Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Family Practice for July 2010. 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.
Higher Pediatric Mortality Marked 2009/2010 Flu Season
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Since April 2009, influenza activity in the United States has been characterized by much higher pediatric mortality and higher rates of hospitalization in children and young adults than seen in previous years, according a report published in the July 30 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Flu Vaccine for Upcoming Season Approved
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- The annual flu vaccine for the 2010-2011 influenza season has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the agency said Friday.
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Population-Based Survey Reveals Work Injury Rates
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- A module added to the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey by 10 states found that the proportion of workers work-injured in the previous year ranged from 4.0 to 6.9 per 100 employed individuals, and that the proportion of these cases paid for by workers' compensation ranged from 47 to 77 percent, according to a report published in the July 30 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Fecal Occult Blood Testing May Be Most Efficient Choice
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Although colonoscopy is a more accurate colorectal cancer screening method, fecal occult blood testing is likely to result in more individuals getting screened and more life-years gained, suggesting it may be the best approach for programs with limited budgets, according to a study published online July 29 in Health Affairs.
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FDA: Evamist Tied to Adverse Effects in Children, Pets
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that unintentional exposure to estradiol transdermal spray (Evamist) through skin contact with patients using the spray may cause adverse effects in children and pets.
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Combination Weight Loss Drugs Appear Effective for Obesity
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment with two obesity drugs, naltrexone and bupropion, plus lifestyle modification appears effective in helping people lose 5 percent or more of their excess body weight, according to research published online July 30 in The Lancet.
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Exercise Adherence Helps Osteoarthritis Patients
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Greater adherence to home exercise and more physical activity in general appear to enhance the long-term effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee, according to research published in the August issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
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Black Youths May Benefit From Higher Vitamin D Dose
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Black youths on 2000 IU/day of vitamin D achieve higher vitamin D levels more quickly and have significantly less arterial stiffness than those on 400 IU/day, according to research published online July 21 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
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Calcium Supplements May Increase Heart Attack Risk
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Calcium supplementation is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, according to a meta-analysis published online July 29 in BMJ.
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Specialties See Modest Compensation Increases in '09
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Most medical specialties saw modest compensation increases in 2009, but many provider organizations are still operating at a substantial loss, according to the findings of the American Medical Group Association's (AMGA) 2010 Medical Group Compensation and Financial Survey.
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FDA: Daptomycin May Increase Eosinophilic Pneumonia Risk
FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has requested that the manufacturer of daptomycin (Cubicin) add information to its drug label regarding a possible increased risk of eosinophilic pneumonia in patients receiving the drug.
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Cuvposa Approved for Chronic Drooling in Children
THURSDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) Oral Solution has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic drooling in children aged 3 to 16.
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Many Visit Emergency Room in Year Prior to Suicide
THURSDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- Many mental health patients who later commit suicide visit the emergency department in the year prior to their death, with some individuals visiting frequently, according to a study published online July 26 in the Emergency Medical Journal.
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Early Puberty More Likely in Obese, Overweight Girls
THURSDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- Overweight and obese girls are likely to reach puberty earlier than their normal-weight counterparts, and are also at risk for the long-term health consequences related to obesity, according to a review published online July 29 in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
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Thiazolidinediones May Up Fracture Risk in Older Women
THURSDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- In type 2 diabetes patients, thiazolidinedione (TZD) exposure is associated with an increased risk of fracture in women age 50 and older -- especially in higher doses -- and in men who are concurrently exposed to loop diuretics, according to research published online July 14 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
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Consistent Web Tool Use Linked to Weight Loss Maintenance
THURSDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- Patients who actively engage with a Web-based interactive weight maintenance tool may be more likely to maintain weight loss in the long term, according to research published in the July to September issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
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Physicians Not Good Judges of Patients' Health Beliefs
THURSDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians do not appear to be good judges of their patients' health beliefs, but they have a stronger understanding of patients' beliefs when patients take a more active role in the office visit, according to a study published online July 23 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Two Studies Offer Support for Compression-Only CPR
WEDNESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- Instructions from emergency dispatchers to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with chest compressions only or compressions with rescue breathing are associated with similar survival rates, according to two studies published in the July 29 New England Journal of Medicine.
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Scoliosis Patients May Have Worse Perceived Health Status
WEDNESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- People with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) may have perceived mental and physical health that is moderately, albeit significantly, worse than those without the condition, according to twin-based research published in the August issue of Spine.
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More Leisure Time Sitting Linked to Higher Mortality Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- People who sit for six or more hours in their leisure time daily face a higher risk of mortality, with time spent sitting associated with mortality regardless of physical activity level, according to research published online July 22 in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
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Nerve Stimulation Helps Control Overactive Bladder in Kids
WEDNESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- Parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PTENS) appears effective for treating overactive bladder in children, according to research published in the August issue of The Journal of Urology.
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Predictors for Long-Term Back Pain and Disability Evaluated
WEDNESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- For patients who miss work with low back pain (LBP), persistent disability and pain one year after treatment are associated with baseline pain intensity and degree of disability, diffuse tenderness, health anxiety and fear avoidance, little or moderate exercise, and having made a compensation claim, according to a study in the August issue of The Spine Journal.
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Drinking Alcohol May Thwart Rheumatoid Arthritis
WEDNESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- Drinking alcohol appears to be protective against the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to be associated with less severe symptoms in those who have the condition, according to research published online July 28 in Rheumatology.
