Publications by authors named "Laura Tarter"
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multiorgan systemic inflammatory disorder, predominantly affects women during their reproductive years. In this review, we summarize the state of knowledge about preconception planning and management of SLE during pregnancy. Achieving remission or low disease activity for several months on medications compatible with pregnancy prior to conception is essential to decreasing the risk of disease flare and improving pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose Of Review: Pericarditis complicates pregnancy planning, pregnancy, or the postpartum period, and the management approach requires special considerations. Here, we aim to summarize the latest research, diagnostic, and treatment strategies.
Recent Findings: Physiologic cardiovascular (CV) adaptations occurring during pregnancy complicate diagnosis, but for most patients, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) are sufficient to diagnosis pericarditis in the appropriate clinical context.
Objective: Systemic rheumatic conditions affect reproductive-aged patients and often require potentially teratogenic medications. We assessed the feasibility and impact of a standardized pregnancy intention screening question (One Key Question [OKQ]) in a large academic rheumatology practice.
Methods: This 6-month pilot quality improvement initiative prompted rheumatologists to ask female patients aged 18 to 49 years about their pregnancy intentions using OKQ.
Objective: To develop an evidence-based guideline on contraception, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), fertility preservation with gonadotoxic therapy, use of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), pregnancy assessment and management, and medication use in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD).
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of evidence relating to contraception, ART, fertility preservation, HRT, pregnancy and lactation, and medication use in RMD populations, using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology to rate the quality of evidence and a group consensus process to determine final recommendations and grade their strength (conditional or strong). Good practice statements were agreed upon when indirect evidence was sufficiently compelling that a formal vote was unnecessary.
Objective: To develop an evidence-based guideline on contraception, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), fertility preservation with gonadotoxic therapy, use of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), pregnancy assessment and management, and medication use in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD).
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of evidence relating to contraception, ART, fertility preservation, HRT, pregnancy and lactation, and medication use in RMD populations, using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology to rate the quality of evidence and a group consensus process to determine final recommendations and grade their strength (conditional or strong). Good practice statements were agreed upon when indirect evidence was sufficiently compelling that a formal vote was unnecessary.
Objective: Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at high risk for infections and SLE- and medication-related complications. The present study was undertaken to define a set of SLE-specific adverse outcomes that could be prevented, or their complications minimized, if timely, effective ambulatory care had been received.
Methods: We used a modified Delphi process beginning with a literature review and key informant interviews to select initial SLE-specific potentially preventable conditions.
Objective: To describe the clinical and serologic abnormalities in 6 patients who presented with retiform purpura and extensive cutaneous necrosis after exposure to levamisole-adulterated cocaine.
Methods: All patients were evaluated at San Francisco General Hospital or the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Each underwent standard screening for substances of abuse and had urine tested for the presence of levamisole by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
Background: Although residency programs must prepare physicians who can analyze and improve their practice, practice improvement (PI) is new for many faculty preceptors. We describe the pilot of a PI curriculum incorporating a practice improvement module (PIM) from the American Board of Internal Medicine for residents and their faculty preceptors.
Methods: Residents attended PI didactics and completed a PIM during continuity clinic and outpatient months working in groups under committed faculty.