Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Family Practice for February 2007. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Antiplatelet Antibodies Linked to Vancomycin
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Patients treated with vancomycin can develop antiplatelet antibodies that can cause thrombocytopenia and severe bleeding, according to study findings published in the March 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Intense Periodontal Treatment Helps Endothelial Function
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28 (HealthDay News) -- While intensive treatment of severe periodontitis may have a negative effect on endothelial function in the short-term, in the long-term it helps to improve endothelial function more than standard treatments, according to a report in the March 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Four in 10 U.S. Children Witness Arguments at Home
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Four out of 10 American children are exposed to heated or violent arguments in the home, according to a report published in the February supplemental issue of the journal Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Discharge Data Not Reaching Primary Care Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Effective communication between discharging and primary care physicians is relatively rare, according to a report published in the Feb. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Carvedilol Superior to Metoprolol in Heart Failure Study
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with heart failure, treatment with carvedilol is associated with improved vascular outcomes compared to treatment with metoprolol, according to a report published in the March 6 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Blood Pressure Higher in Right Arm, Even in the Left-Handed
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Despite right- or left-handedness, hypertensives without obstructive arterial disease have systolic and diastolic blood pressures readings consistently 2 to 3 mm Hg higher in the right arm, researchers report in the Feb. 26 Archives of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
New Technique Treats Axillary Hyperhidrosis
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with localized axillary hyperhidrosis, a new arthroscopic shaver technique is a safe and effective treatment, according to the results of a study published in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
HPV Affects 25 Million Women in United States
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- One-quarter of American women between the ages of 14 and 59 are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a report published in the Feb. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Nearly half of sexually active women in their early 20s are infected.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial
FDA Approves Humira for Crohn's Disease
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Humira (adalimumab) for use in the treatment of adults with moderate to severe Crohn's disease. The drug, which is made by Abbott Laboratories, was previously approved for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is labeled with a boxed warning in regards to the increased risk of potentially life-threatening infections, including tuberculosis.
More Information
Behavioral Therapy Effective for PTSD in Female Veterans
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- A type of cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure, is about twice as effective as present-centered therapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in female veterans and active-duty military personnel, according to the results of a study published in the Feb. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Antioxidant Supplements Linked with Higher Mortality Risk
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Antioxidant supplements such as beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E may increase the risk of mortality, according to a meta-analysis in the Feb. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Strenuous Long-Term Exercise Lowers Breast Cancer Risk
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Women who perform strenuous recreational exercise over the long term have a lower risk of in situ and invasive breast cancer, and are less likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative invasive cancers than women who are more sedentary, researchers report in the Feb. 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Lipid Hormone Gene Linked to Lower Triglyceride Levels
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with an uncommon variant of the ANGPTL4 gene, which encodes one of the lipid-metabolism adipokine hormones, tend to have low triglyceride levels, according to a Feb. 25 advance online report in the journal Nature Genetics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Pain Guidelines Advise Reduced Use of COX-2 Inhibitors
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- To minimize the risk of adverse events, patients with or at risk for heart disease who are in chronic pain should first be treated by non-pharmacological approaches, followed by analgesics and non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, with COX-2 inhibitors only prescribed as a last resort, according to updated guidelines published online Feb. 26 in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Abstract
Full Text
FDA Urges Post-Vaccine Monitoring for Intussusception
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- There have been 28 post-marketing reports of intussusception in infants given the RotaTeq rotavirus vaccine, although it's not clear if the cases are due to the vaccine or random occurrences, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pediatricians should look out for the signs and symptoms of intussusception in infants following vaccination.
