Effect of the Delivery Mode on Pelvic Floor Function and Coping With Birth-Related Pain and Fear: A Prospective Survey Six Months Postpartum.

Background and objective Delivering a baby is one of the most decisive events in a woman`s life and brings along psychological and physical challenges. Therefore, the question arises: which mode of delivery is the best for the woman's health and her future life? The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the delivery mode on pelvic floor function and coping with birth-related pain and fear six months postpartum. Materials and methods A total of 200 primiparous women, who delivered during 2018-2019, were included in this prospective case-control study and were asked to fill out the "Pelvic floor questionnaire for pregnant women and women after childbirth" six months after delivery. The women were separated into the following groups: spontaneous vaginal delivery (n = 113), operative vaginal delivery (n = 44), and cesarean section (n = 41). The pelvic floor function as well as coping with birth-related pain and fear six months after delivery was compared. Results A significantly higher body mass index was found in the cesarean section group. A significantly worse bladder score was shown in the group with an operative vaginal delivery (p = 0.006). The total score of the questionnaire as well as the anal, prolapse, and sexual subscores showed no difference between the delivery modes. Concerning coping with birth-related pain and fear postpartum, significant differences could be seen between the modes of delivery (pain: p < 0.001; fear: p < 0.001). Women with spontaneous vaginal delivery showed better coping with pain and fear postpartum. Conclusion It must be highlighted that women who have had a surgical delivery, including the operative vaginal delivery and cesarean section, stated a lower coping with birth-related pain and fear. This study showed that an operative vaginal delivery has a negative influence on bladder function and the use should be well-indicated. Obstetricians should always be aware of this, as they can contribute to better coping. It is essential to give women the opportunity to talk about the delivery and individual experiences both in pre- and postnatal situations.

The Transobturator Tape Versus Retropubic Tension-Free Vaginal Tape in the Treatment of Comorbid and Elderly Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Retrospective Analysis of Over 800 Women.

Background and objective The first-line surgical treatment for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) involves midurethral slings (MUS), including the transobturator tape (TOT) and the retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). However, whether offering these procedures to older and comorbid women could lead to increased complications is a question that needs to be seriously addressed. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to compare the two procedures and evaluate the impact of age, BMI, and comorbidities on complications. Materials and methods A total of 873 procedures (306 TVTs/567 TOTs) performed between 2007 and 2017 were compared and correlated with regard to age, BMI, and comorbidities. Intraoperative complications included bleeding >50 ml, bladder injury, and anesthesia-associated complications. Postoperative complications included post-void residual volume, pain, hematoma, lower urinary tract infection, revision for loosening tape, and bladder infections. The comorbidities were evaluated based on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and Charlson scores. Results A total of 873 MUS were conducted during the study period: 306 TVTs and 567 TOTs. Groupwise comparison between these procedures showed that women in the TOT group were older (p<0.001) with a higher BMI (p<0.001) and a higher ASA score (p<0.001) compared to the TVT group. Nevertheless, significantly more intraoperative complications, especially bladder injuries, were recorded in the TVT group. Postoperative complications occurred in 19.4% of the entire cohort, especially increased post-void residual volume. Postoperative hematoma and tape loosening were significantly more frequent in the TOT group. Age, BMI, and comorbidities showed no significant impact on intraoperative complications; however, the TOT procedure was associated with significantly fewer intraoperative complications [p=0.001, odds ratio (OR): 0.281]. Conclusions Overall, both procedures were associated with a low number of perioperative complications. The TOT technique had a lower incidence of intraoperative complications. It must be highlighted that age and comorbidities had no influence on either the intra- or postoperative complication rates. Hence, we recommend that TOT is employed to treat SUI in older, more obese, and comorbid women.

The effect of pelvic floor muscle training on pelvic floor function and sexuality postpartum. A randomized study including 300 primiparous.

PURPOSE: Although pregnancy and childbirth are physiological processes they may be associated with pelvic floor disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pelvic floor muscle training on postpartum pelvic floor and sexual function of primiparous. METHODS: This is a randomized prospective study including 300 primiparous women. Due to the dropout 200 women were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were the delivery of the first, mature baby, the ability to speak and understand German. The participants were evaluated by clinical examinations and questionnaires after 6 and 12 months postpartum. After 6 months, the women were randomized in two groups. Compared to the control group the intervention groups participated in 45-min pelvic floor muscle training and pelvic floor perception once a week over 6 weeks. RESULTS: The results of the questionnaires showed no significant differences between the groups after 12 months. A significant stronger pelvic floor muscle strength was found for the intervention group after 12 months. The improvement of the pelvic floor and sexual function over the time showed a significant improvement in both groups. CONCLUSION: Supervised pelvic floor muscle training did not improve both the pelvic floor and the female sexual function in comparison to the control group. After 12 months, the pelvic floor and sexual function improved significant in all women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00024725), retrospectively registrated.

