December 2013 Briefing - Internal Medicine
Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for December 2013. 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.
Troubled Launch of ACA Tops Health News for 2013
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- As 2013 nears to a close, the year's top health news story -- the fumbled debut of the Affordable Care Act continues to grab headlines. President Barack Obama, in November, said he was "sorry" to hear that some Americans were being dropped from their health plans due to the advent of reforms -- even though he had repeatedly promised that this would not happen.
CDC: More Than One in 10 Kids Diagnosed With ADHD
FDA Urges Tighter Controls on Certain Prescription Painkillers
CDC: Evocative Campaign Motivates Smokers to Quit
Lower Microbial Diversity for Infants Who Develop Colic
Low Gut Bacterial Richness Linked to Obesity
Donor Fecal Infusion Effective for C. difficile Infection
Full Article - 2013 Top Health News
What Yoga Can and Can't Do for You
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Results from medical research on yoga are mixed, according to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, though the findings tend to be more positive than negative.
Extra Steps Urged for Regulating Compounding Pharmacies
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Additional steps are needed for regulating compounding pharmacies, according to a perspective piece published online Dec. 25 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
USPSTF Recommends Lung CA Screening for High-Risk Adults
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that high-risk asymptomatic adults aged 55 to 80 years should undergo low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening for lung cancer. This recommendation statement is based on the results of a modeling study published online Dec. 31 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text - Modeling Study
Full Text - Recommendation Statement
Editorial 1
Editorial 2
Inactivity Linked With Depression After Cardiac Surgery
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Physical inactivity is associated with increased risk of depression both before and after cardiac surgery, according to research published in the December issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Mortality Up in Postmenopausal Women With Anti-CCP+ RA
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Mortality rates are higher in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, according to research published online Dec. 23 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Smoking Bans Linked to Improvement in Tobacco Use
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking bans in the home and city/town are significantly associated with smoking reduction and making a quit attempt, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in Preventive Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
High Fiber, Fruit/Vegetable Intake Cuts Stroke Risk in T2DM
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, increased dietary fiber and fruit and vegetable intake is associated with reduced risk of stroke, according to a study published in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Alendronate Reduces Adjacent-Level Vertebral Fractures
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For females with osteoporosis, the rate of adjacent-level vertebral fractures is relatively low, with reduced odds with bisphosphonate therapy, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of Spine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Uncertainty Noted in Seemingly Stable Medical Liability Climate
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Although the medical liability climate seems stable, the impact of health care reform on the market is uncertain, according to an article based on two reports published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Nortriptyline Doesn't Provide Gastroparesis Symptom Relief
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Use of nortriptyline is not associated with improvement in overall symptoms of idiopathic gastroparesis, according to a study published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Inosine Safe, Effective for Raising Urate Levels in Parkinson's
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD), inosine seems safe and effective for raising urate levels, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in JAMA Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Surge in Federal Health Insurance Exchange Enrollments
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- More than 1.1 million people enrolled in a qualified health plan through the federally operated marketplace, or exchange, from Oct. 1 through Dec. 24, government officials said Sunday. More than 975,000 of those enrollments came in December, Marilyn Tavenner, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a blog post.
Fewer Opioid Treatment Centers Offering HIV, STI Testing
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Fewer U.S. opioid treatment programs are offering on-site testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to a research letter published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC: Chikungunya Virus Now in the Western Hemisphere
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus has been identified for the first time among non-travelers in the Western Hemisphere, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
AMA IDs Five Issues Relating to Progress in SGR Repeal
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The implications of progress toward repeal of the Medicare sustained growth rate (SGR) formula are discussed in a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Head Trauma Linked to Amyloid Deposition in MCI
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but not those with normal cognition, self-reported head trauma involving at least a momentary loss of consciousness is associated with greater amyloid deposition, according to a study published online Dec. 26 in Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Changes in Pain Noted for Many Ambulatory Cancer Patients
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For ambulatory patients with solid tumors, pain is prevalent and changes over time, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Daily Walking Linked to Decreased Cardiovascular Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For adults at high cardiovascular risk with impaired glucose tolerance, baseline and change in objectively-assessed ambulatory activity are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in The Lancet.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Performance-Enhancing Drug Use Widespread in U.S.
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is more widespread than previously thought and can have adverse health consequences, according to a scientific statement published online Jan. 1 in Endocrine Reviews.