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Social Relationships Linked to Improved Survival
WEDNESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- Having stronger social relationships is associated with an increased likelihood of survival, with a magnitude of effect that's comparable to quitting smoking, according to research published online July 27 in PLoS Medicine.
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Actinic Keratosis Photodynamic Treatment More Painful on Face
WEDNESDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- Pain from treatment of actinic keratoses with photosensitizers varies significantly depending on the location treated, and pain decreases significantly after eight hours, according to research published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Late Preterm Babies Still at Risk for Respiratory Morbidity
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Late preterm babies -- those born at 34 to 37 weeks' gestation -- are more likely than full-term babies to suffer respiratory distress syndrome and other respiratory morbidity, though the risk decreases with each additional week of gestation, according to research in the July 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Risk of Poor Outcomes Up for Seniors With Delirium in Hospital
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Seniors who experience delirium during hospitalization are at elevated risk for death, eventual institutionalization, and dementia, according to a meta-analysis published in the July 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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HIV Care Quality in VA Hospitals Generally High
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- National performance rates for quality-of-care measures for HIV patients receiving care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are generally high, though there is variation from facility to facility, according to a study in the July 26 Archives of Internal Medicine. Another study in the same issue suggests that some HIV drugs increase the risk of heart attack in HIV-infected patients.
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Iron Deficiency Anemia Affects Infants' Cognitive Function
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in infancy appears to affect areas of cognitive function, and these effects seem to be stronger in infants with socioemotional deficits, according to research published online July 26 in Pediatrics.
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Maternal Affection in Infancy Predicts Distress in Adulthood
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Higher levels of maternal affection during infancy are associated with lower levels of emotional distress in adulthood, according to a study published online July 26 in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
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Orientation Can Start Med Students Off on Right Foot
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- A well-planned and -implemented orientation for medical students who are entering a new learning environment provides benefits for both the institution and the students, according to an article published online July 26 in Pediatrics.
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Younger Children Have Longer H1N1 Viral Shedding Period
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Children under 13 years of age shed the 2009 H1N1 virus longer than other age groups, posing a higher risk for spreading the virus; yet, closing schools during a flu pandemic has limited effectiveness for isolating children, according to two studies published in the August issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
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Women's BP Measurements Higher When Taken by Doctors
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Female patients with normal blood pressure (BP) may have significantly higher systolic and diastolic readings when their BP is taken by a physician rather than a nurse or automated device, according to research published in the August issue of Applied Nursing Research.
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Alteplase Remains Safe Up to 4.5 Hours After Acute Stroke
TUESDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Extending the treatment window for administration of alteplase from three hours to 4.5 hours in patients who experience an acute ischemic stroke is safe and does not result in delayed treatment of patients, according to a study published online July 27 in The Lancet Neurology.
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Cardiac Function Poor in Many Childhood Cancer Survivors
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Decreased cardiac function occurs in 27 percent of five-year childhood cancer survivors (CCSs), and higher cumulative anthracycline dose, radiation to the thorax, and younger age at diagnosis are all associated with left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF) in these patients, according to a study in the July 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Some Epilepsy Drugs Linked to Self-Harm, Suicidal Behavior
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Patients taking newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that are associated with a high risk of depression may have an elevated risk of self-harm or suicidal behavior, but other groups of AEDs do not appear to carry this risk, according to research published in the July 27 issue of Neurology.
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Many With Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Get Aggressive Therapy
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer who have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) threshold below 4.0 ng/mL undergo aggressive local therapy despite having low-risk disease, according to research published in the July 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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MODS Culture Method Beneficial in TB Diagnosis
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- The microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility (MODS) culture method, using duplicate gastric-aspirate specimens, may be the best diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis in high-risk children in a resource-poor setting, according to research published online July 26 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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Physician Advice Ups Dental Visits for Young Children
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Young children who receive a recommendation for dental care from their physician are more likely to receive dental care than children with physicians who do not address the issue, according to research published online July 26 in Pediatrics.
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Postconcussion Syndrome in Children Often Lasts Months
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- A substantial number of children who experience mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are still symptomatic for postconcussion syndrome (PCS) three months after injury, apparently independent of trauma, maternal psychological adjustment, or family dysfunction, according to research published online July 26 in Pediatrics.
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Depression May Compromise Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Symptoms of major depression in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are often missed during routine clinical interviews, and the presence of depression hinders treatment outcomes; in addition, HCV is associated with greater absence from work, lower productivity, and higher health care costs, according to two articles published in the August issue of Hepatology.
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FDA Panels Vote Against Plan to Reduce Opioid Abuse
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- On July 23, two U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panels voted against the FDA's plan for reducing abuse of long-acting and extended-release opioid drugs.
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Medical Device-Related Injuries High in Pediatric Population
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- In a recent two-year period, nearly 150,000 children visited an emergency department for treatment of medical device-associated adverse events (MDAEs), suggesting a need for more intensive efforts to prevent such injuries, according to research published online July 26 in Pediatrics.
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Back Pain Diagnostic Blocks Delay Pain Relief, Add Cost
MONDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Performing one or more temporary diagnostic nerve blocks to establish arthritis as the cause of back pain before treatment with radiofrequency denervation results in unnecessary tests, delayed pain relief, and added cost, according to a study in the August issue of Anesthesiology.
