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The New Zealand Maternity Clinical Indicators present comparative maternity interventions and outcomes data across a set of 20 indicators buy kamagra jelly online for pregnant women http://ssbsoftware.com/kamagra-tablets-for-sale/ and their babies by maternity facility and district health board region. One indicator applies to women who registered with a lead maternity carer (LMC). Eight indicators apply to standard primiparae (definition used to identify a group of women for whom interventions and outcomes should be similar). Seven indicators buy kamagra jelly online apply to all women giving birth in New Zealand.

Four apply to all babies born in New Zealand. This is the tenth year in the New Zealand Maternity Clinical Indicators series, with a focus on women giving birth and babies born in the 2018 calendar year. As the previous years’ data demonstrated, reported maternity service delivery and outcomes for women and babies vary buy kamagra jelly online between district health boards (DHBs) and between individual secondary and tertiary facilities. These findings merit further investigation of data quality and integrity as well as variations in local clinical practice management.

Since 2012, DHBs and maternity stakeholders have used national benchmarked data in their local maternity quality and safety programs to identify areas warranting further investigation. To support further investigation, the Ministry of buy kamagra jelly online Health provides unit record clinical indicators data to DHB maternity quality and safety programme coordinators. Access the data A web-based tool is available for you to explore the numbers and rates for 2018 and trends across the full 10-year time series. This includes numbers and rates of each indicator from 2009 to 2018 by ethnic group and DHB of residence, and by facility of birth.

The same data is also available buy kamagra jelly online as an Excel file. Trends. Graphs and summary tables (Excel, 3.4 MB). The Ministry of Health is no longer producing the New buy kamagra jelly online Zealand Maternity Clinical Indicators Report.

The web-based tool provides the full indicators dataset as tables and figures. Background, methodology and metadata are available in the following guide:Health care and support workers are an essential and valuable workforce. The nature of their occupation or workplace means they may be at increased risk of contracting erectile dysfunction treatment during a time buy kamagra jelly online of community transmission. The first case of erectile dysfunction treatment in a health care or support worker was reported on 17 March 2020.

After exclusions, 167 people diagnosed with erectile dysfunction treatment were recorded as health care and support workers during the ‘first wave’ of the kamagra in Aotearoa New Zealand, as at 12 June. The report gives an overview of the occupation and demographics of buy kamagra jelly online health care and support workers diagnosed with erectile dysfunction treatment with a focus on transmission pathways in the workplace. This report is descriptive and is therefore not able to explain how transmission occurred. It provides valuable information we can apply and touches on some of the work that is underway at the time of publication to address those areas..

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High burden of antibiotic-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium in symptomatic urethritisMycoplasma genitalium is an aetiological agent of discover here sexually ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly transmitted urethritis. A cohort study investigated M. Genitalium prevalence, antibiotic resistance and association with previous macrolide exposure ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly among 1816 Chinese men who presented with symptomatic urethritis between 2011 and 2015. was diagnosed by PCR, and sequencing was used to detect mutations that confer resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones. In 11% ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly of men, M.

Genitalium was the sole pathogen identified. Nearly 90% ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly of s were resistant to macrolides and fluoroquinolones. Previous macrolide exposure was associated with higher prevalence of resistance (97%). The findings point to the need for routine screening for ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly M. Genitalium in symptomatic men with urethritis.

Treatment strategies to overcome ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly antibiotic resistance in M. Genitalium are needed.Yang L, Xiaohong S, Wenjing L, et al. Mycoplasma genitalium ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly in symptomatic male urethritis. Macrolide use is associated with increased resistance. Clin Infect Dis 2020;5:805–10.

Doi:10.1093/cid/ciz294.A new entry ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly inhibitor offers promise for treatment-experienced patients with multidrug-resistant HIVFostemsavir, the prodrug of temsavir, is an attachment inhibitor. By targeting the gp120 protein on the HIV-1 envelope, it prevents viral interaction with the CD4 receptor. No cross-resistance has been described with other ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly antiretroviral agents, including those that target viral entry by other modalities. In the phase III BRIGHTE trial, 371 highly treatment-experienced patients who had exhausted ≥4 classes of antiretrovirals received fostemsavir with an optimised regimen. After 48 weeks, 54% of those with 1–2 ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly additional active drugs achieved viral load suppression <40 copies/mL.

Response rates were 38% among patients lacking other active agents. Drug-related adverse ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly events included nausea (4%) and diarrhoea (3%). As gp120 substitutions reduced fostemsavir susceptibility in up to 70% of patients with virological failure, fostemsavir offers the most valuable salvage option in partnership with other active drugs.Kozal M, Aberg J, Pialoux G, et al. Fostemsavir in adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 ajanta pharma kamagra oral jelly. N Engl J Med 2020;382:1232–43.

Doi. 10.1056/NEJMoa1902493Novel tools to aid identification of hepatitis C in primary careHepatitis C can now be cured with oral antiviral treatment, and improving diagnosis is a key element of elimination strategies.1 A cluster randomised controlled trial in South West England tested performance and cost-effectiveness of an electronic algorithm that identified at-risk patients in primary care according to national recommendations,2 coupled with educational activities and interventions to increase patients’ awareness. Outcomes were testing uptake, diagnosis and referral to specialist care. Practices in the intervention arm had an increase in all outcome measures, with adjusted risk ratios of 1.59 (1.21–2.08) for uptake, 2.24 (1.47–3.42) for diagnosis and 5.78 (1.60–21.6) for referral. The intervention was highly cost-effective.

Electronic algorithms applied to practice systems could enhance testing and diagnosis of hepatitis C in primary care, contributing to global elimination goals.Roberts K, Macleod J, Metcalfe C, et al. Cost-effectiveness of an intervention to increase uptake of hepatitis C kamagra testing and treatment (HepCATT). Cluster randomised controlled trial in primary care. BMJ 2020;368:m322. Doi:10.1136/bmj.m322Low completion rates for antiretroviral postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after sexual assaultA 4-week course of triple-agent postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended following a high-risk sexual assault.3 4 A retrospective study in Barcelona identified 1695 victims attending an emergency room (ER) between 2006 and 2015.

Overall, 883 (52%) started prophylaxis in ER, which was mostly (43%) lopinavir/ritonavir based. Follow-up appointments were arranged for those living in Catalonia (631, 71.5%), and of these, only 183 (29%) completed treatment. Loss to follow-up was more prevalent in those residing outside Barcelona. PEP non-completion was associated with a low perceived risk, previous assaults, a known aggressor and a positive cocaine test. Side effects were common, occurring in up to 65% of those taking lopinavir/ritonavir and accounting for 15% of all discontinuations.

More tolerable PEP regimens, accessible follow-up and provision of 1-month supply may improve completion rates.Inciarte A, Leal L, Masfarre L, et al. Postexposure prophylaxis for HIV in sexual assault victims. HIV Med 2020;21:43–52. Doi:10.1111/hiv.12797.Effective antiretroviral therapy reduces anal high-risk HPV and cancer riskAmong people with HIV, effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) is expected to improve control of anal with high-risk human papillomakamagra (HR-HPV) and reduce the progression of HPV-associated anal lesions. The magnitude of the effect is not well established.

By meta-analysis, people on established ART (vs ART-naive) had a 35% lower prevalence of HR-HPV , and those with undetectable viral load (vs detectable viral load) had a 27% and 16% reduced risk of low and high-grade anal lesions, respectively. Sustained virological suppression on ART reduced by 44% the risk of anal cancer. The role of effective ART in reducing anal HR-HPV and cancer risks is especially salient given current limitations in anal cancer screening, high rates of anal lesion recurrence and access to vaccination.Kelly H, Chikandiwa A, Alemany Vilches L, et al. Association of antiretroviral therapy with anal high-risk human papillomakamagra, anal intraepithelial neoplasia and anal cancer in people living with HIV. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lancet HIV. 2020;7:e262–78. Doi:10.1016/S2352-3018(19)30434-5.The impact of sex work laws and stigma on HIV prevention among female sex workersSex work laws and stigma have been established as structural risk factors for HIV acquisition among female sex workers (FSWs). However, individual-level data assessing these relationships are limited. A study examined individual-level data collected in 2011–2018 from 7259 FSWs across 10 sub-Saharan African countries.

An association emerged between HIV prevalence and increasingly punitive and non-protective laws. HIV prevalence among FSWs was 11.6%, 19.6% and 39.4% in contexts where sex work was partly legalised, not recognised or criminalised, respectively. Stigma measures such as fear of seeking health services, mistreatment in healthcare settings, lack of police protection, blackmail and violence were associated with higher HIV prevalence and more punitive settings. Sex work laws that protect sex workers and reduce structural risks are needed.Lyons CE, Schwartz SR, Murray SM, et al. The role of sex work laws and stigmas in increasing HIV risks among sex workers.

Nat Commun 2020;11:773. Doi:10.1038/s41467-020-14593-6.BackgroundCumbria Sexual Health Services (CSHS) in collaboration with Cumbria Public Health and local authorities have established a erectile dysfunction treatment contact tracing pathway for Cumbria. The local system was live 10 days prior to the national system on 18 May 2020. It was designed to interface and dovetail with the government’s track and trace programme.Our involvement in this initiative was due to a chance meeting between Professor Matt Phillips, Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV, and the Director of Public Health Cumbria, Colin Cox. Colin knew that Cumbria needed to act fast to prevent the transmission of erectile dysfunction treatment and Matt knew that sexual health had the skills to help.ProcessDespite over 90% of the staff from CSHS being redeployed in March 2020, CSHS maintained urgent sexual healthcare for the county and a phone line for advice and guidance.

As staff began to return to the service in May 2020 we had capacity to spare seven staff members, whose hours were the equivalent of four full-time staff. We had one system administrator, three healthcare assistants, one nurse, Health Advisor Helen Musker and myself.CSHS were paramount to the speed with which the local system began. Following approval from the Trust’s chief executive officer we had adapted our electronic patient records (EPR) system, developed a standard operating procedure and trained staff, using a stepwise competency model, within just 1 day.In collaboration with the local laboratories we developed methods for the input of positive erectile dysfunction treatment results into our EPR derivative. We ensured that labs would be able to cope with the increase in testing and that testing hubs had additional capacity. Testing sites and occupational health were asked to inform patients that if they tested positive they would be contacted by our teams.This initiative involved a multiagency system including local public health (PH) teams, local authority, North Cumbria and Morecambe Bay CCGs, Public Health England (PHE) and the military.

If CSHS recognise more than one positive result in the same area/organisation, they flag this with PH at the daily incident management meeting and environmental health officers (EHOs) provide advice and guidance for the organisation. We have had an active role in the contact tracing for clusters in local general practices, providing essential information to PH to enable them to initiate outbreak control and provide accurate advice to the practices. We are an integral part in recognising cases in large organisations and ensuring prompt action is taken to stem the spread of the disease. The team have provided out-of-hours work to ensure timely and efficient action is taken for all contacts.The local contact tracing pilot has evolved and a database was established by local authorities. Our data fed directly into this from the end of May 2020.

This enables the multiagency team to record data in one place, improving recognition of patterns of transmission.DiscussionCumbria is covered by three National Health Service Trusts, which meant accessing data outside of our Trust was challenging and took more time to establish. There are two CCGs for Cumbria, which meant discussions regarding testing were needed with both North and South CCGs and variations in provision had to be accounted for. There are six boroughs in Cumbria with different teams of EHOs working in each. With so many people involved, not only is there need for large-scale frequent communication across a multisystem team, there is also inevitable duplication of work.Lockdown is easing and sexual health clinics are increasing capacity in a new world of virtual appointments and reduced face-to-face consultations. Staff within the contact tracing team are now balancing their commitments across both teams to maintain their skills and keep abreast of the rapid developments within our service due to erectile dysfunction treatment.

We are currently applying for funding from PH in order to second staff and backfill posts in sexual health.ConclusionCSHS have been able to lend our skills effectively to the local contact tracing efforts. We have expedited the contact tracing in Cumbria and provided crucial information to help contain outbreaks. It has had a positive effect on staff morale within the service and we have gained national recognition for our work. We have developed excellent relationships with our local PH team, PHE, Cumbria Council, EHOs and both CCGs.Cumbria has the infrastructure to meet the demands of a second wave of erectile dysfunction treatment. The beauty of this model is that if we are faced with a second lockdown, sexual health staff will inevitably be available to help with the increased demand for contact tracing.

Our ambition is that this model will be replicated nationally..

High burden buy kamagra jelly online of antibiotic-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium in symptomatic urethritisMycoplasma genitalium is an aetiological agent of sexually transmitted urethritis. A cohort study investigated M. Genitalium prevalence, antibiotic resistance and association with previous macrolide exposure among 1816 Chinese men who presented with symptomatic urethritis between 2011 and 2015 buy kamagra jelly online. was diagnosed by PCR, and sequencing was used to detect mutations that confer resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones.

In 11% buy kamagra jelly online of men, M. Genitalium was the sole pathogen identified. Nearly 90% of s were resistant to macrolides and buy kamagra jelly online fluoroquinolones. Previous macrolide exposure was associated with higher prevalence of resistance (97%).

The findings point to the need for routine screening for buy kamagra jelly online M. Genitalium in symptomatic men with urethritis. Treatment strategies to buy kamagra jelly online overcome antibiotic resistance in M. Genitalium are needed.Yang L, Xiaohong S, Wenjing L, et al.

Mycoplasma genitalium in symptomatic male urethritis buy kamagra jelly online. Macrolide use is associated with increased resistance. Clin Infect Dis 2020;5:805–10. Doi:10.1093/cid/ciz294.A new entry inhibitor offers promise for treatment-experienced patients with multidrug-resistant HIVFostemsavir, the prodrug of temsavir, is an attachment inhibitor buy kamagra jelly online.

By targeting the gp120 protein on the HIV-1 envelope, it prevents viral interaction with the CD4 receptor. No cross-resistance has been described with other antiretroviral agents, including those that target viral entry buy kamagra jelly online by other modalities. In the phase III BRIGHTE trial, 371 highly treatment-experienced patients who had exhausted ≥4 classes of antiretrovirals received fostemsavir with an optimised regimen. After 48 weeks, 54% of those with 1–2 additional active drugs achieved viral load buy kamagra jelly online suppression <40 copies/mL.

Response rates were 38% among patients lacking other active agents. Drug-related adverse events included nausea (4%) and diarrhoea (3%) buy kamagra jelly online. As gp120 substitutions reduced fostemsavir susceptibility in up to 70% of patients with virological failure, fostemsavir offers the most valuable salvage option in partnership with other active drugs.Kozal M, Aberg J, Pialoux G, et al. Fostemsavir in adults with multidrug-resistant buy kamagra jelly online HIV-1 .

N Engl J Med 2020;382:1232–43. Doi. 10.1056/NEJMoa1902493Novel tools to aid identification of hepatitis C in primary careHepatitis C can now be cured with oral antiviral treatment, and improving diagnosis is a key element of elimination strategies.1 A cluster randomised controlled trial in South West England tested performance and cost-effectiveness of an electronic algorithm that identified at-risk patients in primary care according to national recommendations,2 coupled with educational activities and interventions to increase patients’ awareness. Outcomes were testing uptake, diagnosis and referral to specialist care.

Practices in the intervention arm had an increase in all outcome measures, with adjusted risk ratios of 1.59 (1.21–2.08) for uptake, 2.24 (1.47–3.42) for diagnosis and 5.78 (1.60–21.6) for referral. The intervention was highly cost-effective. Electronic algorithms applied to practice systems could enhance testing and diagnosis of hepatitis C in primary care, contributing to global elimination goals.Roberts K, Macleod J, Metcalfe C, et al. Cost-effectiveness of an intervention to increase uptake of hepatitis C kamagra testing and treatment (HepCATT).

Cluster randomised controlled trial in primary care. BMJ 2020;368:m322. Doi:10.1136/bmj.m322Low completion rates for antiretroviral postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after sexual assaultA 4-week course of triple-agent postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended following a high-risk sexual assault.3 4 A retrospective study in Barcelona identified 1695 victims attending an emergency room (ER) between 2006 and 2015. Overall, 883 (52%) started prophylaxis in ER, which was mostly (43%) lopinavir/ritonavir based.

Follow-up appointments were arranged for those living in Catalonia (631, 71.5%), and of these, only 183 (29%) completed treatment. Loss to follow-up was more prevalent in those residing outside Barcelona. PEP non-completion was associated with a low perceived risk, previous assaults, a known aggressor and a positive cocaine test. Side effects were common, occurring in up to 65% of those taking lopinavir/ritonavir and accounting for 15% of all discontinuations.

More tolerable PEP regimens, accessible follow-up and provision of 1-month supply may improve completion rates.Inciarte A, Leal L, Masfarre L, et al. Postexposure prophylaxis for HIV in sexual assault victims. HIV Med 2020;21:43–52. Doi:10.1111/hiv.12797.Effective antiretroviral therapy reduces anal high-risk HPV and cancer riskAmong people with HIV, effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) is expected to improve control of anal with high-risk human papillomakamagra (HR-HPV) and reduce the progression of HPV-associated anal lesions.

The magnitude of the effect is not well established. By meta-analysis, people on established ART (vs ART-naive) had a 35% lower prevalence of HR-HPV , and those with undetectable viral load (vs detectable viral load) had a 27% and 16% reduced risk of low and high-grade anal lesions, respectively. Sustained virological suppression on ART reduced by 44% the risk of anal cancer. The role of effective ART in reducing anal HR-HPV and cancer risks is especially salient given current limitations in anal cancer screening, high rates of anal lesion recurrence and access to vaccination.Kelly H, Chikandiwa A, Alemany Vilches L, et al.

Association of antiretroviral therapy with anal high-risk human papillomakamagra, anal intraepithelial neoplasia and anal cancer in people living with HIV. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet HIV. 2020;7:e262–78.

Doi:10.1016/S2352-3018(19)30434-5.The impact of sex work laws and stigma on HIV prevention among female sex workersSex work laws and stigma have been established as structural risk factors for HIV acquisition among female sex workers (FSWs). However, individual-level data assessing these relationships are limited. A study examined individual-level data collected in 2011–2018 from 7259 FSWs across 10 sub-Saharan African countries. An association emerged between HIV prevalence and increasingly punitive and non-protective laws.

HIV prevalence among FSWs was 11.6%, 19.6% and 39.4% in contexts where sex work was partly legalised, not recognised or criminalised, respectively. Stigma measures such as fear of seeking health services, mistreatment in healthcare settings, lack of police protection, blackmail and violence were associated with higher HIV prevalence and more punitive settings. Sex work laws that protect sex workers and reduce structural risks are needed.Lyons CE, Schwartz SR, Murray SM, et al. The role of sex work laws and stigmas in increasing HIV risks among sex workers.

Nat Commun 2020;11:773. Doi:10.1038/s41467-020-14593-6.BackgroundCumbria Sexual Health Services (CSHS) in collaboration with Cumbria Public Health and local authorities have established a erectile dysfunction treatment contact tracing pathway for Cumbria. The local system was live 10 days prior to the national system on 18 May 2020. It was designed to interface and dovetail with the government’s track and trace programme.Our involvement in this initiative was due to a chance meeting between Professor Matt Phillips, Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV, and the Director of Public Health Cumbria, Colin Cox.

Colin knew that Cumbria needed to act fast to prevent the transmission of erectile dysfunction treatment and Matt knew that sexual health had the skills to help.ProcessDespite over 90% of the staff from CSHS being redeployed in March 2020, CSHS maintained urgent sexual healthcare for the county and a phone line for advice and guidance. As staff began to return to the service in May 2020 we had capacity to spare seven staff members, whose hours were the equivalent of four full-time staff. We had one system administrator, three healthcare assistants, one nurse, Health Advisor Helen Musker and myself.CSHS were paramount to the speed with which the local system began. Following approval from the Trust’s chief executive officer we had adapted our electronic patient records (EPR) system, developed a standard operating procedure and trained staff, using a stepwise competency model, within just 1 day.In collaboration with the local laboratories we developed methods for the input of positive erectile dysfunction treatment results into our EPR derivative.

