Prospective Survey on Fluoride Contents of Rice

Summaries and commentaries from the section editors and invited reviewers present a clinical context for practitioners' application of the latest published research relevant to the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension. In this issue Ioana Preston, MD, discusses a recently published international, prospective survey of patients with PAH undergoing noncardiac and nonobstetric major surgery.

Download Full-text

Impact of Contraception on Uterine Fibroids

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57070717 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (7) ◽

pp. 717

Author(s):

Katarzyna Kwas ◽

Aleksandra Nowakowska ◽

Angelika Fornalczyk ◽

Magda Krzycka ◽

Anna Nowak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protective Factor ◽

Hormonal Contraception ◽

Uterine Fibroids ◽

Study Data ◽

Study Group ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Prospective Survey ◽

Hormonal Dependence ◽

Control Study

Background and Objectives: Uterine fibroids develop in 25–40% of women of childbearing age; however, there are discrepancies resulting from population and socioeconomic differences. The pathogenesis of fibroids is not clear. The aim of the study was to assess the potential connection between the use of oral contraceptives and the occurrence of uterine fibroids in women of childbearing age. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, survey, case–control study, data were collected from Caucasian female patients (mean age = 30) using a questionnaire concerning the onset, duration and form of hormonal contraception, and medical and obstetrical history. The questionnaires were handed personally to hospitalized patients as well as distributed through Google forms on social media. Results: In a study group (n = 140) of patients using hormonal contraception, 37.8% of them were diagnosed with uterine fibroids, whereas among the patients not using hormonal contraception (n = 206), uterine fibroids were diagnosed in 59.6% of the patients. The most common hormonal contraception was two-component hormonal tablets used by 93.3% of the patients. Taking contraceptives was a uterine fibroids protective factor (OR = 0.4, p = 0.007). In the study group, 5.5% of the patients were pregnant and 60.42% were diagnosed with uterine fibroids (OR = 4.4, p < 0.000001). Conclusion: Contraception was found to be a protective factor for uterine fibroids among the women surveyed. The presented data confirm the theory about the hormonal dependence of uterine fibroids.

Download Full-text

Feasibility and preliminary data for a State-wide South Carolina Lupus Registry

Lupus ◽

10.1177/09612033211014591 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096120332110145

Author(s):

Brittany L Smalls ◽

Trevor D Faith ◽

Hetlena Johnson ◽

Edith M Williams

Keyword(s):

South Carolina ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Preliminary Data ◽

Autoimmune Disorder ◽

Medical Community ◽

Small Samples ◽

Control Board ◽

Prospective Survey ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus is an autoimmune disorder whose cause and reason for disproportionate impact on minorities remains enigmatic. Furthermore, statistics describing lupus incidence and prevalence are outdated and often based on small samples. To begin to address this disparity this report describes preliminary data to be utilized in the development of a state-wide lupus registry in South Carolina. Methods A prospective survey and retrospective data from the South Carolina Budget and Control Board Office of Research & Statistics were used to capture data pertaining to knowledge of lupus, prevalence, and access to lupus care. Results Retrospective ORS data indicated there were 11,690 individuals living with lupus in 2014 with the average direct cost of $69,999.40 in medical care. Prospective surveys (N = 325), in over 16 locations in South Carolina, showed 31% knew someone with lupus, 16% had been diagnosed with lupus, and 50% did not know of a medical facility that treated lupus. Conclusion A lupus registry and repository will provide ongoing access for researchers on the impact of lupus on communities in South Carolina. Lupus is highly prevalent, but disproportionately represented in terms of patient information and participation in clinical trials, so it is also expected that this preliminary work will provide an ongoing process in which the medical community can better engage lupus patients.

Download Full-text

Impact of Treatment on Vestibular Schwannoma–Associated Symptoms: A Prospective Study Comparing Treatment Modalities

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599820986564 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 019459982098656

Author(s):

Jason H. Barnes ◽

Neil S. Patel ◽

Christine M. Lohse ◽

Nicole M. Tombers ◽

Michael J. Link ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vestibular Schwannoma ◽

Median Number ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Limited Attention ◽

Subjective Symptoms ◽

Prospective Survey ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Associated Symptoms ◽

A Prospective Study

Objective The degree to which various treatment modalities modify vestibular schwannoma (VS)–associated symptoms has received limited attention. The purpose of this study was to determine how different treatment modalities affect subjective symptoms in those presenting with VS. Study Design Prospective survey. Setting Tertiary neurotology referral center. Methods Patients with sporadic VS who received treatment at our institution were prospectively surveyed with a VS symptom questionnaire. Those who completed a baseline survey prior to treatment and at least 1 posttreatment survey were included. The prospective survey evaluated the severity of self-reported symptoms (Likert scale, 1-10), including tinnitus, dizziness or imbalance, headaches, and hearing loss. Results A total of 244 patients were included (mean age, 57 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 2.1 years, and the median number of surveys completed was 2 (interquartile range, 1-3). Seventy-eight (32%) cases were managed with observation, 118 (48%) with microsurgery, and 48 (20%) with radiosurgery. Multivariable analyses revealed no statistically significant difference in the change in tinnitus ( P = .15), dizziness or imbalance ( P = 0.66), or headaches ( P = .24) among treatment groups. Evaluation of clinically important differences demonstrated that microsurgery leads to significant bidirectional changes in headaches. Conclusions Limited prospective data exist regarding the progression or resolution of subjective symptoms in those presenting with VS. This study suggests that tinnitus, dizziness or imbalance, and headaches are unlikely to be significantly modified by treatment modality and generally should not be used to direct treatment choice.

Download Full-text