| 1. |
- Bergelin, Ingrid, et al.
(författare)
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Normal cervical changes in parous women during the second half of pregnancy--a prospective, longitudinal ultrasound study.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 81:1, s. 31-38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To determine what constitutes normal cervical changes during the second half of pregnancy in parous women delivering at term. DESIGN: The study comprises 21 healthy, pregnant parous women who all gave birth at term. They were examined with transvaginal ultrasound every two weeks from 24 gestational weeks until delivery. Cervical length and width were measured. The inner cervical os was assessed as being closed or open, the length and width of any opening were measured, and dynamic cervical changes (i.e. opening and closing of the inner cervical os during examination) were noted. RESULTS: Median cervical length was 41 mm (range 26-55) at the first examination and 29 mm (range 8-56) at the last examination. The corresponding figures for cervical width were 38 mm (range 29-47) and 46 mm (range 38-64). Cervical length decreased in 18 women but remained unchanged in three. Three patterns of change in cervical length were observed: in 12 women there was a steady, continuous decrease in cervical length (median decrease rate 1.1 mm/week, range 0.6-2.4); in four women the decrease rate accelerated towards the end of pregnancy, the median decrease rate after the change being 3.0 mm/week (range 1.5-4.8); and in two women there was a sudden drop in cervical length at term. Cervical width increased in 16 women but remained unchanged in five. Two patterns of change in cervical width were seen: 14 women manifested a steady continuous increase in cervical width (median 0.8 mm/week, range 0.4-1.8); in two women the increase rate accelerated from around 34 gestational weeks, the increase rate after the change being 4.1 and 5.9 mm/week, respectively. Opening of the internal cervical os was observed at least once in 11 (52%) women and was seen as early as at 24 and 25 gestational weeks in two women. The opening was always V-shaped (median length 6 mm, range 4-17; median width 7 mm, range 3-20). Dynamic changes of the internal cervical os were seen in three women (14%) at 25, 30 and 41 gestational weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: The cervix of parous women decreases in length and increases in width from midpregnancy to term, but the pattern of change varies between individuals. Knowledge of the different patterns of normal change forms the basis of transvaginal ultrasound studies of pathological cervical changes during pregnancy.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, S, et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of the human papillomavirus test and Papanicolaou smear as a second screening method for women with minor cytological abnormalities
- 2005
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 84:10, s. 996-1000
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Of the estimated one million Papanicolaou (pap) smears performed annually in Sweden, about 4% show any degree of abnormality. Approximately, 1% of these cases contain moderate or severe atypia (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions) and the rest contain low-grade atypia. Recommendations for the management of minor abnormalities vary in various parts of Sweden. Generally, a second Pap smear is obtained 4-6 months after the first one showing low-grade atypia. The aim of this study is to compare the sensitivity of human papilloma virus (HPV)-DNA testing for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2-3 with that of a second Pap smear in women, who had low-grade atypia in their first Pap smear. Methods. Women with low-grade atypia in the Stockholm area, detected at a population-based cytology screening, were enrolled. A repeat Pap smear, HPV test, and colposcopically directed biopsies were obtained. For the detection of HPV, Hybrid Capture II (HC II) was used. Results. The HPV-DNA test was positive in 66% of the 177 participating women. The sensitivity of the second Pap smear and HPV-DNA test to detect CIN 2-3 was 61 (95% CI = 45-74) and 82% (95% CI = 67-91), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of HPV testing were 27 (95% CI = 18-35) and 89% (95% CI = 80-97), respectively. Conclusions. In Sweden, a second Pap smear is often obtained for the follow-up of women with low-grade atypia. The results of our study show that compared to the second Pap smear, HPV testing with HC II is a more sensitive method for detecting high-grade lesions.
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| 3. |
- Borgfeldt, Christer, et al.
(författare)
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Cancer risk after hospital discharge diagnosis of benign ovarian cysts and endometriosis.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 83:4, s. 395-400
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. The aim was to evaluate whether patients with benign ovarian cysts, functional ovarian cysts, or endometriosis have an increased risk of developing gynecologic cancer. Methods. The Swedish Hospital Discharge Register was used to identify a cohort of women discharged from hospital with the diagnoses of ovarian cyst (n = 42 217), functional ovarian cyst (n = 17 998), or endometriosis (n = 28 163). To each case, three controls were matched. The National Swedish Cancer Register matched all incident cancers diagnosed among cases and controls. From the Fertility Register, the date of birth of children born to the cases and controls were obtained. Results. Women with endometriosis had an increased risk for ovarian cancer (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.03-1.75), but no association was found between ovarian cysts or functional cysts and ovarian malignancy, including all ages. Young women (15-29 years old) discharged from hospital for ovarian cysts and functional cysts showed an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer later in life (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.3-3.9 and OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5-2.0), as well as women with ovarian cysts who had undergone ovarian cyst resection or unilateral oophorectomy (OR 8.8; 95% CI 5.2-15). The risk of developing ovarian cancer was inversely related to parity. Mean age at diagnosis was significantly lower in all three study groups. Conclusion. In this study women with endometriosis and young women who had undergone surgery with removal of an ovarian cyst had an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
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| 4. |
- Cluff, AH, et al.
