Internal Medicine News articles from November 2002

Internal Medicine News archives from November 2002

CDC issues adult vaccine schedule. (Influenza Vaccine well Stocked for Season).
November 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- For the first time, a comprehensive adult immunization schedule is available to prompt physicians, as well as consumers, when individuals aged 19 years and older require vaccinations. But while the color-coded schedule,...

Average time spent with patient during office visit. (Vital Signs).
November 1, 2002... VITAL SIGNS Average Time Spent With Patient During Office Visit Minutes Psychiatry 39 INTERNAL MEDICINE 20.7 Obstetrics and Gynecology 17.9 General and Family...

ACE inhibitor plus diuretic may halt coronary events: stroke patients see 38% reduction in risk of nonfatal MIs, 26% drop in CHF risk. (Secondary Analysis of Progress Trial).
November 1, 2002... BERLIN -- Blood pressuring lowering with an ACE inhibitor and diuretic prevents coronary events and congestive heart failure in individuals with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, regardless of their baseline blood pressure. This...

HRT proven effective for reducing fracture risk: no advantage for women with high BMIs. (Women's Helath Initiative).
November 1, 2002... SAN ANTONIO -- Results from the Women's Health Initiative trial have definitively proven for the first time that hormone replacement therapy can cut the incidence of bone fractures in postmenopausal women. Findings from earlier studies had...

Routine OGTTs are urged upon hospitalization for MI. (Undiagnosed Diabetes Common in Acute MI).
November 1, 2002... BERLIN -- Routine administration of an oral glucose tolerance test in the coronary care unit is an idea worthy of serious consideration, Dr. Lars Ryden asserted at the 24th Congress of the European Society of Cardiology. That's because...

Menopause Society issues HRT advisory. (Many Questions Remain Unanswered).
November 1, 2002... CHICAGO -- A report by the North American Menopause Society offers recommendations on the use of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women but leaves many pressing questions about the therapy unanswered. The effort to provide...

Estrogen, bisphosphonate combo enhances BMI rise. (One Expert's Opinion).
November 1, 2002... SAN ANTONIO -- Estrogen is not finished as a treatment for osteopenia or osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, despite the dramatic results from the Women's Health Initiative study according to Dr. Susan L. Greenspan. Hormone replacement...

Intermittent regimen with new bisphosphonate cuts fractures. (Ibandronate in 3-Month Cycle).
November 1, 2002... SAN ANTONIO -- For the first time, an intermittent bisphosphonate regimen has been shown to cut the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. Treatment with ibandronate--a new bisphosphonate under marketing review by the...

Metapneumovirus is new cause of respiratory ills. (Causes Severe Lower Respiratory Infection).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Human metapneumovirus, a newly recognized pathogen, can cause severe lower respiratory tract infections in adults as well as children, researchers said at the annual Inter-science Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and...

Valacyclovir halved transmission of genital herpes in study. (Controlled Trial of Antiviral in STD).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Once-daily valacyclovir halved transmission rates of herpes simplex virus 2 in the first randomized controlled trial to show that an antiviral medication can reduce the spread of a sexually transmitted disease. The results...

Once-daily antiretroviral therapy in HIV gains favor for adherence. (Low Pill Burden).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- A trend toward once-daily antiretroviral therapy for HIV gained some ground with new data from several studies reported at the annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy A once-daily dosage of 200...

Locally acquired malaria could become common. (Cases Diagnosed in Suburban Washington).
November 1, 2002... Pockets of locally acquired cases of malaria could begin to spring up in the United States. The resurgence of malaria in a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., might be the first instance of what could be an emerging problem in other areas...

Antimalarial drug label change reflects psychiatric effects. (Contraindicated in Depression).
November 1, 2002... Warnings and contraindications have been added to the labeling for the antimalarial drug mefloquine to reflect reports of psychiatric effects. Mefloquine, marketed as Lariam by Roche Pharmaceuticals, is approved for the treatment and...

Reducing blood pressure may prevent dementia. (Scope Trial Data).
November 1, 2002... BERLIN -- Prevention of dementia may emerge as a new indication for antihy-pertensive therapy in the near future, Dr. Lennart Hansson predicted at the 24th Congress of the European Society of Cardiology. And there's another related emerging...

Letters.
November 1, 2002... Society Pays for Malpractice Much has been written recently about medical malpractice, but there has been little written about its impact on physicians as individuals. An admirable physician strives for perfection, seeks and accepts...

