Quick Study

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

CHICKENPOX

Even after the fact, vaccination may help.

THE QUESTION Once a child has been exposed to chickenpox, is there any benefit to vaccinating the child against the disease?

THIS STUDY analyzed data from three studies involving 110 healthy children who had been exposed to the varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) when a sibling contracted the illness. The children were randomly assigned to get a varicella vaccine or a fake vaccine shortly after exposure. About 18 percent of the children given the varicella vaccine contracted chickenpox, compared with 78 percent of the others. Those who developed chickenpox despite the vaccine had milder cases, with far fewer skin lesions.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Children exposed to chickenpox, which is highly contagious and occurs mostly in those 12 and younger. Symptoms include an itchy rash of blisterlike spots, often accompanied by fever and headache. The virus, which usually stays in the body forever, can cause shingles in adults.

CAVEATS Vaccine formulas varied among the studies. Information was not available on whether participants experienced any adverse reactions after vaccination. Most children were vaccinated within three days of exposure; whether vaccination later would produce the same results was not determined.

FIND THIS STUDY 2008 Issue 3 of the Cochrane Library.

LEARN MORE ABOUT chickenpox at http://www.cdc.gov and http://www.kidshealth.org.

BREAST CANCER

Numbing gel seems to ease mammography pain.

THE QUESTION Might applying a topical analgesic help reduce the discomfort that many women experience during a mammogram?

THIS STUDY involved 418 women scheduled for a screening mammogram. They were randomly assigned to have lidocaine gel (Topicaine) or a placebo gel applied to their chest, to take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or a placebo tablet, or to use a combination of gels and tablets. Gels were left on an average of 48 minutes and wiped off before the mammogram; tablets were taken about 80 minutes before the procedure. Women who used lidocaine gel reported the least amount of pain during their mammogram (averaging about 33 on a zero-to-100 standardized scale, with 100 representing the worst pain imaginable); by comparison, participants' ratings of pain from previous mammograms averaged 64 points.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Women, who are urged to have a mammogram every year or two starting at age 40. Mammograms can detect breast cancer early, when it's easier to treat. However, studies have found that more than half of all women don't have a mammogram as frequently as recommended, often because of anticipated pain.

CAVEATS Women who did not anticipate pain during a mammogram were excluded from the study. Gel was removed 30 to 60 minutes before the procedure; the authors suggested that pain relief might be greater if mammography were done right after the gel was removed. Topicaine was provided by its maker, ESBA Laboratories.

FIND THIS STUDY July 22 online issue of Radiology.

LEARN MORE ABOUT mammography at http://www.cancer.gov and http://www.radiologyinfo.org.

DEMENTIA

Statin use in later years may lessen dementia risk.

THE QUESTION Besides lowering cholesterol, might statins also prevent memory loss and dementia?

THIS STUDY analyzed data on 1,674 older people (average age, 70) who had no signs of trouble thinking. During a five-year period, about 27 percent took statins, and 130 people were diagnosed with memory loss or dementia. People taking statins were about half as likely as the others to have developed such cognitive impairment.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Older people taking statins, which are commonly prescribed for people at risk for heart disease. The drugs lower the level of cholesterol in the blood by reducing the liver's production of cholesterol, which can cause plaque buildup leading to clogged arteries.

CAVEATS The study did not determine whether different statins had differing effects. Medical experts do not recommend that people take statins unless they need to lower cholesterol.

FIND THIS STUDY July 29 issue of Neurology.

LEARN MORE ABOUT statins at http://www.fda.gov/consumer (search for "cholesterol"). Learn about memory loss at http://www.familydoctor.org.

-- Linda Searing

The research described in Quick Study comes from credible, peer-reviewed journals. Nonetheless, conclusive evidence about a treatment's effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician.