OB GYN News articles from September 2005

OB GYN News archives from September 2005

Progesterone to curb preterm birth.(News)
September 1, 2005... With proper informed consent, the prescription of progesterone to prevent preterm birth in appropriate patients should not put physicians at increased risk of liability, according to several experts. In fact, physicians may face a lawsuit...

Median compensatory jury awards leveled off in malpractice cases.(VITAL SIGNS)
September 1, 2005... Median Compensatory Jury Awards Leveled Off in Malpractice Cases Note: Based on a nationwide database of more than 213,000 plaintiff and defense verdicts, and settlements resulting from personal injury claims. Source: Jury Verdict...

Family physicians' VBAC guideline raises concerns: availability of surgical teams is at issue.(News)
September 1, 2005... New clinical guidelines issued by the American Academy of Family Physicians have raised concerns at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Under those guidelines, a trial of labor after cesarean section should be offered...

EBV in pregnancy said to pose little threat to fetus.
September 1, 2005... ST. PETE BEACH, FLA. -- Maternal infection with the Epstein-Barr virus does not appear to represent a major teratogenic risk, Meytal Avgil, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the Teratology Society. The herpes virus--and the cause of...

Structured diet nears statin for LDL lowering.(News)
September 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- Diet can work almost as well as a statin for cutting a patient's level of LDL cholesterol. Patients who stuck with a highly structured diet rich in plant sterols, soy protein, viscous fibers, and almonds maintained their serum...

Florida Institute says it's first.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2005... I am writing on behalf of Kevin Winslow, M.D., medical director at the Florida Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Jacksonville ("Egg Freezing in IVF Holds Promise," July 1, 2005, p. 1). The statement, "The most extensive U.S. experience...

Expensive devices not always 'better'.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2005... I found the juxtaposition of two of your articles in the July 15, 2005, issue interesting. The first, "FDA Advisory Panel OKs Fetal Monitoring Device" (p. 1), is about a mechanical device (the STAN monitor) designed to correct the flaws of...

AMA isn't helping physicians.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2005... The article regarding the American Medical Association policy debate demonstrates the reason many doctors do not want to be involved with the organization ("AMA Guidelines on Pay for Performance Divide Specialities," July 15, 2005, p. 1). ...

EHR interoperability still a problem.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2005... Upfront costs remain the biggest stumbling block to adoption of electronic health records, especially by small practices ("Panel Seeks Government, Private Sector to Team for IT Adoption," July 1, 2005, p. 36). Physicians are also concerned...

Pain relievers.(Opinion)(Cartoon)
September 1, 2005... PAIN RELIEVERS

Setting an exercise example.(GUEST EDITORIAL)
September 1, 2005... American medicine has allowed itself to become lost. Our $1.8 trillion annual outlay for health care nets us a 37th place world ranking in composite health outcomes. Other industrialized countries (such as Norway, which ranks first) spend far...

Mothers' folate levels linked to birth weight.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... Maternal folate status is an important predictor of infant birth weight, a prospective study has shown. In a cohort of nearly 1,000 expectant mothers, those with lower levels of erythrocyte red blood cell (RBC) folate in early pregnancy...

Rodents pose LCMV risk to pregnant women.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... Pregnant women and women who think they might become pregnant should avoid the care and feeding of pet rodents and avoid contact with wild rodents to reduce their risk of contracting the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus from the animals, the...

Hispanics less likely to get prenatal GBS screen.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... Hispanic women and those who receive prenatal care at a hospital or clinic were less likely to be screened for group B streptococcus in North Carolina during 2002-2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. In 2002, the...

Discuss wine consumption in pregnancy.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... ST. PETE BEACH, FLA. -- Take time to focus specifically on wine consumption when routinely questioning pregnant patients about their use of alcohol. That was the message in a poster on a study of alcohol consumption during pregnancy...

Laparoscopic cervicoisthmic cerclage in pregnancy.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. -- A significant number of successful deliveries have occurred, and one patient has delivered two babies, following laparoscopic cervicoisthmic cerclage performed during pregnancy at the University of Illinois, Chicago....

