OB GYN News articles from November 2004

OB GYN News archives from November 2004

Colorado avoids malpractice crisis.(News)
November 1, 2004... In places like Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida, some ob.gyns, are getting out of the practice of delivering babies or they are moving out of their states because of the current professional liability crisis. Colorado, on the other...

Compensation for women lags in academic medicine.(VITAL SIGNS)
November 1, 2004... Compensation for Women Lags in Academic Medicine Note: Based on a survey of 1,814 full-time medical school faculty from 24 randomly selected medical schools in the contiguous United States conducted in 1995-1996. Source: Ann. Intern....

Subclinical thyroid disease linked to preterm delivery: screen women for thyroid disease if they deliver before 32 weeks' gestation.(News)
November 1, 2004... VANCOUVER, B. C. -- Subclinical thyroid disease constitutes a novel risk factor for very early preterm delivery. Alex Stagnaro-Green, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association. Based upon new findings from the...

No rapid bone loss seen in year after HT is stopped: still have a reduced rate of bone fractures.(News)
November 1, 2004... SEATTLE -- Women who used active estrogen-progestin therapy in the Women's Health Initiative continued to have a reduced rate of bone fracture during the first year after the trial was halted. Rebecca D. Jackson, M.D., said at the annual...

Estrogen type may be associated with risk of venous thrombosis.(News)
November 1, 2004... Women who take conjugated equine estrogens have an increased risk of venous thrombosis, compared with those who take esterified estrogens or no hormones, according to a new study. And the addition of progestin to conjugated equine estrogen...

Feds: save influenza shots for at-risk patients.(News)
November 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Physicians must work hard to ensure that only high-risk patients receive doses of the nation's now limited influenza vaccine supply, federal officials said at a press briefing. During a hastily called meeting sparked by news...

The values debate in health care.(GUEST EDITORIAL)
November 1, 2004... Most developed countries face similar challenges in attempting to stem rising health care costs. The common forces driving utilization and costs include medical technology advancement, demanding consumers, and an aging population. The most...

Is membrane stripping appropriate in modern obstetrics?(PRO & CON)
November 1, 2004... YES Membrane stripping is an intervention sometimes performed in the obstetric office setting. This technique involves a digital exam followed by gently sweeping the presenting membrane, separating the membrane from its neighboring lower...

Doctors still skeptical about cord blood banking: neither ACOG nor the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends private storage of cord blood.(Obstetrics)
November 1, 2004... After nearly a decade, private umbilical cord blood banks still aren't getting widespread support from the physician community. Neither the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists nor the American Academy of Pediatrics...

Risks increase with c-section at full cervical dilatation.(Obstetrics)
November 1, 2004... EDMONTON, ALTA. -- Maternal intraoperative trauma and perinatal asphyxia were significantly more common in nulliparous women who underwent cesarean delivery at full cervical dilatation, compared with those who had cesareans before they were...

HCG screening at abortion advocated.(Obstetrics)
November 1, 2004... Screening for HCG levels about 3 weeks after an elective abortion could save hundreds of women in the United States from the consequences of undiagnosed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, Michael J. Seckl, Ph.D., and his colleagues reported....

Survey suggests maternal diet may affect all.(Obstetrics)
November 1, 2004... The first broad survey of maternal diet and how it might affect risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children suggests that beans, beef, carrots, peas, and cantaloupe consumed during pregnancy may be protective. Mothers of 138 children...

C-section moms satisfied with early return to normal diet.(Obstetrics)
November 1, 2004... EDMONTON, ALTA. -- Patients offered a regular diet within 6 hours after undergoing cesarean deliveries were more satisfied with their hospital stays than were those offered nothing by mouth but ice chips, followed by clear liquids, for the...

Restless legs syndrome common in pregnancy.(Obstetrics)
November 1, 2004... Restless legs syndrome occurs in 26% of pregnancies, peaking in the 7th and 8th months but sharply declining around the time of delivery, an Italian study of more than 600 women revealed. Although an association between restless legs...

Pregnancy can trigger a variety of liver diseases.(Obstetrics)
November 1, 2004... CAMBRIDGE, MD. -- The liver is a dynamic organ during pregnancy, and standard physiologic changes may mimic pregnancy-induced hepatic disease. The clinical challenge of distinguishing the normal from abnormal liver during pregnancy was...

