Family Practice News articles from March 2003

Family Practice News archives from March 2003

Virulent MRSA outbreak hits Calif. (Young, Otherwise Healthy Victims).(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infection)
March 1, 2003... LOS ANGELES -- Public health officials are investigating an outbreak of an aggressive, community-acquired, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infection that has struck more than 1,000 people, including newborns, young athletes,...

Medicare fee fix means 1.6% raise for fiscal 2003: late action by house, senate conferees clears way for CMS to correct formula. (PPAC: Remove Drugs From SGR).
March 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Congress finally answered the call from medical organizations to increase Medicare physician payment rates. House and Senate conferees for the fiscal 2003 omnibus spending bill last month reached an agreement that would...

Colorectal screening boom: primary care opportunity; demand too great for specialists to meet. (Flexible Sigmoidoscopy).
March 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- The time has come for gastroenterologists to give up flexible sigmoidoscopy altogether to free up resources to meet an anticipated tremendous increase in demand for colonoscopy, Dr. David A. Lieberman said in this Baker Presidential...

Most brain damage not due to labor, delivery. (Other Etiologies).("Neonatal Encephalopathy and Cerebral Palsy: Defining the Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology")
March 1, 2003... The majority of newborn brain injuries are not the result of birth asphyxia but occur before the onset of labor, according to a comprehensive report released last month by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American...

Scale back colorectal exams in low-risk patients. (Fewer Follow-up Exams Needed).
March 1, 2003... New guidelines on colorectal cancer prevention seek to put a greater emphasis on population screening and scale back follow-up surveillance of patients known to have a low risk for recurrent polyps. Surveillance for colorectal cancer in...

No smallpox vaccine study in children. (Public Comment Negative).(Dryvax smallpox vaccine will not be tested in children)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... There will be no study to test the Dryvax smallpox vaccine in children as preparation for a bioterrorism attack, the Office of Human Research Protection of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced. The proposal for the...

Medicine in space. (Guest Editorial).
March 1, 2003... The loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew reminded the nation of the importance of the space program and the courage of those who risk their lives in the name of scientific discovery. If the seven men and women of Columbia's final...

Is the insurance cycle responsible for rising malpractice premiums? (Pro & Con).
March 1, 2003... YES Medical malpractice claims have held steady yet insurance premiums have skyrocketed. This pattern can be attributed to the cyclical nature of the commercial insurance business. We are in the midst of a classic "hard" insurance cycle....

Expanded options for HIV treatment on horizon. (Improved Convenience, Lower Toxicity).
March 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Although 16 drugs are currently approved to treat HIV infection, the need remains for new therapeutic options, Dr. Roy M. Gulick said at a meeting on HIV management sponsored by the University of California, San Francisco. ...

Watch out for immune reconstitution disease with HAART. (Usually Easily Treated).(highly active antiretroviral therapy )
March 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Highly active antiretroviral therapy can be a double-edged sword in the treatment of patients with HIV. The evidence is good that such therapy reconstitutes the immune system and leads to the resolution and prevention of...

Marijuana ups weight, CD8 cells in HIV+ patients. (Randomized Clinical Trial).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of smoked marijuana and dronabinol in HIV-positive patients revealed significant weight gain in both experimental groups and significant increases in CE8 cell counts in the marijuana...

Use of protease inhibitors raises MI risk sevenfold. (Don't Curtail Prescribing).(heart attack risk increased)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- Treatment with a protease inhibitor boosted the risk of a myocardial infarction by more than sevenfold in patients infected with HIV. But even in patients on a chronic regimen with a protease inhibitor, "myocardial...

LMW heparin effective for ca-related thrombosis. (Better Than Warfarin).(low-molecular-weight)
March 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- "Long-term treatment with dalteparin is a major clinical advance for treating cancer patients with venous thromboembolism," Dr. Agnes Y Lee said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. The...

