The systems medicine of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

This review will focus on a systems medicine approach to neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Systems medicine utilizes information gained from the application of "omics" technology and bioinformatics (1). The omic approaches we will emphasize include genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. The goals of systems medicine are to provide clinically relevant and objective insights into disease diagnosis, prognosis, and stratification as well as pharmacological strategies and evidence-based individualized clinical guidance. Despite the increasing incidence of NAS and its societal and economic costs, there has been only a very modest emphasis on utilizing a systems medicine approach, and this has been primarily in the areas of genomics and epigenomics. As detailed below, proteomics and metabolomics hold great promise in advancing our knowledge of NAS and its treatment. Metabolomics, in particular, can provide a quantitative assessment of the exposome, which is a comprehensive picture of both internal and external environmental factors affecting health.

Provision of Buprenorphine to Pregnant Women by For-Profit Clinics in an Appalachian City.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to confirm that patient reports on buprenorphine medication-assisted therapy in for-profit buprenorphine clinics in our community were personally costly. We contacted all 17 for-profit clinics in our community and confirmed the patient reports that a significant financial payment of ≤$100 was required for each visit. We also found that tapering of buprenorphine dosage in pregnancy was offered by several of the clinics. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted with the 17 for-profit buprenorphine clinics located in the Johnson City, Tennessee area. The clinic representative who answered the telephone was asked questions regarding patient costs for therapy and availability of tapering programs for pregnant women. RESULTS: Patient reports that the for-profit clinics are costly were confirmed. None of the clinics accepted insurance reimbursement of any type. The most common weekly costs were $100 per visit. A majority of clinics offered biweekly or monthly visits at significantly increased rates. Clinic representatives stated that a majority of clinics would consider buprenorphine tapering programs for pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: The high cost of for-profit clinics is a barrier for patient access to medication-assisted therapy with buprenorphine. Tapering of buprenorphine dosage in pregnant women has penetrated buprenorphine management practice in our community. Further research is needed to determine whether elimination of cost barrier would have a positive effect on the rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Use of medical simulation to teach bioterrorism preparedness: the anthrax example.

The 2001 anthrax bioterrorism attacks demonstrated vulnerability for future similar attacks. This article describes mechanisms that can be used to prepare the medical community and healthcare facilities for the diagnosis and management of a subsequent bioterrorism attack should such an event occur and the fundamentals of medical simulation and its use in teaching learners about the diagnosis of management of anthrax exposure.

Patient satisfaction with thermal balloon endometrial ablation. A retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine overall patient satisfaction with the balloon endometrial ablation procedure in women with menorrhagia. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-one women in a university hospital underwent thermal balloon endometrial ablation in the year 2000. Of these, 3 were lost to follow-up. Twenty-eight women were called and asked to participate in a survey that quantified overall satisfaction with the procedure as well as change in menstrual flow and menstrual pain. Women were asked if any further medical or surgical therapy was required to control the bleeding. All patients participated in the study and stated that they underwent the procedure secondary to "heavy bleeding." All operative reports were reviewed and contained menorrhagia, menometorrhagia or dysfunctional uterine bleeding in the preoperative diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 57% of women reported overall satisfaction with the endometrial ablation procedure, 14% were very dissatisfied, and 4% were neutral. Fifty-seven percent of women reported no bleeding or very decreased bleeding following the procedure, while 11% had slightly decreased bleeding. Thirty-two percent experienced no change, 43% reported decreased menstrual pain, and 57% had no change. Thirteen of 28 women underwent subsequent hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Less than 60% of women reported satisfaction with balloon endometrial ablation, and 40% underwent hysterectomy within 1 year of it.

Type I von Willebrand's disease presenting as recurrent corpus hemorrhagicum.

BACKGROUND: Female patients with undiagnosed von Willebrand's disease may present with heavy menorrhagia. This is a case report of a patient with undiagnosed von Willebrand's disease presenting with recurrent corpus hemorrhagicum. CASE: A nulliparous woman presented with her second episode of hemoperitoneum secondary to a ruptured corpus hemorrhagicum. CONCLUSION: Patients with recurrent corpus hemorrhagicum may be at risk for von Willebrand's disease even if no history of menorrhagia or bleeding disorder exists.