Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Nursing for April 2016. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Generic Crestor Approved by FDA
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The first generic version of Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) tablets was approved Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
First Zika-Related Death in Puerto Rico Reported
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The first known Zika virus-linked death in Puerto Rico was announced Friday by officials of the U.S. territory.
Hearing Aids Linked to Stronger Scores on Mini-Mental Exam
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that hearing aids might help prevent or slow the development of dementia in elderly people with hearing loss. The study was published online April 25 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Costs for Orally Administered Cancer Drugs Up Since 2000
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Prices of orally administered cancer medications in the United States have risen sharply since 2000, according to a study published online April 28 in JAMA Oncology.
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Wide Variation in Health Care Costs Across the U.S.
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Health care prices vary widely across the United States, even within the same state, according to a study published in the April issue of Health Affairs.
First Commercial Zika Test Approved by FDA
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The first commercial test to diagnose Zika virus was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Acute Diverticulitis No Worse in Younger Patients
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Younger patients do not have worse clinical presentation of acute diverticulitis, according to a study published online April 23 in the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
New Six-Item Scale Predicts Sleep Apnea in Children
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A newly developed six-question scale has good predictive utility for identifying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, according to a study published online April 25 in Pediatric Anesthesia.
Guidelines Developed for Management of Atopic Dermatitis
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). The guidelines were published online April 14 in The Journal of Dermatology.
Picture-Guided Cards Can Help Chaplains Provide Spiritual Care
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Picture-guided spiritual care is feasible among mechanically ventilated adults and may reduce their anxiety, according to a study published online April 20 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Yoga Tied to Small Improvements in QoL, Symptoms in Asthma
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with asthma, yoga seems to lead to small improvements in quality of life and symptoms, according to a review published online April 27 in The Cochrane Library.
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Article Discusses Workplace Violence in Health Care
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is a lack of data relating to the prevalence of workplace violence in health care and how to address it, according to a review article published in the April 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Pain Most Frequent Cause of ER Visits Post Ureteroscopy
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Most patients who present to the emergency department after undergoing elective ureteroscopy complain of pain alone, according to a study published in the May issue of The Journal of Urology.
Shared Decision-Making Should Be Encouraged in ICU
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Shared decision-making should be implemented in the intensive care unit (ICU) as a collaborative process involving patients (or their surrogates) and clinicians, according to a policy statement published online April 20 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Rates of Acid Suppression Med Rx Still Too High in NICUs
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Despite reported risks, nearly one in four infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are given histamine-2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors, according to a study published April 27 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Rosacea Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Rosacea may be linked to a higher risk for dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to research published online April 28 in the Annals of Neurology.
CDC: Births of Triplets, Quadruplets on Decline in U.S.
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Since 1998, births of three or more babies at once have fallen by more than 40 percent in the United States, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) published in the April issue of the NCHS Data Brief.
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Review: Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Hearing Impairment
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Type 2 diabetes may raise the risk of hearing loss, according to a review published recently in Current Diabetes Reports.
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Review Compares Metformin, OCPs for Teens With PCOS
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), treatment with metformin and oral contraceptive pills can be beneficial, although evidence is limited, according to a review published online April 28 in Pediatrics.
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Preventive Topical Steroids Cut Atopic Dermatitis Severity
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Intermittent preventive administration of topical corticosteroids in children controls the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a study published online April 14 in the Journal of Dermatology.
Some Primary Care Physician Finances Are Improving
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The financial outlook for primary care practices is improving, but not all practices are experiencing the same improvements, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Mindfulness Therapy May Help Ease Recurrent Depression
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy may help reduce the risk of repeated episodes of depression, according to a study published online April 27 in JAMA Psychiatry.