Most Dementia Patients Living at Home Have Unmet Needs
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Most individuals with dementia residing in the community -- and their caregivers -- have unmet needs, according to research published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Black Women Lose Less Weight Despite Similar Dieting, Exercise
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Because of lower energy requirements, black women lose fewer pounds than white women even if they follow the same dietary restrictions and exercise regimens, according to research published online Dec. 20 in the International Journal of Obesity.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Odds of Uncontrolled and Unreported HTN Up for Blacks
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Blacks are more likely to have hypertension and to have uncontrolled and unreported hypertension than whites, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Frequency of Preoperative Cataract Visits Increasing
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The frequency of preoperative consultations for cataract surgery has increased substantially, even though there are no national guidelines specifying when a referral is needed, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Impact of Planned Medicaid Expansion Discussed
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The planned expansion of Medicaid will offer benefits to those in participating states, according to an article published online Dec. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
ACA Success Hinges on Young Adult Enrollment
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Enrollment of young adults is a crucial component of the viability of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a health policy brief published Dec. 16 in Health Affairs.
Physician Pay Increasingly Tied to Quality Metrics
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Physician groups are increasingly incorporating quality metrics into their internal reimbursement structure, according to an article published Nov. 25 in Medical Economics.
Pre-Employment Assessment Tool Can Predict Injury Risk
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The JobFit System pre-employment functional assessment (PEFA) can predict musculoskeletal injury risk in healthy mineworkers, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of Spine.
Greater Fiber Intake Leads to Lower Risk of Cardiac Events
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Increased dietary intake of fiber is linked with lower risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease, with every 7 g per day intake of total dietary fiber associated with a 9 percent lower relative risk, according to research published online Dec. 19 in BMJ.
Testosterone May Undermine Flu Vaccine Effectiveness for Men
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Differences in expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism regulated by testosterone may explain why men have less robust immune responses than women, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Alternative to Medicare Sustained Growth Rate Proposed
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A proposed alternative to the Medicare sustained growth rate (SGR) formula for physicians encourages Medicare to adopt advanced primary care practice (APCP) as a new provider category, according to a perspective piece published online Dec. 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Toxic Employees Are Damaging to Medical Practices
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Toxic behavior can harm medical practices and should not be tolerated, according to an article published Dec. 10 in Medical Economics.
Evidence-Based Guidelines Developed for Disc Herniation
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Evidence-based clinical guidelines have been developed for management of lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy; the guidelines have been published in the Jan. 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Emphasizing Environmental Causes of Obesity Is Motivating
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Messages that acknowledge personal responsibility, while emphasizing environmental causes of obesity, seem to motivate individuals to engage in healthy diet and exercise behavior, according to a study published Dec. 12 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
HPV 6, 11, 42/Combo Detection Doesn't ID CIN 2+, 3+ Risk
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) 6, 11, 42 or combination infections does not identify increased three-year risk of cervical precancer, according to a study published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Sporting Success Can Have Demographic Repercussions
TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Human emotions on a large scale, such as the euphoria following a soccer victory, can have demographic repercussions, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in BMJ.
Exercise Counteracts Metabolic Effects of Short-Term Overeating
TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Most of the metabolic effects of overeating for a week can be counteracted by also doing vigorous exercise, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of The Journal of Physiology.
Public Tends to Follow Celebrities Even on Medical Issues
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Celebrities have credibility as sources of medical advice, even if they are ill-informed or are spreading potentially harmful information, according to research published online Dec. 17 in BMJ.
U.S. Adults Want Physicians Managing Their Health Care
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. adults prefer physicians to non-physicians for health care and would choose a physician to lead their medical team, according to the results of a survey commissioned by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
USPSTF Supports Counseling, BRCA Tests for At-Risk Women
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women who are identified as being at risk for BRCA mutations be offered counseling and genetic testing, according to a final recommendation statement published online Dec. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text - Evidence Review
Full Text - Recommendation Statement
Burden of Heart Disease, Stroke Quantified in United States
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The burden of heart disease and stroke is considerable in the United States, according to a American Heart Association Statistical Update published online Dec. 18 in Circulation.
Many Patients With Diabetes Not Getting Needed Eye Care
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Many people living with diabetes are not receiving the eye care they need to prevent visual impairment or blindness, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Free Preventive Services for >25 Million Medicare Beneficiaries
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- As a result of the Affordable Care Act, during the first 11 months of 2013, more than 25.4 million people covered by Original Medicare received at least one preventive service at no cost, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Review Quantifies Risks Associated With Bariatric Surgery
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Bariatric surgery is effective for weight loss, but is associated with risks of complications, reoperations, and death, according to a review published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Cardiovascular Disease Linked to Cognitive Decline in Older Women
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For elderly, postmenopausal women, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
ACEI/ARB Rx Safe, Beneficial in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with stable hypertension and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) use is associated with renal benefits, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Introduces New Food Defense Rule
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A new rule to protect the nation's food supply from terrorism has been introduced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the agency announced Friday.
New Rule May Exempt Many From Health Plan Penalty
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Consumers whose individual health insurance policies have been cancelled for failing to meet the minimum requirements of the Affordable Care Act may now apply for a "hardship exemption," Obama administration officials announced late Thursday.
Morphine Diminishes, Delays Effects of Clopidogrel
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Morphine interaction reduces the effectiveness of clopidogrel, according to a small study published online Dec. 4 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
High Patient Satisfaction With Patient-Centered Medical Homes
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A significant majority of patients report experiencing a high quality of care at federally-supported health centers, according to a study published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Higher Levels of Anxiety Linked to Incident Stroke Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Higher anxiety symptom levels are independently associated with increased risk for incident stroke, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Stroke.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Evidence-Based Guidelines Issued for Hypertension Management
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Evidence-based guidelines for the management of hypertension in adults for 2014 have been issued by the Eighth Joint National Committee, according to a special communication published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial 1
Editorial 2
Editorial 3
Docs Must Help Patients Take Responsibility for Medical Costs
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Given that increasing numbers of patients have high-deductible health insurance, doctors and practice staff need to help patients assume financial responsibility for costs relating to medical services and procedures, according to an article published Dec. 10 in Medical Economics.
Health Care Providers Want to Learn More About E-Cigarettes
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Health care providers who treat adolescents are aware of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), but have moderately low levels of knowledge about them and comfort discussing their use, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Weight Loss Provides Lasting Cardiometabolic Benefit
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Weight loss is associated with long-term improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Efficiency Improvements Aid Physician Capacity
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Efforts aimed at improving the efficiency of primary care practices can make impacts in alleviating physician shortages through improved primary care capacity of existing practices, according to an analysis published in the November issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Role of E-Cigarettes in Eliminating Tobacco Use Discussed
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The public health issues relating to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and their role in eliminating tobacco use are discussed in a perspective piece published online Dec. 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Criteria Issued for Tests for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Appropriate use criteria have been released for tests used to diagnose or evaluate stable ischemic heart disease, in a document published online Dec. 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons all partnered in the development of the document.
CDC: U.S. Sodium Consumption Remains Excessively High
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- More than 80 percent of children and 90 percent of teens and adults continue to consume sodium in excess of dietary recommendations, according to a report published in the Dec. 20 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Physicians Must Be Proactive in Risk Management
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Risk is inherent in the practice of medicine, but physicians can take steps to prevent patient injury and avoid lawsuits, according to an article published Dec. 10 in Medical Economics.
Deep Brain Stimulation Aids Driving With Parkinson's
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the of subthalamic nucleus (STN) seems to have a beneficial effect on driving ability in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Antiviral Treatment Benefits Patients With Diabetes
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with diabetes have a lower risk of end-stage renal disease, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome after antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to a study published online in Hepatology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Biomarker Identified in Systemic Sclerosis Predicts Progression
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with systemic sclerosis have elevated levels of CXCL4, which predicts disease risk and progression, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Gene Polymorphism Linked to Cardiac Morbidity, Mortality
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The functional nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (rs6318) of the 5HTR2C gene is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in PLOS ONE.
Modeling Study: Similar Effects for Statin or Apple a Day
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- An apple a day or a statin a day are equally likely to keep the doctor away, according to a modeling study published online Dec. 17 in BMJ.
