Maryam Sattari

Fracture and cardiac migration of an implanted venous catheter

OBJECTIVE Distal embolization of a fractured indwelling central catheter is a rare life-threatening complication. Interventional radiologic techniques are often successfully used to retrieve the fractured tip but in rare cases, a surgical intervention is needed. METHODS We present a case in which radiologic methods failed to remove the embolized fragment because of multiple venous occlusions, and a cardiotomy was finally necessary. RESULTS After right atriotomy, the fractured embolized tip was successfully removed, as well as the proximal portion. CONCLUSIONS Implanted catheters should be removed after completion of treatment, or the integrity of the system should be monitored on a regular basis.

Breast Cancer in Male-to-Female Transgender Patients: A Case for Caution

Male-to-female (MTF) transsexual individuals receive hormonal treatment (HT) for acquisition and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics. Rare, but serious, complications associated with longterm HT have been reported. Although HT is usually initiated in specialized centers, long-term maintenance is often through more conveniently located primary care providers. Thus, clinicians should be familiar with the potential complications of long-term HT. The case of a 60-year-old MTF transgender individual diagnosed with breast cancer after 8 years of HT is presented, with a summary of the related data, discussion of the reported incidence of hormonesensitive malignancies in MTF transgender patients, and recommendations for monitoring and screening during and after HT. This case highlights several issues for MTF transgender patients, and physicians caring for these patients should discuss with them the relevant cancer screening protocols. In addition, the prolactin level should be monitored in subjects taking long-term estrogen. An important unanswered question is the age at which cross-sex hormone administration can be responsibly discontinued without inducing an unacceptable risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Additional reporting of cases such as ours should be encouraged, because true insight can only come from reporting adverse effects in the medical data.

Work-Place Predictors of Duration of Breastfeeding among Female Physicians

OBJECTIVE To identify work-related predictors of breastfeeding duration among female physicians. STUDY DESIGN Data on 238 children were obtained from 50 female physicians, whose main affiliation was with Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD), and 80 female physicians, whose main affiliation was with the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL). We used a mixed linear model to determine which variables were significant predictors of breastfeeding duration when controlling for maternal demographics and taking into account the clustering of observations on study location and mothers. RESULTS Although female physicians intended to breastfeed 56% of the infants for at least 12 months and 97% of infants were breastfed at birth, only 34% of infants continued to receive breast milk at 12 months. Duration of lactation among female physicians correlated with the following work-related factors: (1) not having to make up missed call/work that occurred as result of pregnancy or maternity leave; (2) longer length of maternity leave; (3) sufficiency of time at work for milk expression; and (4) perceived level of support for breastfeeding efforts at work from colleagues, program director, or division/section chiefs. CONCLUSION Our findings support the importance of work-related factors in breastfeeding maintenance among female physicians and suggest that a tailored intervention, providing time and institutional encouragement, might result in significant improvement in their breastfeeding duration.

Dietary Inflammatory Index, Bone Mineral Density, and Risk of Fracture in Postmenopausal Women: Results From the Women's Health Initiative

Previous studies suggest that bone loss and fracture risk are associated with higher inflammatory milieu, potentially modifiable by diet. The primary objective of this analysis was to evaluate the association of the dietary inflammatory index (DII), a measure of the inflammatory potential of diet, with risk of hip, lower‐arm, and total fracture using longitudinal data from the Womens Health Initiative Observational Study and Clinical Trials. Secondarily, we evaluated changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and DII scores. DII scores were calculated from baseline food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) completed by 160,191 participants (mean age 63 years) without history of hip fracture at enrollment. Year 3 FFQs were used to calculate a DII change score. Fractures were reported at least annually; hip fractures were confirmed by medical records. Hazard ratios for fractures were computed using multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, further stratified by age and race/ethnicity. Pairwise comparisons of changes in hip BMD, measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry from baseline, year 3, and year 6 were analyzed by quartile (Q1 = least inflammatory diet) of baseline DII scores in a subgroup of women (n = 10,290). Mean DII score improved significantly over 3 years (p < 0.01), but change was not associated with fracture risk. Baseline DII score was only associated with hip fracture risk in younger white women (HR Q4,1.48; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.01; p = 0.01). There were no significant associations among white women older than 63 years or other races/ethnicities. Women with the least inflammatory DII scores had less loss of hip BMD (p = 0.01) by year 6, despite lower baseline hip BMD, versus women with the most inflammatory DII scores. In conclusion, a less inflammatory dietary pattern was associated with less BMD loss in postmenopausal women. A more inflammatory diet was associated with increased hip fracture risk only in white women younger than 63 years.

