Your Health

By Janice M. Horowitz

GOOD NEWS

HEAD FIRST Reassurance for moms-to-be: about a year after concerns were raised about a link between vacuum-assisted deliveries and injury to a baby's brain, a new study has deemed the procedure relatively safe--i.e., at least as safe as other emergency interventions. After poring over the records of 500,000 births, researchers conclude that vacuum deliveries--using a suction cup-like device that coaxes the baby out--are associated with bleeding into a baby's brain in just 0.1% of cases, about the same rate as caesarean and forceps deliveries.

BONING UP More than 3 million Americans take so-called statin drugs to drive down their cholesterol and reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. Now a study whose results stunned even the researchers shows that the same statins can reverse osteoporosis--at least in rats. New bone formation increased 50% in lab animals receiving statin drugs for a month, far exceeding the effect of today's osteoporosis options, such as hormone-replacement therapy and Fosamax. The true litmus test: trials on humans, which have yet to begin.

BAD NEWS

NOW THAT'S DEPRESSING Many folks treated for depression are, well, depressed about antidepressants. Barely a third of those surveyed say they are very satisfied with the drugs. Meanwhile, more than 80% admit depression continues to impair their social life, while 72% say their work performance still suffers. Patients shouldn't give up on treatment. They should talk to their doctor about altering dosage or switching to a different pill.

DISCORDANT DIAGNOSIS It's scary enough when a biopsy reveals cancer. Now a study concludes that up to 2% of biopsy reports are flat-out wrong. The pathologist may say there's cancer when the cells are perfectly normal. Worse, the wrong cancer may be diagnosed, leading to inappropriate care. Example: lymphoma, which is treated with chemotherapy, can be mistaken for a head and neck tumor, which requires surgery and radiation. What to do? Demand a second opinion.

--By Janice M. Horowitz

Sources: Good News--New England Journal of Medicine (12/2/99); Science (12/3/99). Bad News--National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association; Cancer (12/99)