Protocol for double-blind RCT of acupuncture for vulvodynia.

Background: Vulvodynia, vulvar pain of unknown origin lasting at least 3 months, affects 7% of American women. Dyspareunia, its frequent companion, renders sexual intercourse virtually impossible. Although few therapies are efficacious and rapid pain relief is rarely possible, there have been no sham/placebo-controlled studies of acupuncture for vulvodynia.

Double-blinding of an acupuncture randomized controlled trial optimized with clinical translational science award resources.

Background: Clinical trial articles often lack detailed descriptions of the methods used to randomize participants, conceal allocation, and blind subjects and investigators to group assignment. We describe our systematic approach to implement and measure blinding success in a double-blind phase 2 randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of vulvodynia.

Methods: Randomization stratified by vulvodynia subtype is managed by Research Electronic Data Capture software's randomization module adapted to achieve complete masking of group allocation.

Prepregnancy Obesity Is Not Associated with Iron Utilization during the Third Trimester.

Background: An adequate maternal iron supply is crucial for maternal red blood cell (RBC) expansion, placental and fetal growth, and fetal brain development. Obese women may be at risk for poor iron status in pregnancy due to proinflammatory-driven overexpression of hepcidin leading to decreased iron bioavailability.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of prepregnancy (PP) obesity on third-trimester maternal iron utilization.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Probiotic Species on Iron Absorption and Iron Status.

Background: Strategies to prevent iron deficiency anemia (IDA) have varying effectiveness. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis was to examine the effects of probiotics on iron absorption and iron status-related markers in humans.

Methods: We followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines.

Physical Symptom Cluster Subgroups in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Symptom burden associated with chronic kidney disease can be debilitating, with a negative effect on patient health-related quality of life. Latent class clustering analysis is an innovative tool for classifying patient symptom experience.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify subgroups of patients at greatest risk for high symptom burden, which may facilitate development of patient-centered symptom management interventions.