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Biomedical subjects

I S Fraser

Publications and source records attributed to I S Fraser.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

The decline in popularity of the intrauterine device. A survey of general practitioner attitudes and practices in New South Wales.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the attitudes and practices of general practitioners (GPs) in New South Wales in regard to intrauterine device (IUD) use. DESIGN: Randomised group comparison of 100 rural and 100 urban GPs by questionnaire. SUBJECTS: Sixty-five rural and 66 urban general practitioners took part in the study. RESULTS: Almost 50% of GPs who responded to the questionnaire always discussed the IUD when counselling about contraception, whereas 6% never discussed IUDs. Rural GPs were more likely to discuss IUD use than urban GPs. In the past, 68.7% of GPs had inserted IUDs but only 20.6% still inserted them. Fifty per cent of GPs who did not currently insert IUDs felt they lacked expertise due to less demand for IUDs from women or inadequate training. CONCLUSION: Prevailing community attitudes towards intrauterine devices have resulted in fewer requests to general practitioners for IUDs, resulting in a lack of expertise in IUD insertion. Increased litigation associated with IUD use, and subsequent publicity, has increased the cost of medical indemnity insurance. All these factors have contributed to fewer GPs being prepared to insert IUDs. Australian women are being deprived of balanced information about the benefits and risks of IUD use and of the possibility of using this very effective, low-cost, low-maintenance method of contraception.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Vaginal bleeding patterns in women using once-a-month injectable contraceptives.

The main raison d'être for the development of once-a-month injectable contraceptives is the need for a long-acting method which produces a regular vaginal bleeding pattern. Although many women will successfully tolerate the amenorrhea or irregular bleeding which frequently accompany use of long-acting progestogen-only methods, there is a substantial minority, especially in certain ethnic groups, who find this unacceptable. The extensive literature does indicate that although combined estrogen-progestogen once-a-month injectables produce much more regular bleeding patterns than long-acting injectables like depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, the patterns are not entirely normal. Detailed studies by the World Health Organization have demonstrated some deviation from normal menstrual patterns by users of the two once-a-month injectables, Cyclofem and Mesigyna. For example, 23.5% of Cyclofem and 25.2% of Mesigyna users experience irregular bleeding between 3 and 6 months of use compared with 4.8% of untreated women, and 13.3% of Cyclofem and 11.1% of Mesigyna users experience prolonged bleeding compared with 2.3% of untreated women. Comparable figures are much worse for DMPA users with a 35.7% incidence of irregular and 27.7% incidence of prolonged bleeding after similar duration of use. Bleeding patterns with all long-acting methods tend to improve with time. Overall group data for once-a-month injectable users are reasonably close to those of untreated women with, for example, a median of 15.6 days (5th and 95th percentiles: 7.5 and 26; confidence limits) of bleeding or spotting per 90-day reference period compared with a median of 18.5 days (5th and 95th percentiles: 12.2 and 25.5) for untreated women. Twelve-month life table discontinuation rates for menstrual bleeding disturbances are lower than expected for most progestogen-only methods at 2.1-5.2% for Cyclofem and 0.8-4.2% for Mesigyna for amenorrhea, and 6.3-12.7% for Cyclofem and 7.5-12.0% for Mesigyna for bleeding-related reasons. Once-a-month injectable contraceptives produce vaginal bleeding patterns much closer to normal than other injectables, but there are still significant deviations which lead to some discontinuation for menstrual reasons. Hence, full explanation and counselling about possible menstrual changes are still essential for all intending users of these methods.

Contraceptive Agents, Female↗
PubMed1994

A new reliable method of culturing and measuring human decidual capillary endothelial cells.

A reliable method of culturing human decidual capillary endothelial cells was developed. Endothelial growth cell supplement, heparin and newborn bovine serum were added to the culture medium to facilitate growth. Decidual capillary endothelial cell cultures showed similar growth curves to the more traditional human umbilical cord vein endothelial cell cultures. Culture growth was assessed by a new morphometric method of measuring cell culture area with the use of a computerised measuring tablet. This new method was compared with the more laborious method of counting individual cells and was found to be as reliable and more efficient.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1994

Reproductive function and contraception in the postpartum period.