U.S. Health Report Card Finds Racial, Ethnic Disparities Persist
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — An update on Americans’ health finds that racial and ethnic disparities persist, with significant gaps in obesity, cesarean births, and dental care. But advances have been made in some important areas, including infant mortality rates, women smokers, and numbers of uninsured, according to the new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Certain Nutraceuticals May Augment Antidepressant Effects
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Certain nutritional supplements may improve the effectiveness of antidepressants, according to research published online April 26 in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
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FDA: Fluconazole Linked to Increased Miscarriage Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Health care professionals should use caution when prescribing the oral antifungal drug fluconazole (Diflucan) during pregnancy because it may raise the risk of miscarriage, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
Atomoxetine Use Doesn’t Up Suicide Risk in Children
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with the selective noradrenalin-reuptake-inhibitor atomoxetine is not associated with increased suicide risk compared with stimulant use in children and adolescents, according to a study published online April 26 in Pediatrics.
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Optimally Timed Follow-Up Cuts Readmissions After Cystectomy
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Detection of concerning symptoms after radical cystectomy can be improved by optimizing the timing and number of outpatient encounters, according to a study published in the May issue of The Journal of Urology.
Influenza Vaccination Timing Appears to Affect Efficacy
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Influenza vaccination may be more effective when people receive it in the morning than in the afternoon, according to a study published online April 26 in Vaccine.
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Coronary Heart Disease Risk Up for Women Working Night Shifts
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women who work rotating night shifts may face a slightly increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a report published in the April 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Severe Childhood Obesity Still on the Rise in the United States
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Examining national data from 1999 through 2014, researchers found that one-third of American children aged 2 to 19 were overweight, nearly one-quarter were obese, and more than 2 percent were severely obese. The report was published online April 25 in Obesity.
Pharmacists Can Manage Some Chronic Conditions Effectively
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Pharmacists can do an effective job helping chronically ill patients manage their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels if they’re allowed to direct patients’ health care, according to an evidence review published online April 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Triple Therapy No Benefit for COPD Exacerbations
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The addition of tiotropium to long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and/or inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) does not reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations compared to LABA/ICS alone, according to a study published online April 20 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Direct Primary Care Is Emerging Business Model
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Direct primary care, where doctors bypass insurance companies, is an emerging business model, according to an article published in The Boston Globe.
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Higher Arsenic Levels Detected in Infants Fed Rice-Based Cereals
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Infants fed rice-based foods may have significantly higher inorganic arsenic concentrations in their urine than those who never eat rice, according to a report published online April 25 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Detergent Packets a Growing Poison Danger to Children
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A growing number of small children are getting their hands and mouths on colorful detergent packets, with serious and sometimes fatal consequences, according to a report published online April 25 in Pediatrics.
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Detecting, Isolating C. difficile Carriers Beneficial
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Detecting and isolating Clostridium difficile carriers can reduce the incidence of health care-associated C. difficile infection (HA-CDI), according to a study published online April 25 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin Don’t Up Hospitalized Heart Failure
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of saxagliptin or sitagliptin is not associated with increased risk of hospitalized heart failure (hHF) compared with other antihyperglycemic agents, according to a study published online April 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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AAP: ALTE Now Termed ‘Brief Resolved Unexplained Events’
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The new term, “brief resolved unexplained events” (BRUE), replaces the previous term, “apparent life-threatening events” (ALTE), per an expert panel from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The new AAP clinical guideline was published online April 25 in Pediatrics.
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A Doctor’s View: EHRs Impair Physician-Patient Relationship
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Electronic health records (EHRs) may be impairing the physician-patient relationship, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Pathogen Reduction System Prevents Malaria Via Transfusion
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of transfusion-transmitted malaria can be reduced with use of a whole blood pathogen-reduction system, according to a study published in the April 23 issue of The Lancet.
Hand Signals Developed for Communication During CT
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A series of hand signals has been developed for use during computed tomography (CT) or angiographic procedures, according to an article published online April 20 in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.
Alkali Eye Injuries Secondary to Airbag Deployment Reported
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In a report published online April 15 in Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, two cases are presented of alkali eye injuries secondary to airbag deployment.