Correction.
November 1, 2002... In "Tenofovir Shown as Effective as Stavudine for Initial HIV Therapy" (Aug. 15, 2002, p. 5), tenofovir was described inaccurately Tenofovir is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Participation in executions. (Guest Editorial).
November 1, 2002... Before the advent of lethal injection as a method of execution, the question of physician participation in capital punishment was not regarded by medical societies as a matter of concern since physicians did not function as hangmen, gun...

Does the use of hospitalists benefit physicians in primary care practice? (Pro & Con).
November 1, 2002... YES As a solo general internist with over 2,000 managed care patients, I have found the services of hospitalists to be invaluable in enabling me to provide complete 24-hour care to my hospitalized patients with a degree of continuity that...

Simple test screens for Osteoporosis in men. (Osteoporosis Screening Tool).
November 1, 2002... SAN ANTONIO -- A simple formula can identify men who are at low risk of having osteoporosis and should not be considered candidates for a bone-density scan. The formula, the Osteoporosis Screening Tool (OST), involves subtracting a man's...

Zoledronic acid reduces fractures in prostate ca. (Metastatic Disease).
November 1, 2002... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Zoledronic acid decreases the risk of bone fractures associated with metastatic prostate cancer, Dr. Fred Saad said at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association. Dr. Saad's multicenter, randomized,...

COPD patients face high risk of severe fractures. (Steroids, Smoking are Potential Causes).
November 1, 2002... SAN ANTONIO -- Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have an increased risk of severe vertebral fractures, which often go unrecognized by their physicians, based on a study with 296 patients. "Patients with [chronic...

Botox relieved woman's postop myofascial pain. (After Radical Mastectomy).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Botulinum toxin, widely touted for its cosmetic benefits, relieved myofascial pain due to reconstructive surgery following radical mastectomy in a 50-year-old woman. The woman visited the Brighton PainCare clinic in Portland,...

High bone density may double ca risk. (Study of 418 Women).
November 1, 2002... SAN ANTONIO -- Women with stronger-than-average bones have a twofold increased risk of breast cancer, based on a case-control study of 418 women. The increased risk is large enough to warrant screening women for their bone density and then...

Breast cancer mortality unaffected by self-exams. (Results of Large 10-Year Study).
November 1, 2002... Breast self-exams did not reduce a woman's risk of dying from breast cancer in a large 10-year study conducted in China. After 10-11 years of follow-up, death rates from breast cancer were not significantly different between 132,979 women...

High fasting glucose may flag increased ca risk. (Premenopausal Women).
November 1, 2002... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Premenopausal women with high fasting glucose levels were almost three times as likely to develop breast cancer as premenopausal women whose fasting glucose levels were low. The Italian study by Dr. Paola Muti and her...

No single factor predicts progression to dementia. (Metaanalysis of 19 Studies).
November 1, 2002... STOCKHOLM -- No single risk factor stands out as a strong predictor of a patient's progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia, Dr. Pieter Jelle Visser reported at the Eighth International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and...

Standard pain assessments understood in mild dementia. (Evaluate Pain Via Behavioral Cues).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Most elderly people with mild to moderate dementia can understand at least one visual pain scale and should be asked about their pain more often, researchers in Switzerland have found. Severely demented patients may not be able...

Drug reference: ePocrates Rx. (Digital Assistance).
November 1, 2002... Overview: ePocrates Rx is a comprehensive yet concise drug reference program available for Palm OS handheld computers. Easy access to drug dosing, interactions, and medication cost and packaging information is included. A "formulary" version of...

Vaginal tape limits stress incontinence in obese. (Greater Improvement Compared to Sling).
November 1, 2002... NEW ORLEANS -- Tension-free vaginal tape may be the treatment of choice for genuine stress urinary incontinence in obese women, Dr. Maurice K. Chung said at an international congress sponsored by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. ...

Age at onset of stress urinary incontinence symptoms. (Data Watch).
November 1, 2002... DATA WATCH Age at Onset of Stress Urinary Incontinence Symptoms Age 39 and under 40% Age 40-49 23% Age 50 and over 34% Don't know 3% Note: Based on a HarrisInteractive telephone survey of 1,039 women age...

Botox useful for treating some voiding dysfunctions. (Appropriate for Sphincter Spasticity).
November 1, 2002... ORLANDO, FLA. - Botulinum toxin A, when injected into the external sphincter or bladder walls, allows some chronically incontinent patients to regain bladder control for up to 6 months, Dr. Michael Chancellor reported at the annual meeting of...

Aggressive ovarian cancer linked to overexpression of five genes. (Quest to Develop Multimodal Screen).
November 1, 2002... ORLANDO, FLA.--Overexpression of five genes on chromosome 19 is associated with tumor growth, aggressiveness, and metastasis of ovarian cancer and may prove useful for clinical diagnosis and management, preliminary research suggests. "We...

