Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2020
Revisiting the Spectrum of Bladder Health: Relationships Between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Multiple Measures of Well-Being.
Background: Little research to date has investigated the spectrum of bladder health in women, including both bladder function and well-being. Therefore, we expanded our previous baseline analysis of bladder health in the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey to incorporate several additional measures of bladder-related well-being collected at the 5-year follow-up interview, including one developed specifically for women. Methods: At follow-up, participants reported their frequency of 15 lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), degree of life impact from and thought related to urinary symptoms or pelvic/bladder pain/discomfort, and perception of their bladder condition. ⋯ Approximately one in five women (16.2%-18.0% of 2527 eligible women) reported no LUTS and no diminished bladder-related well-being, the majority (55.8%-65.7%) reported some LUTS and/or diminished well-being, and a further one in five (16.9%-26.6%) reported the maximum frequency, number, or degree of LUTS and/or diminished well-being. Measures of storage function (urinating again after <2 hours, perceived frequency, nocturia, incontinence, and urgency) and pain were independently associated with bladder-related well-being. Conclusions: Our similar distribution of bladder health and consistent associations between LUTS and bladder-related well-being across multiple measures of well-being, including a female-specific measure, lend confidence to the concept of a bladder health spectrum and reinforce the bothersome nature of storage dysfunction and pain.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2020
Gender-Specific Conferences and Symposia: A Putative Support Structure for Female Physicians.
Objective: To determine the impact of gender-specific conferences or symposia as it relates to medical professional development. Materials and Methods: An online survey instrument was distributed nationally through social media and shared by respondents. The survey assessed participants' demographics, attendance at gender-specific conferences or symposia, motivations or barriers to attendance, and perceived benefits of attendance. Results: Of 792 respondents, 34% had attended a conference or symposia for women in medicine, whereas 66% had not. Attendees were significantly more likely to hold a leadership position (68% vs. 43%, p < 0.0001), an academic faculty position (74% vs. 56%, p < 0.0001), and have received a professional accolade within the past year (42% vs. 28%, p < 0.0001). ⋯ Those who were aware, but unable to attend, cited lack of time as the major barrier to participation. Conclusions: The results of this study provide preliminary data surrounding gender-specific conferences or symposia for women in medicine and highlight opportunities for increased engagement. While not causative, attendees share attributes of professional success and report personal and professional benefits. Lack of awareness and access to child/family care are likely major barriers to participation, which can be addressed through strategic initiatives.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2020
Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women Beyond Statin Therapy: New Insights 2020.
Management of residual and persistent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among statin-treated individuals has emerged as an important preventive strategy. The purpose of this article is to review the unique landscape of CVD in women and relevant prior prevention trials, and to discuss how the recent results of the Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) might apply to the contemporary management of CVD risk among statin-treated women. Women have unique risk factors that may impact CVD and its prevention. ⋯ The icosapent ethyl group had a significantly lower occurrence of the primary composite CVD endpoint (17.2%) than the placebo group (22.0%; hazard ratio 0.75; 95% confidence interval 0.68-0.83; p < 0.001). CVD risk reduction with icosapent ethyl treatment was comparable between women and men (p for interaction, 0.33). Data from REDUCE-IT suggest women benefit similarly to men with respect to icosapent ethyl, a novel therapy for prevention of CVD.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2020
Reducing Disparities in Receipt of Genetic Counseling for Underserved Women at Risk of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer.
Purpose: Genetic counseling (GC) provides critical risk prediction information to women at-risk of carrying a genetic alternation; yet racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities persist with regard to GC uptake. This study examined patterns of GC uptake after a referral in a racially diverse population. Materials and Methods: In an urban academic medical center, medical records were reviewed between January 2016 and December 2017 for women who were referred to a genetic counselor for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. ⋯ Conclusions: Racial disparities in GC uptake were not observed in this sample. Unmarried women may need additional support to obtain GC. Financial assistance or other options need to be discussed during navigation as a way to lessen the disparity between women with insurance and those without.