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Seat Belts Protect Pregnant Drivers During Collisions
FRIDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- Wearing a seat belt protects pregnant drivers by reducing the risk of abdominal pressure or contact with the steering wheel during frontal and rear collisions, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Malicious Use of Drugs Affects Dozens of Children Annually
FRIDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- About 160 young children are victims of deliberate, malicious exposure to drugs and alcohol each year in the United States, according to research published online July 21 in the Journal of Pediatrics.
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Pelvic Radiation in Girls Tied to Higher Stillbirth Risk
FRIDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- Female survivors of childhood cancer treated with pelvic radiation have a much higher risk of stillbirth and neonatal death in their offspring than do females who did not get radiation, but there is no increased risk for male survivors who received gonadal radiation, according to research published online July 23 in the The Lancet.
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Automated Phone Outreach Doesn't Improve Testing Rates
FRIDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- Automated telephone outreach with speech recognition (ATO-SR) does not improve rates of diabetes-related testing compared with usual care, according to research published in the July issue of Diabetes Care.
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New Standardized Method Determines Causes of Stillbirth
FRIDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- A new standardized method may help assign cause of death in stillbirth based on data collected during prenatal care and assessment of fetal death, according to a study published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Modest Weight Loss Linked to Urinary Incontinence Benefits
FRIDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- In overweight and obese women, modest weight loss can result in significant urinary incontinence benefits, according to a study in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Folate-Related Genes Plus Lifestyle Tied to Heart Defects
THURSDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Women who have functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms in folate-related genes as well as lifestyle factors that may alter folate metabolism appear to be at increased risk of having a fetus with a congenital heart defect (CHD), according to a study published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Phone Intervention Helps Heart Failure Patients Long Term
THURSDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- A telephone intervention aimed at improving education and compliance in heart failure patients can lead to fewer heart failure hospitalizations and a lower death rate than no intervention up to three years after the program ends, according to a study in the July 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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ACOG: Cervical Cytology Not Recommended for Adolescents
THURSDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Although prior recommendations of major societies advised cervical cytology screening in adolescents based on onset of vaginal intercourse, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends that screening begin at age 21, regardless of sexual activity, due to the rarity of cervical cancer in women under 21. These recommendations have been published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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When LDL After Statin is Very Low, HDL Not a Risk Factor
THURSDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk in patients untreated by statins, but in treated patients who achieve very low low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, HDL level is no longer associated with level of risk, according to research published online July 22 in The Lancet.
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FDA Places Partial Clinical Hold on Avandia Trial
THURSDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has informed GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the manufacturer of rosiglitazone (Avandia), that the Thiazolidinedione Intervention With Vitamin D Evaluation (TIDE) trial has been placed on partial clinical hold, one week after an FDA advisory panel recommended that the diabetes drug remain on the market with tightened controls or restricted sales due to cardiovascular safety concerns.
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Miscarriage, Preterm Birth Not Tied to Modest Caffeine Intake
THURSDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Moderate caffeine intake -- defined as less than 200 mg of caffeine, which equates to about 12 ounces of coffee -- does not appear to be linked to miscarriage or preterm birth, according to a new committee opinion published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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ACOG Guidelines Call for More Vaginal Births After Cesarean
THURSDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe option for most women who have had one prior cesarean delivery and for some who have had two prior cesarean deliveries, according to new guidelines released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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HPV Vaccine Demonstrates Sustained Protection
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- The quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine appears to provide strong and sustained protection against low-grade lesions attributable to HPV, according to research published July 20 in BMJ.
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Method Estimates Complexity of Ambulatory Encounters
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- A method of estimating the relative complexity of ambulatory clinical encounters could be useful in making comparisons between specialties, and the Guided Care approach may provide benefits for primary care physicians who work with chronically ill older patients, according to two studies published in the July/August Annals of Family Medicine.
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Birth Timing Not Tied to Low Birth Weight Infants' Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- Timing of birth in very low birth weight infants appears to have very little effect on the incidence of morbidity and mortality, according to a study published online July 19 in Pediatrics.
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Regular High-Heel Use Linked to Lower Leg Differences
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- Wearing high-heeled shoes over the long term leads to shortening of muscle fascicles in the calf as well as increased stiffness of Achilles' tendons, according to research published online July 16 in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
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Prenatal Anxiety in Moms Tied to Higher Infant Illness Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- Babies whose mothers experience prenatal stress and anxiety appear to be at higher risk for illnesses and require more antibiotics in their first year of life, according to research published online July 19 in Pediatrics.
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Automated Audio Method Can Help ID Children With Autism
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- A method of conducting day-long audio recordings, and processing them with automated analysis, can predict children's ages and identify those with language delay or autism, according to research published online July 19 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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PCB Exposure May Raise Risk for Hypertension
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) appears to be associated with rates of hypertension, and may have an effect on blood pressure control, according to research published online July 16 in the Journal of Hypertension.
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Overweight, Obese Mothers at Higher Risk for Preterm Birth
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- Overweight and obese women appear to be at greater risk of delivering preterm babies, and, after publication bias is taken into account, maternal overweight and obesity do not have beneficial effects on low infant birth weight, according to research published July 20 in BMJ.
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Melanoma Excision Depth Varies by Physician Specialty
WEDNESDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- Melanoma specialists who are not dermatologists tend to excise thin invasive melanomas to a deeper level than do dermatologist specialists and non-specialists, according to research published online July 19 in the Archives of Dermatology.