Hygercoagulability poses risk for vascular bypass. (Poorer Survival, Limb Salvage Seen).
November 1, 2002... BOSTON--Hypercoagulability syndromes were associated with poorer survival and limb salvage following infrainguinal bypass, Dr. Michael A. Cud said at the joint annual meeting of the American Association for Vascular Surgery and the Society for...

Statins reduced erythropoietin need in hemo dialysis patients. (Lower Cost Another Benefit).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK--Dialysis patients who used statin therapy had a decreased need for erythropoietin, the drug that boosts hemoglobin counts and prevents anemia, according to a study presented at the annual conference of the American Society for...

Unstable angina. (The Effective Physician).
November 1, 2002... Background Ongoing reassessment of clinical trial data has prompted the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association to issue an update for the management of unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial...

Second steroid dose for hearing loss unnecessary. (Sympton of Multiple Diseases).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO - If a patient with sudden sensorineural hearing loss does not respond to an initial course of oral steroids, additional treatment may not be justified, Dr. William Slattery III reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy...

Adjust cochlear implant to widen sound perception. (Takes in Music, Noise).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK - Fine-tuning the signal processing of cochlear implants can as much as double the range of perceptible sounds in patients who use the device, Dr. Jay Rubinstein reported at the annual conference of the American Society for Artificial...

Ginkgo studies yield conflicting results on memory, cognition. (Study Design Criticized).
November 1, 2002... Two recent randomized, controlled trials evaluating ginkgo's effect on memory and cognition in normal subjects came to opposing conclusions, drawing criticism about study design, blinding, and drug-company sponsorship. In one study, 203...

DHEA for depression and dementia. (Alternative Medicine).
November 1, 2002... * The supplement DHEA is touted as a "superhormone" that can slow aging, "melt away ease," and improve strength. * Investigational medical uses include depression and dementia; the data thus far have been mixed, and long-term effects are...

Spiral CT put to test for lung cancer screening. (Study Will Compare CT, Chest X-Rays).
November 1, 2002... The utility of screening chest x-rays and spiral CT scans for reducing deaths from lung cancer among high-risk patients will be addressed in a large, randomized, multicenter trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The study,...

HAART sustains drop in cancers in HIV-Infected. (Trend has Persisted).
November 1, 2002... BETHESDA, MD. -- Highly active antiretroviral therapy continues to cut the incidence of HIV-related cancers 5 years after its introduction into routine clinical practice, Dr. Anca M. Bulgaru said at an international conference on malignancies...

Practice staff counseling aided smoking cessation. (In Primary Care Setting).
November 1, 2002... BETHESDA, MD. -- Smoking cessation rates rose "dramatically" in primary care practices where nurses and medical assistants used a brief counseling intervention with patients who smoked, Dr. David A. Katz reported at the annual meeting of the...

Smoking cessation slows loss of lung function. (Compared to Continuing Smokers).
November 1, 2002... Those who have kicked the smoking habit lose lung function at a significantly slower rate than those who keep smoking, reported Dr. Nicholas R. Anthonisen of the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, and his colleagues in the Lung Health Study...

Bupropion boosts smoking cessation success rate in blacks. (Used with Culturally Sensitive Counseling).
November 1, 2002... The use of sustained-release bupropion can improve smoking cessation rates in African Americans in conjunction with culturally sensitive counseling, said Dr. Jasjit S. Ahluwalia of the University of Kansas, Kansas City, and colleagues. In...

Melanoma, pancreatic cancer share genetic link. (Study Finding in Teens with Melanoma).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Melanoma research over the past year has shed new light on genetic clues to melanoma susceptibility and a better understanding of risk factors, Dr. Darrell S. Rigel said at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy 2002 meeting....

Melanomas shrink 50% with adoptive transfer. (Response Seen in 6 of 13 Patients).
November 1, 2002... A novel two-step process called adoptive transfer resulted in more than 50% tumor shrinkage in 6 of 13 patients with malignant melanoma, said Dr. Stephen A. Rosenberg of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. In the adoptive...

Vagus nerve stimulation for recalcitrant epilepsy. (Surgery is Still Best Option).
November 1, 2002... BALTIMORE -- Surgery is still the best option for drug-refractory epileptic patients, but vagus nerve stimulation continues to look promising for those patients who aren't easy candidates for resective surgery, Dr. Christian Elger reported at a...

