Management of adnexal masses in pregnancy: our experience from a tertiary referral perinatal centre in South India.

PURPOSE: Adnexal masses in pregnancy are often incidentally detected during sonography and most resolve spontaneously by early second trimester. This study aimed to look at the prevalence and management of adnexal masses in pregnancy at a tertiary care referral perinatal hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all women with adnexal masses (excluding ectopic gestations and non-gynaecological lesions) identified pre-pregnancy or during pregnancy (antepartum/intrapartum) from January 2006 to August 2013 at the study institute. RESULTS: The study identified 252 women (0.6, 95 %, CI: 0.5, 0.7) with adnexal masses and mean (SD range) age of 27.1 (4.21, 18-39) years. Majority (80 %) of the masses were diagnosed incidentally. 170 (67.5 %) women were offered conservative management and cysts resolved in half of them. 87 (34.5 %) women had adnexal surgery and 15.1 % were operated during the antepartum period because of persistent abdominal pain or suspicious sonographic findings. Three (1.2 %) malignancies and five (2.0 %) borderline ovarian tumours were diagnosed on histopathological examination. 16 (6.3 %) women were lost to follow-up antenatally. Pregnancy carried to term in 175 (69.4 %) women. Perinatal mortality rate was 31.1/1,000 total births (caused by prematurity). Complications encountered were torsion (7.1 %), malignancy (1.2 %), rupture (0.4 %) and infection (0.4 %). CONCLUSION: Although conservative management was appropriate in the majority of cases, the study identifies the need to standardize diagnosis, investigations and management for a better evaluation of outcomes.

Quality of life and marital adjustment after cognitive behavioural therapy and behavioural marital therapy in couples with anxiety disorders.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders may affect nearly one in four persons and may cause significant impairment of interpersonal relationships including marital relationships. The effect of the disorder on the spouse and the impact of including the spouse in therapy are not well studied. AIM: To determine if Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) improves the quality of life of participants with anxiety disorders and if marital adjustment of couples with anxiety disorders can be improved with Behavioural Marital Therapy (BMT), relative to standard care of pharmacotherapy and psychoeducation. METHODS: An open label randomised controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to CBT+BMT or standard of care. Final assessments were carried out at 3.5 months after baseline. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-Bref instrument and Marital adjustment was measured using a marital quality scale. Chi-square test, student's t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Effect sizes with Cohen's d were used to compare differences between groups. RESULTS: Clinically meaningful effect sizes for the CBT+ BMT intervention were evident for the marital adjustment scores among participants (d=0.63) and their spouses (d=1.29), and for the psychological (d=0.84), social (d=0.72) and environmental (d=0.52) domains of the WHOQOL of participants and psychological (d=0.86), social (d=0.32) and environmental domains (d=1.01) of the WHOQOL of spouses of participants. CONCLUSION: CBT for the partner with anxiety disorder and BMT for couples with anxiety disorders and marital discord and involvement of the spouse in the therapy will be a useful addition to the management of a couple where one partner has an anxiety disorder.

Implications of the revised consensus body mass indices for asian indians on clinical obstetric practice.

BACKGROUND: The body mass index (BMI) categories for Asian Indians has been revised based on consensus guidelines. The revised guidelines categorize overweight as a BMI of 23.0 - 24.9 and obesity as a BMI≥25. AIM: To determine the change in prevalence of overweight and obese pregnant women, and maternal and fetal associations with overweight and obese pregnant women classified using the revised consensus guidelines for BMI in Asian Indians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of case records of pregnant women between January 2010 and December 2012 at a tertiary care institute in India. BMI was classified using the revised consensus guidelines for Asian Indians and the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The strength and direction of associations with maternal and fetal outcomes was explored with a multivariate regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity increased from 11.81% with the WHO criteria to 43.11% with the revised consensus guidelines and led to the re-classification of 1,345 (18.47%) pregnant women from a low risk category to a high risk category.Gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes and large for gestational age babies was associated with overweight or obesity (both Indian and WHO guidelines). Obesity (both Indian and WHO guidelines) was also significantly associated with caesarean sections (adjusted OR 1.23 and 1.51 respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of the revised guidelines led to a larger classification of high risk Asian Indian pregnant women. Retention of adverse associations of overweight and obesity support adoption of the revised guidelines in obstetric management of Asian Indians.

The impact of labour epidural analgesia on the childbirth expectation and experience at a tertiary care center in southern India.

BACKGROUND: Labour epidural analgesia is increasingly used as a means of pain relief for women during labour and delivery. The significant pain during labour and delivery can be terrifying for mothers-to-be and the prospect of relief from pain can help reduce fear of childbirth to an extent. However, it is not necessary that reduced fear of childbirth may lead to an increased satisfaction with the childbirth experience. AIM: To determine the influence of labour epidural analgesia (LEA) on the experience of childbirth in pregnant women at a tertiary care center in southern India Materials and Methods: A pre-post interventional non-randomized study design at a tertiary care perinatal institute that used the Wijma Delivery Expectation and Experience questionnaires to determine baseline expectations of labour and childbirth and the actual experience in pregnant women. Labour analgesia was provided on maternal request or demand. Total and domain scores were compared between the two groups using non-parametric tests and a generalized linear repeated measures model after adjusting for factors that were found significant in the bivariate model. RESULTS: The study included 235 pregnant women who opted for LEA and 219 pregnant women who opted against LEA. Overall, 37 (15.74%) of woman with LEA and 30 (13.70%) of women without LEA had a worse than expected experience of childbirth. Significant pain relief (p<0.001) was provided with LEA, however, the post-delivery scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (F=0.90, p=0.34) in a generalized linear repeated measures model. CONCLUSION: Maternal satisfaction with the process of childbirth is a complex dynamic that is not limited to the significant relief from pain provided by LEA.

