Gastroenterology News CME/CE

• FDA Approvals: Arzerra and Berinert CME/CE The FDA has granted accelerated approval of ofatumumab intravenous infusion for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and has also approved an intravenous therapy for hereditary angioedema.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Drinking Coffee Daily Linked to Lower Risk for Progression of Chronic Hepatitis C CME In a large prospective study, regular coffee drinking consumption was associated with lower rates of progression of advanced hepatitis C–related liver disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Radiologic Scale Helps Predict Disease Severity in Infants With Necrotizing Enterocolitis CME In a case-control study, the Duke Abdominal Assessment Scale assisted clinicians in determining the severity of disease and the need for surgery in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Patients With IBD at Risk of Developing Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer CME Immunosuppressant therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk for nonmelanoma skin cancer.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• FDA Safety Changes: Ultram, Ultracet, Sustiva, Kayexalate CME/CE The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for tramadol HCl tablets, tramadol plus acetaminophen tablets, efavirenz capsules and tablets, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate powder.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Thiopurine Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Linked to Risk for Lymphoproliferative Disorders CME In a prospective observational cohort study, patients receiving thiopurines for inflammatory bowel disease had an increased risk for the development of lymphoproliferative disorders.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Superobesity, Greater Chronic Disease Burden Linked to Higher Mortality After Bariatric Surgery CME From 2000 through 2006, long-term mortality rate after bariatric surgery was greater in superobese veterans and in those with a greater burden of chronic disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Hepatitis B Foundation Issues Guidelines for Pediatric Screening, Monitoring, and Referral CME The recommendations are for practitioners regarding what additional tests to conduct, how often to monitor, and when to refer to a pediatric liver specialist for chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Strategies for Diagnosing and Treating Dehydration in Children CME/CE A review article for the family practitioner offers strategies for diagnosing and treating dehydration in children; oral rehydration therapy is preferred in most cases.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Infliximab Linked to Lower Colectomy Rates in Moderate to Severe Active Ulcerative Colitis CME In randomized controlled trials, patients treated with infliximab for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis were less likely to undergo colectomy through 54 weeks vs those receiving placebo.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• FDA Safety Changes: Arixtra, Sulfonylureas, Tobramycin CME/CE The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for fondaparinux sodium, glipizide and glipizide extended-release tablets, micronized glyburide, glipizide/metformin, glyburide, and tobramycin.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Value of Universal Bilirubin Screening for Newborns Is Controversial CME A study suggests that it can increase the identification of newborns needing phototherapy, but the USPSTF states that the evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Celiac Disease Linked to Modestly Increased Mortality CME A retrospective cohort study shows that the risk for death among patients with celiac disease, inflammation, or latent celiac disease is modestly increased.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• FDA Approvals: Bepreve, Metozolv ODT, Zevalin CME/CE The FDA has approved bepotastine besilate, metoclopramide 5- and 10-mg orally disintegrating tablets, and an expanded indication for ibritumomab tiuxetan intravenous infusion.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• New Guidelines Help Primary Care Doctors Treat Liver Transplant Recipients CME/CE The American Society of Transplantation has approved comprehensive guidelines to assist the primary care physician in the long-term care of liver transplant recipients.
  Reuters Health Information CME, September 2009
• Soluble Fiber May Be Effective for Symptoms of IBS CME In a randomized controlled trial, soluble fiber (psyllium) was an effective treatment of IBS, but insoluble fiber (bran) appeared to worsen symptoms.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Alarm Symptoms May Alert General Practitioners to Clinically Relevant Diagnoses CME/CE A cohort study shows that for every 4 to 7 patients evaluated for hematuria, hemoptysis, dysphagia, or rectal bleeding, relevant diagnoses will be identified in 1 patient within 90 days.
  Medscape Medical News CME, August 2009
• Probiotic Drink May Not Prevent Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea CME In a randomized controlled trial, kefir, a fermented milk product similar to yogurt but containing different fermentation microbes, did not prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
  Medscape Medical News CME, August 2009
• Certain Antidiabetic Therapies May Be Associated With Pancreatic Cancer Risks CME Metformin appears to reduce the risk for pancreatic cancer in patients with diabetes, whereas insulin therapy appears to increase the risk, according to results of a large case-control study.
  Medscape Medical News CME, August 2009
• Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection Ups Risk of HIV-Related Infections CME HIV-infected patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus are more than 3 times likely to have an HIV-related bacterial or mycotic infection vs patients without hepatitis C virus coinfection.
  Reuters Health Information CME, August 2009