Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for January 2015. 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.
Cardiovascular, Cerebral Effect for Red Bull + Mental Stress
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Red Bull consumption combined with mental stress correlates with increased blood pressure (BP) and heart rate, according to a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Cancer Diagnosis Impacts Patient Adherence to Diabetes Rx
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People with diabetes are less likely to take their diabetes medications if they’ve been diagnosed with cancer, researchers report. The findings were published online Jan. 28 in Diabetologia.
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Topical Acne Gel Linked to Methemoglobinemia
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of topical dapsone may have led to the development of methemoglobinemia, according to a case study published in the Jan. 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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CDC: Measles Cases in January Top Typical Load for Entire Year
FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The United States has seen more cases of measles in January than it usually does in an entire year, federal health officials said Thursday.
CDC: ~8 Percent of U.S. Adults Nonadherent Due to Rx Costs
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nearly one in 10 American adults don’t take their medications as prescribed because they can’t afford to, according to a January data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Results Appear Promising for Experimental Ebola Vaccine
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Early results suggest an experimental Ebola vaccine triggers an immune response and is safe to use. The findings were published online Jan. 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Following BP Guidelines Will Save Lives and Money
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — If all Americans had their hypertension under control, 56,000 fewer cardiovascular events would occur each year. And 13,000 fewer people would die — without increasing health costs, according to research published in the Jan. 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Cost of Meds Contributes to Placebo Effect in Parkinson’s
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Results of a small study suggest that Parkinson’s patients seem to improve if they think they’re taking a costly medication. The findings have been published online Jan. 28 in Neurology.
PDE-5 Inhibitors Tied to Prostate Cancer Biochemical Recurrence
THURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use after radical prostatectomy is associated with increased risk of biochemical recurrence, according to a study published in the February issue of The Journal of Urology.
Benefits Package Important for Attracting, Retaining Staff
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An appropriately-targeted benefits package is crucial for attracting and retaining employees, according to an article published Jan. 22 in Medical Economics.
Meta-Analysis Compares Tx for Inducing Remission in Crohn’s
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For adult patients with Crohn’s disease, adalimumab and infliximab + azathioprine are most effective for induction and maintenance of remission, according to a meta-analysis published in the February issue of Gastroenterology.
Sedation Protocol Doesn’t Reduce Duration of Ventilation in PICU
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) mechanically ventilated for acute respiratory failure, the use of a sedation protocol does not reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Provider Demographics Affect Pain Treatment Decisions
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Pain management treatment decisions may be impacted by a health care provider’s demographic characteristics, according to a study published in the January issue of Pain Medicine.
FDA Approves Generic Form of Nexium
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The first generic version of Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium delayed-release capsules) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults and children ages 1 and older.
Cumulative Use of Anticholinergic Medication Tied to Dementia
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Higher cumulative use of anticholinergics may increase the risk of dementia, according to a new study published online Jan. 26 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
How Does DPP-4 Inhibition Affect Liver Function?
TUESDAY, Jan. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition may attenuate hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance induced by the Western diet (WD) through hepatic lipid remodeling and modulation of hepatic mitochondrial function, according to research published online Jan. 20 in Diabetes.
Natpara OK’d to Treat Low Blood Calcium in Hypoparathyroidism
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Natpara (parathyroid hormone) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to control hypocalcemia among people with hypoparathyroidism.
FDA Approves New Meningococcal Disease Vaccine
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Bexsero vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent serogroup B meningococcal disease among people aged 10 through 25.
AAP Opposes Legalization of Marijuana
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Marijuana shouldn’t be legalized because of the potential harm it can cause children and adolescents, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. However, the group’s updated policy statement, published online Jan. 26 in Pediatrics, does support the compassionate use of marijuana for children with debilitating or terminal illnesses.
Morphine Linked With Adverse Outcomes Post-Tonsillectomy
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of morphine post-tonsillectomy should be limited, as it may be unsafe in certain children, according to a new study published online Jan. 26 in Pediatrics.
AAP Approves 2015 Vaccine Schedule for Children, Teens
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The 2015 recommended childhood and adolescence immunization schedules have been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other medical organizations, according to a policy statement published online Jan. 26 in Pediatrics.
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2015 Immunization Schedule
High Penicillin Prescribing Could Build Reservoirs of Resistance
MONDAY, Jan. 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — High penicillin G prescribing may lead to an altered level of resistance in the commensal viridans group streptococci (VGS) population, which may be important in subsequent horizontal gene transfer events, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Moderate Changes in Lipids With Tocilizumab/Tofacitinib in RA
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), moderate changes in lipids are observed after treatment with tocilizumab or tofacitinib, according to a review published in the January issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
AAP Urges Parents to Vaccinate Children Against Measles
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The number of people infected with measles linked to the outbreak at Disney amusement parks in Southern California now stands at 70, health officials reported Thursday.
