A prospective analysis of the association between cardiovascular disease and depression in middle-aged women.

Objective: Experimental and clinical data demonstrate a close association between depression and coronary heart disease (CHD). Because no simple depression instrument for use by general practitioners has been shown to predict CHD, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether such a questionnaire could predict CHD.

Methods: The prevalence of CHD and CHD risk factors was assessed in women with depression, measured by a validated three-question depression screening instrument.

Identification of a mechanism for increased cardiovascular risk among individuals with low vitamin D concentrations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma concentrations of vitamin D and its association with plasma lipid profiles.

Methods: Plasma vitamin D3 and lipid concentrations were measured in 119 female cynomolgus monkeys (premenopausal, n = 49; ovariectomized, n = 70) consuming approximately 1,000 IU per day of vitamin D3. In a subset of the ovariectomized monkeys (n = 23), vitamin D3 was remeasured after 6 months.

Atypical glandular cells on cervical cytology and breast disease: what is the association?

Objective: To determine whether metastatic mammary carcinoma can be detected on cervical cytology in patients with atypical glandular cells (AGCs).

Methods: This blinded study of AGC cases with a matched control group was approved by Hartford Hospital institutional review board. Between January 2002 and November 2008, inclusive, all Pap tests in our database with AGC were identified.

The association of breast arterial calcification and coronary heart disease.

Objective: To estimate whether mammography can be an early, valid tool for predicting the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women.

Methods: Women presenting for routine mammograms between June and August 2004 were recruited for the study. Baseline data collected included risk factors and family history of heart disease, as well as any cardiac events experienced by the patient.

Assessment of postmenopausal women and significant risk factors for osteoporosis.

The assessment of osteoporosis risk factors can help guide early intervention. The objective of this study was to analyze numerous potential risk factors to see which were associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Women aged 49 or greater presenting for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry bone scans were recruited from radiology sites in the Hartford, Connecticut, area between January 2007 and March 2009, inclusive.

Culturally informed child psychiatric practice.

Child and adolescent psychiatrists are already serving an increasing population of culturally and ethnically diverse patients and families in their practices and in different agency settings. This article discusses adaptations to practice that enable child and adolescent psychiatrists to address the diverse clinical and cultural needs of this emerging population. Special attention is given to work in psychotherapy and in agency settings where diverse children and youth are found in large numbers.

Clinical outcomes in patients with isolated subsegmental pulmonary emboli diagnosed by multidetector CT pulmonary angiography.

Introduction: CT Pulmonary Angiography has been shown to be equivalent to Ventilation/ Perfusion scanning in 3-month outcome studies, but it detects more pulmonary emboli. Isolated subsegmental pulmonary emboli are thought to account for some of the increase in diagnosis, but it is not known whether these emboli represent a harbinger for future thromboembolic events. The objective of this study was to determine the 3-month clinical outcomes of a cohort of patients diagnosed with isolated subsegmental pulmonary emboli.

Sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety among patients of an inner-city menopause clinic.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in a sample comprising women of mostly Hispanic descent and low socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods: Demographic data and symptoms related to sexuality were analyzed from 102 women who consecutively came to the Women's Life Center at Hartford Hospital (2004-2008). FSD was defined as decreased sexual desire, dyspareunia, or vaginal dryness; depression as one positive response to a validated three-question screening instrument; and anxiety as a positive response to whether the patient experiences anxiety sometimes or often.

The association of breast disease and atypical glandular cells on cervical cytology.

Objective: This study seeks to determine whether an association exists between atypical glandular cells (AGC) on cervical cytology and breast disease.

Methods: We analyzed 470,147 Papanicolaou test results from January 1, 2002, to November 17, 2008, inclusive. We studied all cases of AGC versus a control group with normal Papanicolaou test results.

Effects of age at first pregnancy and breast-feeding on the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Objective: Although pregnancy and breast-feeding require adequate calcium mobilization, it is not known if these affect the acquisition of a healthy peak bone mass (PBM) and, hence, postmenopausal osteoporosis (OPS). The objective of this study was to analyze previous pregnancies and/or breast-feeding and their association with OPS.

Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, postmenopausal women (>49 y) presenting for a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry bone density scan were invited to participate.

Visionary leader 2009: Deborah Kumar.

The following manuscript is the winning Visionary Leader 2009 entry submitted to Nursing Management in recognition of Deborah Kumar, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Director, Medical Division, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Pa. Deborah was formally recognized for her achievements during the opening ceremony of Congress 2009, September 9, in Chicago, Ill. There, she received the award, sponsored this year by B.

Idiopathic sensorineural hearing disorders in adults--a pragmatic approach.

Acute or progressive sensorineural hearing loss, with or without vertigo and tinnitus, has a considerable impact upon an individual's quality of life. Sensorineural hearing disorders are more commonly observed in patients with rheumatic disease than in the general population, are more likely to be accompanied by the presence of serum autoantibodies, and might respond to steroid therapy. A subgroup of these disorders seem to be immune mediated, but audiologic presentation and serologic testing do not enable this subgroup to be further defined.

Evaluation of the thyroid nodule.

The annual incidence of thyroid cancer worldwide is 1 case per 100 000 men and 2.6 cases per 100 000 women. Most thyroid nodules are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally on physical examination, self-palpation or incidentally on imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons.

Drug treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition present in approximately 5 to 10 percent of women of childbearing age. Diagnosis can be difficult because the signs and symptoms can be subtle and varied. These may include hirsutism, infertility, menstrual irregularities, and biochemical abnormalities, most notably insulin resistance.

Evaluation of a novel assessment form for observing medical residents: a randomised, controlled trial.

Context: Teaching faculty cannot reliably distinguish between satisfactory and unsatisfactory resident performances and give non-specific feedback.

Objectives: This study aimed to test whether a novel rating form can improve faculty accuracy in detecting unsatisfactory performances, generate more rater observations and improve feedback quality.

Methods: Participants included two groups of 40 internal medicine residency faculty staff.

Tumour-necrosis factor-A polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Inflammation is one of the early phases in the development of gastric cancer. Therefore, several studies have examined the association of polymorphisms in tumour-necrosis factor-A gene (TNF-A) with gastric cancer risk. This meta-analysis reviews and summarises published evidence for these associations.

Sleep-disordered breathing among women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Background: In clinical practice, polysomnograms ("sleep studies") are seldom ordered for patients with fibromyalgia, although sleep issues dominate the symptom complex. One reason for this is the lack of understanding how information from these studies could aid clinical decisions.

Methods: The authors conducted a chart review of one rheumatologist's community-based practice where polysomnograms were offered routinely to all women who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia.