It is estimated that 6742 South African women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3681 women die from the disease every year. In 1993, The Centers for Disease Control declared cervical cancer an Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome defining illness. Apart from persistent human papillomavirus infection, HIV infection is the most common co-factor contributing to cervical cancer in South Africa. Studies have noted that in HIV positive women, there has been an occurrence of faster progression to more advanced stages of cervical cancer with high cases of treatment failure and recurrence. There is limited literature available regarding the prognosis of HIV positive women who suffer from cervical cancer. Women who are HIV positive and have cervical cancer have not been evaluated in detail regarding their response and adherence to cervical cancer treatment. Standard treatment protocols for this set of patients have not been defined. The aim of this study was to assess how HIV positive women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer responded and adhered to cervical cancer therapy which includes: curative radiotherapy; curative chemotherapy; concurrent chemoradiation or palliative radiotherapy. The study also evaluated the effects of the concurrent use of antiretrovirals and cervical cancer treatment. This was done to determine whether invasive cervical cancer in women who were HIV positive could be managed using the same treatment protocols as patients who were HIV negative. A historical cohort design was employed for the study. The study was conducted at the Oncology Department of a tertiary level hospital located in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The total sample consisted of 196 medical records of women diagnosed with cervical cancer between 2005 and 2008. One hundred women were HIV negative, 83 were HIV positive and the HIV status of 13 women could not be determined. The records were audited over a period of two years from the date of diagnosis. The term „complete response‟ referred to patients who had no recurrence of cervical cancer and no evidence of metastases after undergoing treatment. At one month following treatment there was a significant difference in the incidence of complete response between the HIV positive patients and the HIV negative patients (Chi2 = 16.4, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00005, Cramer‟s V = 0.31). The significant difference in response to treatment between the HIV positive patients and the HIV negative patients was maintained at six months after treatment (Chi2 = 15, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00011, Cramer‟s V = 0.34), 12 months after treatment (Chi2 = 20.5, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00001, Cramer‟s V = 0.37), 18 months after treatment (Chi2 = 9.8, d.f. = 1, p = 0.00173, Cramer‟s V = 0.28) and 24 months after treatment (Chi2 = 5.0, d.f. = 1, p = 0.02571, Cramer‟s V = 0.26). At each of these intervals, cases of treatment failure and metastases were significantly higher in the HIV positive women than in the HIV negative women. Although there was no significant difference in the incidence of adherence between the HIV negative women, the HIV positive women who were on HAART and the HIV positive women who were not on HAART, there was a significant difference in the incidence of the various reasons for non adherence between the various groups. These reasons included: missed scheduled appointments (Chi2 = 2.9, d.f. = 2, p = 0.02385, Cramer‟s V = 0.31); low blood count (Chi2 = 4.0, d.f. = 2, p = 0.01327, Cramer‟s V = 0.15); radiotherapy induced skin breakdown (Chi2 = 0.6, d.f. = 2, p = 0.04581, Cramer‟s V = 0.16) and radiotherapy induced diarrhoea (Chi2 = 6.9, d.f. = 2, p = 0.03118, Cramer‟s V = 0.19). According to the 2004 National Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines, cervical cancer patients would fall into the WHO stage IV category of HIV disease thus all patients with confirmed diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer should be commenced on antiretrovirals as soon as the cancer diagnosis is made regardless of their CD4 count. However, in the current study, 13 percent (n= 83) of the HIV positive women were not on antiretrovirals. The study concluded that HIV positive women had a higher incidence of both treatment failure and metastases to cervical cancer treatment. Standard radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation cervical cancer treatment protocols should be still be used in both HIV negative patients and HIV positive patients so as not to compromise tumour control. Furthermore, in accordance with the antiretroviral treatment guidelines, all HIV positive patients with cervical cancer should receive antiretrovirals irrespective of their CD4 count.

