OB GYN News back issues from September 2004:
High-risk HPV types: risk of SIL greater in lupus patients.(News)
Sep 01, 2004; ... BERLIN -- Women with systemic lupus erythematosus have a greater prevalence of cervical abnormalities detected on Pap smears than do healthy women; they are at heightened risk for infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus and for the development of high-grade squamous ...
Distribution of national health expenditures.(Vital Signs)
Sep 01, 2004 ... Distribution of National Health Expenditures Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding. * Dental health services, ...
Large survey: forty percent of gyn. Ca patients have incontinence; May be caused by pelvic surgery and radiation treatment modalities.(News)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SAN DIEGO -- About 40% of women with gynecologic malignancies experience urinary incontinence, results of a large survey suggested. The finding supports results from a previous survey of women with cervical cancer (Gynecol. Oncol. 81[2]:270-72, 2001), but the current study is ...
Small, ongoing trial: Botox effective for motor urge incontinence in study; Described as innovative, 'exciting therapy.'.(News)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SAN DIEGO -- Injection of Botox into the detrusor muscle appears to be an effective and safe treatment option for patients with idiopathic motor or sensory urge incontinence who have failed conservative treatment, results of an open-label, ongoing trial suggested. The study ...
Manufacturer price changes for brand name drugs widely used by older Americans, 2000-2003.(Data Watch)
Sep 01, 2004 ... <Pre> Manufacturer Price Changes for Brand Name Drugs Widely Used by Older Americans, 2000-2003 Aver. Annual Sales Rank Drug Formulation % Chg. in Price 1 Fosamax70-mg tablet...
USPSTF: guideline on routine syphilis screening revised.(News)
Sep 01, 2004; ... A recently updated guideline on syphilis screening includes a new recommendation against routine screening of low-risk asymptomatic individuals, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. "Given the low incidence of syphilis infection in the general population and the ...
Rx for civil justice system.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Blaming lawyers, insurers or anyone else for the malpractice crisis has been a fatal mistake of the medical profession for decades ("Line Drawn in War With Trial Lawyers," July 15, 2004, p. 1). Physicians and many of their representative organizations at the national, state, and ...
Treat them, but don't elect one.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
Sep 01, 2004; ... After several lawsuits, I have to say that I do not like malpractice lawyers ("Line Drawn in War With Trial Lawyers"). Still, even trial lawyers deserve medical care. We, the doctors, should continue our struggle against the scourge of malpractice through political and legal ...
Pain relievers.(Opinion)
Sep 01, 2004 ... "Your procedure turned out to be expensive .... I asked ...
Skillful marketing brings in patients.(Guest Editorial)
Sep 01, 2004; ... These days, almost every ob.gyn. I meet complains that he or she can't make ends meet, that overhead is too high, that gynecology doesn't reimburse like it used to. So how is a doctor to survive in this environment? One way to survive is to market your practice. And that starts ...
Latin America, Great Britain: trends abroad suggest more elective C-sections in U.S.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... YOSEMITE, CALIF. -- None of the goals that have been set for the cesarean section rate are likely to be met because the number of women requesting a primary elective cesarean will continue to increase, speakers predicted at a conference on obstetrics and gynecology sponsored by Symposia ...
Large survey: most Urogyn., MFM specialists give nod to elective C-section.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SAN DIEGO -- Most urogynecology and maternal-fetal medicine specialists would perform an elective primary cesarean section, according to results from a large survey. "Elective primary cesarean section is a controversial and highly debated topic," Dr. Jennifer Wu said during a ...
Women want to avoid pelvic floor injury: expert outlines risks, benefits of elective cesarean.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... YOSEMITE, CALIF. -- One of the main reasons women may want a primary elective cesarian delivery is to protect the pelvic floor from injury leading to urinary and fecal incontinence, but they need to know that current evidence suggests it will not prevent every such case, Dr. Washington C ....
Small, prospective study: MRI for abdominal, pelvic pain during pregnancy.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... MIAMI BEACH -- Magnetic resonance imaging safely and accurately diagnosed the source of abdominal or pelvic pain in 28 of 29 pregnant women in a prospective study. MRI is considered safer for pregnant women than x-rays or CT scans because it does not use ionizing radiation ....