Impact of postpartum pain and birth pain management on the pelvic floor function. A retrospective study including over 300 mothers.

OBJECTIVES: It is known that pregnancy and childbirth bring biological, psychological and social changes in a woman's life. Studies regarding the pelvic floor function focus on the year after delivery, but unfortunately, long-term studies are rare. Furthermore, an association between postpartum pain and birth pain management on the pelvic floor function has rarely been examined. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the pelvic floor function years after delivery in order to detect possible risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. All women who delivered in our hospital between 2015 and 2016 were contacted by mail between 2018 and 2019 and asked to participate. The letters included study information, declaration of consent, the "Pelvic floor questionnaire for pregnant women and women after childbirth" (PFQ), contact information and pre-paid envelopes. Questions about pain after childbirth and the management of birth related fear and pain were particularly of interest in the surveys. The interested participants were asked to return the completed declaration of consent and the questionnaire. Overall, 308 women were included in the analysis. Due to the large number of participants, different subgroups were defined in order to compare influencing factors adequately. RESULTS: No significant association between the mode of delivery and the total score of the PFQ was found after 3-4 years in primiparous women (p = 0.688). Our study also showed that recorded pain after childbirth and insufficient pain and fear management after childbirth had a negative impact on the pelvic floor function (total scores: pain after childbirth p = 0.00; no pain management p = 0.04; no fear management p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: No association was found between delivery mode and pelvic floor function in primiparous women three to four years after childbirth. On the other hand, a negative impact of birth related pain and fears on the pelvic floor function years after delivery was significant. Therefore, these revealing findings should certainly be considered in postpartum management.

Repeatability and agreement in optical biometry of a new swept-source optical coherence tomography-based biometer versus partial coherence interferometry and optical low-coherence reflectometry.

PURPOSE: To estimate the repeatability of biometric parameters obtained with a new swept-source biometer and to compare the agreement with that of partial coherence interferometry (PCI) and optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Helios Hospital Erfurt, Erfurt, Julius-Maximilians University, Würzburg, and Philipps University, Marburg, Germany. DESIGN: Prospective comparative multicenter clinical study. METHODS: Biometry was taken with the use of 3 different biometers: the IOLMaster 700 swept-source biometer, the PCI-based IOLMaster 500, and the OCLR-based Lenstar LS 900. Axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and spherical equivalent (SE) were compared between swept-source and PCI biometry and central corneal thickness (CCT) and lens thickness (LT) between swept-source and OLCR biometry. The repeatability of swept-source biometry was evaluated on the basis of 3 measurements captured for each patient. RESULTS: One hundred twenty cataract eyes were included in the study. The mean difference between swept-source and PCI biometry for AL, ACD, and SE measurements was 4 µm ± 25 (SD), 17 ± 122 µm, and -0.001 ± 0.19 diopter (D), respectively. The mean difference between swept-source and OLCR biometry for LT and CCT measurements was 21 ± 122 µm and 0.15 ± 4.51 µm, respectively. Differences between swept-source biometry and the other devices distributed around zero without statistical significance. The standard deviation of repeatability for AL, ACD, LT, CCT, and SE was 8.8 µm, 9.8 µm, 2.3 µm, 19.5 µm, and 0.1 D, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Swept-source biometry showed high repeatability performance for all biometric parameters. The agreement of AL, ACD, and SE between swept-source and PCI biometry as well as that of LT and CCT between swept-source and OLCR biometry was excellent. It remains to be validated whether high repeatability shown by swept-source biometry will result in better postoperative refractive outcomes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Drs. Blum and Sekundo are members of the Scientific Advisory Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. Drs. Peter and Bühren are employees of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG.

