Global health systems strengthening: FIGO's strategic view on reducing maternal and newborn mortality worldwide.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that successful health systems strengthening (HSS) projects have addressed disparities and inequities in maternal and perinatal care in low-income countries. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review covered the period between 1980 and 2022, focusing on successful HSS interventions within health systems' seven core components that improved maternal and perinatal care. RESULTS: The findings highlight the importance of integrating quality interventions into robust health systems, as this has been shown to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. However, several challenges, including service delivery gaps, poor data use, and funding deficits, continue to hinder the delivery of quality care. To improve maternal and newborn health outcomes, a comprehensive HSS strategy is essential, which should include infrastructure enhancement, workforce skill development, access to essential medicines, and active community engagement. CONCLUSION: Effective health systems, leadership, and community engagement are crucial for a comprehensive HSS approach to catalyze progress toward universal health coverage and global improvements in maternal and newborn health.

Consensus on Current Landscape and Treatment Trends of Obesity in India for Primary Care Physicians.

Objectives: The objective of this consensus article was to form a list of expert recommendations and an easily adaptable algorithm for obesity management in India by primary care physicians (PCPs). Methods: A Delphi-based model was followed to form a list of the consensus recommendations. Consensus statements were created from the results of a literature review that were graded as per the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) criteria. After being evaluated by an expert panel comprising diabetologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, bariatric surgeons, and gynecologists, the statements were revised and reevaluated by a larger group of practitioners, including PCPs and diabetologists, to arrive at a consensus. Results: The panel opined that obesity is increasing in prevalence in India and is projected to rise in the coming years. Body mass index and waist circumference were both recommended for better identification of people at risk of obesity-related comorbidities than either of them alone. The Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) was suggested as being most suitable for the assessment (staging) of obesity. A multidisciplinary team was considered invaluable for assessing and managing patients with obesity. The use of once-a-week semaglutide (2.4 mg) via the subcutaneous route was suggested as the first-choice anti-obesity treatment when pharmacotherapy is deemed necessary. An algorithm considering all these aspects was proposed. Conclusion: Obesity needs to be recognized as a significant contributor to other comorbidities. The diagnosis and management of obesity should be comprehensive and consider patient psychology, the presence or absence of comorbidities, available pharmacologic agents, and long-term outcomes. The proposed algorithm could help clinicians in this aspect and improve the overall outcomes. How to cite this article: Deshpande NR, Kapoor N, Dalal JJ, et al. Consensus on Current Landscape and Treatment Trends of Obesity in India for Primary Care Physicians. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(10):69-77.

Oocyte Cryopreservation - Current Scenario and Future Perspectives: A Narrative Review.

Oocyte cryopreservation is a boon for women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. With the evolution in the technique of cryopreservation over the last three decades, there has been an exponential rise in the number of oocyte cryopreservation cycles for diverse indications. Apart from cancer patients, it has also been promoted as a mode of fertility insurance to overcome the age-related decline in fertility as well as post-surgical decline following endometriosis surgery. The objective of the review is to evaluate its clinical applications, ideal age at freezing, optimal oocyte number, freezing method of choice, efficacy, safety and recent advances. In the last decade, vitrification has surpassed slow freezing for oocyte cryopreservation. Although closed system of vitrification provides the aseptic environment, open vitrification is commonly followed in practice. Early to mid-thirties is a reasonable age group for planned oocyte cryopreservation, although it might be recommended at a younger age, in patients with diminished ovarian reserve. The patients should be motivated to preserve around 14-20 mature oocytes for successful live birth. Various studies have shown comparable fertilisation and pregnancy rates between Intracytoplasmic sperm injection with fresh and frozen-thawed oocytes. The available evidence has shown no increase in the incidence of congenital abnormalities in babies born through vitrified oocytes. In the future, image analysis using artificial intelligence, and spindle visualisation using poloscope may further enhance the outcome of oocyte cryopreservation.

Comparative Analysis of Surgically Retrieved Sperms in Cases of Obstructive and Nonobstructive Azoospermia Treated for Infertility.