We ensured that labs would be able to cope with the increase in testing and that testing hubs had additional capacity. Testing sites and occupational health were asked to inform patients that if they tested positive they would be contacted by our teams.This initiative involved a multiagency system including local public health (PH) teams, local authority, North Cumbria and Morecambe Bay CCGs, Public Health England (PHE) and the military. If CSHS recognise more than one positive result in the same area/organisation, they flag this with PH at the daily incident management meeting and environmental health officers (EHOs) provide advice and guidance for the organisation. We have had an active role in the contact tracing for clusters in local general practices, providing essential information to PH to enable them to initiate outbreak control and provide accurate advice to the practices.

We are an integral part in recognising cases in large organisations and ensuring prompt action is taken to stem the spread of the disease. The team have provided out-of-hours work to ensure timely and efficient action is taken for all contacts.The local contact tracing pilot has evolved and a database was established by local authorities. Our data fed directly into this from the end of May 2020. This enables the multiagency team to record data in one place, improving recognition of patterns of transmission.DiscussionCumbria is covered by three National Health Service Trusts, which meant accessing data outside of our Trust was challenging and took more time to establish.

There are two CCGs for Cumbria, which meant discussions regarding testing were needed with both North and South CCGs and variations in provision had to be accounted for. There are six boroughs in Cumbria with different teams of EHOs working in each. With so many people involved, not only is there need for large-scale frequent communication across a multisystem team, there is also inevitable duplication of work.Lockdown is easing and sexual health clinics are increasing capacity in a new world of virtual appointments and reduced face-to-face consultations. Staff within the contact tracing team are now balancing their commitments across both teams to maintain their skills and keep abreast of the rapid developments within our service due to erectile dysfunction treatment.

We are currently applying for funding from PH in order to second staff and backfill posts in sexual health.ConclusionCSHS have been able to lend our skills effectively to the local contact tracing efforts. We have expedited the contact tracing in Cumbria and provided crucial information to help contain outbreaks. It has had a positive effect on staff morale within the service and we have gained national recognition for our work. We have developed excellent relationships with our local PH team, PHE, Cumbria Council, EHOs and both CCGs.Cumbria has the infrastructure to meet the demands of a second wave of erectile dysfunction treatment.

The beauty of this model is that if we are faced with a second lockdown, sexual health staff will inevitably be available to help with the increased demand for contact tracing. Our ambition is that this model will be replicated nationally..

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Take Kamagra by mouth with a glass of water. The dose is usually taken 1 hour before sexual activity. You should not take the dose more than once per day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of Kamagra contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: Kamagra is only for you. Do not share Kamagra with others.

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On this page IntroductionEach year, Health Canada receives thousands kamagra online australia of reports of suspected adverse reactions (side effects) about drugs and natural health products and of http://www.feuerwehr-kirchhoerde.de/how-can-i-get-amoxil/ suspected medical device incidents. These reports, captured through the Canada Vigilance Program, contribute to Health Canada’s post-market monitoring of health product safety.Manufacturers, importers, hospitals and other mandatory reporters are required to report to Health Canada on adverse reactions and incidents related to marketed health products. Health Canada also encourages health care professionals, patients, caregivers and consumers to submit voluntary reports about serious kamagra online australia adverse reactions or incidents concerning drugs, natural health products or medical devices. Data from both the Canada Vigilance Program and other sources, like recalls that are reported to Health Canada, provide critical information that helps improve patient safety.Building the Canada Vigilance Program Since the Canada Vigilance Program began, the number of reports submitted to Health Canada has increased every year.

This increase is due to a number of factors, such as. The rise in the overall number of marketed health products the implementation of mandatory reporting for all hospitals in Canada the expansion kamagra online australia of the Canadian Medical Devices Sentinel Network (CMDSNet), Health Canada’s proactive surveillance program that encourages program participants to report medical device incidents the implementation of voluntary consumer reporting Health Canada’s efforts to promote simpler and easier ways to report a changing and aging Canadian population with changing health needs an increase in patient safety programs by industry, which leads to an increase in targeted detection and reporting proactive information gathering efforts by Health Canada, which lead to the discovery of unreported adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents While the number of reports is increasing, we know that adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents continue to be under-reported in Canada and worldwide.Improving the Canada Vigilance ProgramHealth Canada continues to improve the quantity and quality of all incoming Canada Vigilance Program data by. Providing feedback to stakeholders on the quality of reports identifying and flagging duplicate reports in the Canada Vigilance database cleaning the data so it can be analyzed using automated data entry to reduce human error implementing mandatory reporting by hospitals of serious adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents (as of December 2019) About the 2019 dataThis page summarizes data on adverse reaction reports received by Health Canada during 2019 and key trends over the past 10 years. We present data on.

Adverse reactions to drugs and natural health products kamagra online australia incidents related to the use of medical devices recalls that occurred after products were approved for sale in CanadaData on adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents are based on reports sent to Health Canada through the Canada Vigilance Program. Recall data are based on the work of the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch. The statistics on this page are based only on Canadian reports and do not include data from other countries (foreign reports).Adverse reactions to kamagra online australia drugs and natural health productsTotal number of reportsIn 2019, Health Canada received 96,559 domestic reports.Over the last 10 years. The number of Canadian reports has increased over 4-fold (from 22,211 reports in 2010 to 96,559 reports in 2019) Health Canada received an average of 8,000 Canadian reports per month in 2019 Source of reportsIn 2019.

90,350 (93.6%) of reports came from mandatory reporters Canada has a strong reporting system in place to ensure that industry is responsible for their products and that they submit reports in a timely manner 3,849 (4.0%) were voluntary reports from health professionals working outside of hospitals 956 (1.0%) were voluntary reports from the general population 1,248 (1.3%) were from hospitals, which, until December 16, 2019, submitted reports to Health Canada on a voluntary basis Going forward, Health Canada anticipates receiving a larger volume of reports from hospitals because of the new mandatory reporting regulations Over the last 10 years. 9 out of 10 reports received at Health Canada were submitted by industryTypes of reported productsOne or more drugs or natural health products may be mentioned in a report because the reporter suspects they played kamagra online australia a role in the adverse reaction.In 2019. A total of 208,383 drugs or natural health products were mentioned in the 96,559 reports sent to Health Canada pharmaceutical drug products were most often reported, at 68.1% biotechnological products were the second most frequently reported, at 28.1% within these product categories, the specific products most often reported were. immunosuppressants (drugs that aim to reduce the activity of the body’s immune system) at 32.5% of all reported suspected products anti-neoplastic agents (drugs used to treat cancer) at 16.4% of all reported suspected products Over the last 10 years.

The most common products reported each year in adverse drug reactions have been immunosuppressants and kamagra online australia anti-neoplastic agents these numbers reflect the. large number of anti-neoplastic agents approved for use in Canada known risks associated with these products large number of patient reporting programs in place for these products severity of the underlying disease in the population being treated each year, more drugs and natural health products are included in the adverse reactions reported to Health Canada from 25,668 reported products in 2010 to 208,383 reported products in 2019, an 8-fold increase this may be due to improved reporting mechanisms and increased general awareness of the risks involved in using multiple products with the reporting of more drugs and natural health products, we can look at product interactions seen in real-world situations involving Canadians with complex medical needs Adverse reactionsA report may mention more than one adverse reaction. In 2019 kamagra online australia. 420,120 adverse reactions were mentioned in the reports sent to Health Canada the top 4 reported adverse reactions included.

general disorders and administration site conditions, such as pain or weakness (96,640, or 23.0%) gastrointestinal disorders, such as vomiting or diarrhea (37,892, or 9.0%) investigations that include performing tests and physical examinations (33,651, or 8.0%) musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders resulting in swelling or joint pain (33,531, or 8.0%) Over the last 10 years. Each year, more adverse reactions are included in the reports sent to Health Canada from 79,249 adverse reactions in 2010 to 420,120 reported reactions in 2019, a 5-fold increase this may be due to improved reporting mechanisms if more reporters report similar details about adverse reactions, this will help to reinforce ongoing issues seen with certain products this may kamagra online australia signal a potential public health issue for further review OutcomesIn 2019. 7 out of 10 (67,754, or 70.2%) adverse reactions reported to Health Canada were of a serious natureOver the last 10 years. The majority of adverse reaction reports were serious because.

regulated parties are legally obligated to report all serious reactions to Health Canada health professionals and consumers are kamagra online australia more likely to report serious reactions that result in harm We make it a priority to review the most serious product safety issues affecting Canadians. However, all reports are important. Together, they help to kamagra online australia flag potential product safety issues .In 2019. 6,119 (6.3%) reports mentioned a suspected link between a death that had occurred and the use of a drug or natural health product 18,852 (19.5%) reports mentioned hospitalization 2,483 (2.6%) reports mentioned the occurrence of a potentially life-threatening condition 193 (0.2%) reports mentioned a congenital anomaly (birth defect) 52,119 (54.0%) reports indicated that, without intervention, the reported adverse reaction could have resulted in a serious outcomeOutcomes are complex and may be the result of multiple factors, including existing medical conditions or the progression of an illness.

A reported outcome may not be directly caused by the use of a drug or natural health product. Increasing the quantity and quality of reports submitted to Health Canada can kamagra online australia provide more robust evidence and help to determine if there is a link to specific products. This in turn can keep Canadians safer from the harmful effects of certain health products. Medical device incidentsTotal number of incidentsIn 2019, Health Canada received information about 25,235 domestic incidents.Over the last 10 years.

The number of Canadian incidents has increased almost 4-fold (from 6,326 incidents in 2010 to 24,726 incidents in 2019) an average of 2,000 Canadian incidents were reported each month in 2019Source of kamagra online australia reportsIn 2019. 22,809 (92.2%) incidents were reported by industry Canada has a strong reporting system in place where industry is held accountable for their products and must report incidents in a timely manner to Health Canada as per the Medical Devices Regulations 1,018 (4.1%) incidents were based on voluntary reports from the community Voluntary reports from consumers, health care professionals and others add to the quality and quantity of incoming data and help provide a comprehensive picture of medical device problems or issues 554 (2.2%) incidents were reported by health care institutions participating in CMDSNet CMDSNet is a proactive surveillance program that encourages the reporting of medical device problem reports from participating institutions CMDSNet provides a complementary data source for post-market safety evaluations Over the last 10 years. 9 out of 10 incidents were reported by industryWith the introduction of mandatory reporting for all hospitals in December 2019, we anticipate receiving a larger volume of incident reports from hospitals in the future.Types of reported productsA medical device incident may involve more than one medical device. This means that multiple devices may be described in the reports sent to Health Canada.In 2019 kamagra online australia.

A total of 25,519 suspected medical devices were mentioned in the incidents reported to Health Canada the most frequently reported devices were used in. general and plastic surgery (8,926, kamagra online australia or 35.8%) general hospital settings (5,977, or 24.0%) cardiovascular care, like pacemakers, defibrillators and stents (2,478, or 10.0%) Over the last 10 years prior to 2019. Devices for general hospital use (such as needles, catheters and syringes) were most often reported these incidents do not mean that these devices have more risk or cause more harm. Rather, they were.

reported more frequently to Health Canada used more often more readily available when kamagra online australia compared to other medical devices in more specialized categories In 2019. The category of general and plastic surgery (with devices such as electrodes, implants and surgical staplers) was the most reported this was due to the submission of a large number of reports related to breast implants this prompted Health Canada and its partners to. investigate the risks associated with some types of breast implants take some unsafe breast implant products off the market educate Canadians about breast implants Over the last 10 years. Each year, more suspected products are being reported in the medical device incidents sent to Health Canada from 6,544 devices in 2010 to 25,519 devices in 2019, a 4-fold increase this may be due to improved reporting mechanisms and increased general awareness of the importance of reporting increased reporting gives us the ability to better understand kamagra online australia what happens when people use more than one device at a time Device issuesMore than one issue or problem with a device may be mentioned in a medical device incident.

In 2019. 28,124 issues related to the kamagra online australia use of medical devices were experienced material integrity problems (for example, material rupture, a burst container or vessel, or breaking) were mentioned 28.1% of the time mechanical problems (especially fluid leaks) were mentioned 21.1% of the time Over the last 10 years. The types of reported issues may vary from year to year more issues with medical devices are being included in the reports sent to Health Canada from 374 issues in 2010 to 28,124 issues in 2019 this is likely due to improved reporting practices, which are capturing more detail, and the increase in the number of incoming reports we are working on improving standardized reporting and categorization of information, which will increase the quality and usability of the dataHealth effectsMore than one health effect may be mentioned in a medical device incident.In 2019. 22,518 health effects were mentioned in incidents reported to Health Canada the top reported health effect was hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), which was reported in 1,896 (8.4%) incidents other reported health effects included.

capsular contracture (when the capsule surrounding kamagra online australia an implanted device distorts) (1,671, or 7.4%) injury (1,338, or 5.9%) pain (761, or 3.4%) Over the last 10 years. Hyperglycemia has remained a top reported health effect this is not unexpected. Devices that measure blood sugar, such as glucose meters and glucose monitoring systems, are some of the most frequently used medical devices in CanadaOutcomesIn 2019. 7,949 (34.5%) medical device incidents reported to Health Canada were of a serious natureOver the last 10 kamagra online australia years.

The proportion of medical device incidents that were serious. varied between 10.3% and 19.6% from 2010 to 2018 jumped to over one-third of all incidents in 2019 this was due to the submission of a large number of reports related to breast implants While priority is given to reports that are kamagra online australia flagged as serious, all reports are important. Taken together, reports of medical device incidents may indicate a potential public health issue. In 2019.

85 (0.4%) of all medical device incidents mentioned a possible link between a death that occurred and the use of a medical device however, the reported death may not have been directly caused by the suspected medical device incident surgery was the most common outcome reported in medical device incidents, with 3,365 incidents involving some form of kamagra online australia surgery 1,659 (49.3%) were revision surgeries (to fix an issue) 1,291 (38.4%) were explantations (removal of device) 1,274 (76.8%) of the reported revision surgeries and 1,079 (83.6%) of the explantations involved breast implants 3,791 (19.7%) incidents indicated that there was no reported patient involvement or consequences to a patient these incidents did not cause harm, but were reported to Health Canada because they were near misses under different circumstances or without intervention, serious harm may have occurred this information helps us work with industry to take action before an actual harm occurs Marketed health product recallsRecallsA drug or natural health product recall results in the correction of a distributed product or its removal from further sale or use.A medical device recall may result in. Removal of a product from further sale or use an on-site correction of the device an advisement to consumers of problems or potential problems with their device alternative labelling, which may include updates to instructions or manualsIn 2019, Health Canada received reports of. 162 pharmaceutical drug recalls 32 natural health product recalls 822 medical device recallsFor each report, the Department evaluates the recall strategy to ensure the appropriate corrective actions are taken and that the actions are effective. Identified health risksThere are 3 kamagra online australia types of health hazards.

Type I. Using or being exposed to a product will probably cause serious adverse health effects or death Type II. Using or being exposed to a product may cause temporary adverse health consequences kamagra online australia or the possibility of serious adverse health effects is remote Type III. Using or being exposed to a product is not likely to cause any adverse health effectsOf the 162 recalls of pharmaceutical drugs (prescription, non-prescription, radiopharmaceutical and active pharmaceutical ingredient).

52 were classified as type I 59 were classified as type II 51 were classified kamagra online australia as type IIIOf the 32 natural health product recalls. 16 were classified as type I 8 were classified as type II 8 were classified as type IIIOf the 822 medical device recalls. 37 were classified as type I 493 were classified as type II 292 were classified as type IIIRelated linksThe purpose of this notice is to advise stakeholders that Health Canada is proposing to. On this page Overview The interim order (IO) introduced on May 23, 2020, provides another pathway to facilitate clinical trials for potential erectile dysfunction treatment drugs kamagra online australia and medical devices, while upholding strong patient safety requirements and validity of trial data.

The IO expires on May 23, 2021, at which time authorizations for clinical trials issued under the IO will end. In light of the ongoing erectile dysfunction treatment kamagra, there’s a need for sponsors of clinical trials for urgent drugs and devices used to diagnose, treat, mitigate or prevent erectile dysfunction treatment to continue their work. Thus, Health kamagra online australia Canada proposes to maintain the flexibilities and regulatory oversight provided by the IO until at least the fall of 2021. We’re also proposing to bring forward regulatory amendments that would allow the flexibilities under the IO to continue after the fall of 2021.

Sponsors will be able to continue conducting clinical trials authorized under the IO as well as use kamagra online australia this other pathway for new or later-phase erectile dysfunction treatment clinical trials. The proposed regulatory amendments will also. maintain patient safety while broadening access to these trials support the development of safe and effective therapies, yet through flexible measures will reduce the overall impact on the health care system contribute to ensuring further regulatory predictability to sponsors engaged in these important clinical trials The proposed regulatory amendments will have minimal changes in relation to the IO. The only substantive change is to extend the records retention requirement beyond the duration kamagra online australia of the IO.

For IO-authorized drug clinical trials, Health Canada is proposing to set most records retention requirements to 15 years. For medical devices, we’re proposing to align records requirements with those outlined in the Medical Devices Regulations. Neither the IO nor these proposed transition regulations would apply to radiopharmaceutical drugs and Class I kamagra online australia medical devices. Health Canada is also proposing to reduce most 25-year records retention requirements to 15 years for trials authorized through normal regulatory pathways.

This would apply to drugs (excluding radiopharmaceuticals) as well as natural health products under the Food and Drug kamagra online australia Regulations and Natural Health Products Regulations. Health Canada is considering certain exceptions to this proposal. Next steps Health Canada will consult with interested industry stakeholders, health system partners and other government departments on the proposed regulations. We will be holding a kamagra online australia webinar and teleconference in each official language in December 2020.

Written comments are also welcome by January 25, 2021. Once stakeholder input is considered, we will publish the transition regulations in the Canada Gazette and revised guidance. Contact us For more information or to provide comments about this notice, please email kamagra online australia us at hc.policy.bureau.enquiries.sc@canada.ca. For more information on the proposed records retention requirements, please email us at hc.prsd-questionsdspr.sc@canada.ca.

On this page IntroductionEach year, buy kamagra jelly online Health Canada receives thousands of reports of suspected adverse reactions (side effects) about drugs and natural health products and of suspected medical device incidents. These reports, captured through the Canada Vigilance Program, contribute to Health Canada’s post-market monitoring of health product safety.Manufacturers, importers, hospitals and other mandatory reporters are required to report to Health Canada on adverse reactions and incidents related to marketed health products. Health Canada also encourages health care professionals, patients, caregivers and consumers to submit voluntary reports about buy kamagra jelly online serious adverse reactions or incidents concerning drugs, natural health products or medical devices.

Data from both the Canada Vigilance Program and other sources, like recalls that are reported to Health Canada, provide critical information that helps improve patient safety.Building the Canada Vigilance Program Since the Canada Vigilance Program began, the number of reports submitted to Health Canada has increased every year. This increase is due to a number of factors, such as. The rise in the overall number of marketed health products the implementation of mandatory reporting for all hospitals in Canada the expansion of the Canadian Medical Devices Sentinel Network (CMDSNet), Health Canada’s proactive surveillance program that encourages program participants to report medical device incidents the implementation of voluntary consumer reporting Health Canada’s efforts to promote simpler and easier ways to report a changing buy kamagra jelly online and aging Canadian population with changing health needs an increase in patient safety programs by industry, which leads to an increase in targeted detection and reporting proactive information gathering efforts by Health Canada, which lead to the discovery of unreported adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents While the number of reports is increasing, we know that adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents continue to be under-reported in Canada and worldwide.Improving the Canada Vigilance ProgramHealth Canada continues to improve the quantity and quality of all incoming Canada Vigilance Program data by.