Pelvic floor exercises may quell prolonged second-stage labor.(Obstetrics)
November 1, 2004... Pelvic floor training during pregnancy appears to facilitate delivery and was associated with a decreased incidence of prolonged second-stage labor, Kjell Salvesen, M.D., and colleagues reported. The results were observed in a secondary...

ACOG report provides recommendations on HT: document designed to help readers 'synthesize what's out there in terms of clinical trials related to' HT.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a new report with evidence-based clinical recommendations in an effort to simplify the increasingly complex task of counseling patients about hormone therapy. The Hormone...

Breast implant, connective tissue disease link still debated.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... One of the largest studies to examine the long-term health effects of cosmetic breast implants has found little evidence to advance the debate about whether implants are linked to connective tissue disease. The retrospective cohort study by...

Study to look at drug to prevent ovarian cancer.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The synthetic retinoid fenretinide (4-HPR), an analogue of vitamin A, may hold promise as a chemoprevention agent for ovarian cancer patients, Mary Daly, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance....

Sunscreens don't affect reproductive hormones: the study results cannot be extrapolated to prepubertal children, who may absorb more of the chemicals.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... Although the chemicals in sunscreens are systemically absorbed and excreted in urine, they don't appear to have any impact on reproductive hormone levels in adults, even when used in amounts far exceeding the recommended application, Dr. Nadeem...

Warm-up improves surgical performance.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- It pays to warm up before performing laparoscopic surgery. Ann Do, M.D., said in a poster presentation at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. Unlike athletes, musicians, or pilots who practice...

Cranberry juice's preventive effects increase with intake.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... BOSTON -- The more cranberry juice one drinks, the better its effectiveness at preventing bladder infections, a study has shown. Urine samples from volunteers who drank cranberry juice cocktail showed that 8 ounces of the drink resulted the...

Increased risk of low BMD in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... LISBON -- Women who receive long-term glucocorticoid treatment for congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency are at risk for decreased bone mineral density, Jeremy A. King, M.D., reported in a poster presentation at the...

Subclinical hyperthyroidism Tx improves BMD.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Treatment of hyperthyroidism in women, regardless of whether the disease is subclinical or overt, results in significantly improved bone mineral density and muscle mass, Laura J.S. Greenlund, M.D., reported at the annual...

Reduced fracture risk seen with [beta]-blockers.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... [beta]-Blockers and thiazide diuretics appear to provide protection against osteoporosis, according to the findings of a case-control study. In the investigation, [beta]-blockers--alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics--were...

Metformin may reverse PCOS in some girls.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- Metformin appeared to reverse the features of polycystic ovary syndrome when given to prepubertal girls with a history of low birth weight and precocious puberty in two small randomized studies. When metformin was withdrawn...

Lymph nodes dissected without axillary incision.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- A new endoscopy-supported operative technique in which lymph nodes are dissected without axillary incision is feasible, safe, and appears to result in both fewer lymph seromas and dramatically improved arm mobility for breast cancer...

Most at-risk women ineligible for tamoxifen therapy.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... Tamoxifen probably won't prevent many cases of breast cancer in women at risk for the disease because most are ineligible for treatment and those most likely to be eligible are the least likely to develop cancer, according to Carmen L. Lewis,...

Ca survival similar for laparoscopy, laparotomy.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Survival rates for early-stage endometrial carcinoma are similar between women treated laparoscopically and those who undergo laparotomy, Dr. Farr Nezhat reported at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic...

Case report offers insight into treatment of rare FATWO tumor.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... EDMONTON, ALTA. -- The case of a female adnexal tumor of probable wolffian origin in a 15-year-old girl may offer insight into a new treatment option for a rare disease. Helen Steed, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the Society of...

Clues to obesity-cancer connection under study.(Gynecology)
November 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- Investigators are examining the roles of estrogen, insulin, and their related growth factors in obesity-related cancer, Andrew Renehan, Ph.D., of Christie Hospital, Manchester, England, said in an interview at the annual meeting...

Doctors ask patients to pay malpractice 'surcharge'.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... Ira Warshaw, M.D., felt he had no choice but to ask his patients to help save his practice. The family physician in North Palm Beach, Fla., had depleted his practice's line of credit at the end of 2003 and was operating at a continuing...

