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Implementation Rates and Predictors of Compliance with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols in Gynecologic Oncology: A Prospective Multi-Institutional Cohort Study
Vasilios Pergialiotis
,Dimitrios Haidopoulos
,Alexandros Daponte
,Dimitrios Tsolakidis
,Stamatios Petousis
,Ioannis Kalogiannidis
,Dimitrios Efthymios Vlachos
,Vasilios Lygizos
,Maria Fanaki
,George Delinasios
+6 authors
Posted: 02 December 2025
Novel 22q11.2 Deletions Detection Assay Using Gel Electrophoresis
Ying Guo
,Fuanglada Tongprasert
,Wanwisa Suriya
,Pannarai Somboonchai
,Wirawit Piyamongkol
,Kuntharee Traisrisilp
Posted: 01 December 2025
An AI-Driven Clinical Decision Support Framework Utilizing Female Sex Hormone Parameters for Surgical Decision Guidance in Uterine Fibroid Management
An AI-Driven Clinical Decision Support Framework Utilizing Female Sex Hormone Parameters for Surgical Decision Guidance in Uterine Fibroid Management
İnci Öz
,Ecem Esma Yeğin
,Ali Utku Öz
,Engin Ulukaya
Background And Objective: Changes in female sex hormone levels are closely linked to the development and progression of uterine fibroids (UFs). Clinical approaches to fibroid management vary according to guidelines and depend on patient symptoms, fibroid size, and clinician judgment. Despite available diagnostic tools, surgical decisions remain largely subjective. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and clinical decision support technologies, clinical experience can now be transferred into data-driven computational models trained with hormone-based parameters. To develop a clinical decision support algorithm that predicts surgical necessity for uterine fibroids by integrating fibroid characteristics and female sex hormone levels. Methods: This multicenter study included 618 women with UFs who presented to three hospitals; 238 underwent surgery. Statistical analyses and artificial intelligence–based modeling were performed to compare surgical and non-surgical groups. Training was conducted with each hormone—follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2), prolactin (PRL), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)—and with 126 input combinations including hormonal and morphological variables. Five supervised learning algorithms—support vector machine, decision tree, random forest, and k-nearest neighbors—were applied, resulting in 630 trained models. In addition to this retrospective development phase, a prospective validation was conducted in which 20 independent clinical cases were evaluated in real time by a gynecologist blinded to both the model predictions and the surgical outcomes. Agreement between the clinician’s assessments and the model outputs was measured. Results: FSH, LH, and PRL levels were significantly lower in the surgery group (p < 0.001, 0.009, and < 0.001, respectively), while E2 and AMH were higher (p = 0.012 and 0.001). Fibroid volume was also greater among surgical cases (90.8 cc vs. 73.1 cc, p < 0.001). The random forest model using LH, FSH, E2, and AMH achieved the highest accuracy of 91 percent. In the external validation phase, the model’s predictions matched the blinded gynecologist’s decisions in 18 of 20 cases, corresponding to a 90% concordance rate. The two discordant cases were later identified as borderline scenarios with clinically ambiguous surgical indications. Conclusion: The decision support algorithm integrating hormonal and fibroid parameters offers an objective and data-driven approach to predicting surgical necessity in women with UFs. Beyond its strong internal performance metrics, the model demonstrated a high level of clinical concordance during external validation, achieving a 90% agreement rate with an independent, blinded gynecologist. This alignment underscores the model’s practical reliability and its potential to reduce subjective variability in surgical decision-making. By providing a reproducible and clinically consistent framework, the proposed AI-based system represents a meaningful advancement toward the validated integration of computational decision tools into routine gynecological practice.
