Stage based recipient and donor outcome in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome treated by fetoscopic laser surgery using Solomon technique

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate twin survival stratified by Quintero stage in patients with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) after Solomon laser treatment.

METHODS

Single center cohort of consecutive twin pregnancies treated with Solomon laser for TTTS. Preoperative Quintero stage, perioperative characteristics and obstetric factors were related to neonatal survival of the recipient and donor at discharge. Determinants of twin survival were evaluated using univariate, logistic regression and cumulative survival probability analyses.

RESULTS

Of 402 twins with TTTS, 80 (19.9%) had stage I, 126 (31.3%) stage II, 169 (42%) stage III and 27 (6.7%) stage IV. Post laser TAPS or recurrent TTTS occurred in 19 (4.7%) patients and 11 (2.7%) required repeat laser. Preterm premature rupture of membranes occurred in 150 (37.3%) patients and median gestational age of delivery 32+1 weeks. In 303 (75.4%) both twins were alive at discharge; [66 (82.5%) in stage I, 101 (80.2%) in stage II, 114 (67.5%) in stage III and 22 (81.5%) in stage IV, p=0.062]. Compared to recipients, donor survival was only lower in stage III (155 (91.7%) recipients vs 118 (69.8%) donors, Chi square 24.685, p<0.0001). Larger intertwin size discordance and umbilical artery (UA) end-diastolic velocity (EDV) determined donor demise (Nagelkerke R2 0.38, P<0.001). Overall, spontaneous post laser donor demise accounted for the majority (39.5%) of all losses. Cumulative donor survival decreased from 92% to 65% with size discordance >30% and 48% when UA EDV was absent (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Solomon laser achieves TTTS resolution and double survival in a high proportion of cases. Recipient and donor survival is comparable unless there is significant size discordance and placental dysfunction. This degree of unequal placental sharing, typically found in stage III, is the primary factor preventing double survival due to a higher rate of donor demise. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effect of progestogen-only contraception on premenopausal fracture risk: a case-control study

Our study demonstrated that progestogen-only oral and intrauterine contraceptives are not associated with fracture risk independent from age.

PURPOSE

The use of progestogen-only contraception, resulting in a hypoestrogenic state, has been associated with impaired bone acquisition and increased fracture risk. The aim of this large population-based study was to assess the fracture risk in association with the use of progestogen-only contraceptives (progestogen-only pills (POPs) and progestogen-containing IUDs (LNG-IUD)).

METHODS

We identified 14,421 women between 16 and 55 years of age with a first-time diagnosis of fracture and matched them with 14,421 random controls using the Disease Analyzer Database.

RESULTS

The results of the first adjusted logistic regression model (ever use vs. never use of progestogen-only contraceptives) revealed that there was no significant association between the use of POPs (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.90-1.07, p = 0.657) or LNG-IUDs (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.81-1.21, p = 0.945) and fracture incidence. Also, in the second regression model, we observed no effect of duration of use of POPs (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.98-1.03, p = 0.672) or LNG-IUDs (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.87-1.02, p = 0.177) on fracture occurrence. We also observed no effect in different age groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study results indicate that progestogen-only contraception (either POPs or LNG-IUPs) is not associated with fracture risk and may be considered a bone-safe option for adults and adolescents.

The tamoxifen paradox-influence of adjuvant tamoxifen on fracture risk in pre- and postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Our data demonstrate that tamoxifen does not reduce fracture risk. Close surveillance is necessary to prevent bone loss in premenopausal women with breast cancer upon treatment initiation.

INTRODUCTION

Endocrine treatment of breast cancer may interfere with bone turnover and influence fracture risk.

METHODS

Out of a cohort of almost 5 million patients in total, we identified 5520 women between 18 and 90 years of age with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen, matched them with 5520 healthy controls using the Disease Analyzer Database, and investigated the fracture risk.

RESULTS

We found a cumulative incidence of fractures of 6.3% in patients aged between 18 and 50 years (n = 3634) treated with tamoxifen versus a cumulative incidence of 3.6% in the control group (p < 0.001). As such, the risk of fracture was 75% higher for patients receiving tamoxifen than that for healthy controls (HR 1.75; 95% CI 1.25-2.48). With regard to patients aged between 55 and 90 years (n = 7406), the cumulative incidence of fractures in patients treated with tamoxifen was 10.1% compared to 9.3% in the control group (p = 0.740), i.e., there was no significant difference between the two groups (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.81-1.16).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to healthy controls, premenopausal women with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen showed an increased risk of fracture, while postmenopausal women on tamoxifen did not show any risk reduction.