Doesn't help detection: repeat ultrasound and fetal anomalies.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- Repeat second-trimester ultrasound exams performed in a tertiary care center over a 4-month period did not increase the detection rate of fetal anomalies, Dr. Marguerite Lisa Bartholomew reported in a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Institute of ...
Underappreciated by providers: discuss anesthesia risks associated with obesity.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Certain risks associated with the use of anesthesia in obese women are underappreciated by obstetric care providers, and even the most well-known anesthetic risks are not routinely discussed with obese patients, Dr. Jill M. Mhyre said at the annual meeting of the ...
Total of 27% had emergency cesareans: high BMI associated with slower labor progression from 4 to 10 cm dilation.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SALT LAKE CITY -- Overweight and obese women demonstrated a slower progression of labor from 4 to 10 cm dilation, compared with normal-weight women, Anjel Vahratian, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research. This finding ...
Prepregnancy weight: maternal overweight alone is not linked to CVM.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SALT LAKE CITY -- Prepregnancy over-weight was not associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular malformations in a study of 2,551 infants diagnosed with cardiovascular malformations by 1 year of age and 3,494 healthy controls, Dr. Adolfo Correa said in a poster presented at the ...
Effects in pregnancy: better data needed on newer anticonvulsants.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Evidence of the teratogenic effects of many older generation anticonvulsants is strong, but data on the newer generation drugs remain inconclusive, Dr. Lewis B. Holmes said at the annual meeting of the Teratology Society. Anticonvulsants represent one of the ...
Modest difference: prenatal phenobarbital tied to lower cognitive ability.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004 ... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Maternal use of phenobarbital in pregnancy has been linked with major malformations in children, but even in the absence of such malformations, those who were exposed to the drug in utero show mild reductions in general mental ability, Jane Adams, Ph.D., said during the ...
Trisomy accounted for 41% of miscarriages: chromosomal abnormalities linked to age seen in most miscarriages.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004 ... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Chromosomal abnormalities accounted for more than half of 1,103 miscarriages karyotyped in a recent study, and the majority of abnormalities in women aged over 40 years were trisomic. Overall, trisomy accounted for 41% of the miscarriages, which occurred ...
Motor vehicle accidents: clinical signs can flag some injuries that are missed by ultrasound.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... YOSEMITE, CALIF. -- Ultrasound will not detect every case of placental abruption in women who've had a relatively minor car accident, so physicians need to look for clinical signs such as increased uterine activity. Dr. Washington C. Hill said at a conference on obstetrics and gynecology ...
Preterm births, low birth weights: affluence doesn't change racial differences in birth outcomes.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SAN FRANCISCO -- Money alone doesn't guarantee a good birth outcome. Dr. Dyan M. Simon said at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies. A retrospective study of 777 African American women and 2,327 white women who were lifelong residents of affluent Chicago ...
Five mutations to watch for: VTE risk and thrombogenic mutations in pregnancy.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... LAS VEGAS -- There are six key thrombogenic mutations to be concerned about in pregnant patients, Dr. Charles Lock-wood said at the Fifth World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Infertility. These include: * Factor V Leiden mutation. About 80% ...
Large study of singleton pregnancies: conception delay doesn't raise perinatal risk.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SALT LAKE CITY -- Delayed time to conception was not associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, or small size for gestational age, Maureen Hoover said at the annual meeting of the Society for Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiologic Research. The ...
Cohort study: childhood epilepsy strongly linked to eclampsia.(Obstetrics)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SALT LAKE CITY -- Childhood epilepsy is associated with several prenatal and neonatal conditions, Linda Dodds, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research. In a population-based cohort study, 648 cases of childhood epilepsy ...
Two studies; Menstrual migraines: more severe but treatable.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Menstrually associated migraines tend to be more severe than attacks that occur at other times of the month, an observational study has shown. In addition, the intensity and duration of menstrual migraines can be mitigated in some women through prophylactic treatment with ...
