Factors such as maternal high blood pressure and high haematocrit levels are associated with a greater likelihood of restricted foetal growth during the first trimester and increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, according to a new Dutch-led study. Doctors led by Dr Dennis O. Mook-Kanamori of the Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, examined [...]
In the FIT Long Term Extension (FLEX) trial, ten years of alendronate (ALN) did not significantly reduce the risk of non-vertebral fractures (NVF), compared with five years of treatment. However, continuing ALN reduced the risk of clinical, but not morphometric, vertebral fractures, regardless of baseline vertebral fracture status. In previous studies, ALN efficacy for NVF [...]
Drs Ibraheem M Tunau, Nora Abdulaziz and Anne Merrigank explore issues in the diagnosis and treatment of breast abscess, a painful and potentially destructive condition Breast abscess is a surgical emergency. It is an acute, painful condition that may cause breast destruction and may discourage breastfeeding. It is most common amongst pre-menopausal and lactating women [...]
Clinical update: Contraception – In his latest Clinical Update, Gary Culliton reports on developments in the field of contraception, including how to pick the right contraceptive and the advantages and risks associated with various methods A range of contraceptive options are on the Irish market, but how widely available are they in this country? “In [...]
Clinical update: Contraception – Implanon is very well tolerated by 72 per cent of women, according to Dr Sarah Riney, a GP at Dublin’s Suffolk Street Surgery. “The etonogestrel implant is a very effective long-term contraceptive for patients,” said Dr Riney. “It’s inserted into the arm under local anaesthetic. The hormone is released on a [...]
Clinical update: Contraception – “Hormonal contraceptives used in the right patients are safe. How and in whom they are used is key,” said Dr Rita Galimberti of the ICGP’s Joint Committee for Family Planning. There are a number of contraception courses and specific certification is available for GPs. Nurses can obtain a special family planning [...]
Clinical update: Contraception – There are 14 different kinds of contraceptive pill available. Three new pills were introduced in Ireland in 2009: Qlaira (which is useful for painful periods), Yaz (which has the same hormones as Yasminelle but in a 28-day pack) and Cerezette (a progesterone-only pill). Qlaira is the only pill with natural oestrogen [...]
Oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase the risk of developing asthma after the menopause, a new study has suggested. The study’s authors based their findings on 57,664 women who were quizzed about their use of HRT and development of asthma symptoms every two years between 1990 and 2002. All the women were taking part [...]
For women with an abnormal smear test result, HPV testing is better for their psychosocial wellbeing compared with conventional repeat smear testing, new research has found. HPV testing has advantages but also potential downsides with respect to women’s quality of life and psychosocial wellbeing, but these outcomes, and the option of offering women informed choice [...]
Patient age may affect the relative efficacy of oral bisphosphonates in postmenopausal women, research has suggested. A team from the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, carried out a post-hoc analysis of postmenopausal women /=55 years old with low bone mineral density (BMD), randomised to once weekly alendronate 70mg or risedronate 35mg for one year [...]
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