Providing feedback to stakeholders on the quality of reports identifying and flagging duplicate reports in the Canada Vigilance database cleaning the data so it can be analyzed using automated data entry to reduce human error implementing mandatory reporting by hospitals of serious adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents (as of December 2019) About the 2019 dataThis page summarizes data on adverse reaction reports received by Health Canada during 2019 and key trends over the past 10 years. We present data on. Adverse reactions to drugs and natural health products incidents related to the use of medical devices recalls that occurred after products were approved for sale in CanadaData on adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents are based on reports sent to Health Canada through the buy kamagra jelly online Canada Vigilance Program.

Recall data are based on the work of the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch. The statistics on this page are based only on Canadian reports and do not include data from other countries (foreign reports).Adverse reactions to drugs and natural health productsTotal number of reportsIn 2019, Health Canada buy kamagra jelly online received 96,559 domestic reports.Over the last 10 years. The number of Canadian reports has increased over 4-fold (from 22,211 reports in 2010 to 96,559 reports in 2019) Health Canada received an average of 8,000 Canadian reports per month in 2019 Source of reportsIn 2019.

90,350 (93.6%) of reports came from mandatory reporters Canada has a strong reporting system in place to ensure that industry is responsible for their products and that they submit reports in a timely manner 3,849 (4.0%) were voluntary reports from health professionals working outside of hospitals 956 (1.0%) were voluntary reports from the general population 1,248 (1.3%) were from hospitals, which, until December 16, 2019, submitted reports to Health Canada on a voluntary basis Going forward, Health Canada anticipates receiving a larger volume of reports from hospitals because of the new mandatory reporting regulations Over the last 10 years. 9 out of 10 reports received at Health Canada were submitted by industryTypes of reported productsOne or more buy kamagra jelly online drugs or natural health products may be mentioned in a report because the reporter suspects they played a role in the adverse reaction.In 2019. A total of 208,383 drugs or natural health products were mentioned in the 96,559 reports sent to Health Canada pharmaceutical drug products were most often reported, at 68.1% biotechnological products were the second most frequently reported, at 28.1% within these product categories, the specific products most often reported were.

immunosuppressants (drugs that aim to reduce the activity of the body’s immune system) at 32.5% of all reported suspected products anti-neoplastic agents (drugs used to treat cancer) at 16.4% of all reported suspected products Over the last 10 years. The most common products reported each year in adverse drug reactions have been immunosuppressants and anti-neoplastic agents these numbers reflect buy kamagra jelly online the. large number of anti-neoplastic agents approved for use in Canada known risks associated with these products large number of patient reporting programs in place for these products severity of the underlying disease in the population being treated each year, more drugs and natural health products are included in the adverse reactions reported to Health Canada from 25,668 reported products in 2010 to 208,383 reported products in 2019, an 8-fold increase this may be due to improved reporting mechanisms and increased general awareness of the risks involved in using multiple products with the reporting of more drugs and natural health products, we can look at product interactions seen in real-world situations involving Canadians with complex medical needs Adverse reactionsA report may mention more than one adverse reaction.

In 2019 buy kamagra jelly online. 420,120 adverse reactions were mentioned in the reports sent to Health Canada the top 4 reported adverse reactions included. general disorders and administration site conditions, such as pain or weakness (96,640, or 23.0%) gastrointestinal disorders, such as vomiting or diarrhea (37,892, or 9.0%) investigations that include performing tests and physical examinations (33,651, or 8.0%) musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders resulting in swelling or joint pain (33,531, or 8.0%) Over the last 10 years.

Each year, more adverse reactions are included in the reports sent to Health Canada from 79,249 adverse reactions in 2010 to 420,120 reported reactions in 2019, a 5-fold increase this may be due to improved reporting mechanisms if more reporters report similar details about adverse buy kamagra jelly online reactions, this will help to reinforce ongoing issues seen with certain products this may signal a potential public health issue for further review OutcomesIn 2019. 7 out of 10 (67,754, or 70.2%) adverse reactions reported to Health Canada were of a serious natureOver the last 10 years. The majority of adverse reaction reports were serious because.

regulated parties are legally obligated to report all serious reactions to Health Canada health professionals and consumers are more likely to report serious reactions that result in harm We make buy kamagra jelly online it a priority to review the most serious product safety issues affecting Canadians. However, all reports are important. Together, they help to buy kamagra jelly online flag potential product safety issues .In 2019.

6,119 (6.3%) reports mentioned a suspected link between a death that had occurred and the use of a drug or natural health product 18,852 (19.5%) reports mentioned hospitalization 2,483 (2.6%) reports mentioned the occurrence of a potentially life-threatening condition 193 (0.2%) reports mentioned a congenital anomaly (birth defect) 52,119 (54.0%) reports indicated that, without intervention, the reported adverse reaction could have resulted in a serious outcomeOutcomes are complex and may be the result of multiple factors, including existing medical conditions or the progression of an illness. A reported outcome may not be directly caused by the use of a drug or natural health product. Increasing the quantity and quality of reports submitted to Health Canada buy kamagra jelly online can provide more robust evidence and help to determine if there is a link to specific products.

This in turn can keep Canadians safer from the harmful effects of certain health products. Medical device incidentsTotal number of incidentsIn 2019, Health Canada received information about 25,235 domestic incidents.Over the last 10 years. The number of Canadian incidents has increased almost 4-fold (from 6,326 incidents in 2010 to 24,726 incidents in 2019) an average of 2,000 Canadian incidents were buy kamagra jelly online reported each month in 2019Source of reportsIn 2019.

22,809 (92.2%) incidents were reported by industry Canada has a strong reporting system in place where industry is held accountable for their products and must report incidents in a timely manner to Health Canada as per the Medical Devices Regulations 1,018 (4.1%) incidents were based on voluntary reports from the community Voluntary reports from consumers, health care professionals and others add to the quality and quantity of incoming data and help provide a comprehensive picture of medical device problems or issues 554 (2.2%) incidents were reported by health care institutions participating in CMDSNet CMDSNet is a proactive surveillance program that encourages the reporting of medical device problem reports from participating institutions CMDSNet provides a complementary data source for post-market safety evaluations Over the last 10 years. 9 out of 10 incidents were reported by industryWith the introduction of mandatory reporting for all hospitals in December 2019, we anticipate receiving a larger volume of incident reports from hospitals in the future.Types of reported productsA medical device incident may involve more than one medical device. This means that buy kamagra jelly online multiple devices may be described in the reports sent to Health Canada.In 2019.

A total of 25,519 suspected medical devices were mentioned in the incidents reported to Health Canada the most frequently reported devices were used in. general and plastic surgery (8,926, or 35.8%) general hospital settings (5,977, or 24.0%) cardiovascular care, like pacemakers, defibrillators and stents buy kamagra jelly online (2,478, or 10.0%) Over the last 10 years prior to 2019. Devices for general hospital use (such as needles, catheters and syringes) were most often reported these incidents do not mean that these devices have more risk or cause more harm.

Rather, they were. reported more frequently to Health Canada used more often more readily available when compared to other buy kamagra jelly online medical devices in more specialized categories In 2019. The category of general and plastic surgery (with devices such as electrodes, implants and surgical staplers) was the most reported this was due to the submission of a large number of reports related to breast implants this prompted Health Canada and its partners to.

investigate the risks associated with some types of breast implants take some unsafe breast implant products off the market educate Canadians about breast implants Over the last 10 years. Each year, more suspected products are being reported in the medical device incidents sent to Health Canada from 6,544 devices in 2010 to 25,519 devices in 2019, a 4-fold increase this may buy kamagra jelly online be due to improved reporting mechanisms and increased general awareness of the importance of reporting increased reporting gives us the ability to better understand what happens when people use more than one device at a time Device issuesMore than one issue or problem with a device may be mentioned in a medical device incident. In 2019.

28,124 issues related to the use of buy kamagra jelly online medical devices were experienced material integrity problems (for example, material rupture, a burst container or vessel, or breaking) were mentioned 28.1% of the time mechanical problems (especially fluid leaks) were mentioned 21.1% of the time Over the last 10 years. The types of reported issues may vary from year to year more issues with medical devices are being included in the reports sent to Health Canada from 374 issues in 2010 to 28,124 issues in 2019 this is likely due to improved reporting practices, which are capturing more detail, and the increase in the number of incoming reports we are working on improving standardized reporting and categorization of information, which will increase the quality and usability of the dataHealth effectsMore than one health effect may be mentioned in a medical device incident.In 2019. 22,518 health effects were mentioned in incidents reported to Health Canada the top reported health effect was hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), which was reported in 1,896 (8.4%) incidents other reported health effects included.

capsular contracture (when the capsule surrounding an implanted device distorts) (1,671, or 7.4%) injury (1,338, or 5.9%) pain (761, or 3.4%) Over the last buy kamagra jelly online 10 years. Hyperglycemia has remained a top reported health effect this is not unexpected. Devices that measure blood sugar, such as glucose meters and glucose monitoring systems, are some of the most frequently used medical devices in CanadaOutcomesIn 2019.

7,949 (34.5%) medical device incidents reported to Health Canada were buy kamagra jelly online of a serious natureOver the last 10 years. The proportion of medical device incidents that were serious. varied between 10.3% and 19.6% from 2010 to 2018 jumped to over one-third of all incidents in 2019 this was due to the submission of a large number of reports related to buy kamagra jelly online breast implants While priority is given to reports that are flagged as serious, all reports are important.

Taken together, reports of medical device incidents may indicate a potential public health issue. In 2019. 85 (0.4%) of all medical device incidents mentioned a possible link between a death that occurred and the use of a medical device however, the reported death may not have been directly caused by the suspected medical device incident surgery was the most common outcome reported in medical device incidents, with 3,365 incidents involving some form of surgery 1,659 (49.3%) were revision surgeries (to fix an issue) 1,291 buy kamagra jelly online (38.4%) were explantations (removal of device) 1,274 (76.8%) of the reported revision surgeries and 1,079 (83.6%) of the explantations involved breast implants 3,791 (19.7%) incidents indicated that there was no reported patient involvement or consequences to a patient these incidents did not cause harm, but were reported to Health Canada because they were near misses under different circumstances or without intervention, serious harm may have occurred this information helps us work with industry to take action before an actual harm occurs Marketed health product recallsRecallsA drug or natural health product recall results in the correction of a distributed product or its removal from further sale or use.A medical device recall may result in.

Removal of a product from further sale or use an on-site correction of the device an advisement to consumers of problems or potential problems with their device alternative labelling, which may include updates to instructions or manualsIn 2019, Health Canada received reports of. 162 pharmaceutical drug recalls 32 natural health product recalls 822 medical device recallsFor each report, the Department evaluates the recall strategy to ensure the appropriate corrective actions are taken and that the actions are effective. Identified health buy kamagra jelly online risksThere are 3 types of health hazards.

Type I. Using or being exposed to a product will probably cause serious adverse health effects or death Type II. Using or being exposed to a product may cause temporary adverse health consequences or the possibility of serious adverse health effects buy kamagra jelly online is remote Type III.

Using or being exposed to a product is not likely to cause any adverse health effectsOf the 162 recalls of pharmaceutical drugs (prescription, non-prescription, radiopharmaceutical and active pharmaceutical ingredient). 52 were classified as type I 59 were classified as type II 51 were classified as type IIIOf the 32 natural health buy kamagra jelly online product recalls. 16 were classified as type I 8 were classified as type II 8 were classified as type IIIOf the 822 medical device recalls.

37 were classified as type I 493 were classified as type II 292 were classified as type IIIRelated linksThe purpose of this notice is to advise stakeholders that Health Canada is proposing to. On this buy kamagra jelly online page Overview The interim order (IO) introduced on May 23, 2020, provides another pathway to facilitate clinical trials for potential erectile dysfunction treatment drugs and medical devices, while upholding strong patient safety requirements and validity of trial data. The IO expires on May 23, 2021, at which time authorizations for clinical trials issued under the IO will end.

In light of the ongoing erectile dysfunction treatment kamagra, there’s a need for sponsors of clinical trials for urgent drugs and devices used to diagnose, treat, mitigate or prevent erectile dysfunction treatment to continue their work. Thus, Health Canada proposes to maintain the flexibilities and regulatory oversight provided by the IO until at least the fall buy kamagra jelly online of 2021. We’re also proposing to bring forward regulatory amendments that would allow the flexibilities under the IO to continue after the fall of 2021.

Sponsors will be able to continue conducting clinical trials buy kamagra jelly online authorized under the IO as well as use this other pathway for new or later-phase erectile dysfunction treatment clinical trials. The proposed regulatory amendments will also. maintain patient safety while broadening access to these trials support the development of safe and effective therapies, yet through flexible measures will reduce the overall impact on the health care system contribute to ensuring further regulatory predictability to sponsors engaged in these important clinical trials The proposed regulatory amendments will have minimal changes in relation to the IO.

The only substantive change is buy kamagra jelly online to extend the records retention requirement beyond the duration of the IO. For IO-authorized drug clinical trials, Health Canada is proposing to set most records retention requirements to 15 years. For medical devices, we’re proposing to align records requirements with those outlined in the Medical Devices Regulations.

Neither the IO nor these proposed transition regulations buy kamagra jelly online would apply to radiopharmaceutical drugs and Class I medical devices. Health Canada is also proposing to reduce most 25-year records retention requirements to 15 years for trials authorized through normal regulatory pathways. This would apply to drugs (excluding buy kamagra jelly online radiopharmaceuticals) as well as natural health products under the Food and Drug Regulations and Natural Health Products Regulations.

Health Canada is considering certain exceptions to this proposal. Next steps Health Canada will consult with interested industry stakeholders, health system partners and other government departments on the proposed regulations. We will buy kamagra jelly online be holding a webinar and teleconference in each official language in December 2020.

Written comments are also welcome by January 25, 2021. Once stakeholder input is considered, we will publish the transition regulations in the Canada Gazette and revised guidance. Contact us For more information or to provide comments about buy kamagra jelly online this notice, please email us at hc.policy.bureau.enquiries.sc@canada.ca.

For more information on the proposed records retention requirements, please email us at hc.prsd-questionsdspr.sc@canada.ca. Related links.

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In his first regular media briefing of the new year, the head is kamagra oral jelly safe of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told journalists that WHO was also “picking up and analyzing hundreds of potential signals every week”, concerning other life-threatening illnesses.  But he made clear the kamagra remains “a major public health crisis”, while assuring that WHO is “working day and night” to accelerate science, provide solutions on the ground and build global read what he said solidarity. "I urge all governments to work together and live up to their commitments to equitable distribution globally and all pharmaceutical groups to boost supply as quickly as possible and to fully participate in COVAX"-@DrTedros #erectile dysfunction treatment19 #ACTogether— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 5, 2021 “This is as important for tackling the kamagra as it is for getting essential services back up and running again”, is kamagra oral jelly safe said Tedros.  ‘Investment in overall development’ Pointing out that WHO’s work stretches “far beyond emergencies”, the UN official explained that its operations encompass improving “human health in all its aspects from birth to old age”. He elaborated on the breadth of the agency’s activities – from keeping mothers and babies alive during childbirth to tackling mental health and controlling HIV and other diseases.  “We have learned a lot in the last year. Not least that health is an investment in overall development, critical for thriving economies and a key pillar of national security”, said the is kamagra oral jelly safe WHO chief.  No afterthought Integrated primary healthcare systems are imperative to prevent, screen and treat infectious and noncommunicable diseases. Citing the kamagra, Tedros said that infectious kamagraes put those with underlying conditions “at highest risk of dying”, and that countries with high numbers of people with health conditions put “extra stress on the health system”.

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Pointing out that the scientific community has “set a new standard for treatment development”, he urged the international community to set a new standard for access.  “People must come first buy kamagra jelly online over short-term profits. It’s in countries self-interest to shun treatment nationalism”, the UN official said.  A shot in the arm Last week, WHO cleared the Pfizer-BioNTech treatment for emergency use and yesterday the rollout of the Astra-Zeneca treatment, developed by Oxford University, began in the United Kingdom.  With 190 “countries and economies” backing the COVAX international treatments-for-all initiative, Tedros wants to see to see all manufacturers quickly channel supplies there, to enable rollouts to protect high-risk people globally.  “We owe it morally to health workers everywhere who have been fighting this kamagra around the clock for the best part of a year, to vaccinate them all as soon as possible”, he said..

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MidMichigan Health celebrated order kamagra oral jelly a kick-off breakfast earlier this week kamagra canada manufacturer honoring the inaugural Provider Leadership Institute class. The program, which begins in-person classes in August 2021, was designed to develop a well-trained bench of health care providers steeped in the kamagra canada manufacturer MidMichigan Health culture who will influence colleagues to focus on excellence and quality.The program has been in development for the past three years with leadership support led by Lydia Watson, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, and Richard Bates, M.D., regional vice president of medical affairs, MidMichigan Health.“An important component to the success of a strong health system is partnership between an organization’s executives and health care providers,” said Peter Bistolarides, M.D., chief academic officer, MidMichigan Health, and director of the Provider Leadership Institute. €œIn fact, research kamagra canada manufacturer shows that with true physician alignment, world-class quality, safety and service is stronger. These students were nominated by their colleagues and carefully selected by leaders. It is kamagra canada manufacturer a prestigious class and we are all looking forward to getting the program underway.”Classes will be held once a month and will cover topics, including strategic planning, communications, process/performance improvement, project management, leading change, finance, quality/safety/risk, governance/law/compliance, human resources and more.

Students will receive required reading assignments, online learning and session tasks, kamagra canada manufacturer as well as a final group project to be presented to senior leaders at the conclusion of the program. CME credits kamagra canada manufacturer will be provided. Courses will be taught by MidMichigan leaders, with guidance by the program’s lead faculty.Provider Leadership Institute 2021-2022 Participating Student CohortsThe student cohorts participating in the 2021-2022 program include (back row, left to right). Sasha Savage, kamagra canada manufacturer M.D., family medicine, Midland. Jeff Smith, kamagra canada manufacturer M.D., general surgery, Clare, Gratiot, Houghton Lake, Midland and Mt.

Pleasant. Erich Kickland, M.D., emergency medicine, Alpena, Gratiot, Midland, Mt. Pleasant and West Branch. Paul Bucchi, M.D., emergency medicine, Alpena, Gratiot, Mt. Pleasant and West Branch, and Erik Nimbley, M.D., emergency medicine, Clare and Gladwin.

(Front row, left to right). Kate Regan, M.D., psychiatry, Midland. Cari Stenz, P.A.-C., family medicine, Alpena. Fawaz Alsmaan, M.D., hospital medicine, Midland and West Branch. Danny Greig, M.D., emergency medicine, Midland, and Elizabeth Erickson, P.A-C., trauma surgery, Midland.Provider Leadership Institute 2021-2022 Faculty MembersLead faculty members include (back row, left to right).

Peter Bistolarides, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S., C.P.E., chief academic officer, MidMichigan Health. Cinthia Brooks, executive director of Bay Region and finance director, MidMichigan Physician Group. Dave Szczepanski, director of HR strategy, MidMichigan Health. Richard Bates, M.D., regional vice president medical affairs, MidMichigan Health. Michael Rogers, director of training and development, MidMichigan Health.

Joe Lindsay, B.S., R.R.T., education specialist, MidMichigan Health. Peter Goodwin, senior attorney, MidMichigan Health. Paul Berg, M.D., president, MidMichigan Read More Here Physicians Group, and Pankaj Jandwani, M.D., regional vice president of medical affairs and chief innovation officer, MidMichigan Health. (Front row left to right). Kay Wagner, D.H.A., M.S.N., R.N., vice president of quality and patient safety, MidMichigan Health.