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CHD Risk Factors Common in Young Men and Women
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) are common among young adults, but they don't seem to alter rates of screening for high cholesterol, according to research published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
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Intervention Ups Vaccination Rate in Health Care Workers
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- An educational intervention program can increase low influenza vaccination rates in primary health care workers, according to research published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
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Physicians May Ignore Patients' Contextual Red Flags
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians often ignore contextual red flags presented during patient encounters, which may ultimately lead to medical errors, according to research published in the July 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Electronic Health Records Boost Medical Office Efficiency
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- The implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) can improve medical office efficiency and time management without impairing patients' strong sense of trust in the physician-patient relationship, according to a study in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
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Study Looks at Pediatric Pneumonia Complication Rates
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Rates of systemic complications associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) fell only in children under the age of 1 following the introduction of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in 2000, but local complications related to CAP have increased among all pediatric age groups, according to research published online July 19 in Pediatrics.
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5.2 Percent of Residency Applicant Essays Plagiarized
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- About 5 percent of the application essays to residency programs -- often referred to as the personal statement -- contain plagiarized material, according to research published in the July 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Painters Found to Have Increased Bladder Cancer Risk
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Occupational exposures in painters are associated with an elevated risk for bladder cancer, a risk that increases with years on the job, according to research published in the August issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
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CRC Screening Disparities Persist for Seniors on Medicare
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Despite expanding coverage for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in the Medicare population, disparities persist based on differences in usual place of health care, education level, and insurance coverage type, according to research published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
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Cochlear Implantation Odds Not Lower With Medicaid
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Children with Medicaid coverage have the same odds of receiving an initial cochlear implant as those with private insurance, but are less likely to receive a sequential bilateral implant, and they have higher complication rates and worse follow-up compliance, according to research published in the July issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.
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More Homeless Finish Advance Directives With Intervention
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Counselor-assisted end-of-life planning for homeless people significantly increases the rate of completion of advance directives in this population, according to research published in the July issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Melanoma Rate for Black Women, Hispanic Men Higher in Fla.
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Hispanic males and non-Hispanic black females residing in Florida have substantially higher incidence rates of melanoma than those same subgroups residing in the United States as a whole, according to research published in the July issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
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Long-Term Mobile Phone Use May Raise Tinnitus Risk
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals who have used a mobile phone for at least four years appear to be at increased risk for tinnitus, according to research published online June 23 in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
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Zinc Nasal Gel May Lead to Loss of Sense of Smell
TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- Use of over-the-counter homeopathic nasal zinc gluconate gel may result in loss of the sense of smell, according to a report in the July issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.
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Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Can Occur Years After Brain Injury
MONDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- Some soldiers who suffered penetrating head injuries (PHIs) in the Vietnam War developed post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) more than 14 years after receiving their injuries, and the location, size, and type of lesion all predict PTE, according to the latest phase of the decades-long Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS) reported in the July 20 issue of Neurology.
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BMI at Age 18 Found to Predict Psoriatic Arthritis Risk
MONDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- Psoriasis patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) at age 18 have an increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than those with a lower BMI at that age, according to research published in the July issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
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Study Notes Eating Issues in Children With ASD
MONDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) appear to have feeding-related issues starting in infancy, and eat a less-varied diet starting at a young age, although their growth and energy intake are not impaired compared with children without ASD, according to research published online July 19 in Pediatrics.
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In Vitro Fertilization Linked to Children's Cancer Risk
MONDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- Children conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) may have a moderately increased risk of cancer, according to research published online July 19 in Pediatrics.
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Depression Linked to Erectile Dysfunction May Raise CV Risk
MONDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- Depressive symptoms in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) constitute an independent risk factor for the incidence of a major cardiovascular event (MACE), according to a study published online July 13 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
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FDA Warns Public Regarding Stolen Advair Diskus Inhalers
MONDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers, pharmacists, and wholesalers that certain lots of Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder) inhalers were stolen from a GlaxoSmithKline distribution warehouse near Richmond, Virginia, in August 2009 and have recently been found in some pharmacies.
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Stress in Pregnancy May Contribute to Preterm Birth
FRIDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Women who experience severe life events stress during the first or second trimester of pregnancy may be at increased risk for delivering preterm babies and infants with low birth weight, according to research published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Admissions for Prescription Pain Reliever Abuse Rising
FRIDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Substance abuse admissions involving prescription pain reliever abuse increased from 2.2 to 9.8 percent between 1998 and 2008 in those aged 12 and older, according to a recent study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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High Acupuncture Expectations Not Linked to Outcomes
FRIDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with chronic low back pain, having a positive predisposition toward acupuncture doesn't predict better outcomes, according to research published in the July 1 issue of Spine.
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Quality of Internet Info on Sports Med Diagnoses Variable
FRIDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- The quality of content and financial transparency of Internet health information related to orthopedic sports medicine diagnoses is highly variable, but Web sites displaying the HONcode seal are significantly more likely to score higher in both of these areas, according to research published in the July 7 issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
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Pain and Depression Dim Work Expectations After Whiplash
FRIDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Among people who suffer whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) resulting from a car accident, those in the most pain and those with depression symptoms appear to have the lowest expectations of returning to work, according to a study in the July 1 issue of Spine.
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Children's Mental Health Affected by 9/11 Attack
FRIDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Preschool children exposed to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City were found to be at increased risk of having behavioral and psychological problems if their mothers suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, according to a study in the July/August issue of Child Development. According to a related study in the same journal, direct exposure to the attacks was also associated with depression and PTSD in adolescents and their mothers.
