Petit-Morel method for hip development dysplasia in toddlers: A retrospective observational study in 34 patients.

BACKGROUND: The Petit-Morel method allows the treatment of developmental hip dysplasia in toddlers by combining gradual traction to achieve reduction followed by immobilisation during which pelvic osteotomy is performed. The objective of this study was to assess the radiographic and clinical outcomes in a retrospective cohort of patients. HYPOTHESIS: The Petit-Morel method is associated with low rates of avascular necrosis and residual acetabular dysplasia at skeletal maturity, as well as with satisfactory medium-term clinical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a single-centre retrospective study of 34 patients (35 hips) treated between 1997 and 2014. The radiological assessment criteria included an evaluation for avascular necrosis classified according to Kalamchi and MacEwan, the vertical centre edge (VCE) angle, femoral head sphericity according to Mose, and acetabular dysplasia at skeletal maturity according to Severin. Hip function was assessed by determining the Postel-Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) score. RESULTS: Mean age at treatment was 19±4 months (range, 14-29). Mean follow-up was 11 years (range, 5-20). There were two failures including one case of recurrent dislocation requiring surgical reduction. Group II avascular necrosis occurred in 1 (3%) patient. Tönnis Grade IV dysplasia was significantly associated with resolving irregularity of the ossification centre, seen in 19 (54%) cases (p=0.002). In the 18 patients followed-up to skeletal maturity, with a mean follow-up of 15 years (range, 12-20 years), 17 hips were Severin Class I. The mean VCE angle was 29° (range, 15°-38°), and the head was spherical for 34 (98%) hips. The PMA score at last follow-up was excellent (17-18). The mean VCE angle was greater in all 5 patients who experienced pain during long walks (35° [range, 32°-37°]) than in the asymptomatic patients (28° [range, 15°-38°]) (p=0.009). DISCUSSION: The Petit-Morel method is a reliable treatment that provides good clinical and radiological outcomes. Overcorrection of the VCE angle was noted in the patients who experienced walking-related pain in adulthood. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective observational cohort study.

One, No One and One Hundred Thousand: Patterns of chronic prostatic inflammation and infection.

Chronic prostatic inflammation may be classified into three types that share similar symptoms and are distinguished on the basis of microbiological findings. In the present study, consecutive cases of chronic prostatic inflammation and infection were retrospectively reviewed in order to explore the clinical course and long-term outcomes. The cohort consisted of patients with symptoms of prostatitis who visited the Urology Clinic of the Tzaneion Hospital (Piraeus, Greece) between March 2009 and March 2019. The patients were subjected to the Meares and Stamey '4-glass' test and patients with febrile prostatitis were evaluated with a single mid-stream 'clean' urine sample culture. Bacterial identification was performed using the Vitek 2 Compact system and the sensitivity test with the disc and the Vitek 2 system. A total of 656 patients with prostatitis-like symptoms with 1,783 visits for investigation and follow-up were reviewed and patients were divided into two major groups. Group 1 consisted of 549 cases with a single set of chronic prostatitis (CP)-like symptoms assessed in up to three visits. National Institutes of Health (NIH) category II CP (NIH-II) was most frequently diagnosed in those patients (37,6%). At the follow-up, 125 patients were identified as having a type of CP different from that determined initially. Group 2 (107 cases) had recurring episodes of prostatitis-like symptoms assessed or confirmed over the course of 4-18 visits. Most patients (54.2%) were initially diagnosed with NIH-II followed by disease-free periods and recurrence/reinfection or by shifts to NHI-IIIB. In conclusion, CP remains a poorly understood n medical condition characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations and by transitions between different CP classes during its course.

Prostatic calcifications are associated with a more severe symptom burden in men with type II chronic bacterial prostatitis.

