Medscape Internal Medicine Headlines

Robotic Right Colectomy: Brief History and Technique

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:24:35 EST

Surgery, unlike Medicine, retains its link with ancient traditions.

New Algorithm Predicts Osteoporotic Fractures

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:01:42 EST

A new risk prediction algorithm for hip and other fractures from osteoporosis is relatively easy to use and can help primary care clinicians identify patients at high risk.

Dietary Antioxidants Could Help Preserve Muscle Strength in Older Adults

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:53:24 EST

In a study in older adults, dietary intake of vitamins C and E was linked with muscle strength, leading the researchers to suggest at a meeting in Atlanta this past weekend that a diet high in antioxidants could play an important role in preserving muscle function in older adults

Millions of Europeans Buy Drug for Erectile Dysfunction Without a Prescription

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:53:24 EST

In Europe, more than six million men bypass the health care system to obtain phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors to treat their erectile dysfunction (ED), according to data released at the 12th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM).

Clinicians Who Look for Pulmonary Emboli With CTA Must Prepare for the Consequences

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:53:24 EST

In patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is more than twice as likely to show an unexpected nodule or adenopathy as it is to show a PE - and physicians need to be prepared to deal with the consequences, warns a paper in the November 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Exercise Tied to Rare Sudden Death in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:53:24 EST

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who have ventricular arrhythmias during exercise testing are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death, UK researchers report.

Diabetes, LV Mass Predict Progression From Prehypertension to Hypertension

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:53:24 EST

Systolic blood pressure, left ventricular (LV) mass, and diabetes status independently predict the likelihood that prehypertensive patients with cardiac risk factors will develop overt hypertension, according to a report in the November issue of Hypertension.

Clinical Features in Early Parkinson's Disease Predict Mortality

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:53:24 EST

Both motor and non-motor features in early Parkinson's disease - including impairments in balance, walking, and cognition, as well as hallucinations - predict mortality risk, according to a report in the November Archives of Neurology.

Evaluating Foot Pain in Elderly Patients

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:37:23 EST

Can you diagnose causes of foot pain? The next review in this important series on geriatric assessment.

Common Myths About Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:36:11 EST

In this installment of the series GI Common Concerns -- Computer Consult, David A. Johnson, MD, discusses some of the myths surrounding GERD and determines if they are supported or busted.

Small Thigh Circumference Is Associated With Cardiovascular Morbidity and Premature Death

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:16:41 EST

Small thighs may be an easily identifiable marker for increased cardiovascular risk

Aldosterone Antagonists and Heart Failure

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:16:27 EST

Are aldosterone antagonists being used appropriately in patients with heart failure?

FDA Expands Use of Maraviroc to Include Treatment-Naive HIV Patients

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:58:47 EST

Clinical data suggest maraviroc- and efavirenz-based therapies are similarly effective for treating CCR5-tropic HIV-1 infection.

Take-Back Programs and In-House Filtration Systems Reduce Pharmaceutical Pollutants and Improve Municipal Drinking Water Quality

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:29:04 EST

Take-back programs, where pharmacies accept unused pharmaceuticals, and a pilot program involving the use of in-home water filtration systems, have been successful at improving drinking water quality.

Plasmapheresis for Managing Natalizumab-Associated PML: A Risky Proposition

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:22:31 EST

These case reports highlight the dilemma faced by clinicians caring for multiple sclerosis patients who develop progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy during natalizumab treatment.

Daunorubicin for Younger Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:20:44 EST

Daunorubicin dose intensification has benefits in select patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Mastectomy Instead of BCS: What Is the Role of the Surgeon's Recommendation?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:18:55 EST

Mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery? Are surgeons making appropriate treatment recommendations?

IL-2 and HIV: Two Definitive Studies Published

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:07:56 EST

Interleukin-2 raises CD4 cell counts in HIV-infected patients, but does it improve clinical outcomes?

Endovascular vs Open Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Remains Controversial

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:02:13 EST

Thirty-day mortality is approximately 20% for endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and 36% for open surgical repair.

Chemotherapy for Stage 4 NSCLC -- New Update to ASCO Guidelines

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:40:30 EST

New recommendations, added to guidelines that were last updated in 2003, include details of when to use targeted therapies.