Subsequent fracture risk of women with pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis after a median of 6 years of follow-up

Almost a quarter of patients with PAO will sustain a subsequent fracture; patients need to be informed about potential risks before deciding for further pregnancies.

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PAO) is a severe type of premenopausal osteoporosis which predominantly occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy or immediately postpartum. Long-term follow-up data including subsequent fracture risk have yet to be reported.

METHODS

This single-center prospective cohort study investigated the subsequent fracture risk of all 107 patients with PAO who were referred to our institution.

RESULTS

Overall, 107 presented with at least one fracture. Each patient sustained on average four fractures most commonly at the thoracolumbar spine. During a median of 6 years of follow-up, 26 (24.3%) of patients who had a fracture at baseline reported a subsequent fracture. Overall, 30 PAO patients (28%) reported a further pregnancy. In subsequent pregnancies, 6 (20%) of patients reported a subsequent fracture. Patients with up to 1 vs. > 1 fracture at time of diagnosis showed a 3 (10%) and 25 (27%) subsequent fracture rate, respectively (p = 0.047). There was a significant correlation between the number of fractures at time of diagnosis and subsequent fracture risk (N = 26,p= 0.56, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost a quarter of patients with PAO will sustain a subsequent fracture, and this fracture risk correlates with the number of fractures at time of diagnosis. Patients with PAO need to be informed about their potential subsequent fracture risk before deciding for further pregnancies.

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis: a case-control study

The etiology and underlying mechanisms of pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) are still unknown, since no systematic analyses exist. Our results indicate that PAO is a heterogeneous, rare but severe disease including a substantial number of fractures with a significant delay from first symptom to diagnose.

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) is a rare but severe type of premenopausal osteoporosis. Most common symptom includes acute lower back pain due to vertebral fracture predominantly occurring in the last trimester of pregnancy or immediately postpartum. The exact underlining mechanisms and risk factors of PAO are still unknown, and up to date, there are no published systematic analyses.

METHODS

We identified 102 PAO patients and matched them with 102 healthy controls according to age, region, and gravidity to evaluate risk factors in a large and homogenous population of women.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics and anthropometric data of the two study groups were similar. Eighty-eight percent of the patients with PAO suffered from one or more fractures with a mean of 3.3 fractures per patient. The most common fracture site was the thoracolumbar spine, whereas 29, 37, 48, and 35% of the patients reported fractures at TH11, TH12, L1, and L2, respectively. PAO patients suffered more frequently from excessive dental problems in childhood (p < 0.001). The control group performed significantly more frequently sports both before (p < 0.002) and after puberty (p < 0.01). Compared to the controls, the patients with PAO reported twice as often severe diseases during pregnancy (p < 0.029). Hereby, the frequency of immobilization was twice as often in the PAO group compared to that in the control group (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that PAO is a heterogeneous, rare but severe disease including a substantial number of fractures with a significant delay from first symptom to diagnose. Increased awareness is warranted to immediately start effective treatment.

The impact of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on fracture risk: a case-control study from the UK

There has been concerning about women receiving depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraception because of the prolonged hypoestrogenemic state regarding the potential negative effects on bone health. This study showed that DMPA exposure is associated with increased fracture risk and that fracture risk increases with longer DMPA exposure.

INTRODUCTION

DMPA has been associated with impaired bone mineral acquisition during adolescence and accelerated bone loss in later life. We performed this large population-based study to assess the association between use of DMPA or combined oral contraceptives and the incident risk of fracture.

METHODS

We identified 4189 women between 20 and 44 years of age with a first-time fracture diagnosis, matched them with 4189 random controls using the Disease Analyzer database and investigated the relation with DMPA exposure.