Lydia Watson, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president, MidMichigan Health. Julie Hart, M.S.A., performance improvement manager, MidMichigan Health. Millie Jezior, APR, public relations manager, MidMichigan Health. Ann Horowitz, attorney, MidMichigan Health, and Dana Thering, M.B.A., director of strategic planning and business development, MidMichigan Health.With a commitment to the health and safety of all those it serves, MidMichigan Health has announced that it will offer an incentive to its employees, physicians, students, volunteers and contractors who have received the erectile dysfunction treatment by June 25, 2021.“As the largest employer in most of the counties we serve, it is our responsibility to be an example for our communities. We realize there may be hesitancy in the treatment.

However, we trust the science behind it and the data continues to show - it works,” said Lydia Watson, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, MidMichigan Health. €œWhile we have had nearly 63 percent of employees receive the treatment, we want to get that number even higher. By offering an incentive, we believe we can increase the number of those vaccinated, offering a greater level of protection against the kamagra for all.”For the incentive, MidMichigan will offer all employees, physicians, students, volunteers and contractors an opportunity to be included in a cash raffle. Those who receive at least the first dose of the treatment by June 25, 2021, will be entered into a drawing. Then, 10 names will be drawn to receive $1,000.“From the start, we have encouraged our employees, as well as the community, to say “yes” to the erectile dysfunction treatment when it is offered,” continued Dr.

Watson. €œIt’s that yes, that will get us closer to herd immunity, help us to return to ‘normal’ and put this kamagra behind us. We’re close. But we can be much closer.”In addition to the incentive, over the past three months, MidMichigan Health has offered town hall meetings for its employees and physicians to help address issues of treatment hesitancy and to answer questions of concern.“To no surprise, the town halls were virtual, of course. However, that worked in the favor of the employees so that our leaders could reach them no matter where they live or work in our health system,” said Dr.

Watson. €œAs a result, we were able to answer much-asked questions about the treatment, debunk common myths, and simply be together in a time when all eyes are on the critical role we all play in the fight against the kamagra.”Dr. Watson continued, “Since our most recent town hall, we have seen our employee vaccination rate rise. We believe that with the announcement of the incentive, we’ll increase those numbers even more. We all need to do our part to put an end to the kamagra and we’ll do all that we can to make that happen.”As a service to the community, MidMichigan Health hosts a erectile dysfunction treatment informational hotline with a reminder of CDC guidelines and recommendations.

Staff is also available to help answer community questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. The hotline can be reached toll-free at (800) 445-7356 or (989) 794-7600. In addition, inquiries can be sent to MidMichigan Health via Facebook messenger at www.facebook.com/midmichigan. More information can also be found at www.midmichigan.org/erectile dysfunction treatment19.Those interested in a current list of erectile dysfunction treatment testing site locations may visit www.treatmentfinder.org/search..

MidMichigan Health celebrated a kick-off breakfast earlier order kamagra this buy kamagra jelly online week honoring the inaugural Provider Leadership Institute class. The program, which begins in-person classes in August 2021, was designed to develop a well-trained bench of health care providers steeped in the MidMichigan Health culture who will influence colleagues to focus on excellence and quality.The program has been in development for the past three years buy kamagra jelly online with leadership support led by Lydia Watson, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, and Richard Bates, M.D., regional vice president of medical affairs, MidMichigan Health.“An important component to the success of a strong health system is partnership between an organization’s executives and health care providers,” said Peter Bistolarides, M.D., chief academic officer, MidMichigan Health, and director of the Provider Leadership Institute. €œIn fact, research shows that with buy kamagra jelly online true physician alignment, world-class quality, safety and service is stronger. These students were nominated by their colleagues and carefully selected by leaders.

It is a prestigious class and we are all looking forward to getting the program underway.”Classes buy kamagra jelly online will be held once a month and will cover topics, including strategic planning, communications, process/performance improvement, project management, leading change, finance, quality/safety/risk, governance/law/compliance, human resources and more. Students will receive required reading assignments, online learning and session tasks, as well as a final group project to be presented to senior leaders at the conclusion of buy kamagra jelly online the program. CME credits buy kamagra jelly online will be provided. Courses will be taught by MidMichigan leaders, with guidance by the program’s lead faculty.Provider Leadership Institute 2021-2022 Participating Student CohortsThe student cohorts participating in the 2021-2022 program include (back row, left to right).

Sasha Savage, buy kamagra jelly online M.D., family medicine, Midland. Jeff Smith, M.D., general surgery, Clare, Gratiot, buy kamagra jelly online Houghton Lake, Midland and Mt. Pleasant. Erich Kickland, M.D., emergency medicine, Alpena, Gratiot, Midland, Mt.

Pleasant and West Branch. Paul Bucchi, M.D., emergency medicine, Alpena, Gratiot, Mt. Pleasant and West Branch, and Erik Nimbley, M.D., emergency medicine, Clare and Gladwin. (Front row, left to right).

Kate Regan, M.D., psychiatry, Midland. Cari Stenz, P.A.-C., family medicine, Alpena. Fawaz Alsmaan, M.D., hospital medicine, Midland and West Branch. Danny Greig, M.D., emergency medicine, Midland, and Elizabeth Erickson, P.A-C., trauma surgery, Midland.Provider Leadership Institute 2021-2022 Faculty MembersLead faculty members include (back row, left to right).

Peter Bistolarides, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S., C.P.E., chief academic officer, MidMichigan Health. Cinthia Brooks, executive director of Bay Region and finance director, MidMichigan Physician Group. Dave Szczepanski, director of HR strategy, MidMichigan Health. Richard Bates, M.D., regional vice president medical affairs, MidMichigan Health.

Michael Rogers, director of training and development, MidMichigan Health. Joe Lindsay, B.S., R.R.T., education specialist, MidMichigan Health. Peter Goodwin, senior attorney, MidMichigan Health. Paul Berg, M.D., president, MidMichigan Physicians Group, and Pankaj Jandwani, M.D., regional vice president of medical affairs and chief innovation officer, MidMichigan Health.

(Front row left to right). Kay Wagner, D.H.A., M.S.N., R.N., vice president of quality and patient safety, MidMichigan Health. Lydia Watson, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president, MidMichigan Health. Julie Hart, M.S.A., performance improvement manager, MidMichigan Health.

Millie Jezior, APR, public relations manager, MidMichigan Health. Ann Horowitz, attorney, MidMichigan Health, and Dana Thering, M.B.A., director of strategic planning and business development, MidMichigan Health.With a commitment to the health and safety of all those it serves, MidMichigan Health has announced that it will offer an incentive to its employees, physicians, students, volunteers and contractors who have received the erectile dysfunction treatment by June 25, 2021.“As the largest employer in most of the counties we serve, it is our responsibility to be an example for our communities. We realize there may be hesitancy in the treatment. However, we trust the science behind it and the data continues to show - it works,” said Lydia Watson, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, MidMichigan Health.

€œWhile we have had nearly 63 percent of employees receive the treatment, we want to get that number even higher. By offering an incentive, we believe we can increase the number of those vaccinated, offering a greater level of protection against the kamagra for all.”For the incentive, MidMichigan will offer all employees, physicians, students, volunteers and contractors an opportunity to be included in a cash raffle. Those who receive at least the first dose of the treatment by June 25, 2021, will be entered into a drawing. Then, 10 names will be drawn to receive $1,000.“From the start, we have encouraged our employees, as well as the community, to say “yes” to the erectile dysfunction treatment when it is offered,” continued Dr.

Watson. €œIt’s that yes, that will get us closer to herd immunity, help us to return to ‘normal’ and put this kamagra behind us. We’re close. But we can be much closer.”In addition to the incentive, over the past three months, MidMichigan Health has offered town hall meetings for its employees and physicians to help address issues of treatment hesitancy and to answer questions of concern.“To no surprise, the town halls were virtual, of course.

However, that worked in the favor of the employees so that our leaders could reach them no matter where they live or work in our health system,” said Dr. Watson. €œAs a result, we were able to answer much-asked questions about the treatment, debunk common myths, and simply be together in a time when all eyes are on the critical role we all play in the fight against the kamagra.”Dr. Watson continued, “Since our most recent town hall, we have seen our employee vaccination rate rise.

We believe that with the announcement of the incentive, we’ll increase those numbers even more. We all need to do our part to put an end to the kamagra and we’ll do all that we can to make that happen.”As a service to the community, MidMichigan Health hosts a erectile dysfunction treatment informational hotline with a reminder of CDC guidelines and recommendations. Staff is also available to help answer community questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. To 5 p.m.

The hotline can be reached toll-free at (800) 445-7356 or (989) 794-7600. In addition, inquiries can be sent to MidMichigan Health via Facebook messenger at www.facebook.com/midmichigan. More information can also be found at www.midmichigan.org/erectile dysfunction treatment19.Those interested in a current list of erectile dysfunction treatment testing site locations may visit www.treatmentfinder.org/search..

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IntroductionIn recent years, many studies have been published on new diagnostic possibilities and management approaches in cohorts of helpful hints patients suspected to have a disorder/difference of sex development (DSD).1–13 Based on these studies, it has become clear that services and institutions still kamagra 100g differ in the composition of the multidisciplinary teams that provide care for patients who have a DSD.11 14 Several projects have now worked to resolve this variability in care. The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (EU COST) action BM1303 ‘A systematic elucidation of differences of sex development’ has been a platform to achieve European agreement on harmonisation kamagra 100g of clinical management and laboratory practices.15–17 Another such initiative involved an update of the 2006 DSD consensus document by an international group of professionals and patient representatives.18 These initiatives have highlighted how cultural and financial aspects and the availability of resources differ significantly between countries and societies, a situation that hampers supranational agreement on common diagnostic protocols. As only a few national guidelines have been published in international journals, comparison of these guidelines is difficult even though such a comparison is necessary to capture the differences and initiate actions to overcome them. Nonetheless, four DSD (expert) centres located in the Netherlands and Flanders (the Dutch-speaking Northern part of Belgium) have collaborated to produce a detailed guideline on diagnostics in DSD.19 kamagra 100g This shows that a supranational guideline can be a reasonable approach for countries with similarly structured healthcare systems and similar resources.

Within the guideline there is agreement that optimisation of expertise and care can be achieved through centralisation, for example, by limiting analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based diagnostic panels to only a few centres and by centralising pathological review of gonadal tissues. International networks such as the European Reference Network for rare endocrine conditions (EndoERN), in which DSD is kamagra 100g embedded, may facilitate the expansion of this kind of collaboration across Europe.This paper highlights key discussion points in the Dutch-Flemish guideline that have been insufficiently addressed in the literature thus far because they reflect evolving technologies or less visible stakeholders. For example, prenatal observation of an atypical aspect of the genitalia indicating a possible DSD is becoming increasingly common, and we discuss appropriate counselling and a diagnostic approach for these cases, including the option of using NGS-based genetic testing. So far, little attention has been paid to this process.20 21 Furthermore, informing patients and/or their parents about atypical sex development and why this may warrant referral to a specialised team may be challenging, especially for professionals with kamagra 100g limited experience in DSD.22 23 Therefore, a section of the Dutch-Flemish guideline was written for these healthcare providers.

Moreover, this enables DSD specialists to refer to the guideline when advising a referral. Transition from the prenatal to the postnatal team kamagra 100g and from the paediatric to the adult team requires optimal communication between the specialists involved. Application of NGS-based techniques may lead to a higher diagnostic yield, providing a molecular genetic diagnosis in previously unsolved cases.16 We address the timing of this testing and the problems associated with this technique such as the interpretation of variants of unknown clinical significance (VUS). Similarly, histopathological interpretation and classification of removed gonadal tissue is challenging and would benefit from international collaboration and centralisation of expertise.MethodsFor the kamagra 100g guideline revision, an interdisciplinary multicentre group was formed with all members responsible for updating the literature for a specific part of the guideline.

Literature search in PubMed was not systematic, but rather intended to be broad in order to cover all areas and follow expert opinions. This approach is more in line with the Clinical Practice Advisory Document method described by Burke et al24 for guidelines involving genetic practice because it is often troublesome to substantiate such guidelines with sufficient evidence kamagra 100g due to the rapid changes in testing methods, for example, gene panels. All input provided by the group was synthesised by the chairperson (YvB), who also reviewed abstracts of papers on DSD published between 2010 and September 2017 for the guideline and up to October 2019 for this paper. Abstracts had to be written in English and were identified kamagra 100g using a broad range of Medical Subject Headings terms (eg, DSD, genetic, review, diagnosis, diagnostics, 46,XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, guideline, multidisciplinary care).

Next, potentially relevant papers on diagnostic procedures in DSD were selected. Case reports kamagra 100g were excluded, as were articles that were not open access or retrievable through institutional access. Based on this, a draft guideline was produced that was in line with the international principles of good diagnostic care in DSD. This draft kamagra 100g was discussed by the writing committee and, after having obtained agreement on remaining points of discussion, revised into a final draft.

This version was sent to a broad group of professionals from academic centres and DSD teams whose members had volunteered to review the draft guideline. After receiving and incorporating their input, the final version was kamagra 100g presented to the paediatric and genetic associations for approval. After approval by the members of the paediatric (NVK), clinical genetic (VKGN) and genetic laboratory (VKGL) associations, the guideline was published on their respective websites.19 Although Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome are considered to be part of the DSD spectrum, they are not extensively discussed in this diagnostic guideline as guidelines dedicated to these syndromes already exist.25 26 However, some individuals with Turner syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome may present with ambiguous or atypical genitalia and may therefore initially follow the DSD diagnostic process.Guideline highlightsPrenatal settingPresentationThe most frequent prenatal presentation of a DSD condition is atypical genitalia found on prenatal ultrasound as an isolated finding or in combination with other structural anomalies. This usually occurs after the 20-week routine medical ultrasound for screening of congenital anomalies, but may also occur earlier, for example, when a commercial ultrasound is performed at the kamagra 100g request of the parents.Another way DSD can be diagnosed before birth is when invasive prenatal genetic testing carried out for a different reason, for example, due to suspicion of other structural anomalies, reveals a discrepancy between the genotypic sex and the phenotypic sex seen by ultrasound.

In certified laboratories, the possibility of a sample switch is extremely low but should be ruled out immediately. More often, the discrepancy will be due to sex-chromosome mosaicism or a true form of DSD.A situation now occurring with increasing frequency is a discrepancy between the genotypic sex revealed by non-invasive kamagra 100g prenatal testing (NIPT), which is now available to high-risk pregnant women in the Netherlands and to all pregnant women in Belgium, and later ultrasound findings. NIPT screens for CNVs in the fetus. However, depending on legal restrictions and/or kamagra 100g ethical considerations, the X and Y chromosomes are not always included in NIPT analysis and reports.

If the X and Y chromosomes are included, it is important to realise that the presence of a Y-chromosome does not necessarily imply male fetal development. At the time that NIPT is performed (usually 11–13 weeks), genital development cannot be reliably appreciated by ultrasound, so any discrepancy or kamagra 100g atypical aspect of the genitalia will only be noticed later in pregnancy and should prompt further evaluation.Counselling and diagnosticsIf a DSD is suspected, first-line sonographers and obstetricians should refer the couple to their colleague prenatal specialists working with or in a DSD team. After confirming an atypical genital on ultrasound, the specialist team should offer the couple a referral for genetic counselling to discuss the possibility of performing invasive prenatal testing (usually an amniocentesis) to identify an underlying cause that fits the ultrasound findings.22 23 To enable the parents to make a well-informed decision, prenatal counselling should, in our opinion, include. Information on the ultrasound findings and the kamagra 100g limitations of this technique.

The procedure(s) that can be followed, including the risks associated with an amniocentesis. And the type of kamagra 100g information genetic testing can and cannot provide. Knowing which information has been provided and what words have been used by the prenatal specialist is very helpful for those involved in postnatal care.It is important that parents understand that the biological sex of a baby is determined by a complex interplay of chromosomes, genes and hormones, and thus that assessment of the presence or absence of a Y-chromosome alone is insufficient to assign the sex of their unborn child or, as in any unborn child, say anything about the child’s future gender identity.Expecting parents can be counselled by the clinical geneticist and the psychologist from the DSD team, although other DSD specialists can also be involved. The clinical geneticist should be experienced in prenatal counselling and well informed about the diagnostic possibilities given the limited time span in which test results need to be available to allow parents kamagra 100g to make a well-informed decision about whether or not to continue the pregnancy.

Termination of pregnancy can be considered, for instance, in kamagra 100g a syndromic form of DSD with multiple malformations, but when the DSD occurs as an apparently isolated condition, expecting parents may also consider termination of pregnancy, which, although considered controversial by some, is legal in Belgium and the Netherlands. The psychologist of the DSD team can support parents during and after pregnancy and help them cope with feelings of uncertainty and eventual considerations of a termination of pregnancy, as well as with practical issues, for example, how to inform others. The stress of kamagra 100g not knowing exactly what the child’s genitalia will look like and uncertainty about the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis cannot be avoided completely. Parents are informed that if the postnatal phenotype is different from what was prenatally expected, the advice given about diagnostic testing can be adjusted accordingly, for example, if a hypospadias is milder than was expected based on prenatal ultrasound images.

In our experience, parents appreciate having already spoken to some members of the DSD team during pregnancy and kamagra 100g having a contact person before birth.After expert prenatal counselling, a significant number of pregnant couples decline prenatal testing (personal experience IALG, MK, ABD, YvB, MC and HC-vdG). At birth, umbilical cord blood is a good source for (molecular) karyotyping and storage of DNA and can be obtained by the obstetrician, midwife or neonatologist. The terminology used in communication with parents should be carefully chosen,22 23 and midwives and staff of neonatal and delivery units should be clearly instructed to use gender-neutral and non-stigmatising vocabulary (eg, ‘your baby’) as long as sex assignment is pending.An algorithm for diagnostic evaluation of a suspected DSD in the prenatal situation is proposed in figure 1 kamagra 100g. When couples opt for invasive prenatal diagnosis, the genetic analysis usually involves an (SNP)-array.

It was recently estimated that >30% of individuals who have a DSD have additional structural anomalies, with cardiac and neurological anomalies and fetal growth restriction being particularly common.27 28 If additional anomalies are seen, the geneticist can kamagra 100g consider specific gene defects that may underlie a known genetic syndrome or carry out NGS. NGS-based techniques have also now made their appearance in prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies.29 30 Panels using these techniques can be specific for genes involved in DSD, or be larger panels covering multiple congenital anomalies, and are usually employed with trio-analysis to compare variants identified in the child with the parents’ genetics.29–31 Finding a genetic cause before delivery can help reduce parental stress in the neonatal period and speed up decisions regarding gender assignment. In such cases there is no tight time limit, and we propose completing the analysis well before the expected delivery.Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the kamagra 100g prenatal setting. A diagnostic algorithm.

*SOX9. Upstream anomalies and balanced translocations at promotor sites!. Conventional karyotyping can be useful. NGS, next-generation sequencing." data-icon-position data-hide-link-title="0">Figure 1 Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the prenatal setting.

A diagnostic algorithm. *SOX9. Upstream anomalies and balanced translocations at promotor sites!. Conventional karyotyping can be useful.

NGS, next-generation sequencing.First contact by a professional less experienced in DSDWhereas most current guidelines start from the point when an individual has been referred to the DSD team,1 15 the Dutch-Flemish guideline dedicates a chapter to healthcare professionals less experienced in DSD as they are often the first to suspect or identify such a condition. Apart from the paper of Indyk,7 little guidance is available for these professionals about how to act in such a situation. The chapter in the Dutch-Flemish guideline summarises the various clinical presentations that a DSD can have and provides information on how to communicate with parents and/or patients about the findings of the physical examination, the first-line investigations and the need for prompt referral to a specialised centre for further evaluation. Clinical examples are offered to illustrate some of these recurring situations.

