Medscape Medical News Headlines

Prostate Cancer Surgery is Frequently Performed by Surgeons With Low Annual Volumes

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:48:19 EST

Most surgeons treating prostate cancer have very low annual caseloads, which can lead to increased rates of surgical complications and cancer recurrence.

New Director for National Human Genome Research Institute

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:58:30 EST

Eric D. Green, MD, PhD, has been named to the NHGRI director post by predecessor and current NIH director Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD.

FDA Approves Aripiprazole to Treat Irritability in Autistic Children

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:52:21 EST

Aripiprazole therapy may improve symptoms of aggression, self-hurt, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods.

High Salt Intake Boosts Stroke, CVD Risk

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:26:45 EST

These findings from a new meta-analysis support efforts toward a substantial populationwide reduction in salt intake, authors say.

Maternal Depression Worsens Child's Asthma

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:58:50 EST

In children with frequent emergency department visits for asthma, screening for depression in the child's caregiver may be helpful, researchers say.

Gingko Biloba May Not Reduce Cardiovascular Mortality or Events

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

In this randomized controlled trial, however, there were fewer peripheral vascular disease events with gingko vs placebo.

Chronic Pain Linked to Risk for Falls in Older Adults

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

A study shows that chronic pain in 1 or more locations that is severe or that interferes with daily activities is associated with a greater risk for falls in older adults.

Energy Use by Preterm Infants Is Same With Breast- or Bottle-Feeding

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

For preterm infants, breastfeeding requires no more (or less) resting energy expenditure (REE) than bottle-feeding - a finding the research team did not expect.

Gonadotropin Levels Influence Fertility Success

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

Assisted reproduction is more likely to be successful in women with high basal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in combination with low basal levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Swedish researchers report in the November issue of Human Reproduction.

Health Care Reform May Hurt Hospital Credit

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

High-cost urban U.S. hospitals may face debt rating downgrades if large cuts to Medicare funding are implemented as part of U.S. health care reform, Moody's Investors Service said on Monday.

Immunoglobulin May Be No Help in Pediatric Toxic Shock

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) does not improve mortality or shorten hospital stay in children with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, researchers report in the November issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Pentostatin "a Great Advance" for Children With Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

Pentostatin is effective for refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in children, according to a Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium study.

History of TURP Does Not Rule out High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate CA

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

Men who undergo transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia can still receive high-dose rate brachytherapy if they develop prostate cancer, researchers report in the December issue of BJU International.

Certolizumab Plus Methotrexate Improves Patient-Reported RA Outcomes

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

Adding certolizumab pegol to methotrexate improves health-related quality of life, fatigue, and other patient-reported outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Prostate Cancer-Specific Mortality Extremely Low During Active Surveillance

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

Active surveillance of prostate cancer, with intervention offered for progressive disease, appears to be safe even for intermediate-risk disease in men over the age of 70, findings from a prospective cohort study suggest.

Spread of Drug-Resistant HIV Stabilizing in Europe

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

Transmission of drug-resistant HIV stabilized in Europe from late 2002 through late 2005, according to a report in the November 15th issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Two More Cancer Drugs Refused By UK NICE

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:16:02 EST

The United Kingdom has decided that the use of sorafenib for liver cancer is not cost-effective, a decision out of step with the rest of Europe.

High-Impact Exercise Reduces Stroke Risk

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:43:40 EST

The intensity of the activity is important, and the effect is independent of the improvement exercise has on hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia.

New Algorithm Predicts Osteoporotic Fractures

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:01:42 EST

A new risk prediction algorithm for hip and other fractures from osteoporosis is relatively easy to use and can help primary care clinicians identify patients at high risk.

Dietary Antioxidants Could Help Preserve Muscle Strength in Older Adults

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:53:24 EST

In a study in older adults, dietary intake of vitamins C and E was linked with muscle strength, leading the researchers to suggest at a meeting in Atlanta this past weekend that a diet high in antioxidants could play an important role in preserving muscle function in older adults