OB/GYN Clinical Alert articles from November 2004

OB/GYN Clinical Alert archives from November 2004

Circulating tumor cells, disease progression, and survival in metastatic breast cancer.(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... IN A PROSPECTIVE, MULTICENTER STUDY, CRISTOFANILLI AND COLLEAGUES tested 177 patients with clinically detectable metastatic breast cancer for levels of circulating tumor cells both before and after the initiation of various forms of therapy....

Virtual colonoscopy: how to counsel your patients.(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Although safer than traditional colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy's lower sensitivity and efficacy coupled with the increased cost would rule against recommending this procedure at the current time. Source: Cotton PB, et al. JAMA....

Determining the position of the fetal head in the second stage of labor.(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: The vaginal exam was correct in 71.6% of cases, and the ultrasound was correct in 92% of cases. Source: Chou MR, et al. Vaginal vs Ultrasound Examination of Fetal Occiput Position During the Second Stage of Labor. Am J Obstet...

Physical activity, including walking, and cognitive function in women.(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Regular physical activity, such as walking, is associated with significantly better cognitive function and less cognitive decline. Source: Weuve J, et al. JAMA. 2004;292:1454-1461. THE PRESENT STUDY INVOLVES YET ANOTHER...

Chemotherapy sensitivity/resistance assays in gynecologic cancer: are we there yet?(Special Feature)
November 1, 2004... STATE OF AFFAIRS OVER THE LAST FEW DECADES, TECHNOLOGY HAS existed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of single-agent and combination chemotherapy on cancer cell lines derived from an individual patient's tumor specimens. (1-4) However,...

CME question.
November 1, 2004... 9. In patients with metastatic breast cancer, which of the following best predicts disease-free progression and overall survival? a. HER2/neu status of the primary tumor b. Estrogen-receptor status of the primary tumor c. Type of...

Functional decline in peripheral arterial disease.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: McDermott MM, et al. JAMA. 2004;292:453-461. PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD) may be stratified in severity by the ankle-brachial index (ABI), measured by dividing the ankle systolic BP by the brachial systolic BP. Normally, this...

Topical capsaicin for chronic pain.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Mason L, et al. BMJ USA. 2004;4:349-358. TOPICAL ANALGESICS, SUCH AS CAPSAICIN (CAP), methylsalicylate, and transdermal lidocaine, are agents which are applied topically for a local effect, as opposed to agents applied topically for...

Topical tacrolimus therapy for vitiligo.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Grimes PE, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:52-61. VITILIGO (VIT) IS A DISORDER CHARACTERIZED clinically by one or more skin sites of depigmentation caused by loss of melanocytc activity. Demonstrated etiologies include genetic...

US prevalence and impact on axillary hyperhidrosis.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Strutton DR, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:241-248. THE DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERHIDROSIS, OR excessive sweating, is achieved by clinical inquiry rather than laboratory testing, though quantitative metrics are available for clinical...

Mortality and incidence of cancer during follow-up of the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Strandberg TE, et al. Lancet. 2004;364:771-777. ALTHOUGH THE VALUE OF STATINS for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events is widely accepted, inconsistent background signals of disproportionate cancer risk...

Effects of extended outpatient rehabilitation after hip fracture.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Binder EF, et al JAMA. 2004;292:837-846. FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WHO DO NOT SUCCUMB to the sequelae of hip fracture (HFX), the long-term consequences remain daunting for most. Insurers may provide coverage sufficient only to sustain a...

The FDA and Merck fielding concerns about Vioxx.
November 1, 2004... Merck announced on September 30th that it is voluntarily withdrawing rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the worldwide market. The decision was based on data from the APPROVe (Addenomatous Polyp Prevention on Vioxx) trial, a company sponsored perspective...

Erythromycin and the risk of sudden death.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Erythromycin may be associated with an increased risk of sudden death, according to new study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Oral erythromycin, which is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P-450 3A (CYP3A), prolongs cardiac...

Vaccine shortage putting Americans at risk.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Just as healthcare providers are about to start their annual flu vaccination program, British regulators have shut down Chiron Corporation's Liverpool flu vaccine manufacturing plant due to sterility problems. Chiron was expected to supply...

FDA actions.
November 1, 2004... The FDA will move ahead with warnings for many antidepressants stating that the drugs sometimes raise the risk of suicidal behavior in youth. The recommendation comes after an agency advisory panel, on a split vote, recommended a Black box...