Careful selection required: options abound for treating patients who have fecal incontinence.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Many modalities can bring relief and improve the quality of life of patients with fecal incontinence, but physicians must weigh the potential risks and benefits of conservative and surgical treatments, speakers said at a colorectal disease symposium sponsored by ...
ob.gyn. departments: barriers to mental health referrals in HIV.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... MIAMI -- There are many barriers to mental health referrals for HIV-positive women screened in the ob.gyn. department at the University of Miami, according to a study that was presented at a conference sponsored by the American Foundation for AIDS Research. For 15 years, the ...
Identifying potential problems: annual exam called great time to discuss breast-feeding.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Gynecologists can do much to support and encourage breast-feeding by educating women about their breasts and identifying potential lactational challenges during a regular gynecologic exam, Dr. Edward Newton said at the annual Southern Obstetric and Gynecologic Seminar. ...
Two studies: benefits seen with limiting OC hormone-free interval.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... MONTREAL -- Limiting the hormone-free portion of OC regimens can reduce side effects and may improve contraceptive effectiveness, according to two studies presented at the World Congress on Fertility and Sterility. "For a lot of women, the hormone-free days are when they have ...
Age at issue in aneuploidy screening: questions raised about IVF screening practice.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... MONTREAL -- Aneuploidy screening of embryos created through in vitro fertilization will not improve pregnancy rates in women over age 37 if centers already transfer at least three embryos per cycle in this age group, results of a recent study suggest. "You will not have a higher ...
Off-label use: aromatase inhibitors show promise in fertility Tx.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... LAS VEGAS -- Aromatase inhibitors may be the answer for women in whom clomiphene fails to induce ovulation, Dr. Robert F. Casper said at the Fifth World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Infertility. Studies have suggested that the aromatase inhibitor ...
Infertility patients: when to treat subserous or intramural fibroids.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... MONTREAL -- Asymptomatic subserous or intramural uterine fibroids should be left untreated, even if a patient desires pregnancy, two experts said at the 18th World Congress on Fertility and Sterility. "Most studies show that these fibroids have no effect on fertility or ...
Before intrauterine insemination: three-day abstinence improves semen quality.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SAN FRANCISCO -- Three days of sexual abstinence seems to be the optimal amount of time to improve semen quality, a study of 889 men suggests. Men providing semen samples for intrauterine insemination or other procedures should be advised to refrain from sex for 3 days before ...
Expert opinion: metformin first-line therapy in some patients with PCOS.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... LAS VEGAS -- Metformin may be a good first-line therapy for inducing ovulation in selected patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, Dr. Rogerio Lobo said at the Fifth World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Infertility. Candidates for treatment with ...
Findings from 34-year review: prognosis poor for recurrent vulvar cancer.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SAN DIEGO -- The prognosis for women with recurrent vulvar cancer is best for those under age 70 with late, local recurrence amenable to resection, Dr. Arnim Bader reported at the joint annual meeting of the American Urogynecologic Society and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. ...
Study of 72 girls: reproductive organs larger in obese girls.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... NEW ORLEANS -- Childhood obesity has significant effects on ovarian and uterine morphology in prepubertal girls, Dr. Arlene Mercado said in a poster session at the annual meting of the Endocrine Society. Dr. Mercado, a fellow at the National Institute of Child Health and Human ...
Detects calcification: CAD increases Ca discovery with mammography.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... MIAMI BEACH -- A second interpretation of mammograms with computer-aided detection increased the cancer detection rate by 5% in a study of 4,341 consecutive screening mammograms. Patients were more likely to be called back for additional imaging when computer-aided detection ...
MRI also helpful: mammography helps distinguish surgical sequelae from breast cancer recurrence.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... MIAMI BEACH -- Mammography can be used after breast cancer surgery to distinguish surgical sequelae from recurrence of cancer, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society. Comparison of follow-up mammography with a preoperative image ...
