Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in OBGYN & Women’s Health for March 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Perception of E-Cigarettes as More Harmful Than Cigarettes Increased
FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2012 to 2017, the proportion of U.S. adults who perceived electronic-cigarettes to be as harmful as or more harmful than cigarettes increased, according to a study published online March 29 in JAMA Network Open.
High Prenatal Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio Linked to ADHD at Age 7
FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A higher prenatal omega-6:omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio in cord plasma is associated with a higher attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) index score for the child at age 7 years, according to a study published online March 28 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Simple Rapid Urine Test Can Help Diagnose Preeclampsia
FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A simple point-of-care urine test can rapidly detect preeclampsia, according to a study published in the February issue of EClinicalMedicine.
Shorter Reproductive Span May Up Risk for Dementia in Women
FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Having a shorter reproductive span is associated with an increased risk for dementia in women, according to a study published online March 28 in Neurology.
Lifetime HTN Risk High for Black Men and Women, White Men
THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Lifetime risks of hypertension under the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2017 threshold exceed 75 percent for white men and African-American men and women, according to a study published online March 27 in JAMA Cardiology.
Tooth Loss May Up Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Black Women
THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Tooth loss is associated with an increased risk for incident pancreatic cancer in African-American women, according to a study published online March 28 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Frailty May Up Fracture Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with type 2 diabetes are frailer than participants without diabetes, and frailty increases the risk for fragility fractures, according to a study published in the April issue of Diabetes Care.
Doctors With Malpractice Claims More Likely to Leave Medicine
THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians with one or more paid malpractice claims are more likely to leave practice or shift into smaller practice settings, according to a study published in the March 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Miscarriage Risk Strongly Tied to Age, Pregnancy History
WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for miscarriage varies greatly with maternal age, has a strong recurrence pattern, and is increased after some adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to a study published online March 20 in The BMJ.
FDA: Breast Density Must Be Reported to Women During Mammograms
WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Women with dense breasts who get mammograms must be told of their higher risk for breast cancer under new rules proposed Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Taxane + Platinum Feasible for Adjuvant Tx in Endometrial Cancer
WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Taxane plus platinum regimens may be a reasonable alternative to doxorubicin plus cisplatin as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer that carries a high risk for progression, according to a study published online March 21 in JAMA Oncology.
FDA Panel: Too Early to Ban Breast Implant Linked With Cancer
TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It is too early to ban a type of breast implant recently linked to a rare form of cancer, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration expert panel advised Monday.
AP News Article
Douglas County, Colorado, Ranked as Healthiest Community
TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 2019 healthiest community in America is Douglas County, Colorado, according to a report published online March 26 by U.S. News & World Report, in conjunction with the Aetna Foundation.
Risk for Miscarriage Increased With Night Work During Pregnancy
TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Night work during pregnancy seems to confer an increased risk for miscarriage, with the risk increased for two or more night shifts the previous week, according to a study published online March 25 in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
Mumps Outbreak at Temple University Reaches 74 Cases
MONDAY, March 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A mumps outbreak that began last month at Temple University in Philadelphia has reached 15 confirmed and 59 probable cases.
CNN Article
More Information: CDC
2019 Residency Match Day Was Largest in History
MONDAY, March 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 2019 Main Residency Match was the largest in history, with a record high of 38,376 applicants for 35,185 positions, according to 2019 Match Day results released by the National Resident Matching Program.
Prenatal Pesticide Exposure Linked to Increased Risk for Autism
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prenatal exposure to ambient pesticides within 2,000 m of maternal residence during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder, according to a study published online March 20 in The BMJ.
Many Patients Still Employ Strategies to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of adults reporting the use of strategies, such as requesting a lower-cost medication or not using medication as prescribed, to reduce prescription drug costs remained stable in 2015 to 2017, according to a March data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
State Breast Density Notification Laws May Up Ultrasound Use
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dense breast notification (DBN) laws are associated with increased use of ultrasound and cancer detection only when notification of the possible benefits of supplemental screening is required, according to a study published online March 21 in the American Journal of Public Health.
Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Can Reduce Benign Biopsy Rate
THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) can reduce the rate of benign biopsies without affecting cancer detection compared with full-field digital mammography (FFDM), according to a study published online March 19 in Radiology.
Younger Female Blood Donors Vulnerable to Iron Deficiency
THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Blood donation is associated with iron deficiency among both adolescent girls and younger adult women in the United States, according to a study recently published in Transfusion.
Prevalence of Severe Maternal Morbidity Increased Across Groups
THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 1997 to 2014, there was an increase in the prevalence of severe maternal morbidity (SMM), with persistent racial/ethnic disparities, according to a study published online Feb. 28 in the Annals of Epidemiology.
Trastuzumab Tied to Higher Long-Term Risk for Heart Failure
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Compared with chemotherapy alone, trastuzumab is associated with a twofold increased long-term risk for heart failure in breast cancer survivors, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of JACC: Heart Failure.
Pregnancy-Adapted Algorithm Avoids Diagnostic Imaging for PE
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A pregnancy-adapted algorithm can safely avoid diagnostic imaging in a proportion of pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism, according to a study published in the March 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
FDA Takes New Look at Breast Implant Safety
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Questions about breast implant safety are getting new attention from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as thousands of women say their implants cause debilitating joint pain and fatigue.
FDA: First Treatment Approved Specifically for Postpartum Depression
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Zulresso (brexanolone) injection has been approved for intravenous (IV) use in the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adult women, marking the first drug approved specifically for PPD, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced yesterday.
Breast Density Categorization Varies With Screening Modality
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) breast density categorization may vary by screening mammographic modality, according to a study published online March 19 in Radiology.
Overall, Physicians Are Happy and Enjoy Their Lives
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Overall, physicians are happy and enjoy their lives, according to the 2019 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)/CompHealth Physician Happiness Survey published online March 19.
2019 AAFP/CompHealth Physician Happiness Survey
Patients With Diabetes at Increased Risk for Sleep Apnea
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), independent of other factors, according to a study published online March 12 in Diabetes Care.
CDC: New HIV Transmission Often From Those Unaware of Infection
TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most new HIV transmissions are from people who do not know they have HIV infection or are aware of infection but are not receiving care, according to research published in the March 18 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Analgesics in Pregnancy Do Not Seem to Cause Offspring Asthma
TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Analgesics taken during pregnancy, including opioids, antimigraine drugs, and paracetamol, do not appear to cause asthma, according to a study published online March 17 in the European Respiratory Journal.
Bluetooth Technology Enables Insulin Adherence Monitoring
TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adherence to timing and dosing of insulin injections can be objectively measured using Bluetooth-enabled pen caps, according to a study published online March 12 in Diabetes Care.
Light Physical Activity Tied to Lower CHD, CVD Risk in Women
TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Light physical activity (PA) is associated with reductions in coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older women, according to a study published online March 15 in JAMA Network Open.
Active Interventions Generally Helpful for Urinary Incontinence
MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most active interventions are more likely than no treatment to improve outcomes for women with either stress or urgency urinary incontinence (UI), according to a review published online March 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
In Utero Ultrafine Particle Exposure Tied to Asthma in Offspring
MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs; <0.1 μm) during the second trimester in utero is linked to the subsequent onset of asthma in children, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Fewer Complications After MIRS Introduced for Endometrial Cancer
MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The introduction of minimally invasive robotic surgery (MIRS) is associated with a significantly lower risk for severe complications among patients with early-stage endometrial cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in JAMA Surgery.
Average of 8.8 Inactive Ingredients Found in Oral Medications
MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Oral forms of medications contain an average of 8.8 inactive ingredients, many of which could cause adverse reactions, according to a perspective piece published in the March 13 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
Physician Burnout Rate Increased From 2014 to 2017
FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2017, there was an increase in physician burnout, with early-career physicians being the most susceptible, according to a study published online March 15 in JAMA Network Open.
