Neonatal Immune Factors Linked to Schizophrenia Risk
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
High levels of three acute phase proteins, measured at birth, are protective against later risk for nonaffective psychosis.
By Barbara Geller, MD
March 18, 2013
Covering:
Gardner RM et al., Transl Psychiatry 2013 Feb 19; 3:e228
Autism and C-Reactive Protein Levels During Pregnancy
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Autism may have an infectious etiology; would early treatment of maternal infections lower autism risk?
By Barbara Geller, MD
March 18, 2013
Covering:
Brown AS et al., Mol Psychiatry 2013 Jan 22
DMPA and Bone Health: Settling a Fractious Issue
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Free
Large retrospective cohort study shows DMPA use did not raise fracture risk.
Good News About Hormonal Contraceptives in Obese Women
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Efficacy of pill, patch, or vaginal ring was not impaired by high body-mass index.
Most OB/GYNs Perform Pelvic Examinations Routinely
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Nearly all survey respondents would do bimanual pelvic examinations on healthy, asymptomatic women who do not need Pap smears.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
March 14, 2013
Covering:
Henderson JT et al., Am J Obstet Gyn 2013 Feb; 208:109
Bump RC., Am J Obstet Gyn 2013 Feb; 208:91
Contraception 101 for Dermatologists
Dermatology
Summary and Comment
Free
A review of methods and recommendations
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
March 8, 2013
Covering:
Tyler KH and Zirwas MJ., J Am Acad Dermatol 2013 Jan 17
In-Depth Study of Desvenlafaxine for Menopausal Hot Flashes
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
This serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor was effective and safe at 12 weeks and 1 year, but should be directly tested against hormone therapy.
By Anne A. Moore, DNP, APRN, FAANP
February 21, 2013
Covering:
Pinkerton JV et al., Menopause 2013 Jan; 20:28
Pinkerton JV et al., Menopause 2013 Jan; 20:38
Archer DF et al., Menopause 2013 Jan; 20:47
HSV-1 Infection More Common Than HSV-2 — and Now Often Genital
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
In a prospective study involving HSV-seronegative women, incidence of HSV-1 infection was more than double that of HSV-2 infection; most symptomatic HSV-1 infections were genital.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 20, 2013
Covering:
Bernstein DI et al., Clin Infect Dis 2013 Feb 1; 56:344
Whitley RJ., Clin Infect Dis 2013 Feb 1; 56:352
Perinatal Choline for Infants with a Schizophrenia Risk Gene
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Infants with the risk allele who received placebo had a schizophrenia endophenotype, but not infants receiving choline.
By Barbara Geller, MD
February 15, 2013
Covering:
Ross RG et al., Am J Psychiatry 2013 January 15
Societal Cure for Genital Warts? Vaccinate!
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Free
Quadrivalent HPV vaccine rapidly lowered genital wart prevalence among young Danish women.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
February 14, 2013
Covering:
Baandrup L et al., Sex Transm Dis 2013 Feb; 40:130
ACOG Recommends Routinely Screening Women for Reproductive and Sexual Coercion
Women's Health
Practice Watch
Free
Interventions include providing safety cards as well as contraceptive methods that are less susceptible to partner subversion.
HPV Vaccination: Just Do It
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Despite the rising incidence of some HPV-related cancers, vaccine coverage rates remain low.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 31, 2013
Covering:
Jemal A et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2013 Jan 7
Brisson M et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2013 Jan 7
Extending the Screening Power of the Pap Smear?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Although years away from clinical use, assessing DNA in Pap specimens shows promise in screening for endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Do-It-Yourself Vulvovaginal Swabs for Detecting Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Self-obtained swabs performed at least as well as those obtained by clinicians.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
January 17, 2013
Covering:
Schoeman SA et al., BMJ 2012 Dec 12; 345:e8013
Stewart CMW et al., BMJ 2012 Dec 12; 345:e8107
Does Gonadotropin Suppression Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Ovarian Damage?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Findings suggest no protective effect, but study does not seem definitive.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 17, 2013
Covering:
Elgindy EA et al., Obstet Gynecol 2013 Jan; 121:78
Is Initial Salpingectomy Appropriate for BRCA Mutation Carriers?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Model suggests that primary BSO remains the best overall risk-reducing strategy for mutation carriers who have completed childbearing.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
January 10, 2013
Covering:
Kwon JS et al., Obstet Gynecol 2013 Jan; 121:14
Perlman MD., Obstet Gynecol 2013 Jan; 121:4
The LNG-IUS Is More Effective Than Other Medical Therapies for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Free
Patient-perceived outcomes were better with the levonorgestrel intrauterine system.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 9, 2013
Covering:
Gupta J et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 10; 368:128
Espey E., N Engl J Med 2013 Jan 10; 368:184
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease After Intrauterine Device Placement Is Rare
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
IUD placement before receipt of STD screening results does not raise PID risk.
Highly Effective Reversible Contraception Has Staying Power to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Disseminating the CHOICE Project could avoid more than 60% of U.S. abortions.
The Search for the "Perfect" Vulva
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Free
Websites advertising genital cosmetic surgery are full of inaccuracies while promoting unrealistic expectations.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
December 20, 2012
Covering:
Liao L-M et al., BMJ Open 2012 Nov 21; 2:e001908
Same-Day Discharge After Vaginal Hysterectomy Is Feasible
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
High success rates and fast recoveries can be achieved by skilled surgeons under carefully controlled conditions.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
December 20, 2012
Covering:
Zakaria MA and Levy BS., Obstet Gynecol 2012 Dec; 120:1355
Screening for Familial Ovarian Cancer: Getting Closer?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
British cohort study shows that screening seems effective in women with high-risk mutations.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
December 20, 2012
Covering:
Rosenthal AN et al., J Clin Oncol 2012 Dec 3
Long KC and Kauff ND., J Clin Oncol 2012 Dec 3
Does Sexual Debut Lead to Bacterial Vaginosis?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Small study in college students suggests not, but the finding might not be generally applicable.
ACOG Recommends Over-the-Counter Access to Oral Contraceptives
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Benefit of lowering incidence of unintended pregnancy outweighs potential risks.
Identifying Recurrence After Treatment for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Optimal follow-up procedures and schedules remain uncertain, but HPV testing looks increasingly useful.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
December 6, 2012
Covering:
Rebolj M et al., BMJ 2012 Oct 31; 345:e6855
Legood R et al., BMJ 2012 Oct 31; 345:e7086
Bleeker MCG et al., BMJ 2012 Oct 31; 345:e7186