Medscape Internal Medicine Headlines

UK Experts Advised Rosiglitazone Withdrawal in July

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 18:26:23 EDT

It has emerged this week that UK experts recommended the withdrawal of the diabetes drug rosiglitazone from the British market in July, although this recommendation was not made public at the time.

Evidence of Stress in Hair Predicts AMI

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 18:26:23 EDT

Canadian researchers find that chronic stress that leads to MI is signaled by high cortisol concentrations in the patient's hair.

Ketogenic and Atkins Diets Effective in Absence Epilepsy

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 14:10:24 EDT

The diets, already gaining popularity in several other types of epilepsy, also appear to be useful in difficult-to-treat absence epilepsy.

NSAID Use Associated With Future Stroke in Healthy Population

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 14:03:06 EDT

The results are in line with the increased risk of MI seen with NSAIDs and strengthen the need for more careful regulation of these drugs, the study author says.

Decline in Adult Smoking in the US Has Ended

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 13:39:48 EDT

One in 5 American adults smoke and it's been that way since 2005.

Patient Panel Characteristics Linked to Quality Ratings of Primary Care Physicians

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 11:59:40 EDT

Patient panels with greater proportions of underinsured, minority, and non-English-speaking patients were linked to lower quality rankings for primary care physicians.

FDA Panel Endorses Ceftaroline for 2 New Indications

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 11:55:37 EDT

Ceftaroline gets a double play as the Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee unanimously recommended its approval for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and complicated skin infections.

Contrast-Enhanced MRA May Help Identify Arterial Steno-occlusions in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 11:23:11 EDT

A meta-analysis suggests that contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography has high accuracy for identifying or excluding arterial steno-occlusions in adults with peripheral arterial disease.

Variety in Fruit and Vegetable Intake Linked to Lower Lung Cancer Risk in Smokers

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 11:18:01 EDT

A prospective cohort study shows that variety in fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease lung cancer risk in smokers, independent from the quantity consumed.

New NICE Guidance on Acute Coronary Syndromes

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT

The National Clinical Guidelines Centre for Acute and Chronic Conditions have released new guidelines on the early management of unstable angina and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

The Haemodynamic Response to Propranolol in Cirrhosis With Arterial Hypertension: a Comparative Analysis With Normotensive Cirrhotic Patients

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT

Are beta-blockers a good treatment option for hypertensive cirrhotic patients? This study explores the issue.

Urinary, Circulating, and Tissue Biomonitoring Studies Indicate Widespread Exposure to Bisphenol A

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT

How dangerous is exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), especially for children and pregnant women? This study explores the issue.

Are We Missing Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Primary Care Setting?

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT

Should patients be screened and treated for B-12 deficiency? Is research needed?

Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors Among Primary Care Patients With Previous Stroke or TIA: A Questionnaire Study

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT

How well-informed are stroke patients about the variety of risk factors for a subsequent stroke or TIA?

Sodium Intake Among Adults -- United States, 2005-2006

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT

Read about how reducing sodium intake could help prevent many diseases.

Economic Analysis of a Tailored Behavioral Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure Control for Primary Care Patients

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT

A telephonic nurse-administered intervention could be a key adjuvant strategy for meeting national goals for BP control.

The Evolving Role of Obesity in Knee Osteoarthritis

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT

What is the link between obesity and knee osteoarthritis?

FDA Does U-Turn on Midodrine; Will Keep It Available

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 18:31:16 EDT

The US FDA has done a U-turn on its decision two weeks ago to withdraw midodrine, a drug for orthostatic hypotension. The agency told heartwire it will allow patients continued access to the drug while it tries to resolve the issue of concern: postmarketing studies with the product.

First Europe-Specific Guidance on AF

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 18:31:16 EDT

The European Society of Cardiology announced new clinical guidelines for atrial fibrillation at its congress in Stockholm last week, the first time such recommendations have been prepared by European societies acting alone.

Animal-Based Low-Carbohydrate Diet Linked to Higher All-Cause Mortality Rates

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 18:06:45 EDT

An animal-based low-carbohydrate diet was associated with higher all-cause mortality, but a vegetable-based low-carbohydrate diet was linked with lower all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality.