Tanning bed use and melanoma: Establishing risk and improving prevention interventions.

PURPOSE: Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from indoor tanning devices is thought to cause melanoma and other negative health consequences. Despite these findings, the practice of indoor tanning in the United States remains prevalent. In this paper we aim to present a clear discussion of the relationship between indoor tanning and melanoma risk, and to identify potential strategies for effective melanoma prevention by addressing indoor tanning device use. BASIC PROCEDURES: We reviewed relevant literature on the risks of indoor tanning, current indoor tanning legislation, and trends in indoor tanning and melanoma incidence. Study was conducted at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA between the years of 2014 and 2015. MAIN FINDINGS: Our findings reaffirm the relationship between indoor tanning and melanoma risk, and suggest a widespread public misunderstanding of the negative effects of indoor tanning. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: This review argues for an aggressive initiative to reduce indoor tanning in the United States, to design prevention efforts tailored towards specific high risk groups, and the need to better inform the public of the risks of indoor tanning.

Use of SSRIs may Impact Bone Density in Adolescent and Young Women with Anorexia Nervosa.

OBJECTIVES: Alterations in serotonin impact bone metabolism in animal models, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been associated with increased fracture risk in older adults. SSRIs are commonly used in anorexia nervosa (AN), a condition that predisposes to low bone mineral density (BMD). Our objective was to determine whether SSRI use is associated with low BMD in AN. METHODS: We examined Z-scores for spine, hip and whole body (WB) BMD, spine bone mineral apparent density and WBBMC/height (Ht) in females with AN 12-21 years old who had never been on SSRIs, on SSRIs for <6 months (<6M) or >6 months (>6M). RESULTS: Subjects on SSRIs for >6M had lower spine, femoral-neck and WBBMD Z-scores than those on SSRIs for <6M. Hip BMD and WBBMC/Ht Z-scores were lowest in subjects on SSRIs for >6M. Duration of SSRI use, duration since AN diagnosis and duration of amenorrhea inversely predicted BMD, whereas BMI was a positive predictor. In a regression model, duration of SSRI use remained an independent negative predictor of BMD. DISCUSSION: Duration of SSRI use >6M is associated with low BMD in AN. CONCLUSION: It may be necessary to monitor BMD more rigorously when duration of SSRI use exceeds 6M.