BACKGROUND: Azoospermia is a highly evolving subject in the last few decades. In the past, use of donor sperm was the only option providing a realistic chance of conception for couples affected by azoospermia. Introduction of sperm retrieval techniques and assisted reproductive technologies, especially intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), has provided these men a chance to father their genetically own child and changed the management approach significantly. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the sperm retrieval rate (SRR) and ICSI outcomes of surgically retrieved sperms in cases of obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) as well as to evaluate the efficacy of sperm retrieval techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of sixty azoospermic patients were included in the study. The patients were divided between OA (16) and NOA groups (44). A retrospective outcome analysis was done on SRR and ICSI results among them. RESULTS: The overall SRR in patients with NOA and OA was 47.7% and 100%, respectively (P < 0.001). On subgroup analysis, higher serum follicle-stimulating hormone has shown significantly decreased sperm retrieval. The size of testes was not found to be related to sperm retrieval. Fertilization and embryo formation rate were found to be higher in OA cases in comparison to those of NOA cases. Clinical pregnancy rate showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Various sperm retrieval techniques can provide new dimensions for successful ICSI and managing azoospermia patients. Although SRRs as well as ICSI outcomes are lower in NOA patients than patients with OA, still they are potentially fertile. A systematic approach especially in patients with NOA is an important step. Microdissection testicular sperm extraction is an attractive option for NOA patients in order to increase the chances of successful sperm retrieval.

Effectiveness and Safety of Camylofin in Augmentation of Labor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness and safety of camylofin compared with other antispasmodics (drotaverine, hyoscine, valethamate, phloroglucinol, and meperidine) in labor augmentation. A systematic literature search until March 27, 2018, was performed, and data on the cervical dilatation rate (CDR) and duration of stages of labor reported in 39 eligible articles were analyzed using a random-effects model. CDR was significantly higher (0.38 cm/h, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10 to 0.67, p = 0.007), and the duration of the first stage of labor was significantly shorter (- 41.21 minutes, 95% CI, - 77.19 to - 5.22, p = 0.02) in women receiving camylofin than those receiving other antispasmodics for labor augmentation. CDR was significantly higher with camylofin compared with valethamate (0.6 cm/h, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9, p < 0.0001) and hyoscine (20 mg) (0.5 cm/h, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.8, p = 0.02). The duration of the first stage of labor was significantly shorter with camylofin compared with hyoscine (20 mg) (- 59.9 min, 95% CI, - 117.9 to - 1.8, p = 0.04). However, CDR and the duration of first stage of labor were not statistically different between camylofin and drotaverine groups. The percentage of women having nausea and vomiting, cervical/vaginal tear, and postpartum hemorrhage were comparable with all antispasmodics, whereas tachycardia was least reported in women receiving camylofin (3, 2.07%) than those receiving other antispasmodics. This meta-analysis demonstrated the benefit of camylofin in labor augmentation with a faster CDR and reduction in the active first stage of labor in Indian women.

Hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with primary infertility and septate uterus: reproductive performance after surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess reproductive performance in women with septate uterus and otherwise unexplained infertility after hysteroscopic metroplasty. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 72 women with septate uterus and otherwise unexplained primary infertility were included in the study. All of the women underwent hysteroscopic septal resection. Reproductive performance of these women within one year of surgery was studied and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-three women (45.83%) conceived within one year of surgery. Only 4 women (12%) had spontaneous abortions, and only 5 (15%) had preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with septate uterus significantly improves reproductive outcomes.

Reproductive performance after hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with primary infertility and septate uterus.

BACKGROUND: There is enough evidence in the literature to support that removal of septum improves pregnancy rates in women with bad obstetric history. However, its role in patients with otherwise unexplained infertility is still not clear due to paucity of enough evidence. OBJECTIVE: To assess reproductive performance in women with septate uterus and otherwise unexplained infertility after hysteroscopic metroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 72 women with septate uterus and otherwise unexplained primary infertility were included in the study. All these women underwent hysteroscopic septal resection. Reproductive performance of these women within one year of surgery was studied and analysed. RESULT: 33 women (45.83%) conceived within one year of surgery. Only 4 women (12%) had spontaneous abortions and only 5 (15%) had preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with septate uterus significantly improves the reproductive performance.

Role of hysteroscopy prior to assisted reproductive techniques.

BACKGROUND: There have been numerous advances in the area of assisted reproduction. Among the various reasons of implantation failure, intrauterine lesions play an important role. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of hysteroscopy prior to any assisted reproductive technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study of 292 women who attended our infertility clinic over a period of 18 months, who had a variable number of failed IVF cycles previously. RESULTS: Out of the 292 women studied, in 74 women, that is 25%, intrauterine pathology was detected, which when rectified by hysteroscopy, gave a considerable increase in pregnancy rate. CONCLUSION: According to this study it can be concluded that evaluating the uterine cavity is an important step before any assisted reproductive procedures.