More Information
More Information
Athlete Misuse of Growth Hormone Can Cause Diabetes
TUESDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Misuse of growth hormone by athletes may cause diabetes, according to a case report published online Feb. 26 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In the case, the athlete's diabetic condition resolved after treatment with insulin and intravenous fluids.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Older Pilots Show Less Decline Over Time Than Young
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Older airline pilots have less decline in flight simulator test performance over time than younger pilots, suggesting that expert knowledge may offset the impact of old age in some occupations, according to a report in the Feb. 27 issue of Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Study Finds No Lipid Benefit to Garlic Supplements
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Neither raw garlic nor garlic supplements have a statistically significant effect on serum cholesterol levels, according to a report published in the Feb. 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial
Drug Industry-Funded Breast Cancer Research Rising
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- The proportion of pharmaceutical industry-sponsored breast cancer research has increased over time, and makes up about 60 percent of published studies, according to an analysis of 1993-2003 data published online Feb. 26 in Cancer. Such studies are more likely than non-industry research to be positive, single-arm and focus on metastatic disease.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Frequent Analgesic Use Linked to Hypertension Risk
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Frequent use of analgesics, including aspirin, acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, according to a report published Feb. 26 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Fibrosis Blood Tests Evaluated in Hepatitis C
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with chronic hepatitis C, four blood tests have similar performance at diagnosing liver fibrosis. But a new evaluative method -- the test performance profile -- shows that there are significant differences in diagnostic accuracy between blood tests as a function of fibrosis stage, according to a report published in the March issue of the Journal of Hepatology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Children of Single Women Less Likely to Be Fully Vaccinated
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Even with the same insurance and continuity of care, children of women who have never been married have lower immunization coverage than do children of married women, researchers report in the February supplement of Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Patients at High Colon Cancer Risk Often Unscreened
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Despite their need for colon cancer screening, patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and their close relatives frequently fail to get such screening or genetic counseling, often due to a lack of insurance coverage, according to the results of a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Stress Boosts Irritable Bowel Risk After Gastroenteritis
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Patients are more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome after gastroenteritis if they are stressed, anxious, regard illness negatively and have a "driven" personality, according to a prospective study published online Feb. 26 in Gut.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Breast-Feeding May Affect Child Development
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Women who initiate and continue breast-feeding may help reduce their child's risk of having a delay in language and motor skill development, according to a study in a supplement to the February issue of Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Extended-Release Venlafaxine May Help Childhood Anxiety
MONDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Extended-release venlafaxine may be an effective and well-tolerated option for the short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in children and adolescents, according to the results from two randomized trials that appear in the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Chronic Dizziness Often Has Psychiatric, Neurologic Etiology
FRIDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly 60 percent of patients with chronic dizziness have anxiety disorders while others have central nervous system disorders such as migraine, according to a report in the February issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Genetic Variations Linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder
FRIDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Autism spectrum disorders may be linked to genetic variations on a previously overlooked site of chromosome 11 that helps regulate the brain's glutamate neurotransmitter system, according to one of the largest studies to date published online Feb. 18 in Nature Genetics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Terror Victims Exhibit Prolonged Physiologic Changes
FRIDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Victims of terrorism exhibit both emotional hardiness and lingering physiologic changes, according to a report published in the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Almost Half of Anxiety Patients in Primary Care Untreated
FRIDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- About half of primary care patients who have an anxiety disorder aren't taking medication or undergoing psychotherapy for the symptoms, but if they do agree to treatment, it is similar to that given by a psychiatrist, according to a report in the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Hepatitis C Reinfection After Liver Transplant Studied
FRIDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- In patients who undergo liver transplantation and experience hepatitis C virus reinfection, those with sustained virological response to antiviral therapy are less likely to die, according to study findings published in the March issue of the Journal of Hepatology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Direct-to-Consumer Ads Should Spur Doc-Patient Discussions
FRIDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Direct-to-consumer drug ads should be a topic of discussion between physicians and patients, including the expectations and misperceptions that can result from such advertising, according to a Michigan physician. The "medicalization" of society, represented by direct-to-consumer drug ads, patient empowerment and changing perceptions of illness, is the subject of six essays published Feb. 24 in a special section of The Lancet.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Linked to Hepatitis C
FRIDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor plays a critical role in the early stages of hepatitis C infection, according to a report published in the March issue of the Journal of Hepatology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Combination Therapy Improves COPD Quality of Life
FRIDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- While adding fluticasone and salmeterol to tiotropium may not decrease exacerbations among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the trio does improve lung function and quality of life as well as decrease risk of hospitalization, according to the results of a study released online Feb. 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The findings are to be published in the April 17 issue of the journal.
Abstract
Full Text
Panic-Focused Psychotherapy Curbs Panic Attacks
THURSDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- A time-limited course of panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy may help alleviate some of the symptoms of panic disorder more than applied relaxation training, according to the results of a study in the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Periodontitis Predicts Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetics
THURSDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Periodontitis is a predictor of end-stage renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes, researchers report in the February issue of Diabetes Care.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Mutations in Mitochondria Cause Hearing Loss Syndrome
THURSDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with Bjornstad syndrome as well as complex III deficiency and the GRACILE syndrome, which lead to hearing loss and multisystem organ failure, respectively, have mutations in a gene that disrupts mitochondria and causes increased production in reactive oxygen species, according to the results of a study published in the Feb. 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Avandia Increases Fracture Risk in Diabetic Women
THURSDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported this week that rosiglitazone increases the risk of fractures in women with type 2 diabetes. The tablets, made by GlaxoSmithKline, include Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate), Avandaryl (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride), and Avandamet (rosiglitazone maleate and metformin hydrochloride).