Hospitals may help with malpractice premiums--carefully.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... BALTIMORE -- Will the hospital you have privileges at help you pay your rising malpractice premium? Possibly, but there are barriers that may prevent it, Gerald Griffith said at a forum sponsored by the American Health Lawyers Association. ...

Faith-based health coverage.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
November 1, 2004... A new health plan option for federal employees in Illinois will exclude coverage of contraception, abortion services, sterilization, and artificial insemination. This new "faith-based health plan" is a high-deductible insurance plan paired with...

Chlamydia screening.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
November 1, 2004... Annual chlamydia screening for women aged 15-29 years is cost effective, according to a study in the Oct. 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. The most cost-effective screening strategies also target women with a history of infection for...

Patient privacy protection act.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
November 1, 2004... Sen. Hillary Clinton (D.-N.Y.) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D.-N.Y.) recently introduced legislation to keep confidential medical records out of court. The legislation was introduced in response to attempts by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to...

Maternity benefits vetoed.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
November 1, 2004... California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) vetoed legislation that would have required all health insurers to provide coverage for maternity care. The bill (S.B. 1555), passed by the California legislature in August, defined maternity services...

Menopause outreach.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
November 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration is stepping up its efforts to raise awareness about the resources available on the risks and benefits of hormone therapy for menopausal and perimenopausal women. FDA is continuing educational outreach activities...

Top 10 ways to avoid federal fraud prosecution: the former chief counsel at the office of inspector general offers suggestions for staying out of trouble.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... BALTIMORE -- There are 10 things doctors can do--or avoid doing--to help prevent themselves from being prosecuted by the federal government for fraud, D. McCarty Thornton said at a forum sponsored by the American Health Lawyers Association. ...

Early malpractice settlements: good idea, no silver bullet.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... A federal experiment to encourage early settlement of malpractice cases through a confidential mediation process won't solve the medical liability crisis, but it's a step in the right direction, physicians and other health experts claim. ...

Web messaging boosts clinician productivity.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Giving patients access to online communications with physicians and their offices not only decreased phone calls but also decreased the volume of all messages and increased revenues in a controlled study, said Eric M....

Fewer than 17% of patients recently e-mailed their physicians.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Not many patients are e-mailing their physicians, and of those who do, the majority click "send" less than once a month, an online survey of 1.881 people suggests. Fewer than 17% of respondents reported recently e-mailing...

Europe leads U.S. in use of electronic medical records.(DATA WATCH)
November 1, 2004... Europe Leads U.S. in use of Electronic Medical Records General Practictioners/ Primary Care Physicians Who Use EMRs Sweden 90% Netherlands ...

Insurers push evidence-based medicine in Tenn.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- In a trade-off designed to encourage Tennessee physicians to use evidence-based medicine, one insurer is paying for phone calls, e-mails, and other services that are not usually reimbursed. In the first phase of the project,...

Strength and flexibility for older patients, part 1.(EXERCISE RX)
November 1, 2004... Between ages 55 and 65, your patients will lose about 15%-20% of their muscle mass unless they take action to prevent it. Even people who are fairly healthy are vulnerable to this age-related change. In my first three columns, I'll describe...

Metabolic syndrome linked to stroke risk.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- Metabolic syndrome appears to confer a twofold increase in the risk of stroke, Xuejuan Jin, M.D., reported at a prevention conference on heart disease and stroke sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In an...

DHEA supplementation may enhance benefits of exercise.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... LISBON -- Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation may enhance the glucose- and lipid-lowering effects of resistance exercise in women. Chia-Hua Kuo, Ph.D., reported at the 12th International Congress on Endocrinology. The findings suggest...

Onychomycosis.(WOMEN'S HEALTH ADVISER)
November 1, 2004... Onychomycosis--fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails--is a common problem, affecting up to 25% of the population. The most common infective organisms--Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum--are dermatophytes commonly...

IBS drug approved for idiopathic constipation.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... Tegaserod, approved in 2002 for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in women, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating chronic idiopathic constipation in women and men younger than 65. The...

Smoking cessation.(DRUG UPDATE)
November 1, 2004... Nicotine addiction is a chronic condition with a very high rate of relapse. Pharmacologic agents significantly increase a person's chances of quitting, particularly when used as part of a comprehensive plan that also includes counseling and...

Hepatitis C info on the Web.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse Web site offers health care professionals a comprehensive review of available testing, diagnostic, and treatment options for hepatitis C. It lists contacts that provide free patient...

Birth control Web site.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals offers an online tool. "Birth Control: How Hormones Work to Prevent Pregnancy," to help women better under stand hormonal contraception. The tool, which is available online at...

Clinical trials education materials.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The National Cancer Institute has released a new Clinical Trials Education Series of materials to help physicians educate cancer patients about how clinical trials work and how to decide if participation is right for them. To order free...

Updated birth control Web site.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals has updated its Choosing a Birth Control Method Web site. The interactive Web tool helps patients choose which type of contraception is best for them. For more information, visit...

Implications of research.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The National Human Genome Research Institute will be awarding $20 million in grants over the next 5 years to fund Centers for Excellence in Ethical. Legal, and Social Implications Research. The first four centers will be located in Cleveland;...

Contraception Resource Center.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals has developed an online Contraception Resource Center. The site provides information on contraception for providers and patients. For more information,...

Herbal safety Web site.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The University of Texas at El Paso/University of Texas, Austin, Cooperative Pharmacy Program has developed a Web site to provide herbal safety information to patients and physicians. For more information, www.herbalsafety.utep.edu.

Women's cardiovascular resource.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The American Heart Association has developed an online tool kit to help physicians educate women about cardiovascular disease. The tool kit offers posters, guidelines, and other resources. Visit www.myamericanheart.org.

Bioterrorism prophylaxis guide.(FYI)
November 1, 2004... The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has developed a new bioterrorism guide for public health officials entitled "Community-Based Mass Prophylaxis: A Planning Guide for Public Health Preparedness." The guide, which deals with...

Genital prolapse.
November 1, 2004... This is the second installment of a two-part article on laparoscopic enterocele repair and vaginal vault suspension. The author, Dr. C.Y. Liu, is a noted authority on the laparoscopic approach to pelvic floor reconstruction. In Part 1 of...

Part 2: laparoscopic enterocele repair and vaginal vault suspension.(THE MASTER CLASS)
November 1, 2004... Prolapse is a hernia. Therefore, the reconstructive surgery for prolapse must strictly adhere to the principles of hernia repair, including the use of permanent nonabsorbable sutures for the fascial defects and the tying and reapproximation of...

Surgeon General takes aim at osteoporosis.(News)
November 15, 2004... WASHINGTON -- More than enough is known about how to promote bone health and prevent fractures, yet too few health care providers make use of this information, according to the first-ever U.S. Surgeon General's report aimed at raising the...

Compensation for women lags in academic medicine.(VITAL SIGNS)
November 15, 2004... Compensation for Women Lags in Academic Medicine Note: Based on a survey of 1,814 full-time medical school faculty from 24 randomly selected medical schools in the contiguous United States conducted in 1995-1996. Source: Ann. Intern....

Prolonged OC use linked to decline in risk of CVD: new analyses of WHI data also show decreased risk of endometrial, ovarian ca.(News)
November 15, 2004... PHILADELPHIA -- Extended use of oral contraceptives significantly reduces the risk of gynecologic cancers, as well as cardiovascular disease, according to two new analyses of data from the Women's Health Initiative. The findings of a...

Serial echo recommended in some lupus pregnancies: small risk of congenital heart block present.(News)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Exposure to maternal lupus autoantibodies confers a risk of congenital heart block and neonatal lupus on the fetus, but the risk is small, and no medical treatment is currently recommended, Jill P. Buyon, M.D., said at a meeting...

Ductal lavage not a sensitive screening tool for breast cancer, study suggests.(News)
November 15, 2004... The sensitivity of ductal lavage in detecting breast cancer was so low in a recent study that it cannot be recommended as a screening tool, investigators have reported. "Ductal lavage should not be recommended to high-risk women as a...

No analgesia given in most circumcisions.(News)
November 15, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Fewer than half of 1,814 infants undergoing circumcision received analgesia despite recommendations for its use during circumcision by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics,...

Industry incentives may help ensure flu vaccine supply.(News)
November 15, 2004... With the United States facing an influenza vaccine shortage this season, vaccine experts are calling for long-term solutions to ensure adequate supplies in the future. "It's such a fragile supply system and such an unpredictable demand...