White Blood Cell Count Predicts Infarct Size in STEMI
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with anterior wall ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI), elevated white blood cell count (WBCc) on presentation is associated with increased infarct size, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Approves New Drug to Treat COPD
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A new inhaled drug to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Fracking Chemicals May Affect Hormone Function
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The majority of water samples collected from sites in a natural gas drilling-dense region of Colorado have higher levels of estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, or anti-androgenic activities than control sites with limited nearby drilling operations, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in Endocrinology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Few Residency Programs Teach Cost-Conscious Medicine
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Few residency programs have a formal cost-conscious care curriculum, according to a research letter published online Dec. 16 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Periodontal Treatment Doesn't Up Glycemic Control in T2DM
WEDNEDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis, non-surgical treatment is not associated with improved glycemic control, according to a study published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC Highlights Achievements of 2013, Goals for 2014
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The top five gains made in improving health security at home and around the world in 2013, and the top five areas for improvement in 2014 have been highlighted in an end-of-year report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Web-Based Tool Cuts Cancer Symptom Distress
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A web-based, self-report assessment and educational intervention is beneficial for reducing symptom distress during cancer therapy, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Older Women Spend Two-Thirds of Waking Time Sedentary
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For older women, more than 65 percent of waking hours are spent in sedentary behavior, although the sedentary bouts are usually of short duration, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Acupuncture Treatments Lead to Short-Term Weight Loss
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Acupuncture treatments are effective for short-term weight loss in overweight Koreans, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in Acupuncture in Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Exercise Ups Sexual Function in Women on Antidepressants
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise improves sexual function in women experiencing sexual side effects due to antidepressants, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in Depression and Anxiety.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Public Support for Physician-Assisted Death Analyzed
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- About a fifth of the Dutch public supports physician assistance in dying for older people who wish to die but do not have a serious medical condition, according to research published online Dec. 13 in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Lower Definition of Insulin Resistance Tied to Heart Failure
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Using a definition of insulin resistance with lower levels of homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) than previously considered, insulin resistance is associated with an increased risk for heart failure, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA: Many ADHD Drugs Linked to Painful Erections
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- In rare cases, Ritalin and some other drugs used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause long-lasting and sometimes painful erections, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. If this condition -- priapism -- is not treated immediately, it can cause permanent damage to the penis.
GlaxoSmithKline to End Payments to Prescribing Doctors
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says it will stop paying doctors to market its drugs at conferences and will no longer reward sales agents whose physician customers write the most prescriptions. Monday's announcement is apparently a first for a major drug company. But other companies may be considering similar moves, The New York Times reported.
Funding for Medical Communication Firms Analyzed
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Medical communication companies (MCCs), responsible for medical education programs, may receive substantial financial support from pharmaceutical and medical device companies, according to research published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Oral Multivitamin, Multimineral Safe, Not Effective After MI
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For older patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI), a high-dose oral multivitamin and multimineral mixture is safe, but does not significantly reduce cardiovascular events, according to a study published in the Dec. 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physicians Conclude Multivitamins Should Not Be Used
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Multivitamins do not prevent chronic disease and should not be used by well-nourished adults, according to an editorial published in the Dec. 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Article 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Article 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Article 3 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Many Physicians Will Stop Practicing Due to ACA
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- About half of physicians say that they plan to practice medicine for a shorter time or leave as soon as feasibly possible due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to an article published Nov. 29 in Medical Economics.
Prognostic Tool ID's Risk of Death for Hospital Patients
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A validation study has confirmed that the CARING criteria may be used upon admission to estimate the risk of death at one year for inpatients in broad hospital settings, according to research published in the December issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Gene Expression Changes Seen After Mindfulness Meditation
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Proficient meditators experience changes in specific gene expression after intensive mindfulness meditation, according to a study published in the February issue of Psychoneuroendocrinology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physician Access Challenges Up for Those With Public Insurance
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Adverse experiences with physician availability are more likely among those with public insurance, and almost 15 percent of people in the United States were uninsured in the first half of 2013, according to two December data briefs issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Report - Gindi
Report - Martinez and Cohen
FDA Questions Effectiveness, Safety of Antibacterial Soap
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a proposed rule requiring antibacterial soap manufacturers to demonstrate that their products are both effective at preventing illness and safe for long-term daily use.
Post-Op Hematoma Incidence Similar for Decompression Types
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For patients undergoing decompression for degenerative stenosis, the incidence of epidural hematoma is similar for different surgical approaches; however, there is a tendency toward increased postoperative hematoma in approaches with greater bony decompression area, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Word of Mouth Still Tops Ways People Find Physicians
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Roughly three-quarters of young adults use personal recommendations to select a physician, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
No Cognitive Benefit for Long-Term Multivitamin Supplement
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For older male physicians, long-term multivitamin supplementation is not associated with cognitive benefit, according to a study published in the Dec. 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Approves First Device to Treat Migraine With Aura
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The first device to treat migraine pain when the headache is preceded by an aura has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Bills for SGR Repeal Pass Senate, House Committees
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and the U.S. Senate Finance Committee have passed their versions of the bill to repeal Medicare's failed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Comorbidity Strongly Influences Survival in Cancer Patients
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Death rates from cancer continue to decline in the United States, but the presence of comorbidity can be an important influence on overall survival, according to a report published online Dec. 16 in Cancer.