The medical issues in DSD can be very challenging, and the social and psychological impact is high. For neonates with ambiguous genitalia, sex assignment is an urgent and crucial issue, and it is mandatory that parents are informed that it is possible to postpone registration of their child’s sex. In cases where sex assignment has already taken place, the message that the development of the gonads or genitalia is still atypical is complicated and distressing for patients and parents or carers. A list of contact details for DSD centres and patient organisations in the Netherlands and Flanders is attached to the Dutch-Flemish guideline.

Publishing such a list, either in guidelines or online, can help healthcare professionals find the nearest centres for consultations and provide patients and patient organisations with an overview of the centres where expertise is available.Timing and place of genetic testing using NGS-based gene panelsThe diagnostic workup that is proposed for 46,XX and 46,XY DSD is shown in figures 2 and 3, respectively. Even with the rapidly expanding molecular possibilities, a (family) history and a physical examination remain the essential first steps in the diagnostic process. Biochemical and hormonal screening aim at investigating serum electrolytes, renal function and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes. Ultrasound screening of kidneys and internal genitalia, as well as establishing genotypic sex, should be accomplished within 48 hours and complete the baseline diagnostic work-up of a child born with ambiguous genitalia.1 16 32 3346,XX disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the postnatal setting.

A diagnostic algorithm. NGS, next-generation sequencing. CAH, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. AMH, Anti-Müllerian Hormone." data-icon-position data-hide-link-title="0">Figure 2 46,XX disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the postnatal setting.

A diagnostic algorithm. NGS, next-generation sequencing. CAH, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. AMH, Anti-Müllerian Hormone.46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the postnatal setting.

A diagnostic algorithm. * SOX9. Upstream anomalies and balanced translocations at promotor sites!. Conventional karyotyping can be useful.

NGS, next-generation sequencing." data-icon-position data-hide-link-title="0">Figure 3 46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the postnatal setting. A diagnostic algorithm. *SOX9. Upstream anomalies and balanced translocations at promotor sites!.

Conventional karyotyping can be useful. NGS, next-generation sequencing.Very recently, a European position paper has been published focusing on the genetic workup of DSD.16 It highlights the limitations and drawbacks of NGS-based tests, which include the chance of missing subtle structural variants such as CNVs and mosaicism and the fact that NGS cannot detect methylation defects or other epigenetic changes.16 28 31 Targeted DNA analysis is preferred in cases where hormonal investigations suggest a block in steroidogenesis (eg, 11-β-hydroxylase deficiency, 21-hydroxylase deficiency), or in the context of a specific clinical constellation such as the often coincidental finding of Müllerian structures in a boy with normal external genitalia or cryptorchidism, that is, persistent Müllerian duct syndrome.33 34 Alternative tests should also be considered depending on the available information. Sometimes, a simple mouth swab for FISH analysis can detect mosaic XY/X in a male with hypospadias or asymmetric gonadal development or in a female with little or no Turner syndrome stigmata and a normal male molecular karyotyping profile or peripheral blood karyotype. Such targeted testing avoids incidental findings and is cheaper and faster than analysis of a large NGS-based panel, although the cost difference is rapidly declining.However, due to the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of DSD conditions, the most cost-effective next steps in the majority of cases are whole exome sequencing followed by panel analysis of genes involved in genital development and function or trio-analysis of a large gene panel (such as a Mendeliome).16 35–38 Pretest genetic counselling involves discussing what kind of information will be reported to patients or parents and the chance of detecting VUS, and the small risk of incidental findings when analysing a DSD panel should be mentioned.

Laboratories also differ in what class of variants they report.39 In our experience, the fear of incidental findings is a major reason why some parents refrain from genetic testing.Timing of the DSD gene panel analysis is also important. While some patients or parents prefer that all diagnostic procedures be performed as soon as possible, others need time to reflect on the complex information related to more extensive genetic testing and on its possible consequences. If parents or patients do not consent to panel-based genetic testing, analysis of specific genes, such as WT1, should be considered when appropriate in view of the clinical consequences if a mutation is present (eg, clinical surveillance of renal function and screening for Wilms’ tumour in the case of WT1 mutations). Genes that are more frequently involved in DSD (eg, SRY, NR5A1) and that match the specific clinical and hormonal features in a given patient could also be considered for sequencing.

Targeted gene analysis may also be preferred in centres located in countries that do not have the resources or technical requirements to perform NGS panel-based genetic testing. Alternatively, participation by these centres in international collaborative networks may allow them to outsource the molecular genetic workup abroad.Gene panels differ between centres and are regularly updated based on scientific progress. A comparison of DSD gene panels used in recent studies can be found at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-018-0010-8%23Sec46.15 The panels currently used at the coauthors’ institutions can be found on their respective websites. Given the pace of change, it is important to regularly consider repeating analysis in patients with an unexplained DSD, for example, when they transition into adult care or when they move from one centre to another.

This also applies to patients in whom a clinical diagnosis has never been genetically confirmed. Confusion may arise when the diagnosis cannot be confirmed or when a mutation is identified in a different gene, for example, NR5A1 in someone with a clinical diagnosis of CAIS that has other consequences for relatives. Hence, new genetic counselling should always accompany new diagnostic endeavours.Class 3 variants and histopathological examinationsThe rapidly evolving diagnostic possibilities raise new questions. What do laboratories report?.

How should we deal with the frequent findings of mainly unique VUS or class 3 variants (ACMG recommendation) in the many different DSD-related genes in the diagnostic setting?. Reporting VUS can be a source of uncertainty for parents, but not reporting these variants precludes further investigations to determine their possible pathogenicity. It can also be difficult to prove variant pathogenicity, both on gene-level and variant-level.39 Moreover, given the gonad-specific expression of some genes and the variable phenotypic spectrum and reduced penetrance, segregation analysis is not always informative. A class 3 variant that does not fit the clinical presentation may be unrelated to the observed phenotype, but it could also represent a newly emerging phenotype.

This was recently demonstrated by the identification of the NR5A1 mutation, R92W, in individuals with 46,XX testicular and ovotesticular DSD.40 This gene had previously been associated with 46,XY DSD. In diagnostic laboratories, there is usually no capacity or expertise to conduct large-scale functional studies to determine pathogenicity of these unique class 3 VUS in the different genes involved in DSD. Functional validation of variants identified in novel genes may be more attractive in a research context. However, for individual families with VUS in well-established DSD genes such as AR or HSD17B3, functional analysis may provide a confirmed diagnosis that implies for relatives the option of undergoing their own DNA analysis and estimating the genetic risk of their own future offspring.

This makes genetic follow-up important in these cases and demonstrates the usefulness of international databases and networks and the centralisation of functional studies of genetic variants in order to reduce costs and maximise expertise.The same is true for histopathological description, germ-cell tumour risk assessment in specific forms of DSD and classification of gonadal samples. Germ-cell tumour risk is related to the type of DSD (among other factors), but it is impossible to make risk estimates in individual cases.41–44 Gonadectomy may be indicated in cases with high-risk dysgenetic abdominal gonads that cannot be brought into a stable superficial (ie, inguinal, labioscrotal) position that allows clinical or radiological surveillance, or to avoid virilisation due to 5-alpha reductase deficiency in a 46,XY girl with a stable female gender identity.45 Pathological examination of DSD gonads requires specific expertise. For example, the differentiation between benign germ cell abnormalities, such as delayed maturation and (pre)malignant development of germ cells, is crucial for clinical management but can be very troublesome.46 Centralised pathological examination of gonadal biopsy and gonadectomy samples in one centre, or a restricted number of centres, on a national scale can help to overcome the problem of non-uniform classification and has proven feasible in the Netherlands and Belgium. We therefore believe that uniform assessment and classification of gonadal differentiation patterns should also be addressed in guidelines on DSD management.International databases of gonadal tissues are crucial for learning more about the risk of malignancy in different forms of DSD, but they are only reliable if uniform criteria for histological classification are strictly applied.46 These criteria could be incorporated in many existing networks such as the I-DSD consortium, the Disorders of Sex Development Translational Research Network, the European Reference Network on Urogenital Diseases (eUROGEN), the EndoERN and COST actions.15–17 47Communication at the transition from paediatric to adult carePaediatric and adult teams need to collaborate closely to facilitate a well-organised transition from paediatric to adult specialist care.15 48–50 Both teams need to exchange information optimally and should consider transition as a longitudinal process rather than a fixed moment in time.

Age-appropriate information is key at all ages, and an overview of topics to be discussed at each stage is described by Cools et al.15 Table 1 shows an example of how transition can be organised.View this table:Table 1 Example of transition table as used in the DSD clinic of the Erasmus Medical CenterPsychological support and the continued provision of information remains important for individuals with a DSD at all ages.15 22 In addition to the information given by the DSD team members, families and patients can benefit from resources such as support groups and information available on the internet.47 Information available online should be checked for accuracy and completeness when referring patients and parents to internet sites.Recommendations for future actionsMost guidelines and articles on the diagnosis and management of DSD are aimed at specialists and are only published in specialist journals or on websites for endocrinologists, urologists or geneticists. Yet there is a need for guidelines directed towards first-line and second-line healthcare workers that summarise the recommendations about the first crucial steps in the management of DSD. These should be published in widely available general medical journals and online, along with a national list of DSD centres. Furthermore, DSD (expert) centres should provide continuous education to all those who may be involved in the identification of individuals with a DSD in order to enable these healthcare professionals to recognise atypical genitalia, to promptly refer individuals who have a DSD and to inform the patient and parents about this and subsequent diagnostic procedures.As DSD continues to be a rare condition, it will take time to evaluate the effects of having such a guideline on the preparedness of first-line and second-line healthcare workers to recognise DSD conditions.

One way to evaluate this might be the development and use of questionnaires asking patients, carers and families and referring physicians how satisfied they were with the initial medical consultation and referral and what could be improved. A helpful addition to existing international databases that collect information on genetic variations would be a list of centres that offer suitable functional studies for certain genes, ideally covering the most frequently mutated genes (at minimum).Patient organisations can also play an important role in informing patients about newly available diagnostic or therapeutic strategies and options, and their influence and specific role has now been recognised and discussed in several publications.17 47 However, it should be kept in mind that these organisations do not represent all patients, as a substantial number of patients and parents are not member of such an organisation.Professionals have to provide optimal medical care based on well-established evidence, or at least on broad consensus. Yet not everything can be regulated by recommendations and guidelines. Options, ideas and wishes should be openly discussed between professionals, patients and families within their confidential relationship.

This will enable highly individualised holistic care tailored to the patient’s needs and expectations. Once they are well-informed of all available options, parents and/or patients can choose what they consider the optimal care for their children or themselves.15 16ConclusionThe Dutch-Flemish guideline uniquely addresses some topics that are under-represented in the literature, thus adding some key aspects to those addressed in recent consensus papers and guidelines.15–17 33 47As more children with a DSD are now being identified prenatally, and the literature on prenatal diagnosis of DSD remains scarce,20 21 we propose a prenatal diagnostic algorithm and emphasise the importance of having a prenatal specialist involved in or collaborating with DSD (expert) centres.We also stress that good communication between all involved parties is essential. Professionals should be well informed about protocols and communication. Collaboration between centres is necessary to optimise aspects of care such as uniform interpretation of gonadal pathology and functional testing of class 3 variants found by genetic testing.

Guidelines can provide a framework within which individualised patient care should be discussed with all stakeholders.AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to thank the colleagues of the DSD teams for their input in and critical reading of the Dutch-Flemish guideline. Amsterdam University Center (AMC and VU), Maastricht University Medical Center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Medical Center Utrecht, Ghent University Hospital. The authors would like to thank Kate McIntyre for editing the revised manuscript and Tom de Vries Lentsch for providing the figures as a PDF. Three of the authors of this publication are members of the European Reference Network for rare endocrine diseases—Project ID 739543.IntroductionEndometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in the developed world.1 Its incidence has risen over the last two decades as a consequence of the ageing population, fewer hysterectomies for benign disease and the obesity epidemic.

In the USA, it is estimated that women have a kamagra online shopping canada 1 in 35 lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, and in contrast to cancers of most other sites, cancer-specific mortality has risen by approximately 2% every year since 2008 related to the rapidly rising incidence.2Endometrial cancer has traditionally been classified into type I and type II based on morphology.3 The more common subtype, type I, is mostly comprised of endometrioid tumours and is oestrogen-driven, arises from a hyperplastic endometrium, presents at an early stage and has an excellent 5 year survival rate.4 By contrast, type II includes non-endometrioid tumours, specifically serous, carcinosarcoma and clear cell subtypes, which are biologically aggressive tumours with a poor prognosis that are often diagnosed at an advanced stage.5 Recent efforts have focused on a molecular classification system for more accurate categorisation of endometrial tumours into four groups with distinct prognostic profiles.6 7The majority of endometrial cancers arise through the interplay of familial, genetic and lifestyle factors. Two inherited cancer predisposition syndromes, Lynch syndrome and the much rarer Cowden syndrome, substantially increase the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, but these only account for around 3–5% of cases.8–10 Having first or second degree relative(s) with endometrial or colorectal cancer increases endometrial cancer risk, although a large European twin study failed to demonstrate a strong heritable link.11 The authors failed to show that there was greater concordance in monozygotic than dizygotic twins, but the study was based on relatively small numbers of endometrial cancers. Lu and colleagues reported an association between common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and endometrial cancer risk, revealing the potential role of SNPs in explaining part of the risk in both the familial and general populations.12 Thus far, many SNPs have been reported to modify susceptibility to endometrial cancer. However, much of this work predated genome wide association studies and is of variable quality.

Understanding genetic predisposition to endometrial cancer could facilitate personalised risk assessment with a view to targeted prevention and screening interventions.13 This emerged as the most important unanswered research question in endometrial cancer according to patients, carers and healthcare professionals in our recently completed James Lind Womb Cancer Alliance Priority Setting Partnership.14 It would be particularly useful for non-endometrioid endometrial cancers, for which advancing age is so far the only predictor.15We therefore conducted a comprehensive systematic review of the literature to provide an overview of the relationship between SNPs and endometrial cancer risk. We compiled a list of the most robust endometrial cancer-associated SNPs. We assessed the applicability of this panel of SNPs with a theoretical polygenic risk score (PRS) calculation. We also critically appraised the meta-analyses investigating the most frequently reported SNPs in MDM2.

Finally, we described all SNPs reported within genes and pathways that are likely involved in endometrial carcinogenesis and metastasis.MethodsOur systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) collaboration 2009 recommendations. The registered protocol is available through PROSPERO (CRD42018091907).16Search strategyWe searched Embase, MEDLINE and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases via the Healthcare Databases Advanced Search (HDAS) platform, from 2007 to 2018, to identify studies reporting associations between polymorphisms and endometrial cancer risk. Key words including MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) terms and free-text words were searched in both titles and abstracts. The following terms were used.

€œendomet*”,“uter*”, “womb”, “cancer(s)”, “neoplasm(s)”, “endometrium tumour”, “carcinoma”, “adenosarcoma”, “clear cell carcinoma”, “carcinosarcoma”, “SNP”, “single nucleotide polymorphism”, “GWAS”, and “genome-wide association study/ies”. No other restrictions were applied. The search was repeated with time restrictions between 2018 and June 2019 to capture any recent publications.Eligibility criteriaStudies were selected for full-text evaluation if they were primary articles investigating a relationship between endometrial cancer and SNPs. Study outcome was either the increased or decreased risk of endometrial cancer relative to controls reported as an odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).Study selectionThree independent reviewers screened all articles uploaded to a screening spreadsheet developed by Helena VonVille.17 Disagreements were resolved by discussion.

Chronbach’s α score was calculated between reviewers and indicated high consistency at 0.92. Case–control, prospective and retrospective studies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and both discovery and validation studies were selected for full-text evaluation. Non-English articles, editorials, conference abstracts and proceedings, letters and correspondence, case reports and review articles were excluded.Candidate-gene studies with at least 100 women and GWAS with at least 1000 women in the case arm were selected to ensure reliability of the results, as explained by Spencer et al.18 To construct a panel of up to 30 SNPs with the strongest evidence of association, those with the strongest p values were selected. For the purpose of an SNP panel, articles utilising broad European or multi-ethnic cohorts were selected.

Where overlapping populations were identified, the most comprehensive study was included.Data extraction and synthesisFor each study, the following data were extracted. SNP ID, nearby gene(s)/chromosome location, OR (95% CI), p value, minor or effect allele frequency (MAF/EAF), EA (effect allele) and OA (other allele), adjustment, ethnicity and ancestry, number of cases and controls, endometrial cancer type, and study type including discovery or validation study and meta-analysis. For risk estimates, a preference towards most adjusted results was applied. For candidate-gene studies, a standard p value of<0.05 was applied and for GWAS a p value of <5×10-8, indicating genome-wide significance, was accepted as statistically significant.

However, due to the limited number of SNPs with p values reaching genome-wide significance, this threshold was then lowered to <1×10-5, allowing for marginally significant SNPs to be included. As shown by Mavaddat et al, for breast cancer, SNPs that fall below genome-wide significance may still be useful for generating a PRS and improving the models.19We estimated the potential value of a PRS based on the most significant SNPs by comparing the predicted risk for a woman with a risk score in the top 1% of the distribution to the mean predicted risk. Per-allele ORs and MAFs were taken from the publications and standard errors (SEs) for the lnORs were derived from published 95% CIs. The PRS was assumed to have a Normal distribution, with mean 2∑βipI and SE, σ, equal to √2∑βi2pI(1−pi), according to the binomial distribution, where the summation is over all SNPs in the risk score.

Hence the relative risk (RR) comparing the top 1% of the distribution to the mean is given by exp(Z0.01σ), where Z is the inverse of the standard normal cumulative distribution.ResultsThe flow chart of study selection is illustrated in figure 1. In total, 453 text articles were evaluated and, of those, 149 articles met our inclusion criteria. One study was excluded from table 1, for having an Asian-only population, as this would make it harder to compare with the rest of the results which were all either multi-ethnic or Caucasian cohorts, as stated in our inclusion criteria for the SNP panel.20 Any SNPs without 95% CIs were also excluded from any downstream analysis. Additionally, SNPs in linkage disequilibrium (r2 >0.2) with each other were examined, and of those in linkage disequilibrium, the SNP with strongest association was reported.

Per allele ORs were used unless stated otherwise.View this table:Table 1 List of top SNPs most likely to contribute to endometrial cancer risk identified through systematic review of recent literature21–25Study selection flow diagram. *Reasons. Irrelevant articles, articles focusing on other conditions, non-GWAS/candidate-gene study related articles, technical and duplicate articles. GWAS, genome-wide association study.

Adapted from. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The PRISMA Statement.

PLoS Med 6(6). E1000097. Doi:10.1371/journal.pmed1000097." data-icon-position data-hide-link-title="0">Figure 1 Study selection flow diagram. *Reasons.

Irrelevant articles, articles focusing on other conditions, non-GWAS/candidate-gene study related articles, technical and duplicate articles. GWAS, genome-wide association study. Adapted from. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009).

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med 6(6). E1000097.