Oral misoprostol as effective as oxytocin injection for treating postpartum bleeding.(Clinical report)
September 1, 2005... QUEBEC CITY -- Oral misoprostol appears to be as effective as oxytocin by injection in reducing blood loss at delivery, but is associated with an increased need for additional oxytocic drugs, according to a randomized, controlled trial...

Passive, active smoking both may affect fetus.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... A pregnant woman's exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke may be just as risky to the fetus as is active smoking, according to a pooled data reanalysis conducted by Stephen G. Grant, Ph.D., of the University of Pittsburgh. "This analysis...

MRI 'promising' in evaluating fetal, intracranial lesions, but challenges remain: the technology is costly and its availability is limited; false-positive and false-negative diagnoses also at issue.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... ORLANDO -- MRI for evaluating fetal and intracranial lesions shows promise, but challenges remain, Asad U. Sheikh, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. "MRI has become more useful for...

Placental compensation may affect fetal growth.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... QUEBEC CITY -- Placental compensation may influence fetal growth in women with gestational hypertension, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. "Pregnancies...

T1-weighted MRI confirms postdural puncture headache.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- If you suspect a postdural puncture headache but aren't sure, order a T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium contrast for the patient, David C. Mayer, M.D., advised at the Southern Obstetric and Gynecologic Seminar. "It used to...

Team-based approach key to care in peripartum cardiomyopathy.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Focus on the woman's health in those rare cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy, said Thomas S. Ivester, M.D., at the Southern Obstetric and Gynecologic Seminar. "Maternal health is of paramount importance in this situation,"...

After laparoscopic myomectomy, vaginal delivery can be safe.(Obstetrics)
September 1, 2005... Vaginal delivery after laparoscopic myomectomy can be accomplished safely without uterine rupture by using management protocols that are similar to those used for vaginal birth after cesarean section, reported Jun Kumakiri, M.D., and his...

Adding ultrasound ups sensitivity of AFP screen to 98%: study.(alpha fetoprotein )
September 1, 2005... ORLANDO -- Adding ultrasound to maternal serum AFP screening may help clinicians identify fetal neural tube defects, according to research that was presented during the annual meeting of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. ...

Young breast Ca patients at higher risk of distress.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... BOSTON -- The psychosocial needs of young breast cancer patients should be viewed in a different context than those of older women, said Lidia Schapira, M.D. "Premenopausal women with breast cancer are at greater risk of psychological...

Ablative options advance breast cancer treatment.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Ablation is playing an increasingly important role in the treatment of breast cancers, according to experts at the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons. Ablation-assisted lumpectomy techniques,...

Bone drugs underused by oral steroid patients.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Bisphosphonates remain underutilized in the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, despite national clinical guidelines that recommend their use in patients on long-term oral steroid therapy, Rosemarie Liu, M.D., said...

Younger women are more likely to delay or forgo needed health care because of cost.(DATA WATCH)
September 1, 2005... Younger Women Are More Likely to Delay or Forgo Needed Health Care Because of Cost 18-44 years 30% 45-64 years 23% [greater than or equal to]65 years 9% All ages ...

Survey focuses on adherence gap in osteoporosis therapy.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... VIENNA -- Most physicians remain unaware of the factors that motivate women to stay on osteoporosis therapy, according to the results of a recent survey released by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. As a result of this...

Physicians differ in osteoporosis screening, diagnosis, treatment.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Endocrinologists and rheumatologists are the most aggressive specialists when it comes to the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis, Tiffany Karas, M.D., and her associates reported in a poster at the annual meeting...

Get the facts straight to improve bone health.(malnutrition affects bone health)
September 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- With a virtual alphabet soup of vitamin and mineral supplements available--and a constant barrage of new nutritional advice each week--it's a challenge to know what truly bolsters bone health, Neil Binkley, M.D., said at the...

Low calcium intake prevalent in women despite socioeconomic status.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... INDIAN WELLS, CALIF. -- Even educated women of high socioeconomic status do not appear to get enough calcium, Andrea Stein, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society. In a survey of 180 middle-aged patients...

Ductal carcinoma in situ patients often mistake risks.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... BOSTON -- Many women with newly diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ harbor grossly inaccurate perceptions of the breast cancer risks they face, which can influence their decision making and health behaviors as well as psychosocial outcomes,...

