OB GYN News articles from July 2005

OB GYN News archives from July 2005

Egg freezing in IVF holds promise.(News)
July 1, 2005... BOLOGNA, ITALY -- Human oocyte-freezing techniques are improving so rapidly that this procedure soon may be incorporated into routine in vitro fertilization cycles, experts predicted at an international meeting on human oocyte cryopreservation....

Median compensation varied widely by region in 2003.
July 1, 2005... Median Compensation Varied Widely by Region in 2003 Western General Ob.Gyn.: $226,985 Gyn. only: $162,876 Midwestern General Ob.Gyn.: $255,398 Gyn. only: $222,887 Southern General Ob.Gyn.: $255,831 Gyn....

Study supports NSAID class effect on MI risk: coxibs no more a factor than non-COX-2.(News)
July 1, 2005... VIENNA -- Although the cy-clooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective NSAIDs have acted as lightning rods for recent concern regarding cardiovascular risk, the reality is that many traditional NSAIDs carry as great or even greater associated risks of...

Anogenital findings raise concerns about phthalates.(anogenital diseases of male infants)
July 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Pregnant women exposed to relatively high levels of a common household chemical compound gave birth to male infants with significant reductions in anogenital distance and smaller-than-average penile volume, scrotal development, and...

Implications of ob.gyn. recruitment survey under question.(News)
July 1, 2005... A report issued by a large physician-recruiting firm indicates a decline in demand for ob.gyns., based on the number of searches it has conducted. Ob.gyn. recruitment searches by Merritt, Hawkins & Associates (MHA) have decreased steadily,...

Female genital cutting.(GUEST EDITORIAL)
July 1, 2005... Female genital cutting, a practice seen in parts of Africa and Asia, is becoming more relevant to health providers here in the United States. More than 130 million women worldwide have undergone female genital cutting (FGC), and...

Al-Anon: getting past denial.(Alcoholics Anonymous)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... It all started with a booth at a medical meeting. It was a booth for Al-Anon, the group for family members, friends, and co-workers of alcoholics. The woman at the booth told me her story and how Al-Anon changed her life, and I was blown...

HBOT for osteonecrosis of the jaw.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2005... I enjoyed reading the article about osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients using bisphosphonates ("Long-Term Bisphosphonate Use May Damage Jaw," April 15, 2005, p. 11). One treatment to consider is the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy...

Iodine deficiency may be culprit.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2005... Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of fibrocystic breast disease, and 80%-90% of Americans have some degree of this deficiency ("Cryoablation Is Option for Breast Fibroadenomas," April 1, 2005, p. 11). It is both easy and...

Exercise column a 'tremendous service'.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2005... I was very interested in your chart on lumbar stenosis exercises, and I'm wondering if I might be able to reprint the page in small numbers for patient use ("Exercises for Chronic Conditions: Lumbar Stenosis," Exercise Rx, March 1, 2005, p....

Pain relievers.(Opinion)(Cartoon)
July 1, 2005... "That was before the carbs caught up with me."

Call to improve maternal morbidity, mortality rates.(Obstetrics)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Despite claims to the contrary, there is still more work to do to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States, Cynthia Berg, M.D., said at a meeting sponsored by the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. ...

New CF screen expected to improve accuracy: genotyping test may allow more labs to perform CF screening and allow greater uniformity of result reports.(Obstetrics)
July 1, 2005... The Food and Drug Administration's approval of a genotyping test for cystic fibrosis detection should improve screening accuracy and availability and could result in more uniform reporting of test results to physicians, experts say. The...

FDA downgrades the antiviral efavirenz to pregnancy category D.(Obstetrics)
July 1, 2005... The Food and Drug Administration has downgraded efavirenz to pregnancy category D, "Positive Evidence of Fetal Risk," and is urging women to avoid becoming pregnant while taking the antiretroviral drug. The new package label stems from...

VBAC mortality unchanged after guideline issued.(Obstetrics)
July 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Neonatal and maternal mortality in California did not significantly change after the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended vaginal births after cesarean delivery be performed only in settings with...

