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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and several medical professional associations have published guidelines recommending that all women be counseled around the time of menopause about the benefits and risks of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) so that they may make an informed decision about its use. Despite the proliferation of ERT counseling guidelines, little is known about whether these guidelines are being followed. There were 1,500 female members (aged 40 to 69) of a Northeastern U.S. Independent Practice Association--model Health Maintenance Organization who were surveyed, and 51 percent reported that a health care provider had talked with them about the benefits and risks of ERT. In multivariate analyses, a woman's demographic characteristics (age, race, income), stage of menopause, severity of menopausal symptoms, and body weight were the major correlates of receipt of ERT counseling. Women at greater risk for osteoporosis or heart disease were no more likely to be counseled, although those with diagnosed osteoporosis were. What appear to be selective ERT counseling practices will need to be modified if the goal of providing universal ERT counseling to midlife women is to be attained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study was designed to examine the neuropsychological effects of sports-related head trauma-specifically, repetitive subconcussive impacts or head blows that do not result in a diagnosable concussion. The researchers compared the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) neurocognitive test scores of 2 groups of nonconcussed youth athletes (n = 282), grouped according to the frequency of concussions in their respective sports, with the assumption that more subconcussive impacts occur in sports in which there are more reported concussions. The results indicated that high-contact-sport (football) athletes had significantly poorer performance in processing speed and reaction time compared with athletes in low-contact sports (wrestling, soccer, baseball, judo, and basketball). This study into the effects of repetitive subconcussive head trauma tentatively raises concern that participation in high-contact sports, even without evidence of a diagnosable concussion, could result in lowered neuropsychological functioning among high school athletes. Limitations of this exploratory research effort are discussed.

To assess the effects of two sports-related concussions on neuropsychological functioning and symptom reporting, the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) was administered to 483 high school athletes. Three groups of athletes were determined based on the number of previous concussions: no concussion (n = 409), 1 concussion (n = 58), and 2 concussions (n = 16). The results showed that the three groups did not differ in terms of their ImPACT composite scores (Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Reaction Time, and Processing Speed) and the Total Symptom Score. As there are only a few studies that have reported the sequelae of 2 concussions in high school athletes, it is premature to declare that a repeated concussion does not have persistent neurocognitive effects on high school athletes.

Background: Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a unique style of martial arts with rapid growth in the United States and internationally. Although studies have examined injuries in other martial arts and combat sports, to date, no published medical study has examined injuries in BJJ competitions., Purpose: (1) To estimate the incidence of injuries in BJJ competitions and (2) to identify and describe the types and mechanisms of injuries associated with competitive BJJ., Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study., Methods: Injury data were obtained from records of on-site medical coverage at 8 statewide BJJ tournaments in Hawaii, USA, between 2005 and 2011., Results: The identified injury incidence on the day of matches was 9.2 per 1000 exposures (46 injuries out of 5022 exposures, ie, match participations). Orthopaedic injuries were the most common and accounted for 78% of all injuries (n = 36), followed by costochondral or rib injuries (n = 7) and lacerations requiring medical care (n = 3). The elbow was found to be the joint most commonly injured during BJJ competitions, with the arm bar being the most common mechanism. We propose that this BJJ-specific injury mechanism, the "arm bar," be recognized as another mechanism of hyperextension injury to the elbow in sports., Conclusion: Comparison of the BJJ injury data with injury data reported for judo, taekwondo, wrestling, and mixed martial arts showed that BJJ competitors were at substantially lower risk of injury compared with these other sports. With orthopaedic injuries being most common and the elbow being the area most vulnerable to injury in BJJ, it is important that participants, referees, and physicians be properly educated about the unique mechanisms of injury that can occur, particularly to the elbow.