Older mothers may have special fertility genes.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... COPENHAGEN -- Women who give birth after age 45 may have a special set of genes that makes them more fertile than average women, according to Israeli researchers. "These women are models for us to learn about fertility," Neri Laufer, M.D.,...

Early transfer may offset IVF problems in some.(in vitro fertilization)(Clinical report)
September 1, 2005... COPENHAGEN -- Early embryo transfer on the first day after fertilization may remedy certain in vitro fertilization failures due to poor embryo quality, researchers reported in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of...

Screening unneeded in some older women?(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Women over age 50 with normal Pap results who don't have human papillomavirus probably can safely be excused from cervical screening, Marc F.D. Baay, Ph.D., said in a poster presentation at the 22nd International...

OCs could lessen premenstrual worsening of depression: study.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... ATLANTA -- The use of oral contraceptives appears to decrease the premenstrual worsening of depressive symptoms, Hadine Joffe, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. In preliminary research, the use of...

Educate about douching to discourage intergenerational transfer of invalid information.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Despite the growing consensus that douching can threaten gynecologic health, the practice is not widely discouraged by health care providers, results of a small survey suggest. Furthermore, 73% of the 57 women surveyed (all...

Big jump in plan B emergency contraception prescriptions.(DATA WATCH)
September 1, 2005... Big Jump in Plan B Emergency Contraception Prescriptions Note: Projected from more than 2 billion pharmacy, hospital, and dispensed prescriptions in the United States. Source: Verispan KEVIN FOLEY, RESEARCH/SARAH L. GALLANT, DESIGN...

Herpes spread compounded by ignorance.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... NAPLES, FLA. -- Patients with genital herpes often believe they can't transmit the infection while they are asymptomatic, and the majority of transmissions are probably borne of this ignorance, Stephen K. Tyring, M.D., said at the annual...

Survey detects important gaps in physicians' HPV knowledge.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B. C. -- A large survey of U.S. clinicians in nine specialties identified clinically important gaps in their knowledge of human papillomavirus and found that many don't test for HPV in the recommended ways. Several analyses of...

Access to confidential care promotes gynecologic care in teens.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- The interval between sexual debut and initiation of gynecologic health care was substantial in a recent study of urban adolescent girls, but access to confidential care predicted more timely gynecologic care, M. Diane McKee,...

Hormonal contraceptives, BV up HSV-2 shedding.(Gynecology)
September 1, 2005... BETHESDA, MD. -- The use of hormonal contraception is among the factors associated with increased viral shedding among women with genital herpes simplex virus type-2 infections, Sharon L. Hillier, Ph.D., said at a conference on vul-vovaginal...

Insomnia blunts antidepressant response in elderly: chronic insomnia linked to increased risk of continued depression after 12 months of antidepressant use.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... DENVER -- Chronic insomnia in depressed elderly patients confers roughly a ninefold increased risk of continued depression after as much as 12 months of antidepressant therapy, Wilfred Pigeon, Ph.D., reported during the annual meeting of the...

NIH consensus panel reviews treatments for insomnia.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... New benzodiazepine receptor agonists for chronic insomnia--zaleplon, zolpidem, and eszopiclone--have shown fewer adverse effects compared with other medications, but additional studies are needed to assess these drugs' long-term effectiveness,...

Flu vaccine safe, effective for lupus patients.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... LONDON -- Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who don't get the influenza vaccine risk getting pneumonia or bronchitis--or making their underlying disease worse, a new study has suggested. Influenza vaccination for patients with...

Senior citizens get first shots during shortage.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... In the event of an influenza vaccine shortage during the 2005-2006 season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised physicians to prioritize people age 65 years and older with co-morbid conditions if their local vaccine...

Soy protein exerted BP-lowering effect in 12-week randomized trial.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Increased intake of soybean protein may provide an important means of preventing and treating hypertension, Jiang He, M.D., declared at a meeting sponsored by the International Academy of Cardiology. He presented results...

Acne drug trial offers long-term results.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... MAUI, HAWAII -- An open-label trial of adapalene gel 0.3% offered a rare long-term look at efficacy beyond the standard duration of most clinical acne medication trials. "Most of the trials that we do with retinoids or topical acne...