The postpartum period is a time of major cellular and hormonal change enabling the return of pelvic organs and the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis to the nonpregnant state. Breast-feeding modifies this change and maintains the endocrine profile and uterine endometrium in a "static" state. In nonlactating women, menstruation returns on average by day 55 to 60 postpartum and ovulation returns on average by day 40 to 50 postpartum. Breast-feeding prolongs the return of menstruation to some 8 to 15 months postpartum and the first ovulation on average was between 30 to 40 weeks postpartum. However, in breast-feeding women, the return of menstruation and ovulation can be quite variable and is influenced by the pattern of breast-feeding, in particular, the intensity and pattern of suckling. There is concern that breast-feeding, although an effective contraceptive on a wide population scale, is unpredictable for the individual. An overall pregnancy rate of 2 to 10 per cent during lactational amenorrhea has been reported. Barrier methods, intrauterine contraceptive devices, and progestogen-only contraceptives are some of the highly effective and most commonly used additional methods of contraception by lactating women. Other methods of contraception during this period include the use of periodic abstinence and combined oral contraceptives. This paper provides an overview of postpartum reproductive function in relation to breast-feeding and the use of contraception in this unique period.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1994

Menorrhagia--a pragmatic approach to the understanding of causes and the need for investigations.

Menorrhagia is a symptom denoting excessively heavy menstrual bleeding. It is a complaint that is difficult to verify objectively in many cases, even with a detailed case history. Issues of perception and tolerance of symptoms are important in whether a patient presents to a doctor, and this varies considerably from one society to another. Research studies indicate that the upper limit of normal blood loss is between 60 and 80 ml/month. Above this level women tend to become progressively iron deficient. Hence, any development which may help the precision of this assessment is valuable, and several of these will be discussed. Causes of menorrhagia can be divided into three groups: (1) pelvic diseases, such as myomata and adenomyosis; (2) systemic disorders, such as coagulopathies and hypothyroidism; and (3) dysfunctional uterine bleeding--a diagnosis of exclusion. Investigations are mainly aimed at improving the precision of the underlying diagnosis, defining the severity of the condition and excluding anaemia. Hence, the most important investigations are a full blood count, a diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. In clinical practice, other specific investigations need only be carried out if there are unusual features in the history or examination, or if previous treatments have failed. In a research situation there have been numerous studies aimed at elucidation of the mechanisms of heavy bleeding and some of these will be reviewed.

Dilatation and Curettage↗
PubMed1994

Dysmenorrhea.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1993

Short and medium term outcomes after rollerball endometrial ablation for menorrhagia.

OBJECTIVE: To review prospectively the intraoperative, short and medium term outcomes of patients treated by rollerball endometrial ablation during the learning curve for this relatively new procedure. PATIENTS AND TECHNIQUES: Seventy-seven women with menorrhagia (71 with dysfunctional bleeding; six with additional small intramural myomas) underwent hysteroscopic rollerball endometrial ablation by coagulation diathermy during 1.5% glycine irrigation, after a two-month period of hormonal suppression. OPERATIVE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS: These were recorded at operation and six-week follow-up. No serious short-term complications were recorded. Objective measurement of intraoperative blood loss was always less than 20 mL. One woman experienced uterine perforation with a narrow cervical dilator which did not interfere with the ablation, and two patients had mild postoperative uterine infections. One patient experienced persistent postoperative pain. MEDIUM-TERM OUTCOME: This was recorded at each visit, or by telephone, and confirmed by questionnaire at one year. Twenty-five per cent achieved complete amenorrhoea, 29% staining only, 30% light periods, 10% "normal" or erratic periods and 6% were unchanged. Five patients underwent a second ablation, and three of these later underwent hysterectomy. Measured menstrual blood loss fell from 104 +/- 19 mL (mean +/- standard error of mean) to 1.7 +/- 1.1 mL at six months in 18 women. Other menstrual symptoms were also often dramatically reduced. Of those women with dysmenorrhoea, 33% were cured and 43% markedly improved; of those with midcycle pain, 28% were cured and 53% markedly improved; of those with significant premenstrual symptoms, 13% were cured, 47% markedly improved, 11% unchanged, and 6% were worse. CONCLUSIONS: This new procedure is a safe and effective treatment for menorrhagia caused by dysfunctional uterine bleeding, with impressive ancillary benefits for dysmenorrhoea, midcycle pain and premenstrual tension. It is often called minimally invasive surgery, but it must be recognised that it is not minor surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Empiric amphotericin B therapy: the need for a reappraisal.

Neutropenic patients are at high risk of developing invasive fungal diseases. A number of studies, both randomized and historical, have demonstrated that empiric therapy with amphotericin B in neutropenic patients with fever, refractory to antibiotics, results in a decrease in the frequency and mortality of deep fungal infections. Recent years have seen a number of advances in the management of neutropenic patients. Reasonably effective antifungal prophylaxis now exists and in many centres forms part of the routine care of neutropenic patients. Other centres advocate the use of selective decontamination and/or protective isolation. Furthermore the duration of neutropenia can be reduced with the use of haematopoetic growth factors. The impact of empiric amphotericin B in patients already benefiting from such treatments has not been adequately studied. The optimum dose of empiric amphotericin B is not defined. The criteria for commencing amphotericin B therapy in febrile neutropenic patients must therefore be redefined on the basis of further studies carried out in the context of these developments. We offer an approach to the use of empiric amphotericin B based on risk factors and prophylaxis.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1993

Contraceptive choice for women with 'risk factors'.

