Public Health & Prevention Clinical Briefs

• Folate Supplementation Linked to Increased Cancer Incidence and Mortality CME/CE The finding comes from a new analysis of data from 2 cardiovascular trials but American researchers suggest there is a benefit and no cancer problem with folic acid fortification.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Women With SCA Less Likely Than Men to Have Structural Heart Disease CME In a study, women were significantly less likely than men to have a diagnosis of structural heart disease (left ventricular dysfunction or coronary artery disease) before sudden cardiac arrest.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• New Guidelines on H1N1 Influenza Urge Quicker Use of Antivirals CME/CE Updated WHO treatment guidelines for H1N1 influenza urge clinicians to administer antiviral medications as soon as possible for patients in at-risk groups with flu-like symptoms.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Handheld Decision-Support System May Improve Diagnostic Workup for Pulmonary Embolism CME In a cluster randomized trial, a handheld decision-support system in the emergency department improved diagnostic decision making for patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• European AIDS Clinical Society Issues New Guidelines for Management of HIV CME HIV treatment guidelines call for clinicians to begin treatment of HIV-positive patients when the CD4 cell count is as high as 350 to 500 cells/mL; the initial recommended treatment is with darunavir.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Declining Muscle Strength Linked to Alzheimer's Disease CME Evidence is mounting that Alzheimer's disease affects motor function as well as cognition.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Infections Such as Pneumonia and Herpes May Heighten Stroke Risk CME Researchers report that infections increase the risk for stroke through their aggregate effect on vascular inflammation.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• USPSTF Issues New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines CME/CE The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against routine mammography screening for women before age 50 years and suggests that screening end at age 74 years.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Long-Term Statin Use May Be Linked to Decreased Risk for Gallstone Disease and Cholecystectomy CME In men and women who had gallstone disease, long-term use of statins decreased their need for cholecystectomy, according to the results of an observational study.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Walking Speed Predicts CV Mortality in Older People CME Fast walkers should find themselves less likely to succumb to cardiovascular death, according to a new French study in older adults.
  Heartwire CME, November 2009
• Serum Phosphorous, Kidney Function Predict CAC CME High serum phosphorus levels and reduced kidney function at levels considered normal predict coronary artery calcification, which shed light on a nontraditional mechanism for cardiovascular disease.
  Heartwire CME, November 2009
• Postnatal HIV Transmission Seen After Infant Prophylaxis Stopped CME HIV virus transmission via breast milk occurred after antiretroviral prophylaxis was stopped, suggesting that infant prophylaxis was only effective while the agents were being administered.
  Reuters Health Information CME, November 2009
• Management of Cardiac Rehabilitation Reviewed CME A review for clinicians provides recommendations for cardiac rehabilitation in the primary care setting.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Role of Primary Care Clinicians in HIV Management Reviewed CME/CE A review describes the role of primary care clinicians in the treatment of patients with HIV infection.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• PTSD Linked to Patient-Reported Cardiovascular Health Status CME In the Heart and Soul Study of patients with heart disease, posttaumatic stress disorder was more associated with patient-reported cardiovascular health status vs objective cardiac function measures.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Many Antibiotics Used During Pregnancy Are Not Associated With Several Birth Defects CME In a case-control study, penicillins, erythromycins, and cephalosporins were not associated with many birth defects, but sulfonamides and nitrofurantoins were linked to several birth defects.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Trait Anxiety in Pregnant Women Linked to Smaller Infant Size CME In a longitudinal cohort study, trait anxiety measured in pregnant women at the second and third trimesters predicted reduced birth weight and length.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Management of Vitamin D Deficiency Reviewed CME A review suggests best practices for recognition and management of Vitamin D deficiency in the family practice setting.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Varenicline May Not Be Linked to Increased Risk for Self Harm CME A cohort study shows no clear evidence of an increased risk for fatal or nonfatal self-harm or depression with varenicline use, but a 2-fold increased risk cannot be ruled out.
  Medscape Medical News 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