New Recommendations Issued for Treatment of Malaria in the United States
A systemic review of treatment of malaria in the United States, published in the May 23/30 issue of JAMA, provides recommendations to minimize morbidity and mortality of this disease. "Even though endemic malaria has been eliminated from the United States, it remains a leading infectious disease worldwide," write Kevin S. Griffith, MD, MPH, from the […]
Quest Diagnostics and Google Empower Patients and Physicians to Share Diagnostic Test Results Online
MADISON, N.J., May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Patients and physicians have a new way to share diagnostic laboratory data online, thanks to Quest Diagnostics and Google Health, a product launched today by Google. More than 100,000 physicians in the U.S. who use Quest Diagnostics' family of Care360(TM) connectivity products will be able to securely provide diagnostic […]
Annual FIT Testing Detects Colorectal Cancer Two Years Earlier Than Colonoscopy Alone
Annual FIT Testing Detects Colorectal Cancer Two Years Earlier Than Colonoscopy Alone, Study of High-Risk Population Finds SAN DIEGO, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — An interim analysis of a study presented today at the 39th Annual Digestive Disease Week (DDW) Conference found that, among patients at increased risk for colorectal cancer who completed an annual fecal […]
Wound Infection After Breast Surgery: Higher Than We Thought?
Hospital-Associated Costs Due to Surgical Site Infection After Breast SurgeryOlsen MA, Chu-Ongsakul S, Brandt KE, Dietz JR, Mayfield J, Fraser VJArch Surg. 2008;143:53-60 SummaryThe aim of this study, which was conducted in a single hospital, was to determine the frequency and associated costs arising from a surgical wound infection after breast surgery. During the study […]
Combination Low-Dose DFMO and Sulindac Reduce Recurrence of Colorectal Adenomas
Combining low-dose difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sulindac lowers the risk for recurrent colorectal adenomas. The results of the phase 3 randomized trial, which were reported here at the American Association for Cancer Research 2008 Annual Meeting, showed that among patients who received the active drug combination, there was a 70% decrease […]
Gallbladder Removal Through the Mouth Causes Few Adverse Effects
Surgeons from the Legacy Health System in Portland, Oregon, and Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, reported on the first 7 transgastric natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES) cholecystectomies ever performed on humans here at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons 2008 Annual Scientific Session and Postgraduate Course.
New Protocol Reduces Risk for Thromboembolism
Rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) dropped significantly at a large university medical center thanks to a new protocol that identifies high-risk patients, according to findings presented here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Medicine.
Cauterizing Arteries in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Can Be Both Unnecessary and Dangerous
Almost since the inception of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, surgeons have been employing devices that concentrate electrical or vibrational energy to heat and thereby cauterize arteries. However, for more than 7 years, Brij Agarwal, MD, MBBS, MS, and colleagues have been avoiding the use of these energy devices. Dr. Agarwal is a senior surgeon at Sir Ganga […]
Diagnostic Methods to Treat Ear Pain in Primary Care Setting
News Author: Laurie Barclay, MDCME Author: Laurie Barclay, MD Otitis media and otitis externa are the most common causes of ear pain, according to the results of a review of diagnostic methods and causes published in the March 1 issue of American Family Physician.
Review of Adverse Effect Profile, Safety, and Dosing of Antidepressants
Brooke Parish, MD University of New Mexico In 2002, 8.5% of the US population purchased at least one prescription antidepressant.1 Given this relatively high rate of antidepressant use, best practices should be followed in choosing the correct medication and dosing, to avoid adverse events or ineffective treatment.
