Internal Medicine News articles from August 2005

Internal Medicine News archives from August 2005

Assess adults for varicella immunity.(News)
August 1, 2005... ATLANTA -- All healthy adolescents and adults born in the United States after 1965 should be assessed for varicella immunity and vaccinated if susceptible, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization...

Employer costs for health benefits highest for union workers.(VITAL SIGNS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Employer Costs for Health Benefits Highest for Union Workers Union $3.41 Nonunion $1.42 Goods-producing $2.28 Service-providing $1.48 Private Industry Average ...

Subthreshold bipolar disorder is disabling, costly: condition affects about 2% of U.S. adults.(Psychiatry)
August 1, 2005... PITTSBURGH -- Subthreshold bipolar disorder is highly prevalent and disabling, according to a nationwide survey of more than 9,000 Americans sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health. About 2% of the U.S. adult population has...

Childhood cancer raises health risks in adulthood.(News)
August 1, 2005... ORLANDO -- Adult survivors of childhood cancers face more than four times the risk of a major health problem compared with their siblings, according to a survey of 10,397 adults diagnosed with a pediatric cancer between 1970 and 1986. ...

SLN biopsy cut melanoma recurrence 23%.(News)(Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial)
August 1, 2005... ORLANDO -- Interim results from the Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial show a significant improvement in disease-free survival at 5 years for primary melanoma patients who underwent lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy...

ACIP votes for routine use of adolescent Tdap vaccine.(News)(Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices)
August 1, 2005... ATLANTA -- The new adolescent/adult formula tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine should be routinely administered to 11- to 12-year-olds, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices...

Incidence of sepsis rising, but case fatality rate falling.(News)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- The rising incidence of severe sepsis in the past 2 decades has been accompanied by a decline in the case fatality rate, Charmaine Lewis, M.D., reported in a poster session at the 100th International Conference of the American...

Amlodipine benefits normotensive CAD patients.(News)
August 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Giving a calcium channel blocker to patients with normal blood pressure and coronary artery disease significantly reduced the rate of cardiovascular events, compared with giving placebo, Stephen Nicholls, M.B., said. The...

Childhood radiotherapy linked to high basal cell cancer rate.(News)
August 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Survivors of childhood cancer who were treated with radiation develop basal cell carcinoma at up to 20 times the rate seen in the general population, with almost all of the lesions occurring within the radiation treatment field,...

New resources for cancer patients.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... An educational CD-ROM and e-newsletter sponsored by Ortho Biotech Products L.P. offers information for newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families. "Strength for Your Journey" covers the basics of cancer, its treatment, taking...

Oocyte cryopreservation in IVF holds promise.(News)(in vitro fertilization)
August 1, 2005... BOLOGNA, ITALY -- Human oocyte-freezing techniques are improving so rapidly that this procedure may soon be incorporated into routine in vitro fertilization cycles, experts predicted at an international meeting on human oocyte cryopreservation....

Phthalate exposure in pregnancy may affect male offspring.(News)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Pregnant women exposed to relatively high levels of a common household chemical compound gave birth to male infants with significant reductions in anogenital distance and smaller-than-average penile volume, scrotal development, and...

Smokers with RA have worse clinical outcomes.(News)(rheumatoid arthritis)
August 1, 2005... VIENNA -- Cigarette smoking confers a clear and significant risk of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and adds to the overall health care burden because of greater therapeutic requirements--including the need for...

Oral glucosamine delays knee replacement surgery.(News)
August 1, 2005... VIENNA -- The use of oral glucosamine by patients with knee osteoarthritis results in a marked reduction in need for knee replacement surgery for at least 5 years after the drug is stopped, Karel Pavelka, M.D., reported at the annual European...

Many overweight arthritis patients aren't told to lose weight, exercise.(News)
August 1, 2005... NASHVILLE, TENN. -- Many inactive, overweight adults with arthritis are not getting medical advice to lose weight and exercise, Jennifer Hootman, Ph.D., wrote in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports...

Governors propose Medicaid reform strategies.(News)
August 1, 2005... The Bush administration has focused on overhauling the Social Security program, but the nation's governors and health providers say the real crisis is in Medicaid. The National Governors Association (NGA) has offered a reform proposal to...

Michigan Gov. calls for physician tax to shore up Medicaid.(News)
August 1, 2005... Michigan physicians are divided over efforts by Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) to pass a physician tax that would help increase payments to Medicaid providers in the state. Under the governor's proposal, a 2.28% gross receipts tax would be...

