Association of maternal obesity and childhood obesity: implications for healthcare providers

The purpose of this critical appraisal was to assess the available literature on the association of maternal obesity as a risk factor for childhood obesity and to explore the implications for incorporating this evidence into practice. The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, with its documented adverse health effects, is a critical public health threat in the United States and worldwide. Research studies have documented increased rates of childhood obesity associated with maternal obesity. Healthcare providers are challenged to expand their competencies to recognize the association of maternal obesity and childhood obesity and to address both primary and secondary prevention of childhood obesity. Stopping the cycle of obesity before it becomes the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States is a priority for community health nurses.     

Polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for the advanced practice nurse in primary care

PURPOSE: To discuss the diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by the advanced practice nurse in primary care. DATA SOURCES: Selected research and clinical articles. CONCLUSIONS: The disorder is an endocrinopathy characterized by chronic anovulation, resulting in multiple ovarian cysts. Recent research suggests a genetic etiology and a close association with obesity. Patients often present with hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, and infertility. Management is directed at the alleviation of individual symptoms. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: If left untreated, cardiovascular disease, abnormal insulin metabolism, and ovarian and endometrial cancers may develop.     

Polycystic ovary syndrome: a review for primary providers

PCOS is a metabolic syndrome that exists throughout the world with much clinical heterogeneity. PCOS is now appreciated as encompassing two interrelated metabolic phenomena--insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism. Patients present with oligo-amenorrhea and clinical hyperandrogenism, and the diagnosis is based on clinical grounds with few laboratory tests necessary. Because patients are at higher than normal risk for diabetes, glucose intolerance, and hyperlipidemia, and perhaps at higher risk for coronary heart disease, newly diagnosed patients with PCOS should be evaluated for glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia. The cornerstone of therapy today includes weight management, and further therapeutic intervention is focused on reproductive and cardiovascular health and treatment of insulin resistance. Clinical case continued The 17-year-old mentioned in the beginning of this article probably does have PCOS. She fits the clinical criteria: oligo-ovulation and hyper-androgenism (the acne and hirsutism). In addition, she is obese, which is also associated with PCOS. Her TSH and prolactin were normal, and as her presentation was not suggestive of an adrenal tumor or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (she had mild hirsutism, and those diagnoses are associated with more severe hyperandrogenism), no further laboratory evaluation was deemed necessary. Once the diagnosis was made, she was screened for lipid abnormalities and for glucose intolerance. Her LDL was 150, HDL 35; oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was normal. A pregnancy test was negative, and she was started on OCPs. Devoting herself to exercise and dietary change, she lost 10 pounds in her first 3 months after diagnosis. Her hirsutism and acne have improved with the OCPs and weight loss, and her menses are regular. She has elected to defer oral insulin sensitizers until her weight loss has stabilized. Findings PCOS is common in reproductive-aged women. Diagnosis is clinical and is supported by lab findings; there is significant clinical heterogeneity. Insulin resistance is likely central to the pathophysiology along with androgen excess. Health implications include infertility, diabetes, endometrial cancer, hyperlipidemia, and possibly coronary heart disease. Treatment is evolving and includes weight loss, OCPs, and insulin sensitizers.     

Contact dermatitis for primary care providers.

Contact dermatitis is an eczematous dermatitis developing at a site where the skin has been in direct contact with the cutaneous irritant or allergen from the environment. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is the most common form. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is inflammation of the skin caused by an antigen that elicits a type IV hypersensitivity reaction. Clinical evaluation and judgment are a critical part of the process. Patch testing in an objective method to aid in differentiating ACD from ICD and of verifying responsible allergens.     

The health of female child care providers: implications for quality of care

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the health behaviors and perceived health status of child care providers. Health behaviors and health status were also examined in relation to caring for children and the providers' perceptions of quality child care. A researcher-developed questionnaire, adapted from Williams, Mason, and Wold (2001), was mailed to a random sample of 1,000 child care providers employed in 49 child care centers in Georgia. Results indicated that, overall, the sample was a healthy population with 86.8% rating their health as good to excellent. Seventy-three percent (73%) received a physical exam annually, and 70% reported having health insurance. Despite these ratings, participants reported that they were overweight, were emotionally strained, and did not engage in physical exercise at least 3 times per week. Although most performed breast self-exams, the majority did not fully understand breast health practices. Furthermore, the majority of the child care providers (78.7%) believed that their health does not impact the care that they provide to children. Last, their definitions of quality of care for children suggested a minimal standard of care or less. These findings provide information that can be useful in designing occupational health programs within community child care settings and in promoting healthy behaviors in women.     

Male infertility: a challenge for primary health care providers

Male infertility is a poorly understood problem that often receives awkward management from health care providers. Some abnormalities of the male reproductive system that lead to infertility can be treated successfully, others cannot. Any diagnosis of infertility can create an emotional crisis for the infertile male and his partner, which requires support, understanding and counseling from clinicians. This article examines the process of evaluating reproductive function, determining patient needs, establishing a plan of care and understanding treatment options for the infertile male.     

Abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

Abdominal obesity in man is an integrated part of the Metabolic Syndrome, and is associated with a complex neuroendocrine disturbance. Its consequences for the metabolism of the periphery seems to be insulin resistance caused by a combination of a relative hypercortisolaemia and a relative deficiency of sex steroid hormones. This hormonal aberration, in combination with a relative insufficiency of growth hormone secretion, might also direct depot triglycerides to visceral adipose tissues, a consequence at least partly due to varying densities of the specific receptors for these hormones. Visceral fat accumulation may thus be a consequence of the neuroendocrine aberrations, and may amplify the metabolic symptoms via effects on the liver of free fatty acids released in abundance from the lipolytically sensitive enlarged visceral fat depots. The origin of the neuroendocrine disturbance is not known, but epidemiological and cross-sectional information suggest that psychosocial factors are intimately involved. Animal and human studies indicate that the mediating factor(s) may be stress-sensitivity, leading to the neuroendocrine consequences observed.     

A framework for fibromyalgia management for primary care providers

Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain disorder commonly associated with comorbid symptoms, including fatigue and nonrestorative sleep. As in the management of other chronic medical disorders, the approach for fibromyalgia management follows core principles of comprehensive assessment, education, goal setting, multimodal treatment including pharmacological (eg, pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) and nonpharmacological therapies (eg, physical activity, behavioral therapy, sleep hygiene, education), and regular education and monitoring of treatment response and progress. Based on these core management principles, this review presents a framework for primary care providers through which they can develop a patient-centered treatment program for patients with fibromyalgia. This proactive and systematic treatment approach encourages ongoing education and patient self-management and is designed for use in the primary care setting.     

The implications of domestic violence for home care providers

The effects of domestic violence are revealed in shelters for battered women, but with more emphasis on prevention, cues to violence may first be detected in home settings. The most common injury sites involve the upper body. Based on a 2-year record (N = 153) review at a shelter for battered women, prevalence of injuries, health conditions and substance use were examined. Most women (82%) reported injuries, and most had past injuries severe enough to require surgery or hospitalization. This article educates home care providers about the types of abuse they are likely to find in women from violent homes and their health implications.     

Augmentation mammoplasty: implications for the primary care provider

PURPOSE: To inform primary care nurse practitioners (NPs) of the risks and possible complications of augmentation mammoplasty and suggest guidelines for counseling and monitoring women who have undergone this procedure. DATA SOURCES: Selected research and clinical articles, government documents, and the author's experience. CONCLUSIONS: Because so many women have had breast augmentation mammoplasty, it is inevitable that NPs will see patients in the primary care settings who have complications related to the procedure or the type of implant. The most common complications include (a) changes in breast sensation, (b) capsular contracture, (c) calcifications, (d) mammography distortion or inaccuracies, (e) gel-bleed, (f) implant rupture or leakage, and (g) possible systemic reactions involving the immune system. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In addition to providing support and high quality preventive care, NPs may need to take on the task of coordinating other specialities and services when treating complications or when screening for breast cancer or implant rupture.     

Metabolism and biochemical effects of nicotine for primary care providers

Nicotine is a colorless and volatile liquid alkaloid naturally occurring in the leaves and stems of Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica. Nicotine, the primary component of tobacco, is responsible for both tobacco product addiction (with chronic exposure) and the odor associated with tobacco. In addition to cigarettes, nicotine is found in chewing gum, transdermal patches, nasal spray, and sublingual tablets. Following its inhalation and absorption, nicotine and its metabolic products exert diverse physiologic and pharmacologic effects. This article covers the absorption and metabolism of nicotine, nicotine toxicity, pharmacologic effects of nicotine, nicotine-drug interactions, and the use of nicotine for the treatment of disease.     

Voting rights for older Americans with dementia: implications for health care providers

As the population of the United States ages, the prevalence of dementias such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) will increase. With this demographic shift, some older registered voters will lack the cognitive ability to weigh the variables involved in voting and making an informed decision at the ballot. Ramifications of this situation have only recently been considered. Medical and legal procedures to delineate the capacity to vote are lacking in our national policy and are in need of an overhaul. Caution must be taken to avoid indiscriminant disenfranchisement of people with dementia. Health care providers play a pivotal role in supporting older adults with dementia who exercise their voting rights. The purpose of this article is to discuss issues related to voting and older adults with dementia. Implications for gerontological health care providers are presented.     

Behaviour-change interventions in primary care: influence on nutrition and on the metabolic syndrome definers

The purpose of this paper was to examine whether interventions influenced patients' (i) consumption of fish; whole grain products; fruits and vegetables; (ii) overall nutrition, that is, the three former as an index; and (iii) clinical outcomes in terms of metabolic syndrome definers. A questionnaire was delivered to adult patients entering the nine health centres on November 2006 (n = 1211). During the year the ward personnel conducted intervention on patients with unhealthy habits. The 12-month follow up was conducted by mailings. Also clinical data of pre- and post-intervention values of metabolic syndrome definers were collected. For the analyses, intervention was divided into brief (≤ 15 min, at most three visits) and extended (> 15 min, more than three visits) intervention. Logistic Regression and manova were used to measure changes in the outcomes. Nutrition-related intervention was conducted on 218 patients (brief intervention n = 179, extended intervention n = 39). In the extended intervention group it was three times more likely to have a positive change in the nutrition index than in the brief intervention group (P = 0.017, confidence interval 1.223-7.773). In conclusion, brief interventions were commonly used in the primary care. However, they were not enough to produce changes in the patients' nutrition or in the clinical outcomes.