Pulmonary Medicine News CME/CE

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Most Patients With Vaccine Allergy May Be Safely Vaccinated CME A practice parameter also recommends that patients with suspected allergy to vaccines or vaccine components be evaluated by an allergist or immunologist.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Excess Body Weight Linked to Severity of Blood Oxygen Desaturation During Apnea Events CME Excess body weight may predict severity of blood oxygen desaturation during apnea and hypopnea events, exacerbating the impact of sleep-disordered breathing in obese patients.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• FDA Safety Changes: Symbyax, Zoladex, INOmax CME/CE The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for olanzapine/fluoxetine HCl capsules (Symbyax), goserelin acetate implants (Zoladex), and nitric oxide for inhalation (INOmax).
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Weight Loss Should Improve OSA in Obese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes CME In a 4-center randomized study, weight loss led to significant and clinically relevant improvements in obstructive sleep apnea among obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Surgical Mask May Be Comparable to N95 Respirator in Halting Flu Transmission CME/CE In a randomized controlled trial, use of a surgical mask compared with an N95 respirator was associated with noninferior rates of laboratory-confirmed influenza in healthcare workers.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Flu Vaccine May Protect Against MI CME A protective effect was seen in patients with established cardiovascular disease. Whether vaccination is protective in people with no vascular disease is less clear, a new review suggests.
  Heartwire CME, September 2009
• Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked to Risk for Death From Lung Cancer CME/CE In an analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative, hormone replacement therapy with use of estrogen and progestin was associated with increased risk for death from lung cancer.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Simple Interventions May Reduce Transmission of Epidemic Respiratory Viruses CME/CE A systematic review suggests that hygiene and physical barriers may effectively reduce transmission of respiratory viruses and should be given higher priority in national pandemic preparation plans.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation May Improve Outcomes in Severe Acute Respiratory Failure CME Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation vs conventional ventilator management may improve chances of survival without disability in patients with acute respiratory failure.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Guidelines Updated for Use of Palivizumab to Prevent RSV Infections CME/CE The American Academy of Pediatrics has modified its recommendations for use of palivizumab to prevent serious lower respiratory syncytial virus disease in children at increased risk for severe disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Procalcitonin Measurements May Reduce Rates of Antibiotic Use for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections CME In patients with lower respiratory tract infections, procalcitonin guidance vs standard guidelines yielded similar rates of adverse outcomes but lower rates of antibiotic exposure and adverse effects.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Treatment of COPD May Be Best Started at an Early Stage CME Tiotropium seemed to reduce the rate of decline of postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume at 1 second in patients with GOLD stage II chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• ADO Index May Help Predict Risk for Mortality From COPD CME This new score performs better than the currently used BODE index and is much more applicable to clinical practice, allowing physicians to target suitable treatment options to individual patients.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Budesonide for 12 Months Not Linked to Risk for Pneumonia in Patients With COPD CME Budesonide treatment for 12 months did not increase the risk for pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during that time and was safe for clinical use in such patients.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Large Waist Size Linked to Asthma in Women CME In the California Teachers Study cohort, a large waist was associated with increased asthma prevalence, even among women considered to have normal body weight.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Tobacco Smoking May Increase Risk for Tuberculosis CME/CE In a representative cohort of Taiwan's population, tobacco smoking was associated with a 2-fold increased risk for active tuberculosis.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009