Thesis (M.Med. (Radiation Oncology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Introduction Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) constitutes almost 50% of all cancer conditions diagnosed and treated at the Polokwane/Mankweng Hospital Complex (PMHC). HIV infection is also a very common condition. There is no consensus on the relationship between the two clinical conditions among patients treated at PMHC. There is a need to describe the simultaneous occurrence of the two clinical conditions among these patients to define a rational approach to these conditions’ clinical management. Methodology This was a retrospective review of medical records of patients diagnosed with ICC who were treated at PMHC in Limpopo Province, South Africa in 2013. Results Three hundred and twenty-nine medical records were reviewed in this study; 64% of the patients were HIV-negative, and only 35% were HIV-positive. Thirty-five percent of the patients were younger than 50 years of age, followed by those aged 50–59 years (23%). Among women in the age group 30–59 years, the most common ICC stages were IIB and IIIB. In women older than 60 years, stages IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IVA were the most common. In the HIV-positive women, 18% had a CD4 cell count of less than 200/μL, compared to 2% in the HIV-negative women (p <0.05). Among the HIV-negative women, stages IIIB (49.8%) and IIB (24.6%) were the most common, where as among those who were HIV-positive, stages IIIB (55.6%) and IIB (22.6%) dominated. Conclusion This retrospective study did not find any relationship between HIV infection and ICC in patients treated at PMHC. However, it indicated that a significant proportion of HIV-positive women with ICC had lower CD4 cell counts compared to those of HIV-negative women. KEY CONCEPTS: Invasive cervical cancer, Human immunodeficiency virus, Stage, Prevalence, CD4 cell count, Age, Polokwane/Makweng Hospital Complex

Cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death among women in less developed countries. Screening for cervical cancer is the most accepted and successful strategy for cervical cancer control. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that determine cervical cancer screening practice among women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and develop guidelines to improve the utilisation of cervical cancer screening services. The researcher used the health belief model (HMB) as the theoretical foundation of the study and a convergent parallel mixed methods design. Quantitative data was obtained from screened and not screened women attending maternal health services at selected public health centres. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23 was used for entry and analysis of data Qualitative data was obtained in key informant interviews from health service professionals on their perceptions of women‟s cervical cancer screening uptake at the health centres. The study found that higher age >35 years category (X2 =33.618 and p-value <0.001), contraceptive use (X2 value=20.7 and p-value <0.001), having two or more children, and knowledge of cervical cancer and screening (chi-value X2 =51.649, p-value=0.001) were strongly associated with screening practice. In addition, women‟s perception of susceptibility (t-test=3.42 and 3.432, p-value=0.001) was a predictor of screening. Lack of awareness was a serious barrier to cervical cancer screening and health service providers‟ information was a strong promoter of screening. The study recommends promoting and facilitating health education on cervical cancer at all health facilities; organising awareness campaigns, education programmes, and community mobilisation to raise awareness of cervical cancer screening; integrating cervical cancer screening with other reproductive health services, and capacitating the health professionals in order to increase utilisation of cervical cancer screening services. Consequently, the researcher used the findings of the study to develop guidelines to improve the uptake and quality of cervical cancer screening services. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Health)

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis / Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the etiologic agents of most cervical dysplasia and all cervical carcinoma. Integration of high risk HPV into the human genome is thought to be a critical event in the progression from cervical dysplasia to invasive cervical carcinoma. The ability to use molecular assays in the detection and evaluation of HPV integration is essential in informing clinical models for early intervention and therapies. We therefore sought to determine the feasibility of real time-PCR (RT-PCR) as a molecular tool in detecting the physical state, episomal versus integration of HPV 16 and 18 DNA in cervical cancers. Tyramide amplified fluorescent DNA in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to look for evidence of HPV 16/18 integration using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of cervical carcinomas. RT-PCR used the ratio of the E2 and E6 genes as a surrogate for determining the physical state of HPV 16 and 18 in 35 infected tissues. Results of RT-PCR showed that 16 cervical specimens (45.7%) contained episomal HPV, 17 cervical samples (48.6%) harbored the integrated form of HPV DNA, and 2 samples (5.7 %) contained both integrated and episomal forms of HPV. Results of the two assays were compared in 25 cervical carcinomas. For 13 of the 25 cervical samples there was an agreement in determining the physical state of HPV. RT-PCR, using the E2/E6 ratio as an assay for HPV integration appears to be promising and may prove to be an essential clinical method in the future.