Emergence of new classes of recreational drugs-synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones.

ABSTRACTDesigner drugs represent an increasingly popular form of recreational substance abuse, especially amongst young adults. The two classes of designer drugs that have recently risen to prominence are the synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. These substances are not detected by conventional drug screening methods and can often be associated with serious health consequences, including seizures, renal failure and death. Thus, clinicians should be familiar with the signs, symptoms, and toxicities associated with the use of these substances, and maintain a high level of suspicion for synthetic drugs as an alternative means of “getting high.” We present a case of a 20-year-old college student who presented to the emergency department with altered mental status and severe agitation who later admitted to using bath salts. The goal of this article is to raise awareness about these new designer drugs, their clinical presentation, and management of their intoxication.

Energy Drink Consumption and Cardiac Complications: A Case for Caution.

We present a case of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response in a 28-year-old previously healthy man in the context of daily consumption of 2 Monster energy drinks and 2 to 3 beers. We have obtained consent from this patient to present his case. Our observation adds to the developing literature describing an association between highly caffeinated drinks and adverse cardiovascular events. The previous cases in the literature and the proposed underlying mechanisms of this association are briefly discussed in this article. With the rising popularity of energy drinks, clinicians should be aware of their arrhythmogenic potential and consider screening for these products in patients who present with otherwise unexplained arrhythmias.

Rare cause of acute hepatitis: a common energy drink

A previously healthy man aged 50 years presented with malaise, anorexia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, generalised jaundice, scleral icterus and dark urine. He was not on any prescription or over-the-counter medications, but reported drinking 4–5 energy drinks daily for 3 weeks prior to presentation. Physical examination revealed jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness. Laboratory studies were remarkable for transaminitis and evidence of chronic hepatitis C infection. Ultrasound scan demonstrated an echogenic liver and diffuse gallbladder wall thickening. Liver biopsy showed severe acute hepatitis with bridging necrosis and marked cholestasis. The patient was treated supportively with complete resolution of his symptoms and marked improvement in his laboratory abnormalities. The development of acute hepatitis in this patient was likely secondary to excessive energy drink consumption. Energy drinks as well as other herbal/over-the-counter supplements should be considered by clinicians in the workup of patients with acute hepatitis, particularly once other aetiologies have been excluded.

Osteoporosis in the Women's Health Initiative: Another Treatment Gap?

BACKGROUND Osteoporotic fractures are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and cost. METHODS We performed a post hoc analysis of the Womens Health Initiative (WHI) clinical trials data to assess osteoporosis treatment and identify participant characteristics associated with utilization of osteoporosis medication(s) after new diagnoses of osteoporosis or fracture. Information from visits prior to and immediately subsequent to the first fracture event or osteoporosis diagnosis were evaluated for medication use. A full logistic regression model was used to identify factors predictive of osteoporosis medication use after a fracture or a diagnosis of osteoporosis. RESULTS The median length of follow-up from enrollment to the last WHI clinic visit for the study cohort was 13.9 years. Among the 13,990 women who reported new diagnoses of osteoporosis or fracture between enrollment and their final WHI visit, and also had medication data available, 21.6% reported taking an osteoporosis medication other than estrogen. Higher daily calcium intake, diagnosis of osteoporosis alone or both osteoporosis and fracture (compared with diagnosis of fracture alone), Asian or Pacific Islander race/ethnicity (compared with White/Caucasian), higher income, and hormone therapy use (past or present) were associated with significantly higher likelihood of osteoporosis pharmacotherapy. Women with Black/African American race/ethnicity (compared with White/Caucasian), body mass index ≥30 (compared with body mass index of 18.5-24.9), current tobacco use (compared with past use or lifetime nonusers), and history of arthritis were less likely to use osteoporosis treatment. CONCLUSION Despite well-established treatment guidelines in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or history of fractures, pharmacotherapy use was suboptimal in this study. Initiation of osteoporosis treatment after fragility fracture may represent an opportunity to improve later outcomes in these high-risk women. Specific attention needs to be paid to increasing treatment among women with fragility fractures, obesity, current tobacco use, history of arthritis, or of Black race/ethnicity.