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Stroke Risk Doubled One Hour After Drinking Alcohol
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of stroke is more than doubled in the hour after ingestion of alcohol, according to the results of a study published online July 15 in Stroke.
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Many Toddlers Watch at Least Two Hours of Television Daily
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- In 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that children's television viewing be limited to no more than two hours of "quality programming" daily, but about one-fifth of Oregon's 2-year-olds watch two hours or more on a typical day, according to research published in the July 16 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Emergency Nurse Practitioners Rarely Miss Injuries
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) exhibit high diagnostic accuracy, and there are no significant differences between ENPs and physicians related to diagnosis and management of minor injuries and illness, according to research published in the July issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing.
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FDA Issues Requirements for Baxter Infusion Pump Recall
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued conditions for Baxter Healthcare Corporation to follow in performing its April 2010 recall of Colleague Volumetric Infusion Pumps (CVIPs), and the agency is requiring the company to provide refunds or replacement pumps for customers or terminate their leases.
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Lower Alcohol Use Rate Seen in American Indians, Alaska Natives
THURSDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- The rate of alcohol use in the past month among American Indians and Alaska Natives is lower than the national average, but these groups have higher-than-average rates of binge drinking, according to a report published June 24 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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Many Postpartum Women Visit ER Within Weeks of Delivery
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly 5 percent of women who deliver babies in hospitals across the United States visit the emergency department within 42 days of delivery, most often for pregnancy-related conditions, according to research published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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BMI Linked to Poorer Cognitive Function in Older Women
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Among postmenopausal women, higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with poorer cognitive function in those with a smaller waist-to-hip ratio, according to research published online July 14 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Gestational Diabetes Risk Rises With Prior GDM Pregnancies
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of subsequent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases with the number of previous episodes of the condition, and Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders have a higher recurrence risk, according to research published online July 14 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Blister Packs of Coumadin Recalled
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb has initiated a voluntary recall of physician sample blister packs and hospital unit dose (HUD) blister packs of Coumadin, a medication used to treat or prevent blood clots.
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FDA Panel Recommends Avandia Remain on Market
THURSDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- After two days of deliberations, sparked by concerns over cardiovascular safety issues, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel, comprising 33 experts, has recommended that rosiglitazone (Avandia) remain on the market with tightened controls or restricted sales.
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Lorcaserin Linked to Weight Loss, Maintenance
WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- The use of lorcaserin, along with behavioral modification, is associated with weight loss and subsequent weight maintenance compared to placebo, according to a study published in the July 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Phone Therapy Reduces PTSD After Stem Cell Transplant
WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- A series of telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions can significantly improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and general distress after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), according to research published online July 12 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Home, Hospital Antibiotics Offer Similar Results in Cystic Fibrosis
WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients treated with intravenous antibiotics for respiratory exacerbations have similar lung function outcomes whether their therapy is administered at home or in the hospital, according to research published online June 25 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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MPV4 Vaccine Not Linked to Henoch-Schönlein Purpura
WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPV4) does not appear to be associated with post-vaccination Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in 16- to 20-year-olds, according to research published online July 12 in Pediatrics.
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Attempted Method Predicts Later Successful Suicide
WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- The method a person chooses to attempt suicide appears to be predictive of whether they will attempt suicide again and succeed, with attempts involving hanging, firearms or explosives, drowning, gassing, or jumping from a height at least moderately associated with later successful suicide, according to research published July 13 in BMJ.
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Intervention Helps Mothers Prevent Weight Gain
WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- Mothers who receive self-management guidance in a community setting are less likely to gain weight and more likely to improve health-related behaviors, according to research published July 13 in BMJ.
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Intervention Linked to Decrease in Toddlers' Bottle Use
WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- An intervention among parents of infants making a routine health maintenance visit at 9 months of age can result in a reduction in prolonged bottle use but is not likely to lead to a decrease in iron depletion at 2 years of age, according to the results of a study published online July 12 in Pediatrics.
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FDA: Antirheumatic Drug Gets New Boxed Warning
WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has added information on risk of severe liver injury to the boxed warning of leflunomide (Arava), a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug.
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Many Physicians Don't Report Incompetent Colleagues
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- While physicians generally acknowledge their responsibility to report an impaired or incompetent colleague to authorities, many do not actually report incompetent colleagues when faced with this situation, according to the results of a survey published in the July 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Excess Mortality Persists in Childhood Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term childhood cancer survivors face an increased mortality risk even 45 years after diagnosis, with the bulk of the excess mortality being from second primary cancers and circulatory diseases, according to research published in the July 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Visual Acuity Screening in Adolescents May Miss Issues
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- Testing adolescents for visual acuity (VA) can reliably detect myopic refractive error, but is not effective for detecting hyperopia or astigmatism, according to a study in the July issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
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Program Linked to Fewer HIV Risk Behaviors in Couples
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- A culturally congruent intervention may reduce sexual risk behaviors in African-American couples who are HIV serodiscordant, according to research published online July 12 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Pneumonia, Raised CRP Level Tied to Severe H1N1 Outcomes
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- Pandemic H1N1 influenza infection often leads to hospitalization in previously healthy individuals, as well as people with underlying conditions, and an abnormal chest X-ray or an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level -- particularly in obese individuals or those with pulmonary conditions other than asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -- is associated with a potentially serious outcome, according to research published in the July issue of Thorax.
