Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialCalcium plus vitamin D supplementation and health outcomes five years after active intervention ended: the Women's Health Initiative.
Clinical outcomes of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) calcium plus vitamin D supplementation trial have been reported during 7.0 years of active intervention. We now report outcomes 4.9 years after the intervention stopped and cumulative findings. ⋯ After an average of 11 years, calcium and vitamin D supplementation did not decrease hip fracture or colorectal cancer incidence. Exploratory analyses found lower vertebral fracture and in situ breast cancer incidence in the supplement users. There was no effect on CVD or all-cause mortality.
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2013
Review Comparative StudyDo differences in risk factors explain the lower rates of coronary heart disease in Japanese versus U.S. women?
Mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) in women in Japan is one of the lowest in developed countries. In an attempt to shed some light on possible reasons of lower CHD in women in Japan compared with the United States, we extensively reviewed and analyzed existing national data and recent literature. ⋯ Differences in risk factors and their trends are unlikely to explain the difference in CHD rates in women in Japan and the United States. Determining the currently unknown factors responsible for low CHD mortality in women in Japan may lead to new strategy for CHD prevention.
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2013
Comparative StudyPractices that reduce the Latina survival disparity after breast cancer.
Latina breast cancer patients are 20 percent more likely to die within 5 years after diagnosis compared with white women, even though they have a lower incidence of breast cancer, lower general mortality rates, and some better health behaviors. Existing data only examine disparities in the utilization of breast cancer care; this research expands the study question to which utilization factors drive the shorter survival in Latina women compared with white women. ⋯ We provide evidence that undetected new or recurrent breast cancers due to less consistent post-diagnosis mammograms contribute substantially to the long-observed Latina survival disadvantage. Interventions involving primary care providers may be especially beneficial to this population.
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2013
Maternal screening for hypothyroidism and thyroiditis using filter paper specimens.
Hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis are more prevalent than previously considered in women during pregnancy and the postpartum, and are associated with adverse effects on the mother and her fetus. We determined the efficacy and accuracy of screening women for primary hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis by testing TSH and two thyroid antibodies (TAb): thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), in eluates of filter paper specimens collected during early pregnancy and the postpartum. ⋯ This study confirms that TSH and TPOAb measured in eluates of blood-spotted filter paper specimens are excellent screening tests to detect primary hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis in pregnant and postpartum women. Results are very comparable to serum data in this population published in the literature.
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2013
Abnormal uterine bleeding, health status, and usual source of medical care: analyses using the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey.
Traditionally, research on abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) focused on measured menstrual blood loss. However, the main burden of this symptom from the patient perspective is its impact on quality of life. Better describing the demographic characteristics, quality of life, and utilization of medical care of women with AUB could assist with health resource planning for this population. ⋯ AUB is associated with diminished physical and mental health status and having a usual source of medical care.