Thursday, April 30, 2009

Medical News

Medical News

Breath test predicts airway damage in asthmatic smokers

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

The oxidative airway damage that smoking causes in patients with asthma can be easily assessed by measuring the pH of their breath, UK researchers believe.

Leptin disturbance could explain weight loss in COPD patients

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are accompanied by chronic disturbances in levels of leptin and insulin-like growth factor-1, study findings suggest.

Fluticasone nasal spray effective in children

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

A fluticasone furoate nasal spray is well tolerated and effective for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in children, US research shows.

Exposure-based CBT effective for PTSD in schizophrenia patients

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy may be effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, results of a pilot study suggest.

Obesity rates high among bipolar patients in developing countries

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

People with bipolar disorder in Brazil are more likely to be obese than the general population, say researchers in findings that emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment of obesity and the metabolic syndrome among such patients in developing countries.

Call for earlier use of systemic treatments in moderate-to-severe psoriasis

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

French researchers have raised concerns that systemic treatments are often used too late in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Topical corticosteroids remain the short-term option for scalp psoriasis

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Topical corticosteroids are the recommended short-term or intermittent treatment for scalp psoriasis, concludes The National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board.

MMP-2 promoter shows variability in specific subgroup of psoriasis patients

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

The matrix metalloproteinase -2 promoter is a gene modulator of psoriasis in specific subgroups of psoriasis patients, research shows.

Psoriasis patients have trace element disturbance

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Researchers have identified a disturbance in trace element concentrations in patients with psoriasis that results in an elemental homeostatic imbalance.

Prednisolone attenuates rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Daily medication with the glucocorticoid prednisolone attenuates the neuromuscular blockade effect of rocuronium, a study of patients with inflammatory bowel disease has shown.

Novel index rates recovery after ambulatory surgery and anesthesia

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a novel assessment tool, called the Functional Recovery Index, to gauge the recovery of patients after ambulatory surgery and anesthesia.

Intra-operative colloid volume affects primary graft dysfunction risk

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Increasing intra-operative colloid volume is independently associated with increased primary graft dysfunction, say researchers.

Value of pre-operative anesthesia consultation in dispute

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Pre-operative anesthesia consultation reduces the time that surgical patients remain in hospital, but does not improve their survival, a population-based study indicates.

Impossible mask ventilation rare in practice

Posted: 30 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Patients who cannot be ventilated with a mask are encountered rarely in clinical practice, but these patients are often also difficult to intubate, US research shows.

Talk therapy may benefit schizophrenia patients with stress disorder

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Patients with schizophrenia who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder may benefit from type of talk therapy called exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy, results of a pilot study suggest.

Acute stroke units in UK ‘still underused’

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Acute stroke care continues to improve across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but acute stroke units remain significantly underused, with around a quarter of stroke patients still not receiving the best treatment, an audit by the Royal College of Physicians shows.

Brief and simple intervention can improve breast self-examination technique

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

A simple intervention programme consisting of one counselling session and two follow-up phone calls can significantly improve breast self-examination technique, US research suggests.

Folic acid may help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Folic acid may help suppress allergic reactions and reduce the severity of allergy and asthma symptoms, results of a US study suggest.

Abdominal obesity raises VTE risk

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Abdominal obesity is a key risk factor for venous thromboembolism, demonstrate the findings from two studies published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Thrombolysis benefits young adults with ischemic stroke

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Young adults who receive thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke have a better clinical outcome than non-thrombolyzed patients of the same age, Finnish researchers report

Clinical factors predicting unilateral prostate cancer revealed

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

A negative family history of prostate cancer and unilaterality on prostate biopsy are significant predictors for unilateral disease on pathologic analysis, say US scientists in findings that may aid in the selection of patients for hemiablation.

<i>TOP2A</i> mutations predict breast cancer anthracycline response

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Women whose breast tumors have alterations in the topoisomerase II alpha gene are more likely to respond to anthracycline treatment than those without such mutations, study findings indicate.

Weight control, activity breast cancer trials proposed

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Randomized clinical trials should be conducted to clarify the impact of physical activity and body weight on the risk for postmenopausal breast cancer, recommend researchers.

