Internal Medicine News articles from February 2005

Internal Medicine News archives from February 2005

Gene test predicts breast Ca response.(News)
February 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- A commercially available genetic test reliably predicts the magnitude of chemotherapy benefit in women with estrogen receptor-positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer, potentially enabling tens of thousands of women per year...

Median compensation for internists jumps 10%.(VITAL SIGNS)
February 1, 2005... Median Compensation for Internists Jumps 10% Notes: Based on 1,876 medical practices nationwide in 2003. A similar number of responses was received in previous years. Source: Medical Group Management Association KEVIN FOLEY,...

New DNA test's data could shape clinical decisions: seen as step to 'personalized medicine.'.(News)
February 1, 2005... U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the first DNA microarray test will allow physicians to consider patient-specific genetic information before prescribing medications for a wide variety of conditions such as cardiac disease,...

Guidelines: cut calories and salt, exercise more.(News)
February 1, 2005... The nation's newly revised dietary guidelines call on Americans to double their exercise, cut back on calories, and limit sodium consumption to 1 teaspoon or less each day. The "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005" document stresses the...

Groups push to obtain OTC status for Plan B contraceptive.(News)
February 1, 2005... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- A coalition of women's groups recently called for the Food and Drug Administration to approve over-the-counter marketing status for the emergency contraceptive Plan B (levonorgestrel). Waving signs, member organizations...

Medicare to help beneficiaries quit smoking.
February 1, 2005... Medicare is investigating new ways to help its beneficiaries quit smoking. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed to extend smoking cessation coverage to beneficiaries who smoke and have been diagnosed with a...

PhRMA offers plan for registering clinical trials.
February 1, 2005... In the face of bad publicity and impending restrictions, trade groups representing pharmaceutical companies have proposed a voluntary plan for using a clinical trials registry as well as results databases by midyear. The "Joint Position on...

OIG survey says FDA scientists are pressured into drug approvals.(Office of Inspector General)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Nearly one in five Food and Drug Administration scientists in a federal survey said they were pressured to approve or recommend approval for a drug despite reservations about its safety. Half of the 400 scientists who participated in this...

New data cast doubt on IV morphine for ACS.(acute coronary syndromes )(intravenous morphine )
February 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Use of intravenous morphine in patients with acute coronary syndromes is a long-standing common practice--and the focus of new safety questions. Data from the CRUSADE national quality-improvement registry indicate nearly 30%...

Exercise program beat PCI in stable CAD patients.(percutaneous intervention )(cardiovascular events)
February 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- A regular physical exercise program markedly reduces cardiovascular ischemic events in patients with stable coronary artery disease--and the mechanism involves reduced vascular inflammation, Claudia Walther, M.D., said at the...

Weight-lifting regimen delivered cardio benefits.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Pure weight training can markedly improve aerobic fitness, Erika Baum, M.D., reported at Wonca 2004, the conference of the World Organization of Family Doctors. A 6-month structured Nautilus weight-lifting program resulted...

Will HPV vaccine backfire?(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... While I congratulate those who have developed a vaccine that is very effective in preventing the development of cervical dysplasia by human papillomavirus strain 16--purely because of the work and expertise involved--I can't help but think that...

'Primary care psychiatry'.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I am a board-certified internist in southern Oregon and have transitioned into a mostly psychiatric practice due to needs here in our community ("Teamwork Closes Mental Health Gap," Oct. 15, 2004, p. 1). As a result, I am interested in...

Eating disorders need evidence-based focus.
February 1, 2005... Evidence-based medicine is as important when it comes to eating disorders as for every other area of medicine. In this arena, there have been both successes to build upon and failures that must be addressed. First, the successes. When the...

Should patients be allowed to sue after an adverse drug event?
February 1, 2005... YES In 1997, the FDA approved the drug Rezulin (troglitazone) for use in treating certain types of diabetes. Some liver function abnormalities occurred during the clinical trials, but, the manufacturer did not ask to include a warning on...

Anastrozole found more effective than tamoxifen in breast Ca over 5 years.(Women's Health)
February 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- Five years of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole has now replaced tamoxifen as the endocrine therapy of choice for primary adjuvant therapy of women with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer, Anthony Howell, M.D.,...