HPV Vaccination Often Not Timely for Girls
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Only about half of American girls begin receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at the recommended age, according to a study published in the Jan. 29 issue of Vaccine.
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CDC: Opioid Rx Prevalent in Reproductive-Aged Females
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Too many women of childbearing age take prescription opioids, putting any unborn babies at risk, U.S. health officials said Thursday. The report appears in the Jan. 23 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
ASCO Reports Biggest Clinical Cancer Advances for 2015
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The biggest clinical cancer advances for 2015 have been identified in an annual report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, published online Jan. 20 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Prophylactic Antimicrobials Overused in Urologic Surgery
FRIDAY, Jan. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Utilization patterns indicate that antimicrobial prophylaxis is overused for urological surgeries in the community practice setting, according to research published in the February issue of The Journal of Urology.
Hormonal Contraceptives Linked to Higher Risk of Glioma
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The risk for developing a glioma appears to go up with long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, new research suggests. The findings were published online in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Overuse of Abx for Travelers’ Diarrhea Creating Superbugs
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The overuse of antibiotics to treat travelers’ diarrhea may contribute to the spread of drug-resistant superbugs, a new study suggests. The findings were published online Jan. 21 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Physicians Rank the Best EHR Systems of 2014
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians have ranked electronic health record (EHR) systems based on five key performance areas, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
NSAIDs Up Odds of Anastomotic Leak Post-Colorectal Resection
THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing nonelective colorectal resection, postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration is associated with increased odds of anastomotic leaks, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in JAMA Surgery.
FDA Approves New Drug to Treat Plaque Psoriasis
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Cosentyx (secukinumab) to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
Routine Oral Anticoagulants May Not Benefit All With A-Fib
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Benefit from routine anticoagulation therapy to reduce risk of ischemic stroke may be unlikely in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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A Dash More Salt Than 1,500 mg Seems to Lower Mortality Risk
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A study of adults aged 71 to 80 indicates that daily consumption of 2,300 mg of salt didn’t increase deaths, cardiovascular disease, stroke, or heart failure over 10 years. The report was published online Jan. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
AHS: Research Informs New Migraine Rx Guidelines
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have reviewed recent scientific literature and concluded that a number of classes of drugs are effective for treating acute migraine. The study, published in the January issue of Headache, will form the basis of new American Headache Society guidelines for the treatment of migraine.
Few Patients Fill High-Intensity Statin Rx After CHD Discharge
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Only about a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries fill a high-intensity statin prescription after discharge from hospitalization for a coronary heart disease (CHD) event, according to a study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Vitamin B-12, Folate Mitigate Reproductive Effects of DDT
TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The adverse reproductive effects of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) seem to be mitigated by vitamin B-12 and folate sufficiency, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Viral Load at Delivery in ~13 Percent of Women Taking HAART
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among women who initiate highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during pregnancy, 13.1 percent have detectable viral load (VL) at delivery, according to a study published online in the Jan. 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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n-3 Fatty Acids Cut Nonesterified Fatty Acid, T2DM Link
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are associated with type 2 diabetes, and the association is modified by n-3 FA levels, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in Diabetes Care.
Electronic Alert Cuts Proportion of IV Proton Pump Inhibitors
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An electronic alert triggered on order of intravenous (IV) proton pump inhibitors (PPI) can decrease the proportion of IV PPIs ordered, according to a research letter published online Jan. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Missed, Refused Vaccines Appear in ‘Clusters’
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated appear to be clustered in certain areas, a new study suggests. The report was published online Jan. 19 in Pediatrics.
Many Americans Taking Meds Not to Be Mixed With Alcohol
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A substantial number of Americans who drink also take medications that should not be mixed with alcohol, new government research suggests. The findings were published online Jan. 16 in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.
Supplements Curb Isotretinoin-Associated Triglyceride Increase
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with preexisting hypertriglyceridemia, ω-3 fatty acid (ω-3FA) supplementation stabilizes the expected increase in triglycerides during isotretinoin therapy, according to research published in the January issue of JAMA Dermatology.
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Rx Adherence Lower for Patients New to Diabetes Therapy
MONDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Factors associated with adherence to medications for treatment of diabetes include experience with diabetes therapy and related costs, thus efforts to reduce out-of-pocket costs may result in higher adherence, according to research findings published online Jan. 8 in Diabetes Care.