Golfers' Game Improves With CPAP Therapy for Sleep Apnea
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For golfers with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), treatment with nasal positive airway pressure (PAP) improves performance, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Increased Mortality, Morbidity With Young-Onset T2DM
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Young-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with greater mortality, increased complications, and unfavorable cardiovascular risk versus type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with a similar age of onset, according to a study published in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC: Flu Vaccine Reduced Adverse Outcomes by 17 Percent
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- About 17 percent of adverse health outcomes associated with influenza were prevented in the most recent flu season, with a greater number of serious outcomes averted compared with previous flu seasons, according to a report published in the Dec. 13 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Determinants of Patient Loyalty to Provider Identified
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Determinants of patient loyalty have been identified and include confidence in care provider and coordination of care, according to a report published by Press Ganey.
Medicare's Graduate Medical Education Spending Imbalanced
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- There is an "imbalance" in how Medicare distributes its $10 billion a year for graduate medical education (GME), according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Urine-Based Assay Diagnoses Chlamydia in 20 Minutes
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A rapid and sensitive assay requiring no special equipment can detect Chlamydia trachomatis directly from urine samples with high accuracy, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Insulin Sensitizers Linked With Reduced Risk of Cancer in Women
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Insulin sensitizers, particularly thiazolidinedione use, may reduce the risk of cancer in female patients with type 2 diabetes, according to research published online Dec. 5 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
New Rule Tweaks Affordable Care Act Deadline
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The Obama administration is taking steps to prevent consumers who buy health plans sold through state and federal exchanges from experiencing any gap in coverage this January. Under new rules, health insurers must accept payment up until Dec. 31 for coverage that begins the following day. Earlier guidance did not establish a payment deadline, allowing insurers to set their own dates. "And we're recommending that insurers extend this deadline further," U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said during a Thursday news conference to announce the changes.
Majority of Elderly Need Aid for Mobility, Self-Care Functions
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- More than two-thirds of older adults are not fully able to complete mobility and self-care activities, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the American Journal of Public Health.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Race Affects Risk of Dementia in Older Diabetes Patients
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Racial and ethnic differences influence the risk of dementia in older individuals with type 2 diabetes, according to research published online Nov. 22 in Diabetes Care.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Food Security Status Linked to Cardiovascular Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Food security status is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease risk, according to research published Dec. 5 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
ASCO Report Highlights Progress Against Cancer in Last Year
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Progress against cancer is described in the ninth annual report of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, published online Dec. 10 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Study Quantifies Male Dominance in Scientific Production
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Men dominate scientific production worldwide, accounting for a higher percentage of authorships and greater impact, according to research published in the Dec. 12 issue of Nature.
Injunction Stops Insurer From Dropping Physicians
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- United Healthcare has been given a last-minute temporary restraining order preventing it from removing thousands of physicians from its Medicare Advantage networks in Connecticut, according to an article published Dec. 6 in Medical Economics.
Data Unclear for Heart Failure Outcomes in U.S. Versus Canada
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Evidence for the difference in outcomes for heart failure patients in Canada versus the United States differs depending on the source of the data, according to research published in the December issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Discharge Destination Alters Rehospitalization Rates
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Destination of discharge alters the association between cognitive impairment and rehospitalization, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
NPs Practicing Without Restrictions Could Lower Costs
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Independently practicing nurse practitioners (NPs) seeing patients at retail health clinics can cut health care costs, according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Approves Generic Cymbalta (Duloxetine)
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The first generic versions of the antidepressant drug Cymbalta (duloxetine delayed-release capsules) have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Risk of Developing Diverticulitis Lower Than Thought
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Only about 4 percent of patients with an incidental finding of diverticulosis progress to acute diverticulitis in the long term, according to research published in the December issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
BMI Not Linked to Pain After Exercise Rehab for Back Pain
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For individuals with chronic low back pain (cLBP), body mass index (BMI) is not significantly associated with self-reported pain and disability, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of Spine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Model Predicts Risk of Adverse Events for ICD Implantation
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A simple model may be used to predict risk for in-hospital adverse events among patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), according to research published online Dec. 11 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Physician Practices Often Do Not Plan for Future
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Most physician practices do not treat their practices as businesses and plan for the future, but they should develop and follow a strategic plan, according to an article published Nov. 10 in Medical Economics.