More Information - FDA
More Information - Letter to Health Care Professionals
Higher Rate of Premature Births Seen in Blacks
THURSDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Black women are three to four times more likely to deliver prematurely, especially between 20 and 28 weeks, than white women, researchers report in the February issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract
Full Text
Herpes Simplex Virus Therapy Reduces HIV-1 RNA Levels
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- In women who are co-infected with HIV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), HSV suppressive therapy significantly reduces genital and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, according to research published in the Feb. 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
COPD Survival Unaffected by Combination Therapy
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, combination treatment with salmeterol and fluticasone does not significantly reduce the risk of death from all causes compared to placebo but does improve health status and lung function, according to study findings published in the Feb. 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
DNA Repair Enzymes May Boost Lung Cancer Survival
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- In patients who receive surgical treatment for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer, survival is significantly improved in those with high expression of two enzymes involved in DNA synthesis and repair: ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) and excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1), according to a report published in the Feb. 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
ADHD Drug Makers to Warn of Cardiovascular Risk
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has instructed the manufacturers of 15 approved drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including Adderall, Ritalin and Strattera, to prepare Patient Medication Guides highlighting the risk of psychiatric symptoms and cardiovascular problems associated with the drugs. The agency has received reports of sudden death, myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with certain risk factors or underlying conditions taking typical doses of ADHD medications.
More Information
FDA Requests Stronger Anaphylaxis Warning on Xolair
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked Genentech to add a boxed warning to the drug Xolair (omalizumab), which has been linked to anaphylaxis in patients being treated for asthma. The reactions can occur more than 24 hours after treatment, even after the first dose or in patients who did not have a reaction to the first dose.
More Information
More Information - Letter to Healthcare Professionals
Skin Regeneration Device Improves Facial Appearance
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Skin regeneration using a low-energy device improves the appearance of photodamaged facial skin with minimal downtime, researchers report in the February issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Psychopathology Prevalent in Bariatric Surgery Candidates
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Patients seeking bariatric surgery often have a current or past history of psychiatric disorders, which may have an impact on recovery from the surgery and long-term weight loss and maintenance, according to a report in the February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
U.S. Health Care Costs Will Top $4 Trillion by 2016
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Within 10 years, U.S. spending on health care is expected to double to $4.1 trillion and it will consume about 20 percent of every dollar spent, according to a study in the Feb. 21 issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract
Full Text
Medications May Increase the Risk of Microscopic Colitis
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Patients who take high numbers of medications may have an increased risk of developing microscopic colitis, according to the results of a study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Atypical Antipsychotics Block Histamine, Increase Appetite
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Newer atypical antipsychotic medications, such as olanzapine and clozapine, may be causing unwanted weight-gain side effects because they block histamine receptors in the brain, according to a report published online Feb. 20 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Pulse Pressure a Risk Factor for Atrial Fibrillation
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Pulse pressure is a risk factor for new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients as they age, according to the results of a study published in the Feb. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Grief Typically Peaks in First Six Months After Loss
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- After the loss of a family member from natural causes, grief indicators typically peak in the first six months, and contrary to the stage theory of grief, disbelief is not the dominant emotion, according to a report in the Feb. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Family members who continue to score high on grief indicators after this time may need further evaluation.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Imaging May Help in Diagnosis of Chest Pain
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) can determine whether coronary disease is the source of chest pain in 75 percent of patients and is significantly faster and cheaper than standard care, researchers report in the Feb. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
FDA Issues Warning on Off-Label Aranesp, Procrit, Epogen
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated the warning on Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) after a large clinical trial found that the drug did not reduce transfusions and may have increased mortality in cancer patients treated for anemia who were not currently undergoing chemotherapy. The findings may also apply to other erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, such as Epogen (epoetin alfa) and Procrit (epoetin alfa), according to the federal agency.