Breast Ca survivors: PET scan imaging depicts 'chemobrain'.(Gynecology)
Sep 01, 2004; ... PHILADELPHIA -- PET imaging reveals decreased resting metabolism in certain brain regions of breast cancer survivors treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, and the severity correlated with the severity of cognitive impairments in these women, Dr. Daniel H. Silverman, Ph.D., said at the annual ...
Cardiovascular, diabetes screening: Medicare to cover more preventive services.(Practice Trends)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Get ready to offer more preventive services to Medicare beneficiaries in the coming year. On Jan. 1, 2005, Medicare will start paying physicians for "Welcome to Medicare" physicals, and cardiovascular and diabetes screening tests, all of which was authorized by last year's ...
Seniors not very knowledgeable about new Medicare drug benefits.(Data Watch)
Sep 01, 2004 ... <Pre> Seniors Not Very Knowledgeable About New Medicare Drug Benefits Is there a prescription drug discount card for seniors available this year? YESNODON'T KNOW 38%7% 54% Is there a subsidy available this ...
Oct. 4 deadline: CMS seeks comments on Medicare drug benefit rules.(Practice Trends)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Want to give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services a piece of your mind on how it should implement the new Medicare prescription drug benefit? Now's your chance. CMS released its proposed regulations on the drug benefit in late July, with a 60-day open comment period ....
'You're going to have it for awhile': former CMS chief defends the Medicare Modernization Act.(Practice Trends)
Sep 01, 2004; ... CHICAGO -- The Medicare Modernization Act is here to stay, former Medicare chief Tom Scully said at a conference sponsored by America's Health Insurance Plans. Even if Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) is elected president and the Democrats take control of the Senate, Republican ...
Keepsake ultrasound.(Policy & Practice)
Sep 01, 2004; ... The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists discourages the use of obstetric ultrasonography for nonmedical purposes such as keepsake photos and videos, the college said in a new opinion from its Committee on Ethics. Ultrasounds that are performed for psychological or ...
Medical malpractice reform.(Policy & Practice)
Sep 01, 2004; ... America's patients are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports medical malpractice reform--regardless of their political affiliation--according to a survey of 800 registered voters in 17 "swing" states. More than two-thirds of the voters polled said the current medical liability ...
Donor egg origins.(Policy & Practice)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Whether eggs are donated from a known donor or an anonymous donor doesn't impact whether parents who used assisted reproductive technology procedures will tell their children how they were conceived, according to a recent study. Instead, parents were most influenced by what they saw as ...
Contraception misperception.(Policy & Practice)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Teenagers say they know a lot about birth control and ways to protect themselves against STDs, but many teens have dangerous misperceptions, a survey of 519 adolescents aged 15-17 years indicated. Although teens seem to trust oral contraceptives for pregnancy prevention, nearly one in five ...
HIV-positive pregnancy.(Policy & Practice)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Many HIV-positive women are reluctant to conceive because they fear they will infect their children during pregnancy, according to a recent study (Perspect. Sex. Reprod. Health 36[3]:106-13, 2004). The women tended to overestimate the risk of mother-to-child transmission, which occurs in ...
House of Delegates meeting: DOs debate joint osteopathic/allopathic match.(Practice Trends)
Sep 01, 2004; ... CHICAGO -- The American Osteopathic Association's House of Delegates weighed in at its annual meeting on a number of hot topics in medicine, including medical liability reform, the use of placebos in end-of-life care, and a proposal for a joint match with allopathic residency candidates. ...
Overcoming cost concerns: incentives urged to promote adoption of electronic prescribing.(Practice Trends)
Sep 01, 2004; ... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Reimbursement for the use of electronic prescribing programs is needed to spur faster adoption, according to a report from the Electronic Prescribing Project of the eHealth Initiative. "Doctors are concerned about the cost of buying and installing a ...
Acknowledge anger, sadness: how to deal with difficult patient interactions.(Practice Trends)
Sep 01, 2004; ... AMELIA ISLAND, FLA. -- Do not move forward with treatment before resolving issues of anger and trust in your relationship with a patient, Dr. Thomas L. Campbell advised at a meeting sponsored by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. Patient dissatisfaction with office ...
