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Data on non-surgical treatment approaching persistent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are scarce. Retrospective analysis suggest high efficacy of topical treatment with trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This prospective phase II study set out to investigate the efficacy of a single application of 85% TCA in the treatment of CIN I/II. Patients with CIN I/II were treated a single time with 85% TCA. After three and six months colposcopic, histologic, and HPV evaluation was performed. The primary endpoint was treatment efficacy defined as complete histologic remission six months after treatment. The secondary endpoint was HPV clearance six months after treatment. A total of 102 patients with CIN I/II were included into this trial. Complete histologic remission rates were 75.5% and 78.4% three and six months after TCA treatment, respectively. Clearance rates of HPV 16, 18 and other high risk types were 76.5%, 91.7%, 68.7% after six months, respectively. Side effects of TCA were mild and lasted usually less than 30 min. This is the first prospective trial reporting high histologic complete remission rates in patients with CIN I/II after a single 85% TCA treatment. In the future, TCA may represent an effective and feasible non-surgical treatment approach for CIN.

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AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the effectiveness of a multidimensional neonatal simulation-based medical education training programme on direct and indirect patient outcome parameters. METHODS: This was a retrospective analytical study with a historical control group in a level II neonatal care unit (1,700 births per year). A multidimensional interdisciplinary training programme on neonatal resuscitation was implemented in 2015; pre-training (2012-2014) and post-training (2015-2019) eras were compared in terms of mortality (direct outcome) and the received intervention level immediately after birth (indirect outcome). Intervention levels were defined as follows: A) short-term non-invasive ventilation, B) prolonged non-invasive ventilation (>5 inflation breaths), C) chest compressions. RESULTS: Of 13,950 neonates born during the study period, 826 full-term newborns received one of the three intervention levels for adaptation after birth. A total of 284 (34.4%) patients received short-term non-invasive ventilation (A), 477 (57.8%) had prolonged ventilation (B), and 65 (7.9%) chest compressions (C), respectively. Comparing the pre- and post-training eras, there was no significant reduction in mortality, and no significant changes were found in groups A or B. However, the risk for chest compressions (group C) decreased significantly from 0.91% in the pre-training era to 0.20% in the post-training era (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although there was no significant effect on neonatal mortality, regular interdisciplinary simulation training decreased the number of administered chest compressions immediately after birth. Further studies are needed to test indirect outcome-related parameters, such as frequency of chest compressions as a measure of effectiveness and impact of medical training.

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BACKGROUND: To evaluate whether using a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to implement an evidence-based bundle can reduce 30-day surgical site infection rates in women undergoing cesarean delivery. METHODS: This observational study with a preintervention and postintervention design included 2576 consecutive women undergoing cesarean delivery at our tertiary care hospital between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. The primary outcome was 30-day surgical site infection rate after cesarean delivery defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. The preintervention period span from the January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. After initiation of a Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (ie, a continuous quality improvement program to improve patient safety using a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach adapted on local demands), we introduced a bundle of evidence-based interventions (including preoperative shower, hair removal with clippers, correct antibiotic prophylaxis, maintaining normothermia, glycemic control, and strict compliance with hygiene standards as well as practice good hand hygiene) per January 1, 2015 into clinical routine. The postintervention period span from January 1, 2015 to December 31 2017. RESULTS: In the preintervention period the overall surgical site infection rate was 16 of 1,060 cesarean deliveries versus in the postintervention period the overall surgical site infection rate was 9 of 1,516 cesarean deliveries (1.50% vs 0.56%; P = .033). This corresponds to a relative risk reduction of over 60% after implementation of the evidence-based bundle (odds ratio 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.89; P = .020). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we have adapted the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program strategy to implement an evidence based-bundle into clinical routine. Using this comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, we could markedly reduce 30-day surgical site infections.

