Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for April 2012. 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.
Screening Benefits Women in 40s With High Breast CA Risk
MONDAY, April 30 (HealthDay News) -- Women in their 40s, with at least a two-fold increased risk of breast cancer, benefit from biennial screening mammography; and having extremely dense breasts or first-degree relatives with breast cancer is associated with a two-fold increased risk of breast cancer for women in their 40s, according to two studies published in the May 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract - van Ravesteyn
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Electronic Reminders Up Meds Adherence in Short Term
MONDAY, April 30 (HealthDay News) -- The use of electronic reminders (short message service [SMS] reminders, electronic reminder devices, or pagers) is associated with improved adherence to chronic medications in the short term, according to a review published online April 25 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
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Sleep Measures Do Not Predict Clinical Pain in Fibromyalgia
FRIDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with fibromyalgia, spatial extent of pain, pain aftersensation, and negative mood account for approximately one-third of the variance in clinical pain, but sleep measures do not significantly predict pain, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Pain.
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Stress Reduction Ups Health Status in Type 2 Diabetes
FRIDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- A mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention is effective at improving health status and lowering levels of depression among patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the May issue of Diabetes Care.
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Early Axonal Dysfunction Precedes Diabetic Neuropathy
FRIDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- Early axonal dysfunction may be detected prior to the development of clinical symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, according to a study published online April 20 in Diabetes.
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Cancer Worry Linked to Continued Symptom Burden
FRIDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- Age, fatigue, symptom burden, and risk perception are significantly associated with greater cancer worry three years after completing adjuvant treatment for breast cancer, according to a study published online March 15 in Psycho-Oncology.
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Sunscreen Use May Lead to Vitamin D Deficiency
FRIDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- Using the amount and sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreen recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is associated with little or no vitamin D production, suggesting that regular sunscreen use may lead to vitamin D deficiency, according to research published online April 18 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
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Sleep of Short Duration Common in U.S. Workers
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- A substantial proportion of workers in the United States get less sleep than recommended by the National Sleep Foundation, according to a report published in the April 27 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report.
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Berries May Slow Cognitive Decline in Older Women
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Flavonoid-rich blueberries and strawberries may reduce cognitive decline in elderly women, according to a study published online April 25 in the Annals of Neurology.
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Heart Surgery Safe for Compensated Cirrhosis Patients
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with compensated cirrhosis, defined by a Child-Pugh (CP) score of <8, have no significant increase in postoperative mortality and morbidity following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, according to a study published in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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Nutrition, Exercise Guidelines Updated for Cancer Survivors
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- The American Cancer Society has updated the 2006 guidelines to provide new evidence and clinical practices related to nutrition and physical activity for cancer survivors during the continuum of cancer care, according to a report published online April 26 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
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Hyperalgesia Similar With Drug Therapies for Heroin Addiction
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Heroin-addicted patients treated with methadone or buprenorphine have a heightened sensitivity to pain, and the hyperalgesia does not change over the course of treatment, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Pain.
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Age, Life Expectancy Influence Termination of PSA Screening
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Most primary care providers consider both a man's age and life expectancy in deciding whether to discontinue prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings, but multiple factors are involved in this decision, according to a study published online April 19 in Cancer.
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Subtype Best Predictor of Basal Cell Carcinoma Invasion Depth
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) subtype identified on biopsy and excision specimens is the best predictor of depth of invasion, according to a study published online April 16 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Adjuvant Therapy Shows Promise in Biliary Tract Cancer
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with biliary tract cancers, postresection adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy appears to be beneficial in treating patients with biliary tract cancers, with significant improvement seen for patients with node or margin positivity, according to research published online April 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Accelerated Aging Evident in Cocaine-Dependent Individuals
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- The brains of individuals addicted to cocaine show accelerated loss of gray matter over and above the loss due to normal aging, according to a letter published online April 24 in Molecular Psychiatry.
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Early Menopause Ups Risk of Osteoporosis, Fractures, Death
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- The occurrence of menopause before age 47 correlates with increased osteoporosis at age 77, increased incidence of fragility fractures, and increased mortality, according to a study published online April 25 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
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Thiazolidinediones Tied to Lower Cancer Risk in Diabetes Patients
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Thiazolidinediones are associated with a lower risk of liver and colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the May issue of Hepatology.
