Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in OBGYN & Women’s Health for May 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
AMA: Physicians Driving the Slowing of Health Care Costs
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Low physician spending is contributing to an overall slowing of health care costs, according to a viewpoint piece published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Outpatient Uterine Polypectomy More Cost-Effective
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women with abnormal uterine bleeding and hysteroscopically diagnosed endometrial polyps, outpatient treatment is more cost-effective than inpatient treatment, according to research published online May 25 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Insulin Resistance Not Linked to Post-Adolescent Acne
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Insulin resistance does not appear to be a significant factor in post-adolescent acne, according to a study published in the June issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.
AMD Predicts Poorer Survival in Older Women
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) predicts poorer survival, especially among women aged 80 years or older, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Fruit, Vegetable Intake Linked to Hip Fracture
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fruit and vegetable intake is associated with hip fracture, with a higher rate of hip fracture for intake below five servings/day, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Weight-Based Enoxoparin Dosing Best for Obese After C-Section
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Weight-based dosing of enoxaparin is more effective than body mass index (BMI)-based dosing for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis among morbidly obese women after cesarean delivery, according to a study published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text
14.9 Million New Cancer Cases Worldwide in 2013
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Between 1990 and 2013, the proportion of deaths worldwide caused by cancer rose from 12 to 15 percent. During that time, years of healthy life lost to cancer increased 29 percent, according to data on 28 types of cancer in 188 countries published online May 28 in JAMA Oncology.
Mediterranean Diet Might Lower Endometrial Cancer Risk
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adhering to a Mediterranean diet may significantly reduce a woman’s risk of endometrial cancer, according to a new study published in the May issue of the British Journal of Cancer.
More Evidence Supports Higher Fiber Intake to Lower DM Risk
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More evidence that a high fiber diet helps protect against type 2 diabetes has been presented in research published online May 26 in Diabetologia.
Full Text
Higher Risk of VTE With Newer Forms of Oral Contraceptives
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Newer forms of combined oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) — brands such as Yaz, Yasmin, and Desogen — are associated with a higher risk of venous thromboembolism than older versions, according to research published online May 26 in The BMJ.
Umbilical Cord Clamping Delay Found Beneficial in Boys
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Waiting about three minutes to clamp the umbilical cord following infant delivery may help improve children’s fine-motor and social skills at age 4 years, according to a study published online May 26 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Fewer U.S. Hospitals Sending New Moms Home With Formula
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — While the percentage of hospitals that send breastfeeding mothers home with formula packs has fallen dramatically during the last several years, about one-third of U.S. hospitals still do so, according to a study published online May 25 in Pediatrics.
Caution Urged When Using EHR Shortcut Features
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Caution should be exercised with use of electronic health record (EHR) documentation short cuts, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Gender-Based Differences in Glycemic Control in T2DM
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, there are gender-based differences in glycemic control and hypoglycemia after insulin treatment, according to research published in the June issue of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Factors Linked to Development of Celiac Disease Identified
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Certain perinatal factors, including sex of the child, maternal celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes, are associated with development of celiac disease in children, according to a study published in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Self-Hypnosis Training Doesn’t Cut Epidural Use
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Self-hypnosis training does not reduce women’s epidural use during childbirth, according to a study published online May 11 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Costs of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome on the Rise
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The number of infants born to American mothers who are chronic opioid users is rising, as are the costs of treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), researchers report. The findings were published online May 15 in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
DXA Screening Found to Be Underused and Overused
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Too few women at high risk for osteoporosis are being tested for the condition, while too many women at low risk are being screened, according to new research published online May 19 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Higher Altitude Linked With Higher SIDS Risk
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Higher altitude may up the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to a new study published online May 25 in Pediatrics.
ACOG Urges Expedited Partner Therapy for Some STIs
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, whose partners are unable or unwilling to seek care, expedited partner therapy can be used to prevent reinfection, according to a Committee Opinion published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text
Physical Resistance Training Ups Sexual Function in PCOS
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physical resistance training (PRT) is associated with significant improvement in sexual function among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Large Practices Focused on Small Selection of EHR Products
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sixty percent of clinicians in practices with 26 or more clinicians report use of one of 10 electronic health record (EHR) products, according to a report published by AmericanEHR Partners.
Front Desk Staff Has Key Role in Managing Practice Cash Flow
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Three steps that can be implemented by front desk staff can help increase practices’ cash flow, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
AMA: Avoiding Distress in Medical School
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Understanding the key drivers underlying medical students’ distress can help address the issues and enhance student well-being, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
Resistance Training Effects Vary Per Genetic Profiles
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Resistance training seems to be most effective for people with a low genetic risk for a high body mass index, according to a study published online April 30 in the International Journal of Obesity.
