Monday, November 30, 2009

Medical News

Medical News


Dynamic volume CT identifies vocal cord dysfunction in asthma

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

High-definition, high-speed dynamic volume computed tomography is effective for identifying vocal cord dysfunction in patients with asthma, researchers have found.

Parent mentors improve asthmatic outcomes in minority children

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Parent mentors can help reduce wheezing, asthma attacks, and emergency room visits among asthmatic children from ethnic minorities, say US researchers.

Heart failure increases all-cause mortality risk in COPD

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Results of a Dutch study show that the presence of heart failure is a significant independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Initial prodrome of bipolar disorder not specific for later illness

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Although mood and energy dysregulation are characteristic of the initial prodrome of bipolar disorder, their low specificity does not allow the prediction of bipolar disorder development, conclude Norwegian researchers.

Facial processing deficits in schizophrenia linked to worse symptoms

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Schizophrenia patients have deficits in facial expression and orientation processing, which are linked to worse symptoms and reduced social functioning, the results of a US study reveal.

Distal DVT mortality risk driven by cancer

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Researchers have identified significant differences in the risk factors and outcomes of patients with distal and proximal deep vein thrombosis.

Mismatch-based delayed thrombolysis attractive but not yet ready for routine care

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

The use of mismatch imaging to identify patients who will benefit from delayed thrombolysis is a promising strategy but requires validation in a phase III trial, say the authors of a meta-analysis.

Vitamin D is not associated with prostate cancer risk

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Vitamin D is not associated with prostate cancer incidence, say researchers.

CYP2C8 polymorphism may predict tamoxifen response

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 2C8 and CYP2C9 genes may influence breast tumor characteristics and disease-free survival in tamoxifen-treated patients, Swedish researchers report.

Radiotherapy ‘not required’ in intermediate-risk stage I endometrial cancer

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Endometrial cancer patients with intermediate-risk stage I disease do not need postoperative radiotherapy, show researchers who found survival rates comparable to those seen in stage I low-risk patients without postoperative radiotherapy.

Ovarian cancer, stage best diagnosed with PET/CT

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Study findings suggest that positron emission tomography/computed tomography is more accurate in differentiating between cases of benign and borderline or malignant ovarian tumors than pelvic Doppler ultrasonography, abdomino-pelvic CT, or pelvic magnetic resonance imaging.

BMI impacts contraception choice

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Women with a body mass index over 25 kg/m2 are more likely to use procedural contraception methods than women with normal BMIs, indicate study findings.

Anti-mullerian hormone levels unaffected by OC use

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Serum antimullerian hormone levels do not fluctuate during oral contraceptive use, but are significantly lower in obese women than those with a normal body mass index, show US study results.

Pregnancy prognosis, outcomes in MS nearly comparable to general population

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Pregnant women with multiple sclerosis have only a slightly increased risk for cesarean delivery and delivery of an infant with a poor prenatal growth rate compared with women in the general population, show US study results.

Menopausal hot flashes associated with increased carotid IMT

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Study results show that hot flashes in menopausal women are associated with increased carotid intima–media thickness, a marker for subclinical cardiovascular disease.

Corticosteroids in pregnancy linked to congenital malformations

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Women with asthma who take high doses of inhaled corticosteroids during early pregnancy may be putting their offspring at increased risk for congenital malformations, suggest study results.

SERMs improve verbal memory in late postmenopausal women

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Study results show that late postmenopausal women who take the selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene show significant improvements in verbal memory, suggesting that this compound may slow cognitive decline in elderly women.

ApoM potential new anti-atherosclerosis target

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Increasing concentrations of apolipoprotein M may be a novel way to treat atherosclerosis, say researchers who showed that the protein is a key determinant of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol catabolism.

Diet change affects lipid profile independently of medication effect

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Changes in diet and the type of fat eaten have a noticeable effect on lipid profile that is independent of the effect of lipid-lowering therapies, scientists report.

Device therapy for HF in Europe increased, but differs among countries

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Device implantation rates in the treatment of heart failure increased substantially between 2004 and 2008 in Europe, although they still vary among countries, suggests a study of Eucomed Registry data.

Rituximab may help preserve beta-cell function for Type 1 diabetics

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Study results show that treatment with rituximab partially preserved beta-cell function over 1 year in patients with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome predicts Type 2 diabetes independent of IFG

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Presence of the metabolic syndrome significantly increases the risk for Type 2 diabetes independent of impaired fasting glucose, report Japanese researchers.