Factors in Choice of Opioid for Abuse Analyzed
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The choice of hydrocodone versus oxycodone as a primary drug of abuse is based on multiple factors, according to a study published in the December issue of PAIN.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
No Serious Heart Risks With Smoking Cessation Therapies
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Three licensed smoking cessation therapies -- nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion, and varenicline -- seem not to be associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular disease events, according to a meta-analysis published online Dec. 9 in Circulation.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Recommendations Issued to Prevent VTE in Maternal Patients
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the National Perinatal Association have developed safety recommendations aimed at preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in maternal patients.
CDC: Health Insurance Among Young Increased After ACA
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Since the Affordable Care Act extended dependent health coverage to young adults up to 26 years old, the percentage of this age group with private health insurance has increased and the percentage with gaps in insurance coverage has decreased, according to a December data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Duration of Diabetes Impacts Outcomes at Any Age
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Type 2 diabetes morbidity and mortality are associated with disease duration and advancing age, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Weekend Spine Surgery Linked to Longer Stays, Higher Costs
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Patients admitted to the hospital on weekends for cervical spine fusion resulting from trauma have a greater length of stay and total hospital costs than their weekday counterparts, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of Spine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Gastric Acid Inhibitors Linked to Vitamin B12 Deficiency
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Patients who take gastric acid inhibitors for two years or more are at higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, according to a study published in the Dec. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Mortality Significantly Up With Smoking After Cancer Diagnosis
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For Chinese male cancer patients, post-diagnosis smoking is associated with an increased risk of death, according to a study published in the December issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Baseline Inflammation Tied to Lower PCa Risk on Repeat Biopsy
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Among men with a negative biopsy for prostate cancer (PCa), acute and chronic inflammation at baseline correlate with a lower PCa risk at repeat two-year biopsy, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in Cancer.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Sleep Apnea Treatment Found to Improve Resistant Hypertension
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Among patients with resistant hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment significantly improves blood pressure and the nocturnal blood pressure pattern, according to a study published in the Dec. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
ACP Provides Guidance for Addressing Rx Drug Abuse
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Recommendations to effectively address the problem of prescription drug abuse are presented in a policy position paper from the American College of Physicians (ACP), published online Dec. 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Study Quantifies Overdiagnosis With Low-Dose CT for Lung CA
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- In lung cancer screening, there is a relative mortality reduction with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT); however, limitations include a high rate of overdiagnosis, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Outpatient Docs Report More Burnout Than Inpatient Docs
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Outpatient physicians report more emotional exhaustion than inpatient physicians, according to a review published in the November issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Wider Statin Use Recommended for Chronic Kidney Disease
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- New guidelines for lipid management in chronic kidney disease (CKD) recommend wider statin use, according to a clinical practice guideline published online Dec. 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Pain, Often in Multiple Sites, Is Common in Elderly in U.S.
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- In older adults pain is common and is associated with clinically significant declines in physical function, according to a study published in the December issue of PAIN.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Approves Sovaldi for Chronic Hepatitis C
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic infection with hepatitis C. It's considered a breakthrough medication since it's the first such drug that does not require same-time administration of interferon, the agency said in a news release.
Health Information Technology May Cut Demand for Physicians
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Health information technology (IT) may cut demand for physicians in the future, according to a review published in the November issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Mortality High for Moderate, Severe Heart Failure Patients
MONDAY, Dec. 9. 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For patients aged 80 years and younger with moderate or severe heart failure, mortality is mainly associated with heart failure and its comorbidities, according to a study published online Nov. 6 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
With Looming ACA Uncertainty, Budget Exercise Necessary
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Constructing a budget for 2014 is critical for physicians even with the uncertainties surrounding the Affordable Care Act, according to an article published Nov. 10 in Medical Economics.
Global Burden of Dementia Shifting to Poorer Countries
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- In the coming decades, the global burden of dementia will shift even further from richer countries to poorer countries, especially rapidly developing middle-income countries, according to an Alzheimer's Disease International policy brief. The brief is being published ahead of the G8 Dementia Summit, which will be held in London on Dec. 11.
Meta-Analysis: Healthier Diet Patterns Do Cost More
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Healthy food/diet patterns cost more, according to a meta-analysis published online Dec. 5 in BMJ Open.