Four Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) validity scales, the F Scale, Symptom Validity Scale (FBS), Henry-Heilbronner Index (HHI), and Response Bias Scale (RBS), were evaluated in 60 personal injury litigants who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Based on a modified Slick, Sherman, and Iverson ( 1999 ) diagnostic criteria for malingered neurocognitive dysfunction and utilizing test-effort measures embedded in standard neuropsychological testing, a group of 23 patients with probable invalid neurocognitive dysfunction (PI) and a comparable group of 37 patients with noninvalid neurocognitive dysfunction were identified and compared with respect to their MMPI-2 validity scale scores. Logistic regression analyses, receiver-operating characteristic curve and area under the curve analyses, as well as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value analyses all revealed that RBS performed better than F, FBS, and HHI in classifying PIs. The present results add to a number of recent studies that suggest that RBS is a useful predictor of symptom validity failure and probable neuropsychological malingering among litigating TBI patients. The study also encourages further research employing embedded test-effort measures in classifying invalid neurocognitive dysfunction per the Slick et al. diagnostic criteria.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the neurocognitive functioning and symptom reporting of high school athletes with the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) battery after sustaining a single sports-related concussion. The ImPACT battery was administered to 26 athletes at an average of 6.8 days after their head injury. ImPACT composite scores, including neurocognitive measures of Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Processing Speed, and Reaction Time, as well as a Total Symptom Score, were also obtained from an equivalent group of 25 nonconcussed football players. The composite scores of the concussed athletes were lower but not statistically different than the nonconcussed athletes. The findings were consistent with previous ImPACT research that reported no differences between concussed and nonconcussed athletes 7 days after a concussion. The symptom scores of the concussed athletes, on the other hand, were significantly higher than those who had no concussion. The similarities and differences in ImPACT test performances of the present sample of concussed high school athletes as compared with previous studies of concussed high school athletes are discussed. This study raises awareness that with high school athletes, symptom complaints may persist, even after cognitive functioning has returned to preinjury levels.

Background: Controversy persists as to whether all calf vein thrombi should be treated with anticoagulation or observed with duplex surveillance. We performed a systematic review of the literature to assess whether data could support either approach, followed by examination of its natural history by stratifying results according to early clot propagation, pulmonary emboli (PE), recurrence, and postthrombotic syndrome (PTS)., Methods: A total of 1513 articles were reviewed that were published from January 1975 to August 2010 using computerized database searches of PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and extensive cross-references. English-language studies specifically examining calf deep vein thrombosis (C-DVT) defined as axial and/or muscular veins of the calf, not involving the popliteal vein, were included. Papers were independently reviewed by two investigators (E.M., F.L.) and quality graded based on nine methodologic standards reporting on four outcome parameters., Results: Of the 1513 citations reviewed, 31 relevant papers meeting predefined criteria were found: six randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 25 observational cohort studies or case series. There was a single RCT directly comparing anticoagulation with no anticoagulation with compression and duplex surveillance, and they found no difference in propagation, PE, or bleeding in a low-risk population. Based on two studies of moderately strong methodology, C-DVT propagation was reduced with anticoagulation. When treatment was unassigned, moderately strong evidence suggested that about 15% propagate to the popliteal vein or higher. However, based on nonrandomized data but with moderate to high quality (level A and B studies), propagation to popliteal or higher was 8% in those with no anticoagulation treated with surveillance only. Propagation involving adjacent calf veins but remaining in the calf occured in up to one-half of all those who propagate. Major bleeding was an intended endpoint in three RCTs and was reported as 0% to 6%, with a trend toward lower bleeding risk in more recent studies. PE during surveillance in studies with unassigned treatment was strikingly lower than the historical reports of PE recorded at presentation, emphasizing the distinction that must be made between the two entities. Recurrence in C-DVT is lower than thigh DVT, and data suggest that in low-risk groups with transient risk factors, 6 weeks of anticoagulation may be sufficient, as opposed to 12 weeks. Studies of PTS reported that patients with C-DVT had fewer symptoms than their thigh DVT counterparts. Approximately one out of 10 showed symptoms of CEAP Class 4 to 6; however, C5 or C6 with healed or active ulceration were not commonly encountered., Conclusions: No study of strong methodology could be found to resolve the controversy of optimal treatment of C-DVT. Given the risks of propagation, PE, and recurrence, the option of doing nothing should be considered unacceptable. In the absence of strong evidence to support anticoagulation over imaging surveillance with selective anticoagulation, either method of managing calf DVT must remain as current acceptable standards., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Mosby, Inc.)