Sibling MI and stroke mark increased CVD risks, even for elderly

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Sibling histories of myocardial infarction and stroke are linked to an increased prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease in older adults, report researchers.

Device therapy for HF in Europe increased, but differs among countries

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Device implantation rates in the treatment of heart failure increased substantially between 2004 and 2008 in Europe, although they still vary among countries, suggests a study of Eucomed Registry data.

Health Informatics News

Health Informatics News


GE Offering Certification Training for RECs

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 08:01 AM PST

United Kingdom-based GE Healthcare is licensing its proprietary Change Acceleration Process (CAP) training and offering its product knowledge certification program in an effort to provide support for Regional Extension Centers (RECs). Seventy RECs will be selected to furnish assistance, education and outreach to primary care physicians and other providers to help them select and implement certified EHR technology to improve the quality and value of care. According to GE Healthcare, REC applicants cite physician recruitment as one of the most critical barriers to EMR adoption. The company says it will share its experience and best practices with RECs on how to market and promote the benefits and full potential of an EMR so that RECs can develop their physician recruitment strategies.

Bon Secours’ Portal to Include PHR

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 07:58 AM PST

Bon Secours Health System , a four-hospital system based in Richmond, Va., is offering a branded version of the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based NoMoreClipboard.com personal health record (PHR) as part of its “mybonsecours” online patient portal. The portal enables patients to search for online health content, check symptoms and perform financial transactions. From the mybonsecours PHR, patients can create a health record, locate a Bon Secours physician and send their PHR to that physician in advance of a medical visit, according to the company. The mybonsecours PHR will also be integrated with Bon Secours practice management systems, EMR systems and the MedVirginia health information exchange. Bon Secours Richmond is a not-for-profit health system with four hospitals in the Richmond area: St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, Memorial Regional Medical Center and Richmond Community Hospital, as well as Bon Secours HealthSource, composed of more than 20 physician practice groups.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Medical News

Medical News


Frequent night-time waking linked to childhood asthma risk

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Frequent night-time waking in the first 3 years of life is associated with an increased risk for asthma in later childhood, study results suggest.

Prenatal acetaminophen exposure ‘not linked to childhood asthma’

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Results from a US study suggest that prenatal exposure to the analgesic acetaminophen (paracetamol) does not increase the risk for asthma in children.

Acute rhinosinusitis linked to transient lung function reductions

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Acute rhinosinusitis is associated with temporarily reduced lung function in patients without chronic lung disease or allergy, research shows.

Patients with GERD spectrum disease experience IBS symptoms

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are common in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, German researchers reported at the Gastro 2009 meeting in London, UK.

Benefits of cannabis prevention to avoid schizophrenia ‘unclear’

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

The importance of preventing cannabis use in order to prevent schizophrenia or psychosis cases remains unclear after a UK team found that thousands of heavy users would need to be prevented just to avoid one case.

HIV-1 subtype C link with dyslipidemia could raise CVD risk

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

HIV-1 subtype C infection is associated with dyslipidemia and an increased inflammatory state that may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, South-African researchers suggest.

Psychotic features in bipolar disorder point to worse prognosis

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Bipolar disorder patients who have psychotic features have a worse prognosis and response to lithium monotherapy than patients without such features, the results of a Turkish study indicate.

Parental age-related schizophrenia ‘distinct from other forms’

Posted: 25 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Parental age-related schizophrenia has a distinct etiopathology from other forms of schizophrenia and female gender does not exert a protective effect over its development, US study findings indicate.

Biventricular pacing ‘prevents adverse LV effects of RV apical pacing’

Posted: 25 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Biventricular pacing can prevent the adverse left ventricular remodeling and reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction observed with conventional right ventricular apical pacing in patients with bradycardia and normal systolic function, researchers report.

Bipolar weight gain begins with first manic episode

Posted: 25 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

The clinically significant weight gain observed in bipolar disorder patients begins with the first manic episode, regardless of previous episodes, and may be due to the treatment required, say Canadian researchers.

Schizophrenia development after psychosis predicted by clinical factors

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

The development of schizophrenia after first-episode psychosis can be reliably predicted by a combination of three clinical factors, say Spanish investigators in findings that could help to improve the prognosis of patients.

Hypertension treatment increases oxidized LDL antibodies

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Circulating levels of autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein increase after successful treatment for hypertension, Brazilian researchers have discovered.