Doi:10.1371/journal.pmed1000097.Top SNPs associated with endometrial cancer riskFollowing careful interpretation of the data, 24 independent SNPs with the lowest p values that showed the strongest association with endometrial cancer were obtained (table 1).21–25 These SNPs are located in or around genes coding for transcription factors, cell growth and apoptosis regulators, and enzymes involved in the steroidogenesis pathway. All the SNPs presented here were reported on the basis of a GWAS or in one case, an exome-wide association study, and hence no SNPs from candidate-gene studies made it to the list. This is partly due to the nature of larger GWAS providing more comprehensive and powered results as opposed to candidate gene studies. Additionally, a vast majority of SNPs reported by candidate-gene studies were later refuted by large-scale GWAS such as in the case of TERT and MDM2 variants.26 27 The exception to this is the CYP19 gene, where candidate-gene studies reported an association between variants in this gene with endometrial cancer in both Asian and broad European populations, and this association was more recently confirmed by large-scale GWAS.21 28–30 Moreover, a recent article authored by O’Mara and colleagues reviewed the GWAS that identified most of the currently known SNPs associated with endometrial cancer.31Most of the studies represented in table 1 are GWAS and the majority of these involved broad European populations.

Those having a multi-ethnic cohort also consisted primarily of broad European populations. Only four of the variants in table 1 are located in coding regions of a gene, or in regulatory flanking regions around the gene. Thus, most of these variants would not be expected to cause any functional effects on the gene or the resulting protein. An eQTL search using GTEx Portal showed that some of the SNPs are significantly associated (p<0.05) with modified transcription levels of the respective genes in various tissues such as prostate (rs11263761), thyroid (rs9668337), pituitary (rs2747716), breast mammary (rs882380) and testicular (rs2498794) tissue, as summarised in table 2.View this table:Table 2 List of eQTL hits for the selected panel of SNPsThe only variant for which there was an indication of a specific association with non-endometrioid endometrial cancer was rs148261157 near the BCL11A gene.

The A allele of this SNP had a moderately higher association in the non-endometrioid arm (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.04. P=9.6×10-6) compared with the endometrioid arm (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.38. P=4.7×10-6).21Oestrogen receptors α and β encoded by ESR1 and ESR2, respectively, have been extensively studied due to the assumed role of oestrogens in the development of endometrial cancer. O’Mara et al reported a lead SNP (rs79575945) in the ESR1 region that was associated with endometrial cancer (p=1.86×10-5).24 However, this SNP did not reach genome-wide significance in a more recent larger GWAS.21 No statistically significant associations have been reported between endometrial cancer and SNPs in the ESR2 gene region.AKT is an oncogene linked to endometrial carcinogenesis.

It is involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pro-proliferative signalling pathway to inactivate apoptosis and allow cell survival. The A allele of rs2494737 and G allele of rs2498796 were reported to be associated with increased and decreased risk of endometrial cancer in 2016, respectively.22 30 However, this association was not replicated in a larger GWAS in 2018.21 Nevertheless, given the previous strong indications, and biological basis that could explain endometrial carcinogenesis, we decided to include an AKT1 variant (rs2498794) in our results.PTEN is a multi-functional tumour suppressor gene that regulates the AKT/PKB signalling pathway and is commonly mutated in many cancers including endometrial cancer.32 Loss-of-function germline mutations in PTEN are responsible for Cowden syndrome, which exerts a lifetime risk of endometrial cancer of up to 28%.9 Lacey and colleagues studied SNPs in the PTEN gene region. However, none showed significant differences in frequency between 447 endometrial cancer cases and 439 controls of European ancestry.33KRAS mutations are known to be present in endometrial cancer. These can be activated by high levels of KLF5 (transcriptional activator).

Three SNPs have been identified in or around KLF5 that are associated with endometrial cancer. The G allele of rs11841589 (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.21. P=4.83×10-11), the A allele of rs9600103 (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.30. P=3.76×10-12) and C allele of rs7981863 (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.20.

P=2.70×10-17) have all been found to be associated with an increased likelihood of endometrial cancer in large European cohorts.21 30 34 It is worth noting that these SNPs are not independent, and hence they quite possibly tag the same causal variant.The MYC family of proto-oncogenes encode transcription factors that regulate cell proliferation, which can contribute to cancer development if dysregulated. The recent GWAS by O’Mara et al reported three SNPs within the MYC region that reached genome-wide significance with conditional p values reaching at least 5×10–8.35To test the utility of these SNPs as predictive markers, we devised a theoretical PRS calculation using the log ORs and EAFs per SNP from the published data. The results were very encouraging with an RR of 3.16 for the top 1% versus the mean, using all the top SNPs presented in table 1 and 2.09 when using only the SNPs that reached genome-wide significance (including AKT1).Controversy surrounding MDM2 variant SNP309MDM2 negatively regulates tumour suppressor gene TP53, and as such, has been extensively studied in relation to its potential role in predisposition to endometrial cancer. Our search identified six original studies of the association between MDM2 SNP rs2279744 (also referred to as SNP309) and endometrial cancer, all of which found a statistically significant increased risk per copy of the G allele.

Two more original studies were identified through our full-text evaluation. However, these were not included here as they did not meet our inclusion criteria—one due to small sample size, the other due to studying rs2279744 status dependent on another SNP.36 37 Even so, the two studies were described in multiple meta-analyses that are listed in table 3. Different permutations of these eight original studies appear in at least eight published meta-analyses. However, even the largest meta-analysis contained <2000 cases (table 3)38View this table:Table 3 Characteristics of studies that examined MDM2 SNP rs2279744In comparison, a GWAS including nearly 13 000 cases found no evidence of an association with OR and corresponding 95% CI of 1.00 (0.97 to 1.03) and a p value of 0.93 (personal communication).21 Nevertheless, we cannot completely rule out a role for MDM2 variants in endometrial cancer predisposition as the candidate-gene studies reported larger effects in Asians, whereas the GWAS primarily contained participants of European ancestry.

There is also some suggestion that the SNP309 variant is in linkage disequilibrium with another variant, SNP285, which confers an opposite effect.It is worth noting that the SNP285C/SNP309G haplotype frequency was observed in up to 8% of Europeans, thus requiring correction for the confounding effect of SNP285C in European studies.39 However, aside from one study conducted by Knappskog et al, no other study including the meta-analyses corrected for the confounding effect of SNP285.40 Among the studies presented in table 3, Knappskog et al (2012) reported that after correcting for SNP285, the OR for association of this haplotype with endometrial cancer was much lower, though still significant. Unfortunately, the meta-analyses which synthesised Knappskog et al (2012), as part of their analysis, did not correct for SNP285C in the European-based studies they included.38 41 42 It is also concerning that two meta-analyses using the same primary articles failed to report the same result, in two instances.38 42–44DiscussionThis article represents the most comprehensive systematic review to date, regarding critical appraisal of the available evidence of common low-penetrance variants implicated in predisposition to endometrial cancer. We have identified the most robust SNPs in the context of endometrial cancer risk. Of those, only 19 were significant at genome-wide level and a further five were considered marginally significant.

The largest GWAS conducted in this field was the discovery- and meta-GWAS by O’Mara et al, which utilised 12 096 cases and 108 979 controls.21 Despite the inclusion of all published GWAS and around 5000 newly genotyped cases, the total number did not reach anywhere near what is currently available for other common cancers such as breast cancer. For instance, BCAC (Breast Cancer Association Consortium) stands at well over 200 000 individuals with more than half being cases, and resulted in identification of ~170 SNPs in relation to breast cancer.19 45 A total of 313 SNPs including imputations were then used to derive a PRS for breast cancer.19 Therefore, further efforts should be directed to recruit more patients, with deep phenotypic clinical data to allow for relevant adjustments and subgroup analyses to be conducted for better precision.A recent pre-print study by Zhang and colleagues examined the polygenicity and potential for SNP-based risk prediction for 14 common cancers, including endometrial cancer, using available summary-level data from European-ancestry datasets.46 They estimated that there are just over 1000 independent endometrial cancer susceptibility SNPs, and that a PRS comprising all such SNPs would have an area under the receiver-operator curve of 0.64, similar to that predicted for ovarian cancer, but lower than that for the other cancers in the study. The modelling in the paper suggests that an endometrial cancer GWAS double the size of the current largest study would be able to identify susceptibility SNPs together explaining 40% of the genetic variance, but that in order to explain 75% of the genetic variance it would be necessary to have a GWAS comprising close to 150 000 cases and controls, far in excess of what is currently feasible.We found that the literature consists mainly of candidate-gene studies with small sample sizes, meta-analyses reporting conflicting results despite using the same set of primary articles, and multiple reports of significant SNPs that have not been validated by any larger GWAS. The candidate-gene studies were indeed the most useful and cheaper technique available until the mid to late 2000s.

However, a lack of reproducibility (particularly due to population stratification and reporting bias), uncertainty of reported associations, and considerably high false discovery rates make these studies much less appropriate in the post-GWAS era. Unlike the candidate-gene approach, GWAS do not require prior knowledge, selection of genes or SNPs, and provide vast amounts of data. Furthermore, both the genotyping process and data analysis phases have become cheaper, the latter particularly due to faster and open-access pre-phasing and imputation tools being made available.It is clear from table 1 that some SNPs were reported with wide 95% CI, which can be directly attributed to small sample sizes particularly when restricting the cases to non-endometrioid histology only, low EAF or poor imputation quality. Thus, these should be interpreted with caution.

Additionally, most of the SNPs reported by candidate-gene studies were not detected by the largest GWAS to date conducted by O’Mara et al.21 However, this does not necessarily mean that the possibility of those SNPs being relevant should be completely dismissed. Moreover, meta-analyses were attempted for other variants. However, these showed no statistically significant association and many presented with high heterogeneity between the respective studies (data not shown). Furthermore, as many studies utilised the same set of cases and/or controls, conducting a meta-analysis was not possible for a good number of SNPs.

It is therefore unequivocal that the literature is crowded with numerous small candidate-gene studies and conflicting data. This makes it particularly hard to detect novel SNPs and conduct meaningful meta-analyses.We found convincing evidence for 19 variants that indicated the strongest association with endometrial cancer, as shown in table 1. The associations between endometrial cancer and variants in or around HNF1B, CYP19A1, SOX4, MYC, KLF and EIF2AK found in earlier GWAS were then replicated in the latest and largest GWAS. These SNPs showed promising potential in a theoretical PRS we devised based on published data.

Using all 24 or genome-wide significant SNPs only, women with a PRS in the top 1% of the distribution would be predicted to have a risk of endometrial cancer 3.16 and 2.09 times higher than the mean risk, respectively.However, the importance of these variants and relevance of the proximate genes in a functional or biological context is challenging to evaluate. Long distance promoter regulation by enhancers may disguise the genuine target gene. In addition, enhancers often do not loop to the nearest gene, further complicating the relevance of nearby gene(s) to a GWAS hit. In order to elucidate biologically relevant candidate target genes in endometrial cancer, O’Mara et al looked into promoter-associated chromatin looping using a modern HiChIP approach.47 The authors utilised normal and tumoural endometrial cell lines for this analysis which showed significant enrichment for endometrial cancer heritability, with 103 candidate target genes identified across the 13 risk loci identified by the largest ECAC GWAS.

Notable genes identified here were CDKN2A and WT1, and their antisense counterparts. The former was reported to be nearby of rs1679014 and the latter of rs10835920, as shown in table 1. Moreover, of the 36 candidate target genes, 17 were found to be downregulated while 19 were upregulated in endometrial tumours.The authors also investigated overlap between the 13 endometrial cancer risk loci and top eQTL variants for each target gene.47 In whole blood, of the two particular lead SNPs, rs8822380 at 17q21.32 was a top eQTL for SNX11 and HOXB2, whereas rs937213 at 15q15.1 was a top eQTL for SRP14. In endometrial tumour, rs7579014 at 2p16.1 was found to be a top eQTL for BCL11A.

This is particularly interesting because BCL11A was the only nearby/candidate gene that had a GWAS association reported in both endometrioid and non-endometrioid subtypes. The study looked at protein–protein interactions between endometrial cancer drivers and candidate target gene products. Significant interactions were observed with TP53 (most significant), AKT, PTEN, ESR1 and KRAS, among others. Finally, when 103 target candidate genes and 387 proteins were combined together, 462 pathways were found to be significantly enriched.

Many of these are related to gene regulation, cancer, obesity, insulinaemia and oestrogen exposure. This study clearly showed a potential biological relevance for some of the SNPs reported by ECAC GWAS in 2018.Most of the larger included studies used cohorts primarily composed of women of broad European descent. Hence, there are negligible data available for other ethnicities, particularly African women. This is compounded by the lack of reference genotype data available for comparative analysis, making it harder for research to be conducted in ethnicities other than Europeans.

This poses a problem for developing risk prediction models that are equally valuable and predictive across populations. Thus, our results also are of limited applicability to non-European populations.Furthermore, considering that non-endometrioid cases comprise a small proportion (~20%) of all endometrial cancer cases, much larger cohort sizes are needed to detect any genuine signals for non-endometrioid tumours. Most of the evaluated studies looked at either overall/mixed endometrial cancer subtypes or endometrioid histology, and those that looked at variant associations with non-endometrioid histology were unlikely to have enough power to detect any signal with statistical significance. This is particularly concerning because non-endometrioid subtypes are biologically aggressive tumours with a much poorer prognosis that contribute disproportionately to mortality from endometrial cancer.

It is particularly important that attempts to improve early detection and prevention of endometrial cancer focus primarily on improving outcomes from these subtypes. It is also worth noting that, despite the current shift towards a molecular classification of endometrial cancer, most studies used the overarching classical Bokhman’s classification system, type I versus type II, or no histological classification system at all. Therefore, it is important to create and follow a standardised and comprehensive classification system for reporting tumour subtypes for future studies.This study compiled and presented available information for an extensively studied, yet unproven in large datasets, SNP309 variant in MDM2. Currently, there is no convincing evidence for an association between this variant and endometrial cancer risk.

Additionally, of all the studies, only one accounted for the opposing effect of a nearby variant SNP285 in their analyses. Thus, we conclude that until confirmed by a sufficiently large GWAS, this variant should not be considered significant in influencing the risk of endometrial cancer and therefore not included in a PRS. This is also true for the majority of the SNPs reported in candidate-gene studies, as the numbers fall far short of being able to detect genuine signals.This systematic review presents the most up-to-date evidence for endometrial cancer susceptibility variants, emphasising the need for further large-scale studies to identify more variants of importance, and validation of these associations. Until data from larger and more diverse cohorts are available, the top 24 SNPs presented here are the most robust common genetic variants that affect endometrial cancer risk.

The multiplicative effects of these SNPs could be used in a PRS to allow personalised risk prediction models to be developed for targeted screening and prevention interventions for women at greatest risk of endometrial cancer..

IntroductionIn recent years, many studies have been published on new diagnostic possibilities and management approaches in cohorts of patients suspected to have a disorder/difference of sex development (DSD).1–13 Based on these studies, it has become clear that services and institutions still differ in the composition of the multidisciplinary teams that provide care for patients who have a DSD.11 14 Several projects have now worked to resolve this buy kamagra jelly online variability in care. The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (EU COST) action BM1303 ‘A systematic elucidation of differences of sex development’ has been a platform buy kamagra jelly online to achieve European agreement on harmonisation of clinical management and laboratory practices.15–17 Another such initiative involved an update of the 2006 DSD consensus document by an international group of professionals and patient representatives.18 These initiatives have highlighted how cultural and financial aspects and the availability of resources differ significantly between countries and societies, a situation that hampers supranational agreement on common diagnostic protocols. As only a few national guidelines have been published in international journals, comparison of these guidelines is difficult even though such a comparison is necessary to capture the differences and initiate actions to overcome them.

Nonetheless, four DSD (expert) centres located in the Netherlands and Flanders (the Dutch-speaking Northern part of Belgium) have collaborated to produce a detailed guideline on diagnostics in DSD.19 This shows that a supranational guideline can be a reasonable approach for countries with similarly buy kamagra jelly online structured healthcare systems and similar resources. Within the guideline there is agreement that optimisation of expertise and care can be achieved through centralisation, for example, by limiting analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based diagnostic panels to only a few centres and by centralising pathological review of gonadal tissues. International networks such as the buy kamagra jelly online European Reference Network for rare endocrine conditions (EndoERN), in which DSD is embedded, may facilitate the expansion of this kind of collaboration across Europe.This paper highlights key discussion points in the Dutch-Flemish guideline that have been insufficiently addressed in the literature thus far because they reflect evolving technologies or less visible stakeholders.

For example, prenatal observation of an atypical aspect of the genitalia indicating a possible DSD is becoming increasingly common, and we discuss appropriate counselling and a diagnostic approach for these cases, including the option of using NGS-based genetic testing. So far, little attention has been buy kamagra jelly online paid to this process.20 21 Furthermore, informing patients and/or their parents about atypical sex development and why this may warrant referral to a specialised team may be challenging, especially for professionals with limited experience in DSD.22 23 Therefore, a section of the Dutch-Flemish guideline was written for these healthcare providers. Moreover, this enables DSD specialists to refer to the guideline when advising a referral.

Transition from the prenatal to the buy kamagra jelly online postnatal team and from the paediatric to the adult team requires optimal communication between the specialists involved. Application of NGS-based techniques may lead to a higher diagnostic yield, providing a molecular genetic diagnosis in previously unsolved cases.16 We address the timing of this testing and the problems associated with this technique such as the interpretation of variants of unknown clinical significance (VUS). Similarly, histopathological interpretation and classification of removed gonadal tissue is challenging and would benefit from international collaboration and centralisation of expertise.MethodsFor buy kamagra jelly online the guideline revision, an interdisciplinary multicentre group was formed with all members responsible for updating the literature for a specific part of the guideline.

Literature search in PubMed was not systematic, but rather intended to be broad in order to cover all areas and follow expert opinions. This approach is more in line with the Clinical Practice Advisory Document method described by Burke et al24 for guidelines involving genetic practice because it is often troublesome to substantiate such guidelines with buy kamagra jelly online sufficient evidence due to the rapid changes in testing methods, for example, gene panels. All input provided by the group was synthesised by the chairperson (YvB), who also reviewed abstracts of papers on DSD published between 2010 and September 2017 for the guideline and up to October 2019 for this paper.

Abstracts had to be written in English and were identified using a broad range of Medical Subject Headings terms (eg, DSD, buy kamagra jelly online genetic, review, diagnosis, diagnostics, 46,XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, guideline, multidisciplinary care). Next, potentially relevant papers on diagnostic procedures in DSD were selected. Case reports were excluded, buy kamagra jelly online as were articles that were not open access or retrievable through institutional access.

Based on this, a draft guideline was produced that was in line with the international principles of good diagnostic care in DSD. This draft was discussed by the writing committee and, after having obtained agreement buy kamagra jelly online on remaining points of discussion, revised into a final draft. This version was sent to a broad group of professionals from academic centres and DSD teams whose members had volunteered to review the draft guideline.

After receiving and incorporating their input, the final version was presented to buy kamagra jelly online the paediatric and genetic associations for approval. After approval by the members of the paediatric (NVK), clinical genetic (VKGN) and genetic laboratory (VKGL) associations, the guideline was published on their respective websites.19 Although Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome are considered to be part of the DSD spectrum, they are not extensively discussed in this diagnostic guideline as guidelines dedicated to these syndromes already exist.25 26 However, some individuals with Turner syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome may present with ambiguous or atypical genitalia and may therefore initially follow the DSD diagnostic process.Guideline highlightsPrenatal settingPresentationThe most frequent prenatal presentation of a DSD condition is atypical genitalia found on prenatal ultrasound as an isolated finding or in combination with other structural anomalies. This usually occurs after the 20-week buy kamagra jelly online routine medical ultrasound for screening of congenital anomalies, but may also occur earlier, for example, when a commercial ultrasound is performed at the request of the parents.Another way DSD can be diagnosed before birth is when invasive prenatal genetic testing carried out for a different reason, for example, due to suspicion of other structural anomalies, reveals a discrepancy between the genotypic sex and the phenotypic sex seen by ultrasound.

