Internal Medicine News articles from January 2002

Internal Medicine News archives from January 2002

Antifungal Arsenal to expand in 2002. (More Immunocompromised Patients).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Treatment options for opportunistic fungal infections are expected to expand within the year, Dr. Thomas J. Walsh said at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Voriconazole (Vfend, Pfizer) will...

Ezetimibe further cuts Statin's LDL declines by 15%: Ezetimibe may help patients who fail to reach cholesterol targets on statins alone. (Under FDA Review).
January 1, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Ezetimibe may soon partner with the statin drugs to push low-density lipoprotein values 15%-20% below those achievable with statins alone, according to Stephen D. Turley, Ph.D., of the University of Texas, Dallas. Trial...

Two drinks a week spark 38% Rise in Atrial Fib Risk: Light alcohol use can trigger arrhythmia. (Physicians' Health Study).(atrial fibrillation)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Light to moderate alcohol consumption was linked to increased risk of atrial fibrillation, according to data from the Physicians' Health Study. Alcohol consumption was recorded in 1982 for 22,071 healthy American male...

Rhinosinusitis Linked to Indoor Air Pollution. (Homes of Patients Studied).
January 1, 2002... DENVER - Indoor air pollution appears to contribute significantly to the growing epidemic of chronic rhinosinusitis, now estimated to affect nearly 15% of the U.S. population. At the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology,...

Antihistamine Potent against Chronic Urticaria. (Potency is 50-Fold Higher).(desloratadine)
January 1, 2002... MUNICH - Once-daily desloratadine has roughly a 50-fold greater ability to block histamine-1 as that of other antihistamines, Dr. Rudiger Hein, professor of dermatology at Technical University, Munich, said at a satellite symposium held in...

The many faces of Statins. (Heart of the Matter).
January 1, 2002... HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have become the platform of therapy for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, particularly in patients with elevated serum cholesterol. As we have gained more knowledge about...

Can spiral CT replace angiography for the evaluation of pulmonary embolism? (Pro & Con).
January 1, 2002... [YES] The time has come to replace angiography with spiral CT in the diagnostic algorithms used to identify pulmonary embolism. Spiral CT is as accurate as angiography, and it results in safe patient management. When used by itself, CT may...

HRT may slow Menopausal Loss of Skin Elasticity. (Skin Sag should prompt BMD measure).(bone mineral density)
January 1, 2002... MUNICH -- Hormone replacement therapy significantly decreases reductions in skin elasticity that accompany menopause, Dr. Gerard B. Pierard said at the 10th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Dr. Pierard of...

Long Menstrual Cycles linked to Type 2 Diabetes. (Nurses' Health Study II).
January 1, 2002... Women aged 18-22 whose menstrual cycles are at least 40 days long are at heightened risk for the later development of type 2 diabetes, according to the results of a new study. Cross-sectional studies have previously suggested that women...

Medicare expands CPAP Coverage for Sleep Apneas. (Now includes Additional Symptoms).(continuous positive airway pressure)
January 1, 2002... WASHINGTON - Medicare has extended coverage of continuous positive airway pressure devices to include patients with mild to moderate sleep apneas. "This is a tremendous improvement over what we had before," said Dr. W. McDowell Anderson,...

Delayed Complications Cloud Safety of Rollerball Endometrial Ablation. (Endometrial Cancer Concern).
January 1, 2002... ASHLAND, ORE. - Complications arising months to years after total rollerball endometrial ablation raise serious questions about the technique's long-term safety, including the "scary" possibility that women who have undergone the procedure may...

The Effective Physician: Resolutions 2002.
January 1, 2002... Background In the year of the palindrome, gazing backward can be as effective as looking forward to facilitate change in clinical routine and achieve self-assessment for the coming year. Because we have received so many positive comments,...

Support Group didn't add life in Breast Ca. (Prospective Study).(Breast Expressive-Supportive Therapy Study)
January 1, 2002... ARLINGTON., VA. - A new prospective study has failed to con firm that participation in a support group increases survival in women with metastatic breast cancer, Dr. Pamela J. Goodwin reported at a conference on complementary and alternative...