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Erosive, but Not Nonerosive, GERD Ups Esophageal CA Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease with a history of esophagitis are at increased risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma, although the absolute risk is low, according to a study published in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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Low-Dose CT Noninferior for Diagnosing Appendicitis
WEDNESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- For young adults with suspected appendicitis, low-dose computed tomography (CT) is noninferior to standard-dose CT with respect to negative appendectomy rates, according to a study published in the April 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Warfarin Keeps Stroke Risk Low in Patients With A-Fib
WEDNESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- Use of warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a low risk of stroke or systemic embolism, according to a meta-analysis published in the April 23 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Ultrasound May Safely Rule Out DVT in Pregnancy
WEDNESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- For pregnant and postpartum women, a single complete compression ultrasonography may safely exclude a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, according to a study published online April 24 in BMJ.
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Resistance Training Aids Memory in Senior Women
WEDNESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- For senior women with mild cognitive impairment, twice-weekly resistance training (RT) for six months is associated with improved cognition and brain plasticity compared with balance and tone (BAT) exercises, according to a research letter published in the April 23 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Botox Modestly Improves Chronic Headaches, Migraines
WEDNESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- Botulinum toxin A provides a modest benefit for patients with chronic migraine headaches and chronic daily headaches, compared with placebo, according to a meta-analysis published in the April 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Anatomic Existence of the G-Spot Reported
WEDNESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- The anatomic existence of the G-spot has been documented, and it has been identified as a distinguishable anatomic structure located on the dorsal perineal membrane, according to a study published in the May issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
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Mortality High for Cardiac Device Infective Endocarditis
TUESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with infective endocarditis involving implanted cardiac devices experience high in-hospital and one-year mortality rates, particularly if there is valve involvement, according to a study published in the April 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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USPSTF Guidelines Haven't Changed PSA Screening Practice
TUESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Despite the 2008 changes in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer in men 75 years or older, screening rates remained unchanged for men of all ages between 2005 and 2010, according to a research letter published in the April 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Subclinical Hyperthyroidism Tied to Coronary Heart Disease
TUESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Subclinical hyperthyroidism is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity and mortality; and treatment with levothyroxine for subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with fewer ischemic heart disease (IHD) events in patients aged 40 to 70 years, according to two studies published online April 23 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Patients With Acute Low Back Pain Have Poor Prognosis
TUESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Few patients with acute low back pain (LBP), with or without sciatica, declare sick leave; however, approximately half have one or more recurrences and a considerable proportion experience chronic pain six months or longer after the initial episode, according to a study published in the April 15 issue of Spine.
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2001 to 2010 Saw 74 Percent Drop in Global Measles Mortality
TUESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- From 2001 to 2010, there was a 74 percent decrease in estimated global measles mortality, with mortality in India and the World Health Organization (WHO) African region accounting for most of the estimated cases in 2010, according to a study published online April 24 in The Lancet.
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Meds, Clinic Noncompliance Linked to Mortality in Diabetes
TUESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes who are noncompliant with their medication or clinic appointments face increased all-cause mortality, according to a study published online April 17 in Diabetes Care.
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Bladder Cancer Diagnosis Encourages Smokers to Quit
MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Smokers with a new diagnosis of bladder cancer are significantly more likely to quit compared with smokers in the general population, according to a study published online April 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Reduce No-Reflow Post-PCI
MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), pretreatment with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is linked with reduced incidence of the no-reflow phenomenon after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a study published online April 10 in Cardiovascular Therapeutics.
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Shingles Vaccine Generally Well Tolerated in Older Adults
MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- The zoster vaccine is safe and well tolerated in older adults, despite an increased risk of allergic reaction in the days following vaccination, according to a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
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Insulin Resistance Cut-Off Established From Clamp Data
MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Cut-offs for predicting insulin resistance based on hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp data and routinely measured clinical and biochemical variables have been determined, according to a study published online April 17 in Diabetes Care.
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High BMI Tied to Non-Specific Foot Pain, Plantar Heel Pain
MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Increased body mass index (BMI) correlates with non-specific foot pain in the general population, and with chronic plantar heel pain in a non-athletic population, according to a meta-analysis published online April 13 in Obesity Reviews.
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Patient-Centered Approach Key for T2DM Management
FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment of type 2 diabetes should be personalized in a patient-centered approach, with diet, exercise, and education forming the basis of any treatment program, supplemented by medications as necessary, according to a joint position statement issued by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, published online April 19 in Diabetes Care.
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Uric Acid Levels Predict Death in Acute Coronary Syndrome
FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Elevated uric acid levels are predictive of one-year mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Metformin + Insulin Comparable to Insulin Alone in T2DM
FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with type 2 diabetes, treatment with metformin and insulin has no significant effect on all-cause or cardiovascular mortality, compared with insulin alone, although data are limited and suffer from bias, according to a meta-analysis published online April 19 in BMJ.