Lawyer mothers: infant-feeding intentions and behavior.

Objectives Maternal employment postpartum can have a powerful influence over infant-feeding behaviors. The objective of this cross-sectional online survey was to explore the infant-feeding intentions and behaviors of a convenience sample of lawyer mothers. We compared our findings with those for physician mothers. Methods Lawyers participated in an anonymous online survey. To eliminate the influence of multiple births, only study subjects with one child were reviewed for inclusion in this analysis. We used SPSS for calculation of descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney test for comparisons, and the Spearman rank correlation test for testing correlations. Results All mothers (29 lawyers and 47 physicians) included in the final analysis reported an intention to breast-feed, with 55% of lawyers wanting to breast-feed for at least 12 months. Physicians’ breast-feeding rates were 98% at birth, 83% at 6 months, and 51% at 12 months. Lawyers’ breast-feeding rates were 100% at birth, 55% at 6 months, and 17% at 12 months. Their duration of breast-feeding correlated with the support level at work and the sufficiency of time and availability of appropriate places at work to express milk. Conclusions This study did not detect statistically significant differences in infant-feeding intentions and behaviors of lawyer mothers when compared with physician mothers. Although the majority of lawyer mothers intended to breast-feed for at least 12 months, only a minority achieved that goal. Our findings support the development of workplace strategies and programs to promote breast-feeding duration among lawyers returning to work after childbirth.

Optimism, Cynical Hostility, Falls, and Fractures: The Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS)

Traits of optimism and cynical hostility are features of personality that could influence the risk of falls and fractures by influencing risk‐taking behaviors, health behaviors, or inflammation. To test the hypothesis that personality influences falls and fracture risk, we studied 87,342 women enrolled in WHI‐OS. Optimism was assessed by the Life Orientation Test–Revised and cynical hostility, the cynicism subscale of the Cook‐Medley questionnaire. Higher scores indicate greater optimism and hostility. Optimism and hostility were correlated at r = –0. 31, p < 0.001. Annual self‐report of falling ≥2 times in the past year was modeled using repeated measures logistic regression. Cox proportional hazards models were used for the fracture outcomes. We examined the risk of falls and fractures across the quartiles (Q) of optimism and hostility with tests for trends; Q1 formed the referent group. The average follow‐up for fractures was 11.4 years and for falls was 7.6 years. In multivariable (MV)‐adjusted models, women with the highest optimism scores (Q4) were 11% less likely to report ≥2 falls in the past year (odds ratio [OR] = 0.89; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.85–0.90). Women in Q4 for hostility had a 12% higher risk of ≥2 falls (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.07–1.17). Higher optimism scores were also associated with a 10% lower risk of fractures, but this association was attenuated in MV models. Women with the greatest hostility (Q4) had a modest increased risk of any fracture (MV‐adjusted hazard ratio = 1. 05; 95% CI 1.01–1.09), but there was no association with specific fracture sites. In conclusion, optimism was independently associated with a decreased risk of ≥2 falls, and hostility with an increased risk of ≥2 falls, independent of traditional risk factors. The magnitude of the association was similar to aging 5 years. Whether interventions aimed at attitudes could reduce fall risks remains to be determined.