C-reactive protein levels may predict cardiovascular risk. (Patients on Statins).
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Elevated levels of C-reactive protein could help predict the risk for future cardiovascular events in patients taking statin therapy for symptomatic coronary artery disease, Dr. Guy Friedrich said at the annual meeting of the...

Low-Dose Doxycycline lowers C-reactive protein in CAD. (Off-Label Use of Periostat).(coronary artery disease)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Doxycycline, given long term at a dose too low to have an antimicrobial effect, significantly reduced levels of C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease, Dr. David L. Brown said at...

Blood test for breast cancer closer to reality. (Application in Other Cancers as Well).
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- A simple blood test for breast cancer detection that's substantially more accurate than mammography is drawing closer to clinical reality. And that's not all. The same proteomics technology being harnessed to detect breast...

Genetic cancer syndrome more common than suspected. (Cowden Syndrome).
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- Cowden syndrome is much more common than traditionally thought, Dr. Charis Eng said at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the San Antonio Cancer Institute. Since the discovery that germline mutations of the tumor...

Chronic sinusitis responds to nebulized antibiotics. (Uncontrolled Pilot Study).
March 1, 2003... Nebulized antibiotics appear to clear the infections of many patients who have chronic sinusitis, following functional endoscopic sinus surgery, reported Dr. Winston C. Vaughan and Dr. Gerard Carvalho of Stanford (Calif.) University. In an...

Look for fungus as cause of chronic sinusitis. (Five Syndromes).
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- Consider fungal sinusitis in patients with chronic sinusitis, especially if nasal polyps are present, Dr. Richard D. deShazo advised at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Fungal...

Fluoroquinolones appear superior for community-acquired pneumonia. (Metaanalysis).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Fluoroquinolones appear to be superior to other traditionally used antibiotics for treating community-acquired pneumonia, according to a meta-analysis of 17 published studies. The analysis suggests that fluoro-quinolones are...

Uncertainty persists on Barrett's esophagus testing. (Data Just are not There).
March 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Recommendations on endoscopic screening for Barrett's esophagus in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease remain murky. "The data just are not there," Dr. Joel B. Richter said at a meeting on endoscopy sponsored by the...

Long-term NSAIDs, aspirin cut colorectal Ca. (More than 2 Years for Benefit).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Regular use of aspirin or NSAIDs for longer than 2 years appears to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by one-third, Dr. Jia-Qing Huang said at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. This was a central...

Biopsy improves colorectal cancer staging. (Sentinel Node Biopsy).(intraoperative colonoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Intraoperative colonoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy appears to improve the reliability of tumor staging in patients with colorectal cancer, Dr. Nicholas Karyotakis said at the annual meeting of the American College of...

GERD surgery 'excellent' for selected patients. (Rely on Objective Findings).(gastroesophageal reflux disease)
March 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Carefully selected patients whose severe symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease are not alleviated by medical therapy can expect an "excellent" outcome with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, Dr. Garth H. Ballantyne said. ...

Inhaled steroids for COPD improve symptoms, survival. (Still a Controversial Practice).(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
March 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Inhaled corticosteroids used in patients with severe, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improve symptoms and survival, with little impact on a patient's risk of osteoporotic bone fracture, at least in the short term. That...

Cough-provoking device improves bronchodilation. (Patients with COPD).(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
March 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Use of a handheld mucus-clearing device designed for patients with cystic fibrosis significantly improves bronchodilator efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Dr. Marc A. Baltzan said at the annual...

Levalbuterol no better than albuterol for COPD. (Combo Didn't Fare Well Either).(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Levalbuterol was no more effective than albuterol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to findings from a single-dose comparison trial. Nor was the combination of ipratropium and albuterol particularly more...

Use interferon despite mental, addictive disorders. (Hepatitis C Treatment).
March 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who have a past or current history of psychiatric or addictive disorders should receive interferon treatment, Dr. Mark Willenbring said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of...