Nutritional program extends survival with Glioblastoma. (Adjunctive Treatment).
January 1, 2002... ARLINGTON, VA. -- A nutritional support program used adjunctively with conventional treatments has boosted survivorship for patients with glioblastoma multiforme, Jeanne M. Wallace, Ph.D., said at a conference on complementary and alternative...

Milk Thistle for Liver Disease. (Alternative Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach).
January 1, 2002... * The effectiveness of milk thistle in liver disease has not been established, according to an evidence report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. * Small clinical trials and long clinical experience in Europe suggest...

Steroid-Refractory Ulcerative Colitis resists Infliximab. (Responders reduce Steroid Dose).
January 1, 2002... LAS VEGAS -- Patients with steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis may be less likely to respond to infliximab, compared with steroid-responsive patients, Dr. Chinyu Su reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology....

Maintenance Doses of Infliximab can keep Crohn's in Remission. (Steroids often not needed).
January 1, 2002... LAS VEGAS -- Maintenance doses of infliximab can prolong remissions of Crohn's disease. Treatment can now move beyond managing flare-ups to maintaining remissions of the disease over time, Dr. Stephen Hanauer said at the annual meeting of...

Antibodies, ALT Guide Biopsy in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. (Liver Biopsy avoidable in most patients).
January 1, 2002... DALLAS -- Primary biliary cirrhosis can be reliably diagnosed without performing a liver biopsy in patients with antimitochondrial antibodies and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels, Dr. Claudia O. Zein said at the annual meeting of the...

Antiretrovirals raise risk of Condyloma by 37%. (Lower Risk Of Oral Candidiasis).
January 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO - Antiretroviral therapy is associated with an increased risk of condyloma acuminatum in HIV-infected patients, Dr. Megan B. O'Brien said at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Dr. O'Brien...

Two Studies Show GB Virus C link to slow HIV progression. (Therapeutic use not yet warranted).
January 1, 2002... Infection with G B virus C was associated with a slowing of the progression of HIV infection in two prospective studies. GB virus G (GBV-C) resembles hepatitis G virus and is sometimes referred to as hepatitis G; it is not known to cause...

Use of Protease Inhibitors may be Tied to Early MI. (HIV - Infected Patients).(heart attack)
January 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Premature coronary heart disease is "a looming problem" in HIV/-infected patients using protease inhibitor drugs, Dr. Scott D. Holmberg said at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. To date the...

Daily Interferon, Ribavirin preferred Therapy in HIV/HCV Coinfections. (Better Than Thrice-Weekly Therapy).
January 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO - Hepatitis. C infections in patients coinfected with HIV respond significantly better to daily interferon with ribavirin than to standard thrice-weekly treatment, Dr. Mark S. Sulkowski said at the annual meeting of the Infectious...

Classic Signs of Meningitis Flunk Accuracy Test. (Kernig's, Brudzinski's Sign).
January 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO - The diagnostic accuracy of three time-honored -clinical signs of meningitis proved abysmal in their first-ever rigorous prospective evaluation. Kernig's sign, Brudzinski's sign, and nuchal rigidity have been written about...

Clinical Role of Rapid Flu Tests may be Limited. (Slight Boost in Accuracy).
January 1, 2002... HALIFAX, N.S. - The rapid influenza antigen tests may have a limited clinical role. These tests are "really only good during an epidemic," Dr. Jonathan L. Temte said at the annual meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group,...

Dysuria, Symptom Duration Flag UTIs in Women. (Avoiding Unneeded Antibiotics).(urinary tract infections)
January 1, 2002... HALIFAX, N.S. -- A simple diagnostic rule for managing uncomplicated urinary tract infections in female patients shows promise as a way to cut unnecessary antibiotic use and the volume of urine cultures. The rule focuses on testing for...

Avascular Necrosis in AIDS. (Clinical Capsules).(caused by certain anti-HIV agents)
January 1, 2002... The Food and Drug Administration and the Veterans Administration are planning a joint study to determine whether certain drugs used to treat HIV can trigger a vascular necrosis. The study is part of an interagency agreement signed in...

