ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Down Syndrome Birth Rate Lower After Screening

In Denmark, first-trimester screening seemed to lower the number of prenatal diagnostic procedures and halve the number of infants born with Down syndrome. By Wendy S. Biggs, MD December 30, 2008 Covering: Ekelund CK et al. BMJ 2008 Nov 27; 337:a2547source article

Why Is Advanced Breast Cancer More Common in Overweight and Obese Women?

Excess risk was not explained by differences in mammography screening frequency and accuracy. By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD December 30, 2008 Covering: Kerlikowske K et al. J Natl Cancer Inst 2008 Dec 3; 100:1724source article

Survey indicates virginity pledges may not influence teen sexual behavior.

Teens using abstinence pledges actually having sex at similar ages as those who do not take pledge but using less birth control.source article

Gastric bypass surgery may prompt diabetes remission in overweight teens, study suggests.

Although long term safety still in question, dramatic and lasting weight loss in teens decreases diabetes long term sequelae as well as effects from hypertension and high cholesterol.source article

Electronic brachytherapy used to treat patients with endometrial cancer.

Vaginal brachytherapy has high success rates when used in early stage endometrial cancer instead of external beam radation.source article

Pregnant women deficient in Vitamin D may be more likely to have Caesarean, research indicates.

Muscle strength deficiencies from lower vitamin D levels may result in ¼ higher levels of C-section secondary to decreased ability to push.source article

Study indicates last weeks of pregnancy important for brain, organ development.

Hold those elective inductions-the latest recommendation from ACOG, AAP, and the March of Dimes is to hold off labor until 39 weeks after much research showing both cognitive and behavioral problems in the late preterm infant.source article

FDA warns of dangers of some weight-loss products.

The best weight loss still comes the hard way; diet, exercise, and patience. A new FDA recommendation warns those looking for a quick fix of lasting cardiac damage.source article

Research suggests breastfeeding benefits outweigh toxin fears.

Benefits of breastfeeding are much higher than the reported minor risks of dioxin exposure in lactating mothers.source article

Use of antacids during pregnancy may increase asthma risk in offspring.

Using OTC antacids instead of PPIs or the like may increase the chances of childhood asthma by 43% according to recent data from Sweden.source article

FDA panel endorses new, cheaper female condom.

A newer, more user friendly female prophalactic may be making its way to the US later this year: and it costs less!source article

Do Some Breast Cancers Disappear?

Provocative Norwegian study results suggest that the answer is yes. By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD December 18, 2008 Covering: Zahl P-H et al. Arch Intern Med 2008 Nov 24; 168:2311 Kaplan RM and Porzsolt F. Arch Intern Med 2008 Nov 24; 168:2302source article

Silver Lining for Women with Migraines?

History of migraine was associated with lower risk for breast cancer. By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD December 18, 2008 Covering: Mathes RW et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008 Nov 17:3116source article

No Easy Marker for CHD Risk in Women Who Use HT

Certain markers of coronary heart disease were affected by HT but did not predict CHD risk. By Wendy S. Biggs, MD December 18, 2008 Covering: Rossouw JE et al. Arch Intern Med 2008 Nov 10; 168:2245 source article

A Pivotal Step for HIV Vaccines

Investigators continue to explore why the HIV vaccine used in the Step Study failed to protect high-risk individuals from HIV acquisition -- and seemed to increase risk in some. By Frances Priddy, MD, MPH December 8, 2008 Covering: Buchbinder SP et al. Lancet 2008 Dec 5; 372:1881 McElrath MJ et al. Lancet 2008 Dec 5; 372:1894source article

Reduced Mortality Among HIV-Infected Infants

ART initiated soon after birth reduced HIV disease progression by 75% and early mortality by 76%. By Larry M. Baddour, MD November 19, 2008 Covering: Violari A et al. N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 20; 359:2233 source article

Spontaneous HCV Clearance in HIV-Infected Patients

The likelihood of such clearance was associated with geographic origin, HBV status, and risk behavior. By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD November 19, 2008 Covering: Soriano V et al. J Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 198:1337 Bruno R and Sacchi P. J Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 198:1262source article

Add PMS to the Antismoking Arsenal

Smokers were more likely to develop moderate-to-severe PMS than were nonsmokers. By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP December 4, 2008 Covering: Bertone-Johnson ER et al. Am J Epidemiol 2008 Oct 15; 168:938 source article

DMPA: How Has the Black Box Affected Clinical Practice?

