Rebecca Voelker
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Articles by Rebecca Voelker
Patient Information: Keratinocyte Carcinomas
(opens in new tab) Keratinocyte carcinomas are skin cancers that develop in the outer layer of the skin; there are 2 types—basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Patient Information: Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) involves accumulation of fat in the liver and may progress to liver inflammation and scarring (fibrosis). MASLD is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide.
Patient Information: Microplastics
(opens in new tab) Microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm (about 1/16 of an inch) that result from breakdown of plastic litter in the environment. Plastics and Concern for Human Health Plastics are synthetic materials that contain various chemicals.
Patient Information: Adrenal Insufficiency
(opens in new tab) Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of certain essential hormones. The adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys, produce the hormones cortisol, which regulates blood glucose, blood pressure, stress response, immune function, and other metabolic processes, and aldosterone, which regulates blood sodium and potassium levels and helps maintain blood pressure and blood volume. What Are the Symptoms and Types of Adrenal Insufficiency?
Patient Information: Type 2 Diabetes
(opens in new tab) Type 2 diabetes is a condition of elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels that may cause serious health consequences including vision loss, heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, and kidney failure.
Patient Information: Prostatitis
(opens in new tab) Prostatitis involves infection, inflammation, or pain in the prostate gland and affects about 9% of men during their lifetime. What Is Acute Bacterial Prostatitis? Acute bacterial prostatitis is a urinary tract infection that involves the prostate.1 Patients with acute prostatitis typically have fever, chills, pelvic pain, sudden onset of frequent urination, and pain or burning during urination. Some patients cannot empty their bladder adequately (urinary retention).
Patient Information: Ovarian Cancer
(opens in new tab) Ovarian cancer is a malignancy of the ovary, the female reproductive organ that produces eggs. How Common Is Ovarian Cancer? Among women worldwide, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common malignancy and cause of cancer death. In 2022, ovarian cancer was diagnosed in about 325 000 individuals and caused 206 839 deaths worldwide.
Patient Information: Osteoporosis
(opens in new tab) Osteoporosis is a common disease among older adults that weakens bones and increases the likelihood of fractures. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men older than 50 years have a bone fracture due to osteoporosis during their lifetime.1 Fractures most commonly associated with osteoporosis involve the hip, spine, shoulder, forearm, and pelvis.
Patient Information: Small Cell Lung Cancer
(opens in new tab) Small cell lung cancer is a fast-growing cancer that is strongly associated with tobacco smoking. Small cell lung cancer represents 10% to 15% of all lung cancers, and approximately 16 000 cases were diagnosed in the US in 2024.1 The average age at diagnosis is about 69 years, and it is more common among men than women. About 95% of patients with small cell lung cancer have a history of tobacco smoking.
Patient Information: Endometriosis
(opens in new tab) Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which cells similar to those lining the uterus are present outside of the uterus. Endometriosis affects up to 10% women of reproductive age worldwide, including nearly 9 million in the US.
Patient Information: Iron Deficiency
(opens in new tab) Iron deficiency occurs when the body does not have enough stored iron. Without treatment, iron deficiency can cause iron-deficiency anemia, a condition in which red blood cells do not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen throughout the body. Worldwide, about 2 billion people have iron deficiency and 1.2 billion people have iron-deficiency anemia.
Patient Information: Cataracts
(opens in new tab) Progressive clouding of the natural lens of the eye is called a cataract. Worldwide, cataracts were responsible for approximately 15 million cases of blindness and 79 million cases of moderate to severe visual impairment among adults aged 50 years or older in 2020. In the US, the number of people with cataracts is expected to increase to 50 million by 2050.1 What Are the Risk Factors for Cataracts?
Patient Information: Prostate Cancer
(opens in new tab) Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in older men. Prostate cancer typically affects older men (average age at diagnosis is 67 years) and is more common among Black men than White men.1 More than half of prostate cancer risk is due to genetic factors. Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in men worldwide, with about 1.5 million cases diagnosed in 2021. In the US, 3.4 million men were living with prostate cancer in 2021.
Patient Information: Eating Disorders
(opens in new tab) Eating disorders are substantial disturbances in eating or behavior related to eating. Eating disorders may be associated with medical and psychiatric complications, impaired functioning, and decreased quality of life. People with eating disorders have higher death rates than those who do not have these disorders. How Common Are Eating Disorders and What Are the Risk Factors?