Immunosuppressants pose challenge in pregnancy: balancing immunosuppression with the health of the woman and fetus requires team approach.(Obstetrics)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Balancing immunosuppression in a pregnant allograft transplant patient with the health of the woman and her fetus requires a team approach between high-risk obstetricians and transplant physicians, according to one expert speaking...

Extended prenatal care could help to better address chronic illness.(Obstetrics)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The term "prenatal care" should be rethought to include much more of a woman's life cycle, Dawn Misra, Ph.D., said at a meeting sponsored by the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. "We have to go beyond the [typical] prenatal...

Estrogen alternatives available for hot flashes: remedies such as progestins often are proposed, but few have been evaluated in controlled studies.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- In the wake of the Women's Health Initiative, "It's easier to get OxyContin out of a doctor's office than Prempro," Melissa A. McNeil, M.D., joked at the annual meeting of the American College of Physicians. The question...

Metformin, reduced-calorie diet improve CV risk in PCOS patients.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Metformin combined with a reduced-calorie diet reduced cardiovascular risk in a study of 791 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, Mofiz Haque, M.D., reported in a poster presented at the Clinical Research 2005 meeting. The...

Urge incontinence treated with flexible dosing of oxybutynin.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Almost half of patients on flexible-dosing schedules of extended-release oxybutynin for urge incontinence chose a dose of more than 10 mg/day, the level employed in two fixed-dose trials of the medication, Peter K. Sand, M.D.,...

Effects of OCs may persist after Rx discontinuation.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The hypoandrogenic effects of oral contraceptives may not be completely reversible after discontinuation of their use, Claudia Panzer, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists....

Low expulsion rate for NuvaRing contraceptive.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- In a year's experience with the NuvaRing contraceptive, 2.3% of women experience an expulsion, according to the results of four large, phase III clinical trials, Marc Kaptein, M.D., and Edio Zampaglione, M.D., said in a poster...

Formal surgery curriculum sharpens ob.gyn. skills.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. -- A formal curriculum for teaching surgery significantly improved the skills of ob.gyn. residents in performing specific surgical tasks, a 6-year study found. The University of Washington instituted an ob.gyn. surgery...

Fibroid embolization pays off for radiologists, insurers.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Compared with hysterectomy and myomectomy, uterine fibroid embolization actually bolsters rather than bleeds the health care system, Anne Bussard, M.D., reported. "Fibroid embolization is financially advantageous for the...

OC counters bone loss in anorexic teenagers.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- The oral contraceptive Ortho Tri-Cyclen may help teenaged girls with anorexia nervosa build bone mass as a defense against osteoporosis later in life. Compared with placebo, it produced significantly greater increases in...

High-resolution CT accurately assesses bone microarchitecture.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... BETHESDA, MD. -- High-resolution peripheral quantitative CT is a promising technology for identifying osteoporosis-related changes in bone microarchitecture, according to results of a prospective study. Data from the noninvasive technique...

Study identifies risk factor for mesh erosion.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. -- Performing an abdominal sacral suspension using polypropylene mesh concurrent with a total abdominal hysterectomy increases the risk of mesh erosion, Giti Bensinger, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the Society of...

Don't discount gynecologic surgeries for elderly: risk of major procedures could be reduced by attending to group's specific perioperative needs.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Elderly women should not be denied major gynecologic surgery solely on the basis of their presumed age-based operative risk, according to Lindsay M. Mains, M.D. In a study she presented at the annual meeting of the American...

Imaging data from phase III study support parathyroid as bone builder.(Clinical report)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Imaging data from a phase III study confirm that treatment with parathyroid hormone significantly improves bone microarchitecture in postmenopausal osteoporotic women, David W. Dempster, Ph.D., reported in a poster at an...

Teens tap Rutgers Web site with questions on sex; site visitors pegged at 60,000 per day.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- If one goes to Google on the Internet and types in the word "sex," the first Web site listed is the place where about 60,000 adolescents a day go for their sex information, with the kinds of questions they are not likely to want...

Patch takes on surgical menopause.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- An investigational testosterone patch applied twice weekly improved sexual functioning in as little as 4 weeks in surgically menopausal women, Sheryl Kingsberg, Ph.D., reported in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of...

