Public Health & Prevention 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
• Long-Term Use of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole May Reduce UTIs in At-Risk Children CME In a randomized trial, long-term, low-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole shows a consistent but modest treatment effect across subgroups of children with urinary tract infections.
  Medscape Medical News 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
• First-Time Antipsychotic Use Linked to Rapid Weight Gain, Adverse Metabolic Changes in Kids CME/CE First-time, second-generation antipsychotic use in children and adolescents is associated with rapid and significant weight gain as well as varied adverse metabolic changes, new research shows.
  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
• 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
• 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
• CDC Issues Guidelines for Early Empiric Antiviral Treatment in Persons With Suspected Influenza CME/CE The new recommendations aim to assist clinicians in prioritizing use of antiviral medications for hospitalized patients and those at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Guidelines Updated on Number of Embryos to Be Transferred During In Vitro Fertilization CME The guidelines advise limiting the number of embryos to be transferred to reduce the number of high-risk multiple pregnancies.
  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
• No Link Seen Between Heart Failure and Coffee Intake CME A prospective, population-based study in Sweden has found no significant rise or fall in risk for heart failure hospitalization or death at increasing levels of coffee intake.
  Heartwire 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
• Omega-3s No Help to SSRI-Treated CHD Patients CME The researchers say more study is still needed, as it is unclear whether higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids or sertraline, longer treatment, or a different ratio of EPA to DHA would be favorable.
  Heartwire 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
• Noncorrectable Visual Problems Linked to Lower Survival in Older Adults CME Noncorrectable visual problems were associated with increased risk for death among persons aged 49 to 74 years, and all visual impairments were associated with the risk for death in older adults.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Prophylactic Acetaminophen Before Vaccination in Infants Reduces Vaccine Response CME A new study shows that the antipyretic acetaminophen may interfere with the efficacy of vaccines and suggests that their use should not be routinely recommended.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009