Cervical cancer is reported to be the first among the five leading cancers affecting women in South Africa and the leading cancer among Black females. There is a high incidence and mortality rate among underserved and under-screened women presenting with cervical cancer as they are often unable to access screening facilities. Very little has been done to establish the factors in private health care provision that influence the implementation of cervical screening programmes. The study investigates factors influencing cervical cancer screening programme implementation among private medical practitioners in Soshanguve to establish whether private practitioners assume their roles in cervical screening. The intention is to provide guidelines for a screening programme that could be implemented in private health facilities. The study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual, using interviews and observation as the main data-collection methods. Lack of awareness and interest, failure to inform patients about cervical screening, age and gender of medical practitioners were among the factors identified. The study concluded that awareness programmes about cervical screening and materials containing information on cervical cancer and predisposing factors should be designed. The utilization of cheaper laboratory service providers could increase participation by making the test affordable and accessible to cash patients. The establishment of a private Pap clinic within medical practices or even as an independent entity is also recommended. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Cervical cancer is reported to be the first among the five leading cancers affecting women in South Africa and the leading cancer among Black females. There is a high incidence and mortality rate among underserved and under-screened women presenting with cervical cancer as they are often unable to access screening facilities. Very little has been done to establish the factors in private health care provision that influence the implementation of cervical screening programmes. The study investigates factors influencing cervical cancer screening programme implementation among private medical practitioners in Soshanguve to establish whether private practitioners assume their roles in cervical screening. The intention is to provide guidelines for a screening programme that could be implemented in private health facilities. The study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual, using interviews and observation as the main data-collection methods. Lack of awareness and interest, failure to inform patients about cervical screening, age and gender of medical practitioners were among the factors identified. The study concluded that awareness programmes about cervical screening and materials containing information on cervical cancer and predisposing factors should be designed. The utilization of cheaper laboratory service providers could increase participation by making the test affordable and accessible to cash patients. The establishment of a private Pap clinic within medical practices or even as an independent entity is also recommended. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Text in English / Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality among women worldwide, a burden in the developing countries and commonly detected through symptoms at later invasive stages. The study aimed at establishing knowledge and awareness of the importance of cervical cancer screening in the Makhuduthamaga Sub-district by exploring the perceptions of women and professional nurses and through the review of the National Cervical Cancer Screening Policy (2013). Recommendations to address the gap in knowledge and to inform the National Cervical Cancer Screening Policy were developed based on the study findings. A mixed-method approach was used in this study through a sequential explanatory design, which is quantitatively driven was used. Quantitative data were obtained by using a researcher developed checklist. The checklist was developed from variables stated in the National Cervical Cancer Screening Policy and was used to review its implementation. Qualitative data was obtained through in-depth interviews with individual women and focus group discussions with professional nurses. The study was conducted in ten randomly selected clinics of Makhuduthamaga Sub-district. Purposive sampling was done to obtain qualitative data. An average