-
Interleukin 12/23 Monoclonal Antibody Useful for Psoriasis
Ustekinumab, a human monoclonal antibody directed against interleukin 12 and 23, is an effective treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, according to the results of the PHOENIX 1 and 2 trials appearing in the May 17th issue of The Lancet.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
Shingles Vaccine Recommended for All Older Adults
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that all adults age 60 and older receive a dose of the zoster vaccine (Zostavax), even if they have had shingles previously.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
CME
FDA Safety Changes: Cipro, Herceptin, Antimicrobial and Monolactam Antibiotics
The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for ciprofloxacin, trastuzumab intravenous infusion, erythromycin, and aztreonam injection for intravenous use.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
Trauma and Certain Exposures Linked to the Onset of Arthritis in Psoriasis
A number of environmental exposures, including trauma, are associated with the onset of inflammatory arthritis in patients with psoriasis, findings published in the May issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases indicate.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
Filaggrin Gene Mutations Predict Course of Eczema
Common mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) confer risk of eczema and are a strong determinant of disease duration with the development of asthma, according to a study conducted in the United Kingdom.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
What Your Patients Are Reading: Long-Term NSAID Use Protective Against Alzheimer's
Long-term use of NSAIDs (particularly ibuprofen) may ward off dementia, hypertension is responsible for a large percentage of disease burden worldwide, chocolate may lower the risk for preeclampsia, exclusively breast-fed children are smarter than their classmates, and cosmetic filler injections may cause acute renal failure.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
Cost -- Not Evidence -- Driving Shift in Cancer Screening
High-deductible health plans could be prompting patients to choose fully covered screening tests to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
Medicare Expected to Exceed $21 Billion for Elderly Cancer Patients
The startling estimate is based on 5 years of cancer care for American patients 65 years or older.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
CME
Diagnosis and Management of Vulvar Skin Disorders Reviewed
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a practice bulletin reviewing available diagnostic methods and management strategies for vulvar skin disorders.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
Renal Failure Linked to Cosmetic Soft-Tissue Filler Injections
Three cases of renal failure were reported in women who had received cosmetic soft-tissue filler injections by an unlicensed practitioner at a facility in North Carolina.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
Alefacept Effective for Treating Scalp Psoriasis
Alefacept, an immunomodulatory biologic agent that targets T cells, is effective in treating scalp psoriasis in adults, according to a report in the April issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
Misdiagnoses Caused in Part by Overconfidence
The rate of diagnostic error is as high as 15%; physician overconfidence and a lack of feedback after diagnosis are the most important contributors to the problem.
WebMD Health News, April 2008
-
Allodynia Prevalence and Severity Varies With Headache Type
Patients with migraine headaches are more likely to develop cutaneous allodynia than people who suffer other types of headache, a new study suggests.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Betamethasone Oral Mini-Pulse Therapy an Option in Oral Lichen Planus
Patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus respond equally well to betamethasone oral mini-pulse therapy and to topical triamcinolone acetonide, but they may respond more quickly to betamethasone, results of a randomized comparative study indicate.
Reuters Health Information, April 2008
-
Researchers Point to Flaws in Recent Cancer Studies
Observational studies of treatment outcomes must be viewed with caution, investigators urge.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
CME/CE
Guidelines Issued for Treating Atopic Eczema in Children
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued clinical guidelines for all healthcare clinicians for the treatment of atopic eczema in children.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Melanoma Survival Worse With Scalp or Neck Involvement
Melanomas of the neck or scalp are associated with worse survival than those affecting other sites, including those involving the nearby face and ears, according to a report in the Archives of Dermatology for April.
Reuters Health Information, April 2008
-
Interferon-Gamma Release Assays Could Supplant Tuberculin Skin Test
An interferon-gamma release assay is superior to the tuberculin skin test in identifying individuals at high risk of progressing to active tuberculosis (TB), among foreign-born populations with high rates of previous bacille Calmette-Gurin (BCG) vaccination for TB, according to a report by U.S. researchers in the April issue of Chest.
Reuters Health Information, April 2008
-
CME/CE
Review Addresses Strategies for Patient Adherence to Medications
An updated review provides various methods of encouraging patients to adhere to their medications, but the reviewers say that there are significant limitations and that more research is needed.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
CME/CE
Lesion Diameter Still Important in Early Detection of Cutaneous Melanoma
A cohort study supports a diameter criterion of a suspicious skin lesion larger than 6 mm as a useful guideline for the early detection of cutaneous melanoma.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