Referring patients to Al-Anon.(Alcoholics Anonymous)(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... It all started with a booth at a medical meeting. It was a booth for Al-Anon, the group for family members, friends, and co-workers of alcoholics. The woman at the booth told me how Al-Anon changed her life, and I was blown away. I was so...

Is Medicare coverage for ICD implants in patients meeting MADIT-II/SCD-HeFT criteria unaffordable?(PRO & CON)(implantable cardioverter defibrillators)
August 1, 2005... YES The government cannot afford to pay for implantable cardioverter defibrillators in all Medicare patients who meet the criteria established in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial-II (MADIT-II) and Sudden Cardiac...

Schiavo: medicine and morality.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... Dr. David Dahl stated that patients in a persistent vegetative state or a minimally conscious state "should have all artificial means removed so that they can complete the death process" ("Schiavo Case Shows Need for Clarity," Guest Editorial,...

Data collection takes time.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... Your article on the development and impending use of clinical performance measures in the ambulatory care setting sent chills down my spine ("Coalition Defines Set of 26 Clinical Care Measures," June 1, 2005, p. 1). I don't want to suggest...

Problems with performance measures.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... A recent article quoted CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, M.D., as saying that Medicare supports efforts to implement valid, reliable measures ("Coalition Defines Set of 26 Clinical Measures," June 1, 2005, p. 1). If he believes that, then...

Pain relievers.(Opinion)(Cartoon)
August 1, 2005... "That was before the carbs caught up with me."

Vitamin D inadequacy overlooked in osteoporosis.(Rheumatology)
August 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- More than half of North American women being treated for osteoporosis have suboptimal serum vitamin D levels, Anne E. de Papp, M.D., and her associates reported in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Association of...

New cutoff level better defines vitamin D deficit.(Rheumatology)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- A serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level below 30 ng/mL appears to define vitamin D deficiency, Paraskevi Sapountzi, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Vitamin D deficiency...

Once-monthly ibandronate holds its own at 2 years.(Rheumatology)
August 1, 2005... VIENNA -- Oral ibandronate at 150 mg once monthly showed continued impressive therapeutic efficacy in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis at the 2-year mark in the Monthly Oral Ibandronate in Ladies (MOBILE) trial, Pierre D. Delmas, M.D.,...

Why do patients stop taking bisphosphonates?(Rheumatology)
August 1, 2005... VIENNA -- Most physicians remain unaware of the factors that motivate women to stay on osteoporosis therapy, according to the results of a new survey released by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. As a result of this...

Calcium supplements differ in bioavailability, simple acid test shows.(Rheumatology)
August 1, 2005... DEDHAM, MASS. -- All calcium supplements are not created equal. The stomach absorbs some better than others, Michael E Holick, M.D., said at a symposium on bone health sponsored by Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Holick said...

Rituximab found safe, effective in refractory RA.(Rheumatology)
August 1, 2005... VIENNA -- A double blind, placebo-controlled study has confirmed earlier reports of efficacy for the monoclonal antibody rituximab given in combination with methotrexate for severe, refractory rheumatoid arthritis, Paul Emery, M.D., said at the...

Extraarticular signs predict RA course.(Rheumatology)(rheumatoid arthritis)
August 1, 2005... VIENNA -- Early rheumatoid nodules, pulmonary involvement, and malaise with weight loss are predictive of long-term poor out-comes in rheumatoid arthritis, Gouri Koduri, M.D., said at the annual European congress of rheumatology. Although...

Evaluate lupus patients annually for CV risk.(Rheumatology)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... LONDON -- Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should be evaluated each year for cardiovascular risk until specific recommendations are formulated, Heiko Schotte, M.D., said at the Sixth European Lupus Meeting. Results of procedures...

History, physical key to low back pain diagnosis.(Rheumatology)
August 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- A careful history and physical exam, without the need for lab tests or radiography, can help identify any red flags in patients presenting with low back pain, David Borenstein, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American...

Rates of alcohol dependence are high in bipolar II patients.(Psychiatry)
August 1, 2005... PITTSBURGH -- Patients with bipolar II disorder are at high risk for alcohol abuse and dependence, based on findings from a 20-year, longitudinal study with about 600 subjects. The study's findings also suggest that bipolar II disorder can...