score of 9.7 was obtained for all ten clinics that participated in the study with regard to the evaluation of the implementation of the National Cervical Cancer Screening Policy. Only 6 (60%) clinics implemented the policy whereas 4 (40%) clinics did not implement the policy. Women and professional nurses perceived cervical cancer screening as important. Lack of knowledge among women regarding cervical cancer screening contributed to the majority of women not screening for cervical cancer. Lack of resources, the 10 year interval of normal cervical cancer screening, the use of disposable vaginal speculums and brushes, lack of standardized cervical cancer screening training, centralization of cytology laboratories came out as factors that negatively influence the uptake of cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer screening awareness campaigns, availability of resources and standardized in-service trainings on cervical cancer screening were recommended to enhance the cervical cancer screening uptake. Key concepts: / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

O câncer do colo do útero é o quarto tipo de câncer mais frequente em mulheres em todo mundo. No Brasil, estima-se que cerca de 16 mil novos casos ocorrem por ano. A redução deste tipo de câncer ao longo dos anos deve-se ao rastreamento das lesões intraepiteliais cervicais por meio do exame citológico de Papanicolaou. Em 2014, o Programa Nacional de Imunização (PNI) introduziu a vacina contra o papilomavírus humano (HPV) como prevenção primária deste câncer, uma vez que este vírus é uma causa necessária para o surgimento desta malignidade. A vacinação não substitui o rastreamento, visto que não há proteção contra todos os tipos de HPV de alto risco e nem imunização de toda a população. A incorporação do programa de vacinação interfere nos resultados do programa de rastreamento, pois leva a diminuição dos casos de câncer e lesões precursoras. Desta forma, existe a necessidade de explorar novas estratégias de rastreamento, considerando também outras tecnologias existentes. Objetivo: desenvolver um modelo do tipo Markov para realizar uma análise de custo-efetividade de estratégias de rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero para hipotéticas coortes imunizadas e não imunizadas contra o vírus do HPV no Brasil na perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Métodos: A primeira parte é a exploração e avaliação qualitativa de estudos de avaliação econômica sobre estratégias de rastreamento para prevenção do câncer do colo do útero que utilizaram um modelo do tipo Markov feita por meio de uma revisão sistemática. A reunião das várias abordagens utilizadas e das principais características destes modelos poderá auxiliar a construção de um modelo em cenários onde há poucos profissionais capacitados com esta técnica. Baseando-se nesta revisão e nas consultas a especialistas das áreas de ginecologia, virologia e epidemiologia, foi desenvolvido um modelo matemático de análise de decisão estático do tipo Markov que simula a história natural do câncer do colo do útero considerando a imunização contra o HPV. Este modelo simula o seguimento de uma coorte de mulheres, dos 10 anos até o óbito, cujos parâmetros foram estimados a partir de dados secundários (revisão da literatura, sistemas de informação em saúde e inquéritos populacionais) nacionais específicos do rastreamento e calibrados de forma a refletir as condições reais de rastreamento encontradas no Brasil. Resultados: A revisão dos modelos de Markov para avaliação econômica de estratégias de rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero mostrou que a declaração do problema e a descrição das estratégias a serem comparadas foram muito bem relatados. Em contrapartida, os itens de avaliação da incerteza e consistência do modelo e a consistência precisam melhorar o relato. Os resultados obtidos por meio da calibração do modelo se mostraram satisfatórios, pois alcançaram uma boa concordância com os dados empíricos. A análise do caso base sugeriu que a melhor estratégia foi o Teste HPV-DNA como triagem para o encaminhamento da citologia ou da colposcopia, com repetição a cada 5 anos, para mulheres entre 30 e 70 anos. Esta estratégia promove um ganho de 9,5 dias ao longo dos anos e detecta, a cada 100 mil mulheres, 6 casos a mais de câncer e 16 de NIC II/III. A razão de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI) foi de R$16.056,94 por ano de vida ganho, na perspectiva do