Obstetrics & Gynecology - News & Articles

Antiseptics and antibiotics have similar efficacy in treatment of BV

Based on a review article published in BMC Infectious Diseases, it has been concluded that antiseptics have equal efficacy to antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. The literature search covered the time period 1966-2010. Benzydamine, chlorhexidine, and polyhexamethylene niguanide were as effective as metronidazole and clindamycin in the short-term treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

BRCA2 mutations improve OS in ovarian cancer patients

Based on an observational study orchestrated by researchers at the M D Anderson Cancer Center, BRCA2 mutations have been associated with improved survival in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. The 5-year OS in patients with BRCA2 mutations was 61% compared with 25% for patients with BRCA wild-type. The 3-year PFS in patients with BRCA2 mutations was 44% compared with 16% for patients with BRCA wild-type. Patients with BRCA2 mutations exhibited 100% chemosensitivity compared to 82% and 80% for patients with BRCA wild-type and BRCA1 mutations, respectively. Genomic analysis of the tumors from patients with BRCA2 mutations suggested a “mutator phenotype” compared to tumors from patients with BRCA1 mutations.

Trans fat intake increases risk of ischemic stroke in postmenopausal women

In a study involving 87,025 postmenopausal women, those in the highest quintile of dietary trans fat had an increased risk of ischemic stroke (HR=1.39). In 663,041 person-years of follow-up, 1049 incident cases of ischemic stroke were reported. The effect was attenuated in aspirin users (HR=0.95) compared to non-users (HR=1.66).