Systemic markers of collagen metabolism and vitamin C in smokers and non-smokers with pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate systemic markers of collagen metabolism and vitamin C in female smokers with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Secondary aims were to compare these levels in women based on prolapse or smoking history alone. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study with four groups: smokers with POP, non-smokers with POP, smokers without POP and non-smokers without POP. Subjects were age-matched based on smoking history and presence of POP. All underwent a fasting blood panel, including plasma procollagen 1-N propeptide (P1NP), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and vitamin C. RESULTS: Ninety-six subjects were enrolled. There were no differences for any demographics other than stage of prolapse, which was highest in non-smokers with POP. Significant variations in the levels of vitamin C and MMP-9 were noted among the four groups. Smokers with POP had lower levels of vitamin C and higher levels of MMP-9, compared to non-smokers with POP, but this relationship was not statistically significant. However, when contrasting smokers without POP to non-smokers without POP, significant differences in both vitamin C and MMP-9 were documented, confirming an impact of smoking on these markers. Notwithstanding, when evaluated independent of smoking status, vitamin C and MMP-9 levels in women with POP were similar to those of women without POP. CONCLUSION: Lower vitamin C and higher MMP-9 among smokers confirms the usefulness of such markers in documenting the smoking's impact on collagen. However, the lack of a difference based on POP suggests these are poor measures for understanding the pathophysiology of this disorder.

Clitoral size and location in relation to sexual function using pelvic MRI.

INTRODUCTION: The female sexual response is dynamic; anatomic mechanisms may ease or enhance the intensity of orgasm. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clitoral size and location with regard to female sexual function. METHODS: This cross-sectional TriHealth Institutional Board Review approved study compared 10 sexually active women with anorgasmia to 20 orgasmic women matched by age and body mass index (BMI). Data included demographics, sexual history, serum hormone levels, Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Body Exposure during Sexual Activity Questionnaire (BESAQ), and Short Form Health Survey-12. All subjects underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without contrast; measurements of the clitoris were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Our primary outcomes were clitoral size and location as measured by noncontrast MRI imaging in sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. RESULTS: Thirty premenopausal women completed the study. The mean age was 32 years (standard deviation [SD] 7), mean BMI 25 (SD 4). The majority was white (90%) and married (61%). Total PISQ-12 (P < 0.001) and total FSFI (P < 0.001) were higher for orgasmic subjects, indicating better sexual function. On MRI, the area of the clitoral glans in coronal view was significantly smaller for the anorgasmic group (P = 0.005). A larger distance from the clitoral glans (51 vs. 45 mm, P = 0.049) and body (29 vs. 21 mm, P = 0.008) to the vaginal lumen was found in the anorgasmic subjects. For the entire sample, larger distance between the clitoris and the vagina correlated with poorer scores on the PISQ-12 (r = -0.44, P = 0.02), FSFI (r = -0.43, P = 0.02), and BESAQ (r = -0.37, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Women with anorgasmia possessed a smaller clitoral glans and clitoral components farther from the vaginal lumen than women with normal orgasmic function.

Innervation and histology of the clitoral-urethal complex: a cross-sectional cadaver study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite its central role in sexual function, we lack a description of the nerve distribution and histology for the central components of the clitoris. AIM: This study aims to characterize microscopic anatomy of the clitoral-urethral complex (CUC) and aid our understanding of sexual sensation METHODS: The CUC was excised from three female fresh-frozen cadavers en bloc and prepared in 5-µm longitudinal sections with hematoxylin and eosin and S100 immunohistochemistry for neural elements. Approximately 20 sections were obtained from each specimen. On low power microscopy, the 30 most innervated fields on each section were identified. On high power, the total number of nerves per field was quantified, then was averaged. The histologic characteristics of each clitoral component were described. Two investigators evaluated all specimens. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptives of large (≥3 fibers) and small nerves based on location in the CUC. RESULTS: Nerve quantification revealed the glans to be the most populated by small nerves (52.1, standard deviation [SD] 26.2). As slices through each specimen moved caudad toward the urethra, the number of small nerves dramatically decreased from 40.4 (SD 10.8) in the body and 29.8 (SD 8.8) (superior CUC) near the bulb to 23.7 (SD 9.8) in the middle CUC and 20.5 (SD 10.4) (inferior CUC) near the urethra. Although the variation in small nerves was striking, large nerves were somewhat uniform and comprised a minority of the overall quantity. Neuroanatomy was consistent for all cadaver specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided a description of the nerve distribution throughout the central CUC. Increased density of small nerves in the glans suggests this is the location of heightened sensation. Decreasing quantity of nerves in segments closer to the urethra may indicate these zones are less important for sexual sensation. Knowledge of human clitoral innervation is important for understanding the complexities of the female sexual response cycle.

Intra-vaginal diazepam for high-tone pelvic floor dysfunction: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Intra-vaginal diazepam suppositories are commonly prescribed as a treatment option for high-tone pelvic floor myalgia. This triple-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial sought to determine if 10 mg diazepam suppositories improve resting pelvic floor electromyography (EMG) compared with placebo. METHODS: Women ≥18 years of age with hypertonic pelvic floor muscles on examination, confirmed by resting EMG ≥2.0 microvolts (µv), administered vaginal suppositories containing either diazepam or placebo for 28 consecutive nights. Outcomes included vaginal surface EMG (four measurements), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Short Form Health Survey 12 (SF-12), four visual analog scales (VAS), the Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S), and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). A priori sample size calculation indicated that 7 subjects in each group could detect a 2-µv difference in resting EMG tone with 90% power. RESULTS: Twenty-one subjects were enrolled. The mean age was 36.1 (SD 13.9) years, mean body mass index was 28.56 (SD 9.4), and the majority (85.7%) was Caucasian. When evaluating response to therapy, no difference was seen in any of the resting vaginal EMG assessments at any time point within subjects or between groups, nor was an interaction found. Additionally, no differences were noted in any of the validated questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: When used nightly over 4 weeks, 10 mg of vaginal diazepam was not associated with improvement in resting EMG parameters or subjective outcomes compared with placebo. This suggests such that therapy alone may be insufficient in treating high-tone pelvic floor dysfunction.

Attitudes and compliance with research requirements in OB/GYN residencies: a national survey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires that all Ob/Gyn residents accomplish scholarly activity. We hypothesize resident productivity is poor. METHODS: This was a web-based two-survey study using SurveyMonkey®. Surveys queried both program directors and residents regarding their adherence to ACGME guidelines. All 233 accredited Ob/Gyn programs were targeted. RESULTS: 70 program directors responded (30.4%). The majority (99%) felt research was a goal of their program and stated their residents are taught to read current literature (99%), design basic studies (99%), and interpret simple statistics (89%). 17% (53/313) of the residents did not agree that their training environment promoted research, 25% did not feel comfortable discussing basic study designs, and 54% did not feel comfortable interpreting basic statistics. Urban programs demonstrated improved resident attitudes toward research (p = 0.025), better research environments (p = 0.007) and curricula (p = 0.001) compared to rural programs. Furthermore, residents intending to pursue an academic career were more likely to be working with a research mentor (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The ACGME clearly delineates residency research requirements. A dichotomy exists between program director perception and resident compliance. Notwithstanding, it is reassuring that the majority of programs appear to promote scholarly activity and provide necessary support.