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No Link for Smoking Cessation Meds, Mental Health Issues
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Wellbutrin) don’t appear to raise the risk of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, according to a new study published online April 22 in The Lancet.
Poor Persistence/Adherence With Long-Term Topical AK Treatment
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of patients with actinic keratosis (AK) receiving long-term topical treatment have poor persistence or adherence, according to a study published online April 18 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Continued Aspirin Treatment Safe With Partial Nephrectomy
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Continuing aspirin for chronic antiplatelet therapy is safe in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
CDC, OSHA Issue Guidance on Occupational Exposure to Zika
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Summer, mosquito season, and the threat of Zika virus transmission is approaching, and federal health experts on Friday issued guidelines to help protect American workers from infection.
Heavy Cannabis Use in Teen Years Tied to Earlier Mortality
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Men who were heavy cannabis smokers in their teens may not live as long as those who did not use cannabis when they were young, according to a study published online April 22 in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
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CDC: Suicide Rate Up 24 Percent in the United States Since 1999
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Suicide rates in the United States rose 24 percent between 1999 and 2014, with young girls and middle-aged men accounting for the largest increases, according to an April data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Anthracyclines May Not Trigger ‘Chemo Brain’
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Anthracyclines are not related to “chemo brain,” according to a research letter published online April 21 in JAMA Oncology.
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Aromatase Inhibitors Won’t Raise Odds of Most Fatal CVD Events
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with aromatase inhibitors doesn’t raise the risk of the most fatal cardiovascular disease events among breast cancer survivors, according to research published online April 21 in JAMA Oncology.
Ideal BP in Elderly With Chronic Kidney Disease Unclear
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Age modifies the association between blood pressure (BP) and adverse cardiovascular and renal outcomes in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to research published online April 21 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
How One Health System Is Shifting From Volume to Value
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — ACCESS Health System, which operates 36 health centers, is transitioning to a patient-centered, physician-friendly health system that provides a continuum of care to underserved populations, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Antimicrobial Treatment No Benefit After Kidney Transplant
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing kidney transplantation (KT), systematic antimicrobial treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) beyond the second month post-transplant is not beneficial, according to a study published online April 18 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
Preexisting Mental Distress Can Slow Concussion Recovery
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Athletes may take longer to recover after a concussion if they had psychosomatic symptoms before their head injury, according to a study published online April 20 in Neurology.
Stomach CA Risk Up With Alcohol, Processed Meat Consumption
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Alcohol, processed meats — such as hot dogs, ham, and bacon — and excess weight all may raise a person’s risk of stomach cancer, according to a new review released by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund International.
Comorbidity Tied to Prostate Cancer Upgrading, Up Staging
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Comorbidity burden is strongly and independently associated with pathological upgrading/up staging in men with clinically low-risk prostate cancer, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
Interrupting Prolonged Sitting Beneficial in Type 2 Diabetes
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), interrupting prolonged sitting with three-minute bouts of light-intensity walking (LW) or simple resistance activities (SRA) every 30 minutes improves postprandial cardiometabolic risk markers compared with uninterrupted sitting (SIT), according to a study published online April 13 in Diabetes Care.
Medical Expulsive Therapy Underused for Ureteral Stones
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with ureteral stones, medical expulsive therapy remains underused, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
Do Antihistamines Blunt Exercise Recovery?
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Histamine may contribute to exercise recovery in skeletal muscle, and blockade of histamine receptors may interfere with that mechanism, according to research published online April 9 in the Journal of Physiology.
Costs Linked to Center Volume for Lung Transplant Recipients
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Admission costs and early readmission rates are lower for lung transplant recipients at high-volume centers, according to a study published online April 11 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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No Solid Evidence for Pre-Participation Screens in Athletes
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is no solid evidence for the effectiveness of pre-participation screening in reducing the number of sudden cardiac deaths among young athletes, according to an analysis published online April 20 in The BMJ.
