OB GYN News articles from October 2004

OB GYN News archives from October 2004

Calif. ob.gyns. embrace MICRA.(News)
October 1, 2004... The $250,000 cap on "pain and suffering" damage awards in California malpractice suits has not been raised in 30 years. And that's just fine with many physicians in the state. "It's a tremendous benefit for us, but it's still not enough,"...

Private insurers now paying nearly half of total drug expenditures.(Vital Signs)
October 1, 2004... Private Insurers Now Paying Nearly Half of Total Drug Expenditures Note: Based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation

Investigational drug ups HDL by 27% in one year: linked to weight loss, improved smoking cessation, reversal of metabolic syndrome.(News)
October 1, 2004... MUNICH -- The investigational drug rimonabant, first in a new class of agents known as selective endocannabinoid type 1 receptor blockers, is looking more and more like the real deal: a potential blockbuster drug causing sustained weight loss...

Leptin eased hypothalamic amenorrhea in small trial: potential tx for infertility, anorexia nervosa.(News)
October 1, 2004... LISBON -- Recombinant human leptin appears to normalize many of the hormonal defects associated with hypothalamic amenorrhea, Dr. Christos S. Mantzoros reported at the 12th International Congress of Endocrinology. The results of this...

No radiation for some breast ca patients.(News)
October 1, 2004... Adjuvant radiation may not be necessary for some women over age 70 who undergo lumpectomy for early breast cancer, but it still should be used in younger women, results of two large, randomized studies suggest. In recent years, adjuvant...

HIV prevention program shows early success.(News)
October 1, 2004... A CDC strategy for preventing HIV that involves expanding routine, voluntary testing is proving successful. A state-funded program in Massachusetts that offers HIV counseling, testing, and referral to patients seeking care at urgent care...

Breast ca mortality tied to age at diagnosis, stage.(News)
October 1, 2004... Women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50, or at an advanced stage at any age, are more likely to die from that cancer than from any other cause of death, according to a study of more than 400,000 breast cancer patients. Black women...

Physician unions are bad for patients, government report says.(News)
October 1, 2004... Allowing physicians to bargain collectively "will harm consumers financially and is unlikely to result in quality improvements," according to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. The comments were made as part of a...

More are uninsured as employers drop coverage.(News)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The number of people in the United States without health insurance rose to 45 million in 2003, U.S. Census Bureau data show. The increase from 2002 to 2003 amounted to 1.4 million uninsured Americans, with the percentage of...

The Kerry proposal presented.(Health Care 2004: You Decide)
October 1, 2004... John Kerry understands that our health care system faces important challenges and it will require national leadership to meet them. The number of people who do not have health care coverage is going up, overall health care costs are going...

The Bush proposal presented.(Health Care 2004: You Decide)
October 1, 2004... Americans can take pride that we have the best health care in the world--committed doctors and nurses, state-of-the-art medical devices, and life-saving prescription drugs. Despite our successes, there are still too many gaps in quality, too...

Walking toward glycemic control.(Guest Editorial)
October 1, 2004... We are all frustrated at times in our efforts to improve glycemic control in our diabetic patients. We tend to focus on nutrition and medications, over-looking exercise. Sure, we tell patients that they need to lose weight and start exercising,...

What about estrogen?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... In the article about the recent JAMA report showing no benefits in cognition, bone density, or lipid profiles from soy supplements. Pauline Maki, Ph.D., said, "There might indeed be some benefit of soy for women if they start it early enough"...

Are we ready for EHRs?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Electronic health record systems are promoted seemingly more for the sake of acquiring and using the technology than for specific benefits that cannot be gained in some other way ("Feds Outline Strategies for Increasing Use of EHRs," Sept. 1,...

Blood pressure in pregnancy: how low can you go?(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Aiming for "normal" blood pressure in a pregnant patient with chronic hypertension may set the fetus up for problems by worsening preexisting placental insufficiency. Dr. Christy Isler said at the annual Southern Obstetric...

Pregnancy-induced HT is on the rise.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the United States more than doubled between 1993 and 2000, national hospital discharge data show. The alarming trend is of serious concern because pregnancy-induced hypertension...

