Oct. 1, 1998, Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM), an organization of more than 110,000 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 Oct. 1, 1998, on the Internet at www.acponline.org/journals/annals. * * *
Use of Multivitamins Containing Folic Acid Appears to Reduce Risk for Colon Cancer
A new analysis of the data from the ongoing Nurses' Health Study finds that women with the highest intake of folic acid, mostly from multivitamins, for at least 15 years had about a 75 percent reduced risk for colon cancer compared with other women aged 55 to 69 years (Article p. 517). The data support the hypothesis that folate intake is an important nutritional factor in colon cancer risk reduction. * * *
Preferential Access to Heart Care Documented in Ontario
Although the Canadian health system guarantees equal access to health care based on medical need, a survey of all hospital administrators, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons and random samples of internists and family physicians in Ontario found that more than 80 percent of the physicians and 53 percent of hospital administrators had personal involvement in managing certain patients who had received preferential access to cardiac care (Medicine and Public Issues, p. 567). The study did not determine how often the special treatment occurred or whether it resulted in better care or outcomes. * * *
Parental Responsibilities Affect Careers of Medical Faculty, Particularly Women
Female medical faculty with children received less research funding and secretarial support from their institutions, published fewer articles in refereed medical journals, were less satisfied with their careers and felt they had slower career progress than male medical faculty with children, a study found (Article, p. 532). No significant career differences between the sexes were seen for faculty without children. An editorial gives reasons to improve conditions for women faculty and suggests holding academic meetings during the regular work day, expanded parental leave, better and more flexible child care and more flexible options for academic advancement (Editorial, p. 579). * * *
New Diagnostic Test to Detect Mutations in Familial Mediterranean Fever Has Anthropologic and Historical Implications (Article, p. 539; Editorial, p. 581.)
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