Clinical factors predicting unilateral prostate cancer revealed

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

A negative family history of prostate cancer and unilaterality on prostate biopsy are significant predictors for unilateral disease on pathologic analysis, say US scientists in findings that may aid in the selection of patients for hemiablation.

Low adiponectin linked to thin-cap fibroatheroma in men with CAD

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Men with stable coronary artery disease who also have low levels of adiponectin are more likely to have thin-cap fibroatheroma plaques, suggest Japanese researchers.

Almonds have small beneficial effect on lipids

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials show that almond consumption reduces total cholesterol by a small but significant extent, but has nonsignificant effects on other lipids, report researchers.

Diabetes and CVD control improving, but not in all patient groups

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

The past decade has seen improvements in blood-pressure, glucose, and cholesterol control in patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences persist, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Androgen deficiency linked to increased CV mortality in Type 2 diabetes

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Androgen deficiencies are common in men with Type 2 diabetes and stable coronary artery disease, and associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, a new study finds.

Sleep apnea predicts death in ischemic HF

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Sleep apnea is associated with increased mortality in patients with ischemic, but not in those with nonischemic, heart failure, show study findings.

Pre-operative homocysteine predicts mortality, especially post CABG

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Preoperative elevated homocysteine is independently associated with an increased risk for perioperative thromboembolic events and mortality in cardiac surgery patients, particularly in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, shows research.

Weight control, activity breast cancer trials proposed

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Randomized clinical trials should be conducted to clarify the impact of physical activity and body weight on the risk for postmenopausal breast cancer, recommend researchers.

<i>TOP2A</i> mutations predict breast cancer anthracycline response

Posted: 29 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Women whose breast tumors have alterations in the topoisomerase II alpha gene are more likely to respond to anthracycline treatment than those without such mutations, study findings indicate.

Ejaculatory quality and function reduced after prostate brachytherapy

Posted: 28 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

The majority of men treated with brachytherapy for prostate cancer have preserved ejaculatory function, but they experience reductions in volumes of ejaculate and a reduced ability to orgasm, French study findings indicate.

<i>IL-10</i> gene variants linked to prostate cancer risk

Posted: 28 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Prostate cancer risk is associated with genetic variation in interleukin-10 and, potentially, toll-like receptor 4 genes, say US scientists who found no direct associations with single nucleotide polymorphisms in obesity genes.

Number of axillary nodes removed predicts regional breast cancer recurrence

Posted: 28 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

The number of axillary nodes removed during axillary node dissection predicts regional recurrence in node-negative breast cancer patients, study results show.

Glycemic control predicts prostate cancer aggressiveness in diabetes

Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Diabetes itself is not associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness, but glycemic control predicts an aggressive tumor profile in patients with both prostate cancer and diabetes, say Korean scientists.

Methylene blue dye injection for breast cancer staging causes cutaneous side effects

Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

In addition to the well-known problem of skin necrosis, methylene blue dye injection leads to more subtle cutaneous adverse effects when used for lymphatic mapping/sentinel lymphadenectomy in staging of breast cancer, show US study findings.

Extensive soft tissue resection for locally recurrent breast cancer produces lasting local control

Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Large soft tissue resection followed by autologous tissue closure for local relapse of breast cancer provides local control with acceptable morbidity, Dutch study results show.

Post-prostatectomy disease control improved by radiotherapy

Posted: 26 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

After radical prostatectomy, postoperative radiotherapy and early referral for salvage radiotherapy improve disease control, while increasing urinary toxicity, conclude Italian scientists.

AR in prostate cancer stroma and normal tissue linked to outcomes

Posted: 26 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Androgen receptor levels in both the tumor stroma and the surrounding normal tissue are associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness and the efficacy of castration therapy, Swedish study findings indicate.

DMPA effectiveness unaffected by antiretroviral triple therapy

Posted: 26 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

The use of combination antiretroviral therapy with zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz by HIV-infected women does not affect the pharmacokinetics of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, according to US study results.

AMH levels unaffected by weight loss in obese women with PCOS

Posted: 26 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

A 20-week weight loss intervention improves reproductive function with no impact on anti-Müllerian hormone levels in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome, study results suggest.

Chromosome instability occurs frequently in human embryos

Posted: 26 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Belgian researchers have found that chromosome instability, a hallmark of tumorigenesis, is common during early human embryogenesis.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer facilitates axillary-conserving surgery

Posted: 26 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy downstages primary breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastases thereby facilitating both breast- and axillary-conserving surgery, study shows.