Trachelectomy indications, complications studied.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. -- Renewed interest in performing supracervical rather than total hysterectomies in the past 2 decades means some of these women will need trachelectomy or cervical stump removal at some point in the future. To better...

HSV-1 cited in genital infections in young women.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... BETHESDA, MD. -- Herpes simplex virus 1 has emerged as an important genital pathogen and is more likely than herpes simplex virus 2 to be the cause of primary genital herpes infections in young women, Sharon L. Hillier, Ph.D., said at a...

Physicians turn to HPV testing in women with AGUS Pap results.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, CANADA -- When Kaiser Permanente instituted testing for human papillomavirus in 2001, physicians were instructed not to test for the virus as a way to triage patients with Pap results showing atypical glandular cells of undetermined...

HMO learns from coscreening initiative.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Incorporating testing for human papillomavirus into cervical screening practices for women older than 30 years may take more effort than one would think, Walter Kinney, M.D., said at the 22nd International Papillomavirus...

HPV testing may help manage LSIL.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were likely to regress in women older than 30 years who were not infected with types of human papillomavirus associated with a high risk for cervical cancer, a longitudinal study...

Mammography rates 'abysmal' for mentally ill.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Women being treated for a mental health disorder may be getting shortchanged when it comes to preventive medical care, said Caroline C. Carney-Doebbeling, M.D. A comparison of insurance claims data for 59,673 women with a...

Adding bevacizumab improves breast cancer survival rates.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Adding the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab to standard chemotherapies for breast cancer produced significant survival gains in a phase III trial reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. ...

Panels address physician roles in managing ca survivors.(Gynecology)
July 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Primary care physicians and other clinicians from specialties outside of oncology can expect to find their respective roles spelled out in new guidelines under development for medical management of cancer survivors. Among...

Drug Use during pregnancy.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
July 1, 2005... A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that 4.3% of pregnant women aged 15-44 years used an illicit drug in the past month, compared with 10.4% of nonpregnant women in this age group. SAMHSA extracted...

Florida's parental notification law.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
July 1, 2005... After a court battle and a constitutional amendment, the requirement for parental notification when a minor seeks an abortion is now the law in Florida. The "Parental Notice of Abortion Act," which was signed by Gov. Jeb Bush (R) in May, became...

Illinois malpractice bill.(POLICY & PRACTICE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Another state has taken steps to curb rising malpractice costs. In May, the Illinois General Assembly approved legislation to place caps of $500,000 per physician and $1 million per hospital for noneconomic damages. The legislation also calls...

Cloning policy.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
July 1, 2005... The science of human cloning is moving faster than the public's understanding of it and government's ability to enact policy about it, according to a study from the Genetics and Public Policy Center. "Scientists have cloned cows, cats, and...

The chosen profession.(POLICY & PRACTICE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... "Be a physician" is the most common career advice that Americans give young adults, according to a Gallup poll of 1,003 adults aged 18 years and older. Of those who responded to the survey, 20% recommended that young women become doctors, while...

Improved health IT could help close gap in care.(Information Technology)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Improving health information technology could go a long way toward eliminating disparities in health care, Newt Gingrich said at a meeting sponsored by the Alliance of Minority Medical Associations, the National Association for...

Electronic health records spark identifier debate: some say single, voluntary approach would reduce errors; others want to build on decentralized system.(Practice Trends)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- One key to the widespread use of electronic health records is a single, voluntary identifier for each patient, Newt Gingrich said at a briefing sponsored by the Alliance for Health Reform. Most patients would embrace a...

Panel seeks government, private sector to team for IT adoption.(Information technology)
July 1, 2005... The federal government should use incentives--not unfunded mandates--to accelerate the adoption of health information technology, according to a panel of corporate executives. And the government should coordinate the use of interoperable...

Can physicians improve the health literacy of their patients?(Practice Trends)
July 1, 2005... IRVINE, CALIF. -- Keep an eye out for patients who are at high risk for low health literacy--typically seniors, immigrants, those with low levels of education, Medicaid recipients, and those in poor health, Jeannette Hilgert said at a meeting...

