EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5 P.M., EDT, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1997
October 15, 1997, Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians (ACP), more than 100,000 physicians trained in internal medicine. The following highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information. For a copy of an article, call 1-800-523-1546, ext. 2656 or 215-351-2656. The full text of selected articles can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals/annaltoc.htm
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A Model for Predicting Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Simple, reproducible measurements of the oral cavity, together with measurements of body mass and neck circumference provide a rapid, accurate and reproducible method for predicting obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), a study finds. (Article, p. 581.) Results of a six-month prospective study of 300 patients evaluated for the first time for sleep disorders suggested that this morphometric model may be clinically useful primarily as a screening tool for OSAS rather than as a replacement for polysomnography.
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No Increased Risk for Stroke in Young Women Using Low-Dose Oral Contraceptives
Younger women currently using low-dose oral contraceptives are not at increased risk for stroke, a new study shows. (Article, p. 596.) A population-based case control study found that women 18 to 44 years of age who use low-dose oral contraceptive pills were not at risk for either hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke compared with women who had never used these medications. The authors call for larger studies to clarify the relation of risk for stroke to past use of oral contraceptives.
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A Proposed New Training Track for the Generalist/Cardiovascular Specialist
The field of cardiovascular care has recently experienced rapid growth but is now under pressure to reduce its ranks, prompting an examination of the appropriate roles of specialist and generalist physicians. A paper proposes a new training track that, coupled with a reduction in the number of standard training positions in cardiovascular disease, could provide high-quality, specialist cardiovascular care while increasing the relative supply of generalists. (Perspective, p. 630.) The five-year training track would consist of two years of training in internal medicine, two years of training in cardiovascular disease, and one year of a flexible combination of the two fields.
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