Type of conception and outcomes in women with singleton pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: An estimated 4.9 million women in India are infertile. If we add secondary infertility to these estimates, the number of infertile couples in India may rise to 17.9 million. Increased use of assisted conception services and information on outcomes after assisted conceptions are useful, to appropriately counsel women who utilize such services. AIM: To determine as to whether outcomes of pregnancy differ between assisted conceptions and natural conceptions in pregnant women with singleton foetuses. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective observational study done a single tertiary care centre in southern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included pregnant women with singleton gestations, who delivered at the study institute in 2012. Assisted conception was considered to include all invasive and non-invasive methods like ovulation induction (OI), Intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytopalsmic sperm injection (ICSI). Outcomes of interest included gestational age at delivery, birth weight, small for gestational age babies, still births, neonatal deaths and caesarean sections. Point estimates and the 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) around point estimates of associations with assisted conceptions and outcomes were determined by using bivariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: This study included 6,712 women who were pregnant with a singleton foetus, including 460 (6.85%, 95% CI: 6.27, 7.48) women who conceived with assistance Women who conceived with assistance were more likely to be older (p<0.001), nulliparous (p<0.001), who had a higher prevalence of obesity (p<0.001), pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (p=0.009), gestational diabetes (p<0.001) and pre-pregnancy hypothyroidism (p<0.001) in this population. Assisted conceptions were not significantly associated with small for gestational age babies (p=0.09), still births (p=0.56), or neonatal deaths (p=0.89). Assisted conceptions were associated with a higher incidence of caesarean sections (adjusted OR: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.11-1.70) in a multivariate logistic regression model. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for differences in maternal characteristics, pregnant women with singleton foetuses, who conceived with assistance, had similar outcomes, except for higher caesarean section rates, as compared to women who conceived naturally.

Pre-eclampsia (PE) and Chorionicity in Women with Twin Gestations.

BACKGROUND: Pre-Eclampsia (PE) affects 6-31% of pregnant women with multiple gestations. There are conflicting reports on the association of PE with Chorionicity and zygosity; however, there is a lack of information on this potential association in a population of pregnant Asian Indian women. AIM: To determine as to whether chorionicity and zygosity were associated with PE in a population of Asian Indian women with twin gestations. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was done at a single tertiary care centre in Southern India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included pregnant women with twin gestations, who was delivered at the study institute in 2012. Hypertension in pregnancy was categorized, based on the criteria of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy. Chorionicity was determined by using ultrasonography and zygosity was determined, based on clinical criteria. Point estimates and the 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) around point estimates of PE and associations of chorionicity and zygosity with PE were determined by using bivariate analysis, logistic regression models and area under Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: This study included 208 women with twin gestations. The incidence of PE in dichorionic twin gestations was 13.17% (n=22, 95% CI: 8.66, 18.96), it was 4.87% (n=2, 95% CI: 0.83, 15.19) in monochorionic twin gestations, it was 16.36% (n=9, 95% CI: 8.29, 27.91) in dizygous twin gestations and it was 4.88% (n=2, 95% CI: 0.83, 15.19) in monozygous twin gestations. Neither chorionicity (adjusted OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 0.55, 12.19) nor zygosity (adjusted OR 2.72, 95% CI: 0.49, 15.13) were associated with PE In a multivariate logistic regression model. CONCLUSION: Although it was not statistically significant, the clinical incidence of PE was higher in dichorionic and dizygous twin gestations.

Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness in Bhutan.

AIM: To conduct a rapid assessment of avoidable blindness survey in Bhutan to obtain estimates of blindness, visual impairment, and cataract surgical coverage, outcomes and barriers among persons ≥50 years old. METHODS: A total of 82 clusters of 50 people ≥50 years were selected using probability proportionate to size sampling. Eligible participants were selected from households using compact segment sampling, and underwent ophthalmic examination for visual acuity, followed by penlight and direct ophthalmoscopy. Participants with cataract were interviewed regarding surgical outcomes and barriers to surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 4046 of 4100 persons enumerated (98.7%) underwent ophthalmic examination. Adjusting for age and sex, the prevalence of bilaterally blind persons with available correction was 1.5% (95% confidence interval 1.09-1.89). Most blindness (67.1%) and severe visual impairment (74.1%) resulted from cataract, but 22.1% resulted from posterior segment pathology. Cataract surgical coverage for bilaterally blind persons was 72.7%. Almost 90% of patients reported moderate or good satisfaction, despite poor surgical outcomes in 23.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of blindness in people aged ≥50 years in Bhutan was relatively low when compared with neighboring countries and World Health Organization sub-region estimates. Areas for improvement include community outreach, surgical outcomes, and posterior segment diseases.

