Publications by authors named "Annalise Weckesser"
Article Synopsis
- Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, often leading to surgery for persistent pain, but symptoms frequently recur post-operation, creating uncertainty about the most effective hormonal treatments.
- A study was conducted across 34 UK hospitals to compare the effectiveness of long-acting progestogen therapy with the combined oral contraceptive pill in preventing pain recurrence and improving quality of life after surgery.
- Results showed both treatment options reduced pain compared to pre-surgery levels, but no significant difference in effectiveness was found between the two, although fewer follow-up procedures were needed for those on long-acting progestogen.
Addressing Challenges in Endometriosis Pain Communication Between Patients and Doctors: The Role of Language.
Front Glob Womens Health
November 2021
Article Synopsis
- * The study includes a survey of 131 women with endometriosis and interviews with 11 general practitioners, revealing that a Numeric Rating Scale is inadequate for explaining pain, and more descriptive communication methods are preferred.
- * It highlights the importance of language, particularly metaphorical expressions, in conveying pain and emphasizes the need for better tools and strategies to enhance communication in order to improve diagnosis and patient care for endometriosis.
Introduction: Cesarean sections are the most common major operation worldwide. One in 10 women develops a surgical-site infection after cesarean section. The PREPS pilot trial was developed to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine before cesarean section, to reduce infectious morbidity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In England, 27.8% of all pregnant women undergo caesarean sections (CS) to deliver their babies. Women undergoing CS are at risk of developing sepsis and post-natal infections, which not only contribute significantly to maternal mortality and morbidity, but also negatively impact upon post-natal recovery and wellbeing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Endometriosis is a common cause of chronic pelvic pain which can relapse after surgery, yet little research has been conducted on women's experience of medical treatments for prevention of recurrence and the influence of this on participation in clinical trials.
Methods: This study explored women's past experiences with medical treatments for endometriosis symptoms and the impact this has on their motivation to enter the pilot phase of a post-conservative surgery clinical trial, PRE-EMPT: Preventing Recurrence of Endometriosis by Means of long acting Progestogen Therapy. Qualitative methodology was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews in three UK cities, and one focus group was used to collect data from women with a diagnosis of endometriosis participating in the PRE-EMPT trial.
Background: Pregnant women with epilepsy on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may experience a reduction in serum AED levels. This has the potential to worsen seizure control.
Objective: To determine if, in pregnant women with epilepsy on AEDs, additional therapeutic drug monitoring reduces seizure deterioration compared with clinical features monitoring after a reduction in serum AED levels.
This paper explores the multiple ways experiences of pregnancy and early motherhood come to 'rework' the biographies of women living with epilepsy. Pregnancy is explored as a temporarily concurrent status alongside the long-term condition of epilepsy. Narrative interviews were conducted with 32 women from across the UK.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Endometriosis is associated with the growth of endometrium in ectopic sites mainly within the pelvis. This results in inflammation and scarring, causing pain and impaired quality of life. Endometriotic lesions can be excised or ablated surgically, but the risk of recurrence is high.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: This study aimed to investigate the experiences of pregnancy in women living with epilepsy through a review and synthesis of existing literature.
Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in medical and social science databases to identify qualitative research, and questionnaires that included open-ended questions, which reported on the impact of epilepsy on the lives of pregnant women from preconception to post-delivery. The search was widened to include qualitative studies on pregnancy and issues of reproduction with women living with chronic illness that had at least one woman with epilepsy in the sample.