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Improved Survival for Certain Cancers With Low-Dose Aspirin
THURSDAY, April 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients with colorectal, breast, or prostate cancers may have better survival odds if they are on a low-dose aspirin regimen, according to a review published online April 20 in PLOS ONE.
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CBT Helps Teens With Depression Who Refuse Antidepressants
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Teenagers with depression who refuse antidepressants may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, according to a study published online April 20 in Pediatrics.
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BRCA1 Mutation May Reduce Women’s Fertility
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The BRCA1 gene mutation may also be tied to potential fertility issues, according to a report published online April 20 in Human Reproduction.
Ten Cases of Rare Bloodstream Infection Reported in Illinois
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A cluster of rare bloodstream infections was discovered by Illinois health officials while investigating an outbreak in Wisconsin.
Digital Assistant in Closed-Loop Control Mode Beneficial in T1DM
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 1 diabetes, a portable, wearable, wireless artificial pancreas system (the Diabetes Assistant [DiAs]) improves glucose control at home in closed-loop control (CLC) modes, according to a study published online April 13 in Diabetes Care.
In Breast CA, Cardiotoxicity Up With Trastuzumab-Based Chemo
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For adult women with breast cancer, trastuzumab-based regimens are associated with increased risk of cardiotoxicity, according to a study published online April 18 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
LDL Reduction in Hypertriglyceridemia Varies Per Statin
WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with hypertriglyceridemia, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) reductions depend of the choice and dose of statin, according to research published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Novel Case of Alzheimer’s Reported in HIV+ Patient
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The first case of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosed in a person with HIV suggests progressive dementia in older HIV+ individuals may be due to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), AD, or both. The case study was published online April 14 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.
Lower CVD Mortality for Metformin Versus Sulfonylureas
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Metformin is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality compared with sulfonylureas, according to a large analysis published online April 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Review: Paroxetine Reduces Vasomotor Symptoms
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, paroxetine reduces vasomotor symptoms, according to a review and meta-analysis published online April 7 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists No Benefit Post MI
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with post-myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) do not improve outcome, according to a study published in the April 26 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Post-Op Gouty Arthritis Described in Patient Taking Thiazide
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A case of postoperative acute gouty arthritis following laparoscopic cholecystectomy with umbilical hernioplasty, secondary to hydrochlorothiazide use, has been documented in a case report published in the March issue in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
Suboptimal Guideline Adherence for Hematuria After Menopause
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of urinary tract malignancy is low among postmenopausal women evaluated for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
Article Offers Ways to Address Overlooked Details in Practice
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Looking at a family medicine practice with fresh eyes can help address unsightly issues that patients notice, according to an article published in Family Practice Management.
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Physicians May Be Ordering Carotid Imaging Too Often
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many heart patients undergo carotid imaging for uncertain or inappropriate reasons, according to a study published online April 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
ACOG Responds to CDC Update on Zika Causing Microcephaly
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has referred to Zika virus as causing microcephaly and other birth defects, according to a report published by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).
Testosterone Undecanoate Cuts Anemia in Hypogonadal Men
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Testosterone undecanoate reduces anemia in patients with subnormal testosterone levels, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
Doctors, Midwives Struggle With Guilt After Traumatic Childbirth
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Most Danish obstetricians and midwives report having been involved in a traumatic childbirth, and frequently have inner struggles with guilt and existential considerations, according to research published online April 13 in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.
Antithrombotic Rx Could Be Optimized for Older A-Fib Patients
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are not prescribed antithrombotics, according to a study published online April 7 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
No Racial Difference in Prognostic Value of Cardiorespiratory Fitness
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) predicts all-cause mortality, with no racial differences in its prognostic value, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Simulation Helps Residents Prepare for Global Rotations
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Simulation can help pediatric residents prepare for global health electives (GHE), according to an article published online April 13 in Pediatrics.
