Researchers from the Toronto Western Research Institute noted a higher prevalence of arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitations (AAL) in the U.S. versus the Canadian population. The authors attribute the higher prevalence of arthritis and AAL to a greater level of obesity and physical inactivity in Americans, particularly women. Full findings of this study are published in the March issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.
Arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability, and one of the most frequently reported chronic conditions in the U.S. and Canada. Those in mid to late life are particularly vulnerable to this disabling condition, which is expected to increase in both countries due to the aging baby boomer population. According to a 2005 figure from the National Arthritis Data Workgroup more than 21% of American adults (46 million) have arthritis or another rheumatic condition and over 60% of arthritis patients are women. The 2008 Canadian Community Health Survey reported 15.3% (4.3 million) of Canadians have some form of arthritis, with more women then men affected.
This study is the first to provide a direct comparison of U.S. and Canadian data in search of between-country disparities associated with the prevalence of arthritis and AAL. The authors analyzed results from the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health (JCUSH) conducted in cooperation by Statistics Canada and the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics during 2002-2003. Data were obtained for 3,505 Canadians and 5,183 Americans with an overall response rate of 65.5% and 50.2%, respectively.
Results show that in the U.S. the prevalence of arthritis was 18.7% and AAL was 9.6%, while equivalent estimates in Canada were 16.8% and 7.7%, respectively. Researchers noted that arthritis prevalence was higher in American women at 23.3% compared with 19.6% of Canadian women. Women in the U.S. also had a higher prevalence of AAL than Canadian women at 13.0% versus 9.2%. The overall occurrence of arthritis and AAL in men was similar in both countries at roughly 14% and 6%, respectively.
"Our study results uggest that the higher prevalence of arthritis and AAL in the U.S. may be a consequence of greater obesity and physical inactivity in that country, particularly in women," noted Dr. Badley. "Public health initiatives that promote healthy weight and physical activity may benefit from including arthritis concerns to its message, and could potentially reduce the incidence of arthritis and AAL," concluded Dr. Badley.
Source: Wiley - Blackwell
четверг, 6 октября 2011 г.
четверг, 29 сентября 2011 г.
American Cancer Society Releases Guidelines On Merck's HPV Vaccine Gardasil
The American Cancer Society in the Jan. 19 issue of its journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians recommended that girls ages 11 and 12 receive Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil, the Washington Times reports (Altamirano, Washington Times, 1/20). Gardasil in clinical trials has been shown to be 100% effective in preventing infection with HPV strains 16 and 18, which together cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. FDA in July 2006 approved Gardasil for sale and marketing to girls and women ages nine to 26, and CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices later that month voted unanimously to recommend that girls ages 11 and 12 receive the vaccine (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/12). The ACS guidelines state that girls as young as age nine can receive the vaccine and recommend the vaccine for girls and women ages 13 to 18 to complete the three-shot series or to catch up on missed shots (Washington Times, 1/20). The guidelines also say that there is not enough data to recommend whether women ages 19 to 26 should be vaccinated. Harmon Eyre, lead author of the guidelines and chief medical officer of ACS, in a statement said, "The vaccine holds remarkable potential, but unless the same population of women who right now do not have access to or do not seek regular Pap tests gets this vaccine, it will have limited impact." Eyre added that it is "critical" that women continue to be screened regularly even if they have received the vaccine (HealthDay News/CBC News, 1/19). Several states recently have introduced legislation that would require girls as young as age 11 to receive Gardasil unless parents and guardians choose to opt out of the requirement, the Times reports. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow parents and guardians to opt out of vaccines for medical reasons, and all states except Mississippi and West Virginia allow religious opt-outs, while 20 states allow opt-outs for philosophical or personal reasons. ACS estimates that 11,150 cervical cancer cases will be diagnosed this year in the U.S. and that 3,670 women will die from the disease (Washington Times, 1/20).