More Information - FDA
More Information - Letter to Healthcare Professionals
Smoking Cessation Benefits Nasopharyngeal Flora
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Smokers typically have high numbers of potential pathogens and low numbers of interfering organisms in the nasopharynx. But smoking cessation can restore the microbial balance to normal levels, researchers report in the February issue of Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Gap Between Specialist, Primary Care Incomes Grows
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The income disparity between primary care physicians and specialists continues to grow and needs urgent attention in order to keep attracting medical school graduates into primary care, according to a Perspective in the Feb. 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Cytomegalovirus Reactivates in Ulcerative Colitis
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Cytomegalovirus is frequently reactivated in patients who receive immunosuppressant treatment for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, according to a report in the February issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. However, because it's likely to disappear on its own, antiviral therapy is not usually indicated.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Benefits of Annual Checkups Seem to Outweigh Risks
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- One or more well visits per year may benefit patients by encouraging them to undergo routine screening tests and by reducing their health worries in general, according to a review in the Feb. 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
Anxiety Affects Seniors' Self-Reported Functioning
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Patients in their 70s who report anxiety symptoms are more likely to have self-reported declines in physical functioning over five years, but not a decline in objective measurements of physical performance, compared to patients without anxiety, according to the results of a study published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Cholesterol Increases Ischemic Stroke Risk in Women
TUESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Women with high cholesterol who are otherwise healthy have more than double the risk of ischemic stroke as healthy women with low cholesterol, according to a report in the Feb. 20 issue of Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Oral Estrogen, But Not Patch, Boosts Clot Risk with HRT
MONDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Oral, but not transdermal, estrogen is associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postmenopausal women taking hormone therapy, and VTE risk is also influenced by the progestogen derivative used, according to the results of a study published in the Feb. 20 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Prehypertension Risky for Postmenopausal Women
MONDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Prehypertension is common in postmenopausal women and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction, researchers report in the Feb. 20 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Supplements Do Not Increase Female Cardiovascular Risk
MONDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Calcium and vitamin D supplements do not increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction or stroke in postmenopausal women, according to a report in the Feb. 20 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Advance Directives Improve End-of-Life Communication
MONDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- The use of advance directives by a terminally ill patient is associated with better doctor-patient communication in the last months of life, but opportunities remain to improve the quality of end-of-life care, researchers report in the February issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
West Virginia Has Highest U.S. Heart Disease Prevalence
MONDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- A survey of Americans by state has found that 6.5 percent of adults have heart disease, and it's almost three times as prevalent in West Virginia, at 10.4 percent, as in the U.S. Virgin Islands, at 3.5 percent, according to a report in the Feb. 16 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
More Information
Web Sites Sell Haloperidol-Contaminated Drugs
MONDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers who may have purchased haloperidol-contaminated medication over the Internet. Some patients have required emergency treatment for breathing difficulties, muscle spasms and muscle stiffness after taking Ambien, Xanax, Lexapro and Ativan sold on Web sites.
More Information -- FDA
More Information -- Pill Description
Rate of GERD-Related Deaths Is Rising in Finland
MONDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Between 1987 and 2000, the annual mortality rate from complications related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) nearly tripled in Finland despite increased use of anti-reflux medications and surgery, according to study findings published in the February issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Glucosamine Bests Placebo, Acetaminophen for Knee Pain
FRIDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Glucosamine sulfate may be more effective at treating the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis than placebo or acetaminophen, according to results from the Glucosamine Unum In Die (once-a-day) Efficacy (GUIDE) trial, published in the February issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physicians May Test, Treat Elderly with Angina Differently
FRIDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- About half of primary care physicians and specialists treat elderly patients with angina differently from younger patients, and are more likely to recommend changing medication and less likely to refer them to a cardiologist or conduct additional tests, according to the results of a U.K. study published in the February issue of Quality and Safety in Health Care.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Factors Protect Against Cognitive Decline in Women
FRIDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly 70 percent of women who are in their early 70s will maintain optimal cognitive function or have a minimal decline over the next 15 years, researchers report in the February issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. A lack of diabetes, smoking and other factors are associated with a greater chance of preserving cognitive function.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Daily Vitamin D May Help Prevent Nursing Home Falls
FRIDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Elderly nursing home residents may be less likely to fall if they take 800 International Units of vitamin D a day, according to a report in the February issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Power Wheelchairs Marketed in Minority Neighborhoods
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- The rapid rise in prescriptions for power wheelchairs in ethnic minority neighborhoods between 1994 and 2001 seems to dovetail with reports that marketers have targeted minority communities, according to a report in the February issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Rapid Recovery with Outpatient Pneumonia Treatment
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Low-risk pneumonia patients return to work or their usual activities more quickly if they are treated on an outpatient basis rather than as an inpatient, according to study findings published in the February issue of Chest. There is no greater risk of mortality in patients treated outside the hospital.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Myocardial Infarction Mortality Higher in Hodgkin's Patients
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Hodgkin disease patients have an increased risk of dying from myocardial infarction, particularly those who receive certain treatment regimens, according to study findings published in the Feb. 7 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Retinal Disease Gene Tests Helpful in Clinical Care
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Molecular testing for mutations in eight retinal genes can confirm a diagnosis of a hereditary disorder and identify carrier status in patients with retinal disease and their asymptomatic relatives, researchers report in the February issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Particulate Air Pollution Linked to Stroke Deaths
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Fine particulate air pollution (less than 2.5 microns diameter) and carbon monoxide are associated with an increased risk of fatal stroke in the elderly, but only during warm weather, according to a report published online Feb. 15 in Stroke.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Preschool Children Eat More When in Larger Groups
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Preschool-aged children consume 30 percent more food when eating with a larger group and when given at least 11.4 minutes to eat, according to study findings published online Feb. 14 in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Warns of Salmonella Contamination in Peanut Butter
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning Thursday that certain jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter may be contaminated with Salmonella Tennessee, and should be discarded. ConAgra Foods, the manufacturer of both products, voluntarily recalled the jars, which have a product code starting with "2111" on the lid.