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QRS Width on ECG Linked to Sudden Cardiac Arrest in CAD
FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), QRS width on electrocardiogram and echocardiographic evidence of heart failure are associated with out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), regardless of whether they have a history of previous myocardial infarction (MI), according to a study published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Letting Go of Regret Linked to Healthy Aging
FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Emotionally healthy aging is associated with an ability to let go of regrets and not dwell on missed opportunities, according to a study published online April 19 in Science.
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Prisoners at Risk for Non-Communicable Diseases
FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of obesity, inadequate exercise, and poor diet among prisoners may put them at risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDS), according to a review published online April 20 in The Lancet.
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Race, Location Affect Probability of Survival to Age 70
FRIDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- The probability of a person surviving from birth to age 70 varies according to geographic location and gender, with a set of 22 socioeconomic and environmental factors accounting for almost all the variation, according to a study published online April 17 in PLoS One.
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CDC: HPV-Associated Cancers Strike More Than 30,000 Yearly
THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Cancers associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) are diagnosed in nearly 11 out of 100,000 men and women in the United States annually, and HPV vaccines play an important role in reducing the incidence of those cancers for which screening is not approved, according to a report published in the April 20 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report.
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Eating Low-Fat Dairy Linked to Reduced Stroke Risk
THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Eating low-fat dairy products is associated with a reduced risk of total stroke and cerebral infarctions, according to a study published online April 19 in Stroke.
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Pulmonary HTN Predicts Heart Failure After Acute MI
THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a strong independent predictor of heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to a study published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Hospital Readmission Within 30 Days More Likely in Men
THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Male gender is associated with increased hospital utilization within 30 days after index discharge, with hospital utilization in the preceding six months a risk factor for both males and females, according to a study published online April 3 in BMJ Open.
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Lower Small-Bowel Obstruction Risk With Laparoscopy
THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Laparoscopic surgical procedures are associated with a lower incidence of small-bowel obstruction (SBO) compared with open surgery, according to a study published in the April issue of the Archives of Surgery.
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Long-Term Air Pollution Linked to Multiple Diseases
THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter in the air increases hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and diabetes in the elderly considerably more than short-term exposure does, according to a study published online April 17 in PLoS One.
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Room for Improvement in Knowledge of ABC Levels, Goals
THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Many individuals with diabetes do not know their last hemoglobin A1C (A1C), blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (ABC levels), although the correlation between such knowledge and meeting targets for ABC control is unclear, according to a study published online April 12 in Diabetes Care.
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Chemoradiotherapy Combo Ups Bladder Cancer Control
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Locoregional control of muscle-invasive bladder cancer is significantly improved with a treatment regimen consisting of radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy with mitomycin C and fluorouracil, according to a phase 3 study published in the April 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Albendazole Cuts Enteric Parasite Prevalence in Refugees
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- The administration of a single 600-mg dose of albendazole to United States-bound refugees prior to departure from Africa and Southeast Asia reduces the prevalence of intestinal nematodes, according to a study published in the April 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Higher Daily Physical Activity Reduces Alzheimer's Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Higher total daily physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and with a lower rate of cognitive decline, according to research published online April 18 in Neurology.
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CV Autonomic Neuropathy Risk for CVD Despite Albumin Status
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) appears to affect the risk of cardiovascular disease even in type 1 diabetes patients with normal albumin excretion rates, according to a study published online April 12 in Diabetes.
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Basal Cell Carcinoma on Ear Significantly More Aggressive
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the ear is significantly more likely to be aggressive, and occurs more frequently in men, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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New Treatment Offers Benefit for Hypoxic Laryngeal Tumors
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with squamous cell laryngeal cancer, regional control rates are improved with accelerated radiotherapy (AR) plus carbogen inhalation and nicotinamide (ARCON) treatment compared with AR-alone, with the improvement seen in patients with hypoxic tumors, according to research published online April 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Study Looks at Patient Perception of Harm During Cancer Care
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Cancer patients may often experience what they believe to be a preventable, harmful event during the diagnosis or treatment of their cancer, but rarely do they formally report these events, according to research published online April 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Medicare Coverage Gap Leads to Drug Discontinuation
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Part D Medicare beneficiaries who do not have financial assistance during the coverage gap are at increased risk for cardiovascular drug discontinuation, according to research published online April 17 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
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Omega-3 Supplements Don't Benefit Patients With MS
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acid supplements do not improve disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published online April 16 in the Archives of Neurology.
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Fewer Complications With IMRT for Prostate Cancer
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer, treatment with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is associated with fewer complications than proton therapy or conformal radiation therapy, according to a study published in the April 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on comparative effectiveness research.