In certified laboratories, the possibility of a sample switch is extremely low but should be ruled out immediately. More often, the discrepancy will be due to sex-chromosome mosaicism or a true form of DSD.A situation now occurring with increasing frequency is a discrepancy between the genotypic sex revealed by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which is now buy kamagra jelly online available to high-risk pregnant women in the Netherlands and to all pregnant women in Belgium, and later ultrasound findings. NIPT screens for CNVs in the fetus.

However, depending on legal restrictions and/or buy kamagra jelly online ethical considerations, the X and Y chromosomes are not always included in NIPT analysis and reports. If the X and Y chromosomes are included, it is important to realise that the presence of a Y-chromosome does not necessarily imply male fetal development. At the time that NIPT is performed (usually 11–13 weeks), genital development cannot be reliably appreciated by ultrasound, so any discrepancy or atypical aspect of the genitalia will only be noticed later in pregnancy and buy kamagra jelly online should prompt further evaluation.Counselling and diagnosticsIf a DSD is suspected, first-line sonographers and obstetricians should refer the couple to their colleague prenatal specialists working with or in a DSD team.

After confirming an atypical genital on ultrasound, the specialist team should offer the couple a referral for genetic counselling to discuss the possibility of performing invasive prenatal testing (usually an amniocentesis) to identify an underlying cause that fits the ultrasound findings.22 23 To enable the parents to make a well-informed decision, prenatal counselling should, in our opinion, include. Information on the ultrasound findings and the buy kamagra jelly online limitations of this technique. The procedure(s) that can be followed, including the risks associated with an amniocentesis.

And the type of information genetic testing buy kamagra jelly online can and cannot provide. Knowing which information has been provided and what words have been used by the prenatal specialist is very helpful for those involved in postnatal care.It is important that parents understand that the biological sex of a baby is determined by a complex interplay of chromosomes, genes and hormones, and thus that assessment of the presence or absence of a Y-chromosome alone is insufficient to assign the sex of their unborn child or, as in any unborn child, say anything about the child’s future gender identity.Expecting parents can be counselled by the clinical geneticist and the psychologist from the DSD team, although other DSD specialists can also be involved. The clinical geneticist should be experienced in prenatal counselling and well informed about the diagnostic possibilities buy kamagra jelly online given the limited time span in which test results need to be available to allow parents to make a well-informed decision about whether or not to continue the pregnancy.

Termination of pregnancy can be considered, for instance, in a syndromic form of DSD with multiple malformations, but when buy kamagra jelly online the DSD occurs as an apparently isolated condition, expecting parents may also consider termination of pregnancy, which, although considered controversial by some, is legal in Belgium and the Netherlands. The psychologist of the DSD team can support parents during and after pregnancy and help them cope with feelings of uncertainty and eventual considerations of a termination of pregnancy, as well as with practical issues, for example, how to inform others. The stress of not knowing exactly what the child’s genitalia will look like and uncertainty about the diagnosis, treatment buy kamagra jelly online and prognosis cannot be avoided completely.

Parents are informed that if the postnatal phenotype is different from what was prenatally expected, the advice given about diagnostic testing can be adjusted accordingly, for example, if a hypospadias is milder than was expected based on prenatal ultrasound images. In our experience, parents appreciate having already spoken to some members of the DSD team during pregnancy and having a contact buy kamagra jelly online person before birth.After expert prenatal counselling, a significant number of pregnant couples decline prenatal testing (personal experience IALG, MK, ABD, YvB, MC and HC-vdG). At birth, umbilical cord blood is a good source for (molecular) karyotyping and storage of DNA and can be obtained by the obstetrician, midwife or neonatologist.

The terminology used in communication with parents should be carefully chosen,22 23 and midwives and staff of neonatal and delivery units should be clearly instructed to use gender-neutral buy kamagra jelly online and non-stigmatising vocabulary (eg, ‘your baby’) as long as sex assignment is pending.An algorithm for diagnostic evaluation of a suspected DSD in the prenatal situation is proposed in figure 1. When couples opt for invasive prenatal diagnosis, the genetic analysis usually involves an (SNP)-array. It was recently estimated that >30% of individuals who have a DSD have additional structural anomalies, with cardiac and neurological anomalies and fetal growth restriction being particularly common.27 28 If additional anomalies are seen, the geneticist can consider specific gene defects buy kamagra jelly online that may underlie a known genetic syndrome or carry out NGS.

NGS-based techniques have also now made their appearance in prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies.29 30 Panels using these techniques can be specific for genes involved in DSD, or be larger panels covering multiple congenital anomalies, and are usually employed with trio-analysis to compare variants identified in the child with the parents’ genetics.29–31 Finding a genetic cause before delivery can help reduce parental stress in the neonatal period and speed up decisions regarding gender assignment. In such cases there is no tight time buy kamagra jelly online limit, and we propose completing the analysis well before the expected delivery.Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the prenatal setting. A diagnostic algorithm.

*SOX9. Upstream anomalies and balanced translocations at promotor sites!. Conventional karyotyping can be useful.

NGS, next-generation sequencing." data-icon-position data-hide-link-title="0">Figure 1 Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the prenatal setting. A diagnostic algorithm. *SOX9.

Upstream anomalies and balanced translocations at promotor sites!. Conventional karyotyping can be useful. NGS, next-generation sequencing.First contact by a professional less experienced in DSDWhereas most current guidelines start from the point when an individual has been referred to the DSD team,1 15 the Dutch-Flemish guideline dedicates a chapter to healthcare professionals less experienced in DSD as they are often the first to suspect or identify such a condition.

Apart from the paper of Indyk,7 little guidance is available for these professionals about how to act in such a situation. The chapter in the Dutch-Flemish guideline summarises the various clinical presentations that a DSD can have and provides information on how to communicate with parents and/or patients about the findings of the physical examination, the first-line investigations and the need for prompt referral to a specialised centre for further evaluation. Clinical examples are offered to illustrate some of these recurring situations.

The medical issues in DSD can be very challenging, and the social and psychological impact is high. For neonates with ambiguous genitalia, sex assignment is an urgent and crucial issue, and it is mandatory that parents are informed that it is possible to postpone registration of their child’s sex. In cases where sex assignment has already taken place, the message that the development of the gonads or genitalia is still atypical is complicated and distressing for patients and parents or carers.

A list of contact details for DSD centres and patient organisations in the Netherlands and Flanders is attached to the Dutch-Flemish guideline. Publishing such a list, either in guidelines or online, can help healthcare professionals find the nearest centres for consultations and provide patients and patient organisations with an overview of the centres where expertise is available.Timing and place of genetic testing using NGS-based gene panelsThe diagnostic workup that is proposed for 46,XX and 46,XY DSD is shown in figures 2 and 3, respectively. Even with the rapidly expanding molecular possibilities, a (family) history and a physical examination remain the essential first steps in the diagnostic process.

Biochemical and hormonal screening aim at investigating serum electrolytes, renal function and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes. Ultrasound screening of kidneys and internal genitalia, as well as establishing genotypic sex, should be accomplished within 48 hours and complete the baseline diagnostic work-up of a child born with ambiguous genitalia.1 16 32 3346,XX disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the postnatal setting. A diagnostic algorithm.

NGS, next-generation sequencing. CAH, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. AMH, Anti-Müllerian Hormone." data-icon-position data-hide-link-title="0">Figure 2 46,XX disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the postnatal setting.

A diagnostic algorithm. NGS, next-generation sequencing. CAH, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

AMH, Anti-Müllerian Hormone.46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the postnatal setting. A diagnostic algorithm. * SOX9.

Upstream anomalies and balanced translocations at promotor sites!. Conventional karyotyping can be useful. NGS, next-generation sequencing." data-icon-position data-hide-link-title="0">Figure 3 46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) in the postnatal setting.

A diagnostic algorithm. *SOX9. Upstream anomalies and balanced translocations at promotor sites!.

Conventional karyotyping can be useful. NGS, next-generation sequencing.Very recently, a European position paper has been published focusing on the genetic workup of DSD.16 It highlights the limitations and drawbacks of NGS-based tests, which include the chance of missing subtle structural variants such as CNVs and mosaicism and the fact that NGS cannot detect methylation defects or other epigenetic changes.16 28 31 Targeted DNA analysis is preferred in cases where hormonal investigations suggest a block in steroidogenesis (eg, 11-β-hydroxylase deficiency, 21-hydroxylase deficiency), or in the context of a specific clinical constellation such as the often coincidental finding of Müllerian structures in a boy with normal external genitalia or cryptorchidism, that is, persistent Müllerian duct syndrome.33 34 Alternative tests should also be considered depending on the available information. Sometimes, a simple mouth swab for FISH analysis can detect mosaic XY/X in a male with hypospadias or asymmetric gonadal development or in a female with little or no Turner syndrome stigmata and a normal male molecular karyotyping profile or peripheral blood karyotype.

Such targeted testing avoids incidental findings and is cheaper and faster than analysis of a large NGS-based panel, although the cost difference is rapidly declining.However, due to the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of DSD conditions, the most cost-effective next steps in the majority of cases are whole exome sequencing followed by panel analysis of genes involved in genital development and function or trio-analysis of a large gene panel (such as a Mendeliome).16 35–38 Pretest genetic counselling involves discussing what kind of information will be reported to patients or parents and the chance of detecting VUS, and the small risk of incidental findings when analysing a DSD panel should be mentioned. Laboratories also differ in what class of variants they report.39 In our experience, the fear of incidental findings is a major reason why some parents refrain from genetic testing.Timing of the DSD gene panel analysis is also important. While some patients or parents prefer that all diagnostic procedures be performed as soon as possible, others need time to reflect on the complex information related to more extensive genetic testing and on its possible consequences.

If parents or patients do not consent to panel-based genetic testing, analysis of specific genes, such as WT1, should be considered when appropriate in view of the clinical consequences if a mutation is present (eg, clinical surveillance of renal function and screening for Wilms’ tumour in the case of WT1 mutations). Genes that are more frequently involved in DSD (eg, SRY, NR5A1) and that match the specific clinical and hormonal features in a given patient could also be considered for sequencing. Targeted gene analysis may also be preferred in centres located in countries that do not have the resources or technical requirements to perform NGS panel-based genetic testing.

Alternatively, participation by these centres in international collaborative networks may allow them to outsource the molecular genetic workup abroad.Gene panels differ between centres and are regularly updated based on scientific progress. A comparison of DSD gene panels used in recent studies can be found at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-018-0010-8%23Sec46.15 The panels currently used at the coauthors’ institutions can be found on their respective websites. Given the pace of change, it is important to regularly consider repeating analysis in patients with an unexplained DSD, for example, when they transition into adult care or when they move from one centre to another.

This also applies to patients in whom a clinical diagnosis has never been genetically confirmed. Confusion may arise when the diagnosis cannot be confirmed or when a mutation is identified in a different gene, for example, NR5A1 in someone with a clinical diagnosis of CAIS that has other consequences for relatives. Hence, new genetic counselling should always accompany new diagnostic endeavours.Class 3 variants and histopathological examinationsThe rapidly evolving diagnostic possibilities raise new questions.

What do laboratories report?. How should we deal with the frequent findings of mainly unique VUS or class 3 variants (ACMG recommendation) in the many different DSD-related genes in the diagnostic setting?. Reporting VUS can be a source of uncertainty for parents, but not reporting these variants precludes further investigations to determine their possible pathogenicity.

It can also be difficult to prove variant pathogenicity, both on gene-level and variant-level.39 Moreover, given the gonad-specific expression of some genes and the variable phenotypic spectrum and reduced penetrance, segregation analysis is not always informative. A class 3 variant that does not fit the clinical presentation may be unrelated to the observed phenotype, but it could also represent a newly emerging phenotype. This was recently demonstrated by the identification of the NR5A1 mutation, R92W, in individuals with 46,XX testicular and ovotesticular DSD.40 This gene had previously been associated with 46,XY DSD.

In diagnostic laboratories, there is usually no capacity or expertise to conduct large-scale functional studies to determine pathogenicity of these unique class 3 VUS in the different genes involved in DSD. Functional validation of variants identified in novel genes may be more attractive in a research context. However, for individual families with VUS in well-established DSD genes such as AR or HSD17B3, functional analysis may provide a confirmed diagnosis that implies for relatives the option of undergoing their own DNA analysis and estimating the genetic risk of their own future offspring.

This makes genetic follow-up important in these cases and demonstrates the usefulness of international databases and networks and the centralisation of functional studies of genetic variants in order to reduce costs and maximise expertise.The same is true for histopathological description, germ-cell tumour risk assessment in specific forms of DSD and classification of gonadal samples. Germ-cell tumour risk is related to the type of DSD (among other factors), but it is impossible to make risk estimates in individual cases.41–44 Gonadectomy may be indicated in cases with high-risk dysgenetic abdominal gonads that cannot be brought into a stable superficial (ie, inguinal, labioscrotal) position that allows clinical or radiological surveillance, or to avoid virilisation due to 5-alpha reductase deficiency in a 46,XY girl with a stable female gender identity.45 Pathological examination of DSD gonads requires specific expertise. For example, the differentiation between benign germ cell abnormalities, such as delayed maturation and (pre)malignant development of germ cells, is crucial for clinical management but can be very troublesome.46 Centralised pathological examination of gonadal biopsy and gonadectomy samples in one centre, or a restricted number of centres, on a national scale can help to overcome the problem of non-uniform classification and has proven feasible in the Netherlands and Belgium.

We therefore believe that uniform assessment and classification of gonadal differentiation patterns should also be addressed in guidelines on DSD management.International databases of gonadal tissues are crucial for learning more about the risk of malignancy in different forms of DSD, but they are only reliable if uniform criteria for histological classification are strictly applied.46 These criteria could be incorporated in many existing networks such as the I-DSD consortium, the Disorders of Sex Development Translational Research Network, the European Reference Network on Urogenital Diseases (eUROGEN), the EndoERN and COST actions.15–17 47Communication at the transition from paediatric to adult carePaediatric and adult teams need to collaborate closely to facilitate a well-organised transition from paediatric to adult specialist care.15 48–50 Both teams need to exchange information optimally and should consider transition as a longitudinal process rather than a fixed moment in time. Age-appropriate information is key at all ages, and an overview of topics to be discussed at each stage is described by Cools et al.15 Table 1 shows an example of how transition can be organised.View this table:Table 1 Example of transition table as used in the DSD clinic of the Erasmus Medical CenterPsychological support and the continued provision of information remains important for individuals with a DSD at all ages.15 22 In addition to the information given by the DSD team members, families and patients can benefit from resources such as support groups and information available on the internet.47 Information available online should be checked for accuracy and completeness when referring patients and parents to internet sites.Recommendations for future actionsMost guidelines and articles on the diagnosis and management of DSD are aimed at specialists and are only published in specialist journals or on websites for endocrinologists, urologists or geneticists. Yet there is a need for guidelines directed towards first-line and second-line healthcare workers that summarise the recommendations about the first crucial steps in the management of DSD.

These should be published in widely available general medical journals and online, along with a national list of DSD centres. Furthermore, DSD (expert) centres should provide continuous education to all those who may be involved in the identification of individuals with a DSD in order to enable these healthcare professionals to recognise atypical genitalia, to promptly refer individuals who have a DSD and to inform the patient and parents about this and subsequent diagnostic procedures.As DSD continues to be a rare condition, it will take time to evaluate the effects of having such a guideline on the preparedness of first-line and second-line healthcare workers to recognise DSD conditions. One way to evaluate this might be the development and use of questionnaires asking patients, carers and families and referring physicians how satisfied they were with the initial medical consultation and referral and what could be improved.

A helpful addition to existing international databases that collect information on genetic variations would be a list of centres that offer suitable functional studies for certain genes, ideally covering the most frequently mutated genes (at minimum).Patient organisations can also play an important role in informing patients about newly available diagnostic or therapeutic strategies and options, and their influence and specific role has now been recognised and discussed in several publications.17 47 However, it should be kept in mind that these organisations do not represent all patients, as a substantial number of patients and parents are not member of such an organisation.Professionals have to provide optimal medical care based on well-established evidence, or at least on broad consensus. Yet not everything can be regulated by recommendations and guidelines. Options, ideas and wishes should be openly discussed between professionals, patients and families within their confidential relationship.

This will enable highly individualised holistic care tailored to the patient’s needs and expectations. Once they are well-informed of all available options, parents and/or patients can choose what they consider the optimal care for their children or themselves.15 16ConclusionThe Dutch-Flemish guideline uniquely addresses some topics that are under-represented in the literature, thus adding some key aspects to those addressed in recent consensus papers and guidelines.15–17 33 47As more children with a DSD are now being identified prenatally, and the literature on prenatal diagnosis of DSD remains scarce,20 21 we propose a prenatal diagnostic algorithm and emphasise the importance of having a prenatal specialist involved in or collaborating with DSD (expert) centres.We also stress that good communication between all involved parties is essential. Professionals should be well informed about protocols and communication.

Collaboration between centres is necessary to optimise aspects of care such as uniform interpretation of gonadal pathology and functional testing of class 3 variants found by genetic testing. Guidelines can provide a framework within which individualised patient care should be discussed with all stakeholders.AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to thank the colleagues of the DSD teams for their input in and critical reading of the Dutch-Flemish guideline. Amsterdam University Center (AMC and VU), Maastricht University Medical Center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Medical Center Utrecht, Ghent University Hospital.

The authors would like to thank Kate McIntyre for editing the revised manuscript and Tom de Vries Lentsch for providing the figures as a PDF. Three of the authors of this publication are members of the European Reference Network for rare endocrine diseases—Project ID 739543.IntroductionEndometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in the developed world.1 Its incidence has risen over the last two decades as a consequence of the ageing population, fewer hysterectomies for benign disease and the obesity epidemic. In the USA, it is estimated that women have a 1 in 35 lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, and in contrast to cancers of most other sites, cancer-specific mortality has risen by approximately 2% every year since 2008 related to the rapidly rising incidence.2Endometrial cancer has traditionally been classified into type I and type II based on morphology.3 The more common subtype, type I, is mostly comprised of endometrioid tumours and is oestrogen-driven, arises from a hyperplastic endometrium, presents at an early stage and has an excellent 5 year survival rate.4 By contrast, type II includes non-endometrioid tumours, specifically serous, carcinosarcoma and clear cell subtypes, which are biologically aggressive tumours with a poor prognosis that are often diagnosed at an advanced stage.5 Recent efforts have focused on a molecular classification system for more accurate categorisation of endometrial tumours into four groups with distinct prognostic profiles.6 7The majority of endometrial cancers arise through the interplay of familial, genetic and lifestyle factors.

Two inherited cancer predisposition syndromes, Lynch syndrome and the much rarer Cowden syndrome, substantially increase the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, but these only account for around 3–5% of cases.8–10 Having first or second degree relative(s) with endometrial or colorectal cancer increases endometrial cancer risk, although a large European twin study failed to demonstrate a strong heritable link.11 The authors failed to show that there was greater concordance in monozygotic than dizygotic twins, but the study was based on relatively small numbers of endometrial cancers. Lu and colleagues reported an association between common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and endometrial cancer risk, revealing the potential role of SNPs in explaining part of the risk in both the familial and general populations.12 Thus far, many SNPs have been reported to modify susceptibility to endometrial cancer. However, much of this work predated genome wide association studies and is of variable quality.

Understanding genetic predisposition to endometrial cancer could facilitate personalised risk assessment with a view to targeted prevention and screening interventions.13 This emerged as the most important unanswered research question in endometrial cancer according to patients, carers and healthcare professionals in our recently completed James Lind Womb Cancer Alliance Priority Setting Partnership.14 It would be particularly useful for non-endometrioid endometrial cancers, for which advancing age is so far the only predictor.15We therefore conducted a comprehensive systematic review of the literature to provide an overview of the relationship between SNPs and endometrial cancer risk. We compiled a list of the most robust endometrial cancer-associated SNPs. We assessed the applicability of this panel of SNPs with a theoretical polygenic risk score (PRS) calculation.

