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PURPOSE: To examine associations between objectively measured sleep duration and sleep timing with odds of completion of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled 48 women undergoing IVF at a large tertiary medical center between 2015 and 2017. Sleep was assessed by wrist-worn actigraphy, 1-2 weeks prior to initiation of the IVF cycle. Reproductive and IVF cycle data and demographic and health information were obtained from medical charts. Sleep duration, midpoint, and bedtime were examined in relation to IVF cycle completion using logistic regression models, adjusted for age and anti-Müllerian hormone levels. A sub-analysis excluded women who worked non-day shifts to control for circadian misalignment. RESULTS: The median age of all participants was 33 years, with 29% of women >35 years. Ten women had an IVF cycle cancelation prior to embryo transfer. These women had shorter sleep duration, more nocturnal awakenings, lower sleep efficiency, and later sleep timing relative to those who completed their cycle. Longer sleep duration was associated with lower odds of uncompleted IVF cycle (OR = 0.88; 95%CI 0.78, 1.00, per 20-min increment of increased sleep duration). Women with later sleep midpoint and later bedtime had higher odds of uncompleted cycle relative to those with earlier midpoint and earlier bedtime; OR = 1.24; 95%CI 1.09, 1.40 and OR = 1.33; 95%CI 1.17, 1.53 respectively, for 20-min increments. These results were independent of age, anti-Müllerian hormone levels, or sleep duration, and remained significant after exclusion of shift-working women. CONCLUSIONS: Shorter sleep duration and later sleep timing increase the odds of uncompleted cycles prior to embryo transfer.

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OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in emergency department (ED) visits in the United States with a primary diagnosis of leiomyomas, subsequent admissions, and associated charges. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database was used to retrospectively identify all ED visits from 2006 to 2017 among women aged 18-55 years with a primary diagnosis of leiomyomas as indicated by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnosis codes. Trends in ED visits and subsequent admissions were analyzed and stratified by patient and hospital characteristics. Secondary ICD codes, Current Procedural Terminology codes, and hospital charges were analyzed. A multivariate regression model was used to identify predictors of admission. RESULTS: Although the number of ED visits for leiomyomas increased from 28,732 in 2006 to 65,685 in 2017, the admission rate decreased, from 23.9% in 2006 to 11.1% in 2017. Emergency department visits for leiomyomas were highest among women who were aged 36-45 years (44.5%), in the lowest income quartile (36.1%), privately insured (38.3%), and living in the South (46.2%). Admission was more likely at nonteaching hospitals (odds ratio [OR] 1.23, 95% CI 1.08-1.39) or those located in the Northeast (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.15-1.68). Patient characteristics associated with admission included older age (26-35 years: OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.21-1.66; 36-45 years: OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.72-2.34; 46-55 years: OR 2.60, 95% CI 2.23-3.03) and bleeding-related complaints (OR 14.92, 95% CI 14.00-15.90). Admission was least likely in uninsured patients (Medicare: OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.21-1.54; Medicaid: OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.16-1.36; private: OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.32-1.56). CONCLUSION: Although ED visits for leiomyomas are increasing, admission rates for these visits are decreasing. The substantial decline in admissions suggests many of these visits could potentially be addressed in a non-acute-care setting. However, when women with leiomyomas present with a bleeding-related complaint, the odds of admission increase 15-fold. There is an apparent disparity in likelihood of admission based on insurance type.