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Metformin May Reduce Cancer Mortality Risk
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Metformin may reduce the risk of dying from some cancers for postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the April 15 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
Proton Pump Inhibitors Tied to Chronic Kidney Disease
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients who regularly use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease, according to research published online April 14 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Odds Up for Patients With Psoriasis
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Psoriasis patients may face a higher risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, according to a study published online April 14 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Telephone Follow-Up Effective for Stage I Endometrial Cancer
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women treated for stage I endometrial cancer, telephone follow-up (TFU) is noninferior to hospital-based follow-up (HFU), according to a study published online April 7 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Neratinib Not Superior to Trastuzumab in ERBB2-Breast CA
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Neratinib-paclitaxel is no better than trastuzumab-paclitaxel for progression-free survival in recurrent and/or metastatic ERBB2-positive breast cancer, although it may delay the onset and reduce the frequency of central nervous system progression, according to a study published online April 14 in JAMA Oncology.
Decrease in Medicare Spending for 2012 ACO Entrants
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Early reductions in Medicare spending were seen for the first full year of Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) contracts for 2012 Accountable Care Organization (ACO) entrants, according to a study published online April 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Improved Functional Outcomes With Adoption of GWTG-Stroke
FRIDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Adoption of the Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)-Stroke program is associated with improved functional outcomes at discharge and reduced post-discharge mortality for Medicare beneficiaries with acute stroke, according to a study published online April 14 in Stroke.
U.S. Rates of Thyroid Cancer Leveling Off
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Fewer thyroid cancers are diagnosed in the United States now than in the recent past, perhaps signaling a change in physician practices, according to a report published online April 14 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
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Health Care Workers Skip Hand Washing One-Third of the Time
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Staff at many outpatient health care facilities in New Mexico failed to follow recommendations for hand hygiene more than one-third of the time, according to findings published in the April 1 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Older Age May Boost Radiation Benefits in Soft-Tissue Sarcoma
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Older patients with soft-tissue sarcomas may benefit more from radiation therapy after surgery than younger patients do, according to research published in the April issue of Anticancer Research.
CDC: Zika Link to Microcephaly, Brain Damage Confirmed
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Zika virus is a definite and direct cause of microcephaly and other brain-related birth defects, health officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday. The CDC made its announcement following an evidence review published online April 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Hepatitis C Found to Up Odds for Certain Head and Neck Cancers
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Hepatitis C may increase the risk for certain types of head and neck cancers, according to a study published online April 13 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Pediatric Pneumonia Can Be Diagnosed Via Lung Ultrasound
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Lung ultrasounds may offer a safer, yet equally effective, alternative to chest X-rays for diagnosing pneumonia in children, according to a study published recently in Chest.
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Surveillance Seems Safe for Some Intermediate Risk Prostate CA
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For men with prostate cancer, active surveillance seems safe for those at low risk and for select patients at intermediate risk, according to a study published in The Journal of Urology.
Progress Made in Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Two years into the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative, practices have made progress toward transforming delivery of primary care but have not yet shown savings in expenditures, according to a study published online April 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Brain Network Charts Could Help Predict Attention Impairment
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Growth charting methods identify a correlation between intrinsic connectivity networks (ICN) and attention performance, according to a study published online April 13 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Self-Management Group Rehab Benefits Persons With Dementia
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Self-management group rehabilitation is beneficial for persons with dementia (PwD) and their spouses, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Consumption of Fast Food Linked to Greater Exposure to Phthalates
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — People with high intake of fast food may have levels of phthalates in their urine that are 24 to 40 percent higher than people who rarely eat fast food, according to research published online April 13 in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Benefits of Polyunsaturated Over Saturated Fat Deemed Uncertain
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Controversial new research challenges the idea that heart health will improve if people cut saturated fat — typically from animal sources — from their diets in favor of vegetable oil. The findings were published online April 12 in The BMJ.