RESULTS

Overall, 11 % of the fracture cases and 7.7 % of the controls had DMPA use recorded. The adjusted OR for developing a fracture in patients with current use of DMPA compared to non-users was 0.97 (95 % CI 0.51-1.86), 2.41 (95 % CI 1.42-4.08), and 1.46 (95 % CI 0.96-2.23) for 1-2, 3-9, and ≥10 prescriptions, respectively. The adjusted OR for developing a fracture in patients with past use of DMPA compared to non-users was 0.96 (95 % CI 0.73-1.26), 1.14 (95 % CI 0.86-1.51), and 1.55 (95 % CI 1.07-2.27) for 1-2, 3-9, and ≥10 prescriptions, respectively. The highest fracture risk was identified in young patients less than 30 years with longer DMPA exposure (≥10 prescriptions; OR 3.04, 95 % CI 1.36-6.81), as well as in patients in the late reproductive years with past use of DMPA (OR 1.72, 95 % CI 1.13-2.63).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that DMPA exposure is associated with increased fracture risk and may have negative effects on bone metabolism, resulting in impaired bone mineral acquisition during adolescence and accelerated bone loss in adult life.

GRAND-4: the German retrospective analysis of long-term persistence in women with osteoporosis treated with bisphosphonates or denosumab

This retrospective database study assessed 2-year persistence with bisphosphonates or denosumab in a large German cohort of women with a first-time prescription for osteoporosis treatment. Compared with intravenous or oral bisphosphonates, 2-year persistence was 1.5-2 times higher and risk of discontinuation was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) with denosumab.

INTRODUCTION

Persistence with osteoporosis therapies is critical for fracture risk reduction. Detailed data on long-term persistence (≥2 years) with bisphosphonates and denosumab are sparse.

METHODS

From the German IMS® database, we included women aged 40 years or older with a first-time prescription for bisphosphonates or denosumab between July 2010 and August 2014; patients were followed up until December 2014. The main outcome was treatment discontinuation, with a 60-day permissible gap between filled prescriptions. Two-year persistence was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, with treatment discontinuation as the failure event. Denosumab was compared with intravenous (i.v.) and oral bisphosphonates separately. Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs) for the 2-year risk of discontinuation were calculated, with adjustment for age, physician specialty, health insurance status, and previous medication use.

RESULTS

Two-year persistence with denosumab was significantly higher than with i.v. or oral bisphosphonates (39.8 % [n = 21,154] vs 20.9 % [i.v. ibandronate; n = 20,472] and 24.8 % [i.v. zoledronic acid; n = 3966] and 16.7-17.5 % [oral bisphosphonates; n = 114,401]; all P < 0.001). Patients receiving i.v. ibandronate, i.v. zoledronic acid, or oral bisphosphonates had a significantly increased risk of treatment discontinuation than did those receiving denosumab (HR = 1.65, 1.28, and 1.96-2.02, respectively; all P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Two-year persistence with denosumab was 1.5-2 times higher than with i.v. or oral bisphosphonates, and risk of discontinuation was significantly lower with denosumab than with bisphosphonates. A more detailed understanding of factors affecting medication-taking behavior may improve persistence and thereby reduce rates of fracture.

Comparison of combined low-dose hormone therapy vs. tibolone in the prevention of bone loss

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects on bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, the femoral neck and the total hip following 2 years of treatment with a low-dose combined hormone therapy (HT) comprised of 1 mg estradiol and 0.5 mg norethisterone acetate (E2/NETA) versus 2.5 mg tibolone in postmenopausal women. Additionally, quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS) of the os calcaneus and of the phalanges was performed.

METHODS

Changes in BMD, QUS and side-effects were assessed at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months in 50 postmenopausal women who received either E2/NETA (n = 26) or tibolone (n = 24) for 2 years.

RESULTS

Compared to women on tibolone, women receiving E2/NETA showed a significant increase in BMD from baseline to 12 and 24 months at the lumbar spine (3.07%, 3.86%; p < 0.01 vs. 1.13%, 2.23%; p < 0.05), and at the total hip (1.33%, 1.69%; p < 0.01 vs. 0.76%, 0.70%) and at the femoral neck from baseline to 24 months (1.10%; p < 0.05). QUS indices only showed a significant change with the ultrasound bone profile index with E2/NETA at 6 months (-2.32%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose E2/NETA showed a significantly higher increase in BMD compared to tibolone. QUS measurement was not considered to comprise beneficial effects in monitoring drug-induced bone changes.