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Vulvar cancer is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis that generally occurs in elderly patients. The individual prognosis is difficult to assess. Serum creatinine levels are frequently elevated in elderly patients. Recent evidence have shown shown that - besides indicating kidney impairment - serum creatinine levels may be used to predict the survival in cancer patients. Several studies observed an association between elevated serum creatinine levels and poor prognosis in patients with solid tumors. In this retrospective cohort study, serum creatinine levels were evaluated in 170 patients with invasive vulvar cancer. Serum creatinine levels were correlated to established clinicopathologic factors. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis were performed. Elevated serum creatinine levels (>1.2 mg/dl) were significantly associated with both poor disease specific and overall survival. Three year overall survival rates were 74.8% and 32.5% for patients with serum creatinine levels of ≤ and >1.2 mg/dl, respectively. In a multivariate survival model, serum creatinine levels were significantly associated with overall survival independent of tumor stage and patients' age. In conclusion, pretherapeutic serum creatinine levels may be useful as an independent prognostic parameter in patients with vulvar cancer.

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AIM: To evaluate preoperative serum creatinine level as a prognostic parameter in patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, serum levels of creatinine were evaluated in 498 patients with EOC. Data were extracted from our prospectively maintained database. Results were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. RESULTS: The mean pre-therapeutic serum creatinine level in patients with EOC was 0.84±0.40 mg/dI. A serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dl or higher was found in 22 (4.4%) patients and associated with poor survival. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the serum creatinine level was a significant independent prognostic parameter of overall survival. CONCLUSION: The preoperative serum level of creatinine may be useful as an additional independent prognostic parameter in patients with EOC.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk for endometrial cancer (EC) in a large series of asymptomatic patients with thickened endometrium at ultrasound examination based on previously published data of a theoretical cohort. METHODS: In a prospective register study, a total of 1024 women with thickened endometrium in ultrasound examination undergoing histological diagnosis by dilation, hysteroscopy and curettage were evaluated. 124 patients were excluded due to current medication with tamoxifen and/or presence of HNPCC leaving 900 patients for further analysis. RESULTS: Mean [standard deviation (SD)] age of patients was 65.6 (8.6) years. Mean (SD) endometrial thickness was 11.9 (5.8) mm. 32 and 6 cases of EC and complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia were found, respectively. In the univariate analysis, a statistically significant association between endometrial thickness, current use of antihypertensive medication, number of deliveries, and the presence of endometrial fluid in preoperative vaginal ultrasound (p < 0.05) with EC was found. A multivariate logistic regression model incorporating these parameters showed a statistically significant independent association of endometrial thickness, number of deliveries, and the presence of endometrial fluid in preoperative vaginal ultrasound (p < 0.05), but not current use of antihypertensive medication, with EC. Using a cut-off of the endometrial thickness of > 11 mm, the risk for "EC alone" and "EC and complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia combined" was found to be 6.7% and 7.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data compare favorably to a theoretical cohort suggesting a clinically reasonable cut-off of > 11 mm endometrial thickness to discriminate between "normal" and "pathological". The data regarding "risk for endometrial cancer" can be used for counseling affected women.

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BACKGROUND: Preoperative hyponatremia and thrombocytosis are associated with perioperative morbidity in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate preoperative hyponatremia and thrombocytosis as prognostic parameters in patients with EOC. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, serum levels of sodium and thrombocyte counts were evaluated in 498 patients with EOC. Data were extracted from the prospectively maintained database. Results were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) overall pretherapeutic serum sodium levels and thrombocyte counts in patients with EOC were 138.8 (2.9) mmol/l and 340.1 (122.6)â€¯× 103/µl, respectively. Hyponatremia (serum sodium levels ≤ 134 mmol/l) was found in 33 (6.7%) patients and thrombocytosis (thrombocytes ≥ 450/µl) in 88 (17.7%) patients. Serum sodium levels were associated with the presence or absence of residual tumor tissue after primary surgery. Thrombocyte counts were associated with Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) tumor stage, presence/absence of residual tumor, histological grade and histological type. Patients with thrombocytosis presented with advanced tumor stage, a higher rate of postoperative residual tumor mass, higher tumor grade, and a higher rate of serous ovarian cancer. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the established clinicopathological parameters but not serum sodium and thrombocyte count were independent predictors of patient overall survival. CONCLUSION: Preoperative hyponatremia and thrombocytosis are not useful as additional independent prognostic parameters in patients with EOC.