Related Opinion Piece
Legislation that would require girls entering the sixth grade in Washington, D.C., Public Schools to receive Gardasil is a "small but critical component" of a larger strategy to fight cervical cancer, City Council members and legislation sponsors David Catania and Mary Cheh, write in a Washington Post opinion piece (Catania/Cheh, Washington Post, 1/21). According to the legislation, female students would be required to show proof of vaccination before enrolling in the sixth grade unless their parent or legal guardian chose to "opt out." The bill does not specify the circumstances under which girls would be allowed an exemption (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/10). "While we strongly endorse the use of the vaccine, this decision rests ultimately with parents and guardians," Catania and Cheh write. According to Catania and Cheh, the district has the highest cervical cancer rate in the U.S., and the D.C. Cancer Coalition estimates that 92% of the district's cases occurring among minority women. Gardasil is the "first major breakthrough in preventing cervical cancer since the introduction of the Pap test in the 1940s," Catania and Cheh write, concluding, "Our city has the resources, talent and leadership to prolong the lives of our residents. However, complacency will not bring this about" (Washington Post, 1/21).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
View drug information on Gardasil.
четверг, 22 сентября 2011 г.
SAGE Partners With The Society For Gynecologic Investigation
SAGE Publications is pleased to announce it will begin publishing the journal Reproductive Sciences on behalf of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI). Formerly known as the Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, the publication will move from Elsevier to SAGE in January 2007. A new cover design will debut with the first SAGE issue.
Reproductive Sciences publishes significant scientific papers advancing knowledge in all aspects of reproductive biology, including the disciplines of perinatology, obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive endocrinology, infertility, gynecologic oncology, and related fields. The journal's impact factor is 2.887, and it is ranked 8 out of 57 obstetrics and gynecology journals in the 2005 Thomson Scientific Journal Citation Reports.
"We're pleased to add this highly regarded publication in women's health to our expanding collection of science and medical journals, many of which we publish on behalf of prestigious societies like SGI," commented Dr. Peter Binfield, SAGE Journals Editorial Director. "SAGE offers high quality publishing services and is well equipped to broaden the reach and impact of the journals we publish."
"The SGI chose SAGE to publish Reproductive Sciences after an extensive search," added Linda Giudice, SGI President, 2006-2007. "SAGE's publishing experience, in healthcare in particular, as well as its editorial staff, all contributed to our decision. We anticipate a great partnership in the future to publish research focused on women's health and the reproductive sciences."
New ISSN numbers have been assigned due to the title change, and they are 1933-7191 for print and 1933-7205 for online. Institutional subscriptions will include Combined (Print and E-access), E-access, or Print Only options. Online access will not be disrupted during the transition to SAGE, and the journal will be available electronically on SAGE Journals Online prior to the first print issue in January 2007. The journal's new web site will be rs.sagepub/.
About SAGE
SAGE Publications is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets. Since 1965, SAGE has helped inform and educate a global community of scholars, practitioners, researchers, and students spanning a wide range of subject areas including business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology and medicine. SAGE Publications, a privately owned corporation, has principal offices in Thousand Oaks, California, London, United Kingdom, and New Delhi, India. sagepublications/
About SGI
The Society for Gynecologic Investigation is the premier scientific organization in obstetrics and gynecology throughout the world. Approximately one-third of SGI members are basic scientists in reproductive biology and related disciplines. The other two-thirds comprise clinical investigators and scientific leaders in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, anesthesiology, and internal medicine. Many of the members are recipients of grants from National Institutes of Health, and often serve on study sections and advisory councils for government and private foundations. sgionline/
Contact: Valerie Johns
SAGE Publications
Reproductive Sciences publishes significant scientific papers advancing knowledge in all aspects of reproductive biology, including the disciplines of perinatology, obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive endocrinology, infertility, gynecologic oncology, and related fields. The journal's impact factor is 2.887, and it is ranked 8 out of 57 obstetrics and gynecology journals in the 2005 Thomson Scientific Journal Citation Reports.
"We're pleased to add this highly regarded publication in women's health to our expanding collection of science and medical journals, many of which we publish on behalf of prestigious societies like SGI," commented Dr. Peter Binfield, SAGE Journals Editorial Director. "SAGE offers high quality publishing services and is well equipped to broaden the reach and impact of the journals we publish."
"The SGI chose SAGE to publish Reproductive Sciences after an extensive search," added Linda Giudice, SGI President, 2006-2007. "SAGE's publishing experience, in healthcare in particular, as well as its editorial staff, all contributed to our decision. We anticipate a great partnership in the future to publish research focused on women's health and the reproductive sciences."
New ISSN numbers have been assigned due to the title change, and they are 1933-7191 for print and 1933-7205 for online. Institutional subscriptions will include Combined (Print and E-access), E-access, or Print Only options. Online access will not be disrupted during the transition to SAGE, and the journal will be available electronically on SAGE Journals Online prior to the first print issue in January 2007. The journal's new web site will be rs.sagepub/.
