Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialDoes maternal role functioning improve with antidepressant treatment in women with postpartum depression?
The ability to mother her infant is reduced in a woman with postpartum depression (PPD). Although antidepressant treatment effectively improves depressive symptoms, various domains of functioning, for example, work and relationships, do not universally improve with treatment. In this pilot study, we investigated whether maternal role functioning improved with antidepressant treatment in women with PPD. ⋯ Effective treatment with two antidepressants improves gratification in the maternal role but not self-efficacy or maternal-infant interaction in women with PPD. Results of the study can help women and their healthcare providers to weigh the benefits of short-term antidepressant treatment in the postpartum period. Future studies should consider outcomes related to a longer duration of treatment.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialMammography screening after risk-tailored messages: the women improving screening through education and risk assessment (WISER) randomized, controlled trial.
A randomized trial investigated the impact of risk-tailored messages on mammography in diverse women in the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System's gynecology clinics. ⋯ The brief intervention with a risk-tailored message did not have a significant effect overall on screening at 18 months. However, among those who worried, mammography rates in the intervention group were higher. Individual characteristics, such as worry about breast cancer and education status, may impact interventions to improve breast cancer prevention practices.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2009
Premenstrual syndrome prevalence and fluctuation over time: results from a French population-based survey.
To explore the experience of reproductive-age women in the French population with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by estimating perceived symptom prevalence, identifying risk factors, and quantifying the burden of symptoms. This study also assesses the stability of the PMS diagnosis over a 1-year period of follow-up. ⋯ More women report suffering from distressing premenstrual symptoms than are captured by strict premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) diagnostic criteria. The impact of PMS symptoms on women appears to fluctuate over time, however, producing greater variability in the syndrome than previously recognized. Clinicians should be mindful of high intraindividual variability in the syndrome when advising patients about long-term management.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2009
Maternal serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels and spontaneous preterm birth.
Preterm birth (PTB) remains a cause of substantial morbidity with an elusive etiology. Previous studies suggested an association of PTB with elevated serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) at 28 weeks gestation. G-CSF, a hematopoietic cytokine, mediates the increase in leukocytes in pregnancy and may play a role in placentation. We evaluated the association between maternal serum G-CSF in the first and second trimesters and PTB. ⋯ Acute effects of G-CSF on PTB have been suggested. In our study we observed an association of higher serum G-CSF levels early in the second trimester with PTB, suggesting PTB as the culmination process beginning early in, if not before, pregnancy.
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Journal of women's health · Dec 2008
Internal medicine residents' perceived ability to direct patient care: impact of gender and experience.
Physicians are expected to effect patient care by giving orders to members of a healthcare team. Because women are socialized to be less directive than men, the assertive behavior required of new physicians may be experienced differently by male and female residents. We sought to explore the effects of gender and year of training on residents' experiences and perceived ability to direct patient care. ⋯ When compared with male peers, female residents reported more gender issues in residency and chose less assertive behaviors in clinical scenarios. Experience mitigated some gender differences. Our findings suggest that discussion of the existing research on prescriptive gender norms for behavior and leadership may be warranted in resident orientation.