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Purpose On January 1st, 2018, the ÖGZ (Austrian Society of Cytology) revised its cytological nomenclature to make it more similar to the 2015 Bethesda system. Following these changes, the Austrian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics felt it necessary to revise the approach currently used in Austria to diagnose and treat CIN and to review the procedures to be followed when the quality of cytological specimens is unsatisfactory. It was not possible to adopt the German S3 guideline "Prevention of Cervical Cancer" in its entirety, because the Munich III gynecological cytology nomenclature used in Germany is not used in Austria. This made it necessary to compile a separate scientific opinion for Austria. Methodology The OEGGG worked together with the ÖGZ (Austrian Society for Cytology), AGO Austria (Austrian Working Group for Gynecological Oncology), the AGK (Colposcopy Working Group), and physicians representing gynecologists in private practice. The different scientific associations nominated representatives, who attended the various meetings. After an in-depth analysis of the recent literature, three meetings and numerous votes by telephone, we were able to achieve a consensus about the contents of this guideline. Recommendations The guideline provides recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of CIN which take account of the gynecological cytology nomenclature used in Austria.

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Fibrinogen has an important pathophysiological role in tumor cell progression and development of metastases in different types of cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of pre-treatment fibrinogen plasma concentrations as a biomarker for tumor biology and prognosis in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS). Clinical data of patients with ULMS were assessed in this multi-center study Pre-therapeutic fibrinogen plasma concentrations were evaluated. We investigated the association between fibrinogen plasma levels and clinico-pathological parameters and performed univariate and multivariable survival analyses. In total, 70 women with ULMS were included into the analysis. Mean (SD) pre-treatment fibrinogen plasma levels were 480.2 (172.3) mg/dL. Patients with advanced tumor stage, increased tumor size and higher histological grading had higher fibrinogen levels (p = 0.02, p = 0.013, and p = 0.029, respectively). In ULMS patients with increased fibrinogen levels 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 25.0% compared to 52.9% in ULMS patients with normal fibrinogen, respectively. Univariate survival analyses revealed that elevated fibrinogen plasma levels (p = 0.030), advanced tumor stage (p < 0.001) and undifferentiated histology (p = 0.003) showed association with unfavorable OS. In multivariable analysis, histological grade (p = 0.03) and tumor stage (0.02) were independently associated with survival. Elevated fibrinogen plasma levels were associated with aggressive tumor biology and poor prognosis in women with ULMS. Fibrinogen might be useful as a novel biomarker in ULMS.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate published evidence in the literature on compartment syndrome (CS) in association with gynecologic surgery and to establish postoperative normal values for serum creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin. METHODS: The present study consists of a case report of a patient with CS, a systematic review including 37 studies and 86 patients with CS, and a retrospective cohort study of 300 patients undergoing various types of laparoscopy for benign or malignant diseases in order to establish postoperative normal values. RESULTS: We report on a patient with early-stage ovarian cancer, who developed CS after laparoscopic surgery with massively elevated serum CK and myoglobin levels, i.e., 1109 U/L and 18151 µg/L, respectively. In our systematic review, median serum CK and myoglobin levels among women with CS were 19,223 (177-27,412) U/L and 1248 (285-1360) µg/L, respectively. In our cohort study, the median postoperative serum CK and myoglobin levels were 68 (14-1576) U/L and 45 (14-1040) µg/L, respectively. The 95th and 99th percentile of serum CK and myoglobin levels were 158 and 391.5 U/L, and 152.3 and 298.9 µg/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: Markedly elevated postoperative serum levels of CK and myoglobin levels might raise the suspicion for CS and could therefore aid in the rapid diagnosis of CS.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate a one-stop clinical assessment of risk for assessing endometrial pathologies (OSCAR-Endo), consisting of a fast-track protocol with hysteroscopy, dilation and curettage (D&C) with intraoperative frozen section analysis of the removed tissue in cases of hysteroscopic suspicion of malignancy. METHODS: In this prospective clinical trial, a total of 304 consecutive women with sonographically suspected endometrial hyperplasia and/or postmenopausal bleeding, underwent D&C with intraoperative frozen section analysis between May 2013 and September 2015. Based on the results of the hysteroscopy and/or frozen section, the OSCAR-Endo score was reported: negative, when no frozen section was regarded necessary or the frozen section yielded a negative result; equivocal, when the frozen section reported an equivocal result; positive, when frozen section reported either complex hyperplasia with atypia or cancer. RESULTS: Frozen sections were required by the surgeons in 59 (19.4%) of cases. When compared with the final histology after D&C, frozen section showed a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall test accuracy of 91.3, 100, 100, 94.1, and 96.3% for predicting malignant disease, respectively. The OSCAR-Endo score showed a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall test accuracy of 84, 100, 100, 98.6, and 98.7% for predicting malignant disease, respectively. CONCLUSION: The OSCAR-Endo protocol is easy to perform in daily clinical practice reaching an excellent test accuracy. It helps in immediate postoperative counseling of affected patients. Clinical Trial Registration http://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; NCT01961102.