HIV Drug Resistance. (Clinical Capsules).
January 1, 2002... The rate at which HIV disappears from the blood during the first week of antiretroviral drug therapy can predict the long-term effectiveness of the treatment in that patient, according to researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and...

Treating Septic Shock. (Clinical Capsules).
January 1, 2002... Goal-directed therapy provided early in the course of severe sepsis or septic shock had significant benefits over standard therapy in a recent study. Of 263 patients who presented to the emergency department, 130 were randomly assigned to...

Flu or RSV?. (Clinical Capsules).(respiratory syncytial virus infections)
January 1, 2002... Respiratory syncytial virus infections accounted for a substantial number of flulike illnesses among patients of all ages presenting to physicians' offices during three successive winters. Of 2,226 swab samples, 480 were identified as...

Pneumonia Treatment. (Products).
January 1, 2002... Biaxin XL (clarithromycin extended-release tablets) has a new 7-day indication for the treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia. The once-daily formulation is indicated for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia caused...

Osteoporosis Monitor. (Products).(N-MID osteocalcin one-step enzymelinked immunosorbent immunoassay approved)
January 1, 2002... N-MID osteocalcin one-step enzymelinked immunosorbent immunoassay has been approved for the monitoring of osteoporosis through the measurement of osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation. The assay measures both the intact molecule and the large...

Skin Refrigerant/Pain Reliever. (Products).(Fluori-Methane skin refrigerant)
January 1, 2002... Fluori-Methane is a nonflammable topical skin refrigerant for the relief of myofascial pain, muscle spasm, or restricted motion. It also can be used as an instant, preinjection anesthesia, according to the Gebauer Co.,

Portable Ultrasound. (Products).(SonoSite l80Plus and SonoHeart Plus portable systems)
January 1, 2002... SonoSite l80Plus and SonoHeart Plus hand-carried ultrasound systems feature pulsed-wave Doppler, tissue harmonic imaging, and ECG capability. The devices, which weigh 5.4 pounds, also offer M-mode for high-resolution assessment of size and...

Short-Course Antibiotic. (Products).(Tequin, gatifloxacin, for the treatment of chronic bronchitis)
January 1, 2002... Tequin (gatifloxacin), a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is now indicated for a short-course (5-day) regimen in the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Tequin is also already approved for acute sinusitis...

HDL Cholesterol Raiser. (Products).(TriCor, fenofibrate tablets, approved for raising hdl cholesterol levels)
January 1, 2002... TriCor (fenofibrate tablets) is now indicated for raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level is too high. The tablet, which will replace the capsule, allows for equivalent...

Anemia Management. (Products).(Aranesp, darbepoetin alpha, approved for anemia treatment)
January 1, 2002... Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) is now indicated for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure, in patients who are on or off dialysis. The recommended starting dose is 0.45 [micro]g/kg administered intravenously or...

Diabetes Care. (Products).(Novolog Mix 70/30 approved for hyperglycemia control)
January 1, 2002... Novolog Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart [rDNA origin] protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection) is now indicated for the control of hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus.

End-Stage Renal Treatment. (Products).(PhosLo, calcium acetate, now available in gel caps)
January 1, 2002... PhosLo (calcium acetate) is now available in gel caps. It is indicated for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease. PhosLo will continue to be available in tablet form, according to Braintree Laboratories Inc.,...

HIPAA Compliance Software. (Products).(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)
January 1, 2002... Regimen is a multimedia and Web-enabled software training and compliance tool for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The program includes an "Introduction to HIPAA" training CD; policies and procedures...

Dispatcher-Assisted, Bystander CPR Works. (Raises Cardiac Arrest Assistance by 26%).
January 1, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. - The odds of surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were substantially improved when medical dispatchers delivered telephone instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to previously untrained bystanders, Dr. Thomas D. Rea...

Prehospital Reteplase Safely Shaves 30 minutes off time to MI Treatment. (ER TIMI-19).
January 1, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Prehospital administration of thrombolytics by emergency medical system personnel can shave 30 minutes or more off the time interval between a 911 call and initiation of thrombolytic therapy in a patient with a potential MI....

