Medscape Today Headlines

Genetic Variants Associated With Risk of Statin-Induced Myopathy

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:32:00 EDT

The findings, according to investigators and an accompanying editorial, suggest greater emphasis in pharmacogenomics could be placed on safety, such as identifying patients who might be at particular genetic risk of adverse drug reactions.
Heartwire

FDA: Don't Eat Jalapeno Peppers

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:48:00 EDT

The FDA issues a warning after finding salmonella on jalapeno peppers.
WebMD Health News

CDC: About 5% of Kids Have ADHD

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:54:00 EDT

ADHD is twice as common in boys as in girls; ADHD diagnoses were up 3% annually from 1997
WebMD Health News

Surgery for Obesity Reduces Cardiovascular Events?

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:08:00 EDT

Bariatric surgery for obesity such as gastric banding or gastric bypass is associated with a reduction in long-term cardiovascular events, a new study using risk models suggests.
Heartwire

Gestational Impaired Glucose Tolerance Linked to Postpartum Metabolic Dysfunction Outcomes

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A study shows that pregnant women with gestational impaired glucose tolerance may have the same adverse outcomes as women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Medscape Medical News

Antibiotic Prophylaxis Recommended Immediately Before Pediatric Spinal Fusion

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

All children undergoing spinal fusion should have preoperative antibiotics administered within 60 minutes before incision to reduce the risk for deep surgical site infection, in a case-control study.
Medscape Medical News

Sorafenib Increases Survival in Advanced Liver Cancer

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib significantly extended overall survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and also increased the median time to radiologic progression.
Medscape Medical News

FDA Safety Changes: Asmanex Twisthaler, Advair HFA, Avelox

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for mometasone furoate powder, fluticasone propionate plus salmeterol xinafoate aerosol, and moxifloxacin HCl tablets and moxifloxacin injection.
Medscape Medical News

Predictors of Severe Infantile Hyperbilirubinemia Identified

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The strongest predictors in infants with borderline bilirubin levels were gestational age, bruising, family history, and rapid rise in total serum bilirubin; phototherapy was effective in this study.
Medscape Medical News

Preterm Babies Have Increased Rates of Medical, Social Disabilities as Adults

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:18:00 EDT

Compared with full-term babies, preterm infants are at higher risk of having medical disabilities in adulthood and are less likely to have higher education, a well-paying job, or a family.
Medscape Medical News

Strategies for Successful Breast-Feeding Are Reviewed

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Although breast-feeding offers significant health benefits for infants and mothers, the United States continues to fall short of breast-feeding goals set by the Healthy People 2010 initiative.
Medscape Medical News

Sildenafil May Improve Women's Antidepressant-Related Sexual Dysfunction

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Women with antidepressant-associated adverse sexual effects who also received sildenafil vs placebo had improved sexual function, in a recent trial.
Medscape Medical News

FDA Approvals: KINRIX and Metvixia

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The FDA has approved diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed and inactivated poliovirus vaccine and a revised indication for methyl aminolevulinate 16.8% cream.
Medscape Medical News

Higher Cutoff Point on Dementia Screening Test Recommended for Educated Patients

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A study finds that a score of less than 27 on the Mini-Mental State Examination in educated patients has the best balance of sensitivity and specificity and that cognitive evaluation is needed.
Medscape Medical News

PEG3350 May Be Helpful for Children With Functional Constipation

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

In a randomized controlled trial, polyethylene glycol 3350 was effective in the short-term treatment of children with functional constipation and established the most effective starting dose.
Medscape Medical News

Screening for Risk Factors or Detecting Disease? DEBATE Divides the CV Community

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:05:00 EDT

Proponents of a novel screening algorithm say cardiologists can no longer ignore the "pathophysiologic reality" that heart attacks don't occur in the absence of detectable vascular disease, while proponents of risk-factor identification and prevention say their methods, while imperfect, have at least been linked to improved outcomes.
Heartwire

Recommendations Issued for Geriatric Screening and Prevention in Primary Care

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A review suggests that life expectancy, functionality, and comorbidities with older patients should be considered when cancer screening recommendations are made.
Medscape Medical News

Embolization of Varicoceles May Improve Male Infertility

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A study shows that embolization of varicoceles in men with infertility may be considered a useful adjunct to in vitro fertilization.
Medscape Medical News

Breast Examination May Not Improve Breast Cancer Survival

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

According to a Cochrane review, breast cancer self-examination or physical examination does not improve breast cancer survival and may increase biopsies of benign lumps.
Medscape Medical News

Risk Assessments, Strategies May Prevent Fall-Related Injuries in Older Adults

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A study shows that fall-related injuries in older adults are reduced when primary care clinicians adopt effective risk assessments and strategies to prevent falls.
Medscape Medical News