A method for evaluating breast cancer screening strategies using screen-preventable loss of life.

The objective of this study is to describe how screen-preventable loss of life (screen-PLL) can be used to analyze the distribution of life savings with mammographic screening. The determination of screen-PLL with mammography is possible using a natural history model of breast cancer that simulates clinical and pathologic events of this disease. This investigation uses a Monte Carlo Markov model with data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program; American Cancer Society; and National Vital Statistics System.

Sources of Error in Office Blood Pressure Measurement.

Purposes: To evaluate 2 commonly overlooked sources of error in measuring blood pressure (BP) in the office, improper patient positioning and frequency of terminal digit bias (TDB) using manual and automated (BP) devices.

Methods: BPs recorded by 3 nurses using manual and automated devices were analyzed for TDB. In the next part of the study, 294 patients were recruited and tested with each patient's BP measured twice in the table position and compared with BP measured in the chair position.

Getting the hypertension Dx right: Patient positioning matters.

Taking blood pressure with the patient seated on the edge of an exam table led to misclassification of prehypertension or hypertension in 13.2% of patients.

Insights Into Breast Cancer Screening: A Computer Simulation of Two Contemporary Screening Strategies.

Objective: The debate over the value of screening mammography is rekindled with each new published study or guideline. Central to the discussion are the uncertainties about screening benefits and harms and the criteria used to assess them. Today, the magnitude of benefits for a population is less certain, and the evolving concept of harm has come to encompass false-positives (FPs), unnecessary biopsies, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment.

A tricky interplay, indeed.

Despite the lack of evidence, some providers are still prescribing native vitamin D for their patients with chronic kidney disease for reasons unrelated to parathyroid hormone suppression.

Gynecomastia: when is treatment indicated?

This algorithmic approach can simplify your clinical evaluation and help you decide whether intervention or watchful waiting is appropriate.