Nuanced definition of hypertension proposed.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- A new definition of hypertension proposed at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hypertension deemphasizes blood pressure readings and eliminates the label of pre-hypertension. A "writing group" of ASH leaders...

Pesticides linked to higher risk of Parkinson's.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... MIAMI BEACH -- Exposure to pesticides or herbicides appears to raise the risk of Parkinson's disease by 70%, Alberto Ascherio, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. The study--the largest prospective...

Long-term NSAID use halves oral ca in smokers.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs results in a 50% reduction in oral cancer in heavy smokers, according to a population-based, nested, case-control study, Jon Sudbo, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of...

Statins: 50% lower risk of esophageal, pancreatic cancer.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- Add esophageal and pancreatic cancer to the growing list of cancers that might be prevented by taking a statin, according to a review of data on 484,226 military veterans. The use of a statin was associated with a 56% reduced...

Heart patients don't consider weight a CVD risk.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Obese patients with coronary disease don't always see their excess weight as being part of the problem, Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., and his associates reported in a conference on cardiovascular disease epidemiology and...

Consider renal effects of high-protein diets.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The renal effects of high-protein diets pose a strong risk of harm in patients with chronic kidney disease, Allon Friedman, M.D., said at a meeting sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. Chronic kidney disease is often...

Prevalence of multiple risk factors for heart disease and stroke among adults, 2003.(DATA WATCH)
July 1, 2005... Prevalence of Multiple Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke Among Adults, 2003 *Note: Data are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention KEVIN FOLEY, RESEARCH/FORHAD...

Defibrillator adapter cable malfunction prompts recall.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... Laerdal Medical Corp. has recalled all lots of the CM 100 HeartStart automatic external defibrillator adapter cables due to the potential for breakage. The cables--catalog number 920650--allow HeartStart multifunction debrillator pads to...

Subclinical hypothyroidism tied to heart risk.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Elderly adults with subclinical hypothyroidism and a thyroid stimulating hormone level at or above 7 mIU/L are at increased risk for heart failure, Nicolas Rodondi, M.D., reported at a conference on cardiovascular disease...

Defibrillators recalled due to short circuit.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... MRL Inc. is recalling AED20 automatic external defibrillators (part No. 972200E) because the devices are susceptible to a malfunction that can prevent the delivery of a shock. The recall was initiated following the receipt of a complaint of...

Cases point to widespread scope contamination.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- Nearly 6,000 patients were potentially exposed to blood-borne pathogens from improperly disinfected colonoscopes, gastroscopes, endoscopes, and cystoscopes in California over a 2-year period, state health officials reported. ...

Metaanalysis: aspirin below 100 mg/day is safest; Researchers were surprised to find that bleeding risk climbed sharply with doses in moderate range.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FLA. -- When it comes to prescribing daily aspirin for the prevention or treatment of vascular events, the lowest risk of bleeding complications in a new metaanalysis involving more than 192,000 patients was seen at dosages that were...

Heart disease death rates on the decline.(DATA WATCH)
July 1, 2005... Heart Disease Death Rates on the Decline Male Female 2000 320 211 2001 305 204 2002 297 197 Note: Based on deaths per 100,000 people. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention KEVIN FOLEY, RESEARCH...

Study finds lower suicide rates not due to antidepressant use.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... BROOMFIELD, COLO. -- The steep rise in antidepressant prescribing over the last several decades and the temporally associated decline in suicide rates in many Western countries are not causally related, Annette Erlangsen, Ph.D., said at the...

Diabetics: panic is common and linked to depression.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Panic symptoms affect many patients with diabetes and are linked to depression and diabetes-related disability, Evette Ludman, Ph.D., and her associates reported in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American...

Recognizing stroke is a life or death issue.(THE MASTER CLASS)
July 1, 2005... In high-risk obstetrics, we are faced with a variety of critical presentations: threatened early pregnancy loss, pregnant patients with preexisting medical conditions, and the development of acute medical complications during pregnancy. ...

Stroke in pregnancy and the postpartum period.
July 1, 2005... Stroke is a rare but potentially devastating occurrence during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Maternal mortality is reported to be as high as 26%, and survivors may face long-term neurologic sequelae. Associated fetal mortality and...