Background And Objective: Changes in female sex hormone levels are closely linked to the development and progression of uterine fibroids (UFs). Clinical approaches to fibroid management vary according to guidelines and depend on patient symptoms, fibroid size, and clinician judgment. Despite available diagnostic tools, surgical decisions remain largely subjective. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and clinical decision support technologies, clinical experience can now be transferred into data-driven computational models trained with hormone-based parameters. To develop a clinical decision support algorithm that predicts surgical necessity for uterine fibroids by integrating fibroid characteristics and female sex hormone levels. Methods: This multicenter study included 618 women with UFs who presented to three hospitals; 238 underwent surgery. Statistical analyses and artificial intelligence–based modeling were performed to compare surgical and non-surgical groups. Training was conducted with each hormone—follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2), prolactin (PRL), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)—and with 126 input combinations including hormonal and morphological variables. Five supervised learning algorithms—support vector machine, decision tree, random forest, and k-nearest neighbors—were applied, resulting in 630 trained models. In addition to this retrospective development phase, a prospective validation was conducted in which 20 independent clinical cases were evaluated in real time by a gynecologist blinded to both the model predictions and the surgical outcomes. Agreement between the clinician’s assessments and the model outputs was measured. Results: FSH, LH, and PRL levels were significantly lower in the surgery group (p < 0.001, 0.009, and < 0.001, respectively), while E2 and AMH were higher (p = 0.012 and 0.001). Fibroid volume was also greater among surgical cases (90.8 cc vs. 73.1 cc, p < 0.001). The random forest model using LH, FSH, E2, and AMH achieved the highest accuracy of 91 percent. In the external validation phase, the model’s predictions matched the blinded gynecologist’s decisions in 18 of 20 cases, corresponding to a 90% concordance rate. The two discordant cases were later identified as borderline scenarios with clinically ambiguous surgical indications. Conclusion: The decision support algorithm integrating hormonal and fibroid parameters offers an objective and data-driven approach to predicting surgical necessity in women with UFs. Beyond its strong internal performance metrics, the model demonstrated a high level of clinical concordance during external validation, achieving a 90% agreement rate with an independent, blinded gynecologist. This alignment underscores the model’s practical reliability and its potential to reduce subjective variability in surgical decision-making. By providing a reproducible and clinically consistent framework, the proposed AI-based system represents a meaningful advancement toward the validated integration of computational decision tools into routine gynecological practice.
Posted: 26 November 2025
Perception and Acceptance of HPV Vaccination Among Women Treated for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: An Evidence-Based Narrative Review
Vasilios Lygizos
,Rafaela Panagopoulou
,Vasileios Pergialiotis
,Eleni Sivylla Bikouvaraki
,Sofoklis Stavros
,Periklis Panagopoulos
,Chrysi Christodoulaki
Posted: 25 November 2025
Immunohistochemical Detection of the Mechano-Gated Piezo Channels in the Normal Endometrium and in Endometriosis
Angel Sanchez del Rio
,Yolanda García-Mesa
,Ana Gutiérrez-Fernández
,Patricia Cuendias
,Eliseo Viña
,Graciela Martínez-Barbero
,José A. Vega
,Olivia García-Suárez
Posted: 24 November 2025
Genetic and Epigenetic Risks of Male Infertility in ART
Athanasios Zikopoulos
,Periklis Katopodis
,Maria Filiponi
,Athanasios Zachariou
,Athanasia Sesse
,Ioanna Bouba
,Charilaos Kostoulas
,Sofia Markoula
,Ioannis Georgiou
Posted: 20 November 2025
Transvaginal Expulsion of a Fibroid after Transvaginal Radiofrequency Ablation: A Complication or a Benefit?
Francesco Giuseppe Cannone
,Gianfranco Morreale
,Martina Billeci
,Ferdinando Antonio Gulino
Posted: 04 November 2025
Shortened Lingual Frenulum in Newborns - Should We Perform Frenectomy? Where Are We Now, and Where Are We Headed?