Discontinuation rates of menopausal hormone therapy among postmenopausal women in the post-WHI study era

OBJECTIVES

Many women are reluctant to take menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and discontinue the treatment within 12 months. The aim of this study was to investigate the persistence rates of combined MHT in the last decade, reflecting changes in the post-Women's Health Initiative era.

METHODS

We analyzed 17 020 patients receiving combined MHT from 2004 to 2013 using the Disease Analyzer database.

RESULTS

After 12 months of follow-up, 44.6% and 33.5% of patients receiving 1 mg and 2 mg, respectively, of oral combined MHT were still on treatment (p < 0.0001). The persistence rate of patients receiving < 50 μg of transdermal MHT was 39.1% after 1 year of treatment and presented no differences compared to patients receiving ≥ 50 μg of transdermal MHT with a persistence rate of 38.2%. MHT start in the years 2007-2009 was associated with higher discontinuation rates (hazard ratio 1.04, p = 0.0709) than MHT start in the years 2010-2013 (hazard ratio 0.90, p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that patients beginning their treatments in the years 2010-2013 were more treatment-persistent than patients beginning with MHT in the early years after publication of the Women's Health Initiative study (2004-2009). Administration of low-dose oral MHT and transdermal MHT is associated with increased persistency compared to higher doses of oral MHT.

A population based evaluation of the mode of delivery in association with infertility treatment from 1990-2012

BACKGROUND

This study refers to population based data and investigates the development of the mode of delivery associated with infertility treatment over the last 23 years.

METHODS

All 1 202,557 deliveries in Hesse, Germany, between 1990 and 2012 were assessed. 2.2% of the study population, 26,761, had a delivery subsequent to infertility treatment based on the Hessian Perinatal Registry (HEPE). An evaluation in this subgroup was performed investigating the associations between the mode of delivery and the gestational week and the mother's age.

RESULTS

A continuous and significant (p<0.01) increase of cesarean section (CS) rates subsequent to infertility treatment (1990: 41,3%; 2012: 55,9%) as well as a conversely also significant (p<0.01) reduction of vaginal operative and spontaneous deliveries associated with infertility treatment between 1990 and 2012 was found. Furthermore, the preterm delivery rate and the proportion of deliveries of parturients older than 35 years of age in association with infertility treatment raised over the last years. Rates of full-term deliveries and deliveries of women younger than 35 years remained stable during the observation period.

DISCUSSION

The rate of cesarean section is continuously rising over the last 23 years with regard to parturients subsequent to infertility treatment. The CS rate is significantly higher compared to women with a spontaneous pregnancy and in comparison to the data from 20 years ago. Most recently, the number of CS (51,2%) exceeded the number of vaginal deliveries (48,8%) in Hesse subsequent to infertility treatment for the first time.

[Pregnancy after breast cancer in germany - results of a retrospective database analysis]

BACKGROUND

After the establishment of the FertiPROTEKT network in 2006, an impetus for possibilities of pregnancy during and after breast cancer was introduced. Nowadays, breast cancer survivors are confronted with the question how often women become pregnant after breast cancer and whether there have been significant changes in this respect during the past 10 years. The aim of the study was, therefore, to examine the change in frequency of pregnancies after breast cancer treatment and the time from the first breast cancer diagnosis to pregnancy over one decade, i. e., the period from 2010-2012 compared to the period from 2000-2002.

METHODS

The study is based on data from the IMS Disease Analyzer database, which enables access to anonymous data from registered physicians. Data from 102 gynecological practices were available for the present study. The study included women aged 20-45 with breast cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 179 pregnant women were included in this study from 2000-2002 and 2010-2012. 65 pregnancies were recorded in the period from 2000-2002, 114 pregnancies from 2010-2012. The time interval from the breast cancer diagnosis to pregnancy (analysed time period was 10 years) was 896 days (SD: 690) in the period from 2000-2002 and 552 days (SD: 696) in the period from 2010-2012 (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

There was a significant increase in pregnancies within the first 2 years after the breast cancer diagnosis. These data are consistent with the intensified consultations after the introduction of the FertiPROTEKT network.