Rising cost of hospital stay for acute cerebrovascular disease.(DATA WATCH)
July 1, 2005... Rising Cost of Hospital Stay for Acute Cerebrovascular Disease Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality KEVIN FOLEY, RESEARCH

Arixtra for abdominal surgery.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium, injection) is indicated for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis, which may lead to pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing abdominal surgery who are at risk for thromboembolic complications. For more information,...

CME tool for handheld devices.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... The MobileCME system allows physicians to take continuing medical education courses on handheld devices--Palm- and Pocket PC-based operating system devices and smartphones. Content is delivered from several U.S. medical schools. The free pilot...

Pocket PC medical dictionary.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... An updated Medical Pack medical dictionary is available for use with the most recent versions of CalliGrapher and PenOffice handwriting recognition software for mobile and desktop computers. The dictionary includes 130,000 medical words. For...

Dressing for percutaneous devices.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... Silvasorb Site dressings use antimicrobial silver to help prevent bacterial infections at insertion sites for catheters, feeding tubes, and other percutaneous medical devices. The dressing can stay in place for 7 days. For information, contact...

Metronidazole gel approved.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... Metronidazole vaginal gel (0.75%) is indicated for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (formerly referred to as Haemophilus vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, Corynebacterium vaginitis, or anaerobic vaginosis) in...

Belt expands maternity wardrobe.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... The Belly Belt can be used on jeans, pants, shorts, and skirts to allow women to wear nonmaternity clothing throughout most of their pregnancy. The belt works by expanding the waistband of most garments. For more information, contact Condella...

Proquin XR indicated for UTI.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... Proquin XR (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets (500 mg) is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. For more information,...

Enbrel indication expanded.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... Enbrel (etanercept) is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage of active arthritis, and improving physical functioning in patients with psoriatic arthritis. For more information, contact Wyeth...

Online tools for expectant women.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... A new Web site offers online tools for pregnant women. The site--sponsored by Kimberly-Clark Corp., maker of Huggies brand diapers--features a keepsake storybook, a virtual nursery design tool, advice, and an interactive forum. For more...

Fetal alcohol disorders video.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... The "Recovering Hope: Mothers Speak Our About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders" video package from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration aims to raise awareness of the effects of alcohol on pregnancy. To order a copy,...

'Talking With Your Doctor'.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... The National Institute on Aging has released a Spanish version of its "Talking With Your Doctor" publication. The brochure addresses choosing a physician, working with an interpreter, and discussing sensitive issues (memory loss, incontinence,...

Cancer resources in Spanish.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... The American Society of Clinical Oncology's patient information Web site--People Living With Cancer--now offers Spanish translations of information about the top eight cancers most frequently diagnosed in Hispanics living in the United States....

CD resource for cancer patients.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... An educational CD-ROM and e-newsletter sponsored by Ortho Biotech Products L.P. offers newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families information about the basics of cancer, treatment, taking control of care, and caregiving. "Strength for...

Perinatal HIV consultation.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... The National HIV/AIDS Clinicians' Consultation Center at the University of California, San Francisco, offers a perinatal HIV consultation and referral hotline. The service offers around-the-clock expert advice on indications and interpretations...

Diabetes health risk tool offered.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... The American Diabetes Association has launched an interactive Web-based tool--Diabetes PHD (Personal Health Decisions)--that allows those with diabetes and anyone at risk for developing the disease to better manage their health. Patients enter...

CDC 'Yellow Book' available online.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... The 2003-2004 edition of "Health Information for International Travel," the so-called Yellow Book published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is available online. The resource allows users to browse the table of contents or...

Women's Health data offered.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... The Department of Health and Human Service's Office on Women's Health provides access to the National Women's Health Indicators Database. County-level data are organized by categories including maternal health, violence and abuse, access to...

Help seniors navigate Medicare.(FYI)
July 1, 2005... A one-stop Web site offers older adults a host of user-friendly consumer health information. The site is sponsored by the nonprofit Medicare Rights Center and provides state and national information on how to get the most out of Medicare. To...