Elżbieta Szmit
,Laskowska Marzena
Posted: 04 November 2025
Low Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Combined with High Intraepithelial CD8+ Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Is a Prominent Prognostic Factor in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Mami Shibahara
,Hiroshi Harada
,Tomoko Kurita
,Midori Murakami
,Yoshikazu Harada
,Toru Hachisuga
,Shohei Shimajiri
,Toshiyuki Nakayama
,Yusuke Matsuura
,Kiyoshi Yoshino
Background/Objectives: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) significantly influence the prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Advanced EOCs often cause neutrophilia, ascites, and malnutrition. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) serves as a marker of systemic inflammation. This study investigated the prognostic significance of pre-treatment NLR and TILs in advanced EOCs. Methods: Overall, 101 advanced EOCs (stages III–IV, FIGO 2014) were treated between 2005 and 2020. Based on pathological findings, advanced EOCs were classified as having high or low TIL density using CD8 immunostaining. The number of marker-positive cells was counted using HALO. Progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were compared between the high- and low-NLR groups based on CD8+ TIL levels. Results: Clinicopathological characteristics, including age, FIGO stage, histological subtype, and postoperative residual disease, did not significantly differ among the four groups defined by NLR and intra-epithelial CD8+ TILs (CD8+ iTILs). Multivariate Cox regression analysis of OS revealed that NLR and CD8+ iTILs were independent prognostic factors. The 5-year OS rates (Kaplan–Meier estimates) were 82.2% (median survival time not reached; range, 8–163 months) in the low NLR–high CD8+ iTIL group (n=25); 41.7% (46 months; range, 2–109 months) in the low NLR–low CD8+ iTIL group (n=16); 47.2% (52 months; range, 1–181 months) in the high NLR–high CD8+ iTIL group (n=34); and 26.0% (24 months, 2–106 months) in the high NLR–low CD8+ iTIL group (n=26) (p<0.001). Conclusions: In advanced EOCs, the status of tumour-localised immunity and pre-treatment systemic inflammation influenced long-term prognosis.
Background/Objectives: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) significantly influence the prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Advanced EOCs often cause neutrophilia, ascites, and malnutrition. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) serves as a marker of systemic inflammation. This study investigated the prognostic significance of pre-treatment NLR and TILs in advanced EOCs. Methods: Overall, 101 advanced EOCs (stages III–IV, FIGO 2014) were treated between 2005 and 2020. Based on pathological findings, advanced EOCs were classified as having high or low TIL density using CD8 immunostaining. The number of marker-positive cells was counted using HALO. Progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were compared between the high- and low-NLR groups based on CD8+ TIL levels. Results: Clinicopathological characteristics, including age, FIGO stage, histological subtype, and postoperative residual disease, did not significantly differ among the four groups defined by NLR and intra-epithelial CD8+ TILs (CD8+ iTILs). Multivariate Cox regression analysis of OS revealed that NLR and CD8+ iTILs were independent prognostic factors. The 5-year OS rates (Kaplan–Meier estimates) were 82.2% (median survival time not reached; range, 8–163 months) in the low NLR–high CD8+ iTIL group (n=25); 41.7% (46 months; range, 2–109 months) in the low NLR–low CD8+ iTIL group (n=16); 47.2% (52 months; range, 1–181 months) in the high NLR–high CD8+ iTIL group (n=34); and 26.0% (24 months, 2–106 months) in the high NLR–low CD8+ iTIL group (n=26) (p<0.001). Conclusions: In advanced EOCs, the status of tumour-localised immunity and pre-treatment systemic inflammation influenced long-term prognosis.