Tranilast fails to meet Restenosis expectations in PRESTO. (Yields Library of Global Cardio Practices).(Prevention of Restenosis With Tranilast and Its Outcomes)
January 1, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Investigators for the PRESTO trial are hard-pressed to find a silver lining in the negative results of the largest restenosis trial ever undertaken. Dr. David Holmes presented the data from the just-completed PRESTO...

Drug Update: Influenza. (RX).
January 1, 2002... Antiviral treatment for influenza generally works as a complement to immunization, not as a substitute, for most patients. People at high risk of serious complications from influenza who have not been vaccinated have the highest priority...

Hazards of High-Normal BP. (Clinical Capsules).(blood pressure)
January 1, 2002... High-normal blood pressure raises the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. The increased risk affects both men and women and occurs in all age groups, but is particularly high for the elderly, reported Dr. Ramachandran S....

Transfuse elderly MI patients. (Clinical Capsules).(heart attack treatment guidelines)
January 1, 2002... More aggressive use of transfusion is warranted in elderly patients with acute MI who are found to be anemic, according to Dr. Wen-Chih Wu of Brown University, Providence, R.I., and associates. Existing transfusion guidelines do not give...

Statin inhibits Graft Occlusion. (Clinical Capsules).
January 1, 2002... Coronary artery bypass graft patients whose preoperative lipid levels are brought under control by 4 weeks of statin therapy show the same low risk of later graft occlusion as those with normal lipid status, reported Jan T. Christenson, M.D.,...

Retina Signals Stroke Risk. (Clinical Capsules).(retinal arterioles abnormality shows risk factor)
January 1, 2002... Identifying microvascular abnormalities on retinal photography may help determine the likelihood of stroke in at-risk patients, said Dr. Tien Yin Wong of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and associates. Abnormalities of the retinal...

Final 'Stark II' Self-Referral rules due in March. (Revisions Clarify Earlier Versions).(physician self-referral regulations)
January 1, 2002... WASHINGTON - The final draft of the federal physician self-referral regulations appears to resolve some of the problems found with the original regulations and interim drafts, Sanford Teplitzky said at a meeting sponsored by the American Health...

ACP-ASIM develops policy on Bioterrorism. (Task Force Convenes).(American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine)
January 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine issued policy recommendations regarding a potential biological or chemical attack at a recent briefing. With 115,000 members, ACP-ASIM is the largest...

Good Dog. Bad Owner. (Indications).(dog owners seek drugs for own use)
January 1, 2002... Here's a doggone surprising twist on prescription drug diversion. At the annual meeting of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Dr. Herbert LeBourgeois III reported several cases in which dog owners sought drugs for their own use...

Are you experienced? (Indications).(marijuana usage)
January 1, 2002... Jimi Hendrix intuitively posited what it has taken medicine nearly 40 years to prove: For experienced users, smoking marijuana has little impact on complex cognitive performance. Bight women and 10 men completed three sessions of computerized...

Sleep on Mars. (Indications).(sleep apnea demographics)
January 1, 2002... Obstructive sleep apnea is a "Martian's disease, according to Dr. Nancy A. Collop of the University of Mississippi, Jackson. Referring to John Gray's book "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992),...

I broke my heart in Sacramento. (Indications).
January 1, 2002... Back to Mars. Men in El Paso, Tex., have the biggest waistlines; men in Sacramento have the most heart disease deaths; men in Kansas City, Mo., are the most fit; and men in Miami have the highest rate of erectile dysfunction, according to Men's...

Feeding Fear. (Indications).(increase in sale of snack and "comfort food" items to help people cope with September 11 terrorist attacks)
January 1, 2002... The events of Sept. 11 and recent downturns in the economy are being credited with a surge in the sales of snack items and "comfort foods." According to Information Resources Inc., which monitors spending at 30,000 supermarkets nationwide,...

Allergy, asthma are disease continuum. (Treating Allergy Limits Asthma Risk).
January 15, 2002... ORLANDO - A new initiative from the World Health Organization emphasizes that allergic rhinitis and asthma are components of the same disease process. Patients with persistent allergic rhinitis should be evaluated for asthma; likewise,...

Average compensation of top executives in for-profit health plans, 2000. (Vital Signs).
January 15, 2002... VITAL SIGNS Average Compensation of Top Executives In For-Profit Health Plans, 2000 (*) Average Average Value of Compensation Unexercised Stock Options ...

Anastrozole bests tamoxifen in early breast cancer trial: A 17% drop in risk of disease recurrence was seen in postmenopausal patients. (ATAC Study of 9,366 Women).
January 15, 2002... SAN ANTONIO -- The aromatase inhibitor anastrozole was more effective and better tolerated than tamoxifen as adjunctive therapy in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. The findings, seen in the largest breast cancer...

Preflight enoxaparin cuts deep vein thrombosis: Compression stockings help in low risk. (High-Risk Patients).
January 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. - A single dose of enoxaparin prior to a long-distance flight effectively prevents deep vein thrombosis in high-risk patients, Gianni Belcaro, Ph.D., said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. ...

Practice parameter to standardize use of effective allergen immunotherapy. (Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma).
January 15, 2002... ORLANDO, FLA. -- A task force of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is developing a practice parameter to...

Reclaiming medicine. (Guest Editorial).(maintaining physician commitment)
January 15, 2002... Maintaining physician commitment is one of the most urgent issues facing hospital administrators and medical educators today. Unprecedented numbers of doctors are abandoning practice for administration or taking early retirement. In a...

Pro & Con: Should men be encouraged to have PSA testing for prostate cancer.(prostate-specific antigen)
January 15, 2002... Yes The availability of prostate-specific antigen screening has led to a tremendous increase in prostate cancer screening. The result has been a "natural experiment" on a national and global scale in prostate-specific-based screening. ...

Ranolazine cuts angina symptoms, [O.sub.2] demand. (First Drug in new Class).
January 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Ranolazine, the first drug in a new class, effectively suppresses anginal symptoms without affecting blood pressure, heart rate, or pump function, according to data from the pivotal phase III Combination Assessment of...

Behavioral changes linked to epilepsy drug. (Levetiracetam).
January 15, 2002... PHILADELPHIA -- The antiepilepsy drug levetiracetam was associated with a 31% risk of a behavioral distrubance in a review of 101 patients using the drug. This incidence contrasts with the findings in premarketing studies, which suggested...

Nonsteroidal approved for atopic dermatitis. (For Patients Aged 2 Years and Older).(pimecrolimus)
January 15, 2002... The Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval for pimecrolimus, the first nonsteroidal prescription cream for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients aged 2 years and older. The product, which will be marketed by...

Xigris. (New & Approved).(drotrecogin alfa [activated] from Eli Lilly for the treatment of sepsis)
January 15, 2002... (drotrecogin alfa [activated], Eli Lilly) A genetically engineered version of human activated protein C for reducing mortality in adults who have sepsis associated with acute organ dysfunction and a high risk of death. The first biologic...

Paxil. (New & Approved).(paroxetine from GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder)
January 15, 2002... (paroxetine, GlaxoSmithKline) A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the second drug approved for this indication. Sertraline (Zoloft) is the other. * Recommended dosage: Start at 20 mg/day....

Tracleer. (New & Approved).(bosentan from Actelion Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension)
January 15, 2002... (bosentan, Actelion Pharmaceuticals US) An endothelin receptor antagonist for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and severely limited physical activity. The first approved drug in this class. * Recommended dosage: 62.5...

Once-daily tolterodine for overactive bladder. (Convenient, Well Tolerated).
January 15, 2002... CHICAGO -- Once-daily tolterodine 4 mg is an effective, well tolerated, and convenient therapy for overactive bladder in women, two investigators said in separate presentations at the annual meeting of the American Urogynecologic Society. ...

Inhaled steroids yield better asthma outcome. (Metaanalysis Finding).
January 15, 2002... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids have significantly fewer hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and total health care costs, compared with those treated with leukotriene modifiers, based on a metaanalysis...