Five validity scales derived from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), the Infrequency Scale (F), Infrequency-Psychopathology Scale (F[p]), Symptom Validity Scale (FBS), Henry-Heilbronner Index (HHI), and Response Bias Scale (RBS) were evaluated in 118 litigation patients (LPs) and 163 clinical patients (CPs). Varied statistical methods, including hierarchical logistic regression analyses, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, Area Under the Curve (AUC) values, and sensitivity/specificity analyses, showed that RBS performed better than the other four scales in identifying LPs. The regression analyses found RBS to be the most significant predictor of LP and CP group membership (p < .001). The effectiveness of RBS in identifying LPs, all of whom reported neuropsychological symptoms, was attributed to its development based on cognitive effort test scores.

Race and ethnicity are commonly used predictor variables in medical and public health research. Including these variables has helped researchers to describe the etiology of certain disease states. Including race and ethnicity in research has been hypothesis generating in terms of the relationship between genetic and environmental factors in the development of disease. Eliminating health disparities among different racial and ethnic groups has become a national priority. However, incorporating race and ethnicity into health research is complex because these variables are difficult to define and individuals often identify with more than one race or ethnicity. As a "minority-majority", multiethnic, multiracial state, Hawai'i faces unique challenges in incorporating race and ethnicity into research. As the demographics of the United States continue to evolve, many of the challenges faced in Hawai'i will apply to the United States as a whole.

Primary Objective: To investigate possible sex differences in neuropsychological functioning among patients following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)., Methods and Procedures: Retrospective records analysis of the neuropsychological test results of 102 participants with head injury, including 62 males and 40 females., Main Outcome and Results: A multivariate analysis of variance indicated that females and males performed similarly on neuropsychological tests, on average, approximately 2 years after minor head trauma. A sex-by-age interaction effect was found on the Category and Trail Making A Tests, with a pattern similar to those obtained in a previous research., Conclusions: Although past research has found that females develop more TBI-related neuropsychological deficits than males in the immediate post-injury period, the present study found that, overall, sex differences in the performance of patients with mild TBI on a variety of neuropsychological tests were insignificant. More investigation into the sex-by-age interaction effect appears warranted.

Objective: To develop a simple and easy-to-use tool for identifying osteoporotic women (femoral neck bone mineral density [BMD] T-scoresor=50 in Latin America who had femoral neck BMD measurements., Measurements and Main Results: A risk index was developed from 1,547 patients based on least square regression using age, weight, history of fractures, and other variables as predictors for BMD T-score. The final model was simplified by reducing the number of predictors; sensitivity and specificity were evaluated before and after reducing the number of predictors to assess performance of the index. The final model included age, weight, country, estrogen use, and history of fractures as significant predictors for T-score. The resulting scoring index achieved 91% sensitivity and 47% specificity. Simplifying the index by using only age and weight yielded similar performance (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 45%). Three risk categories were identified based on OsteoRisk, the index using only age and body weight: high-risk patients (index <=-2; 65.6% were osteoporotic), moderate-risk patients (-2< index <=1; 26.7% were osteoporotic), and low-risk patients (index>1; 8% were osteoporotic). Similar results were seen in a validation sample of 279 women in Brazil., Conclusion: Age and weight alone performed well for predicting the risk of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. The OsteoRisk is an easy-to-use tool that effectively targets the vast majority of osteoporotic patients in Latin America for evaluation with BMD.

