Acoustic pharyngometry represents a simple, quick noninvasive method of measuring upper airway dimensions, which are predictive of sleep apnoea risk. The aim of the present study was to assess the genetic basis of upper airway size as determined using pharyngometry.Participants in the Cleveland Family Study aged .14 yrs underwent three acoustic pharyngometric measurements. Variance component models adjusted for age and sex were used to estimate the heritability of pharyngometry-derived airway measures.A total of 568 out of 655 (87%) subjects provided pharyngometric curves of sufficient quality. Although African-Americans tended to show narrower airways compared with white subjects, heritability patterns were similar in these two groups. The minimum cross-sectional area exhibited a heritability of 0.34 in white subjects and 0.39 in African-Americans, suggesting that 30-40% of the total variance in this measure is explained by shared familial factors. Estimates were unchanged after adjustment for body mass index or neck circumference. In contrast, oropharyngeal length did not show significant heritability in either ethnic group.The minimum cross-sectional area of the oropharynx is a highly heritable trait, suggesting the presence of an underlying genetic basis. These findings demonstrate the potential utility of acoustic pharyngometry in dissecting the genetic basis of sleep apnoea.

Purpose Women being treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer experience menopausal symptoms that vary in presentation and impact on quality of life. The clinical visit before each chemotherapy cycle provides an important opportunity to allow patients to dialogue with their medical oncology healthcare providers about these symptoms and identify strategies for self-management. The objective of this study was to characterize patient and provider interactions regarding the menopausal symptom experience and management in the context of breast cancer treatment. Methods Thematic analysis was employed to analyze 61 transcripts from clinical encounters of women receiving chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Transcripts were chosen based on their inclusion of menopausal symptom discussion. Results Themes were separated into three distinct categories: patient, clinician, and dyadic themes. The overarching theme was goal discordance in the clinical visit, which was reflected in the following themes: unexpected & unprepared, distressed, disrupted & disturbed, clinical insensitivity, missed opportunity for management and empathy, and use of humor and colloquial language. Overall, women were unprepared for the menopausal symptom experience and clinicians did not often provide management, interventions, or empathetic responses. Conclusion There is a need to develop more astute assessment and communication regarding menopausal symptoms during the clinical visit. Possible interventions include a more holistic assessment, algorithms to facilitate the clinician’s attention and response to menopausal symptoms, and treatment of symptoms.

Women being treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer experience menopausal symptoms that vary in presentation and impact on quality of life. The clinical visit before each chemotherapy cycle provides an important opportunity to allow patients to dialogue with their medical oncology healthcare providers about these symptoms and identify strategies for self-management. The objective of this study was to characterize patient and provider interactions regarding the menopausal symptom experience and management in the context of breast cancer treatment. MethodsThematic analysis was employed to analyze 61 transcripts from clinical encounters of women receiving chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Transcripts were chosen based on their inclusion of menopausal symptom discussion. ResultsThemes were separated into three distinct categories: patient, clinician, and dyadic themes. The overarching theme was goal discordance in the clinical visit, which was re ected in the following themes:unexpected & unprepared, distressed, disrupted & disturbed, clinical insensitivity, missed opportunity for management and empathy, and use of humor and colloquial language. Overall, women were unprepared for the menopausal symptom experience and clinicians did not often provide management, interventions, or empathetic responses.