Anastrozole deemed cost effective as adjuvant therapy.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- Anastrozole is a cost-effective alternative to generic tamoxifen for primary adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer, according to a new economic analysis. On the basis of the 68-month efficacy...

Smaller uteri yield best results with endometrial cryoablation.
February 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Women who undergo endometrial cryoablation for menometrorrhagia with a modified extended freeze technique tend to have the best results if their uterus is 11 cm or less in depth. That finding emerged from a 2-year follow-up...

Microwave ablation yields good results at 6 years.(Women's Health)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- A retrospective study involving 6 years of experience with microwave endometrial ablation revealed that almost 87% of 660 women were satisfied with the outcome of the procedure. Overall, 80% of the women avoided...

Low-grade cervical lesions often regress in young women, girls.
February 1, 2005... Most low-grade abnormalities on Pap smears spontaneously regressed within 36 months in a cohort study of adolescents and young women. The finding supports the practice of monitoring these lesions with regular cytology. Colposcopy is...

Speculum lubricant does not compromise cytology.
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Gel lubrication to ease the pain of vaginal speculum insertion does not adversely affect the quality or viability of cervical samples, William Griffith, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the Association of Reproductive...

Hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.(THE EFFECTIVE PHYSICIAN)
February 1, 2005... Background The issue of hormone therapy after menopause has posed a dilemma for menopausal women and their physicians over the last few years. The practice committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine developed a guideline...

Night sweats tied to history of infertility.
February 1, 2005... PHILADELPHIA -- Women with a self-reported history of infertility are more likely than fertile women to experience night sweats when they reach the perimenopause, Brandon J. Bankowski, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American...

Flaxseed found to curb vasomotor symptoms.(Women's Health)
February 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- Flaxseed relieved vasomotor hot flashes in postmenopausal women in a randomized blinded crossover trial, Lorraine E. Turner, Ph.D., reported at the annual breast cancer symposium sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and Research...

Insole alters biomechanics, eases knee OA pain.(Rheumatology)
February 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- Use of a laterally wedged insole with strapping of the subtalar joint can relieve pain and correct abnormal biomechanics due to varus alignment in medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee, Yoshitaka Toda, M.D., reported at the...

Hip muscle strength may play a role in knee OA progression.(Rheumatology)
February 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- Strengthening the hip abductor muscle may delay progression of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis, according to findings reported at the 2004 World Congress on Osteoarthritis. The study demonstrated that a greater internal...

Low BMI helps identify poor bone health in men.(Rheumatology)
February 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- To identify the male patients who are most likely to have osteoporosis, look for the thin ones, and then ask them about their calcium intake, Bryan R. Whelan, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American College of...

Male osteoporosis often overlooked.(Rheumatology)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SEATTLE -- Even after older men fracture their bones, osteoporosis is rarely diagnosed and rarely treated, according to the findings of a Kaiser Permanente study of 1,171 men. Of men over the age of 65 years with a fracture, only 3.3% had a...

Parathyroid hormone prevents first fractures.(Rheumatology)
February 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- Intact human recombinant parathyroid hormone prevented both recurrent and first fractures in a multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, Mark P. Ettinger, M.D., said at the...

Raloxifene and PTH may have synergistic effect on BMD.(Rheumatology)(bone mineral density)
February 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- Women who are taking raloxifene for osteoporosis do not need to stop taking the bisphosphonate to begin parathyroid hormone therapy. In fact, the two drugs may have some synergy, Chad Deal, M.D., said at the annual meeting...

Bone mineral density predicts fracture risk in men, women.(Rheumatology)
February 1, 2005... SRATTLE -- Bone mineral density measurements are equally good predictors of fracture risk in men and in women, even though men have a lower fracture risk, according to a 3-year study of almost 6,000 older men. Previous studies have shown...

Kyphoplasty well tolerated for compression fractures.
February 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- Kyphoplasty appears associated with a low rate of complications in patients with osteoporotic or osteolytic vertebral compression fractures, according to the results of a prospective study presented at the annual meeting of the North...

Lumbar fusion surgery only slightly better than exercise.(Rheumatology)
February 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- The first long-term, randomized study comparing lumbar fusion surgery with conservative treatment has shown a modest improvement following surgery for patients with lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis, compared with a 1-year exercise...