Therapy specific to bipolar is useful adjunct to medication.(Psychiatry)
August 1, 2005... PITTSBURGH -- Psychosocial therapy can be a useful adjunct to drug therapy in patients with bipolar disorder, based on results from a study with 175 patients. The study's findings also documented the high prevalence of medical...

Mental illness common, often goes untreated.(Psychiatry)
August 1, 2005... The prevalence of mental illness in the United States continues to be high despite increases in mental health awareness, new medications, changes in public perceptions about mental illness, and advances in treatment financing, according to a...

Diabetes can complicate untreated depression in pregnancy.(Psychiatry)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Women with diabetes and untreated depression who become pregnant face a host of risks to themselves and their fetus if their conditions are not managed properly, Laura J. Miller, M.D., warned at the annual scientific sessions of...

Opioid abuse by college students.(Psychiatry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Lifetime recreational use of prescription opioid analgesics was reported by about 12% of college students, with 7% using it in the past year and 3% in the past month, said Sean Esteban McCabe of the University of Michigan Substance Abuse...

Suicide attempters are at risk from chronic diseases.(Psychiatry)
August 1, 2005... BROOMFIELD, COLO. -- People who engage in deliberate self-harm are at increased long-term risk not only of suicide, but also of death attributable to a surprising array of other causes, Keith Hawton, D.Sc., said at the annual conference of the...

Suicides in the United Kingdom dropped after acetaminophen pack size was limited.(Psychiatry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... BROOMFIELD, COLO. -- Legislation adopted in the United Kingdom in 1998 to limit the pack size of acetaminophen and salicylates sold over the counter has markedly reduced the number of suicides by self-poisoning. Keith Hawton, D.Sc., said at the...

Tight glycemic control cut CVD events 57%: The data provide the first clear demonstration of the impact of glycemic control on CVD outcomes.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Tight glucose control early in the course of type 1 diabetes reduces the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease events by more than half, David M. Nathan, M.D., reported at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes...

Peripheral neuropathy found in 63% of well-controlled diabetics.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was the most common microvascular complication among people with diabetes who underwent a comprehensive annual diabetes assessment, Robyn Anderson reported in a poster session at the annual scientific...

Simple test screens for diabetes in underserved populations.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- The 2-hour capillary glucose tolerance test is a useful screening tool for diabetes and prediabetes in underserved populations, results from a pilot study showed. "If we look at poor, underserved people at very high risk for...

Intervention kept blacks with diabetes out of ED.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- An intensive intervention conducted by a nurse case manager and community health worker over 18 months helped reduce visits to the emergency department, and possibly hospitalizations, among urban African Americans with type 2...

Prediabetes pushes medical costs 32% higher.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- It pays to be proactive when it comes to preventing diabetes. Data from a 9-year study of adults enrolled in a large HMO showed that annual health care costs for people with the highest prediabetic glucose levels were about...

Diabetics who know Hb[A.sub.1c] goal control glucose better.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Nearly half of adult patients who received care at a municipal hospital diabetes clinic did not recognize the term [A.sub.1c], and fewer than one-quarter knew what their hemoglobin [A.sub.1c] level should be, Mary K. Rhee, M.D.,...

Prompt by nurse improved diabetes prevention counseling.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- A simple nurse-based physician prompt significantly improved the rates of counseling for exercise, diet, and weight control received by primary care patients at high risk for diabetes, results from a multisite study showed. ...

Watch for depression, rebellion in diabetic teens.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2005... HOUSTON -- Psychiatric issues can loom large in the treatment of diabetes in adolescents, especially when barriers to compliance arise, Scot G. McAfee, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry. ...

Predicting diet adherence.(CLINICAL CAPSULES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Obese women who lost more weight in the first 2 weeks of a diet program were more likely to maintain their weight loss, reported I. Packianathan of Addenbrooke's Hospital National Health Service Trust, Cambridge, England, and associates. ...

Abdominal diameter index.(CLINICAL CAPSULES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The abdominal diameter index may be the anthropometric measure of choice to gauge prevalent coronary heart disease risk in men, reported Donald A. Smith, M.D., of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, and his associates. Prevalent...

Obese men getting PSA test.(CLINICAL CAPSULES)
August 1, 2005... Overweight and obese men aged 50 years and older in the United States were significantly more likely to have had a prostate-specific antigen test than men of healthy weight, reported Kevin Fontaine, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University,...