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ICD-9 Codes Underestimate Statin-Linked Rhabdomyolysis
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Use of diagnostic codes, such as International Classification of Diseases -- Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes, may result in misclassification of rare, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), including the risk of rhabdomyolysis from high-dose simvastatin, according to a research letter published in the April 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on comparative effectiveness research.
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Testosterone Ups Exercise Capacity in Heart Failure
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Testosterone supplementation is associated with improved exercise capacity in patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure, according to a meta-analysis published online April 17 in Circulation: Heart Failure.
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New Fibrate Use Ups Serum Creatinine Levels in Elderly
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- For elderly adults, new fibric acid derivative (fibrate) use is associated with an increase in serum creatinine levels, in hospitalizations for these levels, and in nephrologist consultations, according to a study published in the April 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Nutrition, Mobility Predict Early Death in Elderly Cancer Patients
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Low nutritional assessment scores, poor mobility, and advanced disease predict early death after chemotherapy initiation among elderly patients with cancer, according to a study published online April 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Evidence Lacking for Value of CKD Screening and Monitoring
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- There is no evidence that screening and monitoring for chronic kidney disease (CKD) improves clinical outcomes, according to research published in the April 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Preexposure Chemoprophylaxis Cuts HIV Infection at a Cost
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Models show daily oral preexposure chemoprophylaxis (PrEP) in the general population of men who have sex with men (MSM) could prevent a substantial number of HIV infections, but at a high cost, according to a study published in the April 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Long-Term Safety Shown for Biodegradable Stent
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term follow-up indicates that the fully biodegradable Igaki-Tamai stent is safe for coronary artery use in humans, according to a study published online April 16 in Circulation.
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Epidural Steroid Shot May Offer Modest Benefit in Sciatica
TUESDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- For adults with lumbosacral radiculopathy, epidural steroid injections may be beneficial for short-term pain relief and improvements in functional capacity, according to a study published in the April 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Low Gastroprotective Drug Adherence Ups Upper GI Events
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- For patients taking cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (coxibs), low adherence to gastroprotective agents (GPAs) increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) complications, according to a study published online April 16 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
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Pre-Pregnancy BMI Important Indicator of Offspring Obesity
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- Maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy correlates with body mass index (BMI)-based overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity at age 16, but maternal pre-pregnancy BMI is a stronger indicator of offspring obesity, according to a study published in the May issue of BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
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Fast Food Salt Levels Vary Among Six Countries
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- High salt content in pizza, fried chicken, and other products served by multinational food chains varies substantially across six countries, and even incremental reductions of the seasoning could have a big impact on improving the health of the population, according to a study published online April 16 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Liver Insulin Resistance Correlates With Cardiac Risk
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- Liver insulin resistance (IR) may be a significant indicator of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among men, and correlates more closely with risk factors than whole-body insulin sensitivity, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
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IL-32 Expression Upregulated in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- Interleukin-32 (IL-32) mRNA expression is significantly higher in biopsies obtained from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), compared to levels found in biopsies obtained from individuals without the condition, according to a study published online April 9 in Allergy.
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Alcohol Use With Opioids Common Even Without Abuse Past
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- Alcohol or sedative use during chronic opioid therapy (COT) for non-cancer pain puts patients at risk for adverse events such as respiratory depression or sedation, and the risk of concurrent use of central nervous system (CNS) depressants is not limited to patients with a history of substance abuse, according to a study published in the March issue of The Journal of Pain.
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High SPF Sunscreens Assure Protection From Solar Rays
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- An application of water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 70 or higher adequately protects people against skin cancer and photodamage even when applied irregularly, according to a study published online April 1 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Herbal Carcinogen Linked to Urothelial Cancer in Taiwan
FRIDAY, April 13 (HealthDay News) -- A carcinogen produced by Aristolochia plants, which are commonly used in herbal remedies in Taiwan, is associated with signature types of DNA damage linked to aristolochic acid in Taiwanese patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUC), according to a study published online April 9 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Crizotinib Treatment Lowers Total Testosterone Levels
FRIDAY, April 13 (HealthDay News) -- Men with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with crizotinib exhibit rapid suppression of total testosterone (T) levels compared with those who do not receive crizotinib treatment, according to research published online April 4 in Cancer.
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Most Breast Cancer Survivors Experience Lasting Side Effects
FRIDAY, April 13 (HealthDay News) -- The majority of breast cancer survivors experience one or more treatment-related side effects, and the proportion remains stable at six years post-diagnosis, according to a study published in a special supplement to the April 15 issue of Cancer addressing the physical late effects of breast cancer treatment.