Impact of acute normobaric hypoxia on regional and global myocardial function: a speckle tracking echocardiography study.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of normobaric hypoxia on myocardial function in healthy humans. Fourteen subjects underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) examination during normoxia and in a normobaric hypoxia chamber. Examinations were performed at rest and during bicycle exercise test. The following parameters were quantified in both atria and ventricles by 2D-STE: Global Strain (S), systolic strain rate (SRS), early (SRE) and late (SRA) diastolic strain rate. During hypoxia SRS and SRE increased significantly in both ventricles compared to baseline. The increase of LV SRS and SRE during normoxic exercise was significantly higher when compared with exercise under hypoxia (for SRS -0.55 ± 0.22 vs. -0.34 ± 0.24 1/s, p = 0.024; for SRE 0.56 ± 0.29 vs. 0.23 ± 0.29 1/s, p = 0.005). For the right ventricle (RV) no significant difference of exercise induced increase of systolic contractility was found (SRS -1.07 ± 0.53 under normoxia vs. -1.28 ± 0.24 1/s under hypoxic conditions, p = 0.47). A shift from passive conduit (SRE) to active contraction (SRA) phase during hypoxia was noted for the right atrium (RA) (SRE/SRA 0.72 ± 0.13 under hypoxia vs. 1.17 ± 0.17 under normoxia). The ratio SRE/SRA of RA was closely related to pulmonary systolic pressure (r = -0.78, p < 0.001). Exposure to normobaric hypoxia leads to an increase of regional myocardial deformation in both ventricles. The contractile reserve during hypoxic exercise is reduced in LV, whereas RV systolic deformation rate is maintained. In addition, hypoxia had an impact on the ratio of passive conduit to active contraction phase in right atrium.

Comparison of nutrient intake between patients with periodontitis and healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown that inflammatory diseases can be influenced by nutritional factors. For this reason, this study was designed to evaluate the food intake of patients with periodontal disease in comparison to healthy subjects using a 7-day food record (7-DFR). METHOD AND MATERIALS: The study population consisted of 42 patients with chronic periodontitis and 38 healthy subjects (controls). Periodontitis was diagnosed by using the Plaque Index, Sulcus Bleeding Index, and measurement of probing depth. All participants completed a 7-DFR, which was analyzed with DGE-PC Professional 2.7. To confirm the nutritional analysis, the vitamin C plasma level of each participant was measured. Additionally, the oral discomfort of patients with periodontal disease was ascertained by using an additional questionnaire. RESULTS: Analysis of the 7-DFR revealed that patients with periodontitis had significantly lower intake rates of vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, and fiber than those of healthy controls. The mean vitamin C plasma levels were significantly lower in patients with periodontitis (0.63 mg/dL) compared with healthy control subjects (1.13 mg/dL, P < .05). Evaluation of the questionnaire showed that approximately 50% of patients experienced discomfort while eating. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that patients with periodontitis have a reduced intake of vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, and fiber compared with healthy subjects. This is possibly an outcome of oral discomfort during mastication. To avoid an insufficient nutrient supply for a patient with periodontal disease, the patient's choice of foods should be closely monitored.

Full-mouth antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in Fusobacterium nucleatum-infected periodontitis patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to clinically and microbiologically evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a full-mouth procedure in Fusobacterium nucleatum-infected patients with periodontitis. METHODS: In the present study, PDT is administered adjuvantly after scaling and root planing (SRP) to patients with localized chronic periodontitis (LCP). Twenty-four patients, in whom only F. nucleatum was detected by baseline polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after SRP, were randomly assigned to PDT and control groups. PDT was carried out once as a full-mouth disinfection in the test group. The control group was treated with the photosensitizer solution, but without laser irradiation. In all subjects, the clinical parameters plaque index, reddening, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), gingival recession, and clinical attachment level (CAL) were determined at the baseline examination and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after PDT. Quantitative analysis of the F. nucleatum DNA concentration was performed by competitive PCR. All clinical indices were calculated for each test and control subject as were the median and interquartile range of each group. RESULTS: In patients with LCP who received PDT treatment, significant reductions in reddening, BOP, and mean PD and CAL were observed during the observation period and with respect to controls. Four and 12 weeks after PDT, the mean PD and CAL showed significant differences from baseline values and from those of the control group. In the PDT group, 12 weeks after treatment, the F. nucleatum DNA concentration was found to be significantly reduced compared to the baseline level. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the adjuvant application of the described PDT method is appropriate to reduce periodontal inflammatory symptoms and to successfully treat infection with F. nucleatum.