Medscape Medical News Headlines

Early Screening of Women at High Risk for Gestational Diabetes Recommended

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:08:00 EDT

In many cases, gestational diabetes can be safely managed with oral agents instead of insulin.
Medscape Medical News

Gene Therapy Reduces Rate of Neurological Decline in Rare Lysosomal Storage Disease

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:26:46 EDT

Progression of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis slows in children who receive viral vectors expressing the normal form of the mutant gene.
Medscape Medical News

Disputed Echo Results From MIST I Require Regulatory Attention, Article States

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:00:12 EDT

Dr Jonathan Tobis argues that the FDA and the MHRA in the UK should step in to clear up the "mist of confusion" created by the disparate residual-shunt data reported officially and unofficially for MIST I. While the FDA is refusing to comment, the UK agency says it has reviewed the data and found no sign of safety or efficacy problems with the STARflex device.
Heartwire

Generic Clopidogrel Imminent, This Time in Europe

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:12:20 EDT

A generic version of clopidogrel is expected to be available soon in Germany and then other European countries, according to an announcement from Swiss pharmaceutical company Schweizerhall.
Heartwire

FDA Backpedals on Warnings in Echo-Contrast Labeling

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:14:00 EDT

Warnings and contraindications imposed late last year have been softened after the agency heard from the medical community.
Heartwire

Naproxen and Celecoxib Do Not Improve Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

In the Alzheimer's Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial, use of naproxen or celecoxib did not improve cognitive function, and there was weak evidence for a detrimental effect of naproxen.
Medscape Medical News

Maternal Infections During Pregnancy May Increase Risk for Childhood Epilepsy

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A study shows that young children exposed to various maternal infections, such as vaginal yeast infection and diarrhea, while in utero have an increased risk for epilepsy.
Medscape Medical News

Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Therapy for Endoscopic Procedures Reviewed

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Guidelines have been issued regarding proper anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatment of patients who undergo endoscopic procedures.
Medscape Medical News

Oral Calcitriol May Reduce Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

In a study of patients with chronic kidney disease and hyperparathyroidism who have not received dialysis, intake of oral calcitriol (oral activated vitamin D) reduced mortality rates by 26%.
Medscape Medical News

Elderly Male Veterans May Benefit From Home-Based Walking, Exercise Counseling

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

In a population of elderly male veterans in a primary care setting, brief counseling improved participation in home-based walking and strength and flexibility exercise.
Medscape Medical News

Quadrivalent Vaccine Against Human Papillomavirus May Prevent High-Grade Cervical Neoplasia

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

In young women not previously infected with human papillomavirus type 16 or 18, those vaccinated had lower occurrence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia related to the virus.
Medscape Medical News

Supine Sleeping Not Linked to Clinical Aspiration in Neonates

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A prospective observational study showed no increases in death or in morbidity related to aspiration when newborns were placed in the supine sleeping position in a hospital nursery.
Medscape Medical News

Anti-TNF Therapy "Viable Alternative" for Rheumatic Disease in HIV Patients

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:32:44 EDT

HIV-positive individuals with rheumatic disease can be effectively treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents, according to a report in the May issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Reuters Health Information

COX-2 Inhibitor Plus PPI Best for Preventing NSAID-Related Gastropathy

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:35:06 EDT

Although all of the common gastroprotective strategies reduce the risk of upper gastrointestinal (GI) complications in users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the combination of a COX-2 inhibitor with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is associated with the largest risk reduction, according to a Canadian study reported in the April issue of Gastroenterology.
Reuters Health Information

Clopidogrel Does Not Increase AV Fistulas Suitable for Hemodialysis

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:39:06 EDT

Although treatment with clopidogrel can help prevent early thrombosis of new arteriovenous (AV) fistulas, it does not increase the proportion of fistulas that mature and become suitable for hemodialysis, according to a study by the Dialysis Access Consortium.
Reuters Health Information

Colonoscopic Competence Requires Significant Experience

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:41:26 EDT

Technical competence in performing screening and diagnostic colonoscopies is achieved only after participating in at least 150 cases, according to a report in the April issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Reuters Health Information

Diabetic Retinopathy Strongly Associated With Coronary Artery Calcium

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:37:51 EDT

Results of a study reveal a "rather striking" association between diabetic retinopathy, particularly proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and the presence and extent of coronary artery calcium (CAC), a reliable indicator of atherosclerosis, researchers report in the May issue of Diabetes Care.
Reuters Health Information

Healthcare Industry, Foundation Offer Reform Plans

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:41:52 EDT

A group representing health plans and hospitals proposed health insurance reforms that would revise payment systems on Tuesday, clashing with a respected private foundation that proposed much more extensive reforms.
Reuters Health Information

Low-Vision Rehab Improves Visual Function in Patients With Macular Diseases

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:44:29 EDT

Low-vision therapy for patients with moderate to severe vision loss from macular diseases can substantially improve reading ability, mobility, and overall visual function, according to a report in the May issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
Reuters Health Information

MRI Shows Frequent Temporomandibular Joint Involvement in Juvenile Arthritis

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:48:34 EDT

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but not ultrasound, is often found at the onset of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), according to Pennsylvania-based researchers.
Reuters Health Information