The impact of vitamin D treatment on pregnancy rate among endometriosis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Vitamin D supplementation is supposed to have an important role in the management of several endometriosis-related aspects, offering potential relief to affected individuals. Herein, the authors aim to evaluate the impact of vitamin D on pregnancy rates and clinical symptoms in women with endometriosis. Methods: The authors extensively searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, and CINAHL from their inception to 20 July 2023. Results: Three randomized controlled trials involving 167 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The findings demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation exhibits efficacy in alleviating dysmenorrhea associated with endometriosis, as evidenced by a meta-analysis showing a significant reduction in dysmenorrhea (mean difference -1.41, 95% CI -2.61 to -0.22, P = 0.02). However, the impact on dyspareunia was inconclusive, with a non-significant mean difference of -0.2 (95% CI -1.62 to 1.22, P = 0.78). In contrast, dyschezia significantly decreased with vitamin D supplementation (mean difference -1.10, 95% CI -2.22 to 0.02, P = 0.05 However, the meta-analysis did not show a significant effect of vitamin D on chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Conclusion: While antioxidant vitamin D supplementation demonstrates general effectiveness in alleviating endometriosis symptoms, such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and dyschezia, the existing literature lacks direct investigations into the specific impact of vitamin D on enhancing pregnancy rates among endometriosis patients. This observation prompts various hypotheses, suggesting that the positive effects of vitamin D supplementation on endometriosis-related symptoms may indirectly contribute to improved pregnancy outcomes and enhanced fertility.

The level of medical students' knowledge regarding the prevention of cervical cancer.

Background: In Palestine, cervical cancer is the third most common gynaecological cancer, exhibiting higher mortality rates compared to regional counterparts. Late-stage diagnosis and limited awareness contribute to this disparity. This study aims to assess the awareness of Palestinian medical students regarding cervical cancer prevention. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey involving 532 medical students from various Palestinian universities was conducted between October 2023 and December 2023. The survey encompassed closed-ended quantitative and demographic questions distributed through social media. Results: The study was carried out on a group of 532 medical students (66.3% women and 33.6% men), (average age 21.7 years). Most students (77.7%) knew that the main risk factor for cervical cancer was human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Participants doing the internship had the greatest knowledge, whereas students from the first year had the poorest knowledge about the main risk factors for cancer of the cervix. Only about half, 50.2% of all students, knew that in Palestine, there is no screening program. 84.4% of students correctly indicated that the cervical cancer screening test is a pap smear test. 41.4% of respondents knew that microscopic evaluation of the exfoliated cells from the vaginal part of the cervix is the screening test for cervical cancer which is used. Only about half of the students (45.1%) knew that there were no specific early symptoms of cervical cancer. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for enhanced education, particularly regarding screening program awareness, among Palestinian medical students. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for effective preventive strategies.

Comparing pyridoxine with dopaminergic agonists (cabergoline and bromocriptine): Unveiling the strategy for lactation inhibition - A systematic review of clinical trials.

This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pyridoxine compared to Dopaminergic agonists (cabergoline and bromocriptine) in post-partum lactation inhibition. Cochrane Central, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, ScienceDirect, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, CINAHL and Google Scholar, covering the period from inception to November 2023. Additionally, the bibliographies of included articles and previous meta-analyses were screened for any relevant articles. The systematic review was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The outcomes of interest encompassed inhibition of lactation, breast pain/tenderness, breast engorgement, milk secretion, fever, mastitis, prolactin level and adverse events related to pyridoxine, cabergoline and bromocriptine. Methodological quality assessment was conducted using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool for rigorous evaluation. Three clinical trials assessed the effectiveness of pyridoxine and dopaminergic agents (cabergoline and bromocriptine) for lactation inhibition. It was assessed by using different assessment methods such as a scale for milk secretion, serum prolactin levels, and questionnaires for assessing breast engorgement, breast pain, and milk leakage. On the global assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of dopaminergic agents, it was found that there was significant inhibition of lactation as compared to pyridoxine (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this systematic review contributes significant insights into lactation inhibition interventions. Dopaminergic agonists, specifically cabergoline and bromocriptine, stand out as more effective and tolerable choices compared to Pyridoxine. These findings provide a foundation for informed clinical decisions and underscore the need for careful consideration of lactation inhibition strategies in diverse clinical contexts.

Successful pregnancy-preserving laparoscopic adnexectomy for complicated ovarian torsion during late pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: A rare disorder called ovarian torsion (OT) during pregnancy can harm both the mother and the fetus. Predisposing variables for the condition include enlarged ovaries, free mobility, and a long pedicle, despite the fact that its genesis is not entirely understood. When ovarian stimulation is used to treat infertility, the disease's incidence rises. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are examples of diagnostic imaging modalities (MRI). CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old woman with a 33-week pregnancy presented to our emergency department with acute, severe left groin pain. Laboratory evaluation was unremarkable except for leukocytosis (18.800/µL) with neutrophil shift. A radiologist used ultrasound to examine the abdomen and pelvis, and the results revealed a bulk enlargement of the left adnexa. The patient underwent a non-enhanced MRI in order to obtain a conclusive diagnosis, which revealed a massive enlargement and torsion of the left ovary with large areas of necrosis. The patient underwent a successful laparoscopic adnexectomy with preservation of the pregnancy. She delivered a healthy baby and had an uneventful follow up period. DISCUSSION: The etiology of OT is largely unknown. Any tendency to rotate the infundibulopelvic and utero-ovarian ligaments should be considered as a possible etiology. The prevalence of OT among pregnant women is underreported and determined by small limited studies. CONCLUSION: Ovarian torsion should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with suspected acute abdomen in advanced stages of pregnancy. In addition, MRI should be used as an alternative diagnostic modality in patients with normal sonographic findings.

Patients with cancer at the margins of reproductive age had reduced levels of anti-Müllerian hormone compared with patients experiencing infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ovarian reserves between female patients with cancer and patients experiencing infertility. METHODS: A retrospective age-matched observational study was performed at Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. The study group included data from all female oncology patients attending for oocyte or embryo cryopreservation between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were recorded at patients' initial visits before beginning chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The control group included patients without cancer who had their AMH levels recorded to investigate fertility or as a baseline level prior to beginning assisted reproductive treatment. RESULTS: The records of 118 oncology and 5231 control patients from the study period were identified. There was no difference in AMH levels between patients in the oncology and control groups aged 30-38years; however, significantly lower AMH levels were observed in patients in the oncology group aged 29years and younger (17.89pmol/L vs 23.35pmol/L; P=0.015), or at least 39years (2.65pmol/L vs 5.87pmol/L; P=0.028). CONCLUSION: Before commencing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, patients in the oncology group at the margins of reproductive age had a diminished ovarian reserve compared with the control group. This should be considered when planning optimal doses of follicular stimulating hormone as part of controlled ovarian-stimulation regimes performed for embryo or oocyte cryopreservation prior to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.