Women with many medical conditions need to plan their families with special care. For such women, the risk of complications with particular contraceptive methods is increased. Women with severe hypertension, a previous myocardial infarction or venous thromboembolism, or cerebrovascular stroke have a significant risk of problems in pregnancy, and should avoid the combined pill. The combined pill may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus and may worsen the severity of migrainous headaches in susceptible patients. Women with active hepatitis should wait for liver function tests to normalise before becoming pregnant or starting the combined pill or injectable progestogen. Control of epilepsy may deteriorate with use of the combined pill; this is probably because of the risk of drug interactions. Similarly, contraceptive control may also fail in women receiving rifampicin (rifampin) concurrently with contraceptive steroids. Intrauterine contraceptive devices should not be used in women who have experienced previous episodes of pelvic inflammatory disease, or with previous malignancy of the genital tract until complete cure is likely. Other conditions which may appear, become more common or worsen when the combined pill is prescribed include hepatic adenoma, gall bladder disease, ulcerative colitis, alopecia, hirsutism and acne. Some of these conditions are potentially hazardous to the woman's health, in which case combined pill use should be stopped. If the condition is unchanged then the combined pill may sometimes be reintroduced with caution.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Laparoscopic salpingostomy with electrocautery in the management of tubal pregnancy.

From August, 1990 to May, 1991, all cases of tubal pregnancy presenting to King George V Hospital for Mothers and Infants were considered for laparoscopic salpingostomy. This procedure involved opening the affected Fallopian tube with diathermy, removal of ectopic tissue via the laparoscope, achieving haemostasis and leaving the tubal incision to heal by secondary intention. The procedure was undertaken in 35 patients and was successfully performed in 31 patients with an average operating time of 66.4 minutes (+/- 20.1 minutes). Average hospital stay was 2.1 days (+/- 1.3). This paper examines the technique and results of the initial learning curve for laparoscopic salpingostomy and finds that with knowledge of potential hazards and care in surgery, this operation can be safely carried out in a selected group of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

A review of the use of progestogen-only minipills for contraception during lactation.

Progestogen-only minipills and other systems for releasing low doses of progestogens alone are widely used for contraception in breast-feeding women around the world. There is good evidence to confirm their acceptability and their lack of effect on milk production, neonatal growth and early development. In contrast, combined oral contraceptives frequently decrease milk production, and may produce minor changes in milk composition. However, even combined oral contraceptives do not appear to produce adverse effects on neonatal well-being and development, although minor reductions in initial growth rate may sometimes occur. Progestogen-only methods may also produce subtle changes in milk composition, although less than combined oral contraceptives. Steroids are transferred from plasma into milk in small quantities, but the amounts are usually very low or insufficient to allow detection in the infants using present-day assays. There has been theoretical concern that these tiny amounts of steroids might affect neonatal reproductive development, but this appears to be unwarranted. Progestogen-only methods are being widely used for post-partum contraception, and they appear to have particular advantages in this situation. They also have few disadvantages; a theoretical concern about a possible effect on later reproductive or sexual development has no evidence to support it. The present licensing situation in Australia, which lists lactation as a relative contraindication to progestogen-only contraceptive use, causes real concern to potential users and appears to lead to frequent errors in compliance.

Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal↗
PubMed1991

A comparative treatment trial of endometriosis using the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, nafarelin, and the synthetic steroid, danazol.

A randomized and double-blind trial was carried out comparing intranasal nafarelin acetate (400 micrograms daily) and oral danazol (600 mg daily), given over 6 months, in the treatment of 49 patients with laparoscopically proven endometriosis. Both drugs produced a highly significant and similar reduction (of 60 to 70%) in objective American Fertility Society scoring, even in severe disease. No effect was seen on adhesions. Both drugs suppressed oestradiol levels to a similar extent, although nafarelin caused a substantial rise in the first 2 weeks after the initiation of therapy. Nafarelin suppressed LH substantially and FSH, testosterone and prolactin to a small degree, whereas FSH and LH increased slightly during danazol. Pregnancies occurred in 12 of 22 infertile women in the 12 months following nafarelin, and in 6 of 14 in the danazol group. Side-effects were reported at a similar rate with both drugs, but the pattern was different. Hot flushes were the predominant side effect with nafarelin, although oestradiol levels were not suppressed to the extent expected. Small amounts of spotting or light bleeding were experienced with both drugs, but these tended to decrease with time with nafarelin and increase with danazol.

Administration, Intranasal↗