Addressing fear of movement helps back pain patients.(Rheumatology)
February 1, 2005... HONOLULU -- A psychological intervention designed to help chronic back pain patients overcome fear of movement significantly reduced their activity limitations a year later, James E. Moore, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American...

Almost 30% of men aged 40-59 years are obese.(DATA WATCH)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Almost 30% of Men Aged 40-59 Years Are Obese Percentage Men Women 20-39 Years 22.2% 21.5% 40-59 Years 28.7%...

Economic factors tied to obesity.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The economics" of weight loss need to be improved before many Americans will make a serious effort to lose weight, Eric Finkelstein, Ph.D., said at a meeting on obesity sponsored by Global Business Research Ltd. The economics...

Obese men spend $700 more per year on medicine.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Obese men spend nearly four times more on prescription drugs than do those who are of normal weight, Thomas G. Allison, Ph.D., said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. Overweight men fall...

Optimal BMI for black women.(Endocrinology)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- A body mass index of less than 25 kg/[m.sup.2] may not be optimal for African American women, Anne E. Sumner, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the National Medical Association. "The optimal BMI in terms of morbidity and...

Depression screening averts 'diabetes burnout'.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... QUEBEC CITY -- Diabetes patients and their physicians are at increased risk for burnout, but they can sidestep at least some of that risk by ruling out depression, William Polonsky, Ph.D., said during the joint annual meeting of the Canadian...

A calorie is a calorie when it comes to weight.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Calorie restriction, rather than the carbohydrate or fat content or the glycemic index of the diet, is of paramount importance in losing weight, Ernst J. Schaefer, M.D., said at the annual scientific sessions of the American...

PCPs assigned front line in obesity treatment.(Endocrinology)(primary care physicians)
February 1, 2005... LAS VEGAS -- In theory, team management of obese patients makes a lot of sense. But in the real world, it may not be possible, because the obesity epidemic is too big, trained specialists are too few, and resources are too scarce, Arthur...

Should you counsel your patient against going on a fad diet?(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... LAS VEGAS -- With great enthusiasm, an overweight patient announces plans to embark on a fad diet. The physician is skeptical and wants to steer the person to a nutritionally balanced, low-calorie, low-fat regimen. Does it matter which diet the...

Childhood type 2 diabetes affects next generation.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... QUEBEC CITY -- The long-term complications of childhood type 2 diabetes can stretch beyond the patient and into the next generation, according to new data from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. In a cohort of almost 90 children born to...

Survey shows need for better insulin delivery.(Endocrinology)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Most patients with type 2 diabetes so dislike insulin therapy or its prospect that they would gladly be willing to accept suboptimal blood glucose control to reduce their number of daily insulin injections, A. Brett Hauber...

New tools offer help in fighting thyroid Ca.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- What's new in the treatment of thyroid cancer? A favorable first U.S. experience with intensity-modulated radiation therapy, a promising drug for patients with progressive metastatic disease, and the use of exogenous...

Risk of vascular death linked to resistant hyperthyroidism.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- The increased risk of vascular death seen in a recent study of hyperthyroid patients who were treated with radioiodine was confined to the period before they became hypothyroid and went on thyroxine replacement therapy, Jayne...

Recent research does not support T3 therapy.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Triiodothyronine therapy is most definitely not a treatment whose time has come, a panel of experts agreed at a satellite symposium held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association. Despite...

Islet cell transplant halts pancreatitis pain.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- Few facilities are using autologous islet cell transplantation to treat severe pancreatitis, but the University of Cincinnati recently reported good outcomes with this therapy, Syed Ahmad, M.D., said at the annual clinical...

Head injury can trigger hypopituitarism.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- A head injury can cause immediate hypopituitarism that may last for up to 12 months and set the stage for new onset pituitary deficiencies during that time, researchers said at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society. ...

Some meds can set off radiation detectors.(Endocrinology)
February 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- Patients given radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic or therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures can trigger radiation detectors up to 3 months after the procedure, Lionel S. Zuckier, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the Radiological...

Patients learn stategies to curb severe scratching.(Dermatology)
February 1, 2005... FLORENCE, ITALY -- A brief series of cognitive-behavioral training sessions had a highly significant impact on scratching and profoundly improved the ability of patients with atopic dermatitis to cope with the itching that accompanies the...