More Information -- FDA
More Information -- ConAgra
Short-Course Montelukast Benefits Asthmatic Children
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- In children with intermittent asthma, a short course of montelukast started at the first sign of symptoms results in modest reductions in unscheduled doctor visits, missed school days and parental missed work days compared to placebo, according to a report published in the Feb. 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Low-Dose Morphine Effective for Chronic Cough
THURSDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment with low-dose morphine sulfate can reduce coughing by 40 percent in patients with chronic cough, researchers report in the Feb. 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Intranasal Influenza Vaccine Benefits Most Young Children
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- In young children who do not have a history of asthma or wheezing, live attenuated influenza vaccine delivered in a nasal spray is more effective than inactivated vaccine delivered intramuscularly, according to the results of a study in the Feb. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial
Initial Brain Involvement Assessed in Multiple Sclerosis
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with recently diagnosed multiple sclerosis, those with more brain tissue loss and T2 lesions are likely to have a higher rate of subsequent brain atrophy, according to the results of a study published in the February issue of the Archives of Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Linked to Breathing Issues in the Obese
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Morbidly obese patients with large waist-to-hip ratios are more likely to have breathing problems than their counterparts with smaller waist-to-hip ratios, according to a report in the February issue of the journal Chest.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Fear of Blindness May Motivate Teen Smokers to Quit
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Few teenagers are aware that smoking increases the risk of blindness but when they know, they are motivated to quit by the fear of going blind, according to study findings published online Feb. 6 in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Abstract
Full Text
Researchers Clone Mice from Skin Stem Cells
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have cloned mice from skin stem cells isolated from hair follicles, suggesting a new abundant source of cloning material, according to a report published online Feb. 13 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Blood Draw Ineffective for Peripheral Arterial Disease
TUESDAY, Feb. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Reducing the body's iron stores through phlebotomy does not decrease all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke in patients with peripheral arterial disease, researchers report in the Feb. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Marijuana Relieves HIV-Associated Neuropathy
TUESDAY, Feb. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Marijuana is as effective as oral drugs at relieving pain from HIV-associated sensory neuropathy, according to a report in the Feb. 13 issue of Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Company Halts Manufacture of Faulty Infusion Pumps
TUESDAY, Feb. 13 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that Cardinal Health 303 Inc., of San Diego, formerly known as Alaris Medical Systems, Inc., has agreed to stop manufacturing and distributing its Signature Edition infusion pumps due to a design defect.
More Information
Parkinson-Linked Gambling Higher with Past Alcohol Abuse
MONDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Parkinson disease patients are at higher risk of developing pathological gambling after treatment with dopamine agonists if they developed Parkinson disease at a relatively young age, have a history of alcohol abuse or have more novelty-seeking traits, according to a study in the February issue of the Archives of Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Secondhand Smoke Boosts Fibrinogen, Homocysteine
MONDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Even a low level of exposure to secondhand smoke increases cardiovascular disease biomarkers, such as fibrinogen and homocysteine, according to a report in the Feb. 12 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Siestas Linked to Lower Heart Disease Mortality
MONDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Taking siestas of any frequency or duration is associated with about a one-third reduction in mortality from coronary heart disease, particularly in working men, according to study findings published in the Feb. 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Medicare Covers Colonoscopies, But Screening Gap Persists
MONDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Although Medicare coverage of colonoscopy started in 2001 for those at average risk, there are still disparities in colon cancer screening among Medicare beneficiaries based on age, race/ethnicity, gender and income, according to the results of a study published in the Feb. 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Telomere Dysfunction Plays Role in Werner Syndrome
MONDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- A failure to maintain telomere length may underlie the premature aging, genomic instability and cancer risk associated with Werner syndrome, according to a report published online Feb. 6 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.