Posted: 04 November 2025
Thrombophilia-Related Single Nucleotide Variants and Altered Coagulation Parameters in a Cohort of Mexican Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Luis Felipe León-Madero
,Larissa López-Rodriguez
,Mónica Aguinaga-Ríos
,Samuel Vargas-Trujillo
,Angélica Castañeda-de-la-Fuente
,Paloma del Carmen Salazar-Villanueva
,Yanen Zaneli Ríos-Lozano
,Yuridia Martínez-Meza
,Monserrat Aglae Luna-Flores
,Alberto Hidalgo-Bravo
+3 authors
Posted: 03 November 2025
Identification of Risk Factors for Preterm Birth in a Regional Hospital in Northern Region of Sudan—A Prospective Study
Sarah Haider
,Kareem Ahmed
,Babiker Rahamtalla
,Badreldeen Ahmed
,Justin C. Justin
Introduction: Preterm birth (PTB) (delivery< 37 completed weeks of gestation) is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Its aetiology is multifactorial but is unknown in many cases. Worldwide about 15 million babies are born preterm annually. Rates are higher in low and middle-income countries where several social, environmental and health factors interact. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with PTB in a metropolitan area of a low middle income country- Sudan. Method: This was a prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study carried out at Omdurman Maternity Hospital over a period of six months on women who received antenatal care and delivered at the hospital over the study period. After delivery, the cohort was then divided into those who delivered preterm and those who delivered at term, and a multivariate analysis performed to identify factors associated with PTB. Those who had elective CS were excluded from the study. Result: A total of 411 women received antenatal care and delivered over the study period and 384 formed the subjects of the study. The PTB rate was 7.4%. Factors identified that were associated with PTB included maternal age <20 years old (P=0.017), low family income (P=0.005), rarely receiving iron and folic acid supplementation (P=0.00001), infrequent antenatal care attendance (P=0.013), poor nutritional status (P=0.0000001), low maternal education (P=0.04) and short inter-pregnancy interval (<6 months) (P=0.04). Other factors included multiple birth (P=0.001), diabetes mellitus (P=0.004), antepartum haemorrhage (P=0.002), hypertension (P=0.004), previous PTB (P=0.0001) and urinary tract infections (P= 0.004). Conclusion: Various sociodemographic factors and complications during pregnancy increased the risk of PTB in this population. To reduce the risk, an interdisciplinary approach must be adopted. This should tackle factors pre-pregnancy and improve access. Healthcare providers should ensure folate and iron supplementation and identify complications such as diabetes and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy early and manage appropriately.
Introduction: Preterm birth (PTB) (delivery< 37 completed weeks of gestation) is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Its aetiology is multifactorial but is unknown in many cases. Worldwide about 15 million babies are born preterm annually. Rates are higher in low and middle-income countries where several social, environmental and health factors interact. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with PTB in a metropolitan area of a low middle income country- Sudan. Method: This was a prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study carried out at Omdurman Maternity Hospital over a period of six months on women who received antenatal care and delivered at the hospital over the study period. After delivery, the cohort was then divided into those who delivered preterm and those who delivered at term, and a multivariate analysis performed to identify factors associated with PTB. Those who had elective CS were excluded from the study. Result: A total of 411 women received antenatal care and delivered over the study period and 384 formed the subjects of the study. The PTB rate was 7.4%. Factors identified that were associated with PTB included maternal age <20 years old (P=0.017), low family income (P=0.005), rarely receiving iron and folic acid supplementation (P=0.00001), infrequent antenatal care attendance (P=0.013), poor nutritional status (P=0.0000001), low maternal education (P=0.04) and short inter-pregnancy interval (<6 months) (P=0.04). Other factors included multiple birth (P=0.001), diabetes mellitus (P=0.004), antepartum haemorrhage (P=0.002), hypertension (P=0.004), previous PTB (P=0.0001) and urinary tract infections (P= 0.004). Conclusion: Various sociodemographic factors and complications during pregnancy increased the risk of PTB in this population. To reduce the risk, an interdisciplinary approach must be adopted. This should tackle factors pre-pregnancy and improve access. Healthcare providers should ensure folate and iron supplementation and identify complications such as diabetes and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy early and manage appropriately.
Posted: 03 November 2025
Assessment of Maternal Hematological Parameters, Kidney and Liver Injury Markers across Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Cross Sectional Study
Ananda Puttaiah
,Manjunath S Somannavar
,Mrutyunjaya B Bellad
,Umesh Charantimath
,M. S. Deepthy
,Jeffrey S. A. Stringer
,Shivaprasad S Goudar
Posted: 30 October 2025
Brazil’s National Menstrual Health Programme: Progress, Gaps, and Pathways to Equity; A Concept Note (PLATO WP1)
Matheus Brum
,Gayathri Delanerolle
,Mohammad Haddadi
,Lucky Saraswath
,Om Kurmi
,Peter Phiri
,Vindya Pathiraja
,Nirmala Rathnayake
,George U. Eleje
,Bernard Mbwele
+11 authors
Posted: 29 October 2025
Investigation of Consistency in Sleep Quality Evaluation Using a Fitbit Device Compared to a Structured Questionnaire Among Breastfeeding Mothers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tuan M Vo
,Toan T Nguyen
,Dat Q Nguyen
,Thang N Tran
,Yunhee Kang
Background: The popularity of wearable health monitoring devices, such as Fitbits, is on the rise. However, their applicability in various research demographics remains uncertain, particularly among postpartum women facing significant sleep challenges. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the consistency between Fitbit Charge 6 and structured interview questions in measuring sleep quality among breastfeeding mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional study utilizing random convenience sampling was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, involving 208 breastfeeding women one month postpartum. The participants used the Fitbit Charge 6 device continuously for four days and three nights to gather daily sleep information; then, they were administered a structured sleep questionnaire via home interviews. Results: The correlation between the total sleep time (TST) recorded by both the device and interview was weak (r = 0.28), as was the correlation for short nap duration (r = 0.25). The agreement between the Fitbit Sleep Score and sleep satisfaction from the questionnaire was 79.9%, with a notably low Kappa index (0.02), indicating a lack of strong agreement. Conclusion: The Fitbit Charge 6 did not show reliable correlation with the subjective sleep data reported by one-month postpartum breastfeeding women. Further research employing rigorous comparative studies is necessary to assess the validity and reliability of sleep data collection methods for this demographic.