More data link tanning beds to skin cancer.(Dermatology)
February 1, 2005... SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. -- One reason it has been difficult for physicians to discourage the use of tanning beds has been that there have been few data actually documenting an increased risk of skin cancer with their use. But that is changing,...

Study examines predictors of ear cancer defect size.(Dermatology)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- Duration and sub-anatomic location of nonmelanoma skin cancers of the ear correlate directly with the extent of Mohs' micrographic surgery defects in this patient population, results from a small study suggest. "Given the...

Diagnostic signs often vary in skin of color.(Dermatology)
February 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- If you're looking for lesions that remind you of coffee with cream, you may miss neurofibromatosis in nonwhite children, since classic "cafe au lait" lesions rarely look that way in children with skin of color. Furthermore, if...

Subcuticular stitches favored for superficial scars.(Dermatology)
February 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- A double-blind comparison of scars closed with half 4-0 Prolene and half 4-0 Monocryl buried subcuticular stitches revealed no significant differences between the two sutures in terms of erythema, induration, and wound opposition,...

Maggots finally getting respect in Wound care and diagnosis.(Dermatology)
February 1, 2005... PARIS -- Using maggots to debride a wound may be hard to stomach, but the technique offers a number of advantages, according to one expert who spoke at a meeting of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies. "They are more accurate than...

Using negative pressure therapy can accelerate wound healing.(Dermatology)
February 1, 2005... With the growing popularity of negative pressure therapy for treating wounds, one expert offered some advice for success at a meeting of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is indicated for...

Intervention's benefits persist in depressed elderly.(Psychiatry)
February 1, 2005... MARCO ISLAND, FLA. -- A collaborative intervention significantly increases depression-free days and improves physical functioning in elderly patients with chronic comorbidities--even 12 months later, Wayne J. Katon, M.D., reported at the annual...

Joint pain may predict risk of depression in elderly patients.(Psychiatry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The presence of pain in older adults is a significant risk factor for clinical depression, Stephen Harkins, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America. Poorly managed pain lowers quality of life...

Anticonvulsant wins approval for bipolar mania.(Psychiatry)
February 1, 2005... The Food and Drug Administration has approved an extended-release formulation of carbamazepine for acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Some psychiatrists said the drug, Equetro, made by Shire Pharmaceuticals...

Physician concerns may limit buprenorphine use: doctors cite discomfort, medical marginalization, lack of support, and policy factors as barriers.(Psychiatry)
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Buprenorphine was approved for the treatment of opioid dependence in 2002, but many physicians are hesitant to prescribe it despite being licensed to do so. Of more than 2.5 million opiate addiction patients in the United...

Nurse-patient interaction helps reduce opioid dependence.(Psychiatry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- A team approach to managing opioid dependence with buprenorphine kept 32 of 37 patients (86%) on buprenorphine therapy at 4 months' follow-up, Daniel Alford, M.D., reported in a poster at the annual conference of the Association...

Buprenorphine adherence poses challenge in severe dependence.(Psychiatry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Patients with severe opioid dependence immediately prior to treatment may not adhere to buprenorphine in an office-based setting, said Michael Pantalon, Ph.D. In an ongoing randomized clinical trial, 91 opioid-dependent...

Smoking at all-time low among U.S. physicians.(Psychiatry)
February 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FLA. -- The prevalence of smoking among American primary care physicians has fallen to an all-time low of 2%. Steven A. Schroeder, M.D., announced at Wonca 2004, the conference of the World Organization of Family Doctors. "That's...

Propranolol, other drugs may stave off PTSD.(posttraumatic stress disorder)
February 1, 2005... Over the next several years, victims of car accidents, crimes, or other traumas who are treated at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital will be offered a commonly used heart drug--the [beta]-adrenergic blocker propranolol--to potentially...

Sept. 11 worsened mental, physical health of many rescue workers.(Psychiatry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Rescue and recovery workers who labored at the World Trade Center site in New York following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks experienced physical and mental problems that persisted for at least a year and perhaps longer, according to a report by...

