Objective To assess the usefulness of a leaflet distributed to women before colposcopy designed to Design Prospective randomised study.Setting Colposcopy clinic of a large district general hospital.Sample Two hundred consecutive women undergoing colposcopy for the first time for a cervical cytological abnormality of severity no greater than moderate dyskaryosis.Methods Women were randomised into one of two groups (leaflet or control). Those in the leaflet group were sent an information leaflet prior to attending the clinic. In the colposcopy clinic all the women completed a Statenrait Anxiety Inventory (StAVTrAI) and a modified psychosexual questionnaire before undergoing colposcopy. This was repeated at the six-month follow up visit. Women in the leaflet group also completed a further questionnaire on the leaflet.Main outcome measures Differences of anxiety and psychosexual scores between leaflet and control groups.
ResultsThe leaflet was well received. There were no statistical differences in StAI and TrAI scores between the study group and the control group at either visit, although in the whole study population StAI and TrAI scores were reduced at the second visit. The leaflet group had significantly more psychosexual problems but by the second visit, the scores had improved and the two groups were similar. When the mean differences in anxiety and psychosexual scores at the initial and second visits were compared between the groups, the reduction in negative sexual feelings and deterioration of TrAI scores experienced by the leaflet group was significant.
ConclusionsThis study suggests that the provision of sending an information leaflet prior to colposcopy is not beneficial in isolation. Other approaches need to be considered.reduce their anxiety and psychosexual morbidity by providing information.
Objective-To evaluate the efficacy of gamolenic acid provided by evening primrose oil in treating hot flushes and sweating associated with the menopause.Design-Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study.Setting-District general hospital and teaching hospital.Subjects-56 menopausal women suffering hot flushes at least three times a day.Intervention-Four capsules twice a day of 500 mg evening primrose oil with 10 mg natural vitamin E or 500 mg liquid paraffin for six months.Main outcome measures-Change in the number ofhot flushes or sweating episodes a month.Results-56 diaries were analysed, 28 from women taking gamolenic acid and 28 from those taking placebo. Only 18 women given gamolenic acid and 17 given placebo completed the trial. The mean (SE) improvement in the number of flushes in the last available treatment cycle compared with the control cycle was 19 (0 4) (P < 0.001) for daytime flushes and 0 7 (0'3) (P<0'05) for night time flushes in women taking placebo; the corresponding values for women taking gamolenic acid were 0.5 (0.4) and 0 5 (0.3). In women taking gamolenic acid the only significant improvement was a reduction in the maximum number ofnight time flushes (1.4 (0 6); P< 005).Conclusion-Gamolenic acid offers no benefit over placebo in treating menopausal flushing.
It is possible that this increase in fimbrial CBF may contribute to ovum retrieval and transport after ovulation. However, the reproductive significance of the changes in CBF in relation to the menstrual cycle needs further investigation.
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