CMS Finalizes 2014 Physician Payment Rates, Policies
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The final payment rules for 2014 include a proposal to support care management outside the routine office interaction and policies to promote high quality care and efficiency, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Medical Students Find Mind-Body Regulation Training Helpful
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A practical approach may be used to offer mind-body regulation training to medical students, according to research published in the Fall issue of the Annals of Behavioral Science and Medical Education.
Issues Surround Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Concerns surround implementation of the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), according to a policy brief published online Nov. 12 in Health Affairs.
Serum 25(OH)D Marker of Ill Health, Not Causative Agent
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) seems to be a marker of ill health and not a causal factor, according to a review published online Dec. 6 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Eye Care Use Low Among Low-Income Blacks With Diabetes
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Eye care utilization is low among primarily low-income, African-American patients with diabetes seen at a county hospital clinic, particularly among younger patients, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Final Rule Aims to Lower Costs, Simplify Outpatient Payments
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The final hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) payment rule will give hospitals and ASCs the ability to lower costs, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Effect of Serum Magnesium on Heart Failure Outcomes Unclear
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Baseline serum magnesium levels do not independently predict post-discharge outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure, according to research published in the Dec. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Preventive Measures, Better Treatment Cut Stroke Deaths
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A combination of factors, including public health programs and clinical interventions designed to reduce cardiovascular risks, has contributed to the decline in stroke mortality in the United States, according to a statement from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association published online Dec. 5 in Stroke.
Study Explores Links Between Leptin, Ghrelin and Barrett's
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- In men, leptin is associated with Barrett's esophagus, especially in those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), while serum ghrelin is positively associated with Barrett's esophagus and inversely associated with GERD, according to a study published in the December issue of Gastroenterology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Genetic Risk Score Linked With Prior Gestational Diabetes
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A diabetes-related genetic risk score is associated with a history of gestational diabetes, but it does not predict progression to type 2 diabetes in women with or without prior gestational diabetes, according to research published online Nov. 22 in Diabetes Care.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC: More People With Asthma Getting Flu Shots
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Influenza vaccination has increased substantially among people with asthma since the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded recommendations for annual vaccinations, though all age groups fall short of Healthy People 2020 targets, according to a report published in the Dec. 6 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Some Areas of United States Have No Rheumatologists
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Some regions of the United States, mainly smaller micropolitan areas, have no practicing rheumatologists, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA: Certain Automated External Defibrillators Found Faulty
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- All owners of Philips HeartStart automated external defibrillator (AED) devices are advised to contact the company to ascertain whether their device is among those that might be unable to deliver the defibrillator shock needed in a cardiac emergency, according to a Dec. 3 safety alert issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Skills Training Doesn't Impact Quality of Communication, Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A communication skills intervention among internal medicine and nurse practitioner trainees does not improve quality of communication (QOC) or quality of end-of-life care (QEOLC), but is associated with increased depression among patients, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Study Quantifies Substance Use Disorder Among Residents
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Substance use disorder (SUD) is seen among a proportion of anesthesiology residents during training and is associated with a high rate of relapse, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Handoff Program Cuts Medical Errors, Adverse Events
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Implementation of a multifaceted handoff program can reduce medical errors and preventable adverse events, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
TB Vaccine Beneficial After Clinically Isolated Syndromes
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For individuals with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS), a first demyelinative episode that often precedes multiple sclerosis (MS), Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination correlates with reduced development of gadolinium-enhancing lesions, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Premature Atrial Contraction Count Predicts A-Fib Risk
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Premature atrial contraction (PAC) count improves atrial fibrillation (AF) risk model performance, according to a study published in the Dec. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Exercise May Improve Cognition in Dementia
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise programs may improve cognition and the ability to perform daily tasks in older adults with dementia, according to a review published online Dec. 4 in The Cochrane Library.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
AMA's RUC Committee to Work on Improving Transparency
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The 31-member Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) of the American Medical Association will begin publishing minutes, dates and locations of meetings, and votes for individual current procedural codes, according to an article published Nov. 11 in Medical Economics.
Results Mixed for Liberal Transfusions in Heart Disease
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The effects of liberal transfusion protocols on outcomes in heart disease patients with anemia are mixed, according to a review published in the Dec. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Investment Program Can Cut Global Health Disparities by 2035
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Global health disparities could be reduced considerably by 2035 using an investment framework, according to a report published Dec. 3 in The Lancet.
