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USA Today Examines Low Popularity Of Vasectomies Compared With Female Sterilization Methods
On Monday, USA Today examined how the popularity of vasectomies remains relatively low compared with other contraceptive methods, despite the procedure"s high level of effectiveness. However, some physicians believe that the current economic recession might be a factor in the recent surge of men seeking the procedure, according to USA Today. Charles Wilson, founder of The Vasectomy Clinic in Seattle, said although it has been a "long-term struggle trying to sell vasectomy," he now performs about 140 vasectomies monthly, compared with the usual 100. Lawrence Ross, a professor of urology at the University of Illinois-Chicago, said vasectomy consultations have about doubled compared with one year ago.Despite the recent uptick, experts say that sterilization surgeries for women remain much more popular than vasectomies. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 50% of women ages 40 to 44 who used birth control in 2002 had undergone sterilization surgery, but fewer than 20% of their male partners had undergone a vasectomy. According to USA Today, physicians cite several reasons for the lower popularity of vasectomies. Compared with women, men generally are less comfortable with medical procedures, particularly procedures involving sexual organs. In addition, myths about side effects of the procedure -- such as reduced testosterone levels and diminished sexual function or desire -- continue to persist.Some men experience feelings of regret post-surgery, but there is a lack of data on the number of men who seek vasectomy reversals, USA Today reports. Wilson said that although the recent increase in vasectomy surgeries might be tied to the economy, the trend probably does not reflect a long-term shift. He said that fears of losing a job and health insurance might play a role in convincing some men to go ahead with a vasectomy but that most of these individuals would eventually have had the procedure anyway (Painter, USA Today, 6/14).
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News From GP Conference, UK
GPs have warned that the reorganisation of health visitor services is putting children at risk and underlined the importance of them remaining in practice based teams. The call came at the Annual GPs Conference being held in London.
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Merck Seeks European License For Cladribine for relapsing remitting MS
Merck Serono announced that it is seeking a European license for cladribine, its oral therapy that is in late-stage clinical trials for relapsing remitting MS.
Nutrition

Self-Treatment Results In Lower Overall Health Care Costs For COPD Sufferers

Individuals suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) can experience significant savings in healthcare costs by employing a self-treatment program with the judicious use of medications, according to the results of a new study. The self-treatment program achieves these savings by reducing the duration of flare-ups. Dutch researchers presented their findings on Sunday, May 17, at the American Thoracic Society"s 105th International Conference in San Diego. "The course of COPD is characterized by episodes of acute deteriorations in respiratory health, termed "exacerbations,"" said lead author Tanja Effing, Ph.D., a researcher with the Department of Pulmonary Disease at the Medisch Spectrum Twente in Enschede, the Netherlands. "These exacerbations account for much of the morbidity, mortality and hospital admissions in COPD patients." The investigators tracked the outcomes of 142 patients divided into two groups. Participants in the first group were instructed in individual drug therapy and other responses to take in the event of an exacerbation. Patients in the second group received no instruction in the self-treatment of exacerbations. Exacerbations were defined as a clearly negative change in two major symptoms, or one major symptom and one minor symptom. Major symptoms included breathlessness and mucous production and color, while minor symptoms included cough, wheeze, running nose, sore throat and fever. Patients in both groups were also instructed to maintain journals recording any COPD-related events, as well as medication routines. In comparing the results of the two groups, researchers noted a significant decrease in doctor"s office visits during the study period for the group that received self-treatment training. "Our results showed that the self-treatment of exacerbations leads to fewer exacerbation days, in combination with an increase in the use of medications," Dr. Effing noted. "Moreover, analyses of the cost-effectiveness of the self-treatment strategy indicated this group experienced cost savings as a result of fewer hospitalizations and healthcare contacts." Researchers also sought to determine if the self-treatment group would tend to overmedicate when given the option, but Dr. Effing said the study"s results indicated that over-medication was not an issue. "The number of reported courses of medication in the self-treatment group was still lower than the actual number of exacerbations reported in the diaries," Dr. Effing noted. "Given the rise in prevalence of COPD and the costs associated with its treatment, we suggest implementation of programs incorporating careful instruction in self-treatment as part of effective self-management programs in COPD patients with frequent exacerbations." Keely Savoie American Thoracic Society


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