(författare)
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Normal labor associated with changes in uterine heparan sulfate proteoglycan expression and localization
- 2005
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 84:3, s. 217-224
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Proteoglycans are well-known modulators of intercellular communication and signaling. Remodeling of the proteoglycans in the human uterus occurs throughout pregnancy, and during labor. We therefore hypothesize that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) play an important role in establishing normal labor. In this study HSPGs were characterized and localized in human uterine tissue. Uterine biopsies were obtained from four nonpregnant women, four women during elective cesarean section and four during emergency cesarean section. The biopsies were extracted using 4 mguanidinium hydrochloride (GuHCL). HSPGs were then purified by repeated ion-exchange chromatography on dehydroepiandrosterone (DEAE)-cellulose after digestion with chondroitinase ABC and finally precipitated with Alcian blue. HSPGs were identified by agarose gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Controlled degradation of the heparan sulfate (HS) side-chains was performed using heparitinase or deglycosylation with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS). The resulting core proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and visualized by Coomassie staining. HSPGs were localized in uterine tissue by immunohistochemistry. SDS-PAGE after deglycosylation indicated the presence of multiple distinct core proteins tentatively identified as syndecans 1-4 and glypican 1. Western blots confirmed the presence of these proteoglycans and also perlecan. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the HSPGs were localized mainly in the smooth muscle with few in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Syndecan 3, the dominant proteoglycan, showed the most pronounced changes during pregnancy and labor. For the first time several heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been identified and localized in the human uterus and shown to vary in expression during pregnancy and labor. Syndecan 3 had the most outstanding features in this respect.
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| 5. |
- Danerek, Margaretha, et al.
(författare)
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Sympathetic responsibility in ethically difficult situations*.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 84:12, s. 1164-1171
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Ethical issues arise in many obstetric situations and demand constant consideration by obstetricians. The aim of this study was to highlight the meaning of being in an ethically difficult situation as narrated by obstetricians. Methods. A descriptive design with a qualitative approach using a hermeneutic phenomenological method for analysis. Interviews were performed with 14 obstetricians working in a Swedish hospital setting. Results. The overriding theme was Sympathetic responsibility in the decisions of critical importance for the mother and her infant. Five related themes were to: (i) proceed with a moral reasoning that leads to the choice of a possible solution; (ii) balance one's own medical knowledge and moral insight with the needs and requests of the parents; (iii) be aware of one's medical and moral responsibility in relation to the decision made; (iv) experience the ability to take action and to make and carry out difficult and important decisions relating to the health of the mother and infant; and (v) reflect on a given situation in a manner leading to a rational acceptance of one's own conduct. Conclusions. Sympathetic responsibility is the structure of the meaning of the obstetricians' lived experience, which means that the obstetricians with the help of their medical knowledge and their desire to support the mother's autonomy do what is best for the mother and her infant. Implications include that an exchange of ethical thoughts and moral reasoning should lead to a higher degree of mutual understanding between colleagues and between the different professionals. Co-operation is important to achieve the best outcome for the mother and her infant.
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| 6. |
- Essén, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Female genital mutilation in the West: traditional circumcision versus genital cosmetic surgery.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 83:7, s. 611-613
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article intends to present the Scandinavian legislation on female genital mutilation and explore the implications of the laws. Juxtaposing trends of plastic genital surgery in the West with claims that female circumcision may be a practice generally abandoned in Scandinavia, we highlight the double morality inherent in current public discussions. Finally, we pose the question: Is the legal principle of equality before the law regarded when it comes to alterations of the female genitals?