Data do not support aggressive removal of actinic keratoses. (High Regression Rate).
November 1, 2002... PARIS -- Massive campaigns aimed at detection and treatment of actinic keratoses aren't currently justified by scientific evidence, Dr. Martin A. Weinstock said at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology. Available data suggest that actinic...

Actinic keratoses: preceded squamous cell cancer in 29%. (Follow-up of About 3 Years).
November 1, 2002... PARIS -- Patients with actinic keratoses are destined to develop skin cancer, so they definitely should be treated and followed, Dr. Gloria F. Graham said at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology. That conclusion, based on more than 40...

Tacrolimus rapidly repigmented vitiligo-affected skin in 12 patients. (Effects seen Within 3 Months).
November 1, 2002... PARIS -- Topical tacrolimus repigments significant areas of vitiligo-affected skin and works well regardless of how long the patients have had the disease, Dr. Pearl Grimes reported at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology. In a...

Silicone gel sheeting prevents keloids, hypertrophic scars. (In High-Risk Patients).
November 1, 2002... PARIS -- In high-risk patients, the prophylactic use of silicone gel sheeting immediately after surgery reduces by nearly half the chances of hypertrophic scars and keloids developing afterward, Dr. Michael Gold said at the 20th World Congress...

New formulation. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Lotrel (amlodipine/benazepril HCl) is now available in a 10/20-mg formulation combining 10 mg of amlodipine and 20 mg of benazepril. It is indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure when control is inadequate with calcium channel...

Low-Dose OC. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) tablets have been approved for the prevention of pregnancy in women. This low-dose formulation provides a daily 25-[micro]g dose of estrogen, in addition to progressively increased doses of...

Free asthma medication. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The Promise Program from Advair is designed to help asthma patients understand the importance of daily maintenance therapy, and to explain that frequent use of rescue medications can signal poor asthma control. Program participants receive a...

Post-Op nausea prevention. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Kytril (granisetron hydrochloride) injection has been approved for the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The recommended dose is 1 mg, according to Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., 973-235-5000, www.kytril.com.

Smoking cessation watch. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The QT-Watch is a computerized messaging wristwatch that displays about 500 motivational messages designed to help smokers quit their habit and maintain long-term cessation. It looks and performs like a standard digital watch. The QT-Watch...

Tx for panic, Bulimia. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Prozac (fluoxetine HCl) capsules are now indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. The capsules, tablets, and solution formulations of the antidepressant also have been approved for the longer-term treatment of...

Protective cleansing systems. (Products).
November 1, 2002... FoamCare is a line of protective cleansing systems available in 1-liter and 500-mL formats, along with hand- or color-coded foot-pump dispensers. The line includes antimicrobial surgical hand scrubs, and when used with a FoamCare Double Scrub...

Radiation Tx device. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The MammoSite radiation therapy system--a brachytherapy applicator--has been approved for radiation treatment for women who have had a lumpectomy. The device is designed to irradiate the surgical site from which the lump has been removed, with...

Needle guard. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The UltraSafe Passive needle guard for Fragmin (dalteparin sodium injection) is an integrated Occupational Safety and Health Administration--compliant safety syringe designed to prevent needle-stick injuries while administering Fragmin. It is...

Risks of obesity. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... The Web site, wwwWeightRisks.com, is designed to educate patients about the short- and long-term health risks associated with gaining weight and being overweight. Visitors can calculate their Body Mass Index, and obtain information on specific...

Men and Genital Herpes. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... The "Guy's Guide to Genital Herpes" is designed to educate men about their sexual health, specifically genital herpes, and encourage them to visit a health care professional for diagnosis. Patients can call 866HERPES2, or visit...

Guide to Health Plans. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... "The Health Plan Guide for Women; How to Shop for a Plan & Get the Most Value" is designed to help women understand the different types of health benefit plans available. It outlines the spectrum of managed care offerings and explains how plans...

Asthma management video. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... "Education of the Patient With Asthma," a video from the American Association for Respiratory Care, advises health professionals on how to ensure that patients understand the disease process of asthma, and their care plan for effective...

FDA on liposuction. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health has designed a Web site to provide patients with information on liposuction. Visitors to www.fda.gov cdrh/liposuction/can access sections on alternatives to...

Diabetes campaign in Spanish. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... The National Diabetes Education Program has developed a national health awareness campaign, "Si Tiene Diabetes, Cuide Su Corazon," aimed at helping Hispanic Americans better understand how controlling their diabetes can help prevent heart...

Legs for Life. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... The Legs for Life National Screening Program is a public education campaign sponsored by the Society of Interventional Radiology. The program's mission is to improve cardiovascular health, provide patient education, help physicians identify...