Abstract
Full Text
Making Homes Lead-Safe Takes Too Long After Exposure
MONDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- It takes a median of 465 days to make homes lead-safe after a child is found to have elevated blood-lead levels, according to the results of a Wisconsin study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Public Health. This time lag needs to be reduced, and authorities should more firmly enforce lead abatement orders, the authors write.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Changes Ketek Label, Removes Two Indications
MONDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stepped up the warning label for Ketek (telithromycin), and removed two of the three indications for the antibiotic. A joint advisory committee met in December and concluded that the risks of the drug outweigh the benefits for acute bacterial sinusitis and acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Ketek can still be used to treat mild-to-moderately severe community-acquired pneumonia.
More Information
Brief Intervention Cuts Alcohol Use in Pregnant Women
MONDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Pregnant women who consume alcohol are more likely to abstain if they are given a brief talk about the dangers of alcohol consumption to the fetus, and tend to have higher birth weight infants than their counterparts who do not have any intervention, researchers report in the February issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Clears Vascular Shunt to Prevent Limb Amputation
FRIDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a vascular shunt that can help prevent limb amputation, particularly in soldiers wounded in combat. The Temporary Limb Salvage Shunt is made by Renfrew, Scotland-based Vascutek Ltd., and received approval within a week due to its usefulness in treating field injuries.
More Information
Few Child Eczema Patients Adhere to Therapy
FRIDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Fewer than one-third of children with atopic dermatitis fully comply with their recommended topical treatment regimen, often leading to treatment failure and provoking the need for riskier systemic medication, researchers report in the February issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Single Antibiotic Course Can Lead to Long-Term Resistance
FRIDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- A single course of macrolide antibiotics can lead to macrolide-resistance in oral streptococci that lasts as long as six months, according to study findings published in the Feb. 10 issue of The Lancet.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Parents Have Size, Growth Expectations for Their Infants
FRIDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Parents consider contextual factors for determining what is a healthy size and rate of growth for their infants, according to a report in the February issue of the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
One in 150 U.S. Children Has Autism Spectrum Disorder
FRIDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- The estimated U.S. prevalence of autism spectrum disorders is 6.6 to 6.7 children out of 1,000, according to data collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, much higher than the estimate of four or five per 10,000 children for the past few decades.
More Information
U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths on Rise, Particularly in Women
FRIDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Accidental poisoning among teenagers and adults has increased in the United States, mostly due to drug overdoses, and is now the second-leading cause of unintentional death after motor-vehicle accidents, according to new data in the Feb. 9 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
More Information
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Spurs Metastasis
THURSDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) plays a key role in inducing lymph node lymphangiogenesis and promoting metastasis beyond the sentinel lymph nodes, according to the results of an animal study published in the Feb. 1 issue of Blood.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Maternal Food Intake Affects Fetal Gene Expression
THURSDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Excess maternal food intake during late pregnancy causes increased expression of genes in the fetus that regulate adipogenesis and lipogenesis in perirenal fat, according to the results of a study of sheep published in the February issue of Endocrinology.
Abstract
Full Text
Two Endoscope Cleaners Do Not Meet FDA Standards
THURSDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Custom Ultrasonics of Buckingham, Pa., has agreed to stop manufacturing two endoscope washer and disinfector systems until the company's manufacturing methods are brought into line with U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements. The FDA recommends current users of the two devices to contact the manufacturer and use alternative methods where possible due to the risk of patient-to-patient transmission of pathogens.
More Information
Orlistat Gets Over-the-Counter Approval from FDA
THURSDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the adult weight-loss aid orlistat for over-the-counter (OTC) sale, although higher doses of the drug will still require a prescription. The drug came onto the market in 1999. The OTC capsules will be manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and marketed under the name Alli.
