Case-mix adjusted odds ratios as an alternative way to compare hospital performances.

The purpose of this study was to compare two different methods to describe C-section variability among hospital units: case-mix adjusted ORs and case-mix adjusted rates. About 41,755 deliveries without previous C-section occurred in 60 hospitals in 2001 were analysed. Logistic regression was used to produce both adjusted rates and ORs by maternity unit.

A randomised controlled trial of moxibustion for breech presentation.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion for the correction of fetal breech presentation in a non-Chinese population.

Design: Single-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Setting: Six obstetric departments in Italy.

Serum cholesterol levels and mood symptoms in the postpartum period.

During pregnancy, the total serum cholesterol concentration rises up to 43%, followed by a rapid fall after delivery. Mild depressive symptoms ('postpartum blues') are a common complication of the puerperium and affect 30-85% of women in the early postpartum period. Based on these observations, it has been suggested that the sudden fall in cholesterol levels after delivery could serve as a 'natural model' to test the suggested association between cholesterol and mood.