Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · May 2013
Body mass index at age 20 and subsequent childbearing: the Adventist Health Study-2.
Some epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies suggest that underweight and obesity impact fertility. ⋯ Obesity and, to a lesser extent, underweight at age 20 increases the nulliparity rate. The results underscore the importance of a healthy weight in young women.
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Journal of women's health · May 2013
Comparative StudyPositive association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and C-reactive protein is confounded by hormonal contraceptive use.
Studies of the relationship between vitamin D and inflammation are equivocal. This may be due to unaccounted confounding. Hormonal contraceptive (HC) use is associated with elevated circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in Caucasians and African-Americans, but its effects on 25(OH)D in other ethnicities are unclear. HC use is associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory biomarker. Our objectives were to assess the effect of HC use on 25(OH)D across ethnic groups, and to examine the association between HC, 25(OH)D and CRP in an ethnically diverse population of young adults. ⋯ HC use and 25(OH)D were positively associated across ethnic groups. We found no association between 25(OH)D and CRP when HC use was accounted for. HC use confounds the association between 25(OH)D and CRP.
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Journal of women's health · May 2013
Unintended pregnancy and postpartum depression among first-time mothers.
Postpartum depression is a mental disorder that occurs after birth and has negative consequences for the mother, infant, and family. The objective of this secondary analysis was to examine whether pregnancy intention was associated with postpartum depression among first-time mothers. ⋯ Pregnancy intention was not independently associated with postpartum depression among first time mothers in Pennsylvania.
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Journal of women's health · May 2013
Comparative StudyThe impact of a culturally tailored patient navigator program on cervical cancer prevention in Latina women.
Cervical cancer disproportionately affects Latina women in the United States. This study evaluated the impact of patient navigation on cervical cancer prevention in Latinas. ⋯ Patient navigation can prevent cervical cancer in Latina women by increasing colposcopy clinic attendance, shortening time to colposcopy, and decreasing severity of cervical abnormalities over time.
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Journal of women's health · May 2013
Analysis and reporting of sex differences in phase III medical device clinical trials-how are we doing?
Over the past decade, the scientific community has begun to recognize the importance of biological sex differences in disease pathology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment; however, the practice of sex-specific analysis and reporting is not integrated as standard practice by either our federal health agencies or by major medical journals. Despite the reforms of 20 years ago and the general inclusion of women in drug clinical trials, we have yet to see data routinely analyzed and reported by sex. ⋯ We conducted a search on ClinicalTrials.gov for phase III device clinical trials and assessed their practice of sex differences evaluation. Reporting of clinical trial results by sex will maximize scientific value of research investments, significantly impact clinical decision-making, and transform medical care.