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PROBLEM: Various autoimmunologic mechanisms have been shown to be involved in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This study aimed to evaluate whether women with RPL have elevated serum levels of common autoimmunologic parameters. METHOD OF STUDY: Serum levels of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) were measured in 114 women with RPL, and 107 healthy controls using a qualitative immunometric enzyme immunoassay, serum levels of IgG class autoantibodies against histone, IgG class autoantibodies against nucleosomes, and IgG class autoantibodies against double-stranded (ds) DNA were measured by quantitative enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS: No differences were ascertained regarding serum levels of ANAs (P=.9), serum levels of antibodies against histones (P=.1), antibodies against nucleosomes (P=.4) and antibodies against dsDNA (P=.6) between women with RPL and healthy controls. No associations were found between serum levels and clinical characteristics of affected women. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that serologic parameters of autoimmunity are not elevated in women with RPL and are not associated with clinical characteristics of affected women.

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BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget's disease of the vulva (EPDV) is a rare adenocarcinoma in situ of the vulvar skin and is often resected with involved margins due to its reticular growth pattern. Adjuvant treatment with the immunomodulator imiquimod may be suitable to avoid repeated and mutilating surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 73-year-old woman with EPDV, initially treated with surgical resection and re-resection for involved margins. Final histology revealed Paget's disease of the left vulva with 8 cm in the largest diameter and again involved margins. Subsequently, topical therapy with imiquimod 5% cream twice weekly was applied for 3 months. Vulvoscopy and local biopsies confirmed complete remission (CR). Based on a literature search using PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, 21 reports on the therapeutic efficacy of imiquimod in 70 women with EPDV have been published. Pooled rates of CR and partial remission were 71% (50/70) and 16% (11/70), respectively. There were 4 cases of disease progression under imiquimod and the therapy was generally well tolerated with mild to moderate local reactions in >50% of cases. CONCLUSION: EPDV is a rare genital neoplasia and may be successfully treated with the topical immunomodulator imiquimod. Specifically, adjuvant imiquimod is a feasible and efficacious treatment option for women with involved resection margins after surgery.

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BACKGROUND: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is used to treat peritoneal cancer. The pattern of gene expression changes of peritoneal cancer during intraperitoneal chemotherapy has not been studied before. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy is a new form of intraperitoneal chemotherapy using repeated applications and allowing repeated tumor sampling during chemotherapy. Here, we present the analysis of gene expression changes during pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cisplatin using a 22-gene panel. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from 152 PC samples obtained from 63 patients in up to six cycles of intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the gene expression levels. For select genes, immunohistochemistry was used to verify gene expression changes observed on the transcript level on the protein level. Observed (changes in) expression levels were correlated with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Gene expression profiles differed significantly between peritoneal cancer and non- peritoneal cancer samples and between ascites-producing and non ascites-producing peritoneal cancers. Changes of gene expression patterns during repeated intraperitoneal chemotherapy cycles were prognostic of overall survival, suggesting a molecular tumor response of peritoneal cancer. Specifically, downregulation of the whole gene panel during intraperitoneal chemotherapy was associated with better treatment response and survival. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, molecular changes of peritoneal cancer during pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy can be documented and may be used to refine individual treatment and prognostic estimations.

