Journal of women's health
-
Journal of women's health · Mar 2008
Comparative StudyLipid-lowering medication use and aggression scores in women: a report from the NHLBI-sponsored WISE study.
The aim of this study was to examine the association between the use of lipid-lowering medication and aggressive responding, hostility, cynicism, and depression scores in women undergoing coronary angiography. ⋯ Compared to those not on lipid-lowering medication, women receiving lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy were older (62 vs. 55 years, p < 0.001) and had more hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and coronary artery disease (CAD, defined as > or =50% stenoses in at least one epicardial artery) (all p < 0.003). Women on lipid-lowering medication had higher aggressive responding scores than those not on medication, 3.0 +/- 1.8 vs. 2.7 +/- 1.7, respectively (age-adjusted p < 0.003). This association persisted after adjustment for coronary risk factors, education, and extent of angiographic disease (CAD) (p < 0.005), and after exclusion of women using psychotropic medications (p < 0.001). Hostility, cynicism, and depression scores did not differ by medication use.
-
Journal of women's health · Mar 2008
Comparative StudyDoes gender discrimination impact regular mammography screening? Findings from the race differences in screening mammography study.
ABSTRACT Objective: To determine if gender discrimination, conceptualized as a negative life stressor, is a deterrent to adherence to mammography screening guidelines. ⋯ Our findings suggest that gender discrimination can adversely influence regular mammography screening in some women. With nearly half of women nonadherent to screening mammography guidelines in this study and with decreasing mammography rates nationwide, it is important to address the complexity of nonadherence across subgroups of women. Life stressors, such as experiences of gender discrimination, may have considerable consequences, potentially influencing health prevention prioritization in women.
-
Journal of women's health · Jan 2008
Clinicians' knowledge and attitudes about breast symptom management: is there a use for clinical guidelines?
Failure to appropriately manage women with breast symptoms has resulted in delays in breast cancer diagnoses. We examined clinicians' knowledge and attitudes about breast symptoms and pilot tested an intervention aimed at improving these outcomes. ⋯ Clinicians' knowledge of breast symptoms management varied, and some reported discomfort in their level of knowledge and skills. Although our pilot intervention improved the use of clinical guidelines, it had no statistically significant impact on clinicians' knowledge or attitudes.
-
Journal of women's health · Dec 2007
Circumstances and consequences of falls in community-dwelling older women.
To describe the circumstances and consequences of falls reported by community-dwelling older women. ⋯ The high rate of injurious falls seen here and the detailed information on activity at the time of the fall emphasize the need to increase awareness of behaviors and the environment to reduce fall risk. Previous studies have identified risk factors for falls, some of which cannot be modified, such as age or gender. In contrast, this study describes the activity at the time of the fall: many falls occur in the home environment, some with modifiable circumstances.
-
Journal of women's health · Dec 2007
Increased risk of infection and mortality in women after cardiac surgery related to allogeneic blood transfusion.
Infection and mortality rates are greater in women than in men after cardiac surgery. This study was conducted to assess whether allogeneic blood transfusion could partially account for this gender difference, as transfusion has been associated with immunomodulation. ⋯ One reason for the greater mortality in women after cardiac surgery may be the increased likelihood of receiving nonleukoreduced allogeneic RBCs and platelets. Transfusion increased the risk of infection; infection, then, increased the likelihood of pulmonary dysfunction and mortality.