December 2010

PAMF Researchers Awarded AHRQ Grant to Study Trends in Obesity Among Complex Patients

December 21, 2010

Ming Tai-Seale, Ph.D., Senior Investigator, PAMF Research Institute

Researchers at the PAMF Research Institute (PAMFRI) have been awarded a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to conduct a study of Trends in Obesity Progression Among Complex Patients. Obesity accounts for up to 15 percent of deaths in the United States. In 2007-2008, the prevalence of obesity among adults was 33.8 percent.

 “Hypertension and depression are also leading causes of disability and often co-occur with obesity,” said Principal Investigator Ming Tai-Seale, Ph.D., MPH, Senior Investigator, Health Policy Research at PAMFRI.” Obesity threatens to reverse the net benefit of declining smoking rates on the U.S. population and it reduces quality of life and contributes to premature death – these frequently occur with depression and cardiovascular diseases – which translates to tremendous health and economic costs.”

PAMF’s innovative exploratory research project will focus on patients with a combined three chronic conditions: (1) obesity, (2) hypertension, and (3) depression. Researchers will evaluate the progression of these conditions within the setting of PAMF’s large medical practice with over 650,000 patients. Results of the study will inform current local and national quality improvement measures and treatment guidelines for managing patients with this common and costly combination of health conditions.

Learn more about the PAMF Research Institute.

Learn more about the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

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PAMF First on the Peninsula to Offer New Treatment for Spider Veins

December 14, 2010

 

Dr. Corito Tolentino, Interventional Radiologist, PAMF Vascular Surgery Department

Simple Treatment Has Cosmetic, Medical Benefits

Nearly half of all women have spider veins (medically known as telangiectasias), small red and purple blood vessels on the thighs or lower legs, that can be unsightly and even cause some discomfort. Although laser and saline treatments to eliminate or reduce spider veins have been available for years, a new more effective treatment called Veinwave™ is now available at the Vascular Center of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. PAMF is one of only two providers in the San Francisco Bay Area to offer this new improved procedure.

Different from lasers, Veinwave, approved by the FDA in June 2009, is a relatively painless outpatient procedure with no risk of bruising or scarring. Veinwave uses a small heated wire to target each individual vein for treatment.

“Patients find the Veinwave procedure easy to tolerate and they are pleased to see their symptoms abate and legs look better after healing,” said Corito Tolentino, M.D., vascular expert at PAMF’s Mountain View Vascular Center.

While VeinWave is the newest treatment for small spider veins, not all patients are a candidate for it. It can be used in combination with the more traditional sclerotherapy, in which a medicinal fluid is injected in the vein.

 Spider veins can be hereditary or caused by aging, pregnancy or prolonged sitting or standing. Although considered only an issue of appearance by some, superficial veins can hurt. Some patients can experience burning, itching or heaviness in their legs.

“Spider veins can affect people of all ages. Their appearance can be quite gradual, so people become accustomed to seeing them. Then they notice that the veins have worsened over time and decide to do something about it,” Dr. Tolentino said “While not life-threatening, these veins can cause significant discomfort and affect one’s self image.  After treatment, my patients feel and look better.”

Depending on the extent of their spider veins, some patients may need repeat treatment. Some insurance companies pay for the pre-treatment consultation, although many insurance companies consider spider vein treatments to be cosmetic and do not cover corrective procedures. Each patient should check with her insurer.

Learn more about PAMF’s Vascular Center.

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