Effects of zoledronic acid versus placebo on bone mineral density and bone texture analysis assessed by the trabecular bone score in premenopausal women with breast cancer treatment-induced bone loss: results of the ProBONE II substudy

Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) were assessed in 70 patients who received either zoledronate (ZOL) (n = 34) or placebo (n = 36) for 2 years. In premenopausal women with breast cancer treatment-induced bone loss, 24 months of intravenous ZOL treatment significantly increased the lumbar spine BMD and the TBS.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 4 mg intravenous zoledronate (ZOL) versus placebo (PLB), every 3 months, on the lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD) and the trabecular bone score (TBS) in premenopausal women with breast cancer (BC) treatment-induced bone loss. The TBS is a gray-level texture measurement which is related to the bone microarchitecture and considered to be independent of the BMD.

METHODS

Changes in BMD and TBS were assessed in 70 patients who were recruited in the double-blind, placebo-controlled ProBONE-II trial and randomized to receive either ZOL (n = 34) or PLB (n = 36) for 2 years. The changes were assessed at baseline and at 12 and 24 months after treatment initiation.

RESULTS

Patients receiving ZOL showed a mean increase in LS BMD from the baseline to 12 (2.17%) and 24 months (3.14%) of treatment and a mean increase in the TBS of 2.41 and 0.75%, respectively. Conversely, patients receiving PLB showed a mean decrease in the LS BMD from the baseline to 12 (-5.02%) and 24 (-6.43%) months and a mean decrease of -0.52 and -2.16% in the TBS, respectively. Changes in the BMD and the TBS from the baseline to 12 and 24 months were all significantly different for ZOL compared to PLB (p < 0.005). Furthermore, BMD and TBS showed a moderate correlation ranging from 0.28 (p = 0.087) to 0.47 (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

In premenopausal women with BC, 24 months of intravenous ZOL treatment significantly increased the LS BMD as well as the TBS.

Differences in persistency with teriparatide in patients with osteoporosis according to gender and health care provider

This analysis investigated the persistence of teriparatide for treatment of osteoporosis in 829 patients according to gender and health care provider treated with teriparatide. This study showed that female patients were less persistent than males and those patients treated in the practices of orthopedic surgeons were more treatment persistent than patients treated in general practitioner (GP) practices.

INTRODUCTION

The optimal persistency of teriparatide (TPTD) is of the upmost importance to ensure fracture risk reduction and pain relief. Data reporting on gender-specific or health care provider-dependent differences on health care provider-dependent persistence is currently lacking.

METHODS

We analyzed a large dataset extracted from the Disease Analyzer database (IMS Health, Germany). Out of a dataset of 15 million patients, we identified patients with osteoporosis who received first-time teriparatide prescriptions from January 2005 to December 2012.

RESULTS

All 829 patients (677 females and 152 males) were included in the study. The patients were treated by 214 general practitioners (GPs) and 143 orthopedic surgeons. After 18 months of follow-up, 39.5 % of the female and 34 % of the male patients discontinued their treatment (p = 0.0308). We found a significant difference in the discontinuation rate of patients treated by orthopedic surgeons (35.0 %) compared to patients treated by GPs (44.2 %) (p = 0.0445). Additionally, at the end of the 18 months of follow up, 39.4 % of female and 47.8 % of male patients were still on treatment. We found a highly significant decreased risk for treatment discontinuation in patients with fractures prior to treatment initiation compared to those without such fractures (hazard ratio (HR) 0.77; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.66-0.90). There was a significantly increased risk of treatment discontinuation for female patients (HR 1.38; 95 % CI 1.10-1.74) compared to male patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, female patients presented higher discontinuation rates of TPTD compared to males. Patients treated in the practices of orthopedic surgeons were more persistent than patients treated in GP practices. TPTD persistence in patients with osteoporosis is higher than with antiresorptives but is still suboptimal and needs to be improved to ensure fracture risk reductions comparable to randomized controlled trial (RCT) results.

Is Early Treatment with a Cervical Pessary an Option in Patients with a History of Surgical Conisation and a Short Cervix?