About SAGE
SAGE Publications is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets. Since 1965, SAGE has helped inform and educate a global community of scholars, practitioners, researchers, and students spanning a wide range of subject areas including business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology and medicine. SAGE Publications, a privately owned corporation, has principal offices in Thousand Oaks, California, London, United Kingdom, and New Delhi, India. sagepublications/
About SGI
The Society for Gynecologic Investigation is the premier scientific organization in obstetrics and gynecology throughout the world. Approximately one-third of SGI members are basic scientists in reproductive biology and related disciplines. The other two-thirds comprise clinical investigators and scientific leaders in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, anesthesiology, and internal medicine. Many of the members are recipients of grants from National Institutes of Health, and often serve on study sections and advisory councils for government and private foundations. sgionline/
Contact: Valerie Johns
SAGE Publications
четверг, 15 сентября 2011 г.
Genetic Defects Linked With Rare Bearded Lady
New research provides exciting genetic insight into a rare syndrome that first appeared in the medical literature in the mid 1800s with the case of Julia Pastrana, the world's most notorious bearded lady. The study, published by Cell Press in the May 21st issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, reveals intriguing molecular clues about the pathogenesis of this mysterious condition that has captured the attention of the public since the Middle Ages.
Congenital generalized hypertrichosis (CGH) represents a group of conditions characterized by excessive hair growth over the entire body, well beyond the average limits for a particular age, sex or race. Congenital generalized hypertrichosis terminalis (CGHT) with gingival hypertrophy is a distinct subgroup of CGH that is associated with universal overgrowth of darkly pigmented hairs, enlarged gums and a distortion of facial features, the phenotype famously exhibited by Julia Pastrana.
"Although it has long been believed that most people with CGH have some kind of genetic defect, the specific genetic mutations that underlie CGHT, with or without gingival hyperplasia, had not been discovered until now," explains senior study author Dr. Xue Zhang from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in Beijing. The condition has been very difficult to study because it is so rare.
Dr. Zhang and colleagues performed a sophisticated, high resolution genetic analysis of several members of three Chinese families with CGHT and an individual with a sporadic case of CGHT with gingival hyperplasia. The researchers mapped the genetic locus for this syndrome and discovered that genetic defects on chromosome 17q24.2-q24.3 were responsible for CGHT with or without gingival hyperplasia.
The three families exhibited different DNA deletions whereas the sporadic case was associated with a DNA duplication within the identified chromosome region. These different copy number mutations affected 4 to 8 genes. "Our work clearly establishes CGHT as a genomic disorder. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact molecular mechanisms by which copy number mutations on 17q24.2-q24.3 lead to the defining characteristics of this rare disorder," concludes Dr. Zhang.
Source:
Cathleen Genova
Cell Press
Congenital generalized hypertrichosis (CGH) represents a group of conditions characterized by excessive hair growth over the entire body, well beyond the average limits for a particular age, sex or race. Congenital generalized hypertrichosis terminalis (CGHT) with gingival hypertrophy is a distinct subgroup of CGH that is associated with universal overgrowth of darkly pigmented hairs, enlarged gums and a distortion of facial features, the phenotype famously exhibited by Julia Pastrana.
"Although it has long been believed that most people with CGH have some kind of genetic defect, the specific genetic mutations that underlie CGHT, with or without gingival hyperplasia, had not been discovered until now," explains senior study author Dr. Xue Zhang from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in Beijing. The condition has been very difficult to study because it is so rare.
Dr. Zhang and colleagues performed a sophisticated, high resolution genetic analysis of several members of three Chinese families with CGHT and an individual with a sporadic case of CGHT with gingival hyperplasia. The researchers mapped the genetic locus for this syndrome and discovered that genetic defects on chromosome 17q24.2-q24.3 were responsible for CGHT with or without gingival hyperplasia.
The three families exhibited different DNA deletions whereas the sporadic case was associated with a DNA duplication within the identified chromosome region. These different copy number mutations affected 4 to 8 genes. "Our work clearly establishes CGHT as a genomic disorder. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact molecular mechanisms by which copy number mutations on 17q24.2-q24.3 lead to the defining characteristics of this rare disorder," concludes Dr. Zhang.
Source:
Cathleen Genova
Cell Press
четверг, 8 сентября 2011 г.