Health Reform in Mass. Didn't Change ICU Utilization
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Initiation of health care reform in Massachusetts correlated with a reduction in intensive care unit (ICU) patients without insurance but did not significantly change ICU use or mortality among ICU patients, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in Critical Care Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Metabolically Healthy Obese Still at Risk of Adverse Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Even metabolically healthy obese are at increased risk of all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular events, according to a review published in the Dec. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Disability Decreased in Arthritis Patients Over Past 20 Years
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis experience significantly less psychological stress and physical disability compared with two decades ago, which may be partially due to a reduction in disease activity, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in Arthritis Care & Research.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Lifestyle Factors Impact Risk of Hearing Loss in Women
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Higher body mass index (BMI) and larger waist circumference are positively associated, and physical activity is inversely associated, with the risk of self-reported hearing loss, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Varicella Vaccination Program Has Not Increased Herpes Zoster
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Introduction of a universal varicella vaccine program for U.S. children in 1996 has not correlated with a significant increase in herpes zoster incidence in older U.S. adults, according to a study published in the Dec. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Modest Increases in Minority Faculty Seen at Med Schools
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Underrepresented minority faculty made only modest gains in increasing their presence at U.S. medical schools from 2000 to 2010, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Med Student Clinic Attendance Boosts Overall Exam Scores
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Attendance at clinical and tutorial-based activities is positively correlated with overall examination scores for fourth-year medical students, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physician Texting While 'Doctoring' May Be Hazardous
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Physician texting while doctoring could be hazardous, according to an ideas and opinions piece published in the Dec. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Childhood Living Arrangements Have Lasting Impact on BP
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Family living arrangements during childhood seem to have a long-term impact on blood pressure (BP) and the risk of hypertension among black men, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in Hypertension.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Nonantibiotic Prophylaxis Can Benefit Recurrent UTI
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Various nonantibiotic prophylaxis options are available, some of which may be beneficial for adults with recurrent urinary tract infections, according to a review and meta-analysis published in the December issue of The Journal of Urology.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Central Adiposity May Blunt Metabolism, Worsen Weight Gain
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- In those with body mass index (BMI) greater than 29 kg/m², awake and fed thermogenesis is reduced, and this change in energy balance predicts future weight gain, according to research published in the December issue of Diabetes.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Fragility Impacts Quality of Life in Heart Failure
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with heart failure, fragility is associated with the perception of quality of life, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Starts Regulating Compounding Pharmacies
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday began the process of regulating compounding pharmacies. Under the Drug Quality and Security Act, signed into law Nov. 27 by President Barack Obama, these pharmacies are being encouraged to register with the FDA. The agency will then classify them as outsourcing pharmacies, enabling them to sell bulk drugs to hospitals and other health care facilities.
Nurse Navigator Intervention Beneficial in Early Cancer Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with early cancer, a nurse navigator intervention can improve patient experience and reduce problems with care, according to a study published online Nov. 25 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Volunteering Overseas Revives Physicians' Outlooks
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Physician volunteer programs can revive doctors' passion for medicine, according to an article published Nov. 11 in Medical Economics.
Oral Disease May Be Linked to Lower Cognitive Function
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Markers of oral disease seem to be associated with lower cognitive status, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Diabetes, Cardiac Risk Up for Metabolically Healthy Obese
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUH-NW) individuals have increased risks of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published online Nov. 20 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Geriatric Consultation Ups Post-Trauma Functional Recovery
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Geriatric consultation is associated with improved functional recovery among older trauma patients, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in JAMA Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Health Insurance Coverage Changes Don't Change Behaviors
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Change in health insurance coverage is associated with a change in adherence to preventive care, but is not associated with a change in health behaviors, according to a study published in the November-December issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Racial Disparities Persist in Diabetes Care Outcomes
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Black patients do not receive the same quality of care, and experience poorer intermediate outcomes in the practice setting of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH), according to research published online Nov. 19 in Diabetes Care.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Comorbidities, Meds Factor Into Recurrent Syncope
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Certain comorbidities, age, gender, and use of multiple medications that cause orthostatic hypotension are associated with increased risk of recurrent syncope, according to research published in the Nov. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Guidance for Transcatheter Mitral Regurgitation Treatment Issued
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Guidance has been issued relating to transcatheter therapies for mitral regurgitation; the document has been published online Nov. 25 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Long-Term Dietary Fiber Intake Linked to Crohn's Disease
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term intake of dietary fiber is associated with a reduced risk of Crohn's disease (CD), but not ulcerative colitis (UC), according to a study published in the November issue of Gastroenterology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)