Guidelines Developed for Polymyxin Antibiotic Use
FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for use of polymyxins, focusing on polymyxin B and polymyxin E (colistin); the guidelines were recently published in Pharmacotherapy.
Induction for Late-Term Pregnancies at 41 Weeks Tied to Small Benefits
FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There may be a small benefit to labor induction in low-risk woman at 41 weeks versus expectant management, though the chances of a good perinatal outcome are high with both strategies, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in The BMJ.
Opioid Prescriptions Dropped for New Users From 2012 to 2017
FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many providers stopped initiating opioid therapy from July 2012 to December 2017, according to a report published in the March 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
E-Cigarettes May Threaten Goal of Achieving Tobacco Endgame
THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable concern regarding the potential negative impact that electronic cigarettes and other new products may have on ending all tobacco use and nicotine addiction, according to a presidential advisory issued by the American Heart Association and published online March 13 in Circulation.
Infertility in Women Linked to Modestly Elevated Cancer Risk
THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Infertility seems to be associated with an increased risk for cancer in women, according to a study published online March 13 in Human Reproduction.
Prenatal High-Dose Vitamin D Not Linked to Asthma at Age 6
THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — High-dose vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy is not associated with a child’s risk for asthma at age 6 years, according to a research letter published in the March 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Mumps Causes Quarantine of Over 2,200 Immigrant Detainees
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 2,200 people exposed to a mumps outbreak in two U.S. immigrant detention facilities have been quarantined, federal officials say.
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
Head of National Cancer Institute Named Acting FDA Commissioner
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will temporarily be overseen by the head of the National Cancer Institute when FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., leaves the post next month.
AP News Article
CDC: Most Americans Report Excellent, Good Health
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most Americans report having excellent or good health and have a usual place to go for medical care, according to a report published March 13 for the National Health Interview Survey Early Release Program.
Resistance Training May Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Progression
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Resistance training (RT) may be a viable option for patients with prediabetes seeking to prevent or delay progression to type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published online Feb. 15 in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews.
Parity, Risk for Breast Cancer Studied for BRCA1/2 Carriers
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The correlation between reproductive events and breast cancer risk varies for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, according to a study published March 8 in JNCI Cancer Spectrum.
Diet Quality in Midlife Not Linked to Later Risk for Dementia
TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Diet quality in midlife is not associated with subsequent dementia risk, according to a study published in the March 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Acupressure Reduces Lasting Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Acupressure is associated with improvements in co-occurring symptoms in breast cancer survivors with fatigue, according to a study recently published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum.
Stillbirth Risk Up With High Serum Bile Acids in Pregnancy
TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk of stillbirth is increased in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy when serum bile acids concentrations are ≥100 µmol/L or more, according to a review published in the March 2 issue of The Lancet.
CDC: Flu Season May Have Peaked
MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It looks like the flu season has peaked in the United States, though there has been a recent rise in the number of cases involving a more severe flu strain.
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
Moderate Muscle Strength Linked to Lower Risk for T2DM
MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A moderate level of muscular strength is associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, independent of estimated cardiorespiratory fitness, according to a study published online March 11 in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
FDA Approves First Immunotherapy Drug for Breast Cancer
MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given its blessing to the first immunotherapy regimen for breast cancer.
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Up With Maternal Smoking
MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is increased with any maternal smoking during pregnancy, according to a study published online March 11 in Pediatrics.
Mumps Outbreak Reported at Temple University
FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ten confirmed cases of mumps, six probable cases, and a case under investigation have been reported at Temple University in Philadelphia.
CNN Article
More Information: CDC
Genetic Testing Recommended for All Patients With Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Genetic testing should be made available to all patients with a history of breast cancer, according to an updated consensus guideline from the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBS).