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Vitamins E, D Linked to Cognitive Benefits in Later Life
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- Higher intake of vitamin E appears to lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, while older individuals with low vitamin D levels appear more likely to experience cognitive decline, according to two studies published in the July Archives of Neurology and the July 12 Archives of Internal Medicine, respectively.
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Hospital Care of Heart Attack Patients Has Improved
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- Hospitals nationwide have improved their care of heart attack patients and are increasingly administering therapies -- such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) -- in a timely manner, safely, and according to clinical guidelines, according to a new analysis of data from the American College of Cardiology's National Cardiovascular Data Registry published in the July 20 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Review Calls for Evidence-Based Approach to Phenylketonuria
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- While there is agreement that early dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU) is essential for optimal cognitive development, there is little consensus on the aims of management of the disease after childhood or in use of new therapies, according to a review published online July 12 in Pediatrics.
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Weight Loss Efforts May Reduce Symptoms of Hot Flushes
TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- An intensive behavioral weight loss intervention can lead to improvements in hot flushes in overweight and obese women, according to research published in the July 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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AHA Offers Recommendations for Diet and Exercise Programs
MONDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Behavioral modification programs combining careful goal-setting, frequent provider counseling, and self-monitoring of diet and exercise are the most effective way to help individuals successfully make healthy lifestyle changes to reduce their risk for cardiovascular diseases, according to an American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement published online July 12 in Circulation.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Tied to Heart Failure Risk in Men
MONDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of incident heart failure in middle-aged and older men but not in women of any age, and it may also be associated with incident coronary heart disease in men 70 years of age and younger, according to a study published online July 12 in Circulation.
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Interventions Up Parental Accuracy of Children's Weight
MONDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- A targeted intervention by a pediatrician may improve parental perceptions of children's weight status, and could lead to improvements in childhood diet and physical activity, according to research published in the July issue of Academic Pediatrics.
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Comorbidities Add to Colorectal Cancer Racial Disparities
MONDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Among patients with colorectal cancer, comorbidities and socioeconomic status appear to be relatively important explanations for the poorer survival seen in blacks compared to Asians and whites, according to research published online July 12 in Cancer.
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Family History-Based Lipid Screening Misses Some Children
MONDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Use of family history to determine which children need cholesterol screening -- instead of using universal cholesterol screening -- is likely to miss some children who have dyslipidemia, and fail to detect many who may have genetic dyslipidemias requiring pharmacologic treatment, according to a study published online July 12 in Pediatrics.
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C-Section Scar Appearance Similar With Staples, Sutures
MONDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- There is little difference in cosmetic outcomes for patients whose cesarean section wounds were closed by staples and those whose wounds were closed with subcuticular sutures, according to research published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Childhood Obesity Linked to Increased GERD Risk
MONDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Moderately and extremely obese children are at an increased risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) compared with normal-weight children, according to research published online July 9 in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity.
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Infant Heart Defects Linked to Pregnancy Bupropion Use
MONDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Maternal use of bupropion during early pregnancy appears to have a modest positive association with left outflow tract heart defects in infants, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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CDC: Decline in High School Smoking Rate Has Slowed
FRIDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- Among U.S. high school students, the rates of those who had ever smoked cigarettes, those who were current users of cigarettes, and those who were current frequent users of cigarettes began to decline in the late 1990s, with a more gradual decline from 2003 to 2009, according to data published in the July 9 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Personalized Video May Be Useful Anti-Smoking Tool
FRIDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- A personalized video that simulates the impact of a myocardial infarction for smokers could be useful as a smoking cessation tool, according to research published in the July 1 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
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Gastric Acid Drugs May Increase Hip Fracture Risk
FRIDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- The use of drugs that inhibit gastric acid is linked to a higher risk of hip fracture among patients; however, with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) this appears limited to those who have at least one other fracture risk factor, according to research published in the July issue of Gastroenterology.
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FDA: Off-Label Use of Malaria Drug Tied to Serious Effects
FRIDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- In response to continued reports of serious side effects in patients using quinine sulfate (Qualaquin) off-label for the treatment or prevention of nocturnal leg cramps, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) to educate practitioners and patients about the potential for serious side effects associated with such unapproved uses.
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Preterm Births, Births to Teens Decline; Child Poverty Rises
FRIDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- The welfare of America's children has improved in many areas in the last few years, with a decline in preterm births and babies born to adolescents, better reading and math scores for eighth-graders, and improved health insurance status; however, there have also been more negative changes, such as a rise in the proportion of children living in food-insecure homes, according to the new report, "America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2010."
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Pregnancy Exercise Program Prompts Modest Activity Increase
FRIDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- An individualized exercise program for obese pregnant women with an energy expenditure goal of 900 kcal/week is feasible and can lead to modest increases in physical activity, though it may not be enough to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus, according to a study in the July issue of Diabetes Care.
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Wrist Fractures, Functional Decline Linked in Older Women
FRIDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- Wrist fractures in older women can result in clinically important functional decline, according to a study published online July 8 in BMJ.
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Youths With Diabetes Have Higher Psychiatric Morbidity
FRIDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- Young people with type 1 diabetes report levels of psychosocial well-being at diagnosis similar to those of their peers without diabetes, but over time they are more likely to experience higher rates of psychiatric morbidity and lower rates of school completion, and there may be an association between mental/emotional distress and poor metabolic control, according to research published in the July issue of Diabetes Care.