Weight-training program may improve self-image.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... NASHVILLE, TENN. -- Weight training appears to change the way women with characteristics of disordered eating perceive their body size, Annie C. Wetter, Ph.D., wrote in a poster at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine....

Glycemic control unchanged despite changes in TX strategies.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Despite a rise in the number of treatment regimens for adults with type 2 diabetes during the 1990s, surveys showed no improvement in the number of adults who achieved glycemic control, Tao Fan reported in a poster session at the...

Weight gain seen with most diabetes drugs except metformin.(Clinical Rounds)
September 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Real-world weight changes that occur in diabetic patients with initiation of glucose-lowering drugs generally mirror what is seen in carefully controlled clinical trials, Gregory A. Nichols, Ph.D., reported at the annual scientific...

CMS calls for 4.3% Medicare pay cut next year.(Practice Trends)
September 1, 2005... Physicians face a 4.3% cut to Medicare reimbursements next year unless Congress takes action to change the sustainable growth rate formula. The reduction was announced in a proposed rule that would update payment rates and revise payment...

'Noncompliant' claims won't be paid as of Oct. 1.(Practice Trends)
September 1, 2005... Hello, October -- goodbye, paper Medicare claims. Oct. 1 marks the date that physicians and other providers may no longer submit any paper Medicare claims; electronically filed claims not in compliance with federal regulations also are...

Liability jitters may impede patient safety system.(Practice Trends)
September 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The patient safety system signed into law this summer by President Bush will likely take many months to implement--and is likely to demand some adjustment in physician attitudes about error reporting. Under the new law, a...

Hospitals urged to develop rapid-response teams.(Practice Trends)
September 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- Expanded use of rapid-response teams should be a key element in efforts to reduce hospital mortality, speakers said at the annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Medicine. "Few of us get good team training," said John...

Frist pledges stem cell support.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
September 1, 2005... Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has shifted his support to legislation to expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. Sen. Frist, a physician, previously backed President Bush's policy of limiting federal funding...

The state of pregnancy.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
September 1, 2005... Women having unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek prenatal care and make other healthy choices during their first trimester, according to a recent survey sponsored by First Response. Of women who have had a planned pregnancy, 99%...

Caring for homeless women.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
September 1, 2005... Ob.gyns. should provide care to homeless women in their individual practices without bias but should also work to implement programs for the homeless with their local hospitals and clinics, according to a recent policy statement from the...

Environmental exposure.(POLICY & PRACTICE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... An advocacy organization is calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to begin testing the umbilical cord blood of newborns, citing the results of its own tests of 10 cord blood samples. The Environmental Working Group (EWG)...

Heart trials and women.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
September 1, 2005... More women should be recruited to participate in clinical trials of heart disease to have "statistically sufficient power" to identify whether women respond differently to treatment than men, according to a study published in August in the...

Exercise in pregnancy.(MASTER CLASS)
September 1, 2005... The extraordinary increase in obesity in the United States is giving rise not only to direct complications, such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease, but also to indirect problems such as diabetes. Hence, we have one problem leading into...

Make exercise recommendations a priority.
September 1, 2005... Although exercise is promoted to the general population for its well-recognized benefits, it is still not adequately accepted or recommended during pregnancy. The hesitance of obstetricians to recommend exercise to pregnant women is rooted...

Guide looks at aging and the heart.(FYI)
September 1, 2005... The National Institute on Aging has released "Aging Hearts and Arteries: A Scientific Quest," which provides an overview of cardiac research findings. The booklet looks at the links between aging and cardiovascular diseases. Go to...

Alcohol screening guide.(FYI)
September 1, 2005... The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has released a new guide for physicians to help identify and care for patients with heavy drinking and alcohol use disorders. "Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician's Guide" is...

Insurance eligibility help.(FYI)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is asking physicians to encourage parents to call a toll-free number, 877-KIDS-NOW, as part of the Covering Kids & Families initiative to find out if their uninsured children are eligible for Medicaid or the...

Children and secondhand smoke.(FYI)
September 1, 2005... Sponsors of a new Web site aim to reduce children's exposure to secondhand smoke. The site--sponsored by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among others--offers news on secondhand...