Purpose: 5-Hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonists (5-HT(3) antagonists) are effective for preventing acute chemotherapy-induced emesis but the benefits of continuing administration of these agents beyond 24 hours after chemotherapy (delayed emesis) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to provide estimates of clinical efficacy and drug acquisition cost associated with administering 5-HT(3) antagonists beyond 24 hours, as monotherapy or as added to dexamethasone., Methods: This analysis is based on the Cancer Care Ontario Practice Guidelines Initiative meta-analysis of the efficacy of 5-HT(3) antagonists. Results from the clinical trials covered in that meta-analysis were reanalyzed to provide estimates of absolute risk reductions (ARR) and numbers needed to treat (NNT) for 5-HT(3) antagonists, as monotherapy or as adjunct treatment. Numbers of 5-HT(3) antagonist unit doses per successfully treated patient were also calculated., Results: Five studies (comprising 1,716 assessable patients) compared a 5-HT(3) antagonist with placebo; five studies (2,240 patients) compared a combination of a 5-HT(3) antagonist and dexamethasone with dexamethasone monotherapy. ARR for monotherapy was only 8.2% (95% CI, 3.0% to 13.4%). On average, 74 5-HT(3) antagonist doses must be administered to 12 patients (NNT, 12.2; 95% CI, 7.5 to 33.4) not receiving dexamethasone to protect one patient from delayed emesis. In those patients receiving dexamethasone as standard antiemetic treatment in the delayed phase, the addition of a 5-HT(3) antagonist did not significantly improve control of delayed emesis as compared with dexamethasone monotherapy (ARR, 2.6%; 95% CI, -0.6% to 5.8%)., Conclusion: Neither clinical evidence nor considerations of cost effectiveness justify using 5-HT(3) antagonists beyond 24 hours after chemotherapy for prevention of delayed emesis.

Background: The authors determined the incidence of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis (vomiting) (CINV) among patients receiving highly (HEC) or moderately (MEC) emetogenic chemotherapy. They also assessed whether physicians and nurses accurately recognized the incidence of acute and delayed CINV in their own practices., Methods: A prospective, observational study of adult patients receiving HEC or MEC for the first time was performed. Before patient enrollment, medical oncologists and oncology nurses estimated the incidence of acute (Day 1) and delayed (Days 2-5) CINV after first administration of HEC and MEC in their own practices. Eligible patients from their practices then completed a 6-day diary including emetic episodes, nausea assessment, and antiemetic medication use. Observed incidence rates of acute and delayed CINV were compared with physician/nurse predictions., Results: Twenty-four physicians and nurses and 298 eligible patients (67 receiving HEC and 231 receiving MEC) were recruited from 14 oncology practices in 6 countries. Greater than 35% of patients overall experienced acute nausea, whereas 13% experienced acute emesis. Delayed nausea and emesis were observed in 60% and 50% of HEC patients, respectively, and in 52% and 28% of MEC patients, respectively. Delayed symptoms appeared without acute symptoms after HEC (emesis, 38%; nausea, 33%) and MEC (emesis, 19%; nausea, 21%). Physicians and nurses accurately predicted the incidence of acute CINV but underestimated the incidence of delayed nausea and emesis after HEC by 21 and 28 percentage points, respectively, and delayed nausea after MEC by 28 percentage points. Greater than 75% of physicians and nurses underestimated the incidence of delayed CINV after both HEC and MEC., Conclusions: Physicians and nurses markedly underestimated the incidence of delayed nausea and emesis after both HEC and MEC. Delayed nausea and emesis, which may appear even in the absence of acute nausea and emesis, remain important targets for improved therapeutic intervention., (Copyright 2004 American Cancer Society.)