sistema de saúde. Conclusão: Estudos futuros devem considerar metodologias que levem em conta a incerteza, a heterogeneidade e a consistência no modelo de decisão e utilizar diretrizes validadas para o relato do estudo / Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. In Brazil, it is estimated that around 16,000 new cases occur per year. The reduction of this type of cancer over the years owes to cervical intraepithelial lesions screening through pap smears. In 2014, the National Immunization Program (NIP) introduced a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) as the primary prevention of this cancer, since this virus is a necessary cause for the onset of this malignancy. Vaccination does not replace screening because there is no protection against all types of high risk HPV nor immunization of the entire population. Incorporation of the vaccination program interferes with the results of the screening program, leading to a decreased number of cancer cases and precursor lesions. In this way, there is a need to explore new screening strategies, also considering other existing technologies. Objective: Determining a Markov based model to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of cervical cancer screening strategies for hypothetical immunized and non-immunized cohorts against the HPV in Brazil from the perspective of the Unified Health System (UHS). Methods: The first part is a qualitative appraisal and assessment of economic evaluation studies on screening strategies for cervical cancer prevention using a Markov based model done through a systematic review. The combination of different approaches and of the main features of these models can be auxiliary in the construction of a model in scenarios where there are few professionals trained with this technique. Based on this review and consultations with specialists in the areas of gynecology, virology and epidemiology, a Markov model for decision analysis was developed, which simulates the natural history of cervical cancer considering immunization against HPV. This model simulates the follow-up of a cohort of women, from 10 years-old to death, whose parameters were estimated from secondary data, particular to screening and calibrated in order to reflect real screening conditions found in Brazil. Results: A review of Markov models for economic evaluation of cervical cancer screening strategies showed that the report of the problem statement and the description of the compared strategies were well conducted. In contrast, the uncertainties of the model and the consistency were the worst items. The results obtained by calibration of the model were satisfactory, since a good agreement with empirical data was achieved. The baseline case analysis suggested that the best strategy was the HPV-DNA Test as triage for cytology or colposcopy referral, repeated every 5 years, for women between 30 and 70 years-old. This strategy promotes a gain of 9.5 days over the years and detects, every 100,000 women, 6 cases of cancer and 16 of CIN 2/3. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was R$16,056.94 per life years gained from the health system perspective. Conclusion: Future studies should consider methodologies that take into account uncertainty, heterogeneity and consistency in the decision model and use validated guidelines for the study report

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo é comparar o poder da medida do comprimento do colo uterino quando obtida no período de 18-21 semanas com a obtida no período de 22-25 semanas de gestação na predição do parto prematuro espontâneo em gestações gemelares e analisar o valor do encurtamento cervical observado entre essas duas medidas. MÉTODO: estudo retrospecto envolvendo 383 gestantes gemelares que foram avaliadas entre a 18ª e a 21ª semanas (GRUPO 1- 241 pacientes) e a 22ª e a 25ª semanas de gestação (GRUPO 2- 266 pacientes). Esses dois períodos foram avaliados de maneira independente e as pacientes foram incluídas em um deles ou em ambos, com ao menos 3 semanas entre os exames. Pacientes incluídas nos dois períodos (GRUPO 3- 124 pacientes) permitiram a análise do encurtamento cervical. Não foram incluídas gestações com as seguintes complicações: síndrome da transfusão feto-fetal, poliidrâmnio, malformação fetal, patologia uterina, gestações submetidas a procedimento invasivo, cerclagem uterina, parto prematuro eletivo e os casos em que não foi possível obter o desfecho da gestação. O parâmetro