Depressive mood structure ‘unstable across bipolar disorder episodes’

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Suicidality, mood, psychomotor, and neurovegetative symptoms are stable across depressive episodes in bipolar disorder whereas the overall dimensional structure is not temporally stable, US researchers have discovered.

Schizophrenia patients can accurately assess memory capacity

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

While schizophrenia patients have memory impairments and reduced feeling of knowing ratings, they can rely on memory retrieval to accurately assess their awareness of what they know, say French scientists.

Asthma increases hospitalization risk among children with swine flu

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Children with asthma face a significantly greater risk for hospitalization after infection with H1N1 influenza than after infection with seasonal influenza, research suggests.

Hypertension and CAD should be prime targets for heart failure

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

The main risk factors for heart failure in the US population are hypertension in women and coronary artery disease in men, study findings show.

Dyslipidemia increases risk for heart failure

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

People with dyslipidemia have an increased risk for heart failure, report researchers from the US-based Framingham Heart Study.

Hypertension and CAD should be prime targets for heart failure

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

The main risk factors for heart failure in the US population are hypertension in women and coronary artery disease in men, study findings show.

Brain emotion reactions differ in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients have different patterns of medial temporal lobe activation during an emotional memory task, researchers have found.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Medical News

Medical News


Warfarin linked to valvular calcification in AF patients

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Warfarin may increase the risk for valvular calcification in patients with atrial fibrillation, suggests research published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis

Diabetes raises stroke risk in Japanese adults

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in both men and women, a study of the Japanese population has found.

Psoriasis patients at increased risk for subclinical atherosclerosis

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Researchers have found further evidence to support a link between psoriasis and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients without clinically evident cardiovascular disease or other cardiovascular risk factors.

Adjuvant and salvage RT for prostate cancer does not significantly improve survival

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Prostate cancer patients who receive adjuvant or salvage radiation therapy after being treated with radical prostatectomy do not achieve significantly better survival rates compared with patients who do not receive additional therapy, report researchers.

PSA screening for prostate cancer 'means overtreatment and large costs'

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

The introduction of a widespread prostate-specific antigen screening program for European men would mean substantial increases in healthcare costs for prostate cancer, of which screening costs would only be a small part, calculate researchers.

Adjuvant and salvage RT for prostate cancer does not significantly improve survival

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Prostate cancer patients who receive adjuvant or salvage radiation therapy after being treated with radical prostatectomy do not achieve significantly better survival rates compared with patients who do not receive additional therapy, report researchers.

PSA screening for prostate cancer 'means overtreatment and large costs'

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

The introduction of a widespread prostate-specific antigen screening program for European men would mean substantial increases in healthcare costs for prostate cancer, of which screening costs would only be a small part, calculate researchers.

Circulating tumor cells linked to increased risk for VTE

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Patients with metastatic breast cancer and circulating tumor cells should be closely monitored because they have an increased risk for venous thromboembolism, say researchers.

Measuring arterial stiffness and thickness could improve CVD prediction

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Measuring both arterial stiffness and thickness could improve the prediction of cardiovascular disease, Japanese researchers claim.

HIV-1 subtype C link with dyslipidemia could raise CVD risk

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

HIV-1 subtype C infection is associated with dyslipidemia and an increased inflammatory state that may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, South-African researchers suggest.

One-year CV event rates similar with PCI and CABG in CARDia

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Results from the CARDia trial suggest that percutaneous coronary intervention has similar efficacy to coronary artery bypass grafting for diabetic patients with coronary artery disease, but results in higher rates of repeat revascularization.

Acrylamide exposure is associated with decreased serum insulin

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Exposure to acrylamide in foodstuffs and from smoking is associated with decreased serum insulin and insulin resistance, report researchers.

Diabetes raises stroke risk in Japanese adults

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in both men and women, a study of the Japanese population has found.

Ischemic time determines reversible myocardial injury in PCI for STEMI

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Time to reperfusion, starting from symptom onset, determines the extent of reversible and irreversible myocardial injury in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, research shows.

Cardiac troponin T associated with CV death and HF in stable CAD

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Researchers report that circulating cardiac troponin T levels are positively associated with the incidence of cardiovascular death and heart failure, but not myocardial infarction, in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Diabetes raises stroke risk in Japanese adults

Posted: 26 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in both men and women, a study of the Japanese population has found.