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| 7. |
- Herbst, Andreas
(författare)
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Term breech delivery in Sweden: mortality relative to fetal presentation and planned mode of delivery
- 2005
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 84:6, s. 593-601
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. To compare perinatal and infant mortality in breech and cephalic presentations and between planned vaginal and cesarean section (CS) breech deliveries in Sweden. Methods. The study comprised two parts. Study A is a national cohort study for the period 1991-2001, including 22 549 breech presentations and 875 249 cephalic presentations born at >= 38 completed weeks. Study B is a case-control study, including all 164 breech deliveries with perinatal or 1-year infant death (during 1991-1999 in Sweden) and controls. Results. Study A: Among non-malformed infants, the total mortality rate was 0.46% in breech and 0.28% in cephalic presentations [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.6; 95% confidence interval 1.3-1.9]. Non-malformed breech babies were at an increased risk of antenatal death (breech versus cephalic hazard ratio: 2.7, 2.1-3.6). The infant mortality among non-malformed breech deliveries was higher in vaginal birth than in delivery by CS before labor (OR 2.5, 1.2-5.3). The perinatal + infant mortality among non-malformed breech babies was higher at delivery after 39 completed weeks than at CS delivery at 38 weeks (0.53% versus 0.14%; OR 3.5, 1.9-6.4). The estimated needed number of CS to avoid one death was 400. Study B: In breech presentations without malformations, OR for perinatal or infant death was 3.1 (1.7-5.8) at planned vaginal delivery compared with planned CS delivery, and when breech presentations not diagnosed at 37 gestational weeks were excluded, OR was 3.7 (1.6-9.2). Conclusions. These large population-based and case-control studies both show a significant reduction of perinatal and infant mortality with planned CS in term breech pregnancy.
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| 8. |
- Kvorning, N, et al.
(författare)
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Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy
- 2004
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 83:3, s. 246-250
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effect and possible adverse effects of acupuncture for pelvic and low-back pain during the last trimester of pregnancy. Methods Following individual informed consent, 72 pregnant women reporting pelvic or low-back pain were randomized during pregnancy weeks 24-37 to an acupuncture group (n = 37) or to a control group (n = 35) at three maternity wards in southern Sweden. Traditional acupuncture points and local tender points (TP) were chosen according to individual pain patterns and stimulated once or twice a week until delivery or complete recovery in acupuncture patients. Control patients were given no sham stimulation. Throughout the study period each patient made weekly visual analog scale (VAS) evaluations of maximal and minimal pain intensity as well as three-point assessments of pain intensity during various activities. Results During the study period, VAS scorings of pain intensity decreased over time in 60% of patients in the acupuncture group and in 14% of those in the control group (p < 0.01). At the end of the study period, 43% of the acupuncture patients were less bothered than initially by pain during activity compared with 9% of control patients (p < 0.01). No serious adverse effects of acupuncture were found in the patients, and there were no adverse effects at all in the infants. Conclusion Acupuncture relieves low-back and pelvic pain without serious adverse effects in late pregnancy.
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| 9. |
- Källén, Bengt, et al.
(författare)
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In vitro fertilization in Sweden : Maternal characteristics
- 2005
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 84:12, s. 1185-1191
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Deliveries among women who had an in vitro fertilization (IVF) are characterized by increased risks for both the mother and the infant/child. Part of these effects may be due to maternal characteristics. Methods. Using reports from all clinics performing IVF in Sweden, 12 186 women who gave birth after such procedures were identified (13 261 deliveries, 16 280 infants born). Various social and medical characteristics of the women were studied and compared with all women giving birth. Information was retrieved by interviews in early pregnancy or by linkage with various registers. Results. Women who had IVF were older than other women who gave birth and were older after standard IVF than after intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI). They were more often of first parity and smoked less than other delivered women. There were more women with high body mass index: they worked outside home less often and were more often of Swedish nationality. Women who had standard IVF had more previous miscarriages than expected, but this was not true for women who had ICSI. Their pattern of drug usage differed from that of other women who had given birth. Conclusions. Women who underwent IVF and gave birth showed marked deviations from other women who gave birth. Some of these characteristics may help to explain the increased risks associated with these procedures. Women who had ICSI were less deviating than women who had standard IVF. © Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2005.
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| 10. |
- Larsson, Linnea, et al.
(författare)
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Low-impact exercise during pregnancy - a study of safety.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 84:1, s. 34-38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Exercise is an important part of many women's lives. Women are often advised to refrain from physical exercise during pregnancy. The reason given is mainly safety, i.e. fear of maternal hyperthermia, which is known to be related to neural tube defects. However, exercise during pregnancy has not been shown to be related to hyperthermia. Objective. To study temperature and oxygen saturation responses to low-impact exercise in healthy pregnant women. Methods. Forty pregnant women and 11 controls participating in low-impact aerobic exercise were monitored before exercise, at maximum-exercise level, and after exercise with regard to core temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation level. Results. The core temperature among the pregnant women did not increase significantly at maximum exercise or after exercise (36.5 versus 36.7 or 36.5 °C, P = 0.1, P = 0.5). None of the pregnant women were even close to approaching a dangerous body temperature at an intensity level of 69% of their maximum heart rate. As compared with pre-exercise values, oxygen saturation among pregnant women was significantly reduced at both maximum-exercise and postexercise measurements, but no measurement was below 95% in oxygen saturation. Conclusion. Low-impact aerobics at about 70% of one's maximum heart rate appears to be safe in terms of risk of maternal hyperthermia.
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