Parents of sick children.(CLINICAL CAPSULES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Parents of children who were recently diagnosed with cancer report significant psychological distress and weight gain, compared with parents of healthy children, reported A.W. Smith of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and...

Incidence of ESRD in diabetics has dropped 30%.(Nephrology)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- The incidence of end-stage renal disease in people with diabetes in the United States decreased by 30% between 1996 and 2002, Nilka Rios Burrows reported at a press briefing during the annual scientific sessions of the American...

New drug may aid diabetic nephropathy.(Nephrology)(Ruboxistaurin)
August 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Ruboxistaurin, a specific protein kinase C beta inhibitor, had favorable effects on albuminuria and renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy, according to results from the first human trial of the drug. ...

CKD in pregnancy poses maternal, fetal risks.(Nephrology)(chronic kidney disease)
August 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Kidney disease can lead to complications during pregnancy--and pregnancy can worsen kidney disease, Phyllis August, M.D., said at a meeting sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. "Without normal renal function, pregnancy...

Keep normal changes in mind.(Nephrology)
August 1, 2005... Normal pregnancies have complex effects on the kidneys and on hemodynamics--changes that bear keeping in mind when evaluating pregnant patients with chronic kidney disease, Dr. August said. During pregnancy, kidney size, blood flow, and...

Dialysis brochure offered in Spanish.(Nephrology)
August 1, 2005... The American Association of Kidney Patients offers a Spanish version of its brochure "Understanding Your Hemodialysis Options." The publication describes hemodialysis in general and the types of hemodialysis treatments. The brochure is...

Patient autonomy affects kidney disease outcome.(Nephrology)
August 1, 2005... Patients with chronic kidney disease who take a lead role in managing their treatment improve their chances of transplantation and survival, according to an analysis of data from the Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave 2. The study...

Creatine cutoff for IV contrast seems arbitrary.(Nephrology)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- The cutoff level of creatine most commonly used to determine which patients can safely receive an intravenous contrast agent--1.5 mg/dL--may not adequately identify patients at risk for contrast-induced nephropathy, David F....

Atomoxetine for ADHD helps with comorbid anxiety, not depression.(Adolescent Health)(attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
August 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The attention-deficit hyperactivity drug atomoxetine does not appear to improve comorbid depression in adolescents, but it does appear to reduce comorbid anxiety in children and adolescents, according to data from two studies...

Concerta effective for ADHD in teens.(Adolescent Health)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Extended-release methylphenidate is effective in reducing the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents, Linda Pfiffner, Ph.D., said at a meeting on clinical pediatrics sponsored by the University of...

PTSD found in 16% of teens 1 year after organ transplant.(Adolescent Health)(posttraumatic stress disorder)
August 1, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- Adolescents who have experienced a significant, life-threatening illness can develop posttraumatic stress disorder, according to a study of 104 transplant patients. The investigators found that 1 year after an organ...

Eating disorders, diabetes often comorbid: insulin therapy can lead to weight gain, and episodes of hypoglycemia can trigger binge eating.(Adolescent Health)
August 1, 2005... MONTREAL -- Eating disorders occur twice as often in adolescent girls and young women with type 1 diabetes mellitus, compared with their nondiabetic peers, and prepubertal diabetic girls should be screened for these disorders routinely, experts...

Teens' weight perceptions may affect suicide risk.(Adolescent Health)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Adolescents who perceived themselves to be very underweight, slightly underweight, slightly overweight, or very over-weight were significantly more likely to experience suicidal ideation than were those who thought their weight was appropriate,...

New bipolar guidelines reflect treatment uncertainties.(Adolescent Health)
August 1, 2005... An independent work group of 25 psychiatrists has issued the first new guidelines for the treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder in nearly a decade. The consensus document arose out of a need for updated information first voiced by the...

Interpreting serology tricky in Epstein-Barr mono.(Adolescent Health)
August 1, 2005... PORTLAND, ORE. -- It's easy to misinterpret the results of serology tests for Epstein-Barr virus, so these results should not substitute for clinical judgment in suspected cases of Epstein-Barr mononucleosis in children, Sarah S. Long, M.D.,...

Personal washcloths.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Hygea Hands 'N Face personal washcloths contain aloe and vitamin E to help keep patients skin moisturized. The 6-by-9-inch washcloths are available in 150-count wipe canisters. For more information, contact PDI, Professional Disposables...