Bariatric Surgical Skill Doesn’t Appear to Weigh on Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Surgical skill does not appear to affect postoperative weight loss or resolution of medical conditions at one year after laparoscopic gastric bypass, according to a study published online April 13 in JAMA Surgery.
Coalition Calls for Changes to Hospital Pain Assessments
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — U.S. hospital procedures and questionnaires used to manage patient pain lead to overprescribing of addictive opioids and need to be changed, critics say.
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Clinical Scores Correlate Well in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For children with atopic dermatitis, clinical scores for sleep loss, pruritus, disease severity, and quality of life correlate well, according to a study published online April 8 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Potentially Inappropriate Meds Use Common With OAB Tx
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For older adults starting antimuscarinic treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use is highly prevalent and associated with greater total costs, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Low Fruit, Vegetable Intake Linked to Hip Fracture Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, daily intake of no more than one serving of fruit and vegetables is associated with increased risk of hip fracture relative to moderate intake, according to a study published online April 8 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Computerized Order Set Aids Prescribing in COPD Exacerbations
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a computerized multidisciplinary order set in the electronic health record improves the quality of physician pharmacologic prescribing for patients hospitalized for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) exacerbations, according to research published online April 8 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Clinical Decision Support Tool Cuts CT Use for Appendicitis
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The implementation of a multicomponent electronic clinical decision support tool reduces computed tomography (CT) use for pediatric patients with possible appendicitis, according to a study published online April 13 in Pediatrics.
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Review: Low Risk of Birth Defects With Ondansetron Exposure
WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The offspring of women using ondansetron early in pregnancy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or hyperemesis gravidarum may be at risk for cardiac abnormalities, although the overall risk of birth defects associated with exposure appears low, according to a review published in the May issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Quality Improvement Process Doesn’t Cut ICU Mortality
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A quality improvement intervention does not reduce in-hospital mortality for critically ill patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs), according to a study published in the April 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
CV Risk Not Significantly Different for GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There are no significant differences in occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) tied to treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), second generation sulfonylureas, or insulin, in combination with metformin, according to a study published online March 22 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Parental Hip Fracture Independently Ups Offspring Risk
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Parental hip fracture (HF) is independently associated with increased risk of offspring major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) and HF, according to research published online April 8 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Androgen Deprivation Tx for Prostate CA Tied to Depression
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Older men who receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer may be at increased risk of developing depression, according to a new, large study published online April 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Doctors Can Be Misled About FDA ‘Breakthrough’ Drug Designation
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of the word “breakthrough” in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s expedited approval process could mislead doctors about the new drugs’ actual benefits, according to a research letter published in the April 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Early Warning Trigger Tool Could Help Reduce Maternal Morbidity
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of a clinical pathway-specific Maternal Early Warning Trigger (MEWT) tool can reduce maternal morbidity, according to a study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
ASCO Presents Guidelines for Increasing HPV Vaccine Uptake
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake, according to an American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) special article published online April 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Hospice Care Doesn’t Up Costs for Nursing Home Decedents
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For long-stay nursing home (NH) decedents, use of hospice does not increase Medicare costs in the six months before death, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Efficacy of DTaP, Tdap Holds Despite Pertactin Deficiency
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Despite an increased proportion of Bordetella pertussis isolates lacking pertactin, vaccine effectiveness (VE) is still high in Vermont for the five-dose diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) series and the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap), according to research published online April 12 in Pediatrics.
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Review Addresses Chest Pain in Young Adults Presenting to ER
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For young adults presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain, after ruling out cardiac risk, physicians should focus on stress reaction, according to a review published in the March issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing.
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CCTA Tied to More Appropriate Use of Invasive Angiography
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is associated with more appropriate use of invasive angiography and increased use of preventive therapies, according to a study published online April 11 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Increase in Number of Patients Being Treated for Alpha-Gal
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There has been an increase in the number of patients being treated for Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) syndrome, according to a report from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Asthma, Sinus and Allergy Program (ASAP).