avaliado foi o comprimento do colo. Curvas ROC foram usadas para comparar a capacidade de predição do parto prematuro. Na determinação de sensibilidade, especificidade, VPP e VPN foi usado como ponto de corte o 5º percentil do comprimento do colo determinado por Fujita et al (2002) em nossa população. RESULTADO: GRUPO 1- o comprimento médio do colo com 19,5 semanas (IG média no grupo) foi 38,2 ±8,7 mm. A taxa de PPE (parto prematuro espontâneo) abaixo de 28, 30, 32 e 34 semanas de gestação foi 3,7%, 6,2%, 7,8% e 16,1%, respectivamente. A incidência de colo curto foi (14/241) 5,8%. Análise da curva ROC revelou área sob a curva de 0,64 (CI95% 0,53-0,75). Sensibilidade de 33,3%, 33,3%, 30% e 23% e VPN de 97,3%, 95,6%, 93,8% e 86,8% para parto abaixo de 28, 30, 32, e 34 semanas de gestação foram obtidos. GRUPO 2- o comprimento médio do colo com 23,3 semanas (IG média no grupo) foi 35,6 ±10,5 mm. A taxa de PPE abaixo de 28, 30, 32 e 34 semanas de gestação foi 2,6%, 5,2%, 7,1% e 12,8%, respectivamente. A incidência de colo curto foi (22/266) 8,2%. Análise da curva ROC revelou área sob a curva de 0,80 (CI95% 0,72-0,88), e essa área é maior do que a do GRUPO 1 (p0,001). Sensibilidade de 71,4%, 57,1%, 52,6% e 38,2% e VPN de 99,1%, 97,5%, 96,3% e 91,4% para parto abaixo de 28, 30, 32, e 34 semanas de gestação foram obtidos. GRUPO 3- Análise da curva ROC revelou área sob a curva de 0,81 (CI95% 0,73-0,89). O melhor ponto de corte para encurtamento cervical foi dado pelo joelho de curva e foi 2 mm/semana. Sensibilidade de 80%, 90%, 78,5% e 60,8% e VPN de 98,9%, 98,9%, 96,8% e 90,6% para parto abaixo de 28, 30, 32, e 34 semanas de gestação. CONCLUSÃO: nas gestações gemelares, a medida do colo uterino entre 22-25 semanas de gestação é melhor preditora do parto prematuro abaixo de 34 semanas do que a medida obtida entre 18-21 semanas. O encurtamento cervical 6mm/3 semanas entre 18 e 25 semanas de gestação é bom preditor de parto prematuro em subgrupo de alto risco. / OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to compare the value of cervical assessment in twin pregnancies in predicting risk of spontaneous preterm delivery when performed at 18-21 weeks and 22-25 weeks gestation and to examine the value of cervical shortening observed between both periods. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 383 women carrying twins who were scheduled between 18-21 completed weeks (GROUP 1- 241 patients) and 22-25 completed weeks of gestation (GROUP 2- 266 patients). These two periods were assessed independently, and patients could be included in one or both with at least three weeks between the exams, whose delivery data was obtained. Patients included in both periods (GROUP 3- 124 patients) allowed the analysis of cervical shortening. Pregnancies presenting with the following complications where not included in the analyses: twin-twin transfusion syndrome, polihidramnius, fetal malformation, uterine patology; cases that underwent invasive procedures or uterine cerclage, premature delivery indicated for maternal or fetal complications and cases in which pregnancy outcome was impossible to obtain. Cervical length was the analyzed parameter. Area under the ROC curve was used to compare the predictive capacity of spontaneous preterm birth. To determine sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, cervical length cut-off for short cervix was determined by Fujita et al (2002) curve, designed in our population. RESULTS: GROUP 1- The mean cervical length at 19.5 weeks (mean gestational age in the group) was 38.2 +- 8.7 mm. The rate of spontaneous preterm delivery (SPD) < 28, <30, <32 and < 34 weeks of gestation was 3.7%, 6.2%, 7.8% and 16.1%, respectively. The incidence of short cervix in the group was (14/241) 5.8%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed area under the curve 0.64 (CI95% 0.53-0.75). Sensitivities of 33.3%, 33.3%, 30% and 23% and negative predictive values of 97.3%, 95.6%, 93.8% and 86.8% for delivery at <28, <30, <32, and <34 weeks gestation were achieved. GROUP 2- The mean cervical length at 23.3 weeks (mean gestational age in the group) was 35.6 +- 10.5 mm. The rate of SPD < 28, <30, <32 and < 34 weeks of gestation was 2.6%, 5.2%, 7.1% and 12.8%, respectively. The incidence of short cervix was (22/266) 8.2%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed area under the curve 0.80 (CI95% 0.72-0.88), and this is larger than GROUP 1 area (p0,001). Sensitivities of 71.4%, 57.1%, 52.6% and 