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Personal, Substantial Diagnosis Talk Preferred by Patients
THURSDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Cancer patient satisfaction scores are higher when physicians disclose their cancer diagnoses in person, in a personal setting, and spend a substantial amount of time discussing the diagnosis and treatment options, according to research published online July 6 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Qigong and Tai Chi Have Multiple Health Benefits
THURSDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- The combined outcomes of 77 studies on Qigong and Tai Chi suggest that these practices have a positive effect on multiple areas of health and well-being, according to a review published in the July/August issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion.
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Poor Health Literacy Not Major Factor in LBP Disability
THURSDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Beliefs about chronic low back pain (CLBP), as well as behaviors related to fear of pain, have more effect on disability than pain intensity or LBP health literacy, according to research published in the July issue of Pain.
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Racial Disparities Exist in Children's Dental Care
THURSDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Children covered by Medicaid -- especially Latinos and African-Americans -- visit dentists less frequently than children with private insurance; and, among children on Medicaid, Latinos and African-Americans are more likely to have longer time periods between visits than whites, according to research in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Fish Oil Usage Linked to Lower Risk of Certain Breast Cancers
THURSDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- The use of fish oil supplementation may be associated with a lower risk of certain breast cancers, according to research published in the July issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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Telemonitoring, Self-Titration Tied to Lower Blood Pressure
THURSDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Patients who self-manage their antihypertensive medication and engage in telemonitoring of their blood pressure (BP) measurements appear to fare better than patients who receive conventional treatment for hypertension, according to a study published online July 8 in The Lancet.
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Many Doctors in Specialties Other Than Their Early Choices
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- Ten years after graduation, approximately one-fourth of doctors work in a specialty other than the one they chose in their third year post-graduation, according to research published online July 6 in BMJ.
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Bridge Barrier Fails to Lower Toronto's Suicide Rate
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- The construction of a barrier to prevent suicide on a Toronto bridge that had the world's second-highest rate of suicide by jumping prevented suicides at that specific location, but the overall rate of suicide by jumping in Toronto remained the same, according to research published online July 6 in BMJ.
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Children With Migraine Do Not Have More Psychiatric Problems
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- Children with migraine do not, as previously thought, have more psychiatric and social problems than healthy children, according to a review article published online July 5 in Pediatrics.
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E-mail Use Associated With Improved Care Effectiveness
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- The incorporation of secure patient-provider e-mails has been identified by the American Recovery and Reinvestment act as an objective for electronic health records, and it does appear to improve the effectiveness of care in patients with diabetes, hypertension, or both, according to research published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Weekend ICU Admission Linked to Higher Mortality Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- Patients admitted to hospital intensive care units (ICUs) on the weekends may have an increased mortality risk, but those admitted at night do not appear to have a higher mortality risk, according to research published in the July issue of Chest.
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Nutraceutical Drug Use Often Ignored by Clinicians
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- Although the use of nutraceuticals and nonprescription over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may be high among patients, cardiovascular clinicians may largely ignore the use of these agents among their patients, according to research published in the July 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Generalized Anxiety Linked to Poor Cardiac Outcomes in CHD
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD), and disease severity does not explain this association, according to a study in the July issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
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FOBT Accuracy Declines As Temperature Rises
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for the detection of colorectal cancer is significantly less accurate in the summer than in the winter, according to research published online July 5 in Gut.
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Vaccinations Not Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- There does not appear to be any association between routine vaccinations in adults and an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published online July 5 in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
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Glucosamine Similar to Placebo in Treating Back Pain
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Compared with placebo, treatment with glucosamine is not associated with reductions in pain-related disability in people with chronic low back pain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis, according to a study in the July 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Tight BP Control May Not Benefit Patients With Diabetes, CAD
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals with diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) do not appear to have improved cardiovascular outcomes when they achieve tight control of systolic blood pressure as opposed to usual control, according to research published in the July 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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CDC: U.S. Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates Up
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates have increased in the United States since 2002 and mammography rates have plateaued, while millions of people have not undergone recommended CRC screening, and millions of women have not had a recent mammogram, according to research published July 6 in an early issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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'Cyberbullying' Linked to Teen Psychiatric, Social Issues
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Being a "cyberbully" (bullying others via electronic means) or a "cybervictim" (being the target of cyberbullying) -- and especially being both -- is associated with psychiatric and psychosomatic problems among adolescents, according to a study in the July issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
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Television and Video Games Linked to Attention Problems
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Television and video game exposure both appear to be associated with increased attention problems in middle childhood, as well as in late adolescence and early adulthood, according to a study published online July 5 in Pediatrics.
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Later Start at High School Linked to Student Benefits
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Delaying school start time from 8 to 8:30 a.m. is associated with improvements in mood, alertness, and health among high-school students, according to research published in the July issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
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Car Seats Can Be Dangerous When Used Outside of Car
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Infants can be seriously injured when they are in an infant car seat being used outside of the car, and parents may not be aware of the danger, according to research published online July 5 in Pediatrics.
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Review Updates Evidence on Osteoporosis Screening
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Screening methods are available to predict risk of osteoporotic fractures, and medications to reduce fractures are effective, but studies have yet to directly identify the effectiveness or potential harm of screening or establish ideal screening intervals, according to a review published online July 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Depression Linked to Higher Risk of Alzheimer's, Dementia
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Depression is associated with a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older people over long-term follow-up, according to research published in the July 6 issue of Neurology.