More PET coverage decisions being held back.(Clinical Rounds)
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Growth in the use of PET imaging is being held in check by individual indication coverage decisions, according to one expert speaking at a symposium on imaging sponsored by the Institute of Molecular Technologies. "We're...

Top reasons for office visits.(DATA WATCH)
February 1, 2005... Top Reasons for Office Visits Diseases of the respiratory system 11.1% Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs 9.3% Diseases of the musculoskeletal and connective tissue 9.1% Diseases of the...

New drugs emerging for nicotine dependence.(Rx)
February 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- With a fuller understanding of the neurobiology of tobacco dependence, potential therapeutic targets have emerged, Robert Anthenelli, M.D., said at the annual conference of the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disease....

Alcoholism drug disulfiram, other agents target cocaine dependence.(Rx)
February 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- Disulfiram, a drug that has long been used for alcohol dependence, appears promising for the treatment of cocaine addiction, Thomas Kosten, M.D., said at the annual conference of the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental...

Risperidone tied to risk of hyperglycemia.(Rx)
February 1, 2005... Patients taking risperidone may have an increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus, according to a warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration. Hyperglycemia--in some cases extreme and associated with ketoacidosis or...

Long-acting ADHD treatment shows promise.(Rx)(attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
February 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- A long-acting formulation of dexmethylphenidate is safe and effective in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to data presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Developmental and...

FDA warns that ADHD drug may cause liver injury.(Rx)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Food and Drug Administration has issued a new warning for atomoxetine HCI concerning the potential for severe liver injury. The drug, indicated for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children, has been...

Pain of fibromyalgia responds to pramipexole.(Rx)
February 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- The dopamine-3 receptor agonist pramipexole significantly improved pain, function, and fatigue in patients with severe, longstanding fibromyalgia, Andrew J. Holman, M.D., said in a late-breaking abstract session at the annual...

Omega-3 fatty acids available in prescription form.(Rx)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Food and Drug Administration has approved a prescription formulation of omega-3 fatty acids for patients at risk for heart disease. Omacor was approved as an adjunct to diet to help reduce triglycerides in patients with levels above...

DVT prophylaxis following orthopedic surgery.(DRUG UPDATE)
February 1, 2005... No antithrombotic agent can completely eliminate a patient's risk of deep vein thrombosis following knee or hip replacement surgery. Venographic studies have shown that the incidence of thrombosis in patients who undergo orthopedic surgery...

Consumer group rates drug cost-effectiveness.(Rx)(Best Buy Drugs guide)
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The nonprofit Consumers Union has issued the first in a series of evidence-based, patient-friendly reports listing what it calls the most cost-effective drugs, organization officials announced at a press conference. The...

Off-label use of tacrolimus, pimecrolimus grows.(Rx)
February 1, 2005... VIENNA -- The topical calcineurin inhibitors constitute the most important advance in topical therapy of inflammatory dermatoses in half a century, Thomas A. Luger, M.D., said at a satellite symposium held in conjunction with the annual meeting...

Clindamycin foam may boost acne compliance.(Rx)
February 1, 2005... Compliance with acne treatment may improve with once-a-day clindamycin foam, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The new product may be particularly useful for patients with mild to moderate acne on their...

FDA nixes Extina for seborrheic dermatitis.(Rx)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Extina, a formulation of 2% ketoconazole in a proprietary foam vehicle, has been deemed nonapprovable for seborrheic dermatitis by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA's Nov. 23, 2004, letter concluded that Extina was not...

Depot drug looks safe, helpful for endometriosis.
February 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCC -- An investigational form of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate is as effective as leuprolide for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain, but it's significantly safer and better tolerated, Anthony A. Luciano, M.D.,...

Contraception Resources online.(Rx)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals has developed an online Contraception Resource Center. The Web site provides information on contraception for health care providers and their patients. For more information, visit the Web...

Fenofibrate approved as adjunctive Tx.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Antara (fenofibrate) capsules (43 mg, 87 mg, 130 mg) are approved as adjunctive therapy to diet to reduce elevated LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B and to increase HDL cholesterol in adult patients with primary...

Remodulin indicated as infusion.(PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Remodulin (treprostinil sodium) injection is indicated as a continuous infusion or intravenous infusion (for those not able to tolerate a subcutaneous infusion) for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with New York...