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Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of gender-affirming hormone therapy, including the various hormone regimens available, the efficacy and potential risks of these treatments, and considerations for surveillance and long-term care. Recent findings: Recent studies reaffirm that hormone therapy has positive physical and psychological effects for many transgender individuals. The overall risks of treatment are low. Transgender women may have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism and breast cancer based on recent cohort studies, but these findings have yet to be confirmed with randomized controlled trials. Important long-term considerations include metabolic, cardiovascular, and skeletal health. Summary: High-quality, long-term studies on the effectiveness and safety of various gender-affirming hormone treatment regimens are lacking, but the currently available evidence suggests that it is overall safe and effective with appropriate oversight.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of fibroids, and their removal, on ART outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single institution retrospective cohort study of infertility patients who underwent myomectomy prior to either in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) between August 2006 and October 2015 (N = 49). Two separate control groups were established: 1) women with fibroids left in situ during the ART process (N = 76), and 2) women with no fibroids (N = 103). The study was powered to detect a difference between a 42%, 11%, and 25% live birth (LB) rate in the myomectomy, fibroids in situ, and no fibroids groups at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in IVF cycle parameters between groups. Fibroids that were either submucosal or intramural with associated cavity distortion were significantly more likely to be removed. Amongst women undergoing IVF, the cumulative incidence of clinical pregnancy (CP) was significantly higher in the myomectomy group than the in situ or no fibroids groups. Women who underwent pre-IVF myomectomy also achieved CP more quickly. Cumulative LB rates did not differ significantly amongst women undergoing IVF. CP and LB rates per cycle were similar between myomectomy, in situ, and no fibroids groups (CP 49% vs. 37.5% vs. 54.4%, P = 0.21; LB 41.7% vs. 27.1% vs. 43.9%, P = 0.17). DISCUSSION: IVF outcomes appear to be improved by judicious removal of clinically significant fibroids. Further prospective studies are required to confirm the role of fibroids, and their removal, on ART outcomes before advocating for routine myomectomy amongst women with fibroids undergoing ART.

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BACKGROUND: Adhesion development is the most common sequelae of intra-abdominal and pelvic surgery and represents a significant, yet poorly understood, cause of morbidity among post-operative patients. It remains unclear, for example, exactly why adhesions form more frequently in certain tissues and/or patients, or at specific locations within them, as opposed to others. This review contributes to the growing knowledge pool by elucidating factors that potentially predispose to the development of adhesions. Given the strong correlation between a hypofibrinolytic state and adhesion formation, this review article will examine not only those factors that have been shown to directly predispose to adhesion development, but also those that are likely do so indirectly by means of altering the coagulation/fibrinolytic profile. METHODS: A literature search was performed using the PubMed database for all relevant English language articles up to February 2014. All of the identified articles were reviewed with particular attention to predisposing factors to post-operative adhesion development. In addition, the reference lists of each article were reviewed to identify additional relevant articles. RESULTS: Various factors have been shown to directly increase the risk of post-operative adhesion development; namely, certain genetic polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, increased estrogen exposure, and endometriosis. In addition, numerous factors are known to increase the risk of fibrosis, therefore likely increasing the risk of adhesion development indirectly. These factors include genetic polymorphisms in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, obesity, depression, binge alcohol consumption, anti-Parkinsonian medications, oral hormone therapy, pregnancy, and cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The literature reviewed in this paper will help to direct future research aimed at understanding the mechanisms that underlie the association of certain factors with adhesion development. This information will be crucial in the creation of adequate preventative and treatment strategies.

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PURPOSE: To review the current literature regarding the role of vitamin D status in pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) and to assess cost-effectiveness of routine vitamin D deficiency screening and repletion prior to initiation of ART. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed. Relevant study outcomes were compared among the selected studies. A cost-benefit analysis was performed using a decision tree mathematical model with sensitivity analyses from the perspective of direct societal cost. Published data were used to estimate probabilities and costs in 2014 US dollars. RESULTS: Thirty-four articles were retrieved, of which eight met inclusion criteria. One study demonstrated a negative relationship between vitamin D status and ART outcomes, while two studies showed no association. The remaining five studies concluded that ART outcomes improved after vitamin D repletion. CONCLUSION: The majority of reviewed studies reported a decrement in ART outcomes in patients with vitamin D deficiency. Cost-benefit analyses suggested that screening and supplementing vitamin D prior to ART might be cost effective, but further evidence is needed. Given the absence of Level I evidence regarding vitamin D status and ART outcomes, full endorsement of routine vitamin D screening and supplementation prior to ART is premature.

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