Nutritional Supplement Reduces Hair Loss in Females
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A nutritional supplement with specific omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants can improve hair density and reduce the telogen percentage, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Review: Venlafaxine May Be Effective for Fibromyalgia Tx
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Venlafaxine seems to be effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia, although studies are limited by small sample size and methodological concerns, according to a review published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Four-Times Daily ASA More Effective in Post-CABG Patients
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, four-times daily acetyl-salicylic acid (ASA) seems more effective than once-daily 81 mg or 325 mg ASA, according to a study published online Dec. 27 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
CDC: This Year’s Flu Vaccination Offers 23 Percent Protection
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — This season’s influenza vaccine reduces the risk of needing medical care because of the flu by only 23 percent, according to research published in the Jan. 16 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
CDC: Neural Tube Defects Declining in the United States
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Neural tube defects have fallen 35 percent in the United States since mandatory folic acid fortification of enriched grain products was introduced in 1998; however, many American women who had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect and get pregnant again still don’t follow folic acid supplement recommendations, federal officials reported Thursday. Both reports appear in the Jan. 16 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Epidemic of Rx Opioid Abuse May Be Waning in U.S.
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. epidemic of prescription opioid medication abuse may be starting to reverse course, according to new research. The findings, published in the Jan. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that recent laws and prescribing guidelines aimed at preventing abuse are working to some degree.
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Binge Eating Curtailed by Higher Doses of ADHD Medication
THURSDAY, Jan. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — At higher doses, the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) curtails the excessive food consumption that characterizes binge-eating disorder, preliminary research suggests. The findings were reported online Jan. 14 in JAMA Psychiatry.
FDA: Stimulation Device Approved to Treat Obesity
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new electrical stimulation device designed to control obesity by targeting the nerve pathways between the brain and stomach that regulate hunger and fullness has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Working Long Hours? Beware Risky Alcohol Consumption
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Working long hours may raise the risk for alcohol abuse, according to a new study of more than 300,000 people from 14 countries. The report was published online Jan. 13 in The BMJ.
Antenatal Corticosteroid Use Up, Even When Not Optimal
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — From 1988 to 2012, there were increases in the rates of optimal, suboptimal, and questionably appropriate administration of antenatal corticosteroids, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Research Funding Wanes in the United States, Grows Globally
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — America now spends about $117 billion a year on medical research, which is about 4.5 percent of the nation’s total health care expenses, researchers report in the Jan. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Rotavirus Vaccine Effective in Reduction of Morbidity
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Widespread vaccination against rotavirus cuts children’s rates of infection, according to a new study funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published online Jan. 12 in Pediatrics.
Major Risks of Long-Term Opioid Rx Deemed Dose-Dependent
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The long-term effectiveness and harms of opioids for chronic pain are unclear, although the evidence supports a dose-dependent risk for serious harms, according to a review published online Jan. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Over 10 Percent of Patients Taking Aspirin Inappropriately
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers found that of 68,808 U.S. adults prescribed aspirin long-term, 11.6 percent probably should not have been because their odds of suffering a heart attack or stroke were not high enough to outweigh the risks of daily aspirin use. The findings were published in the Jan. 20 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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No Negative Consequences of Guidelines for Antibiotic Therapy
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), there are no negative consequences associated with use of guideline-recommended antibiotic therapy, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Propranolol, Doxycycline Combo Safe, Effective in Rosacea
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rosacea, combination treatment with propranolol and doxycycline is effective and safe, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Dermatology.
Guidelines Presented for Clinical Documentation in 21st Century
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for clinical documentation and interrelated issues. The position paper has been published online Jan. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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NIH: Insufficient Evidence for Opioid Use in Chronic Pain
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Evidence is insufficient for opioid use in chronic pain, according to a position paper published online Jan. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Research Suggests Diabetes Overtreatment in Seniors
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many older people with diabetes may be exposed to potential harm because doctors are trying to keep overly tight control of their blood glucose levels, according to research published online Jan. 12 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
CDC Urging Flu Vaccination, Prompt Use of Antivirals
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Thousands of people are being hospitalized and 26 children have died from influenza so far, Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a Friday press briefing.
Gender of Provider May Impact Pain Management Practices
MONDAY, Jan. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Male and female general practitioners (GPs) prescribe analgesics to older patients in a similar manner but differ in their prescribing habits for antineuropathic pain drugs and symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Pain Medicine.