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Obesity Costs Are Higher Than Previous Estimates
FRIDAY, April 13 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity accounts for nearly 21 percent of U.S. health care costs, much higher than previously estimated, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Health Economics.
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Isomaltulose Doesn't Improve Glycemic Control in Diabetes
FRIDAY, April 13 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with type 2 diabetes, substitution of sucrose with isomaltulose is not associated with improved glycemic control (measured by hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] levels) at 12 weeks, according to a study published online April 9 in Diabetes Care.
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Pain Correlates Most Strongly With Disability in Hispanics With RA
FRIDAY, April 13 (HealthDay News) -- For Hispanic patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), self-reported pain correlates most strongly with disability, according to a study published online April 5 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Sequencing Traditional Chinese Medicines Reveals Surprises
FRIDAY, April 13 (HealthDay News) -- DNA sequencing of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) reveals that potentially toxic plant ingredients and traces of endangered animals are present, according to a study published online April 12 in PLoS Genetics.
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Copy Number Variants Tied to Increased Prostate Cancer Risk
THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Copy number variants (CNVs) of two loci are linked to a significantly higher risk of prostate cancer, according to a study published online April 10 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Small Number of Genes Involved in X-Linked Ichthyosis
THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with X-linked recessive ichthyosis (XLRI) have altered expression in a small number of genes, and although moisturizer treatment improves dryness, it doesn't affect other biophysical properties or gene expression, according to a study published online April 5 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
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Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death Up for Black Patients With HTN
THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Black patients with hypertension face a significantly increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) compared with nonblack patients, even after adjusting for multiple confounding variables, according to a study published in the April issue of Heart Rhythm.
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Bevacizumab Offers Lasting Improvement in Macular Edema
THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- At two years of follow-up, diabetes-related clinically significant macular edema (CSME) is more effectively improved by intravitreous bevacizumab than with macular laser therapy (MLT), according to a study published online April 9 in the Archives of Ophthalmology.
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Mentholated Cigarettes Linked to Increased Stroke Risk
THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Mentholated cigarettes are associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke, particularly among women and non-African-American smokers, according to a letter published in the April 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Majority of Obese Adults Do Try to Lose Weight
THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly two-thirds of obese adults are trying to lose weight, and those that eat less fat, exercise more, and use prescription weight loss medications are more successful at losing weight, according to a study published online April 10 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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Role of Omega-3 in Secondary Prevention of CVD Questioned
THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), evidence is lacking for a secondary preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements, according to a meta-analysis published online April 9 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Study Assesses Glucose Monitoring Trends in Tweens
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- During the transition to adolescence, children with type 1 diabetes monitor their blood glucose less frequently, resulting in significant increases in HbA1c levels, according to research published online April 3 in Diabetes Care.
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Antidepressants Don't Worsen Parkinson's Symptoms
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- The antidepressants paroxetine and venlafaxine extended release (XR) reduce depression without worsening motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease, according to a study published online April 11 in Neurology.
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Indomethacin Cuts Incidence of Post-ERCP Pancreatitis
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- For patients who undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a single dose of rectal indomethacin immediately after the procedure is associated with a significantly reduced incidence of pancreatitis, according to a study published in the April 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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BMD Loss Occurs Early in Androgen Deprivation Therapy
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- The highest average change in bone mineral density (BMD) occurs during early treatment of nonmetastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in men receiving intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), according to research published online April 9 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Perception of Breast Cancer Care Differs From Actual Care Quality
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- The perception of care for women living in inner cities with newly diagnosed, early-stage breast cancer is dependent, in large part, on factors other than the actual quality of care provided, including the quality of the process of getting care, trust in the physician, and perceptions of racism, according to research published online April 9 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Smoking Found to Be a Risk Factor for Barrett's Esophagus
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- Cigarette smoking may be a modifiable risk factor for Barrett's esophagus, according to a study published in the April issue of Gastroenterology.
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Mobile Stroke Units Halve Time to Treatment
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- Diagnosis and treatment of stroke in patients at the scene of the emergency rather than at the hospital about halves the time to treatment, according to a study published online April 11 in The Lancet Neurology.
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Stroke Risk Much Higher If Sibling Has Had a Stroke
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- Having a sibling who has had a stroke significantly increases the familial stroke risk by at least 60 percent, according to a study published online April 10 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics.
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More Gastro Events in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- The incidence of upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) events is higher among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as is the risk of mortality due to GI events, when compared to individuals without RA, according to a study published online April 1 in the Journal of Rheumatology.