Helping seniors live at home.(FYI)(Brief article)
September 1, 2005... "There's No Place Like Home--For Growing Old: Tips from the National Institute on Aging" is a free fact sheet for older patients that provides suggestions on how seniors can continue to live at home, the type of help available, and how to pay...

Alzheimer's Disease prevention booklet.(FYI)
September 1, 2005... The National Institute on Aging's Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center is offering a free booklet that explores potential prevention strategies. "Genes, Lifestyles, and Crossword Puzzles: Can Alzheimer's Disease Be Prevented?"...

New AMA Board of Trustees delegate.(FYI)
September 1, 2005... Capt. Robert M. Wah, MC, USN, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association as a delegate on the Ob.Gyn. Section Council for the AMA's House of Delegates. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists...

Sex differences in lung Ca highlighted.(FYI)
September 1, 2005... A report on a meeting about sex differences in lung cancer that was sponsored by the Society for Women's Health Research is available on the Internet at www.womenshealthresearch.org/events/sam_houston.htm. The report describes the implications...

Reproductive Health publications.(FYI)
September 1, 2005... The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals has published the third edition of its free "Directory of International Reproductive Health Opportunities for Medical Students" at www.arhp.org/files/InternationalDirectory.pdf. Another free...

Treatment explained to families.(FYI)
September 1, 2005... The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released "What is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families." The resource booklet answers common questions asked by families of people who are entering treatment. The...

Cephalexin for oral suspension.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Keflex powder for oral suspension (cephalexin) is available in two strengths (125 and 250 mg/5 mL) and bottle sizes (100 and 200 mL). The drug is indicated for treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and...

Video discusses hysterectomy.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... The video "Hysterectomy: One Woman's Journey" addresses some of the most common concerns that women have about this procedure. The 27-minute presentation is available in VHS or DVD format. To order free copies of the video, contact Novogyne...

Free cystic fibrosis tests.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Repromedix Corp. is offering two free tests to ob.gyns. in conjunction with the launch of its CF-48 cystic fibrosis tests. The offer is good until December 31, 2005. To sign up, call 800-667-8893.

Acne gel approved.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Aczone (dapsone) gel 5% has been approved for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. Special precautions are advised as regards glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels. For more information, contact QLT USA Inc. by calling 800-663-5486 or by...

Personal washcloths.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Hygea Hands 'N Face personal washcloths contain aloe and vitamin E to help keep patients' skin moisturized. The 6-by-9-inch washcloths are available in 150-count wipe canisters. For more information, contact PDI, Professional Disposables...

Acne-fighting regimen.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... The Teen Acne System includes pHaze 32 blemish control bar, pHaze 35 acne gel, pHaze 18 Clearskin, pHaze 9 purifying mask, pHaze 2 smoothing toner, and pHaze 7 protecting hydrator (SPF 25). For more information, contact Physician's Choice of...

Metronidazole 1% for rosacea.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... MetroGel (metronidazole, 1%) topical gel is indicated for the treatment of the inflammatory lesions of rosacea. The water-based, alcohol-free gel allows for once-a-day dosing. For more information, contact Galderma Laboratories L.P. by calling...

Portable diabetes emergency kit.(PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... The GlucaGen HypoKit (glucagon [rDNA origin] for injection) is available for use to treat severe hypoglycemic reactions that may occur in individuals who have insulin-dependent diabetes. The kit includes a syringe of sterile water for mixing...

Wisc. ob.gyns. lament cap loss.(News)
September 15, 2005... Only 11 ob.gyns. were practicing medicine in rural Eau Claire, Wis., when Donald Weber, M.D., joined his practice in 1986. Now there are 23. There's no doubt that the state's longtime cap on noneconomic damages for medical malpractice...

Most people support restrictions on direct-to-consumer advertising of new drugs.(VITAL SIGNS)
September 15, 2005... Most People Support Restrictions on Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of New Drugs Favor mandatory ban for limited time 35% Favor voluntary ban for limited time 16% Oppose any ban 23% Not sure ...

Plan B decision delayed as FDA seeks comment: difficult regulatory issues are cited.(News)
September 15, 2005... Citing difficult and novel regulatory issues, the Food and Drug Administration has delayed its decision on over-the-counter marketing status for the emergency contraceptive Plan B (levonorgestrel), to seek public comment. "The agency is...