FDA Approves Novel Anticoagulant Savaysa
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Savaysa (edoxaban) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism, and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Topical Diclofenac Unnecessary Post-Photorefractive Keratectomy
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing photorefractive keratectomy surgery, the administration of postoperative topical diclofenac does not alleviate pain, but is effective for local signs such as eyelid edema, according to a study published in the December issue of Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Triheptanoin Oil May Benefit Patients With Huntington’s
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Daily doses of a triglyceride oil called triheptanoin may help normalize brain metabolism in people with Huntington’s disease, according to a small new study published online Jan. 7 in Neurology.
Three-Step Intervention Can Reduce Pediatric Drug Errors
FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A three-step intervention addressing the diverse causes of medication errors can reduce these errors in a pediatric setting, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Bipolar Androgen Therapy May Boost Hormonal Tx in Prostate CA
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A treatment strategy called bipolar androgen therapy — where patients alternate between low and high levels of testosterone — might make prostate tumors more responsive to standard hormonal therapy, according to a small study published in the Jan. 7 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
FDA Approves Bellafill for Treatment of Pitted Acne Scars
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for acne scarring.
Novel Anticoagulants Rapidly Adopted Into Clinical Practice
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Novel anticoagulants have been rapidly adopted into clinical practice, and their use is associated with increased health care costs, according to a study published in the November issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
Novel Abx Appears Promising in Fight Against Resistance
THURSDAY, Jan. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The new antibiotic teixobactin has proven effective against a number of bacterial infections that have developed resistance to existing antibiotic drugs, researchers report online Jan. 7 in Nature.
Intensive Management Lengthens Lifespan in T1DM
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus can reduce their overall risk of premature death by conducting multiple blood glucose tests throughout the day and constantly adjusting insulin levels to hit very specific blood glucose targets. These findings are published in the Jan. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Annual Cost of Psoriasis Could Reach $135 Billion in U.S.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Psoriasis causes up to $135 billion a year in direct and indirect costs, according to research published online Jan. 7 in JAMA Dermatology.
Combined Inhibition of TNFα, IL-17 Effective in RA Model
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Combined inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and interleukin (IL)-17 is more effective than single blockade in cultures of human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), according to an experimental study published in the January issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Sulfonylurea Rx Ups Testosterone Levels in Men With T2DM
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes, sulfonylurea treatment is associated with improvements in total testosterone levels and testosterone secretion index values, according to a study published online Dec. 15 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Low Risk of Statin-Linked Hepatic Injury in Liver Disease
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic liver disease, statin initiation is associated with low overall incidence of hospitalization due to severe hepatic injury, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
HPV Vaccination Not Linked to Higher Risk of Multiple Sclerosis
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doesn’t increase the risk for multiple sclerosis or other demyelinating diseases, according to a new study. The findings appear in the Jan. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Injections for Knee Arthritis Most Effective for Pain Relief
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Using data from 137 studies, researchers have concluded that all of the widely used arthritis treatments provide more relief from knee pain over three months than do placebo pills. The findings are published in the Jan. 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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CDC: Outpatient Visits for Flu-Like Symptoms Up
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The current flu season, already off to a rough start, continues to get worse, with 43 states now reporting widespread flu activity and 21 child deaths so far, U.S. health officials said Monday.
Excessive Kidney Concerns Prevent Metformin Use in T2DM
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Concerns about safety of metformin in renal impairment may be unnecessarily preventing its use in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a research letter published online Jan. 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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For ER Patients, Self-Reported Drug Ingestion History Poor
TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients presenting to the emergency department, self-reported drug ingestion histories are poor when confirmed by urine comprehensive drug screen (CDS), according to a study published in the January issue of The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Survival Advantage of ADT+RT in Prostate CA Extends to Older Men
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Androgen-deprivation therapy with radiotherapy (ADT plus RT) is associated with a survival advantage over ADT alone for older men with locally advanced or screen-detected high-risk prostate cancer, according to a study published online Jan. 5 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Oncologists Not Discussing Supplement Use With Patients
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer than half of oncologists bring up the subject of herbs or supplements with their patients, with many doctors citing their own lack of information as a major reason why they skip the conversation, according to research published in the Dec. 20 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Ketamine Produces Rapid-Onset Antidepressant Action
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Ketamine has rapid-onset antidepressant action, although the mechanism of its positive effect is currently unclear, according to research published online Dec. 26 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Review: SSRI Use Ups Risk of Upper GI Bleeding
MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use is associated with increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), according to a meta-analysis published in the January issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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