Medscape Medical News Headlines

Safety-Net Emergency Departments No Slower

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 20:49:31 EST

A new study suggests that safety-net and non-safety-net institutions show no disparity in time frames for care.

Child Abuse Linked to High Financial Burden

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 20:40:38 EST

Lifetime medical costs for abused kids outstrip those for type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Exemestane for Breast Cancer Prevention Weakens Bones

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 19:01:00 EST

Results from a small substudy of patients taking part in a landmark trial that established exemestane for breast cancer prevention show that the drug significantly worsens age-related bone loss.

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.

Hypothermia Might Boost Survival in MI Shock

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 17:42:03 EST

Some data suggest therapeutic hypothermia might reduce the currently high mortality from cardiogenic shock; let's do the necessary clinical studies to see whether it might be true, urges a published viewpoint.

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.

ICDs Charged With Sex Discrimination: Women Get Fewer Shocks

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 17:25:23 EST

Differences in appropriate-therapy and device-related complication rates in a prospective study question (once again) whether women and men should have the same ICD-eligibility criteria.

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.

Long-Term Benefits With Chemoradiation for Bladder Cancer

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:40:28 EST

An analysis of 6 studies shows that bladder preservation therapy with chemotherapy and high-dose radiation is a viable option for patients with less advanced and less bulky disease.

Beta Amyloid Alters Cognition Even in Healthy Adults

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:33:18 EST

About 20% of participants older than 60 years in a new study had amyloid accumulations.

Multidrug-Resistant TB Cases Increasing Worldwide

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:12:37 EST

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis rates are as high as 65.1% in one Eastern European country, and extensively drug-resistant disease have topped 10% in former Soviet Union countries and South Africa.

Focus on CKD Patients With Highest SBP: KEEP

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 15:43:13 EST

A new, contemporary study in real-world patients with chronic kidney disease finds that those with systolic BPs of 140 mm Hg and higher are at the greatest risk of developing end-stage renal disease. Hence the current "goal" in CKD patients of 130 mm Hg should be revised upward, say the authors, making the target easier to achieve and allowing physicians to focus on other aspects of care.

'Irrational' Choices Stall Adoption of New Antiplatelets

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 15:20:48 EST

Dr David Cohen points out some of physicians' potential "psychological" barriers to more rapid adoption of new antiplatelet agents, even though they may be the best choice for their patients.

Central-Line Infections to be Disclosed Nationwide

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 14:36:22 EST

The Department of Health and Human Services has reported the incidence of hospital-associated infections for the first time.

Coffee Lowers Liver Fibrosis Risk in Certain Patients

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 14:21:42 EST

Researchers have found that increased coffee drinking reduces the risk for liver fibrosis in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

After Stem Cell Transplant, Children Soon Recover Emotionally

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 14:10:01 EST

A surprising new study shows that most children make a complete emotional recovery after stem cell transplantation.

Pain Negatively Affects Cognition in Fibromyalgia

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:15:26 EST

Pain decreased mathematical abilities and attention control more than depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep complaints, or medication use.

The Case for Retaining Bereavement Exclusion in DSM-5

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:50:27 EST

Two researchers argue that existing data do not support expanding the category of major depression by removing the bereavement exclusion.

Fewer Calories Does Not Reduce Ventilator Use

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:47:48 EST

Trophic enteral feeding was no better than full enteral feeding in reducing ventilator use among critically ill patients with acute lung injury.