New-Onset A-Fib Post Acute MI Ups Complications, Readmission
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is strongly tied to in-hospital complications and higher short-term readmission rates, according to a study published in the April 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
USPSTF: Aspirin Recommended for Some Aged 50 to 69 Years
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends aspirin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) in certain adults aged 50 to 69 years, but not in younger or older adults. These findings form the basis of a recommendation statement, published online April 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Recommendation Statement
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Guidance Issued on Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Obese
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been issued for the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in obese patients; the guideline was published online March 22 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Nurses Play Crucial Role in Identifying Victims of Trafficking
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for emergency nurses in terms of recognizing and responding to the needs of victims of human trafficking; the position statement was published in the March issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing.
VA Commission on Care: Eliminate VA Medical Centers
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A radical proposal has been suggested for eliminating all Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and outpatient facilities in the next 20 years, floated by seven of 15 members of the VA Commission on Care, according to an article published in the Military Times.
Colonic Diverticular Disease Linked to Dementia Risk
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Colonic diverticular disease appears to be associated with increased risk of dementia in a population from Taiwan, according to a study published online March 31 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Exenatide Twice Daily Deemed Efficacious Across BMI Ranges
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, exenatide twice daily added to insulin glargine is efficacious across body mass index (BMI) ranges, according to a study published online March 29 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Definition of Prolonged Third-Stage Labor May Be Outdated
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Postpartum hemorrhage risk is significantly elevated with a third-stage labor duration of 20 minutes or more, according to research published in the May issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Progesterone Attenuates Drug-Induced QT Interval Lengthening
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For healthy females, oral progesterone administration attenuates drug-induced QT interval lengthening, according to a study published online April 6 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
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World Trade Center Exposure, Eosinophilia Predict Sinus Surgery
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Sinus surgery is more common among firefighters who responded during the first two days of the World Trade Center disaster than those who had less intense or shorter exposures, according to a study published online April 8 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. The same was found to be true for those firefighters who were at the site for six months or more.
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Niacin-ER May Be Overlooked Cause of Thrombocytopenia
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Extended-release (ER) niacin is associated with progressive and reversible thrombocytopenia, according to a letter to the editor published online March 25 in the American Journal of Hematology.
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Diabetes Weight Loss Diets Improve Emotional Measures
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), weight loss diets, regardless of composition, improve psychological measures, including depression, mood, and quality of life, according to a study published online March 23 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Hormone Tx No Harm After Nonserous Epithelial Ovarian CA
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women with nonserous epithelial ovarian cancer, hormone therapy (HT) after treatment does not reduce survival, according to a study published in the May issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Liraglutide Is Not Justified for All Patients With T1DM
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), addition of 1.2 and 1.8 mg of liraglutide to insulin over a 12-week period is associated with a modest reduction in weekly mean glucose levels, according to a study published online April 5 in Diabetes Care.
Variation in Estimates of Sepsis-Linked Mortality by Data Source
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in estimates of sepsis mortality using death certificates and health services utilization data (administrative claims), according to a report published in the April 8 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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ACEI/ARBs Up AMI Outcomes Regardless of Renal Status
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment is associated with improved long-term survival, according to research published in the April 12 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Cushing’s Sx Described in Infant Treated With Ophthalmic Steroid
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In a case report published online April 7 in Pediatrics, iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome (ICS) is described in an infant following intranasal usage of dexamethasone ophthalmic solution.
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Sport-Banned Oxilofrine Found in Diet Supplements
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A stimulant banned from competitive sports, oxilofrine, has been found in more than a dozen dietary supplements marketed for “burning” body fat, according to a study published online April 7 in Drug Testing and Analysis.