Patient Information: Chronic Migraine
Chronic migraine is a neurological disease that causes frequent, severe headaches and affects approximately 80 million people worldwide.
Patient Information: Screening for Intimate Partner Violence and Caregiver Abuse of Older or Vulnerable Adults
(opens in new tab) Intimate partner violence and caregiver abuse of vulnerable adults are common in the US. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a recommendation statement about screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) among women of reproductive age, including those who are pregnant or postpartum.1 The statement also addresses caregiver abuse of older or vulnerable adults. How Common Are IPV and Caregiver Abuse?
Patient Information: Testicular Germ Cell Tumors
Testicular germ cell tumors are cancers that develop in the testicle, arising from cells that become sperm. The average age at diagnosis of testicular cancer is 33 years. Among males aged 15 to 40 years worldwide, testicular cancer is the most common solid tumor (cancer in an organ or tissue rather than in the blood).1 Approximately 10 000 people are diagnosed with testicular cancer annually in the US. Germ cell tumors account for about 90% to 95% of new testicular cancer cases diagnosed each year.
Patient Information: Screening for Syphilis Infection During Pregnancy
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Congenital syphilis occurs when a syphilis infection passes from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Congenital syphilis is associated with premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and infant death.
Patient Information: Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause stroke, heart failure, heart attack, chronic kidney disease, dementia, and death. Atrial fibrillation is classified as paroxysmal (intermittent episodes lasting 7 days or less), persistent (lasting more than 7 days), long-standing persistent (lasting more than 1 year), or permanent.1 In the US, atrial fibrillation affects about 10.55 million people and is more common among men than women.
Patient Information: Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Support Breastfeeding
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviewed studies about behavioral counseling to support breastfeeding during pregnancy and after childbirth. The recommendation statement considered breastfeeding as feeding at the breast or with a bottle containing breast milk.1 Few studies of interventions included in the USPSTF review examined the direct health effects of breastfeeding.
Patient Information: What Is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a medical treatment for individuals with kidney failure. Dialysis removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood and balances minerals needed for essential bodily functions. More than 3.5 million people worldwide and 540 000 individuals in the US undergo dialysis for chronic kidney failure.1 When Should People With Kidney Failure Start Dialysis?
Patient Information: Screening for Food Insecurity
US Preventive Services Task Force USPSTF Recommendation: Screening for Food Insecurity US Preventive Services Task Force; Wanda K. Nicholson, MD, MPH, MBA; Michael Silverstein, MD, MPH; John B. Wong, MD; David Chelmow, MD; Tumaini Rucker Coker, MD, MBA; Alicia Fernandez, MD; Ericka Gibson, MD, MPH; Carlos Roberto Jaén, MD, PhD, MS; Marie Krousel-Wood, MD, MSPH; Sei Lee, MD, MAS; Goutham Rao, MD; John M.
Patient Information: Harm Reduction Strategies for People Who Use Drugs
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) An estimated 107 543 deaths due to unintentional drug overdose occurred in the US in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 Harm reduction strategies are practical recommendations that help prevent drug overdoses and deaths and decrease risk of infection (HIV; hepatitis A, B, and C) among people who are not prepared for or interested in stopping drug use.
Patient Information: Peptic Ulcer Disease
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A peptic ulcer is a break in the lining of the lower esophagus, stomach, or upper small intestine. The 2 most common types of peptic ulcers are gastric ulcers, which occur in the stomach, and duodenal ulcers, which occur in the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). About 1% of the US population has peptic ulcer disease, and an estimated 10 000 people in the US die of peptic ulcer disease each year.1 What Causes Peptic Ulcer Disease?
By Rebecca Voelker Verified, Nimish B. Vakil
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JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association
Verified
Patient Information: Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericardium) that causes chest pain. In North America and Western Europe, pericarditis accounts for up to 5% of emergency department visits for chest pain that is not due to a heart attack.1 The cause is often unknown, or it develops after a viral infection, heart attack, cardiac procedure such as catheterization or pacemaker placement, or cardiac surgery.
Bedbugs are insects that feed on human or animal blood, and their bites cause skin reactions. Bedbugs thrive in warm, dark environments and often live in mattresses, furniture, flooring, and walls, commonly in hotels, motels, hostels, shelters, or other high-occupancy places.
