Clinical validation of a model predicting the risk of preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVES: To validate a model predicting the risk of threatened preterm delivery and to establish the optimal threshold for this risk scoring system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cohorts were studied: one of singleton pregnancies without preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and no cervical cerclage (cohort 1) and one of twin pregnancies without PPROM and no cervical cerclage (cohort 2). Patients were included from January 1st 2013 until December 31st 2013 by the Regional Perinatal Network of Ile de France with patients transferred because of threatened preterm delivery at 22 to 32 weeks of gestation. The individual probability of delivery within 48 hours of admission was calculated using the nomogram for every patient. Discrimination and calibration of the nomogram as well as the optimal threshold were determined using R studio. RESULTS: The nomogram accurately predicted obstetric outcome. Discrimination and calibration were excellent, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 (95% CI 0.86-0.90) for cohort 1 and 0.73 (95% CI 0.66-0.80) for cohort 2. The optimal threshold would be 15% for cohort 1 and 10% for cohort 2. Using these thresholds, the performance characteristics of the nomogram were: sensitivity 80% (cohort 1) and 69% (cohort 2), negative predictive value 94.8% (cohort 1) and 91.3% (cohort 2). Use of the nomogram would avoid 253 unnecessary transfers in cohort 1. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram was efficient and clinically relevant in our high risk population. A threshold set at 15% would help minimize the risk of preterm deliveries in singleton pregnancies and should reduce unnecessary, costly and stressful in utero transfer.

Group A Streptococcus endometritis following medical abortion.

Medical abortion is not recognized as a high-risk factor for invasive pelvic infection. Here, we report two cases of group A Streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) endometritis following medical abortions with a protocol of oral mifepristone and misoprostol.

Students' views on the impact of two pedagogical tools for the teaching of breast and pelvic examination techniques (video-clip and training model): a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the views and experience of undergraduate medical students concerning two methods used in the teaching of pelvic and breast examinations: a video clip and a training model. STUDY DESIGN: Following the teaching sessions, the students (n=79; female 67%; median age 20; students' grade level: 2nd study year (87%) and 3rd study year (13%)) completed a satisfaction questionnaire, which included items related to the pedagogical value of these two different types of tool. RESULTS: Most of the students ranked their own satisfaction in each teaching session as either very satisfied or satisfied: the median rating was 3 or 4 for each item. For their satisfaction with the pedagogical tools, in terms of the degree to which they contributed toward practical knowledge of the examination procedures, the students rated the video clip with a higher degree of satisfaction than the training model, for both breast (very satisfied 73% vs. 40%, satisfied 27% vs. 43%, unsatisfied 0% vs. 7% (P<0.001)) and pelvic examinations (very satisfied 57% vs. 33%, satisfied 39% vs. 66%, unsatisfied 4% vs. 1% (P<0.004), respectively. CONCLUSION: Teaching sessions for pelvic and breast examination, which make combined use of videos and training models, are associated with a high degree of satisfaction from students in their 2nd or 3rd student's year.