JAOA -- Table of Contents (November 2006, 106 [11])

CORRECTIONS:

JAOA Now Requires Public Registration of Clinical Trials: Audrey K. Daniel
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2006 106:638. [Full Text] [PDF]

Like AOA Custom Publications, JAOA Now Offers Uniform Life Span for Quizzes: Carolyn Schierhorn
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2006 106:680. [Full Text] [PDF]

Trichotillomania and Trichobezoar: A Clinical Practice Insight With Report of Illustrative Case: Joel R. Carr, Ellen H. Sholevar, and David A. Baron
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2006 106:647-652. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Although criteria for diagnosis of trichotillomania are clear in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, patients may not receive appropriate treatment for want of one or two of the distinguishing features of this impulse disorder. The authors describe this potentially life-threatening behavior as manifested in a 16-year-old girl who had a trichobezoar that required emergent surgical intervention. A thorough family and social history (ie, genogram or family tree) can aid in including this disorder in the differential diagnosis.

Prednisone-Induced Osteoporosis: An Overlooked and Undertreated Adverse Effect: Shinil K. Shah and Gintare T. Gecys
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2006 106:653-657. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
In a retrospective study designed to determine whether primary care physicians adequately address the adverse effect of decreased bone mineral density in patients receiving long-term treatment with prednisone, the authors grouped patient records according to osteoporosis screening and treatment (prophylactic vs therapeutic) status. For subjects receiving treatment, comorbid risk factors for secondary osteoporosis were also noted to determine the reasons for treatment. A statistically significant difference was found in physician evaluation practices between patients with and patients without comorbid risk factors (82.1% vs 38.1%; P=.002). The results indicate that physicians need to pay greater attention to the needs of these patients, especially those with preexisting risk factors for osteoporosis.

Teaching Critical Appraisal: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Outcomes Trial in Undergraduate Osteopathic Medical Education: Paul M. Krueger
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2006 106:658-662. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
In support of evidence-based medicine (EBM), lessons on critical appraisal of the medical literature were provided to medical students participating in an osteopathic clinical clerkship in obstetrics and gynecology (N=77). The ability of students who received an EBM curriculum to critically analyze the literature was compared with that of a control group by means of a multiple-choice examination. The author found that median scores for critical analysis were 41 for the control group and 64 for the study group (P<.001).

Multiple Aortocoronary Bypass Saphenous Vein Graft Aneurysms in a 77-Year-Old Man: Anne-Marie Moukala-Cadet, Stephen J. Mitrosky, Glenn D. Miller, Donald A. Swayze, Eric J. Fielding, Michael J. Hoh, Arthur J. Dortort, Melissa A. Nebzydoski, and Karla Cyphert
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2006 106:663-666. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
The authors report an unusual finding of multiple aneurysms in two aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass grafts in an elderly patient. Symptoms of this rare condition include retrosternal chest pain or discomfort associated with hemoptysis, hypotension, nausea and vomiting, and shortness of breath. To date, clinical management has failed to demonstrate increased survival rates in patients with aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass graft aneurysms.

Interests in Research Electives Among Osteopathic Medical Students: Alfred M. Pheley, Hilary Lois, and Jeannine Strobl
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2006 106:667-670. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
As a result of a self-administered, 15-question cross-sectional survey of first- and second-year osteopathic medical students (N=255), the authors recommend that colleges of osteopathic medicine develop multiple strategies for increasing the number of physician researchers, including research training and mentoring programs.