Renal cell carcinoma is a common cancer that forms in the kidneys. In 2023, an estimated 81 800 people were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in the US, making it the sixth most common cancer among males and the ninth among females. Renal cell carcinoma is most often diagnosed in people aged 60 to 70 years.
Patient Information: Chagas Disease
Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can cause heart and/or gastrointestinal problems. The parasite that causes Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted to humans by contact with the infected feces of triatomine insects, found throughout Latin America and in the southern US.1 Other routes of transmission include blood transfusion, organ transplant, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, contaminated food or drinks, and unintentional laboratory exposure.
Patient Information: Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV causes a chronic infection that may reactivate, causing genital herpes recurrences or viral shedding. Two types of HSV (HSV-1 and HSV-2) cause genital herpes. In the US, newly diagnosed cases of genital herpes are most frequently due to HSV-1 infection, which can also cause cold sores around the lips and mouth. The exact prevalence of HSV-1 genital infections is unknown.
Patient Information: Chronic Pruritus
Chronic pruritus is defined as itching that lasts for 6 weeks or longer. Chronic pruritus accounts for about 7 million physician visits annually in the US and affects approximately 22% of people during their lifetime. Chronic pruritus is associated with impaired sleep and reduced quality of life.1 What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Chronic Pruritus? Some people with chronic pruritus have a “pure” itch—an uncomfortable sensation that results in an urge to scratch the skin.
Patient Information: Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a condition that may cause nasal congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, sneezing, and itching of the eyes, nose, and throat. Allergic rhinitis affects about 50 million people in the US and is caused by exposure to certain substances in the air called aeroallergens.1 The 2 main types of allergic rhinitis are seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.
Patient Information: Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the wall of the uterus. Uterine fibroids are one of the most common tumors in reproductive-aged women. An estimated 40% to 89% of premenopausal women have fibroids, which can vary in size from 1 cm to more than 20 cm. Black women who are affected have a larger number and increased size of fibroids and experience more severe symptoms from fibroids than White women.
What Is Lupus? | Rheumatology | JAMA | JAMA Network
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage various organs in the body. Systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly called lupus, affects about 3.4 million people worldwide, approximately 90% of whom are female. About 65% of people with lupus are diagnosed before age 50 years. Lupus likely develops due to a combination of genetic risk factors and environmental exposures.
Patient Information: Plantar Fasciitis
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Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain among adults. The plantar fascia includes 3 bands of tissue that support the arch of the foot and connect the heel bone to the toes. Heel pain due to plantar fasciitis is typically most severe when people take their first steps of the day, and it may worsen with prolonged standing.
By Rebecca Voelker Verified, Minton Truitt Cooper
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JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association
Verified
Patient Information: What Are Canker Sores?
The Importance of Oral Health in Comprehensive Health Care Janice S. Lee, DDS, MD, MS; Martha J. Somerman, DDS, PhD US Preventive Services Task Force USPSTF Recommendation: Oral Health in Children and Adolescents Aged 5 to 17 Years US Preventive Services Task Force; Michael J. Barry, MD; Wanda K. Nicholson, MD, MPH, MBA; Michael Silverstein, MD, MPH; David Chelmow, MD; Tumaini Rucker Coker, MD, MBA; Esa M. Davis, MD, MPH; Katrina E.
Patient Information: What Is Thyroid Cancer?
US Preventive Services Task Force USPSTF Recommendation: Screening for Thyroid Cancer US Preventive Services Task Force; Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS; David C. Grossman, MD, MPH; Susan J. Curry, PhD; Michael J. Barry, MD; Karina W. Davidson, PhD, MASc; Chyke A. Doubeni, MD, MPH; John W. Epling Jr, MD, MSEd; Alex R. Kemper, MD, MPH, MS; Alex H. Krist, MD, MPH; Ann E. Kurth, PhD, RN, MSN, MPH; C. Seth Landefeld, MD; Carol M. Mangione, MD, MSPH; Maureen G.
Patient Information: Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes severe vision impairment in older adults. Age-related macular degeneration affects approximately 20 million individuals in the US and 196 million people worldwide. Although AMD does not typically cause complete vision loss, it accounts for 6% to 9% of legal blindness globally. Patients with late-stage AMD may lose their ability to drive, read, and recognize faces. How Does AMD Develop and Progress?
Patient Information: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms of impaired social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD encompasses a group of related disorders and may present in different forms ranging from limited language ability and intellectual disability to substantially above-average language and intellectual function but difficulty with social communication. How Common Is ASD and What Are Associated Conditions?