Drug combo quells HCV in patients who have HIV. (After Unsuccessful Monotherapy).(pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for hepatitis C therapy)
March 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin worked better than pegylated interferon alone to treat hepatitis C in a randomized trial of 143 patients coinfected with HIV who had failed 6-12 months of treatment with interferon-a, Dr. Maribel...

Higher dose of peginterferon boosts HCV clearance rate. (In Previous Nonresponders).(hepatitis C virus)
March 1, 2003... BOSTON - A higher dose of peginterferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin offers improved viral clearance during retreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who did not respond to standard interferon-ribavirin therapy,...

Whooping it up. (Clinical Capsules).(pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak in Illinois)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Pertussis is making a comeback. An outbreak in Illinois affected 24 adults from an oil refinery and nearby areas in Chicago last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pertussis (whooping cough) is the only...

Blue Stuff settles complaint. (Clinical Capsules).(Blue Stuff Inc. to pay fine for false advertising )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Blue Stuff Inc. has agreed to pay $3 million to settle a Federal Trade Commission complaint that it misled consumers with claims that several of its topical creams would relieve pain from arthritis and other conditions. Promotional...

Risk of falling after stroke. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Traditional risk factors for falling in the general population and in hospitalized stroke patients don't appear to apply to stroke survivors who live at home. The single factor that best predicts a fall in these home-dwelling patients is...

Anal fissure management. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For first-line treatment of anal fissure, nitroglycerin ointment, topical calcium channel blockers, and botulinum toxin injection are all acceptable because of their low morbidity but are "not entirely proven," according to the Clinical...

Be aware of rare skin tumors. (Beyond Basal Cell Carcinoma).
March 1, 2003... DORADO, P.R. -- Although basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer, there are others that are important to recognize, Dr. Elizabeth M. Billingsley said at the Caribbean Dermatology Symposium. She offered tips for the differential...

Topical tacrolimus controls oral lichen planus. (Small, Open-Label Study).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- Topical tacrolimus applied to oral lichen planus lesions three times a day with a cotton swab appears to control the chronic inflammatory disorder in moderately affected patients, Dr. Alison Bruce reported at a dermatology seminar...

What's your diagnosis? (Derm Diagnosis).(impetigo)
March 1, 2003... A female chef presented with a 3-month history of itchy hands and the sensation of bugs crawling on her. She explained that the problem began when she handled raw, rotten meat at work. She was tearful, anxious, and frustrated, noting that other...

Retinoid plus antibiotic equals acne clearance. (Combination Acne Therapy).(adapalene-clindamycin therapy)
March 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- Topical retinoids improve inflammatory as well as noninflammatory acne, which explains why they boost the efficacy of topical antibiotics when the two types of drugs are used in combination, Dr. John E. Wolf Jr., said at the Fall...

Low-dose doxycycline halves lesion count in acne, rosacea. (Try 20-MG Tablets Twice Per Day).(Periostat from CollaGenex)
March 1, 2003... DORADO, P.R. -- Low-dose doxycycline, which is Food and Drug Administration-indicated for adult periodontal disease, is showing promise for treatment of acne, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis, according to presentations at the Caribbean...

Promising alopecia topical may supplement old standbys. (New Option for Androgenic Alopecia).(fluridil (Eucapil) from Interpharma Praha)
March 1, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- A novel topical antiandrogen may offer an alternative to current therapies for androgenic alopecia in both men and women, Dr. Nia Terezakis said at a meeting of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery....

Vacuum constriction an alternative to viagra. (Erectile Dysfunction).
March 1, 2003... RENO, NEV. -- Viagra is not the only treatment for erectile dysfunction, and a vacuum constriction device can be highly effective, Antonette M. Zeiss, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. ...

Erectile dysfunction common among men on dialysis. (82% of Men Affected).
March 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- More than 80% of men on hemodialysis have erectile dysfunction, based on the results of a study with 302 patients. Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with end-stage renal disease was more common among men who were older or who...