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For Obese, Deep Organs Receive Lower Doses of Radiation
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- For obese individuals, organs deep within the abdomen may receive lower doses of radiation than the organs of normal-weight individuals, with the same scanner operating parameters, according to a study published online April 5 in Physics in Medicine and Biology.
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Decision Aid for Chest Pain in ER Engages Patients
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Use of a decision aid, a visual patient education tool, helps chest pain patients become more engaged in their care and results in fewer admissions for observation and stress testing, without negatively impacting care outcomes, according to a study published online April 10 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
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Increased Risk of Fatal Road Crashes on Tax Day in the U.S.
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- There is a small, but significant, increase in fatal road crashes on tax day in the United States, according to a letter published in the April 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Death Risk Similar With High-Dose Losartan, Candesartan
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with heart failure, the use of high-dose losartan is not associated with an increased mortality risk compared with high-dose candesartan, according to a study published in the April 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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ECG Abnormalities Add to Accuracy of CHD Risk Prediction
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Major and minor electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events, particularly in elderly individuals, according to a study published in the April 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Strategy of Offering Choice of CRC Screening Ups Adherence
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening varies based on the screening strategy, with adherence linked to patient preference and ethnicity/race, according to a study published in the April 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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HPV Vaccine Side Effects Not Serious in Young Women
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Younger girls are more likely than adult women to report side effects after receiving the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV4; Gardasil) vaccine, but the side effects are non-serious, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in the Journal of Women's Health.
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Frequent, Older Dental X-Rays Linked to Brain Cancer
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Frequent bitewing or panorex dental X-rays taken on previous generations of machines are linked to an increased risk of intracranial meningioma, according to a study published online April 10 in Cancer.
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Insurers Should Screen Older Smokers for Lung Cancer
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Lung cancer screening with low-dose spiral computed tomography could be of substantial value in high-risk smoker populations over the age of 50, and commercial insurers should consider providing coverage for the screening, according to a study published in the April issue of Health Affairs.
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Alternative Medicine Doesn't Affect Asthma Care in Children
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is not associated with adherence to pediatric asthma treatment, according to a study published online April 9 in Pediatrics.
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Early Response Is an Indicator for Rectal Cancer Survival
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing radical resection, response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is an early marker that correlates with rates of recurrence-free survival, distant metastases, and local recurrences, according to research published online April 9 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Radiation Exposure High for Patients With GI Disorders
TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with inflammatory bowel disorders and other organic and functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are exposed to high levels of annual and cumulative diagnostic radiation, according to a study published in the March issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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High U.S. Cancer Care Costs Seem to Be Worth It
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with cancer in the United States, the value of additional survival gains have exceeded the additional costs of U.S. health spending compared with European counties, according to a study published in the April issue of Health Affairs.
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Economic, Health Indices Linked to Elevated Cholesterol
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with a history of hyperlipidemia, country-level economic and health system indices impact global-level variation in elevated cholesterol, according to a study published online April 9 in Circulation.
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Urinary Incontinence Drugs Have Comparable Efficacy
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Available pharmacotherapies for treating women with urinary incontinence (UI) produce comparable small benefits, according to research published online April 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Asymptomatic High-Risk Adults Often Have Pancreatic Lesions
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Screening of asymptomatic high-risk individuals (HRIs) for pancreatic cancer often detects pancreatic lesions, many of which are proven or suspected neoplasms, according to a study published in the April issue of Gastroenterology.
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Variety of Fruits, Vegetables Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Eating a greater quantity of vegetables and a greater variety of fruits and vegetables (F&V) correlates with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published online April 3 in Diabetes Care.
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Teen Alcohol Consumption Tied to Benign Breast Disease
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Adolescent alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of proliferative benign breast disease (BBD), which is a risk factor for breast cancer, and there is no evidence that adolescent folate intake provides a protective effect against alcohol-associated BBD, according to a study published online April 9 in Pediatrics.
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Infection May Be Trigger for Venous Thromboembolism
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults recovering from an infection are at increased risk of being hospitalized for a venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a study published online April 3 in Circulation.
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Report Highlights Child Deaths From Post-Surgery Codeine Use
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have identified three previously unreported instances of severe opioid-induced toxicity in children following adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, according to a case report published online April 9 in Pediatrics.
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Targeted Exercise Relieves Sciatica Pain
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Active conservative symptom-guided therapy for severe sciatica can safely reduce pain and improve neurological function at a rate that matches or surpasses outcomes from common higher-cost surgical interventions, according to a Danish study published in the April 1 issue of Spine.
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Evidence Lacking for Sleep Length, Energy Metabolism Link
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Short sleep duration may affect total daily energy expenditure or directly affect energy metabolism, although more study is required, according to a review published online March 22 in Obesity Reviews.
