Commonly Used Antibiotics for UTIs Deemed Safe in Pregnancy
June 21st 2011In 2009, it was suggested by researchers from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study that nitrofurans and sulfonamides, antibiotics commonly used for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs), may increase the risk of birth defects when taken during the first trimester.
Pelvic Pain and Urinary Urgency Frequency (PUF) Patient Symptom Scale
June 15th 2011The Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) patient symptom scale is a diagnostic tool used to screen patients with chronic pelvic pain. Developed by C. Lowell Parsons, MD, the PUF self-report questionnaire uses a symptom score (which measures how often a patient experiences problems) as well as a bother score (which notes the degree to which the symptoms bother the patient); the bother and symptom score combine for a total PUF score. The scale takes about 5 minutes to complete. Scores range between 0 and 35, and studies have indicated that a score greater than 12 is indicative of significant symptoms.
New Campaign Targets Fraudulent Products
June 15th 2011The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly launched the “Fraudulent STD Products Initiative.” This campaign targets over-the-counter (OTC) products sold online or in retail stores that claim to prevent, cure, or treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).