Colorectal Cancer Screening Knowledge and Practices Among Practicing Obstetrician-Gynecologists and Residents.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US, the third most diagnosed cancer in women, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The aims of our study are to (1) investigate knowledge of and adherence to CRC screening guidelines by obstetrician-gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) and (2) assess whether this knowledge/adherence vary by demographic and practice characteristics. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was distributed to a convenience sample of 142 practicing Obs/Gyns drawn from National Medical Association section members/conference attendees and hospital Ob/Gyn department members. Results: Most respondents (80.3%) viewed colorectal screening within the scope of Ob/Gyn practice, and 71.8% used the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for screening. Most respondents were knowledgeable regarding CRC screening but not in all areas. On average they only identified half of the 10 risk factors listed and only one-quarter correctly identified the age when screening can stop. Residents were somewhat more knowledgeable about screening guidelines and risk factors than attendings. More than half of respondents (57.8%) reported always initiating CRC screening for the appropriate age and risk factors. Respondents identified education and awareness (56.3%) and patients' unwillingness to undergo an invasive procedure (75.4%) as barriers to screening. Conclusions: Knowledge regarding CRC screening was less than optimal and differed by attending/resident status. Greater emphasis should be placed on CRC screening and guidelines training for primary care providers like Ob/Gyns. Some of this could be accomplished through maintenance of certification and continued integration into residency education.

Intervención fisioterápica preventiva del deterioro de la musculatura respiratoria en ancianas institucionalizadas con limitación funcional / Physiotherapy Intervention for Preventing the Respiratory Muscle Deterioration in Institutionalized Older Women with Functional Impairment

Introducción: En el anciano de edad avanzada (> 80 años) la función respiratoria puede verse afectada cuando a la presencia de comorbilidad y la pérdida de movilidad se suma el descenso de la fuerza de la musculatura respiratoria (MR). La literatura médica ha mostrado que el entrenamiento de la MR puede ser una intervención efectiva para mejorar la funcionalidad y prevenir el deterioro clínico, especialmente en la población con debilidad de la MR. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la efectividad del entrenamiento de la MR en la fuerza y resistencia de esta musculatura, en ancianas institucionalizadas con limitación funcional. Método: Se asignaron aleatoriamente 54 residentes con limitación para deambular (media 85 años, DE 6,7) a un grupo control (n = 27) y entrenado (n = 27). Se desarrolló un programa de entrenamiento supervisado, mediante Threshold ®IMT, 5 días por semana durante 6 semanas. Las variables principales fueron: la presión inspiratoria máxima (PImáx), la presión espiratoria máxima (PEmáx) y la ventilación voluntaria máxima (MVV), medidas en las semanas 0, 4, 7 y 10.ResultadosLos análisis estadísticos no revelaron cambio en la PImáx (F3,114 = 1,04, p = 0,368, R2 = 0,027), PEmáx (F3,114 = 1,86, p = 0,14, R2 = 0,047) y MVV (F3,114 = 1,74, p = 0,162, R2 = 0,044) entre ambos grupos tras la intervención. No obstante, la carga de trabajo mejoró significativamente con el entrenamiento (F5,100 = 72,031, p < 0,001, R2 = 0,791). Conclusión: El dispositivo de entrenamiento umbral en un programa interválico de 6 semanas no produce una mejora significativa de los parámetros relacionados con la fuerza y la resistencia de la MR, en la población estudiada(AU)

Introduction: In elderly seniors (>80 years), respiratory function may be compromised when, in addition to the presence of comorbidity and loss of mobility, there is also reduced respiratory muscle (RM) strength. The literature has shown that RM training could be an effective method to improve RM function and prevent clinical deterioration, particularly in population with RM weakness. The main purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of RM training on the respiratory muscle strength and endurance of institutionalized elderly women with functional impairment. Method: Fifty-four residents (mean=85 years, SD=6.7) were randomly assigned to either a control (n=27) or training (n=27) group. A supervised training program was developed with Threshold®IMT, five times per week for 6-weeks. The main variables of the intervention were: maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), all of which were measured at weeks 0, 4, 7 and 10.ResultsStatistical analysis revealed no significant differences in PImax (F3,114=1.04, p=0.368, R2=0.027), PEmax (F3,114=1.86, p=0.14, R2=0.047) and MVV (F3,114=1.74, p=0.162, R2=0.044) between the two groups after the intervention. However, the workload significantly improved with the training sessions (F5,100=72.031, p<0.001, R2=0.791). Conclusion: In a 6-week interval-based training program, the threshold loading device does not significantly improve parameters related to RM strength and endurance of the study population(AU)

Best practices: antenatal screening for common genetic conditions other than aneuploidy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Carrier screening aims to identify asymptomatic heterozygotes of heritable disorders and has a vital, ever-changing role in its application to the prenatal detection of disease. An explosion of new technologies for the identification of single-gene disorders challenges our ability to evaluate each individual test prior to its introduction into the private and public sectors. RECENT FINDINGS: The efficacy of carrier screening is dependent on several factors including the validity of the test, the incidence of disease within the community, and as many genetic disorders segregate along ethnic and racial lines, which populations should be offered testing. The difficulties in evaluating prenatal screening programs are highlighted by the recent conflicting recommendations from the American College of Medical Genetics and the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology over several single-gene disorders. In addition, changes in the recommendation for universal versus risk-based screening for ethnically segregated disorders remain controversial. These conflicts have major impacts in the provision of genetic counseling in the prenatal outpatient setting. SUMMARY: We will evaluate current and proposed screening protocols for several single-gene disorders, and comment on universal versus ethnic-based screening. Our objective is to develop guidelines for genetic screening in the antenatal outpatient setting.

Cardiovascular risk factor variation within a Hispanic cohort: SWAN, the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

OBJECTIVES: Hispanics have less favorable cardiovascular risk profiles relative to other groups, although little is known regarding variability in risk profiles according to country of origin. Our goal was to examine the association of cardiovascular risk factors with country of origin and acculturation in a cohort of middle-aged Hispanic women. SETTING: Baseline data for participants at the New Jersey Site of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). PARTICIPANTS: 419 women, aged 42-52 years, comprising 142 non-Hispanic Whites and 277 Hispanic: Central American (n = 29), South American (n = 106), Puerto Rican (n = 56), Dominican (n = 42) and Cuban (n = 44). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMI, smoking, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome were compared using univariate and multivariable models. RESULTS: LDL and HDL varied significantly across Hispanic subgroups (overall P < or = .05). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was greatest in Puerto Rican women (48.2% vs 40.0%, 35.0%, 13.9% and 29.3% in Central American, South American, Dominican and Cuban women, respectively, P = .016). Central American women were least likely to smoke (P < .05 vs Puerto Rican, Cuban and South American). Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were similar across groups. Differences in lipids and metabolic syndrome were not explained by acculturation, financial strain, education, physical activity, smoking or dietary fat intake. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant heterogeneity in cardiovascular risk status among middle-aged Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central American and South American women, not explained by acculturation or socioeconomic indicators. These differences may be important for targeting screening and preventive interventions.

Duration of lactation is associated with lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in midlife--SWAN, the study of women's health across the nation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate whether lactation duration is associated with lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) in midlife, parous women. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional cohort analysis of 2516 parous, midlife women using multivariable logistic regression to determine the independent association of lactation and lactation duration on prevalence of MetSyn. RESULTS: One thousand six hundred twenty women (64.4%) reported a history of breast-feeding, with average lifetime duration of lactation of 1.16 (+/- 1.04) years. MetSyn was present in 536 women (21.3%). Adjusting for age, smoking history, parity, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, study site, physical activity, caloric intake, and high school body mass index, women with prior lactation had significantly lower odds of MetSyn (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63 to 0.99). Furthermore, increasing duration of lactation was similarly associated with lower odds of MetSyn (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.99). CONCLUSION: Duration of lactation is associated with lower prevalence of MetSyn in a dose-response manner in midlife, parous women.