CDC: Smoking Rates on Decline in Many States
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cigarette smoking continues to decline in about half of American states, according to the latest U.S. government estimates. The new report was published in the May 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Full Text
Sexual Assault at ‘Epidemic Levels’ Among College Women
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Almost one out of every five young women were raped or experienced attempted rape during their freshman year at a large private university in upstate New York, a new study reports. The findings were published in the June issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Proper Analysis Over Intuition for Avoiding Improper Antibiotic Use
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Misdiagnosis often leads to improper antibiotic use in hospitals, according to a study published online May 18 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
More Evidence That C-Sections Should Be Avoided When Possible
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women who deliver their first baby by cesarean section are more likely to need blood transfusions and be admitted to intensive care units than women who opt for a vaginal delivery, U.S. health officials reported Wednesday.
Benefits for Surgery Before Chemo in Advanced Ovarian CA
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Undergoing chemotherapy before surgery may help women battling advanced ovarian cancer, according to new research published online May 19 in The Lancet.
Family Hx Alone Doesn’t Appear to Affect Breast CA Tx Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A positive family history is not a significant independent risk factor for breast cancer outcome, according to a study published online May 20 in the British Journal of Surgery.
Bleeding Complications Up With Multicompartment Mesh Removal
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women undergoing vaginal mesh removal, bleeding complications are higher for removal from multiple vaginal compartments versus a single vaginal compartment, according to research published May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
High-Value Care Advice Provided for Cancer Screening
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — High-value care advice has been provided for screening for five common types of cancer. The guidelines were published in the May 19 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Clinical Guideline
Value Framework
Meds Offer Slight Symptom Relief in Overactive Bladder
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women with overactive bladder, medications delivered as a daily dose correlate with small reductions in urge incontinence episodes and voiding, according to a review published online May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Washington D.C. Nabs Highest American Fitness Index Ranking
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Washington, D.C, is the fittest of the 50 largest cities in the United States, followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul and San Diego, according to the eighth annual American Fitness Index (AFI) rankings from the American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem Foundation.
Shift Work Tied to Poor Health Indicators, Metabolic Syndrome
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Shift work may be hazardous to metabolic health, according to research published online May 17 in Sleep Health, the journal of the National Sleep Foundation.
Not All With Dense Breasts Have High Interval Cancer Risk
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Not all women with high breast density have high risk of interval cancer, according to a study published in the May 19 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Tips Provided for Doctors Who Want to Move to Private Practice
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For physicians who want to transition to private practice, several factors need consideration, including finances, legal matters, and insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Weight Lifting Beneficial for Breast Cancer Survivors
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For breast cancer survivors, slowly progressive weight lifting can reduce the incidence of physical function deterioration compared with usual care, according to a study published online May 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Iron Deficiency Seems to Affect Many Metabolic Pathways
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For young women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), iron therapy is associated with increases in serum folate, vitamin B12, and with other biochemical parameters, according to a study published online May 11 in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.
Health Care Justice Could Help End Wait for Tubal Sterilization
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Health care justice should be invoked as the basis for advocacy for needed change to eliminate the mandatory waiting period for elective tubal sterilization, according to an article published online April 30 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Case Report: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For pregnant women with intractable nausea relieved by frequent bathing, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome should be considered, according to a case report scheduled to be published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Binge Eating Disorder Creates Significant Health Care Burden
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Health care costs are similar for patients with binge eating disorder (BED) and those with eating disorder not otherwise specified without BED (EDNOS-only), and are significantly higher compared with costs of matched patients without an eating disorder (NED), according to a study published online May 8 in the International Journal Eating Disorders.
HPV Vaccination of Females Has Some Indirect Benefit for Males
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Males benefit indirectly when girls are immunized against human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a new study published online May 12 in The BMJ.
Pregnancy Not Linked to Higher Mortality in Surgery
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Pregnancy does not raise a woman’s risk for death or complications after undergoing general surgery, according to research published online May 13 in JAMA Surgery.
Multimodal Strategy Improves Ovarian Cancer Detection
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Screening with a multimodal strategy (MMS), in which annual serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is interpreted with the risk of ovarian cancer algorithm (ROCA), improves detection of invasive epithelial ovarian or tubal cancers (iEOCs), according to a study published online May 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
No Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes for Tdap at 32 Weeks
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination at 32 weeks of gestation is not associated with adverse pregnancy or neonatal outcomes, according to a study published online May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
New Health Care Index Reports Increases in Consumer Costs
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new Health Care Index shows increases in consumer costs, according to a report published by U.S. News & World Report.
Guidance Offered to Help Doctors Deal With ‘Dr. Google’
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Good communication is the key to resolving conflicts between the tests and treatment a patient may want based on online searches and those a physician believes are necessary, according to an article published online in Medical Economics.
