This issue contains 6 studies based on a follow-up of cohorts of patients,1–6 3 studies from networks of practices,4,5,7 and 4 studies from national population samples.1,2,8 There is some overlap in these categories, which represent strong methods for the types of questions asked. Qualitative methods9 and an analysis of administrative data10 showcase other methods well suited to their research question.
The impact of ethnic and racial inequalities in hypertension is starkly portrayed by 2 studies,1,7 and commentaries from distinguished editorialists11,12 amplify and elucidate this important topic.
This issue’s Annals Journal Club featured study follows the course of a cohort of patients with fatigue identified in a network of 147 primary care practices. The discovery of comorbid symptoms and 4 different patterns of outcomes over time are useful for discussing prognosis and planning follow-up with patients.
Another prospective study develops a model to predict new-onset of depressive symptoms and depression in adolescents, allowing high-risk adolescents to be identified.2
A further follow-up study finds that 3% of visits by women are for breast symptoms, and 3% of these women subsequently have breast cancer diagnosed.5 This risk is increased by the presence of a mass.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of clinical trial data evaluates an automated telephone self-management support and nursing care intervention of safety net practice patients with diabetes.3
A study of representation of family medicine in US National Institutes of Health grants and scientific review committees finds low levels.10
A qualitative study identifies factors related to non-disclosure of health information by Latina patients.9 The identified factors are a reminder to attend to human and humanist approaches to enable the most important diagnostic test—the medical history—and a vital therapeutic intercession—the clinician-patient relationship.
In a study by Asplund and colleagues, a maternal body mass index increase of 25% and greater is associated with a shockingly high incidence of neonatal macrosomia.6
A new, empirically derived clinical tool to assess the likelihood of fasting glucose impairment8 may be useful in helping to focus resources for diet, activity, and possibly pharmacological interventions.
Please share your insights on these articles and your experience with the important topics they bring up by joining the Annals online discussion at http://www.AnnFamMed.org.
A NEW ANNALS EDITOR
We are delighted to announce that the Annals has a new associate editor. Patricia A. Carney, PhD, is currently Professor of Family Medicine and of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Associate Director for Population Studies at the Cancer Institute at Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr Carney received her doctoral degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. She obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees and experience in nursing before launching a distinguished research career. Her doctoral training includes 2 specialty areas: health services research (public health and community medicine) and educational psychology. She leads a number of studies that have been funded by the National Cancer Institute and the Agency for Research in Healthcare Quality. She is widely recognized as a strong methodologist, an expert in breast cancer screening research and educational research, and a leader in the use of standardized patients in clinical research and medical education. We look forward to her wisdom in the editing process.
- © 2008 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
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