Medscape Family Medicine Headlines

Physicians Should Weigh Mandatory Flu Vaccination for Staff

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:42:08 EST

A federal advisory committee recommends that healthcare employers "strongly consider" mandatory immunization for employees if voluntary efforts fall short.

Alzheimer's Pathology May Spread Along Synapses

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:01:07 EST

The findings open new opportunities for studying the disease and developing new drugs to halt its progression.

Over 1300 Deaths in Mediator Scandal in France

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:42:33 EST

The number of deaths attributable to heart-valve insufficiency as a result of the use of benfluorex in France is likely more than double that previously thought, a new investigation finds.

Ten Foods Provide Half of Sodium Eaten in US

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:25:03 EST

New estimates of salt consumption from a recent US survey show that 10 food groups provide almost half of the dietary sodium consumed in the country and that 90% of individuals eat more than the recommended daily amount of sodium.

The Winning Diets on All Counts!

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:56:57 EST

Sandra Fryhofer, MD, discusses the winning and losing diets from US News and World Report.

A SHARP Response: Good Combo for CKD but No FDA Indication?

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:50:39 EST

Jeffrey Berns comments on the recent FDA label update for ezetimibe/simvastatin with results from SHARP but wonders why CKD was not approved as an indication for the combination.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Linked to C difficile Diarrhea

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:51:27 EST

The FDA is warning that PPIs may be associated with a higher risk for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, a persistent illness that comes with abdominal pain and fever.

Individual-Mandate Foes Warn of Affordable 'Car' Act

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 19:34:01 EST

In a brief filed with the Supreme Court, state officials opposed to the Affordable Care Act said the individual mandate to obtain health insurance presages mandates to buy cars and other goods.

Generalists Need Education on HF Treatment

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:27:37 EST

A unique study trying to drill down into why cardiologists seem to gain better outcomes than generalists when treating heart failure has identified a number of reasons that this is the case. But generalists--who treat the majority of HF--have to deal with older and sicker patients, confounding the issue. The authors hope the work will act as a catalyst to improve HF care.

War Savings for 'Doc Fix' Complicated by Congressional Rules

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:32:53 EST

Congressional rules could get in the way of using war savings to fix Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula.

Fitness and Fatness Independently Linked With CVD Risk

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 18:07:31 EST

Individuals should be aware that exercising can have positive health effects, even if the weight doesn't necessarily come off, as can losing weight alone, researchers say, although the ideal combination is to improve fitness and lose fat.

Lower Mortality in NFL Players--if Weight Is Kept in Check

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 17:53:37 EST

The reduction in mortality and cardiovascular disease was observed in the smaller players--defensive backs, quarterbacks, and wide receivers, as well as fullbacks, halfbacks, and running backs, among others. For the true giants of the gridiron, the linemen, cardiovascular disease mortality was not significantly reduced compared with the US population.

Self-Monitoring Not Helpful for Type 2 Diabetes

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 17:29:37 EST

In patients with non-insulin- dependent diabetes, self-monitoring of blood glucose had only a modest effect on HbA1c levels at six 6 months.

ACP Guideline Addresses Pharmacotherapy of Type 2 Diabetes

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 17:09:31 EST

The ACP recommends metformin as the initial drug for most patients with type 2 diabetes when lifestyle modifications are not enough to control blood sugar levels. A second drug can be added if needed.