Archives Journals Briefs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
-- Kindergarten Behavior Can Predict Illegal Substance Abuse A child's personality at age six can be an indicator of whether or not that child will smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or use illegal drugs during adolescence, according to a study in the January issue of the AMA's Archives of General Psychiatry. Researchers found that those most likely to engage in risky behavior were those who, at age six and again at age 10, scored high when tested for novelty-seeking and also scored low when tested for harm avoidance. The researchers write: "The stability of the prediction between ages six and 10 years suggests that the kindergarten assessments may be used for preventive efforts at school entry instead of waiting until early adolescence." (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1997;54:62-68)
Full-text article is attached. For more information, contact Debbie Orozco at 713/792-4264.
-- Anxiety and Depression May Signal Future High Blood Pressure People who experience symptoms of anxiety and depression are at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a study, in the January/February issue of the AMA's Archives of Family Medicine. After an average of nine-years of follow-up, researchers found that whites (aged 45-64) who reported high anxiety or high depression had more than double the risk of later treatment for hypertension, while blacks (aged 25-64) had about triple the risk. (Arch Fam Med. 1997;6:43-49)
-- Nonprescription Eyedrops Can Cause Conjunctivitis Overuse of certain over-the-counter eyedrops can cause acute and chronic conjunctivitis, characterized by inflammation, redness, discomfort and discharge, according to the January issue of the AMA's Archives of Ophthalmology. Researchers studied 70 patients with unexplained conjunctivitis who had been using nonprescription decongestant eyedrops daily for an average of three years. They found that the eyedrops, which contained vasoconstrictors (agents that narrow blood vessels) caused the conjunctivitis. (Arch Ophthalmol. 1997;115:34-38)
-- Freezing Technique May Change Early Breast Cancer Treatment Cryosurgery, or the use of freezing temperatures to destroy tissue, may become an option in the treatment of early breast cancer, according to a study in the January issue of the AMA's Archives of Surgery. Researchers successfully used cryosurgery to kill breast tumors in animals. Later, guided by ultrasound, the technique was successfully used to treat a human breast-cancer patient. The researchers say cryosurgery can be done with minimal scarring. (Arch Surg. 1997;132:28-33)
-- Pertussis Costly, Preventable Disease Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, carries a high price tag. A new study in the January issue of the AMA's Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine finds that each case of pertussis costs an average of $3,561 for such things as medical care, lost wages, and special child care. Researchers found that it took an average of three weeks before pertussis was diagnosed. The average recovery time from the illness was about 73 days. They write: "The economic burden of pertussis is substantial and encourages broader use of vaccination to prevent disease." (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151:35-40)
Use the fax transmission sheet contained in this packet to order a full-text copy of any JAMA or Archives journal article.
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For more information: contact the AMA's Natalie Olinger at 312/464-4465. email: [email protected] AMA web site: http://www.ama-assn.org
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