More Information
Pediatric Call Centers May Curb Emergency Room Use
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- An analysis of pediatric call center cases suggests that two-thirds of incidents in which parents intend to seek emergency care are not actually urgent, but 15 percent of cases in which parents would have kept children at home are true emergencies, according to study findings published in the February issue of Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text
Many Doctors Say OK to Discuss Moral Qualms with Patient
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A majority of physicians believe they have the right to discuss moral or ethical objections to a treatment with a patient, 14 percent don't believe they have an obligation to inform patients of all the options and 29 percent don't think they need to refer them to an amenable physician, according to an article published in the Feb. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Clomiphene Helps Infertility Due to Polycystic Ovary
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Clomiphene is significantly more effective than metformin in treating infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, but with a higher risk of multiple pregnancies, researchers report in the Feb. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Gene Variant May Protect Trinidadians from Alcoholism
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Trinidadians with a particular variant of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene consume less alcohol and have less alcohol dependence than those who do not, in agreement with studies in other populations, according to a report in the February issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
New Antiepileptic Drug Matches Carbamazepine Efficacy
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The new antiepileptic drug levetiracetam is just as effective in reducing the incidence of seizures in newly diagnosed epilepsy as controlled-release carbamazepine, according to a report in the Feb. 6 issue of Neurology. The drug could be useful in treating patients who are unresponsive to current therapies.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Adolescents' Online Behavior Predicts Victimization Risk
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Among children who use the Internet, a pattern of online behaviors is associated with an increased risk of online interpersonal victimization, including harassment or sexual solicitation, according to study findings published in the February issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Manipulation Boosts Flexion After Knee Replacement
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- In the weeks and months after total knee arthroplasty, postoperative manipulation under anesthesia can improve flexion in patients who need it, according to the results of a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Diastolic Dysfunction Linked to Apoptosis in Failing Heart
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Myocardial infarction patients with severe left ventricular diastolic dysfunction have increased rates of myocardial apoptosis near the infarct, according to a report in the Feb. 1 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. The apoptosis may explain the fatal outcome seen in the small study, which included patients who died within 10 to 62 days post-infarction.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Pediatricians Have Mixed Opinions on Error Disclosure
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Most pediatricians support the reporting of errors to patients' families and hospitals, but they also fault current reporting systems as inadequate, according to study findings published in the February issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Financial Benefits of Pediatric Exclusivity Program Assessed
TUESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- The economic return for pharmaceutical companies that conduct pediatric trials in exchange for six extra months of market exclusivity varies widely, according to a report in the Feb. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text
Etanercept Has No Effect on Spondylarthritis in Mice
TUESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment with etanercept inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha but does not affect the severity of joint ankylosis, according to the results of a study in a mouse model of spondylarthritis (SpA) published in the February issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
U.S. Caesareans, Unmarried Mothers at Record Highs
TUESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- The number of unmarried women and women over 30 giving birth, and the number of Caesarean deliveries, are at or near record highs, according to the Annual Summary of Vital Statistics: 2005, published in the February issue of Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Ambulatory Strategy May Help Some Sleep Apnea Patients
TUESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- In patients who have a high probability of obstructive sleep apnea, an ambulatory strategy may be as effective as polysomnography at establishing a diagnosis and determining the effect of continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, according to the results of a study published in the Feb. 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Mental Illness Increases Heart Disease, Stroke Mortality
TUESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with severe mental illness are more likely to die from coronary heart disease and stroke than those without mental illness, researchers report in the February issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
More U.S. Patients Over Age 80 Are Starting Dialysis
TUESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Since 1996, increasing numbers of people in their 80s and 90s have initiated dialysis, but their odds of one-year survival are still only about 50 percent, according to a report published in the Feb. 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Depression Linked to Early Carotid Artery Disease
TUESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Depression is associated with a greater risk of carotid artery thickening over time, but it is the somatic-vegetative symptoms, rather than cognitive-affective symptoms, that seem to play a role. The findings are published in the February issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Feeling Lonely Linked to Risk for Alzheimer Disease
MONDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Perceived isolation or loneliness, defined as a dissatisfaction with social interactions rather than their absence, is associated with the development of Alzheimer disease in old age, according to a report in the February issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Hypertension in Pregnancy Linked to Coronary Calcification
MONDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Women who have pregnancy-induced hypertension are 57 percent more likely to develop coronary calcification later in life compared with women who do not, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in Hypertension.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Childhood Neuropsychiatric Diagnoses on the Rise
MONDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- The incidence of autism spectrum disorder, hyperkinetic disorder and Tourette syndrome have increased among Danish-born children in recent years, researchers report in the February issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Abstract
Modest Quality Boost in Pay-for-Performance Hospitals
MONDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- A demonstration project funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services suggests that pay-for-performance can improve the quality of care in hospitals from 2.6 to 4.1 percent compared with hospitals that adopt public reporting as a quality improvement measure, according to a report in the Feb. 1 New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Child's TV Viewing Time Not Related to Physical Activity
MONDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- The amount of television a child watches does not predict the amount of moderate or vigorous physical activity they participate in during their leisure time, according to a report in the February issue of Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text
Children Report Unwanted Porn Exposure Online
MONDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- About 42 percent of U.S. children aged 10 to 17 who use the Internet say they have been exposed to online pornography, the majority of which is unwanted, according to the results of a survey published in the February issue of Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Approves Drug for Von Willebrand Disease
MONDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for patients with von Willebrand disease. The drug, Antihemophilic Factor/von Willebrand Factor Complex (Human), Alphanate, is manufactured by Grifols Biologicals Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., and is derived from pooled human plasma.