What women want during labor may surprise you.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- How women rate their childbirth experience and how health care workers view childbirth frequently diverge, Tekoa L. King said at a meeting on antepartum and intrapartum management sponsored by the University of California, San...

Pain is major patient concern with C-section.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Pain during and after cesarean section was the most commonly cited concern among women in a recent survey designed to identify patient preferences regarding anesthesia. Of 82 women surveyed, 42% listed intraoperative...

Ropivacaine may benefit preeclampsia, IUGR.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Epidural ropivacaine is showing promise for the treatment of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Dr. Yehuda Ginosar said at the annual meeting of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology. In...

Early neuraxial analgesia proves superior for pain relief, shorter labor than opioids.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Early neuraxial analgesia provided better pain relief, was associated with a shorter labor, and did not increase the cesarean delivery rate when compared with systemic opioid analgesia in a large, randomized trial. The...

Fetal problems rise with serum bile acid levels in cholestasis of pregnancy.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... The rate of fetal complications increases when maternal serum bile acid levels become elevated in women who develop intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, reported Dr. Anna Glantz of Sahlgrenska University Hospital/East, Goteborg, Sweden, and...

Neonatal mortality on the decline.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... Neonatal mortality in the United States declined 25% from 1989 to 2001, but racial and ethnic disparities persisted, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate of neonatal mortality, defined as death...

Cytokines up in pregnant smokers.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- A study of cervical anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations has found that cigarette smoking during pregnancy may weaken the innate immune defense of the lower genital tract, Dr. Hyagriv Simhan reported at the annual meeting of...

Postpartum headaches often go unrecognized.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... FORT MYERS, FLA. -- The majority of postpartum headaches are primary headaches, and many go untreated, a large study suggests. About 39% of 985 postpartum women in the prospective cohort study developed a postpartum headache. Primary...

Center addresses Perinatal Medicine and Law for residents.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Ob.gyn. residents learn about some pregnancy complications that are so rare that many will never encounter such cases during their careers. Yet few get trained to handle a problem that three-quarters of obstetricians will face...

Sharp rises seen in Canadian maternal morbidity factors.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... EDMONTON, ALTA. -- Six contributors to severe maternal morbidity rose at least 50% over a 9-year period in Canada, quite likely reflecting changes in maternal demographics that parallel trends in the United States, Dr. Thomas F. Baskett...

Routine coached pushing may be harmful: when done in the second stage of labor, it adversely impacts bladder capacity, first urge to void, trial shows.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- First urge to void and bladder capacity were negatively impacted by coached maternal pushing during the second stage of labor, compared with uncoached pushing, results from a randomized trial suggest. In addition, a trend...

Glucose metabolism may link maternal obesity with NTDs.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- As researchers struggle to understand the strong association between maternal obesity and neural tube defects, glucose metabolism is receiving increased scrutiny in studies, Gary Shaw, Ph.D., said during the annual meeting of...

Fetal nasal bone length shown to be independent of maternal factors.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... PHOENIX -- A woman's ethnic origin, age, weight, and diabetic status do not significantly affect the rate of growth or length of her fetus's nasal bones, Dr. Ants Toi said at the annual meeting of the American Institute of Ultrasound in...

Selected abnormalities per 1,000 live births, 2002.(Data Watch)
October 1, 2004... Selected Abnormalities per 1,000 Live Births, 2002 Assisted ventilation <30 min 21.2 Assisted ventilation [greater than or equal to]30 min 9.6 Hyaline membrane disease/RDS 6.1...

Baths may lower intensity of active labor pain.(Obstetrics)
October 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Taking a bath can decrease the pain of active labor and reduce the use of analgesics, but don't draw the water if the mother is less than 5 cm dilated or you may prolong labor, Tekoa L. King said at a meeting on antepartum and...

Drugs of limited use in female sex dysfunction.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... YOSEMITE, CALIF. -- Most of the research on drug treatment of female sexual desire disorder and sexual arousal disorder has shown modest or no benefit and suggests limited application, Dr. Mary C. Ciotti said at a meeting on obstetrics and...