Order fewer biopsies with complexed PSA screening. (Prostate Cancer Predictor).(prostate-specific antigen )
March 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Measuring complexed prostate-specific antigen is more specific and just as sensitive as measuring total PSA for detecting prostate cancer in men with total PSA levels between 2 and 4 ng/mL, according to a multicenter study...

Doors never close at urgent mental health clinic. (Round-the-Clock Help).
March 1, 2003... LONG BEACH, CALIF. -- Barbara Kelly was nearly frantic when she pulled into the parking lot of Los Angeles County's Mental Health Urgent Care Center on a windy, Tuesday afternoon, her agitated brother, Larry, in the passenger's seat. After...

Tool eases primary care diagnosis of depression. (Patients Find it Comfortable).(Prime MD Patient Health Questionnaire )
March 1, 2003... TUCSON, ARIZ. -- An easily administered questionnaire could enhance primary care physicians' ability to detect depression and other psychiatric conditions in their patients, Kerstin Grafe reported at the annual meeting of the Academy of...

Internet support groups help patients resolve depression. (Frequent Use).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Depressed adults who frequently use Internet support groups are more likely to resolve their depression, compared with those who use Internet support groups less frequently said Thomas K. Houston of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and his...

Mild traumatic brain injury often misdiagnosed. (Vertigo Issues).
March 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- One of the most common sequelae of mild traumatic brain injury--vestibular dysfunction or balance disorder--is often overlooked because patients have dizziness and disequilibrium rather than "true vertigo," Dr. Edwin Richter said at...

Andrographis paniculata for respiratory infections. (Alternative Medicine).
March 1, 2003... * Extracts of Andrographis paniculata show promise in the treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections. * The herb appears to possess multiple anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory properties. History of Use ...

Aging population behind jump in flu, RSV deaths. (Since 1976).(respiratory syncytial virus )
March 1, 2003... U.S. mortality from influenza and respiratory syncytial virus climbed significantly from 1976 to 1999, largely because of the aging of the population, reported William W Thompson, Ph.D., and his associates at the Centers for Disease Control and...

Norwalk-like virus outbreaks batter Boston area and others. (Nursing Homes, Shelters).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A Norwalk-like virus is big in Beantown this winter. Boston has seen a surge in infections attributed to a Norwalk-like virus: 18 separate outbreaks since the end of November, said Dr, Anita Barry, director of communicable disease control...

Preeclampsia tied to later cardiovascular risk. (Pregnancy Induced-HT as Well).
March 1, 2003... ORLANDO FLA. -- Women with a history of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia have a poorer cardiovascular disease profile over the long term, compared with women with a normal pregnancy history, according to an ongoing follow-up...

CAM fact sheets.
March 1, 2003... Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) fact sheets are available from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. The fact sheets include "Making Decisions About Using CAM" and...

Soy nuts may cut BP in postmenopausal women. (Controlled Pilot Study).(blood pressure)
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Postmenopausal women who ate a 2ounce bag of soy nuts a day had a significant reduction in their blood pressure in a controlled pilot study. "The effect on blood pressure was somewhat unexpected. The reduction was comparable to...

Too little, too much sleep tied to heart disease in women. (Hours for Lowest Risk).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Women sleeping too little or too much may be at increased risk of coronary heart disease, said Dr. Najib T. Ayas of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and associates. After adjusting for age, women who slept 5 or fewer hours per night...

Persistent chest pain common in women after angiography. (Greater Estimated Costs).
March 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Nearly half of women referred for angiography may still have chronic chest pain 1 year after referral for coronary angiography, B. Delia Johnson, Ph.D., said in a poster presentation at a meeting on cardiovascular disease and...

Paralysis common among sexual assault victims. (Treatment, Legal Implications).
March 1, 2003... RENO, NEV. - A large proportion of sexual assault victims experience an involuntary paralysis during the assault, according to several studies presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. The...