Better compliance seen with long-acting [beta]-agonists. (Improved Satisfaction).
January 15, 2002... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Long-acting [beta]-agonists may improve treatment adherence and satisfaction for people with asthma, Dr. Nancy K. Ostrom said at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Of 5,181...

Acute bacterial sinusitis. (Mindful Practice).
January 15, 2002... * A 3-day course of antibiotics may be as effective as a 10-day course in acute bacterial sinusitis. * The chance of recurrence may be as high as 26% with a shorter course of antibiotics. The Problem A 32-year-old woman presents...

Radiologists' interest in mammography declines. (Fear of Lawsuits, Stress, low pay Cited).
January 15, 2002... CHICAGO -- Any hassles that your patients may be experiencing trying to get a mammogram aren't likely to go away, according to the findings of two studies presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Just...

Foam cushions soften the mammography experience. (Pain may be Major Deterrent).
January 15, 2002... CHICAGO -- If you've ever had a patient say that she's never going back for a mammogram because it's just too painful, tune in: Single-use foam cushions significantly reduced the pain from mammograms without compromising image quality,...

Prostate cancer risk unrelated to ABO blood type. (Study of 407 Prostatectomy Patients).
January 15, 2002... EXETER, ENGLAND -- The premise that risk for prostate cancer is linked to blood type failed to hold up in a recent study of men who underwent radical prostatectomy. Dr. Darlene L. Ramsum reported at a health care symposium sponsored by the...

Sage extract may decrease hot flashes. (Pilot Study Results).
January 15, 2002... EXETER, ENGLAND -- Salvia officinalis may prove useful for the relief of hot flashes in menopausal women, according to the results of a pilot study presented at a health care symposium sponsored by the University of Exeter. A group of 39...

Adverse events seen with ginseng combinations. (Effects Reversible and Mild).
January 15, 2002... EXETER, ENGLAND -- Ginseng, when used in combination with other products, is more likely to be associated with adverse events and drug interactions than when it is taken as a single-herb preparation, Dr. Joanna Thompson-Coon said at a health...

Osteoporosis, aortic calcifications are unrelated. (Two Independent Age-Related Processed).
January 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Osteoporosis doesn't cause aortic calcification. Rather, the two disorders seem to be independent processes associated with aging, Dr. Kiyoshi Aoyagi said at an international symposium on women's health and menopause sponsored by...

Second break in 25% in year after vertebral fracture. (Warning Signs).
January 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- One in four women identified as having an incident vertebral fracture in a large osteoporosis trial broke another bone within a year, it was reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology Dr....

AASK shows 140/85 mm Hg slows renal disease. (More Aggressive Goals Unnecessary).
January 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Lowering blood pressure to 140/85 mm Hg in patients with mild to moderate hypertensive renal disease slows renal disease progression as effectively as far more aggressive blood pressure lowering, according to the results of...

Statins don't cut postevent mortality rate at 1 year. (Symphony Trials).
January 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Early initiation of statin therapy provided little benefit after an acute coronary event, based on a retrospective analysis of data taken from a study designed to compare two antiplatelet therapies. The secondary...

Female physicians refer fewer women for revascularization. (Gender Bias Across Genders).
January 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Female physicians were just as likely as male physicians to refer fewer women for revascularization in an analysis of 104,231 acute MIs among Medicare beneficiaries participating in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid...

Real-world adherence is poor in statin therapy. (About One-Third Comply with Regimens).
January 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Real-world clinical experience with statin therapy is often disappointing relative to the clinical trials data, Dr. Dennis L. Sprecher said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. The...

Aerobic exercise bestows a modest 5% rise in HDL. (Blunts Low-Fat Diet Dip).
January 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- A previously sedentary individual can reasonably expect a modest, yet clinically meaningful, 5% rise in HDL cholesterol by adopting an aerobic exercise training program, according to a new metaanalysis presented by Dr. Arthur...

Education didn't improve attainment of LDL goal. (Coronary Artery Patients).
January 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Education did not improve compliance in a year-long, randomized trial in which nurses taught coronary disease patients strategies for reaching target LDL cholesterol levels. However, about 70% of patients reached LDL...