Background: The popularity of wearable health monitoring devices, such as Fitbits, is on the rise. However, their applicability in various research demographics remains uncertain, particularly among postpartum women facing significant sleep challenges. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the consistency between Fitbit Charge 6 and structured interview questions in measuring sleep quality among breastfeeding mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional study utilizing random convenience sampling was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, involving 208 breastfeeding women one month postpartum. The participants used the Fitbit Charge 6 device continuously for four days and three nights to gather daily sleep information; then, they were administered a structured sleep questionnaire via home interviews. Results: The correlation between the total sleep time (TST) recorded by both the device and interview was weak (r = 0.28), as was the correlation for short nap duration (r = 0.25). The agreement between the Fitbit Sleep Score and sleep satisfaction from the questionnaire was 79.9%, with a notably low Kappa index (0.02), indicating a lack of strong agreement. Conclusion: The Fitbit Charge 6 did not show reliable correlation with the subjective sleep data reported by one-month postpartum breastfeeding women. Further research employing rigorous comparative studies is necessary to assess the validity and reliability of sleep data collection methods for this demographic.
Posted: 29 October 2025
Albumin-Bilirubin Score and De Ritis Ratio in Assessing Disease Severity in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Mohammadjavad Sotoudeheian
,Hamed Shokouei
,Sarina Sadat Shadjareh
,Mohammad Sedigh Dakkali
,Reza Azarbad
,Hamidreza Pazoki Toroudi
Posted: 28 October 2025
Development and Use of a Custom-Designed Vaginal Dilator for Post-Surgical Management in a Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patient
Development and Use of a Custom-Designed Vaginal Dilator for Post-Surgical Management in a Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patient
Marta Camacho
,Ramon Farré
,Camil Castelo-Branco
Posted: 27 October 2025
Feasibility and Clinical Application of Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (VNOTES) in Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer: A Narrative Literature Review
Vasilios Lygizos
,Dimitrios Efthymios Vlachos
,Dimitrios Haidopoulos
,Aikaterini Karagouni
,Antonia Varthaliti
,Maria Fanaki
,Nikolaos Thomakos
,Damaskos Christos
,Nikolaos Garmpis
,Gerasimos Tsourouflis
+3 authors
Background: Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) represents a novel evolution in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, combining endoscopic visualization with a transvaginal access route. Although its safety and efficacy in benign conditions and endometrial cancer have been well established, evidence regarding its role in ovarian malignancies remains limited. Objective is to evaluate the feasibility, perioperative safety, and oncologic adequacy of vNOTES for the surgical management and staging of apparent early-stage ovarian cancer.Methods: A narrative literature review was performed following a PICO-driven framework. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar were searched up to September 2025. Eligible studies included case reports, series, and comparative analyses reporting outcomes of vNOTES in early-stage ovarian cancer or borderline ovarian tumors. Data on feasibility, intra- and postoperative complications, tumor spillage, conversion rates, and oncologic outcomes were synthesized descriptively.Results: The current evidence base comprises several case reports and small series (totaling approximately 50 reported patients). Across studies, vNOTES enabled completion of standard staging steps—oophorectomy, hysterectomy, omentectomy, peritoneal biopsies, and selective lymphadenectomy—entirely via the transvaginal route in nearly all cases, with conversion rates approaching zero. Estimated blood loss was minimal (≤150 mL), median operative times ranged from 45–90 minutes, and hospital stay was typically ≤2 days. Complication rates were low, and intraoperative tumor spillage was rare (<5%). Short- to medium-term follow-up (≤3 years) revealed recurrence rates consistent with expected outcomes for early-stage disease and no disease-related deaths.Conclusions: Early evidence indicates that vNOTES is a technically feasible and safe approach for carefully selected patients with apparent early-stage ovarian cancer, achieving oncologically sound procedures with reduced postoperative pain, minimal morbidity, and excellent cosmetic outcomes. Nevertheless, its use should currently be limited to specialized centers with vNOTES expertise, pending confirmation of long-term oncologic equivalence through multicenter prospective studies.