Modest weight loss improves endocrine function in PCOS. (Reproductive Benefits as Well).(polycystic ovary syndrome)
March 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Modest calorie restriction can have a profound effect on reproductive and endocrine function in some overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome, Dr. Sarah L. Berga said at a media briefing on pituitary/hormonal disorders...

Women's hair loss not always androgen dependent. (Recognizing Female Hair Loss).
March 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- When treating women with pattern hair loss, take androgen status and hair loss patterns into account, Dr. Elise Olsen said at the annual meeting of the International Society of Flair Restoration Surgery. Female pattern hair loss...

Visual clues aid PCOS diagnosis. (Hidden Hirsutism).(polycystic ovarian syndrome)
March 1, 2003... NEWYORK -- Polycystic ovarian syndrome is underrecognized but could be more widely diagnosed if clinicians were better attuned to its visual clues, including hirsutism, which many patients are effective in partially hiding, Dr. Geoffrey Redmond...

Teriparatide cut spinal fracture risk at all ages. (Postmenopausal Women).(Forteo from Eli Lilly and Co.)
March 1, 2003... Teriparatide increases vertebral density and decreases the risk of spinal fractures in postmenopausal women regardless of age, fracture history, or bone mineral density at baseline, said Dr. Robert Marcus and associates at Eli Lilly & Co.,...

Four clinical factors flag high fracture risk. (Osteopenic Women).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- A series of four simple, clinical factors can identify postmenopausal women with osteopenia who face the highest risk of a bone fracture. The most powerful is a prior history of fracture, Dr. Paul D. Miller said at the...

Strontium ranelate may cut osteoporosis fractures. (Investigational Drug).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- The investigational drug strontium ranelate had "rapid and sustained" antifracture effects in a recently completed study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, Dr. Jean-Yves Reginster said at the annual meeting of the...

Prenatal care race gap shrinks. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The difference in prenatal care use between African American and white women is shrinking. The proportion of women receiving adequate prenatal care rose for both groups from the early 1980s to the late 1990s: from 27% to 44% for African...

Breast-feeding rates still rising. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... U.S. breast-feeding rates continue to increase, according to data from a large national survey conducted in 2001. In-hospital breast-feeding grew about 2% per year--and more than 3% in some groups--compared with 1996 rates. The largest...

Depression, chronic pain link. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Depression maybe a risk factor for the ** set of chronic pain, investigators at ** University of Iowa said. Two-thirds of 252 chronic pain patients who responded to a questionnaire has been diagnosed with depression; depression came first...

Steroids and radiation dermatitis. (Clinical Capsules).(topical corticosteroids seem the best agent for the treatment of radiation therapy dermatitis)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Topical corticosteroid treatment, often used to manage radiation therapy dermatitis in breast cancer patients, may be superior to dexpanthenol cream or no treatment at all, according to a prospective, randomized trial. The trial compared...

History of HRT use benefits breast cancer patients. (Tumor Growth Reduced in Bone).(hormone replacement therapy)
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- Women who have been on hormone replacement therapy before being diagnosed with breast cancer have a significantly reduced incidence of bone metastases, Dr. Info J. Diel said at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the San...

CHK2 appears to confer only moderate breast ca risk. (For Now, No Nothing).
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- Now that mutations in the CHK2 gene have been identified as an important cause of familial breast cancer, the question becomes what to do about it. And the answer for now is, nothing--at least not in routine clinical...

Lab reports on estrogen receptors in breast ca often wrong. (50% False-Negative Rate).
March 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- False-negative lab reports of tumor estrogen-receptor status are a big problem in ductal carcinoma in situ, Dr. D. Craig Allred cautioned at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the San Antonio Cancer Institute. His new...

Preventive induction can lower C-section rate. (Results Contradict Previous Studies).(labor induction)
March 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- Cesarean section rates can be reduced significantly by inducing labor on or before the upper limit of patients' optimal time of delivery as determined by a careful risk analysis, Dr. James M. Nicholson said at the annual meeting...

