Publications by authors named "R Deans"

Background: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and debilitating presentation for adolescent and young adult females. Medical management is often utilised as first line therapy with surgical management considered if medical treatment has been unsuccessful. Laparoscopy in this young population remains controversial due to the high recurrence rate of pain, requirement for repeat surgeries and surgical risks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Vaginal aplasia or hypoplasia often requires the creation of a neovagina using vaginal dilation therapy, vaginoplasty surgery, or a combination of both. However, the absence of validated guidelines and the controversy surrounding vaginoplasty surgery have limited our understanding of the long-term outcomes and impact on quality of life and psychosexual functioning for women with a short or absent vagina. This study provides valuable insights into the Australian context, reflecting the treatment approaches and long-term psychosocial outcomes for this patient group.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Uterus transplantation serves as a potential solution for women facing uterine factor infertility (UFI), but it comes with risks of graft failure and psychological impacts.
  • The study surveyed 39 women to assess their baseline psychological well-being using validated questionnaires, revealing high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly in those with congenital UFI.
  • Findings suggest a need for enhanced psychological support for women with UFI, with tailored approaches depending on whether the infertility is congenital or acquired.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unlabelled: Antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) provide timely results, are simple to use, and are less expensive than molecular assays. Recent studies suggest that antigen-based testing aligns with virus culture-based results (a proxy of contagiousness at the peak viral phase of illness); however, the performance of Ag-RDTs for newer SARS-CoV-2 variants is unclear. In this study, we (i) assessed the performance of Ag-RDTs and diagnostic antibodies to detect a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants and (ii) determined whether Ag-RDT results correlated with culture positivity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Uterus transplant (UTx) has emerged as a groundbreaking solution for individuals with uterine factor infertility (UFI). This study is the first in Australia to explore the psychosocial functioning of potential recipients assessed for the nation's initial UTx clinical trial and to compare their psychological profiles with those from international UTx trials.

Material And Methods: This is a mixed methods prospective study incorporating standardized psychological measures and semi-structured interviews.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF