Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Pelvic organ prolapse is a medical condition that can cause pelvic discomfort as well as urinary and bowel complications. Approximately 25% of women in the United States and roughly 50% of women worldwide develop this condition. Although pelvic organ prolapse is usually a non-life-threatening condition, it can result in decreased self-confidence and negative body image. Physical and emotional sequelae can limit physical activity, and decreased productivity could be a consequence. Evidence from the literature indicates that pessary use and pelvic floor muscle training are effective options when conservative treatment is desired. Additional research is necessary to determine long-term outcomes in women who choose nonsurgical treatments. Nonsurgical options are important for women for whom surgery is contraindicated or not preferred.

Update on the American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care.

The diagnosis and management of diabetes in primary care has increased immensely over the past several years. The focus of this article is on the latest substantive revisions in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diabetes, which was presented in the January 2014 issue of the ADA's journal Diabetes Care.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: an evidence-based update.

The clinical management of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary care is a challenge both to the novice and the experienced clinician. This article reviews the latest evidence-based guidelines and focuses on how to incorporate them into the primary care setting for adults already diagnosed with T2DM.

Overweight and obesity: pharmacotherapeutic considerations.

PURPOSE: This article reviews current trends for using pharmacotherapy in combination with other weight loss modalities and offers points for consideration by clinicians in practice. DATA SOURCES: Selected evidence-based articles and government websites. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacotherapy as a strategy for managing overweight, obese, and extremely obese individuals remains controversial. Risk versus benefit and overall safety of prescription drugs for weight loss management remains a primary focus for consideration among clinicians and a viable topic for evidence-based outcomes research. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Overweight and obesity are well accepted as critical risk factors and predictors of morbidity and mortality in individuals of all ages from childhood to senescence. In the United States, overweight and obesity exist in epidemic proportions. It is critical that primary care providers be knowledgeable about pharmacologic factors related to obesity.

The relationship among registered nurses' weight status, weight loss regimens, and successful or unsuccessful weight loss.

PURPOSE: To investigate relationships between body mass index (BMI), personality type, weight loss regimens, and successful or unsuccessful weight loss. DATA SOURCES: Seven hundred and twenty-one registered nurses (RNs) were recruited from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the membership of a nursing honor society, and RNs at a large state university. Participants completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a demographic survey (age, gender, height, weight, ethnicity, education status, disability, shift work hours, and prescription medication use), and questions related to their weight status, weight loss attempts, and motivation. CONCLUSIONS: RNs who had a lower BMI were more successful in losing weight than RNs who had a higher BMI. They were also more successful in their weight loss attempts if they did not use a diet regimen. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: RNs who were successful in losing weight did not use a specified dietary regimen.