New York Times Examines Abortion-Rights Opponents' Focus On Pregnant Women
The U.S. Supreme Court's recognition last month of an argument advanced by some abortion-rights opponents that the "interests of the pregnant woman and the fetus are ... the same" has "galvanized" antiabortion groups and has "se[t] the stage for an intensifying battle over new abortion restrictions in the states," the New York Times reports.
According to the Times, the "political struggle" over abortion often has been framed as a "starkly binary choice" between the "interest of the woman," advocated by abortion-rights supporters, versus the "interest of the fetus," advocated by abortion-rights opponents. However, some groups -- such as the Justice Foundation, National Right to Life Committee and Feminists for Life -- in the last decade have been building an argument that abortion is not in the "best interest" of the woman and that women are often "misled or ill-informed" about the risks related to the procedure.
According to the Times, many abortion-rights supporters and opponents viewed part of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion in a ruling that upheld a federal law (S 3) banning so-called "partial-birth" abortion as an "invitation from a newly conservative court to pass tough new counseling and informed consent laws intended for women seeking abortions."
Abortion-rights supporters say that the focus on women by abortion-rights opponents "is motivated by ideology, not women's health," the Times reports. "Informed consent is really a misleading way to characterize it," Roger Evans, senior director of public policy litigation and law for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said, adding, "To me, what we'll see is an increasing attempt to push a state's ideology into a doctor-patient relationship to force doctors to communicate more and more of the state's viewpoint."
Wanda Franz, president of NRLC, said, "We think of ourselves as very pro-woman," adding, "We believe that when you help the woman, you help the baby" (Toner, New York Times, 5/22).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
According to the Times, the "political struggle" over abortion often has been framed as a "starkly binary choice" between the "interest of the woman," advocated by abortion-rights supporters, versus the "interest of the fetus," advocated by abortion-rights opponents. However, some groups -- such as the Justice Foundation, National Right to Life Committee and Feminists for Life -- in the last decade have been building an argument that abortion is not in the "best interest" of the woman and that women are often "misled or ill-informed" about the risks related to the procedure.
According to the Times, many abortion-rights supporters and opponents viewed part of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion in a ruling that upheld a federal law (S 3) banning so-called "partial-birth" abortion as an "invitation from a newly conservative court to pass tough new counseling and informed consent laws intended for women seeking abortions."
Abortion-rights supporters say that the focus on women by abortion-rights opponents "is motivated by ideology, not women's health," the Times reports. "Informed consent is really a misleading way to characterize it," Roger Evans, senior director of public policy litigation and law for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said, adding, "To me, what we'll see is an increasing attempt to push a state's ideology into a doctor-patient relationship to force doctors to communicate more and more of the state's viewpoint."
Wanda Franz, president of NRLC, said, "We think of ourselves as very pro-woman," adding, "We believe that when you help the woman, you help the baby" (Toner, New York Times, 5/22).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
четверг, 1 сентября 2011 г.
Pelvic Floor An Overlooked, Important Aspect Of Women's Health
Performing pelvic floor exercises are a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of women's health, said an expert today at the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition.
Sheila Dugan, M.D., FACSM, says keeping the pelvic floor - the sling of muscles connecting the pubic and tail bones - healthy is key for everything from supporting organs surrounding the pelvis to maintaining normal sexual function. The pelvic floor also supports the actions of the spine and legs, helping everything to work in a coordinated manner and allowing people to walk, jump and run.
"The pelvic floor is equally important during childbirth as it is in training for a marathon," Dugan said. "That's why women need to be cognizant about keeping these muscles healthy."
An unhealthy pelvic floor can be either "hypotonic" (low muscle tone) or "hypertonic." Women with hypotonic pelvic floors often experience incontinence, while hypertonics can experience pain and incontinence.
Dugan provided exercises for women in either category to keep their pelvic floor in shape.
- Practice deep breathing, with the feeling of letting the pelvic floor muscles "drop away" from the body. Spend at least five minutes breathing this way during the day, especially when feeling stressed or tense.
- Lay on your back with the bottoms of your feet together and your knees dropped to the side. This will help relax the groin and pelvic floor muscles together, as they often work in conjunction. Lay this way for at least five minutes and if the stretch feels too intense, you can place a small pillow under each knee.
- Lay on your back and attempt to smoothly draw your lower belly muscles in, as though you were wearing a girdle or corset, for a count of five, then slowly release. Repeat 10 times several times per day as time permits.
- Lay on your back and lift the pelvic muscles in and up for a count of five, then slowly lower for a count of five. Repeat several times per day as time permits. This lifting and squeezing action is similar to the action taken when stopping urine mid-stream. However, Dugan does not recommend this technique while urinating.