Arixtra for abdominal surgery.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium injection) is indicated for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis, which may lead to pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing abdominal surgery who are at risk for these complications. For more information, contact...

Antislip ECG electrode liners.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Traction Liners have embossed striations to help prevent slippage or displacement of sensors/electrodes during transportation or storage. For more information, contact Vermed Inc. by calling 800-245-4025 or by sending an e-mail to...

Metronidazole gel approved.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Metronidazole vaginal gel (0.75%) is indicated for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (formerly referred to as Haemophilus vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, Corynebacterium vaginitis, or anaerobic vaginosis) in...

Proquin XR indicated for UTI.(PRODUCTS)(urinary tract infections )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Proquin XR (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets (500 mg) are indicated for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. For more information, contact Depomed Inc. by...

Trial data added to coreg label.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The label of Coreg (carvedilol) has been changed to include data from two clinical trials that show reduced risk of repeat MI and reduced risk of MI in heart failure patients. Patients participating the Carvedilol Post-Infarct Survival Control...

Changes to Levitra label.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) label has been changed to include new safety information about the use of the drug in combination with [alpha]-blocker therapy. Specifically, the contraindication regarding concomitant use has been deleted...

Pacemaker reduces pacing.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The EnRhythm pacemaker has received premarket approval. The device is indicated for rate-adaptive pacing in patients who may benefit from increased pacing rates concurrent with increases in activity and for accepted patient conditions that...

Enbrel indication expanded.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Enbrel (etanercept) is indicated for the improvement of physical function in patients who have psoriatic arthritis, a long-lasting condition that causes skin rashes and joint inflammation. Contact Wyeth Pharmaceuticals by visiting...

Statins for very-high-risk patients.(DRUG UPDATE)
August 1, 2005... The differences among the six statins available in the United States become sharpest when treating patients at very high risk for coronary artery disease. Moderate dosages of any statin will usually be adequate for lower-risk patients who do...

Antinarcolepsy drug may improve ADHD.(Rx)
August 1, 2005... ATLANTA -- Results from two new studies highlight a possible alternative to stimulants for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Two phase III studies presented at the annual meeting of the...

Green tea extract halted PIN progression to prostate cancer.(Rx)(prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia )
August 1, 2005... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- An extract of the catechins found in green tea appears to be effective in preventing the progression of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to invasive prostate cancer, Saverio Bettuzzi, Ph.D., reported at the...

FDA warns about supplement that contains diabetes drug.(Rx)
August 1, 2005... A dietary supplement available in the United States contains the oral hypoglycemic drug glyburide and could cause life-threatening effects in some people, according to a nationwide alert issued by the Food and Drug Administration last month....

Thoracic-aorta endografts expand repair options.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
August 1, 2005... PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLA. -- Now that the first thoracic-aorta endograft is on the United States market, a revolution has begun in managing thoracic-aorta aneurysms and dissections. "This is a big deal. Dramatic changes are taking place in...

Patients err in warfarin adherence 22% of days.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
August 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Patients' adherence to warfarin therapy should be monitored on a regular basis and not just at the beginning of therapy, Stephen E. Kimmel, M.D., reported in a poster at a conference on cardiovascular disease epidemiology and...

Patients need not stop clopidogrel for surgery.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Patients on long-term clopidogrel treatment don't need to stop the drug before surgery, Richard E. Kuntz, M.D., said at a meeting sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Institute at Washington Hospital Center. "There is...

Despite higher 1st-year death risk, LVADs are urged for older patients.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
August 1, 2005... PHILADELPHIA -- Older patients are much less likely to survive their first year on a ventricular assist device than are younger patients, according to a review of 1,365 patients who have received such devices. Despite this, many patients...

Pycnogenol for preventing traveler's DVT.(ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE)
August 1, 2005... History of Use According to naturopath Michael T. Murray of Bastyr University, Seattle, the earliest recorded medicinal use of pine bark extracts was in 1534, when French explorer Jacques Cartier became trapped in ice during an expedition...

Subclinical hypothyroidism linked to HF in elderly.(Cardiovascular Medicine)
August 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Elderly adults with subclinical hypothyroidism and a thyroid-stimulating hormone level at or above 7 mIU/L are at increased risk for heart failure, Nicolas Rodondi, M.D., reported at a conference on cardiovascular disease...