Electronic health records: feds outline strategies for increasing use of EHRs.(Practice Trends)
Sep 01, 2004; ... WASHINGTON -- A new report from the Department of Health and Human Services outlines 12 strategies aimed at bringing electronic health records into clinical practice, interconnecting physicians, personalizing care, and improving population health. The framework, created by the ...
Automation of health care: first czar of health information technology takes the helm.(Practice Trends)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Dr. David J. Brailer has an ambitious job description--to aid the widespread deployment of health information technology within 10 years. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson appointed Dr. Brailer as the first National Health Information Technology ...
Nurses' Health Study: moderate drinking may preserve cognitive function in elderly.(Clinical Rounds)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SAN FRANCISCO -- Light to moderate alcohol consumption by elderly women is associated with improved cognitive function, compared with that of nondrinkers, according to new data from the landmark Nurses' Health Study. This relationship between alcohol intake and cognitive ...
Mild asthma.(Women's Health Adviser)
Sep 01, 2004 ... Asthma is often undiagnosed or incorrectly diagnosed, experts say, and this is especially problematic among women of reproductive age. While pregnant women with moderate to severe asthma face at least a doubling in the risk of intrauterine growth restriction, the risk for those with ...
Discontinue 2 weeks before surgery: consider bleeding risk associated with herb use.(Clinical Rounds)
Sep 01, 2004; ... NEW YORK -- Herb-using individuals who are at risk of bleeding should be advised to use caution, despite uncertainty about the actual degree of risk that may be involved, Dr. Adrian Fugh-Berman said at a meeting on botanical medicine sponsored by Columbia University and the University of ...
Navy strategy: Situational Briefs bolster teamwork.(Clinical Rounds)
Sep 01, 2004; ... SAN FRANCISCO -- Some hospitals are using a communication strategy borrowed from the U.S. Navy to promote efficient transfer of key information between nurses and doctors, Dr. Paul Preston said at a meeting on antepartum and intrapartum management sponsored by the University of California, ...
Physical inactivity at issue: emphasize fitness over weight loss, expert says.(Clinical Rounds)
Sep 01, 2004; ... QUEBEC CITY -- Physical inactivity, more than obesity, is to blame for a large chunk of America's battle with chronic illness, according to Dr. Steven N. Blair president and CEO of the Cooper Institute, a nonprofit research and education center in Dallas, which focuses on the relationship ...
Costs of inactivity have decreased: 'economics' of weight loss said to fuel obesity epidemic.(Clinical Rounds)
Sep 01, 2004; ... WASHINGTON -- The "economics" of weight loss need to be improved before many Americans will make a serious effort to lose weight, Eric Finkelstein, Ph.D., said at a meeting on obesity sponsored by Global Business Research Ltd. The economics of obesity are, in part, behind the ...
Morning meals provide greatest satiety: eating breakfast may help decrease total daily food intake.(Clinical Rounds)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Your mother was right: Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, at least as far as reducing total food intake goes. People who eat a higher proportion of their total daily food during the morning hours have a significantly lower total intake than those who eat ...
Oculorespiratory syndrome: adverse event from flu vaccine identified.(Clinical Rounds)
Sep 01, 2004; ... NASHVILLE, TENN. -- Oculorespiratory syndrome is a newly recognized--but apparently not new--adverse event following influenza immunization, Dr. Nooshin Ahmadipour said at the National Immunization Conference sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During ...
Some doctors boost dose after 4 weeks: time to antidepressant response underestimated.(Clinical Rounds)
Sep 01, 2004; ... PARIS -- A patient with depression may take as long as 8 weeks to respond to treatment with an antidepressant, and the length of this possible lag is often underestimated by physicians, Dr. Andrew A. Nierenberg said at the 24th congress of the Collegium Internationale ...
Obesity.(Drug Update)
Sep 01, 2004; ... Withdrawal of the popular obesity drugs fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine (Redux) from the U.S. market in 1997 left Americans hungry for new obesity drugs with long-term efficacy. They're still waiting, as their waistlines continue to grow. In other words, there's no weight-loss ...