Very hot tea may increase esophageal cancer risk

Posted: 05 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

People have been advised to let hot beverages cool a little before drinking, following a Middle-Eastern study that has linked esophageal cancer with the consumption of very hot tea.

Health Informatics News

Health Informatics News

Survey: Privacy compliance has declined

Posted: 14 May 2006 01:56 AM PDT

Three years after federal rules governing the privacy of patients' medical records went into effect, compliance seems to have declined for 6 percent, according to an annual survey conducted by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Read more about this at here.

E-book: Making E-Health Work

Posted: 14 May 2006 01:53 AM PDT

E-Health has become an integral part of present-day healthcare delivery. With healthcare consumers, increasingly the focus of most health systems, the widespread implementation of health information and communications technologies offers cost-effective opportunities to meet their increasingly sophisticated healthcare needs.Bankix Systems Ltd has released its latest e-book. It is a 200-page in-depth analysis of the issues involved in "Making E-Health Work," the e-book's title. Read more about this e-book at here.

Consumer tools: UCompareHealthCare Offers Free Reports on Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Physicians

Posted: 11 Mar 2006 01:01 AM PST

"UCompareHealthCare has just unveiled its Web site, ucomparehealthcare.com, which features free reports on the nation's nursing homes, hospitals and physicians to help consumers make informed healthcare decisions. I checked the web site and found it very informative for health consumers to help them make informed decision about their choices of doctors, hospitals and others." Read more about this at UCompareHealthCare

Articles: Direct to Consumer: Women are a powerful, but untapped, audience

Posted: 03 Feb 2006 12:04 AM PST

"Women influence many family decisions—from choosing what's for dinner to selecting the medications their children take. In fact, nearly two-thirds of women are responsible for family healthcare decisions, according to a 2004 national survey conducted by Plan for Your Health. Many women also assume the care-giving role outside their nuclear families. Today's middle-aged woman may also look after her parents and in-laws too, often determining how long they can live on their own and how to best care for them. In addition, she often influences the important health decisions of grandchildren, co-workers, and friends." Read more at PharmExec.

Consumer tools: Really Personal PHRs

Posted: 27 Jan 2006 01:05 AM PST

"If we're committed to fostering the adoption of personal health records, we should take a page out of the consumer marketing textbooks — not the primers of health IT marketers. This was my conclusion after attending a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Markle Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Agency for Healthcare Quality Research and Quality. " Read more about this at iHealthBeat .

Consumer trends: Manhattan Predicts Online Health Trends

Posted: 27 Jan 2006 12:06 AM PST

"US healthcare specialist Manhattan Research has published a summary of the major trends for health and pharmaceutical marketers to consider in 2006. The trends chart the increased use of the web and other new technologies as a health information and communication tool for both patients and physicians." Read more at Daily Research News Online.

News: Wall Street Journal Looks at Tools That Identify Low-Cost Care Options

Posted: 26 Jan 2006 01:07 AM PST

"The Wall Street Journal on Thursday looked at efforts by insurers to provide patients with tools - including a cell phone Web browsing service - to help them find low-cost treatment options. Lumenos, a unit of WellPoint, in February will launch the cell phone service, which lets patients type drug names into their cell phones' Web browsers and get lists of lower-cost alternatives. The program is designed so that patients can ask their physicians about cost-effective alternatives while they still are at their appointments." Read more at iHealthBeat.

Consumer tools: Consumer Health Complete Now Available from EBSCO Publishing

Posted: 25 Jan 2006 12:09 AM PST

"In continuing with the company's goal of providing the most comprehensive collection of online health and wellness resources, EBSCO Publishing has announced the release of Consumer Health Complete (CHC). This full text database is designed to support consumer and patients' information needs as well as foster an overall
understanding of health-related topics." Read more at Managing Information News.

Medicaid 'train' chugs to governor

Posted:

4/30/2009 © Health News Florida
A bill that lays the groundwork for a "medical home" pilot for Medicaid patients and takes steps to fight health fraud in Miami-Dade is on its way to the governor after passing the House unanimously on Wednesday. The bill carries so many must-pass health measures it's called a "train."