Background: Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) represents a novel evolution in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, combining endoscopic visualization with a transvaginal access route. Although its safety and efficacy in benign conditions and endometrial cancer have been well established, evidence regarding its role in ovarian malignancies remains limited. Objective is to evaluate the feasibility, perioperative safety, and oncologic adequacy of vNOTES for the surgical management and staging of apparent early-stage ovarian cancer.Methods: A narrative literature review was performed following a PICO-driven framework. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar were searched up to September 2025. Eligible studies included case reports, series, and comparative analyses reporting outcomes of vNOTES in early-stage ovarian cancer or borderline ovarian tumors. Data on feasibility, intra- and postoperative complications, tumor spillage, conversion rates, and oncologic outcomes were synthesized descriptively.Results: The current evidence base comprises several case reports and small series (totaling approximately 50 reported patients). Across studies, vNOTES enabled completion of standard staging steps—oophorectomy, hysterectomy, omentectomy, peritoneal biopsies, and selective lymphadenectomy—entirely via the transvaginal route in nearly all cases, with conversion rates approaching zero. Estimated blood loss was minimal (≤150 mL), median operative times ranged from 45–90 minutes, and hospital stay was typically ≤2 days. Complication rates were low, and intraoperative tumor spillage was rare (<5%). Short- to medium-term follow-up (≤3 years) revealed recurrence rates consistent with expected outcomes for early-stage disease and no disease-related deaths.Conclusions: Early evidence indicates that vNOTES is a technically feasible and safe approach for carefully selected patients with apparent early-stage ovarian cancer, achieving oncologically sound procedures with reduced postoperative pain, minimal morbidity, and excellent cosmetic outcomes. Nevertheless, its use should currently be limited to specialized centers with vNOTES expertise, pending confirmation of long-term oncologic equivalence through multicenter prospective studies.
Posted: 24 October 2025
Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and Female Fertility: Does Anti-TPO Accelerate Ovarian Aging?
Sefa Arlıer
,Sadık Kükrer
Background: Thyroid autoimmunity, particularly anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), has been implicated in reduced fertility and diminished ovarian reserve. However, the stratified effects of anti-TPO across age groups, body mass index (BMI) categories, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) status remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between anti-TPO positivity and ovarian reserve markers—antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)— in euthyroid infertile women. Methods: This retrospective study included 1,460 infertile women aged 18–45 years, evaluated between 2022 and 2025. Participants were categorized based on anti-TPO levels (≥9 vs. <9 IU/mL) using Beckman Coulter-DXI 800 analyzer, which uses chemiluminescent immunoassays to measure results. BMI (<30 vs. ≥30 kg/m2), and PCOS status. Age was categorized into five strata (18–25, 25–30, 30–35, 35–40, and 40–55 years), and (<35 vs. ≥35 years). Linear regression models were used to assess the impact of anti-TPO on AMH and AFC within each subgroup. Additional logistic regression was performed to evaluate the odds of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR: AMH <1 ng/mL or AFC <5) after adjusting for age, BMI, and TSH. Results: Anti-TPO positivity (17.6% prevalence) was significantly associated with reduced AMH (1.47 ± 1.52 vs. 3.33 ± 3.03 ng/mL, p < 0.0001), reduced AFC (8.18 ± 5.06 vs. 15.88 ± 8.18, p < 0.0001), and elevated FSH (9.40 ± 6.21 vs. 8.06 ± 4.79 mIU/mL, p = 0.001). These associations remained significant in non-obese and PCOS-negative subgroups. Regression models revealed stronger associations in younger women (<35 years) and showed significant Anti-TPO × Age and Anti-TPO × BMI interactions. Logistic regression confirmed Anti-TPO ≥9 IU/mL as a strong predictor of diminished ovarian reserve (AMH <1 ng/mL: OR = 3.13; AFC <5: OR = 6.48). ROC analysis indicated modest predictive ability (AUC: 0.665–0.694), and path modeling confirmed direct effects of Anti-TPO on AMH and AFC independent of TSH or BMI. Conclusion: Elevated Anti-TPO levels are independently associated with diminished ovarian reserve in euthyroid women, particularly in younger, non-obese, and PCOS-negative individuals. Anti-TPO may serve as a useful biomarker in fertility risk assessment and personalized reproductive counseling, even in the absence of overt thyroid dysfunction.