Objective: Patients with a history of one or more conizations have an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of pregnancies in patients with a history of conization and early treatment with a cervical pessary. Methods: In this pilot observational study we included 21 patients and evaluated the obstetric history, the interval between pessary placement and delivery, gestational age at delivery, the neonatal outcome and the number of days of maternal and neonatal admission. Results: Among the study group of 21 patients, 20 patients had a singleton and one had a dichorionic/diamniotic twin pregnancy. At insertion, the mean gestational age was 17 + 2 (10 + 5-24 + 0) weeks and the mean cervical length was 19 (4-36) mm. Six patients presented with funneling at insertion with a mean funneling width of 19.7 (10-38) mm and funneling length of 19.9 (10-37) mm. Five patients had already lost at least one child due to early spontaneous preterm birth and another five had at least one previous abortion, who have now delivered beyond 34 weeks. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38 (31 + 1-41 + 0) gestational weeks and the mean interval between insertion and delivery was 145 (87-182) days. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a beneficial effect of an early pessary placement for patients at high-risk for preterm birth due to conization.

Trends of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery in Germany from 1990 to 2012: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The increasing incidence of cesarean deliveries (CD) in the western world is consequently leading to a rising number of antenatal counselling of pregnant women with a history of previous CD. To counteract the increasing trend of cesarean deliveries, the concept of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) may represent an alternative. The aim of the present study was to longitudinally investigate the incidence of VBAC and compare the changes within all deliveries during 23 years of follow-up.

METHODS

In this study we analyzed data from 1 202 557 deliveries in Hesse, Germany from 1990 to 2012. In total, 131 629 births have been identified to have at least one CD in the patients' medical history. We grouped the patients into 3 categories: vaginal spontaneous birth subsequent to CD, vaginal-operative birth subsequent to CD and repeated CD.

RESULTS

After previous CD, 32.1% of the patients delivered spontaneously, 4.0% delivered vaginal-operative and 63.8% had a repeated CD. The rates changed from 40.4, 7.5 and 52.1% in the year 1990 to 23.3, 2.8 and 73.9% in the year 2012 for vaginal spontaneous births, vaginal-operative births and for repeated CDs, respectively (p<0.01). We noticed a decline of 17.1 and 4.7% in spontaneous births after Cesarean and vaginal operative births respectively during the observation period. Notably, we report a dramatic increase of 21.8% of repeated CDs during the past 23 years (p<0.01). With regard to the non-affected group including all deliveries, we observed a decrease of 17% in spontaneous deliveries from 1990 to 2012 (75.9 vs. 58.9%). Vaginal operative delivery rates changed from 6.9% in 1990 to 5.9% in 2012. Consequently, CD rates increased from 17.2% in 1990 to 35.2% in the year 2012 (p<0.01). The differences between all 3 subgroups were significantly different (p<0.001).

DISCUSSION

Cesarean rates in Germany have reached an all-time high, while VBAC follows a continuous decrease. The current rate of VBAC is almost the half of that in the year 1990 (26.1 vs. 47.9%). Promotion of a trial of labor (TOL) after low transverse CD in those women who desire 3 or more children may increase the VBAC success rates and reduce maternal morbidity.

Effect of anastrozole on hormone levels in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of anastrozole on serum hormone levels in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

METHODS

We prospectively determined serum levels of estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) at screening, as well as after 12 and 24 months of treatment and studied the associations with markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD).

RESULTS

Altogether, a full set of hormone levels was available for 70 patients. Anastrozole treatment led to decreases of 92.1% for estradiol and 11.1% for LH over the observation period (p < 0.001). Conversely, FSH, DHEAS and testosterone concentrations increased by 5.9%, 33.3% and 50%, respectively (p < 0.001). SHBG levels remained stable during the 24 months of treatment (p = 0.355). There were modest associations between FSH, SHBG, CrossLaps and N-terminal propeptide of human procollagen type I (p < 0.05). Moreover, SHBG correlated positively with the BMD of femoral neck, total hip, total hip T-score, lumbar spine and the lumbar spine T-score, whereas FSH and estradiol correlated with the lumbar spine T-score (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

During the 24 months of follow-up, treatment with anastrozole decreased the serum levels of estradiol and LH. Furthermore, we found notable increases of serum levels of FSH, DHEAS and testosterone in the first 12 months of treatment, stabilizing thereafter. Additionally, we were able to correlate hormone levels with markers of bone turnover and BMD for the first time in this regard.