Women who have recently given birth will especially gain benefits from these exercises, Dugan says.
"During childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles stretch from teacup-sized to the size of an infant's head. This stretching and tearing requires healing and regain of function."
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 35,000 international, national, and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.
Source
American College of Sports Medicine
Sheila Dugan, M.D., FACSM, says keeping the pelvic floor - the sling of muscles connecting the pubic and tail bones - healthy is key for everything from supporting organs surrounding the pelvis to maintaining normal sexual function. The pelvic floor also supports the actions of the spine and legs, helping everything to work in a coordinated manner and allowing people to walk, jump and run.
"The pelvic floor is equally important during childbirth as it is in training for a marathon," Dugan said. "That's why women need to be cognizant about keeping these muscles healthy."
An unhealthy pelvic floor can be either "hypotonic" (low muscle tone) or "hypertonic." Women with hypotonic pelvic floors often experience incontinence, while hypertonics can experience pain and incontinence.
Dugan provided exercises for women in either category to keep their pelvic floor in shape.
- Practice deep breathing, with the feeling of letting the pelvic floor muscles "drop away" from the body. Spend at least five minutes breathing this way during the day, especially when feeling stressed or tense.
- Lay on your back with the bottoms of your feet together and your knees dropped to the side. This will help relax the groin and pelvic floor muscles together, as they often work in conjunction. Lay this way for at least five minutes and if the stretch feels too intense, you can place a small pillow under each knee.
- Lay on your back and attempt to smoothly draw your lower belly muscles in, as though you were wearing a girdle or corset, for a count of five, then slowly release. Repeat 10 times several times per day as time permits.
- Lay on your back and lift the pelvic muscles in and up for a count of five, then slowly lower for a count of five. Repeat several times per day as time permits. This lifting and squeezing action is similar to the action taken when stopping urine mid-stream. However, Dugan does not recommend this technique while urinating.
Women who have recently given birth will especially gain benefits from these exercises, Dugan says.
"During childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles stretch from teacup-sized to the size of an infant's head. This stretching and tearing requires healing and regain of function."
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 35,000 international, national, and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.
Source
American College of Sports Medicine
четверг, 25 августа 2011 г.
Female Obesity Affects College Attendance
Obese girls are half as likely to attend college as non-obese girls, according to a new study from The University of Texas at Austin.
The study also shows obese girls are even less likely to enter college if they attend a high school where obesity is relatively uncommon. The findings appear in the July issue of the journal Sociology of Education.
The study tracked nearly 11,000 American adolescents, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
"Obesity has been identified as a serious public health issue, but these results indicate the harmful effects extend far beyond physical health," said Robert Crosnoe, author of the study and a sociologist at the university.
Crosnoe suggests a number of mental health and behavioral issues seem to play a significant role in keeping obese girls from enrolling in college. The study found obese girls were more likely to consider committing suicide, use alcohol and marijuana and have negative self-images.
The disconnect between obesity and college enrollment was more pronounced among non-whites and among girls whose parents did not graduate from college. Obese boys did not differ from their non-obese peers in college enrollment.
"That girls are far more vulnerable to the non-health risks of obesity reinforces the notion that body image is more important to girls' self-concept and that social norms have greater effects on the education of girls than boys," Crosnoe noted.
Source: Robert Crosnoe
University of Texas at Austin
The study also shows obese girls are even less likely to enter college if they attend a high school where obesity is relatively uncommon. The findings appear in the July issue of the journal Sociology of Education.
The study tracked nearly 11,000 American adolescents, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
"Obesity has been identified as a serious public health issue, but these results indicate the harmful effects extend far beyond physical health," said Robert Crosnoe, author of the study and a sociologist at the university.
Crosnoe suggests a number of mental health and behavioral issues seem to play a significant role in keeping obese girls from enrolling in college. The study found obese girls were more likely to consider committing suicide, use alcohol and marijuana and have negative self-images.
The disconnect between obesity and college enrollment was more pronounced among non-whites and among girls whose parents did not graduate from college. Obese boys did not differ from their non-obese peers in college enrollment.
"That girls are far more vulnerable to the non-health risks of obesity reinforces the notion that body image is more important to girls' self-concept and that social norms have greater effects on the education of girls than boys," Crosnoe noted.
Source: Robert Crosnoe
University of Texas at Austin
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