Background: Thyroid autoimmunity, particularly anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), has been implicated in reduced fertility and diminished ovarian reserve. However, the stratified effects of anti-TPO across age groups, body mass index (BMI) categories, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) status remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between anti-TPO positivity and ovarian reserve markers—antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)— in euthyroid infertile women. Methods: This retrospective study included 1,460 infertile women aged 18–45 years, evaluated between 2022 and 2025. Participants were categorized based on anti-TPO levels (≥9 vs. <9 IU/mL) using Beckman Coulter-DXI 800 analyzer, which uses chemiluminescent immunoassays to measure results. BMI (<30 vs. ≥30 kg/m2), and PCOS status. Age was categorized into five strata (18–25, 25–30, 30–35, 35–40, and 40–55 years), and (<35 vs. ≥35 years). Linear regression models were used to assess the impact of anti-TPO on AMH and AFC within each subgroup. Additional logistic regression was performed to evaluate the odds of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR: AMH <1 ng/mL or AFC <5) after adjusting for age, BMI, and TSH. Results: Anti-TPO positivity (17.6% prevalence) was significantly associated with reduced AMH (1.47 ± 1.52 vs. 3.33 ± 3.03 ng/mL, p < 0.0001), reduced AFC (8.18 ± 5.06 vs. 15.88 ± 8.18, p < 0.0001), and elevated FSH (9.40 ± 6.21 vs. 8.06 ± 4.79 mIU/mL, p = 0.001). These associations remained significant in non-obese and PCOS-negative subgroups. Regression models revealed stronger associations in younger women (<35 years) and showed significant Anti-TPO × Age and Anti-TPO × BMI interactions. Logistic regression confirmed Anti-TPO ≥9 IU/mL as a strong predictor of diminished ovarian reserve (AMH <1 ng/mL: OR = 3.13; AFC <5: OR = 6.48). ROC analysis indicated modest predictive ability (AUC: 0.665–0.694), and path modeling confirmed direct effects of Anti-TPO on AMH and AFC independent of TSH or BMI. Conclusion: Elevated Anti-TPO levels are independently associated with diminished ovarian reserve in euthyroid women, particularly in younger, non-obese, and PCOS-negative individuals. Anti-TPO may serve as a useful biomarker in fertility risk assessment and personalized reproductive counseling, even in the absence of overt thyroid dysfunction.
Posted: 16 October 2025
Lymphocyte-Associated Inflammation Markers Predict Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity in Testicular Cancer
Melek Özdemir
,Gamze Gököz Doğu
,Burcu Yapar Taşköylü
,Atike Gökçen Demiray
,Arzu Yaren
,Serkan Değirmencioğlu
Posted: 08 October 2025
Pregnancy Outcomes With Congenital Anomalies In South-Eastern Turkey: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study From A Tertiary Centre
Senem Yaman Tunç
,Ronahi Polat
,Reyhan Gündüz
,Mehmet Sait İçen
,İsmail Yıldız
,Mehmet Sıddık Evsen
Posted: 02 October 2025
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