Consensus Guideline on Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast Cancer
GDM Linked to Increased Cardiovascular Event Risk Postpartum
FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an increased risk fir developing cardiovascular events postpartum, according to a review published online March 7 in Diabetologia.
Water Pipe Tobacco Smoking Addictive, Harmful to the Heart
FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Smoking a water pipe is addictive and can increase the risk for initiating cigarette smoking, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association published online March 8 in Circulation.
Long-Term Systemic Hormone Therapy May Up Alzheimer Risk
THURSDAY, March 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Long-term use of systemic hormone therapy may be associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer disease, according to a study published online March 6 in The BMJ.
Menopause Symptoms Linked to Chronic Pain in Midlife
THURSDAY, March 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Menopause symptoms are associated with chronic pain among midlife female veterans, according to a study published online March 4 in Menopause.
Raspberries May Aid Glucose Control With Prediabetes
THURSDAY, March 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Eating red raspberries may help with glucose control in people with prediabetes, according to a small study published online Feb. 14 in Obesity.
Recall Down, Cancer Detection Up With Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
THURSDAY, March 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is associated with lower recall and higher cancer detection rates than digital mammography (DM), according to research published online Feb. 28 in JAMA Oncology.
Behavioral Intervention Ups Physical Activity in T2DM
WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A behavioral intervention results in a sustained increase in physical activity and decrease in sedentary time among patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the March 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
No Increased Risk Seen for Pregnancies Conceived Within Year of Stillbirth
WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Conception within 12 months of a stillbirth is common and is not associated with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to a study published online Feb. 28 in The Lancet.
Studies Look at Ways to Reduce Depressive Episodes in Obese
TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For overweight adults with depression, daily multinutrient supplements and individual or group therapy sessions do not reduce major depressive disorder (MDD) episodes over one year, but an integrated intervention appears to be beneficial, according to two studies published in the March 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Abstract/Full Text – Ma (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb Resigns
TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In what probably came as a surprise to many, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., announced his resignation on Tuesday. Gottlieb is leaving the FDA because he wants to spend more time with his wife and three young daughters — twins aged 9 and a 5-year-old — one official said. He currently commutes each week from the family home in Connecticut to his Washington, D.C., office.
The Washington Post Article
Second Man HIV-Free After Stem Cell Transplant
TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In only the second known case worldwide, a man is free of HIV after a stem cell transplant, doctors say.
Program in Peds Rheumatology Clinic Ups Education on Teratogenic Rx
TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A series of interventions introduced through a quality improvement project can increase the frequency of both teratogen education and urine pregnancy screening in patients taking teratogenic medications for rheumatic disease, according to a study published online March 5 in Pediatrics.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis Delays Seen With High-Deductible Health Plans
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Both low- and high-income women who are switched to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) experience delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, according to a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
Poll: Many Older Adults Report Feeling Lonely, Isolated
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many older adults, especially those with health issues, report feeling lonely and isolated, according to the results of the National Poll on Healthy Aging, published on March 4.
National Poll on Healthy Aging
Pneumococcal Vaccination at Age 50 Prevents the Most Disease
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Recommending pneumococcal vaccination for all 50-year-olds prevents the most disease in underserved minorities and the general population, but the cost exceeds $250,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, according to a study published online March 4 in Vaccine.
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Tied to Stroke Risk
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) have a greater long-term risk for stroke that is reduced by aspirin use, according to a study recently published in Neurology.
FDA Warns Americans Not to Buy Drugs From Canadian Company
FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A large Canadian drug distributor sells unapproved and mislabeled medicines to Americans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday. The distributor disputes the claim, however.
The New York Times Article
More Information: FDA
Antibiotic Delay Leads to Increased Risks in Seniors With UTI
FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Delaying or withholding antibiotics for older patients with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with an increase in bloodstream infection and all-cause mortality, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in The BMJ.
HPV Infection Unlikely to Spread From Hand Contact
FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The majority of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are likely to be caused by genital-to-genital sexual transmission, not hand-to-genital contact, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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