We also critically appraised the meta-analyses investigating the most frequently reported SNPs in MDM2. Finally, we described all SNPs reported within genes and pathways that are likely involved in endometrial carcinogenesis and metastasis.MethodsOur systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) collaboration 2009 recommendations. The registered protocol is available through PROSPERO (CRD42018091907).16Search strategyWe searched Embase, MEDLINE and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases via the Healthcare Databases Advanced Search (HDAS) platform, from 2007 to 2018, to identify studies reporting associations between polymorphisms and endometrial cancer risk.

Key words including MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) terms and free-text words were searched in both titles and abstracts. The following terms were used. €œendomet*”,“uter*”, “womb”, “cancer(s)”, “neoplasm(s)”, “endometrium tumour”, “carcinoma”, “adenosarcoma”, “clear cell carcinoma”, “carcinosarcoma”, “SNP”, “single nucleotide polymorphism”, “GWAS”, and “genome-wide association study/ies”.

No other restrictions were applied. The search was repeated with time restrictions between 2018 and June 2019 to capture any recent publications.Eligibility criteriaStudies were selected for full-text evaluation if they were primary articles investigating a relationship between endometrial cancer and SNPs. Study outcome was either the increased or decreased risk of endometrial cancer relative to controls reported as an odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).Study selectionThree independent reviewers screened all articles uploaded to a screening spreadsheet developed by Helena VonVille.17 Disagreements were resolved by discussion.

Chronbach’s α score was calculated between reviewers and indicated high consistency at 0.92. Case–control, prospective and retrospective studies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and both discovery and validation studies were selected for full-text evaluation. Non-English articles, editorials, conference abstracts and proceedings, letters and correspondence, case reports and review articles were excluded.Candidate-gene studies with at least 100 women and GWAS with at least 1000 women in the case arm were selected to ensure reliability of the results, as explained by Spencer et al.18 To construct a panel of up to 30 SNPs with the strongest evidence of association, those with the strongest p values were selected.

For the purpose of an SNP panel, articles utilising broad European or multi-ethnic cohorts were selected. Where overlapping populations were identified, the most comprehensive study was included.Data extraction and synthesisFor each study, the following data were extracted. SNP ID, nearby gene(s)/chromosome location, OR (95% CI), p value, minor or effect allele frequency (MAF/EAF), EA (effect allele) and OA (other allele), adjustment, ethnicity and ancestry, number of cases and controls, endometrial cancer type, and study type including discovery or validation study and meta-analysis.

For risk estimates, a preference towards most adjusted results was applied. For candidate-gene studies, a standard p value of<0.05 was applied and for GWAS a p value of <5×10-8, indicating genome-wide significance, was accepted as statistically significant. However, due to the limited number of SNPs with p values reaching genome-wide significance, this threshold was then lowered to <1×10-5, allowing for marginally significant SNPs to be included.

As shown by Mavaddat et al, for breast cancer, SNPs that fall below genome-wide significance may still be useful for generating a PRS and improving the models.19We estimated the potential value of a PRS based on the most significant SNPs by comparing the predicted risk for a woman with a risk score in the top 1% of the distribution to the mean predicted risk. Per-allele ORs and MAFs were taken from the publications and standard errors (SEs) for the lnORs were derived from published 95% CIs. The PRS was assumed to have a Normal distribution, with mean 2∑βipI and SE, σ, equal to √2∑βi2pI(1−pi), according to the binomial distribution, where the summation is over all SNPs in the risk score.

Hence the relative risk (RR) comparing the top 1% of the distribution to the mean is given by exp(Z0.01σ), where Z is the inverse of the standard normal cumulative distribution.ResultsThe flow chart of study selection is illustrated in figure 1. In total, 453 text articles were evaluated and, of those, 149 articles met our inclusion criteria. One study was excluded from table 1, for having an Asian-only population, as this would make it harder to compare with the rest of the results which were all either multi-ethnic or Caucasian cohorts, as stated in our inclusion criteria for the SNP panel.20 Any SNPs without 95% CIs were also excluded from any downstream analysis.

Additionally, SNPs in linkage disequilibrium (r2 >0.2) with each other were examined, and of those in linkage disequilibrium, the SNP with strongest association was reported. Per allele ORs were used unless stated otherwise.View this table:Table 1 List of top SNPs most likely to contribute to endometrial cancer risk identified through systematic review of recent literature21–25Study selection flow diagram. *Reasons.

Irrelevant articles, articles focusing on other conditions, non-GWAS/candidate-gene study related articles, technical and duplicate articles. GWAS, genome-wide association study. Adapted from.

Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The PRISMA Statement.

PLoS Med 6(6). E1000097. Doi:10.1371/journal.pmed1000097." data-icon-position data-hide-link-title="0">Figure 1 Study selection flow diagram.

*Reasons. Irrelevant articles, articles focusing on other conditions, non-GWAS/candidate-gene study related articles, technical and duplicate articles. GWAS, genome-wide association study.

Adapted from. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med 6(6). E1000097.

Doi:10.1371/journal.pmed1000097.Top SNPs associated with endometrial cancer riskFollowing careful interpretation of the data, 24 independent SNPs with the lowest p values that showed the strongest association with endometrial cancer were obtained (table 1).21–25 These SNPs are located in or around genes coding for transcription factors, cell growth and apoptosis regulators, and enzymes involved in the steroidogenesis pathway. All the SNPs presented here were reported on the basis of a GWAS or in one case, an exome-wide association study, and hence no SNPs from candidate-gene studies made it to the list. This is partly due to the nature of larger GWAS providing more comprehensive and powered results as opposed to candidate gene studies.

Additionally, a vast majority of SNPs reported by candidate-gene studies were later refuted by large-scale GWAS such as in the case of TERT and MDM2 variants.26 27 The exception to this is the CYP19 gene, where candidate-gene studies reported an association between variants in this gene with endometrial cancer in both Asian and broad European populations, and this association was more recently confirmed by large-scale GWAS.21 28–30 Moreover, a recent article authored by O’Mara and colleagues reviewed the GWAS that identified most of the currently known SNPs associated with endometrial cancer.31Most of the studies represented in table 1 are GWAS and the majority of these involved broad European populations. Those having a multi-ethnic cohort also consisted primarily of broad European populations. Only four of the variants in table 1 are located in coding regions of a gene, or in regulatory flanking regions around the gene.

Thus, most of these variants would not be expected to cause any functional effects on the gene or the resulting protein. An eQTL search using GTEx Portal showed that some of the SNPs are significantly associated (p<0.05) with modified transcription levels of the respective genes in various tissues such as prostate (rs11263761), thyroid (rs9668337), pituitary (rs2747716), breast mammary (rs882380) and testicular (rs2498794) tissue, as summarised in table 2.View this table:Table 2 List of eQTL hits for the selected panel of SNPsThe only variant for which there was an indication of a specific association with non-endometrioid endometrial cancer was rs148261157 near the BCL11A gene. The A allele of this SNP had a moderately higher association in the non-endometrioid arm (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.04.

P=9.6×10-6) compared with the endometrioid arm (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.38. P=4.7×10-6).21Oestrogen receptors α and β encoded by ESR1 and ESR2, respectively, have been extensively studied due to the assumed role of oestrogens in the development of endometrial cancer. O’Mara et al reported a lead SNP (rs79575945) in the ESR1 region that was associated with endometrial cancer (p=1.86×10-5).24 However, this SNP did not reach genome-wide significance in a more recent larger GWAS.21 No statistically significant associations have been reported between endometrial cancer and SNPs in the ESR2 gene region.AKT is an oncogene linked to endometrial carcinogenesis.

It is involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pro-proliferative signalling pathway to inactivate apoptosis and allow cell survival. The A allele of rs2494737 and G allele of rs2498796 were reported to be associated with increased and decreased risk of endometrial cancer in 2016, respectively.22 30 However, this association was not replicated in a larger GWAS in 2018.21 Nevertheless, given the previous strong indications, and biological basis that could explain endometrial carcinogenesis, we decided to include an AKT1 variant (rs2498794) in our results.PTEN is a multi-functional tumour suppressor gene that regulates the AKT/PKB signalling pathway and is commonly mutated in many cancers including endometrial cancer.32 Loss-of-function germline mutations in PTEN are responsible for Cowden syndrome, which exerts a lifetime risk of endometrial cancer of up to 28%.9 Lacey and colleagues studied SNPs in the PTEN gene region. However, none showed significant differences in frequency between 447 endometrial cancer cases and 439 controls of European ancestry.33KRAS mutations are known to be present in endometrial cancer.

These can be activated by high levels of KLF5 (transcriptional activator). Three SNPs have been identified in or around KLF5 that are associated with endometrial cancer. The G allele of rs11841589 (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.21.

P=4.83×10-11), the A allele of rs9600103 (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.30. P=3.76×10-12) and C allele of rs7981863 (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.20. P=2.70×10-17) have all been found to be associated with an increased likelihood of endometrial cancer in large European cohorts.21 30 34 It is worth noting that these SNPs are not independent, and hence they quite possibly tag the same causal variant.The MYC family of proto-oncogenes encode transcription factors that regulate cell proliferation, which can contribute to cancer development if dysregulated.

The recent GWAS by O’Mara et al reported three SNPs within the MYC region that reached genome-wide significance with conditional p values reaching at least 5×10–8.35To test the utility of these SNPs as predictive markers, we devised a theoretical PRS calculation using the log ORs and EAFs per SNP from the published data. The results were very encouraging with an RR of 3.16 for the top 1% versus the mean, using all the top SNPs presented in table 1 and 2.09 when using only the SNPs that reached genome-wide significance (including AKT1).Controversy surrounding MDM2 variant SNP309MDM2 negatively regulates tumour suppressor gene TP53, and as such, has been extensively studied in relation to its potential role in predisposition to endometrial cancer. Our search identified six original studies of the association between MDM2 SNP rs2279744 (also referred to as SNP309) and endometrial cancer, all of which found a statistically significant increased risk per copy of the G allele.

Two more original studies were identified through our full-text evaluation. However, these were not included here as they did not meet our inclusion criteria—one due to small sample size, the other due to studying rs2279744 status dependent on another SNP.36 37 Even so, the two studies were described in multiple meta-analyses that are listed in table 3. Different permutations of these eight original studies appear in at least eight published meta-analyses.

However, even the largest meta-analysis contained <2000 cases (table 3)38View this table:Table 3 Characteristics of studies that examined MDM2 SNP rs2279744In comparison, a GWAS including nearly 13 000 cases found no evidence of an association with OR and corresponding 95% CI of 1.00 (0.97 to 1.03) and a p value of 0.93 (personal communication).21 Nevertheless, we cannot completely rule out a role for MDM2 variants in endometrial cancer predisposition as the candidate-gene studies reported larger effects in Asians, whereas the GWAS primarily contained participants of European ancestry. There is also some suggestion that the SNP309 variant is in linkage disequilibrium with another variant, SNP285, which confers an opposite effect.It is worth noting that the SNP285C/SNP309G haplotype frequency was observed in up to 8% of Europeans, thus requiring correction for the confounding effect of SNP285C in European studies.39 However, aside from one study conducted by Knappskog et al, no other study including the meta-analyses corrected for the confounding effect of SNP285.40 Among the studies presented in table 3, Knappskog et al (2012) reported that after correcting for SNP285, the OR for association of this haplotype with endometrial cancer was much lower, though still significant. Unfortunately, the meta-analyses which synthesised Knappskog et al (2012), as part of their analysis, did not correct for SNP285C in the European-based studies they included.38 41 42 It is also concerning that two meta-analyses using the same primary articles failed to report the same result, in two instances.38 42–44DiscussionThis article represents the most comprehensive systematic review to date, regarding critical appraisal of the available evidence of common low-penetrance variants implicated in predisposition to endometrial cancer.

We have identified the most robust SNPs in the context of endometrial cancer risk. Of those, only 19 were significant at genome-wide level and a further five were considered marginally significant. The largest GWAS conducted in this field was the discovery- and meta-GWAS by O’Mara et al, which utilised 12 096 cases and 108 979 controls.21 Despite the inclusion of all published GWAS and around 5000 newly genotyped cases, the total number did not reach anywhere near what is currently available for other common cancers such as breast cancer.

For instance, BCAC (Breast Cancer Association Consortium) stands at well over 200 000 individuals with more than half being cases, and resulted in identification of ~170 SNPs in relation to breast cancer.19 45 A total of 313 SNPs including imputations were then used to derive a PRS for breast cancer.19 Therefore, further efforts should be directed to recruit more patients, with deep phenotypic clinical data to allow for relevant adjustments and subgroup analyses to be conducted for better precision.A recent pre-print study by Zhang and colleagues examined the polygenicity and potential for SNP-based risk prediction for 14 common cancers, including endometrial cancer, using available summary-level data from European-ancestry datasets.46 They estimated that there are just over 1000 independent endometrial cancer susceptibility SNPs, and that a PRS comprising all such SNPs would have an area under the receiver-operator curve of 0.64, similar to that predicted for ovarian cancer, but lower than that for the other cancers in the study. The modelling in the paper suggests that an endometrial cancer GWAS double the size of the current largest study would be able to identify susceptibility SNPs together explaining 40% of the genetic variance, but that in order to explain 75% of the genetic variance it would be necessary to have a GWAS comprising close to 150 000 cases and controls, far in excess of what is currently feasible.We found that the literature consists mainly of candidate-gene studies with small sample sizes, meta-analyses reporting conflicting results despite using the same set of primary articles, and multiple reports of significant SNPs that have not been validated by any larger GWAS. The candidate-gene studies were indeed the most useful and cheaper technique available until the mid to late 2000s.

However, a lack of reproducibility (particularly due to population stratification and reporting bias), uncertainty of reported associations, and considerably high false discovery rates make these studies much less appropriate in the post-GWAS era. Unlike the candidate-gene approach, GWAS do not require prior knowledge, selection of genes or SNPs, and provide vast amounts of data. Furthermore, both the genotyping process and data analysis phases have become cheaper, the latter particularly due to faster and open-access pre-phasing and imputation tools being made available.It is clear from table 1 that some SNPs were reported with wide 95% CI, which can be directly attributed to small sample sizes particularly when restricting the cases to non-endometrioid histology only, low EAF or poor imputation quality.

Thus, these should be interpreted with caution. Additionally, most of the SNPs reported by candidate-gene studies were not detected by the largest GWAS to date conducted by O’Mara et al.21 However, this does not necessarily mean that the possibility of those SNPs being relevant should be completely dismissed. Moreover, meta-analyses were attempted for other variants.

However, these showed no statistically significant association and many presented with high heterogeneity between the respective studies (data not shown). Furthermore, as many studies utilised the same set of cases and/or controls, conducting a meta-analysis was not possible for a good number of SNPs. It is therefore unequivocal that the literature is crowded with numerous small candidate-gene studies and conflicting data.

This makes it particularly hard to detect novel SNPs and conduct meaningful meta-analyses.We found convincing evidence for 19 variants that indicated the strongest association with endometrial cancer, as shown in table 1. The associations between endometrial cancer and variants in or around HNF1B, CYP19A1, SOX4, MYC, KLF and EIF2AK found in earlier GWAS were then replicated in the latest and largest GWAS. These SNPs showed promising potential in a theoretical PRS we devised based on published data.

Using all 24 or genome-wide significant SNPs only, women with a PRS in the top 1% of the distribution would be predicted to have a risk of endometrial cancer 3.16 and 2.09 times higher than the mean risk, respectively.However, the importance of these variants and relevance of the proximate genes in a functional or biological context is challenging to evaluate. Long distance promoter regulation by enhancers may disguise the genuine target gene. In addition, enhancers often do not loop to the nearest gene, further complicating the relevance of nearby gene(s) to a GWAS hit.

In order to elucidate biologically relevant candidate target genes in endometrial cancer, O’Mara et al looked into promoter-associated chromatin looping using a modern HiChIP approach.47 The authors utilised normal and tumoural endometrial cell lines for this analysis which showed significant enrichment for endometrial cancer heritability, with 103 candidate target genes identified across the 13 risk loci identified by the largest ECAC GWAS. Notable genes identified here were CDKN2A and WT1, and their antisense counterparts. The former was reported to be nearby of rs1679014 and the latter of rs10835920, as shown in table 1.

Moreover, of the 36 candidate target genes, 17 were found to be downregulated while 19 were upregulated in endometrial tumours.The authors also investigated overlap between the 13 endometrial cancer risk loci and top eQTL variants for each target gene.47 In whole blood, of the two particular lead SNPs, rs8822380 at 17q21.32 was a top eQTL for SNX11 and HOXB2, whereas rs937213 at 15q15.1 was a top eQTL for SRP14. In endometrial tumour, rs7579014 at 2p16.1 was found to be a top eQTL for BCL11A. This is particularly interesting because BCL11A was the only nearby/candidate gene that had a GWAS association reported in both endometrioid and non-endometrioid subtypes.

The study looked at protein–protein interactions between endometrial cancer drivers and candidate target gene products. Significant interactions were observed with TP53 (most significant), AKT, PTEN, ESR1 and KRAS, among others. Finally, when 103 target candidate genes and 387 proteins were combined together, 462 pathways were found to be significantly enriched.

Many of these are related to gene regulation, cancer, obesity, insulinaemia and oestrogen exposure. This study clearly showed a potential biological relevance for some of the SNPs reported by ECAC GWAS in 2018.Most of the larger included studies used cohorts primarily composed of women of broad European descent. Hence, there are negligible data available for other ethnicities, particularly African women.

This is compounded by the lack of reference genotype data available for comparative analysis, making it harder for research to be conducted in ethnicities other than Europeans. This poses a problem for developing risk prediction models that are equally valuable and predictive across populations. Thus, our results also are of limited applicability to non-European populations.Furthermore, considering that non-endometrioid cases comprise a small proportion (~20%) of all endometrial cancer cases, much larger cohort sizes are needed to detect any genuine signals for non-endometrioid tumours.

Most of the evaluated studies looked at either overall/mixed endometrial cancer subtypes or endometrioid histology, and those that looked at variant associations with non-endometrioid histology were unlikely to have enough power to detect any signal with statistical significance. This is particularly concerning because non-endometrioid subtypes are biologically aggressive tumours with a much poorer prognosis that contribute disproportionately to mortality from endometrial cancer. It is particularly important that attempts to improve early detection and prevention of endometrial cancer focus primarily on improving outcomes from these subtypes.

It is also worth noting that, despite the current shift towards a molecular classification of endometrial cancer, most studies used the overarching classical Bokhman’s classification system, type I versus type II, or no histological classification system at all. Therefore, it is important to create and follow a standardised and comprehensive classification system for reporting tumour subtypes for future studies.This study compiled and presented available information for an extensively studied, yet unproven in large datasets, SNP309 variant in MDM2. Currently, there is no convincing evidence for an association between this variant and endometrial cancer risk.

Additionally, of all the studies, only one accounted for the opposing effect of a nearby variant SNP285 in their analyses. Thus, we conclude that until confirmed by a sufficiently large GWAS, this variant should not be considered significant in influencing the risk of endometrial cancer and therefore not included in a PRS. This is also true for the majority of the SNPs reported in candidate-gene studies, as the numbers fall far short of being able to detect genuine signals.This systematic review presents the most up-to-date evidence for endometrial cancer susceptibility variants, emphasising the need for further large-scale studies to identify more variants of importance, and validation of these associations.

Until data from larger and more diverse cohorts are available, the top 24 SNPs presented here are the most robust common genetic variants that affect endometrial cancer risk. The multiplicative effects of these SNPs could be used in a PRS to allow personalised risk prediction models to be developed for targeted screening and prevention interventions for women at greatest risk of endometrial cancer..