Undertreatment of asthma a problem in pregnant women. (Try to Avoid C-Section).
March 1, 2003... SARASOTA, FLA. -- The biggest problem with asthma in pregnancy is undertreatment, Dr. Felice Baron said at a perinatal symposium sponsored by Symposia Medicus. Patients, and often their physicians, tend to fear that asthma medications...

Montelukast approved for seasonal allergies. (New Indication).
March 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration's approval of a new indication for montelukast offers an option other than antihistamines for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children as young as 2 years. But less expensive, and for many...

Panel backs losartan for cutting risk of stroke. (In Nonblack Patients Only).
March 1, 2003... SILVER SPRING, MD. - Losartan is approvable for reducing the risk of stroke in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, an expert panel has advised the Food and Drug Administration. In an 8-2 vote, the FDA's Cardiovascular...

Panel backs Carvedilol's mortality benefit after acute MI. (Left Ventricular Dysfunction).
March 1, 2003... SILVER SPRING, Mo. - Carvedilol is likely be be approved for reducing mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after an acute myocardial infarction. All 10 members of the Food and Drug Administration's Cardiovascular and...

Web site matches seniors with drug assistance programs. (WWW.Benefitscheckuprx.Com).
March 1, 2003... To help older patients find out if they are eligible for prescription drug assistance, consider referring them to www.benefitscheckuprx.com. This free service, developed by the National Council on the Aging, allows a senior or caregiver to...

Skin reactions lead to warning on Bextra label. (Adverse Reactions Reported).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Postmarketing reports of adverse events have led the Pharmacia Corp. to issue a warning letter to health care professionals, alerting them to changes in the product labeling for valdecoxib tablets (Bextra). Valdecoxib is indicated for the...

Drug Update: Hormone Replacement Therapy -- correction.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2003... Two errors appeared in "Drug Update: Hormone Replacement Therapy" (Jan. 1, 2003, p. 8). The hormone combination of estradiol and norgestimate (Ortho-Prefest), when used on the labeled regimen for this formulation, may produce either amenorrhea...

Zonisamide may benefit chronic pain patients. (Anticonvulsant for Pain).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Chronic pain was reduced in most patients taking the anticonvulsant zonisamide, Dr. Michael Kaplan said in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In a...

Drug update: prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.(bisphosphonates, raloxifene, estrogen replacement, and teriparatide)
March 1, 2003... Three basic options exist for preventing osteoporosis and fractures in postmenopausal women: the workhorse bisphosphonates, the intriguing option raloxifene, and estrogen replacement. The newcomer, teriparatide, is labeled for treatment only....

CDC issues guidance for new latent tuberculosis test. (In High-Risk Patients).(QuantiFER-ON-TB from Cellestis Ltd.)
March 1, 2003... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is supplying interim recommendations for use and interpretation of a test that was approved in 2001 for detecting latent tuberculosis infection in high-risk patients and as a first-line test in...

Number of TB cases likely to rise, expert says. (Key on Foreign - Born Children).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... KOHALA, HAWAII -- Tuberculosis infection rates could be poised to rise again as they did in the late 1980s and early 1990s, 50 it is crucial to screen high-risk patients and to keep an eye out for the disease, Dr. Richard F. Jacobs said at a...

Twelve high-priority drugs for pediatric studies identified. (Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Lorazepam, spironolactone, and baclofen are among the drugs that are slated to be tested in children this year, as part of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act. These and nine other drugs already on the market have been...

Treating latent TB in immigrants. (Bottom Line).(tuberculosis)
March 1, 2003... Identification of latent TB infections in immigrants to the United States and subsequent treatment with isoniazid is generally the best way to save money and reduce the number of cases of active TB, said Dr. Kamran Khan of Cornell University...

Greater use of allergy shots recommended. (Prevent Allergic Asthma).
March 1, 2003... Allergen immunotherapy should be considered for children with moderate to severe allergies to prevent allergic asthma, according to new guidelines published by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters. This task force was a collaboration...