38.2% and negative predictive values of 99.1%, 97.5%, 96.3% and 91.4% for delivery at <28, <30, <32, and <34 weeks gestation were achieved. GROUP 3- Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed area under the curve 0.81 (CI95% 0.73-0.89). The best cut-off for cervical shortening was reveled by the inflection point of the curve and was 2 mm/week. Sensitivities of 80%, 90%, 78.5% and 60.8% and negative predictive values of 98.9%, 98.9%, 96.8% and 90.6% for delivery at <28, <30, <32, and <34 weeks gestation were achieved. CONCLUSION: In twin gestations, assessment of cervical length at 22-25 weeks is better than __________________________________________________________________ assessment at 18-21 weeks to predict preterm delivery before 34 weeks. Cervical shortening of 6 mm/ 3weeks between 18 and 25 weeks gestation was a good predictor of spontaneous preterm birth in high risk population.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T12:51:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 gustavohenriquedeoliveira_dissert.pdf: 1016056 bytes, checksum: b6eb4d4fc07821695de5cff5b5d6909b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-09 / To evaluate the importance of cervical gland area (CGA) to predict spontaneous preterm birth (SPB). Method: A prospective study was performed from October 2008 to September 2009 of 102 singleton pregnancies at 20 and 24 weeks. A transvaginal ultrasound during the routine morphological scan investigated: the cervical length, CGA, its thickness and signs of cervical funneling. A preterm birth is defined as one that occurs at less than 37 weeks gestation. Ultrasound and clinical variables were submitted to univariate analysis by calculations of descriptive statistics, the Student t-test, percentages, and two-dimensional associative arrays evaluated using the Fisher exact test and odds ratio. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Of the 102 patients, four were lost in the follow up and seven were excluded as delivery was induced prematurely; ten patients presented spontaneous preterm births and 81 at term. The mean maternal age was 28.8 years old (18-41 years) without significant difference between the spontaneous preterm birth and term groups. There were statistical differences in the mean (33.9 vs. 36.1 cm), median (33.5 vs. 37.0 cm) and spread (standard deviation: 9.6 vs. 7.0) of the cervical length between the two groups. Risk factors for SPB gave an odds ratio of 15.06. All patients presented a CGA with a mean thickness of 8.4 mm (5.1 to 15 mm SD: 3.1) for SPB and 8.9 mm (3.0 to 13.9 mm SD: 2.3) for term individuals. Conclusion: The results suggest that the presence or absence and thickness of CGA are not correlated to SPB even in clinically or ultrasonographically high-risk patients. Further studies are necessary to reevaluate the parameters used to predict SPB. / Avaliar a importância do eco glandular endocervical (EGE) na predição de parto prematuro espontâneo (PPE). Método: Estudo prospectivo de 102 gestações únicas, entre 20-24 semanas, de outubro/2008 a setembro/2009. Na ecografia morfológica, o exame transvaginal avaliou: comprimento do colo uterino, EGE, espessura e sinal do afunilamento. Foi considerado PPE interrupção antes de 37 semanas de gestação. As avaliações ultrassonográfica e clínica foram submetidas à análise univariada pelos cálculos de estatísticas descritivas, teste t de Student, distribuições percentuais, tabelas associativas para análises bidimensionais, teste exato de Fisher e odds ratio no nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Das 102 pacientes, quatro perderam seguimento, sete foram excluídas por parto prematuro induzido, dez pacientes apresentaram PPE e 81 parto a termo (PT). A idade materna média foi de 28,8 anos (18-41 anos), sem diferença nos dois grupos (PPE e PT). No comprimento do colo observaram-se diferenças na média (33,9 x 36,1 cm), mediana (33,5 x 37,0 cm) e na dispersão (desvio padrão 9,6 x 7,0). Fatores de risco para PPE mostraram odds ratio de 15,06. Todas as pacientes apresentaram EGE, com espessura média de 8,4 mm (5,1 a 15 mm - desvio padrão 3,1) para PPE, e de 8,9 mm (3,0 a 13,9 mm - desvio padrão de 2,3) para PT. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam que a presença, ausência ou espessura do EGE não se correlacionou com PPE, mesmo naquelas pacientes com alto risco clínico e/ou ultrassonográfico de PPE. São necessárias novas pesquisas para reavaliação dos parâmetros indicadores de PPE.