MRI Findings May Help Predict Development of Breast Cancer
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among high-risk women undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening, those with background parenchymal enhancement are nine times more likely to develop breast cancer over the next couple of years, according to a new study. The findings, published online May 12 in Radiology, suggest that MRIs could have value beyond detecting breast cancer.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Codeine Rx for New Mothers Trending Down
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer new mothers have been prescribed codeine since public health officials warned about a rare, but potential risk of overdose for breastfeeding babies, according to study results reported in the May 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Misconceptions About Miscarriage Common
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Misconceptions about miscarriages are common, and those mistaken beliefs can make the experience even more painful for those who suffer through it, a new survey reveals. The findings were published online May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Survival Improving for Women With Ovarian Cancer
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are now much more likely to survive the disease than they were several decades ago, according to research published online May 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Nondisclosure Clauses Often Used in Malpractice Settlements
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nondisclosure clauses are frequently used in malpractice settlement agreements, according to research published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
AMA: Six Traits of Financially Prepared Female Physicians
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The traits of a financially prepared female physician include having a retirement portfolio that is on track or ahead of schedule for age and career stage, having a liquid emergency fund, and feeling adequately protected in the event of a disability, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Maternal SDB Doesn’t Affect Infant Neurodevelopment
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Maternal sleep disordered breathing (SDB) during pregnancy does not affect infant neurodevelopment, according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
CDC: CA Screening Rates Below Healthy People 2020 Targets
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Screening rates for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers are below the Healthy People 2020 targets, according to research published in the May 8 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Full Text
Medical Students Want to Focus Learning on Preparing for Future
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical students report wanting to learn more about topics that are not currently being taught, including leadership training, health policy, health economics, and experiential learning, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Both Omega-3, Placebo Help With Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Pain
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs), arthralgia is improved with omega-3 fatty acid (O3-FA) treatment and with placebo, according to a study published online May 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
ACA Tied to Nearly 17 Million Gaining Health Coverage
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly 17 million previously uninsured Americans now have health coverage, according to a 2013 to 2015 report from the Rand Corporation.
Strategies Provided for Maximizing Payment
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should use standard billing practices, including regular statements, to maximize accounts, and know that collection agencies and lawyers can help collect payment when necessary, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Full Text
Texting Cuts Patients’ Need for Pain Meds During Surgery
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Texting during minor surgery cuts the need for pain relievers among patients receiving regional anesthesia, according to a brief research report published in the April issue of Pain Medicine.
Fetal/Infant Death Risk Lowest at 37 Weeks in Twin Pregnancies
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For twin pregnancies, fetal/infant death risk seems to be minimized at 37 weeks’ gestation, according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
CDC: U.S. Birth Rate Reaches Historic Low
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. birth rate remained at an all-time low in 2013, due largely to a significant drop in teen births, new research shows. The report, first released in January, was published online May 4 in Pediatrics.
FDA Petitioned to Stop Sales of Essure Implant
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Bayer’s contraceptive implant Essure can cause serious complications and should be taken off the market, says a citizen’s petition filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Five ‘Top Issues’ to Be Discussed at AMA Medical Student Forum
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Issues that will be at the forefront of the National Medical Student Meeting include vaccinations, health care economics, Medicaid expansion, medical education loans, and the nationwide opioid epidemic, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
High Doses of Triptorelin Needed for Ovarian Suppression in SLE
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For female patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who require treatment with cyclophosphamide, sustained complete ovarian suppression is achieved in 90 percent of the patients with triptorelin at a weight-adjusted dose of 120 µg/kg body weight, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
FDA Approves Raplixa to Help Control Surgical Bleeding
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Raplixa (human fibrin sealant) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help control bleeding during surgery, the agency said in a news release.
Church-Based Intervention Linked to Healthy Lifestyle Changes
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A pilot church-based diabetes self-management intervention in a Latino community is associated with improvement in lifestyle factors that affect diabetes risk, according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Drop Just One Sugar-Sweetened Drink Daily, Drop DM Risk Greatly
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Exchanging one sugar-sweetened beverage for water or unsweetened coffee or tea daily could lower diabetes risk by up to 25 percent, according to research reported online April 30 in Diabetologia.
Full Text
High-Intensity Exercise Program Best for Fitness in Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, a high-intensity physical activity program is most effective, while a low-intensity program offers a viable alternative, according to a study published online April 27 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Nitrofurantoin Not Best Choice for UTIs in Older Women
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nitrofurantoin may not be the most effective option for treatment of urinary tract infections in older women, according to a new study published online April 27 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Physicians Show Low Adherence to Cervical CA Screening Recs
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The indications for cervical cancer screening in asymptomatic average-risk women are described in a best practice advice article published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text
STDs Identified in Women With Extragenital Exposures
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A considerable number of women reporting extragenital exposures have Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and many infections would be missed with urogenital-only testing, according to a study published in the May issue of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Full Text
Copyright © 2015 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.