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Statins Moderate Effect of Metformin on Prostate Cancer
MONDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- For men with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin, prostate cancer (PCa) incidence varies depending on statin use, with a significantly reduced risk for patients taking a combination of metformin and statins, according to a study published online March 28 in Diabetes Care.
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Low Blood Adiponectin Predicts Future Asthma Risk in Women
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Middle-aged women with low blood adiponectin levels are about twice as likely to develop asthma, particularly if they smoke, according to a study published online April 6 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Treating Hepatic Encephalopathy Reduces Costs Due to MVAs
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), diagnosis and treatment with lactulose reduces costs associated with motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), according to a study published in the April issue of Hepatology.
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Wire Grill Brush Bristles Pose Unexpected Danger
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- For patients presenting with odynophagia or abdominal pain, physicians should consider the possibility of inadvertent wire brush bristle ingestion after eating grilled meat, according to a report published in the April issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.
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Antibiotics Safe and Effective to Treat Appendicitis
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Although surgery is standard practice for treating appendicitis, uncomplicated acute appendicitis can be safely and effectively treated with antibiotics, according to a meta-analysis published online April 5 in BMJ.
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Immunotherapy Tied to Lower Alzheimer's CSF Biomarkers
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, immunotherapy treatment with the anti-β-amyloid (Aβ) monoclonal antibody bapineuzumab results in lower concentrations of two cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers: total (T)-tau and phosphorylated (P)-tau, according to a study published online April 2 in the Archives of Neurology.
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Endodermal Progenitor Cells Generate Into Multiple Cell Types
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Endodermal progenitor (EP) cells derived from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into multiple cell types, including functional pancreatic β-cells, and are not tumorigenic, according to a study published in the April 6 issue of Cell Stem Cell.
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Physical Activity Predicts Functionality in Older Adults
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Physically active older adults experience significantly fewer functional limitations than more sedentary older adults, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Methotrexate and Azathioprine Equally Efficacious for Eczema
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Methotrexate and azathioprine may be equally effective in treating severe atopic eczema in adults, according to a critical appraisal of a study published in the April issue of the British Journal of Dermatology.
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Resistant Malaria Increasing on Thailand-Myanmar Border
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- From 2001 to 2010, an increase was seen in artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) on the Thailand-Myanmar border, which was largely attributable to parasite genetics, according to a longitudinal study published online April 5 in The Lancet.
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Asbestos Exposure Linked to Cardiovascular Death
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- Occupational exposure to asbestos is associated with a higher risk of dying of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online April 2 in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
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Low-Energy-Density Diets Effective for Managing Weight
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- There is an association between energy density and body weight, such that consumption of diets lower in energy density may be an effective strategy for weight management, according to study published online April 5 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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Flavonoid Intake May Protect Men Against Parkinson's
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- Total flavonoid intake is significantly associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in men, particularly the intake of anthocyanins and berries, according to a study published online April 4 in Neurology.
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Esophageal Cancer Surgery Has Lasting Effects on QoL
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term survivors of esophageal cancer surgery who experience postoperative complications continue to experience long-lasting adverse effects on their health-related quality of life (HRQL), according to a study published online April 2 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Exercise Training Improves Cardiac Parameters in Lupus
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- For inactive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a three-month exercise training program is associated with improved chronotropic reserve and heart rate recovery, according to a study published online March 21 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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New Guidelines Issued for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- The 2008 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been updated for 2012, according to a special article published in the May issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
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New Combination Malaria Treatment Equally Effective
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- Fixed-dose, combination pyronaridine-artesunate treatment is as effective as mefloquine plus artesunate in treating malaria infection, according to a study published in the April 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Medical Malpractice Claims Incur Substantial Defense Costs
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Defense costs for medical malpractice claims vary among specialties and are higher for claims that result in indemnity payments, according to a letter published in the April 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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End-of-Life Decline of Cognitive Functions Are Correlated
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- In the last years of life, cognitive abilities decline rapidly, with a strong correlation between different functions; and cognitive activity is associated with cognitive function and predictive of cognitive decline, according to two studies published online April 4 in Neurology.