Some physicians limit DMPA use and order BMD tests. By Ann J. Davis, MD December 4, 2008 Covering: Paschall S and Kaunitz AM. Contraception 2008 Nov 78:370 source article

HPV Testing Improves Yield of Cervical Cancer Screening

A meta-analysis of screening studies showed that HPV screening at 6-year intervals resulted in a very low number of high-grade lesions, especially in women older than 35. By Robert W. Rebar, MD November 20, 2008 Covering: Dillner J et al. BMJ 2008 Oct 13; 337:a1754 source article

Another Ovarian Cancer Marker -- Almost There?

Levels of circulating cell-free DNA might become useful for predicting ovarian cancer. By Sandra Ann Carson, MD November 20, 2008 Covering: Zachariah RR et al. Obstet Gynecol 2008 Oct 112:843 source article

Robot-Assisted Surgery for Gynecologic Cancers: The Future Is Now!

Robotic surgery was associated with shorter operative times and hospital stays, less blood loss, and lower complication rates than were traditional methods. By Robert W. Rebar, MD November 13, 2008 Covering: Boggess JF et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008 Oct 199:357.e1 Boggess JF et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008 Oct 199:360.e1 source article

Recommended daily allowance, testing guidelines for deficiencies of vitamin D discussed.

It’s 2009: do you know how much Vitamin D your patients should be getting?source article

FDA draft report urges government to amend advisory regarding fish consumption by women, children.

Benefits of omega 3 versus mercury consumption under fire when the FDA goes head to head against the EPA-who should be eating what and when? source article

Two diabetes drugs may double the risk of fractures in women, analysis suggests.

Consider more frequent or earlier BMD screening in diabetic patients on Avandia or Acotos, although more information is needed to draft warnings about either drug. source article

Women in multi-generational households may have higher risk of heart disease, study suggests.

How much stress is your patient in the middle under? Watch for CHD levels in women who have both children and their parents in the same home according to a first of its kind study out of Japan. source article

Researchers say laws to keep teenagers out of indoor tanning booths do not appear to work.

Teens are finding ways to tan regardless of state laws, meaning health care providers need to find ways to reach them regarding the dangers of tanning source article

Studies highlight effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Recent study indicates that any amount of prenatal alcohol exposure may have negative effects on the child’s longterm conduct. source article

Noninvasive genetic screens for Down syndrome could be available in 2009.

New legislation in September 2008 means health care providers must provide as up to date information about Down Syndrome as early in the pregnancy as possible. Watch for upcoming information regarding non-uterine testing for the condition early this year. source article

Does Exposure to Sexual Content on TV Presage Teen Pregnancy?

Teens who reported more exposure had greater likelihood of pregnancy. By Ann J. Davis, MD December 4, 2008 Covering: Chandra A et al. Pediatrics 2008 Nov 122:1047source article

No Easy Way: B Vitamins Don't Prevent Cancer in Everyone

But supplementation might have benefits for older women. By Wendy S. Biggs, MD December 4, 2008 Covering: Zhang SM et al. JAMA 2008 Nov 5; 300:2012 source article

Sex Hormones and Sleep Quality in Midlife

Women who experienced fastest menopausal transitions had greatest deterioration of sleep satisfaction. By Claudio N. Soares, MD, PhD, FRCPC December 4, 2008 Covering: Sowers MF et al. Sleep 2008 Oct 1; 31:1339 source article

When Hot Flashes Are Good News

Menopausal symptoms associated with anti-estrogen therapy predicted lower risk for breast cancer recurrence. By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD December 4, 2008 Covering: Cuzick J et al. Lancet Oncol 2008 Dec 9:1143source article

When Religious Ethics Conflict with Medical Standards of Miscarriage Management

A survey of OB/GYNs showed several cases in which Catholic hospital ethics committees blocked timely uterine evacuation in women with spontaneous pregnancy loss. By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP December 4, 2008 Covering: Freedman LR et al. Am J Public Health 2008 Oct 98:1774 source article

Survey suggests nearly half of all women fail to seek medical care due to healthcare costs.

Women are skipping not only routine medical visits but also much needed procedures and medications because of costs. Some do so to give their children care, some because of insurance concerns. Hispanic women are the most affected, then whites, then blacks.source article

Researchers say exposure to phthalates during pregnancy may increase risk of hypospadias.

The European Union has started labeling products that contain phthalates (frequently in hair/beauty products) because of an increased risk of hypospadias and recommends women in contact with this product increase their folate supplementation.source article