Postpartum depression aid. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... "Taking Care of Both of You: Understanding Mood Changes After the Birth of Your Baby" is a free 10-page brochure designed to inform mothers about postpartum depression. Created by the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association, it...

Self-help guides. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... "Recovering Your Mental Health" is a series of self-help guides for patients with psychiatric disabilities. Created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the series includes: "Building Self-Esteem," "Making and...

Resistant Salmonella traced to Mexican-style cheese. (Northern California).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- An outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella newport in Northern California was traced to Mexican-style cheeses and creams, Dr. Michele Cheung reported in a late-breaking poster presentation at the annual Interscience Conference...

Added L-histidine aids rehydration for cholera. (Reduces Deaths).
November 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Simply adding L-histidine to rice-based oral rehydration solution could greatly reduce deaths related to cholera, Dr. Golam H. Rabbani said at the annual Digestive Disease Week. In a controlled trial of 126 cholera patients...

Recommended adult immunization schedule, United States. (Infectious Diseases).
November 1, 2002... Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2002-2003 Age Vaccine 19-49 years Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) * 1 dose booster every 10 ...

Recommended immunizations for adults with medical conditions, United States. (Infectious Diseases).
November 1, 2002... Recommended Immunizations for Adults With Medical Conditions, United States, 2002-2003 Vaccine Tetanus- Medical Diphtheria...

Listeriosis outbreak in northeast linked to sliced deli Turkey. (Product Origin not Yet Identified).
November 1, 2002... Sliced turkey deli meat may be harboring the strain of Listeria responsible for an outbreak of listeriosis in the northeastern United States that began this summer and is continuing into the fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...

The immune cell activator. (Clinical Capsules).
November 1, 2002... Caspase-8, which is known to help trigger apoptosis, also helps activate many immune system cells to fight infection, researchers discovered. The enzyme may be deficient in some people, perhaps explaining vaccine or immune system failures,...

Lung disease and panic attacks. (Clinical Capsules).
November 1, 2002... Self-reported respiratory and other lung disease is associated with a significantly greater likelihood of panic attacks, reported Renee D. Goodwin, Ph.D., of Columbia University, New York, and Dr. Daniel S. Pine of the National Institute of...

Group a strep holds steady. (Clinical Capsules).
November 1, 2002... The incidence of severe, invasive group A streptococcal disease did not increase during the 1990s, surveillance of five regional areas in the United States suggests. The incidence was stable between 1996 and 1999 in Atlanta,...

Coccidioidomycosis outbreak. (Clinical Capsules).
November 1, 2002... In areas where Coccidioides immitis is endemic, coccidioidomycosis remains a threat to those whose occupations involve disturbing the soil, said Dr. Nancy Crum and her colleagues at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego. This conclusion...

Vascular surgery in diabetes widely embraced. (Outcomes Similar to Nondiabetics).
November 1, 2002... MITCHEL L. ZOLER Vascular surgery should not be withheld from patients with diabetes. The long-held belief that patients with diabetes have a markedly worse perioperative outcome after vascular surgery, compared with patients with...

Extreme obesity proved a risk factor for mortality during CABG surgery. (Rise in Renal Failure, Time on Ventilator).
November 1, 2002... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.--Extremely obese patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting are at a greatly increased risk of operative mortality and perioperative complications compared with moderately obese and nonobese patients. ...

Sleep disruption is common before and after cardiovascular surgery. (Interventions Need Study).
November 1, 2002... SEATTLE--Cardiovascular surgery takes a toll on sleep patterns. Eight patients had 37% sleep efficiency, on average, during the night before their surgery They spent 48% of their sleep time in light stage 1 sleep and 11% of the time in REM...

Insync ICD cut symptoms in severe heart failure. (Improved Quality of Life).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO--Cutting-edge implantable cardioverter defibrillators improve patient quality of life, functional Capacity, and exercise tolerance, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society of Pacing and...

Darusentan for severe CHF falls to EARTH. (Novel Neurohormone).
November 1, 2002... BERLIN--The selective endothelin type A receptor antagonist, darusentan, has struck out as a treatment for severe congestive heart failure. The investigational neurohormonal vasoconstrictor had been the object of high hopes on the part of...

Walking cuts CV events. (Clinical Capsules).
November 1, 2002... For postmenopausal women, walking at least 2.5 hours per week reduces the risk of cardiovascular events to the same degree as more vigorous exercise. In a prospective study of more than 73,000 subjects from ethnically diverse backgrounds,...