Ultrasound best for adnexal masses diagnosis.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Ultrasound is usually the best imaging study for diagnosis of adnexal masses and is able to predict malignancy around 90% of the time, Dr. Samuel Lentz said at the annual Southern Obstetrics and Gynecology seminar. MRI...

Athletic performance not affected by OCs.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... Oral contraceptives significantly change body composition in female athletes with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea but have little immediate effect on physical performance, according to a study. Dr. Anette Rickenlund of Karolinska University...

SUI risk in white women tripple that in blacks.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- White women aged 40-69 years have a nearly threefold greater risk of stress urinary incontinence, compared with blacks in the same age group, according to a large population study. "These results suggest that there are...

Vaginal bulge may be pelvic organ prolapse.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- When a patient reports that she has a bulge in the vaginal region, her symptoms may indicate that she has experienced a pelvic organ prolapse. Any woman with suspected prolapse deserves a careful exam, Dr. Jasmine Tan said...

The silicone ring pessary called most useful for majority of women with vaginal prolapse.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... YOSEMITE, CALIF. -- Pessaries for vaginal prolapse come in many shapes and styles, but the simplest one is still the best--the ring pessary, Dr. Charles W. Nager said at a meeting on obstetrics and gynecology sponsored by Symposia Medicus. ...

Bioequivalence of generic Synthroid questioned.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... A recently approved generic formulation of levothyroxine "is significantly more potent" than Synthroid, and could lead to serious side effects if a patient were switched from one to the other, two clinical endocrinology organizations have...

Probiotic can't prevent yeast infection.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... Lactobacillus taken after a course of antibiotics for a nongynecologic infection does not prevent vaginal yeast infections, reported Dr. Marie Pirotta and her colleagues at the University of Melbourne (Australia). The benefits of...

Laparoscopic staging for early ovarian ca studied: there were no significant differences between cases and controls in mean left or right pelvic lymph nodes.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Laparoscopic surgical staging is safe and adequate for patients with apparent stage I ovarian and fallopian tube cancer, results from a preliminary analysis suggest. "Larger studies with long-term follow-up are needed to...

Discuss risks and benefits of ovarian ca screening.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Women at increased risk for ovarian cancer who undergo screening for the disease could experience either a positive or negative impact on their quality of life, and physicians who suggest screening to these patients should discuss...

Family history of breast cancer may increase adverse effects of stress.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Ordinary life stressors such as those experienced in the work place may be more detrimental to the health of women with a family history of breast cancer than to those with normal breast cancer risk, a recent study suggests....

Chlorhexidine bests povidone iodine in small study.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Chlorhexidine was more effective than povidone iodine in sterilizing the vagina before hysterectomy in a small, randomized study. "We can't say that using chlorhexidine would lead to a reduction in infections following vaginal...

Suburethral sling treats occult stress urinary incontinence.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Suburethral sling treatment of occult stress urinary incontinence and intrinsic sphincter deficiency with Mersilene mesh is effective in women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery for either severe anterior or posterior...

For vulvar vestibulitis, 5% lidocaine found effective.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Long-term use of 5% lidocaine ointment shows promise as a treatment for the management of vulvar vestibulitis, vaginal apex pain, and intrinsic cervical pain, Dr. John Steege said at a meeting sponsored by the International Pelvic...

Intravaginal danazol gel acts locally to relieve endometriosis pain.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- A novel formulation of intravaginal danazol significantly reduced chronic pelvic pain in a small study of women with endometriosis, Dr. Thomas Janicki said in a poster presentation at a meeting sponsored by the International Pelvic...

Advances favor tests to gauge osteoporosis risk.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... SANTA MONICA, CALIF. -- Clinicians can expect more information about their patients' bone health after referring them for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry screening. That's because a new ICD-9 code will soon reimburse radiologists for...

Gene identified as crucial for female sexual development.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... The discovery of a single-gene mutation in an 18-year-old female patient who lacks a uterus and vagina suggests that, as with the male, much of female sexual development is directed by a single gene, reported Dr. Anna Biason-Lauber and...

Depo-Provera users appear to be prone to STDs: the use of oral contraceptives was not associated with increased risk or development of infections.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... Use of Depo-Provera was significantly associated with the development of cervical infections in a study of 819 women, said Charles S. Morrison, Ph.D. Even after adjustment for sexual behavior and demographic traits including condom use and...