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OBJECTIVES: To estimate the efficacy and side effects of Monsel solution for hemostasis after cervical punch biopsy. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized trial, we compared application of Monsel solution versus a "wait and see" approach in women undergoing cervical punch biopsies in a 1:1 ratio. The primary end point was vaginal bleeding (VB) after 15 minutes measured by scoring a sanitary pad with a 5-level pictogram. Secondary end points were VB after 3, 6, and 24 hours (5-level pictogram), subjective estimation of overall VB during 24 hours, pain after 15 minutes and subjective estimation of overall pain after 24 hours, and overall satisfaction after 24 hours (11-level visual analogue scale). RESULTS: One hundred forty-five women were randomized between July 2015 and January 2016. Mean objective VB scores after 15 minutes in 75 women with Monsel solution were 1.2 ± 0.6 compared with 1.8 ± 1.0 in 70 women without Monsel solution (P < 0.001). The secondary end points VB after 3 and 6 hours, but not after 24 hours, were also in favor of Monsel solution (2.1 ± 1.1 vs 2.9 ± 1.2; P < 0.001; 1.6 ± 0.7 vs 2.2 ± 1.0; P < 0.001; 1.6 ± 0.9 vs 1.7 ± 0.9; P = 0.4, respectively). Subjective estimation of overall VB during 24 hours was lower for Monsel solution (23.2 ± 15.8 vs 35.9 ± 19.5; P < 0.001), but pain after 15 minutes, overall pain, and overall satisfaction were not significantly different between groups (19.2 ± 14.4 vs 17.9 ± 16.2; P = 0.3; 20.7 ± 15.8 vs 20.1 ± 18.0; P = 0.5; and 44.1 ± 21.5 vs 43.6 ± 23.2; P = 0.9, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Application of Monsel solution significantly reduces bleeding for 6 hours after cervical biopsy but does not affect overall pain or overall satisfaction.

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OBJECTIVE: Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) is the standard surgical treatment for cervical dysplasia. The optimal way to achieve local hemostasis in women undergoing LLETZ is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective, randomized trial, we compared spray coagulation and forced coagulation in women undergoing LLETZ in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was time to complete local hemostasis (TCLH). Secondary endpoints were blood loss (Δ hemoglobin before and after LLETZ), pain (numerical visual analog scale, 5-step graphical visual analog scale measured 2-3 hours after LLETZ), and perioperative/postoperative complications (intraoperative need for sutures, postoperative bleeding, infection, and unscheduled readmission). Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-one women were enrolled and were eligible for analysis. Mean (SD) TCLH in 80 women with forced coagulation was 43.3 (38.5) and 28.9 (22.9) seconds in 71 women with spray coagulation (p < 0.001). The secondary endpoints blood loss (Δ hemoglobin, -0.8 [0.8] vs -0.7 [1.1]; p = 0.115), pain (numerical visual analog scale, 4.1 [0.9] vs 4.2 [0.9]; p = 0.283, graphical visual analog scale (1.9 [1.3] vs 1.8 [1.3]; p = 0.888), and perioperative/postoperative complications (6/71 [8%] vs 7/80 [9%]; p = 0.822) were comparable between the 2 arms. In a multivariate analysis, coagulation method (odds ratio = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.09-0.38; p < 0.001) and size of the cervix (odds ratio = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.16-5.15; p = 0.021) were independent predictors of TCLH. CONCLUSIONS: Spray coagulation is superior to forced coagulation in women undergoing LLETZ and should be used as the standard approach.

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Background: Adult and juvenile granulosa cell tumors of the ovary are rare functional sex-cord-stromal ovarian neoplasms characterized by low malignant potential and late relapse. Evidence-based management options for primary and recurrent juvenile (JGCT) and adult (AGCT) granulosa cell tumors are limited and treatment options have not been standardized. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may be an option to treat these women effectively. Methods: Systematic literature review using PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Results: No reports of HIPEC among women with a first diagnosis of AGCT were identified. We identified 5 reports on the safety and therapeutic efficacy of CRS and HIPEC in 19 patients with recurrent AGCT and one patient with JGCT. The pooled rate of complete cytoreduction was 95 % (18/19) with 16 % (3/19) severe morbidity and no procedure-related mortality. The median time of follow-up was 30 (range, 3 to 72) months, during which 6/19 (31 %) patients experienced a recurrence and two patients (10 %) died of the disease. Conclusion: CRS and HIPEC are a safe and potentially effective treatment option for selected women with recurrent AGCT limited to the abdomen.