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Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Higher Immediate Suicide Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- A recent cancer diagnosis is associated with a higher risk of suicide and death from cardiovascular causes, with the risk being highest in the weeks after diagnosis, according to a study published in the April 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Antibodies to HIV-1 Proteins Impact Vaccine Efficacy
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Antibodies to HIV-1 proteins may play a role in the efficacy of HIV-1 vaccination, according to a study published in the April 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Diagnostic Coding May Skew Pneumonia Outcomes Data
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- The decline in pneumonia-related hospitalizations and associated inpatient deaths seen in 2003 to 2009 may be a result of diagnostic coding, rather than an actual improvement in outcomes, according to a study published in the April 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Alcohol, Drug Use Prevalent Among U.S. Adolescents
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Alcohol and drug use is prevalent among teens, with the median age of alcohol and drug abuse occurring during adolescence, according to a study published in the April issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
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Metal-on-Metal Bearing Not Linked to Cancer Incidence
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Hip replacements with metal-on-metal bearing surfaces do not seem to be associated with cancer incidence, according to study published online April 3 in BMJ.
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Good Long-Term Outcomes for Drug-Eluting Stents
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) suggests that drug-eluting stents (DESs) significantly reduce repeat revascularizations, with no increase in stent thrombosis (ST), mortality, or recurrent myocardial infarction, but data from observational studies indicate an increased risk of ST with DES use, according to research published in the April 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Childhood Cancer Survivors at Risk for Cardiac Events
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) treated with anthracyclines and/or cardiac irradiation have a higher risk of developing symptomatic cardiac events (CEs) in the long term, according to a study published online April 2 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Antibiotic-Resistant S. aureus Found in Many Ambulances
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are found in the majority of advanced life support (ALS) ambulances in the Chicago area, according to a study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
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Fluoroquinolone Use Linked to Retinal Detachment
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- The use of the oral fluoroquinolone antibiotics is associated with an increased risk of retinal detachment, although the absolute risk is small, according to a study published in the April 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Neupro Approved for Advanced Parkinson's and Restless Leg Syndrome
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- The Neupro (rotigotine) transdermal system has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat advanced Parkinson's disease and moderate-to-severe restless leg syndrome, the Belgian drug maker UCB said Tuesday in a news release.
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Cetuximab With Chemo Doesn't Improve Colon Cancer Outcome
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- Adding cetuximab to adjuvant chemotherapy does not improve disease-free survival in stage III colon cancer patients following surgical resection, according to a study published in the April 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Obesity Epidemic in U.S. Worse Than Previously Thought
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- The body mass index (BMI) substantially underdiagnoses obesity when compared to the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, a direct simultaneous measure of body fat, muscle mass, and bone density, according to a study published online April 2 in PLoS One.
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More Than 40 Percent of Patients With RA Are Inactive
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- More than 40 percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are inactive, with lack of motivation and lack of belief in physical activity strongly related to inactivity, according to a study published in the April issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
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Sleep Apnea, Snorting Linked to Probable Major Depression
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep apnea and frequent snorting/stopping breathing during sleep, but not snoring, are associated with probable major depression, according to a study published in the April issue of SLEEP.
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Inflammatory Regulation Plays Role in Stress, Illness Link
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- People under chronic stress have glucocorticoid receptor resistance (GCR), which is linked to increased risk of illness, according to research published online April 2 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Study Estimates Overdiagnosis From Mammography Screening
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- Implementation of a mammography screening program leads to a substantial amount of overdiagnosis, according to a study published in the April 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Most Americans Getting Adequate Amounts of Vitamins, Nutrients
MONDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Most people in the United States are getting adequate nutrition, but some groups experience lower levels of vital nutrients than that which is recommended for good health, according to the Second National Report on Biochemical Indicators of Diet and Nutrition released April 2 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Guidelines Improve Outcomes in Nonshockable Cardiac Arrest
MONDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Implementation of the latest American Heart Association (AHA) resuscitation guidelines, which eliminate "stacked" shocks and emphasize chest compressions, results in significantly improved outcomes for patients experiencing nonshockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), according to a study published online April 2 in Circulation.
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Serious Eye Disease Linked to Bisphosphonate Use
MONDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- First-time users of oral bisphosphonates have an increased risk of both uveitis and scleritis compared with nonusers, according to a study published online April 2 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Utility of Whole-Genome Sequencing Questioned
MONDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Whole-genome sequencing is unlikely to provide much useful information on an individual's risk of developing common diseases, according to a study published online April 2 in Science Translational Medicine.
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More Complications After Thyroid Surgery in Elderly
MONDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Advanced age is a risk factor for complications after thyroidectomy, according to a study published online March 14 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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Operator Sleep Deprivation Does Not Adversely Affect PCI
MONDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed in the middle of the night does not impact the same operator's ability to perform PCI the next day, according to a study published online March 30 in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions.
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In Taiwan, Diabetes Linked to Increased Parkinson's Risk
MONDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals with diabetes in Taiwan have a significantly increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), which is robust across most age and gender stratifications, according to a study published online March 19 in Diabetes Care.
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