Patient Information: Hepatitis D Infection
Hepatitis D is a liver disease caused by infection with hepatitis D virus. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is an incomplete virus that requires the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to infect human cells. Therefore, people with HDV infection always have a simultaneous HBV infection. People can acquire HDV as a coinfection with acute HBV infection or as a superinfection if they already have chronic HBV infection. How Common Is HDV Infection and What Are the Risk Factors?
Patient Information: Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, produces excess thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism affects approximately 2.5% of people worldwide and, if untreated, is associated with irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), heart failure, osteoporosis, pregnancy complications, and an increased risk of death. What Causes Hyperthyroidism?
Patient Information: Perinatal Depression
US Preventive Services Task Force USPSTF Recommendation: Interventions to Prevent Perinatal Depression US Preventive Services Task Force; Susan J. Curry, PhD; Alex H. Krist, MD, MPH; Douglas K. Owens, MD, MS; Michael J. Barry, MD; Aaron B. Caughey, MD, PhD; Karina W. Davidson, PhD, MASc; Chyke A. Doubeni, MD, MPH; John W. Epling Jr, MD, MSEd; David C. Grossman, MD, MPH; Alex R. Kemper, MD, MPH, MS; Martha Kubik, PhD, RN; C. Seth Landefeld, MD; Carol M.
Patient Information: Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Bipolar disorder affects about 8 million people in the US and an estimated 40 million individuals worldwide. Symptoms of bipolar disorder typically start between age 15 to 25 years, often with an initial episode of depression. What Are the Types of Bipolar Disorder?
Patient Information: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the colon. Ulcerative colitis can affect individuals at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 20 to 40 years. In North America, approximately 1.5 million people currently have a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
Patient Information: What Is Uterine Prolapse?
Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus drops into the vagina. Uterine prolapse occurs when the pelvic muscles and ligaments that support the vagina weaken, which causes the uterus to drop (prolapse) into the vagina. In the early stages of uterine prolapse, the uterus rests within the vagina. In advanced stages, the uterus protrudes out of the vagina. How Common Is Uterine Prolapse and Who Is at Risk? Uterine prolapse affects approximately 40% of women aged 50 to 79 years in the United States.
Three Epochs of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care
Medical News & Perspectives Google Health’s Clinical Chief Talks AI in Health Care A Nationwide Network of Health AI Assurance Laboratories Nigam H. Shah, MBBS, PhD; John D.
A Review of Common Painful Foot and Ankle Conditions
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Abstract Importance Morton neuroma, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy are foot and ankle conditions that are associated with pain and disability, but they can respond to nonoperative treatment. Observations Morton neuroma, consisting of interdigital neuronal thickening and fibrosis, is characterized by burning pain in the ball of the foot and numbness or burning pain that may radiate to the affected toes (commonly the third and fourth toes).
By Rebecca Voelker Verified, Minton Truitt Cooper
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JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association
Verified
Driving Impairment Among Older Adults
Older drivers may have age-related and medical conditions that affect their driving performance. More than 90% of car crashes are caused by human error. In older adults, age-related changes of decreased vision, cognitive decline, slowed reaction time, and decreased grip strength increase the risk of common driving errors, including straying from driving lanes, failing to observe speed limits, and overlooking traffic signs.
Patient Information: Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers are wounds on the feet that develop in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. About one-third of people with diabetes develop a foot ulcer during their lifetime. Diabetic foot ulcers affect about 18.6 million people worldwide and 1.6 million in the US annually. Approximately half of diabetic foot ulcers become infected, and about 20% of these infections result in amputation of part of the foot or the whole foot. How Do Diabetic Foot Ulcers Develop?
Patient Information: Pituitary Adenomas
A pituitary adenoma is a tumor in the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. Pituitary adenomas are typically benign tumors, which means they do not spread beyond the pituitary gland. About 1 in 1100 people have a pituitary adenoma that is detected either because of symptoms or by testing for an unrelated condition.
Can Predictive AI Improve Early Detection of Sepsis and Other Conditions?
This conversation is part of a series of interviews in which JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, and expert guests explore issues surrounding the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and medicine. AI and medicine intersect on a rapidly changing terrain where the possibilities are tremendous—tools that aid in the early detection of sepsis, for example, or help streamline transitions of care.
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