Order rapid HSV tests by name from lab.(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Make sure to order commercially available herpes simplex virus serology tests from your laboratory by name because not all such tests are created equal, Dr. Anna Wald said during the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases...

If the HPV vaccine ever becomes available, will patients want to get it?(Gynecology)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Without a thorough public education program, ignorance and stigma could stymie any future attempts to vaccinate Americans against human papillomavirus. "Having a vaccine available doesn't necessarily mean the public will...

Inactivity better than BMI at flagging heart risk.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... Physical inactivity and high body mass index are not necessarily equivalent in terms of predicting disease risk in women, according to findings from two studies. Inactivity predicted increased heart disease risk in women with suspected...

Duloxetine approved to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... After a 6-month priority review, the Food and Drug Administration last month approved duloxetine for managing pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a symptom of nerve damage that affects up to 5 million Americans with diabetes....

Nearly 30% of adults reported needing a mental health professional in the past 2 years.(Data Watch)
October 1, 2004... Nearly 30% of Adults Reported Needing A Mental Health Professional in the Past 2 Years No 72% Yes 27% Notes: Based on a national telephone survey of 500 adults conducted Feb. 16 to March 5, 2004. Fewer than 1% either declined...

Use your power to help patients quit smoking: the more the message is repeated, the more likely it is to be heeded. 'It's a dose-response relationship.'.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- Yes, you can get your patients to quit smoking. Physicians "really do have the tools to get people to quit smoking. We need to give patients a clear and unambiguous message," Dr. William C. Bailey said at the annual meeting...

Percent of smokers in various age groups, 2002.(Data Watch)
October 1, 2004... Percent of Smokers in Various Age Groups, 2002 (n = 30,706) 18-24 28.5% 25-44 25.7% 45-64 22.7% [greater than or equal to]65 9.3% ...

Genetics differences affect responses to medications.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- A new report on health care for Hispanic Americans highlights some genetic differences in responses to medications and alerts physicians to disparities in the delivery of care. "Genes, Culture, and Medicines: Bridging Gaps...

Milk and risk of colorectal ca.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... Increased consumption of milk and calcium is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, according to a pooled analysis of 10 prospective, cohort studies. Consumption of milk was associated with a significant trend toward a reduced...

Temporomandibular joint disorders.(Women's Health Adviser)
October 1, 2004... More than 10 million Americans experience temporomandibular joint disorders each year. These common but poorly understood conditions are characterized by pain in the jaw and associated muscles. The pain can be quite severe, limiting normal jaw...

Avian influenza viruses may spark next pandemic.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... Avian influenza viruses could spark the next influenza pandemic, if they acquire the ability to pass from human to human, experts say. The A(H5N1) strain is of most concern, and has been associated with unusually severe human infection...

U.S. flu pandemic plan highlights local response.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... The United States should prepare now for the next influenza pandemic, which may be caused by a mutation of the avian flu viruses that now appear endemic in some parts of Asia and Europe, federal officials have said. Before the next...

Influenza and pneumonia death rates among females, 1999-2001.(Data Watch)
October 1, 2004... Influenza and Pneumonia Death Rates Among Females, 1999-2001 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Tailor HIV prevention to patient.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... MIAMI -- HIV prevention efforts should be comprehensive and tailored to individuals on the basis of their serostatus, according to a presentation at a conference sponsored by the American Foundation for AIDS Research. There is some good...

Take blame out of prevention efforts and messages to people with HIV, activist advises.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... MIAMI -- If HIV prevention messages are to be effective, a shift in strategy--away from assigning blame--is needed, said Terje Anderson, executive director, National Association of People With AIDS, Washington. "We've built up this whole...

New blood pursuing phlebology training: ranks of American College of Phlebology growing at 17% per year.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... A growing number of physicians are pumped up about phlebology. "There have been some revolutionary things happening" in treatments for varicose veins and other venous problems in recent years, said Dr. Steven E. Zimmet, president-elect of...