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PURPOSE: The MPO system plays an important role in the control of infections and the deletion of malignant cells. Nevertheless, alternations in the MPO system can lead to DNA damage and carcinogenesis. Polymorphisms in the MPO Gene have been associated with an increased expression of MPO and a higher risk for development of cancer. This study evaluates the association between -463G/A MPO gene polymorphism and the risk for CIN. METHODS: The MPO gene polymorphism (-463G/A) was investigated in 616 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and in 206 healthy women. Association between MPO gene polymorphism and risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were analyzed by univariate and multivariable models. RESULTS: No significant difference in genotype distribution of the MPO gene polymorphism was observed in women with CIN and controls (p = 0.4; OR 1.2, 95 % CI 0.8-1.6). A subgroup analysis only including women with CIN did not show an association between -463G/A MPO gene polymorphism and risk for high-grade CIN (CIN 2/3) (p = 0.09; OR 1.5, 95 % CI 0.9-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: The investigated MPO gene polymorphism is not associated with risk for the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

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We reviewed the status of the use of the prophylactic long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) pegfilgrastim and lipegfilgrastim in gynecologic malignancies. Long-acting G-CSFs should not be used in weekly regimens. Filgrastim is not indicated in patients with febrile and/or severe neutropenia after administration of long-acting G-CSF in the same cycle. One study has shown a moderate effect on febrile neutropenia of ciprofloxacin when co-administered with pegfilgrastim. There is broad evidence from meta-analyses that pegfilgrastim effectively reduces severe neutropenia. In parallel, its adverse effects have been studied extensively. All-cause mortality was significantly reduced by pegfilgrastim. The glycopegylated long-acting G-CSF, lipegfilgrastim has demonstrated antineutropenic efficacy similar to that of pegfilgrastimin in one breast cancer study. In another pivitol non-small cell lung cancer study, impaired survival was observed in the lipegfilgrastim group during the first 30 days of study. The European Medicines Agency claimed more profound safety data to be provided for lipegfilgrastim by 2017.

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BACKGROUND: The internet has become an easily accessible and widely used source of healthcare information. There are, however, no standardized or commonly accepted criteria for the quality of Obstetrics and Gynecology websites. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the quality of websites of Obstetrics and Gynecology departments in German-speaking countries and to compare websites nationally and internationally. METHODS: We scored 672 websites from Germany (n = 566), Austria (n = 57), and Switzerland (n = 49) using the objective criteria: Google search rank (2 items), technical aspects (11 items), navigation (8 items), and content (6 items) for a 26 point score. Scores were compared nationally and internationally. Multivariable regression models assessed good quality scores (≥50% of maximum) as the dependent variables and country, academic affiliation, being member of a healthcare consortium, confessional affiliation, and content management system (CMS) use as independent variables. RESULTS: The mean score of websites was 13.8 ± 3.3. 4.2% were rated as good (≥75% of maximum), 61.8% as fair (≥50% of maximum). German (14.0 ± 3.2) and Swiss (13.8 ± 4.0) websites scored significantly higher compared to Austrian websites (11.6 ± 2.5) (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Within Germany, academic had higher scores than non-academic departments (14.9 ± 3.2 vs. 13.7 ± 3.1, P < 0.001). Single institutions had higher scores compared to healthcare consortium institutions (14.1 ± 3.2 vs. 13.2 ± 2.6, P = 0.003). Departments in Northern and Southern states had higher scores compared to Eastern states (14.4 ± 3.2 and 14.2 ± 3.2 vs. 13.0 ± 3.0, P < 0.001). In multivariate regression models, all subscores (all: P < 0.001) independently predicted a website's reaching a good quality score, with navigation subscore as strongest predictor. Affiliations were predictors for some good individual subscores, but not for others. High content subscore was associated with good Google search rank, technical aspects, and navigation subscores. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of websites of Obstetrics and Gynecology departments varies widely. We found marked differences depending on country, affiliation, and region.

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