration & dosage , Tamoxifen/analogs & derivatives , Vagina/drug effects , Vulva/drug effects , Aged , Atrophy/pathology , Dyspareunia/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Menopause/physiology , Middle Aged , Postmenopause , Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/therapeutic use , Tamoxifen/administration & dosage , Tamoxifen/therapeutic use , Vagina/pathology , Vulva/pathology , COVID-19 Drug Treatment
19.
Health Care Women Int ; 41(11-12): 1240-1254, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1263595

ABSTRACT

In this study, researchers aimed to determine exercise habits, physical activity (PA) levels and anxiety levels of postmenopausal women (PMw) during the self-quarantine period of the COVID-19 pandemic. 104 PMw (59.00 ± 6.61 years old) participated in the study. It was found that PMw who had exercise habits before the pandemic period had higher PA levels, and the women with high anxiety levels during the pandemic had lower PA levels (p < .05). Anxiety levels and PA were negatively associated with each other. Numbers of grandchildren also affected the PA and anxiety levels of the PMw negatively. Women should be encouraged to initiate or maintain PA levels in all circumstances.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Exercise/psychology , Postmenopause/psychology , Aged , Cyprus/epidemiology , Female , Habits , Humans , Mental Health , Middle Aged , Quarantine , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and Questionnaires
20.
Calcif Tissue Int ; 109(1): 1-11, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1130753

ABSTRACT

Periods of absence from supervised group exercise while maintaining physical activity might be a frequent pattern in adults' exercise habits. The aim of the present study was to determine detraining effects on musculoskeletal outcomes after a 3-month detraining period in early post-menopausal, osteopenic women. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we terminated the 18-month randomized controlled ACTLIFE exercise intervention immediately after the 13-month follow-up assessment. This put an abrupt stop to the high-intensity aerobic and resistance group exercise sessions undertaken three times per week by the exercise group (EG: n = 27) and the gentle exercise program performed once per week for the attention control group (CG: n = 27); but both groups were permitted to conduct individual outdoor activity for the 3-month lock-down period. Study endpoints were lean body mass (LBM), bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LS), maximum hip-/leg extension strength and power. Detraining-induced reductions of LBM, hip/leg strength and power (but not BMD-LS) were significantly greater (p < 0.001 to p = 0.044) compared with the CG. Significant exercise effects, i.e. differences between EG and CG, present after 13 months of exercise, were lost after 3 months of detraining for LBM (p = 0.157) and BMD-LS (p = 0.065), but not for strength (p < 0.001) and power (p < 0.001). Of note, self-reported individual outdoor activities and exercise increased by about 40% in both groups during the lock-down period. Three months' absence from a supervised group exercise protocol resulted in considerable detraining effects for musculoskeletal parameters. Thus, exercise programs for adults should be continuous rather than intermittent.Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04420806, 06.05.2020.


Subject(s)
Bone Density , Exercise , Musculoskeletal System , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal , Adult , Early Termination of Clinical Trials , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Middle Aged , Postmenopause
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