Background: Osteoporotic fracture is a growing public health problem burden to society. Despite the importance of physician practices in preventing it, relatively little is known about the osteoporosis-related practices of US physicians., Methods: A total of 1500 female members of a Connecticut independent practice association model health plan (aged 40-69 years) were surveyed to identify women's receipt of osteoporosis-related services (eg, prevention counseling, bone mineral density [BMD] testing, and communication about treatment options). These findings were compared with recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force and the National Osteoporosis Foundation. We received 1007 completed questionnaires, for a response rate of 69%., Results: Only 49% of the sample reported that a health care provider ever discussed osteoporosis with them. In multivariate analyses, women with multiple risk factors were not more likely than other women to have been counseled about osteoporosis and its prevention, although those with an osteopenia/osteoporosis diagnosis were. In contrast to National Osteoporosis Foundation recommendations, only a small minority of high-risk women (12%-34%) had their BMD tested. Although most women with an osteopenia/osteoporosis diagnosis reported receiving information on estrogen replacement therapy, calcium, and weight-bearing exercise, fewer reported receiving information on pharmaceutical alternatives to estrogen (33%) and vitamin D (20%)., Conclusions: The main trigger to physician counseling of women about osteoporosis and its prevention is an osteopenia/osteoporosis diagnosis. Women with multiple risk factors for osteoporosis are not being identified for preventive counseling interventions or BMD testing.

Among industrialized countries, the United States has the highest rates of firearm suicide and homicide, as well as the highest rate of gun ownership. The present study compares the differential impact of gun availability on firearm suicides and homicides in the U.S. Using data from the NCHS Mortality Detail Files (1989-1991), the 1990 U.S. census population estimates, and the General Social Surveys (1989-1991) for nine geographic divisions, we computed rates of firearm and non-firearm suicides and homicides as well as rates of gun ownership for four gender-race groups. We tested the strength of the associations between gun availability and firearm suicide and homicide rates by computing the Spearman correlation coefficients. To help elucidate the role of method substitution, we conducted similar analyses on non-firearm suicide and homicide. The results show that gun ownership has a stronger impact on firearm suicides than homicides. These findings held up after stratifying by gender and race. The study suggests that reducing the aggregate level of gun availability may decrease the risk of firearm-related deaths.

Results of a random survey of 2574 adults in East and West Germany in 1992 show virtually no differences in subjective health status for the populations of East versus West Germany and only slight differences for men versus women. A closer analysis via multiple regression indicates, however, that contrary to previous results from other countries West German women have a better health status than men. Of the four gender groups analyzed separately East German men are the best off, while owing to a number of socio-economic status discrepancies, East German women report the worst health status. Surprisingly, West German men show a poorer subjective health status than East German men, although a number of factors like participation in sport, better income and younger age would predict otherwise. It is suggested that their health situation is negatively influenced not only by their work situation but also by outside private commitments not accounted for in this analysis. Also difficult to explain from the present data is the relatively good health status of East German men. Despite an insecure job and a difficult work situation they may experience unification in sociopolitical terms and their present social status as something positive. Overall, conditions in the system of West Germany show a tendency to favor women, while those in East Germany clearly favor men.

Contrary to the common view that older women (65+) in the United States use suicide methods that have relatively low potential for death, firearms have become the most common suicide method in this group. The present study examines the association between demographic and geographic factors and the use of firearms vs other suicide methods. Data were derived from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Mortality Detail Files (1989-1991). Results from a logistic regression analysis indicate that among white women 65 and over who died by suicide in 1989-1991, the risk of using firearms varied significantly across demographic and geographic subcategories of the population. The following characteristics among women were significantly more likely to be associated with the use of firearms as a suicide method: ages 65-74, married, of lower educational attainment, in nonmetropolitan areas, and in the South. Research is needed to assess the effects of limiting firearms on the growing proportion of firearm-related suicides among older women.

Data collected by mailed survey and a random sample of 2552 German adults, are analyzed via stepwise regression for the relationship between age and visits to GPs and Specialists. Contrary to common opinion and descriptive analysis the relationship is weak and non-linear. The total effect shows that contacts with GPs do not increase with age much an more. Analysis also shows that effects for both groups of physicians are not only biological but also cohort effects, the latter measured via education. Older people collectively have less education, show consequently 1. worse health and 2. more contacts with GPs than specialists. Results in light of debates about rationing and the cost saving behavior of older people have immediate importance for the policies of health care.