Internal Medicine News CME/CE

• Tai Chi May Help Reduce Pain of Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Patients CME In a randomized controlled trial, Tai Chi was associated with decreased pain and improved physical function, self-efficacy, depression, and health-related quality of life for knee osteoarthritis.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Migraine With Aura Doubles Stroke Risk CME Ischemic stroke risk doubles in individuals with migraine with aura, especially in those who are women, young, smokers, or those receiving contraceptives containing estrogen.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Lifestyle-Based Diabetes Prevention Seen to Endure for at Least a Decade CME The protective effects of diet modification, exercise, and other lifestyle changes against new-onset diabetes showcased in the three-year Diabetes Prevention Program continued out to 10 years in a follow-up analysis.
  Heartwire CME, November 2009
• Statins May Reduce Cancer Deaths in COPD Patients: Study CME In a Dutch study, treatment with statins in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with a reduced mortality risk from extrapulmonary cancer.
  Reuters Health Information CME, November 2009
• Non-CV Mortality Also Important in Dialysis Patients CME Physicians may tend to overlook risk factors for noncardiovascular mortality in patients starting dialysis, since the emphasis in the past has always been on cardiovascular risk, researchers say.
  Heartwire CME, November 2009
• Pap Tests and Liquid-Based Cytology Equivalent in Detecting Precancerous Lesions CME A large Dutch study reports that liquid-based cytology was neither more sensitive nor more specific than conventional Pap tests in detecting precancerous lesions or cervical cancer.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• 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
• Primary Care Clinicians Key in Preventing Major Depression in the Elderly CME/CE Factors routinely assessed in primary care identify elderly subjects who are candidates for depression prevention.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Distribution of Body Fat Important in VTE CME The distribution of body fat, as well as the amount, is important when it comes to the risk of venous thromboembolism, Danish researchers have discovered.
  Heartwire CME, November 2009
• FDA Safety Changes: DepoDur, Neoral, Lexiva CME/CE The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for morphine sulfate extended-release liposome injection, cyclosporine capsules and oral solution, and fosamprenavir calcium tablets and oral suspension.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Higher-Intensity Continuous Renal Replacement May Not Reduce Mortality Risk From Acute Kidney Injury CME In a randomized controlled trial in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury, treatment with higher-intensity continuous renal replacement therapy did not reduce mortality rate at 90 days.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Intensified Blood Pressure Control May Improve Renal Function in Children With CKD CME In a randomized trial, intensified blood pressure control targeting 24-hour blood-pressure levels in the low range of normal was associated with a substantial benefit in renal function.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Depression in Older Cancer Patients Responds Better to Collaborative Program CME A collaborative program headed by a depression care manager, which included a structured psychotherapy program, was better than usual care in older cancer patients with depression.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• New Clinical Guidelines Issued for Exacerbations in Cystic Fibrosis CME The evidence-based guidelines discuss management of pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis, highlighting synergy testing and the dosing of aminoglycoside antibiotics.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• More Suicidal Ideation With Nortriptyline vs Escitalopram Among Men, but Both Drugs Decrease Adverse Effect CME Men treated for depression with nortriptyline had almost a 10-fold increase in suicidal thoughts at 5 weeks vs men treated with escitalopram, but both drugs effectively reduced suicidal ideation.
  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
• NT-ProBNP "Remarkable Predictor" of Incident Atrial Fibrillation CME The fact that elevated baseline NT-proBNP levels predict a diagnosis of AF even 16 years later suggests that peptide elevations precede the onset of arrhythmia, according to the researchers.
  Heartwire CME, October 2009
• Inhaled Corticosteroids May Be Helpful in Steroid-Naive Patients With Moderate to Severe COPD CME/CE In a randomized controlled trial, inhaled corticosteroids reduced inflammation and slowed decline in lung function in these patients; adding a long-acting beta agonist did not enhance these effects.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 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
• Low Bioavailable Testosterone Linked to Frailty in Older Men CME Low levels of bioavailable testosterone are associated more frailty in elderly men; as men age, the prevalence of frailty increases and the levels of androgens decrease.
  Reuters Health Information CME, October 2009