Report proposes greater taxpayer funding for education of health professionals.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- A 30-year-old change in U.S. policy on the financing of medical education must be corrected to encourage more minorities to enter the health professions, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan said at the annual meeting of the National Medical...

Doctor groups still back clinical trials registry.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The pharmaceutical industry's new Web-based database on U.S. clinical drug trial results doesn't eliminate the need for required trial registration, physician groups claim. On Oct. 1, the Pharmaceutical Researchers and...

Plaintiffs' lawyers get more sophisticated, win more cases.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... YOSEMITE, CALIF. -- Plaintiffs' attorneys are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their handling of medical malpractices cases and winning more frequently, Dr. Thomas R. Moore said during a conference on obstetrics and gynecology sponsored...

Abortion Ban struck down.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2004... Federal judges in both New York and Nebraska recently have struck down the "Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003" in two separate challenges to the law. Both judges found that the law is unconstitutional because it fails to provide an...

Contraceptive mandate.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2004... Employers and state-run colleges and universities in the state of Wisconsin that sponsor health benefit plans are now required to provide coverage of prescription contraceptives, according to an opinion issued by the Wisconsin state attorney...

HIV materials.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2004... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued new guidelines for HIV/AIDS materials that would require them to be reviewed by an additional layer of state and local health officials. Currently, all HIV educational materials...

Scientific integrity.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2004... The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals is giving guidance to policy makers on how to develop policy that's based on scientific evidence, not ideology. The association released a statement, "Core Principles and Policies to Restore...

Part B premium hike.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2004... Patients enrolled in Medicare Part B will see an $11.60 a month increase in their premiums starting in January 2005. The new premium will be $78.20 a month. This is the largest dollar increase in Part B premiums in the history of the Medicare...

COMPLICATIONS may help avoid legal action.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... SPOKANE, WASH. -- In this litigious era, it's important for physicians to remember that not every medical complication constitutes a breach of duty, Dr. Abel Torres said at the annual Pacific Northwest Dermatology Conference. Unwanted...

Consumer-driven plans haven't caught fire yet.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Consumer-driven health care plans have yet to catch on with most patients. These high-deductible spending accounts were designed to empower patients to make informed choices about their health care and provide them with more...

Medicare drug reimbursement causing concern.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Medicare's new methodology for determining how much to pay for drugs administered in the doctor's office is raising physician concerns even before it's implemented. Members of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, which...

Disable used needles.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The NeedleZap mobile health kit uses low-voltage electricity to disable needles and destroy blood-borne pathogens. The device can be used with standard needles sized 16-30 gauge. For more information, contact Health Care Logistics Inc.,...

Anthrax quick ELISA test.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The quick enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay anthrax test detects the antibodies to Bacillus anthracis. The test can be completed in 45 minutes. For more information, contact Immunetics Inc., 800-227-4765, www.immunetics.com.

Medicare consumer reference flyers.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The Medicare Rights Center offers a series of five flyers explaining Medicare coverage to patients. Available in bulk only, 5,000 flyers (1,000 of each) cost $800; 2,500 flyers (500 of each) cost $500. For more information, call 212-204-6210.

Nasal congestion relief.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Claritin-D 12-hour and 24-hour (loratadine/pseudoephedrine sulfate) extended release tablets are indicated for the relief of nasal congestion due to the common cold in adults and children aged 12 years and older. Contact Schering-Plough Corp.,...

Magnifying exam lights.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The Ring Light Magnifier series of lights can be attached to an examination table. The lights provide 22 watts of light and offer 3x magnification. Contact Sunnex Inc., 800-445-7869, www.sunnexonline.com.

Pendulum camera heads.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The Image 1 pendulum camera heads are small in size with multiple focal lengths. Contact Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Inc., 800-421-0837, www.karlstorz.com.

Oral contraceptive carrying case.(Products)
October 1, 2004... "Expressions" is the latest addition to the Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical's Personal Pak line of oral contraceptive carrying cases. The case is available for $5.95 plus $1.95 shipping and handling. To order, visit www.personalpak.com.

Generic contraceptive injection.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension is approved as a contraceptive and is packaged in 150-mg/mL single-dose vials. For more information, contact Sicor Pharmaceuticals Inc., 800-729-9991, customer.service@sicor.com.