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Users of ED Drugs Have Higher Rates of Sexual Diseases
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Men using medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) have higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) -- especially HIV infection -- both before and after using these drugs, according to research published in the July 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Primary Care Residents Benefit From Breast-Feeding Course
TUESDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Primary care residents who participate in a breast-feeding curriculum have improved knowledge, practice patterns, and confidence in breast-feeding management compared with residents who do not participate in the curriculum, and babies at their institutions are more likely to be breast-fed exclusively six months after the intervention, according to research published online July 5 in Pediatrics.
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Older Adults Watch More TV Than Younger Individuals
MONDAY, July 5 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults watch more television than young and middle-aged adults, but they enjoy it less than younger individuals, according to research published online June 29 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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Underage Drinking Emergency Room Visits Rise Over Holiday
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Emergency department visits for underage drinking almost doubled during the Fourth of July weekend in 2008, according to a new study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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Passing Tanning Bed Laws May Require New Strategy
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Laws to restrict underage tanning bed use can be more successful if multiple organizations coordinate their efforts and if advocates receive more knowledgeable advice, according to research published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Planned Home Births Linked to Tripled Neonatal Mortality Rate
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Planned home births, which have fewer medical interventions than planned hospital births, are associated with a significantly higher neonatal mortality rate, according to research published online July 2 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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In Mentally Ill, Premature Mortality Significantly Higher
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Compared with the general population, people who have serious mental illness lose significantly more years of potential life, and differences in cause of death do not explain this disparity, according to research published in the July issue of Psychiatric Services.
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Out-of-Hospital CHD Mortality Higher in Young Men
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Young men have a higher rate of out-of-hospital coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality than young women, which could partly explain the fact that young women are more likely than young men to die when hospitalized for myocardial infarction (MI), according to research published in the July 1 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
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West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease Rate Lowest Since '01
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- There were 386 cases of West Nile virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease reported in the United States in 2009, for an incidence of 0.13 cases per 100,000 population, the lowest incidence since 2001, according to a report published in the July 2 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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CDC: Surge in Childhood Hepatitis A Vaccination Stalled
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- As the result of a broadened recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), hepatitis A average vaccination coverage for children increased sharply from 2006 to 2007, but has since stalled, according to a report in the July 2 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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CDC: Vaccinia Virus Infection Linked to Sexual Contact
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Following sexual contact with her military serviceman boyfriend, who had been recently vaccinated for smallpox, a woman in Washington state contracted vaccinia virus infection in her vagina, according to a case report published in the July 2 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Genetic Signatures of Exceptional Longevity ID'd
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Though environment and family history contribute to living a long life, genetic variants play a critical role in conferring exceptional longevity, according to a report published online July 1 in Science.
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Transit System Use Linked to Healthful Changes for Riders
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Increased use of light rail transit (LRT) systems is associated with reduced body mass index (BMI) and lower odds of becoming obese, and individuals with more positive perceptions of their neighborhoods are less likely to be obese and more likely to get recommended levels of exercise, according to research published online June 29 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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TMP-SMX Associated With Hyperkalemia in Elderly
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Older patients taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) have a substantially increased risk of hyperkalemia requiring hospitalization, but being on β-blockers does not further increase this risk, according to research published online July 1 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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Higher Fructose Intake Tied to Increased Hypertension Risk
FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Despite inconsistent findings from previous studies, high intakes of fructose are associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension, according to research published online July 1 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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Early Stroke Complications Rob Patients of Healthy Years
THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Early complications following ischemic stroke cost patients about two years' worth of optimal health, in addition to the loss of optimal health due to the stroke itself, and a higher number of complications is linked to a larger loss of healthy life-years, according to research published online July 1 in Stroke.
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Report Addresses Physician Financial Conflicts in Care
THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- In a new report, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) urges U.S. teaching hospitals to establish policies that ensure financial relationships between physicians and industry do not result in conflicts of interest that influence patient care.
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In Women, Early Life Activity Cuts Cognitive Impairment Risk
THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Women who have been physically active at any point in their lives -- but especially during the teenage years -- are at lower risk of developing cognitive impairment in late life than women who have been inactive, according to research published online June 30 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Home Symptoms Poor Indicator of Lactose Malabsorption
THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Daily life subjective symptoms associated with lactose intolerance are often worse than symptoms after a lactose challenge test and are not a good indicator of true lactose malabsorption, according to research published in the July issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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Patterns in Substance Abuse Admits for Pregnant Teens Shift
THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Between 1992 and 2007, there was a substantial increase in the proportion of pregnant teens admitted for treatment of marijuana and methamphetamine abuse -- though the proportion of admissions for alcohol abuse declined over that time period; and admissions are up among Hispanic pregnant teens and down among black and non-Hispanic white pregnant teens, according to a report issued June 28 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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Switching Prostate Meds Can Drive Up PSA Velocity
THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), switching from one 5α-reductase inhibitor to another can result in a significant change in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity that may prompt physicians to order unnecessary biopsies, according to research published in the July issue of The Journal of Urology.
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PSA Program Linked to Less Prostate Cancer Mortality
THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- A prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening program is associated with a reduction in prostate cancer mortality of nearly half over 14 years, but with a substantial risk of overdiagnosis, according to research published online July 1 in The Lancet Oncology.
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