Medical Costs Up for Late Middle-Aged With Hearing Loss
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Hearing loss is associated with higher medical costs for late middle-aged adults, according to a research letter published online April 7 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
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Daily Fresh Fruit Intake May Improve Cardiovascular Health
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Eating fresh fruit regularly may help prevent heart attacks and strokes, according to a study published in the April 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Nurses Often Report Financial Relationships With Industry
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Nurse-industry interactions are common, but in the current policy environment they remain invisible, according to a study published online April 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Sacubitril-Valsartan May Be Cost-Effective Option in HFrEF
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), sacubitril-valsartan may be cost-effective, depending on the willingness-to-pay threshold, according to a study published online March 30 in JACC: Heart Failure.
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New Dietary Guidelines for Americans Issued for 2015-2020
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — New U.S. dietary guidelines have been released for 2015 to 2020, according to a health policy brief published online March 31 in Health Affairs.
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Since 1980, Diabetes Cases Have Quadrupled Globally
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The number of adults worldwide with diabetes has quadrupled in the past 35 years, according to a report published online April 6 in The Lancet.
Local Heating Pad Eases IV Catheter Insertion
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Local heating pad application eases catheterization in chemotherapy patients, according to a study published online March 30 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Distress Still High After Chemo Completion in Childhood ALL
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Emotional distress is common in children during and after therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to a study published online March 29 in Cancer.
Cost of Insulin Found to Have Tripled Over Past Decade
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The price of insulin has tripled in only 10 years, according to a letter published in the April 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Moreover, since 2010, per-person spending on insulin in the United States was more than spending on all other diabetes drugs.
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FDA Issues New Warning for Two Diabetes Medications
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Diabetes medications containing saxagliptin and alogliptin may raise the risk of heart failure, particularly in patients with heart or kidney disease, U.S. health officials warned Tuesday.
USPSTF Recommends Against COPD Screening in Adults
TUESDAY, April 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in asymptomatic adults. These findings form the basis of a recommendation statement published online April 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Recommendation Statement
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More Risky Drinking Behaviors for Women With Eating Disorders
TUESDAY, April 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women with eating disorders more often exhibit risky drinking behaviors than their unaffected peers, according to a study published online April 1 in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Quality of Urgent Health Care Varies for Virtual Visits
TUESDAY, April 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For companies providing virtual visits for management of common acute illness there is significant variation in quality of care, according to a study published online April 4 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Cancer Care and Fertility Program Improves Patient Satisfaction
TUESDAY, April 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A cancer and fertility program, which provides resources, clinician education, and fertility clinical nurse specialist consultation, is associated with improvement in patient satisfaction with information received, according to research published online April 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Hypoglycemia, Sleep Loss Prolong Cognitive Impairment
TUESDAY, April 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Sleep deprivation does not exacerbate cognitive impairment induced by hypoglycemia, but the post-hypoglycemia recovery takes longer with persistence of both cognitive dysfunction and hypoglycemia symptoms, according to a study published online March 22 in Diabetes Care.
CDC Hosts Zika Action Plan Summit
MONDAY, April 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — More than 300 public health experts attended the Zika Action Plan Summit, hosted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta on Friday. The summit was held to help ensure a coordinated response to the mosquito-borne illness.
Sensory Interventions Can Benefit Patients With Dementia
MONDAY, April 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with dementia, there are many available sensory interventions that seem to have significant effects, according to a review published online March 31 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
New Utah State Law Requires Anesthesia During Abortion
MONDAY, April 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Utah is the first state to require anesthesia for women having an abortion at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later.
Chances of Meeting 2025 Global Obesity Target Near Zero
FRIDAY, April 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Since 1975, the mean body mass index (BMI) of men and women has increased and trends in obesity have been increasing worldwide, according to a study published in the April 2 issue of The Lancet.
Even Light-Use Waterpipe Smoking Harms the Lungs
FRIDAY, April 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Young, light-use waterpipe smokers exhibit a variety of pulmonary abnormalities, according to a study published online March 23 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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