More Information
Most Drunk Driving Reported by Non-Alcoholics
FRIDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Most people who drink and drive are either excessive or binge drinkers, while alcoholics make up a smaller proportion of drunk drivers, according to a study in the February issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. The study suggests adverse consequences of alcohol occur in many types of problem drinkers.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Few Cardiovascular Trials Report Sex-Specific Results
FRIDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Only about one-quarter of cardiovascular clinical trials report sex-specific results compared with about half of trials sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, which mandates reporting of such results, according to a report in the February issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Treating Otitis Media a Trade-Off Between Cost, Relief
FRIDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- The range of treatment options for otitis media reflect a trade-off between cost and relief of symptoms, according to study findings published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
Female Lacrosse Players Have More Head, Eye Injuries
FRIDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Young female lacrosse players sustain more head, face and eye injuries than male players, suggesting a need for more protective gear, researchers report in the February issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Use of Chronic Care Model Improves Diabetes Care
FRIDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- The Chronic Care Model, which aims to improve the way chronically ill patients are treated in primary practice, can be easily implemented and is very effective in improving outcomes in diabetic patients, according to a report published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
Drug May Treat High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema
FRIDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Acetazolamide, a drug used to treat fluid retention after heart failure, may also be useful in treating pulmonary edema that can result after ascending to high altitudes, researchers report in the February issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Validating Patients' Depression Cuts Drug Prescribing
FRIDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians who discuss and validate a depressed patient's concerns are more likely to prescribe antidepressants based on symptoms rather than a patient's request for medication, according to study findings published in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
HIV/AIDS Rates Drop Among Blacks in Florida
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- HIV/AIDS rates among blacks in Florida dropped by 8.2 percent per year in men and 10.2 percent per year in women from 1999 through 2004, according to a report in the Feb. 2 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The decline was greater than that seen among other racial/ethnic groups.
More Information
Hemagglutinin Receptor Key to 1918 Flu Virus Transmission
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have found that changing two amino acids in the binding site of hemagglutinin receptor on the surface of the 1918 pandemic flu virus eliminates its ability to transmit among humans, according to a report in the Feb. 2 issue of Science. The findings suggest receptor specificity is a key mediator of transmission.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Food Odors Reduce Longevity in Calorie-Restricted Flies
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- The increased longevity associated with calorie restriction can be reduced with exposure to the smell of food, according to the results of a study of fruit flies published Feb. 1 in Science. The finding suggests that olfactory neurons affect adult physiology and aging.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Study Examines Pediatric Soccer-Related Injuries
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Between 1990 and 2003, U.S. children who played soccer experienced nearly 1.6 million sport-related injuries and the number of injuries increased sharply among female players, according to study findings published in the February issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Index Predicts Hip Fracture, Mortality in Older Women
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- A four-item index based on age, weight, previous fracture and mobility can predict the risk of hip fracture and mortality in women aged 70 and older, according to a report in the January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
Larger Waist Predicts Early Heart Disease in Diabetics
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Diabetics with larger waists tend to experience coronary artery disease symptoms five years before those with smaller waists, researchers report in the Feb. 1 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Taking Steps to Improve Safety System
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a plan this week to improve drug and other medical product safety by strengthening the science used in agency decisions, increasing communication, and improving operations and management. The announcement was a response to a review by the Institute of Medicine, which was requested by the FDA in 2005.
More Information
No Link Seen Between Exercise, Knee Osteoarthritis
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Middle-aged and older adults who exercise regularly do not affect their risk of developing knee osteoarthritis or increase its progression, according to the results of two studies published in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Mutations Cause of Distinct Myeloproliferative Disorders
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have identified four new mutations in the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene that can cause myeloproliferative disease, and patients with the mutations may have a distinct syndrome even though they are currently diagnosed as having polycythemia vera or idiopathic erythrocytosis. The findings are published in the Feb. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
New Tool Predicts Rheumatoid Arthritis Progression
THURSDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- A new prediction rule may help identify which patients presenting with undifferentiated arthritis are most likely to progress to rheumatoid arthritis, according to a report in the February issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