Successful treatment of 1-34 parathyroid hormone (PTH) after failure of bisphosphonate therapy in a complex case of pregnancy associated osteoporosis and multiple fractures

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy associated osteoporosis (PAO) was first reported almost half a century ago. The most common symptom is acute lower back pain due to vertebral fractures in the last trimester or immediately after birth.

PATIENT

We present a case involving a female patient born in 1971 (gravida II, para I) with a history of PAO. In April 2000 at the age of 28 years, she delivered a son and breastfed him for 4 months. A first magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) screening in June 2000 showed osteoporotic fractures at lumbar vertebra 1-4. Therefore, the patient received oral alendronate therapy. In May 2001, a second MRT exhibited burst fracture of thoracic 8, end-plate fracture of thoracic 11, 12, lumbar 2-5 and compression fracture of lumbar 1. The oral therapy was switched to ibandronate (3 mg) intravenously every 3 months. An X-ray in December 2002 showed 3 new additional end-plate fractures at thoracic 4, 6 and 7. Ibandronate was discontinued in September 2004 and the patient received daily subcutaneous (s. c.) injections of 1-34 PTH in September 2005.

RESULTS

After starting 1-34 PTH treatment for 18 months, a further increase in bone mineral density (BMD) was achieved without any further fracture.

CONCLUSION

We presented for the first time a case of severe PAO with 11 spine fractures. We observed an unsatisfactory effect of oral and i. v. bisphosphonates in combination with adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation. The treatment with 1-34 PTH showed an increase in BMD with no further fractures.

Rising cesarean rates of twin deliveries in Germany from 1990 to 2012

In the past 2 decades there has been an increasing trend for cesarean deliveries in twin pregnancies associated with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.We analyzed the mode of delivery of 18,132 twin gestations from the perinatal survey of Hessen in Germany between 1990 and 2012 and divided them into 4 categories according to the week of gestation (<28, 28-31, 32-36, >36). We further analyzed the cesarean delivery rates for the same period depending on the institutional level and divided them into 3 categories - University hospitals with perinatal center (U/PS), non-university affiliated hospitals with perinatal center (NU/PS) and smaller clinics without perinatal unit (NU/NPS).Cesarean rates changed from 63.6% (< 28), 88.9% (28-31), 59.6% (32-36) and 40% (> 36) in the year 1990 to 74.2%, 95.5%, 76.9% and 68.7% in 2012, respectively. As such, we report an overall increase of 23.5% in cesarean deliveries of twins over the last 23 years. We find an overall increase of 16.8%, 21% and 22.1% in university hospitals with perinatal units, in non-university hospitals with perinatal unit and in smaller hospitals without perinatal units, respectively. Furthermore, combined cesareans increased from 3.9% in 1990 to 7.0% in 2012.These findings indicate a dramatic increase in cesarean delivery rates for twin births from 1990 to 2012. We discuss the importance of international compatible guidelines for the conditions and technical procedures for twin deliveries.

Adherence and persistence in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with raloxifene

OBJECTIVE

A major impediment in osteoporosis care is poor therapeutic adherence. Real-life surveys show that adherence and persistence with oral bisphosphonates decrease to 30-60% within 1 year. The aim of this study was to analyze the adherence and persistence with raloxifene in patients visiting our outpatient clinic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 342 patients were evaluated from the conventional osteoporosis practice receiving treatment with raloxifene. Patient self-reporting was combined with the medication possession ratio (MPR) assessed via prescription refill counts. In addition, persistence and other self-reported and patient file-based data were assessed.

RESULTS

The final analysis comprised 300 patients with a mean age of 66.3 years (standard deviation ± 7.2 years). At 6 months 84%, at 12 months 81%, at 24 months 78% and at 36 months 77% of patients were persistent with therapy according to patients' self-reports. If MPR and self-reported data were combined, 56%, 48% and 35% of patients remained on therapy at 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. The mean duration of therapy was 19 months with a mean MPR of 52.8%. Finally, 31.7% of all patients were classified as adherent. Significant correlation to adherence was found for tolerability and motivational factors.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that approximately half of the patients treated with raloxifene in regular clinical practice stay on therapy for the first 2 years. Furthermore, the patients do not adhere sufficiently to the recommended dosage, and reduced clinical efficacy in clinical practice is presumable. The reasons for non-adherence comprise tolerability and motivational factors but further investigation is needed.