Outcomes of pregnancy in women who had rescue cerclage for cervical insufficiency: a single-center retrospective study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome of pregnancies in women with rescue cerclage for cervical insufficiency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all women who underwent rescue cerclage between 2002 and 2011 at an advanced tertiary care perinatal institute in India was conducted. Data retrieved from medical records was used to explore potential associations with prolongation of pregnancy beyond 28 weeks. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) gestational age at cerclage was 21.9 (2.7) weeks for the 74 women in the study. The McDonald technique was the preferred method for rescue cerclage (91.9%). All women received antibiotics; tocolytics were used in 35.1% and progesterones in 62.2% of women. The mean prolongation of pregnancy was 7.4 weeks with 42.0% women delivering after 28 weeks and 30.4% after 34 weeks. The take-home-baby rate was 50.7% (95% confidence interval: 38.7-62.6%). Postoperative vaginal infection was present in 16.2% of women, preterm premature rupture of membranes in 31.1% of women and neonatal sepsis in 5.8% of neonates. Cerclage placement after 20 weeks and negative pathogenic organisms in vaginal swab culture were significantly associated with delivery beyond 28 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Although half of the women had successful pregnancy outcomes after rescue cerclage, pregnancy extended from previability to prematurity in most of them.

Pseudoexfoliation in southern India: the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study.

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation (PXF) and its associations with ocular diseases in a south Indian population. METHODS: This was a population-based, cross-sectional epidemiologic study in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh (AP). A total of 10,293 subjects of all ages from one urban and three rural areas representative of the population of AP were interviewed and underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. PXF was diagnosed on slit lamp biomicroscopy by the presence of white dandruff-like material in the pupillary margin, on the trabecular meshwork, and/or on the anterior lens capsule of one or both eyes. RESULTS: The age-gender-area-adjusted overall prevalence of PXF was 0.69% (95% CI: 0.53-0.86). The prevalence of PXF increased with increasing age: 3.01% (95% CI: 2.45-3.80), in those 40 years of age or older, and 6.28% (95% CI: 4.80-7.76), in those 60 years of age or older. The prevalence of PXF was significantly higher among people whose occupation involved outdoor activities (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% CI: 1.10-4.16). After adjustment for age, the prevalence of PXF was significantly higher in those with nuclear cataract (adjusted OR, 2.00; 95% CI: 1.13-3.54). PXF was significantly associated with blindness (adjusted OR, 2.19; 95% CI: 1.16-4.13). Fifteen (20.5%; 95% CI: 11.20-29.80) of those with PXF were blind, with age-adjusted relative risk (RR) = 4.25 (95% CI: 4.01-4.51). Unilateral blindness (41.2%; 95% CI: 29.81-52.39) and visual impairment (45.21%; 95% CI: 34.29-57.13) were also more common with PXF. Four subjects (5.5%; 95% CI: 0.27-10.2) of those with PXF had glaucoma. The prevalence of PXF in those with glaucoma was 4.2%; (95% CI: 0.17-8.23). In general linear models, the estimated mean +/- SE of IOP with glaucoma and PXF was 24.14 +/- 1.41 mm Hg and was 18.94 +/- 0.26 mm Hg with glaucoma in the absence of PXF; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The association of PXF with blindness and aging has public health implications for India. This is especially so considering the burden of cataract with aging and the association of PXF with cataract as well as complications of cataract surgery. The diagnosis of PXF may also be important in the management of glaucoma in this population.

The impact of visual impairment on functional vision of children in rural South India: the Kariapatti Pediatric Eye Evaluation Project.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of visual impairment on functional vision of children in a rural population of south India. METHODS: A visual function questionnaire (LVP-VFQ) was administered to 1194 children aged 7 to 15 years identified through a systematic random sampling technique from 144 hamlets of Kariapatti in rural south India as part of a larger population-based project. Visual acuity estimations and clinical examinations for morbidity were performed in these 1194 children. A Rasch analysis was performed to validate the use of the instrument in this population. Bootstrap estimates (95% confidence intervals) of the regression coefficients were used to compare visual function scores between children with normal sight and children with uncorrected monocular and binocular visual impairment. RESULTS: The mean age of children was 10.3 +/- 2.1 years. The reliability estimates were 0.82 for person ability and 0.88 for item difficulty parameters, according to the Rasch analysis. A separation index of 2.15 was obtained for person measures and 2.74 for item measures, and the mean square infit and outfit statistics were 1.03 (Z(STD) 0.1) and 0.99 (Z(STD) -0.1), respectively. Children with monocular visual impairment (bootstrap estimate [95%CI] -0.05 [-0.08 to -0.01]) and binocular visual impairment (bootstrap estimate [95%CI] -0.09 [-0.11 to -0.07]) were more likely to have functional visual deficits than were normally sighted peers. CONCLUSIONS: Monocular or binocular visual impairment impacts on the functional vision of children in this rural population. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of treatment of visual impairment on functional vision in children of this population.