Menopause Society moderates HT stance, warns about 'bioidentical' hormone products.(News)
November 15, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The latest position statement on hormone therapy in peri- and postmenopausal women issued by the North American Menopause Society moderates prior guidance on treatment duration and adds a new warning about "bioidentical" hormone...

Alcohol tied to bone density gain.(News)
November 15, 2004... SEATTLE -- Beer and wine increase bone mineral density in a dose-dependent fashion, according to data from the Framingham Offspring Study. "I think the major effect is an estrogenic or hormonal effect of the alcohol itself," Katherine L....

The pitfalls of regulating academia.(GUEST EDITORIAL)
November 15, 2004... The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, and multiple other national, state, and local agencies are very, very busy, ensuring quality of care. No one can argue with the desired...

Are caps the answer to the malpractice crisis?(PRO & CON)
November 15, 2004... YES There are multiple fires burning in our health care system, but the malpractice insurance crisis is among the most serious, and ironically, the one that can be most easily remedied. Caps on noneconomic damages are a critical first...

Ultrasonic shears advocated for node retrieval.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Use of ultrasonic shears for pelvic and paraaortic lymph node retrieval appears to be safe, effective, and potentially advantageous, compared with other modalities, Dr. Jyoti Yadav said at an international congress of the Society of...

Laparoscopic myomectomy called safe, reliable.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Laparoscopic myomectomy is safe and reliable, even in the presence of multiple or enlarged myomas, Ornella Sizzi, M.D., said at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. Although laparoscopic...

Neuromodulation treats pain, bladder symptoms.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Sacral neuromodulation appears effective in modulating pelvic pain in patients who have both refractory chronic pelvic pain and irritable voiding symptoms, Jackie S. Shriver, a nurse-practitioner, said at an international congress...

Interstitial cystitis and adenomyosis frequently coexist in chronic pelvic pain syndrome.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... NEW YORK -- Interstitial cystitis often coexists with adenomyosis, just as it does with endometriosis, Stephen A. Grochmal, M.D., said at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. "How many patients do we have...

Valacyclovir, acyclovir for genital HSV.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... Both valacyclovir and acyclovir were highly effective for suppressing the frequency and quantity of genital-herpes simplex virus shedding in a double-blind, three-period crossover study. In 69 immunocompetent patients with genital HSV-2 who...

Do simple tests before incontinence surgery: special urodynamic testing called often unnecessary in those with obvious gross anatomic pelvic defects.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Sophisticated urodynamic testing is rarely necessary before undertaking surgical correction of obvious anterior compartment defects associated with female incontinence, according to Marvin H. Terry Grody, M.D. Moreover, he...

Physicians may underestimate severity of cystitis symptoms.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- A perception gap exists between women with acute cystitis and their physicians in terms of assessment of symptom severity, Richard Colgan, M.D., said at WONCA 2004, the conference of the World Organization of Family Doctors....

Vaginectomy right for some with pelvic prolapse.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... WASHINGTON -- For a carefully chosen group of patients, total vaginectomy with sling urethropexy may be a good option for the treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse. That conclusion was based on a retrospective, observational study of...

EC knowledge doesn't raise risk.(Gynecology)
November 15, 2004... Knowledge of emergency contraception was not associated with increased sexual risk-taking in a telephone survey of 1,158 adolescents aged 14-19 years in Monroe County, N.Y., Elizabeth Kelts, M.D., of the University of Rochester said at the...

Maternal hypothyroidism tied to cognitive deficits in offspring.(Obstetrics)
November 15, 2004... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Children whose mothers were hypothyroid during pregnancy display selective cognitive deficits out to at least age 5 years, Joanne Rovet, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association. The nature...

Doctors at odds over thyroid function testing.(Obstetrics)
November 15, 2004... VANCOUVER, B. C. -- Two recent multidisciplinary conferences on thyroid disease in pregnancy underscore major philosophical differences between obstetricians and endocrinologists regarding the appropriate use of thyroid function testing to...

HIV drugs in breast milk may help protect infants.(Obstetrics)
November 15, 2004... BOSTON -- High levels of antiretroviral drugs measured in the breast milk of HIV-positive mothers and in the blood of their breast-fed infants could protect against transmission of the virus from mother to baby, Roger L. Shapiro, M.D., said at...