Mortality risk among hemodialysis (HD) patients may be highest soon after initiation of HD. A period of elevated mortality risk was identified among US incident HD patients, and which patient characteristics predict death during this period and throughout the first year was examined using data from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS; 1996 through 2004). A retrospective cohort study design was used to identify mortality risk factors. All patient information was collected at enrollment. Life-table analyses and discrete logistic regression were used to identify a period of elevated mortality risk. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) measuring associations between patient characteristics and mortality and to examine whether these associations changed during the first year of HD. (1), and a higher mortality rate within the first year after initiation of HD has been described (2). Identifying the period of highest risk for death after initiation of HD and factors that are associated with this higher risk are important to the care of patients who are new to HD (incident). Observational studies among prevalent HD patients have identified patient characteristics that are associated with greater mortality risk, including white race, older age, low serum albumin levels, low and elevated serum phosphorus levels, anemia, and cardiovascular disease (traditional risk factors) (3-14), as well as other nontraditional risk factors, including C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels (15,16). Studies also have supported the importance of early nephrology referral in the predialysis period for reducing mortality after HD initiation (17)(18)(19). Because these studies typically have included prevalent rather than incident patients, only limited information is available concerning mortality rates and factors that influence mortality immediately after HD initiation. One reason for this may be the 90-d Medicare entitlement period (coordination of benefits) during which coverage is not guaranteed (1). The few studies that have assessed mortality rates or risk predictors in the period immediately after HD initiation (2,20 -24) suggest an elevated mortality risk in the first 90 d, but it is unclear whether that elevation is limited to the first 90 d. One population-based study (2) found that 6% of HD patients died within the first 90 d, accounting for nearly 35% of deaths within the first year.Studies that quantify mortality rates and identify mortality predictors among incident HD populations are useful for understanding the influence of predialysis care and length of time on dialysis. Data from the 2004 Annual Dialysis Report (1) indicate higher mortality rates for patients who have received HD for Ͼ5 yr as compared with Ͻ2 yr, suggesting that length of time on HD modifies mortality risk. Most patients begin HD

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Central nervous system invasion by T. pallidum is common in early syphilis, and is apparently independent of HIV infection. Examination of the CSF may be beneficial in patients with early syphilis, and therapy should be guided by knowledge of central nervous system involvement. Conventional benzathine penicillin G therapy may have reduced efficacy in patients with early syphilis who are also infected with HIV.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is a common and apparently early manifestation of cervical infection by HPV, particularly types 16 and 18.

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) encompass several entities, which may have differing etiologies. To test this hypothesis, we investigated risk factors for three diagnostic subgroups of painful TMD. Ninety-seven subjects with myofascial pain only, 20 with arthralgia only, 157 with both myofascial pain and arthralgia, and 195 controls without TMD pain met criteria for study eligibility. Investigated risk factors included both physical and psychological variables. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated by multiple logistic regression analyses. Myofascial pain occurring alone was significantly associated with trauma (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.0), clenching (OR = 4.8), third molar removal (OR = 3.2), somatization (OR = 3.7), and female gender (OR = 4.2). Myofascial pain with arthralgia was significantly associated with trauma (OR = 2.1), clenching (OR = 3.3), third molar removal (OR = 4.0), somatization (OR = 5.1), and female gender (OR = 4.7). No significant associations were found for the small-arthralgia-only group.