Original Article

Poor Health, but Not Fracture and Fall Risk, Is Associated with Nonattendance at Bone Mineral Density Screening

Background: Bone mineral density screening identifies women at risk for fracture. Nonattendance at screening is associated with subsequent hip fracture. Determining reasons for nonattendance may help in the designing of methods to improve screening. Methods: We hypothesize that nonattenders may report poorer health and have a higher risk of fracture…

Original Article

Overtreatment and Undertreatment of Hyperlipidemia in the Outpatient Setting

Background: National guidelines recommend lipid-lowering therapy for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), its equivalent (eg, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease), and those at high risk of CHD. Quality-of-care studies demonstrate that patients at high risk of CHD are undertreated. Overtreatment of patients at low risk of CHD…

Original Article

Evaluation of Health Literacy among Spanish-Speaking Primary Care Patients Along the US–Mexico Border

Objectives: Health literacy (HL) is a measure of the communication skills that are needed by an individual to effectively navigate the healthcare system. Hispanic adults have lower average levels of HL than any other racial/ethnic group; however, the prevalence of adequate HL among Hispanics along the US–Mexico border is unknown….

Original Article

Influence of Lipoprotein (a) on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Metabolic Syndrome

Objective: To examine the relation between plasma lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) levels and oxidative stress biomarkers, serum cytokines, and atherosclerotic burden among individuals recently diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: Eighty-four white patients with MS were classified according to two Lp(a) levels (normal Lp[a]: 30 mg/dL) and were compared with…

Original Article

Prevalence and Significance of Decreased Bone Density in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Objective: Decreased bone mineral density has been found in the advanced stages of various lung diseases. Limited data are available about prevalence and risk factors for osteoporosis/osteopenia (OP) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: Patients with PAH (either idiopathic or secondary to scleroderma [SSC-PAH]) who underwent bone density testing for…

Original Article

Pneumonectomy for Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Outcomes Analysis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the morbidity and mortality of 100 consecutive patients with pneumonectomy for non–small cell lung cancer at the University of Kentucky. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 100 consecutive pneumonectomy patients, 1998–2009. Results: The median age of patients was 59…

Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Pneumonectomy for Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Outcomes Analysis”

Pneumonectomy is associated with the highest morbidity and mortality rates of all elective pulmonary resections1–3; thus, Kalathiya and Saha’s retrospective outcomes analysis is a welcome addition to this month’s issue of the Southern Medical Journal.4 The postpneumonectomy results of 100 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed from 1998 to 2009. Postoperative…

Original Article

Digital Rectal Examination Versus Spontaneous Passage of Stool for Fecal Occult Blood Testing

Background: The diagnostic value of a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) at the time of digital rectal examination (DRE) is disputed despite being used commonly by a significant number of physicians. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate FOBT by DRE for detecting neoplasia versus FOBT on stool passed spontaneously…

Invited Commentary

Fecal Occult Blood Testing: Where Do We Stand?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The incidence of new cases of CRC is estimated to be 103,170, and approximately 51,000 of these cases will die in 2012, despite the fact that both the incidence…

Original Article

Variation in Fruit Juice Consumption Among Infants and Toddlers: Associations with WIC Participation

Objectives: Juice is a common component of a child’s diet. Excessive juice consumption may lead to adverse nutritional and dental outcomes. The objective of the study was to evaluate consumption patterns and parental perception regarding juice in a sample of children from families participating or not participating in Women, Infants,…

Review

Update on Raltegravir and the Development of New Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors

Raltegravir (RAL) is the first antiretroviral in the integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) class. The use of RAL has expanded since its approval in October 2007 for multidrug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in adults. RAL is now a guideline-preferred treatment option for antiretroviral-naïve patients, indicated for treatment in…

Review

Annual Influenza Vaccination: Offering Protection Beyond Infection

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the world, is largely preventable. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that annual vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine reduces morbidity and mortality associated with CVD; however, immunization rates in patients with CVD fall consistently below the goals established by Healthy People…

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