INTRODUCTION/AIM: Although prostatic calculi/calcifications are encountered frequently in the urological practice, little is known about the incidence of such lesions, their mechanism of formation, their relationship to other prostate conditions and their clinical significance. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics and to investigate the clinical significance of prostatic calcifications (PCs) in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted between 01/02/2013 and 20/02/2018. The patient population for this study included subjects with or without PCs and a confirmed diagnosis of NIH category II Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis (CBP). Demographics and clinical history of each assessed patient were reviewed. Eligible patients underwent prostatic ultrasound with post-void residual measurement, and the Meares-Stamey "4-glass" test. Symptom severity was measured using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS). Antimicrobials were administered to confirmed cases of CBP according to the results of susceptibility tests. After four weeks off-therapy, the NIH-CPSI and IPSS tests were repeated. Variables were compared between patients with and without prostatic calcifications. RESULTS: Ninety-five CBP patients were included in the study. According to the presence of PCs detected by ultrasound examination, patients were divided into two groups: 41 had PCs (group 1) and 54 didn't (group 2). No significant between-group baseline differences were found regarding age, marital status, prostate volume, the proportion of common CBP pathogens. Concerning highrisk sexual behavior, a significantly higher number of men with PCs practiced anal penetration. Moreover, a significantly higher number of men with PCs had a history of chronic prostatitis relapsing episodes. Microbiological eradication and the complete resolution of clinical symptoms occurred in similar proportions between the two groups. However, intergroup analysis resulted in significantly higher scores of the NIH-CPSI test in group 1, both at the pre-therapy and at the post-therapy time points. Conversely, no IPSS score differences between groups 1 and 2 were found at both pre- and post-therapy time points. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic calcifications do not seem to influence the microbiological outcome of antibacterial treatment. However, the CBP symptoms appear to be more severe in carriers of prostatic calcifications, either before or after antibacterial therapy.

FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION (FSD) IN WOMEN HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

PURPOSE: The main aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence and severity of FSD in women working in tertiary hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample was drawn from health care women between the ages of 20 and 65 years, working in two hospitals in Greece. This descriptive study used a structured Greek questionnaire and sexual function screener and quality of life sectors were consisted of rated scale questions. Eighty eight questionnaires were returned properly completed. The statistical analysis used the SPSS statistical program. RESULTS: Female sexual dysfunction is a highly prevalent health issue whose exact incidence is not well defined. Factors that can contribute to female sexual dysfunction may be psychogenic, physical, mixed or unknown. Each of these factors consists of individual components that influence the sexual response; however their precise impact in FSD development and progression is unknown. Moreover, the role of circadian rhythm disorders (especially that of shift work sleep disorder) to the development and progression of FSD has been poorly investigated. CONCLUSION: Working environment and patterns of work schedules may play a role in FSD however it has been difficult to specify in what extent they contribute to FSD development.

Dietary intake in immigrant Arabian pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the intake of dietary micronutrients of immigrant Arabian pregnant women in Greece, in order to investigate the possible factors influencing food intake and affecting the overall nutritional profile. METHODS: A dietary assessment of 497 immigrant Arabian pregnant women, admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Outpatient Clinic, Tzaneion General Hospital, Piraeus city, Vyronas Health Center, and Alexandras General Hospital, Athens, Greece was performed between August 2002 and August 2005, along with a comparison of micronutrient intake with the latest dietary recommendations. We carried out blood analysis, and measurements of serum micronutrients in all participants. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-seven out of 497 (94%) women followed the traditional Arabian diet, and did not use drug medication or supplements during gestation. The mean dietary intakes of vitamin E, vitamin B12, vitamin C, zinc, calcium and phosphorus in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters were similar to the respective values of the Dietary Reference Intake, while the mean dietary intake of vitamin D was relatively low. The mean intakes of folic acid and iron were lower than the respective values, while the mean intakes of vitamin A and magnesium was slightly higher. The results of the laboratory tests were normal in 470 women (94.5%) except those regarding iron deficiency anemia, which was relatively common. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that apart from iron and folic acid supplementation, no further changes would be necessary in the dietary patterns of immigrant Arabian pregnant women, since their traditional nutritional habits seem to provide all micronutrients in sufficient quantities.