Public Health & Prevention Clinical Briefs

• Drinking Coffee Daily Linked to Lower Risk for Progression of Chronic Hepatitis C CME In a large prospective study, regular coffee drinking consumption was associated with lower rates of progression of advanced hepatitis Crelated liver disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• CDC Issues Guidelines for Early Empiric Antiviral Treatment in Persons With Suspected Influenza CME/CE The new recommendations aim to assist clinicians in prioritizing use of antiviral medications for hospitalized patients and those at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• FDA Safety Changes: Ultram, Ultracet, Sustiva, Kayexalate CME/CE The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for tramadol HCl tablets, tramadol plus acetaminophen tablets, efavirenz capsules and tablets, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate powder.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Guidelines Updated on Number of Embryos to Be Transferred During In Vitro Fertilization CME The guidelines advise limiting the number of embryos to be transferred to reduce the number of high-risk multiple pregnancies.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Thiopurine Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Linked to Risk for Lymphoproliferative Disorders CME In a prospective observational cohort study, patients receiving thiopurines for inflammatory bowel disease had an increased risk for the development of lymphoproliferative disorders.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• No Link Seen Between Heart Failure and Coffee Intake CME A prospective, population-based study in Sweden has found no significant rise or fall in risk for heart failure hospitalization or death at increasing levels of coffee intake.
  Heartwire CME, October 2009
• Omega-3s No Help to SSRI-Treated CHD Patients CME The researchers say more study is still needed, as it is unclear whether higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids or sertraline, longer treatment, or a different ratio of EPA to DHA would be favorable.
  Heartwire CME, October 2009
• Superobesity, Greater Chronic Disease Burden Linked to Higher Mortality After Bariatric Surgery CME From 2000 through 2006, long-term mortality rate after bariatric surgery was greater in superobese veterans and in those with a greater burden of chronic disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Prophylactic Acetaminophen Before Vaccination in Infants Reduces Vaccine Response CME A new study shows that the antipyretic acetaminophen may interfere with the efficacy of vaccines and suggests that their use should not be routinely recommended.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Noncorrectable Visual Problems Linked to Lower Survival in Older Adults CME Noncorrectable visual problems were associated with increased risk for death among persons aged 49 to 74 years, and all visual impairments were associated with the risk for death in older adults.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Chlorhexidine Vaginal and Infant Wipes May Not Prevent Neonatal Sepsis CME In a randomized trial, use of vaginal and infant wipes soaked in chlorhexidine did not prevent neonatal sepsis or mother-infant transmission of pathogenic bacteria.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• FDA Approvals: Gardasil, Cervarix, Micardis CME/CE The FDA has approved a vaccine for the prevention of genital warts in males, a human papillomavirus vaccine for cervical cancer prevention, and an expanded indication for telmisartan.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Can Statins Prevent and Treat Infection? CME Results from a new meta-analysis show the pleiotropic effects of statins are useful in the treatment and prevention of different infections, including bacteremia, pneumonia, and sepsis.
  Heartwire CME, October 2009
• New-Onset Breast Tenderness During Hormone Therapy Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Risk CME/CE In a randomized controlled trial, new-onset breast tenderness during conjugated equine estrogens plus medroxyprogesterone therapy was associated with increased breast cancer risk.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Herpes Zoster Attacks Increase Stroke Risk By 30% CME A new epidemiologic study shows that the risk for stroke increases after a zoster attack (shingles) by 30% and by up to 4-fold when the attack involves the eye.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Most Patients With Vaccine Allergy May Be Safely Vaccinated CME A practice parameter also recommends that patients with suspected allergy to vaccines or vaccine components be evaluated by an allergist or immunologist.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Hepatitis B Foundation Issues Guidelines for Pediatric Screening, Monitoring, and Referral CME The recommendations are for practitioners regarding what additional tests to conduct, how often to monitor, and when to refer to a pediatric liver specialist for chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Nontraditional Risk Factors May Not Help Assess Coronary Heart Disease Risk CME/CE The USPSTF found that there was not enough evidence to evaluate the benefits and harms of using any of the 9 risk factors to screen asymptomatic men and women with no history of coronary heart disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Lack of Exercise Linked to Increased Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease CME Based on findings from this observational study, increased physical activity might have a survival benefit in patients with chronic kidney disease as well as in those without chronic kidney disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Excess Body Weight Linked to Severity of Blood Oxygen Desaturation During Apnea Events CME Excess body weight may predict severity of blood oxygen desaturation during apnea and hypopnea events, exacerbating the impact of sleep-disordered breathing in obese patients.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009