Medscape Clinical Briefs

• High Vitamin D Levels Linked to Reduced Risk for Colon Cancer CME A study shows a strong inverse association between levels of prediagnostic 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D concentration and the risk for colorectal cancer in western European populations.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Management of Erectile Dysfunction Reviewed CME A review for family physicians discusses management of erectile dysfunction in the family practice setting.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Risk for DVT Low After Single Negative Whole-Leg Compression Ultrasound Result CME A systematic review and meta-analysis shows a low risk for deep vein thrombosis for 3 months after a single negative whole-leg compression ultrasound result.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Linked to Increased Mortality CME Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis increases the risk for death vs the general population, and liver disease is the third most common cause of death in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Management of Acute Poisoning From Medication Ingestion Reviewed CME/CE A review suggests that family physicians be familiar with treatment of accidental and intentional medication ingestions and discusses management.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Higher Birth Weight Ups Risks of Vaginal Birth After C-Section CME In light of this finding, the authors recommend that fetal weight be taken into consideration for all women attempting a trial of labor after cesarean delivery.
  Reuters Health Information CME, February 2010
• Exercise in Older Women May Improve BMD and Reduce Fall Risk CME Women 65 years or older assigned to an exercise program for 18 months had denser bones and reduced risk for falls, but not cardiovascular disease, vs control subjects.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Routine Use of Internal Tocodynamometry for Monitoring Contractions Not Recommended CME In a randomized controlled trial, internal tocodynamometry during induced labor was no better than external monitoring in reducing the rate of cesarean deliveries and adverse neonatal outcomes.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Exercise May Improve Cognitive Skills in Older Population CME Results from 2 new studies show decreased cognitive impairment for seniors participating in moderate to high physical activity and improved cognitive skills in older women after resistance training.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Transdermal Nicotine for 24 Weeks vs 8 Weeks May Improve Abstinence CME/CE This intervention increased biochemically confirmed point-prevalence and continuous abstinence at week 24 and reduced the risk for lapses in smoking.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Primary Care Practice Intervention Can Prompt Weight Loss in Morbidly Obese CME The results are significant, as the majority of the primary care population does not see weight loss surgery as an option.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Procalcitonin May Help Guide Antibiotic Use in Intensive Care Units CME/CE A study shows that a procalcitonin-guided strategy to treat suspected bacterial infections in nonsurgical patients in intensive care units may safely reduce antibiotic exposure and selective pressure.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Children May Ethically Serve As Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donors CME An American Academy of Pediatrics review states that minors can ethically serve as stem cell donors when specific criteria are met, and it reviews the risks and benefits of stem cell donation.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Intensive Insulin Therapy May Not Improve Survival in Septic Shock CME In a randomized controlled trial, intensive insulin therapy did not show a survival benefit for patients treated with hydrocortisone for septic shock.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, February 2010
• Management Program Improves Care for COPD CME The management program yielded a 1-year mean frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of 0.48 per patient, indicating a 41% reduced risk.
  Reuters Health Information CME, January 2010
• Vitamin D May Reduce Falls in Elderly Nursing Home Residents CME/CE A Cochrane review shows that vitamin D supplementation, as well as pharmacist review of medications, can reduce falls in this population.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, January 2010
• Sibutramine Now Contraindicated in Patients With a History of Cardiovascular Disease CME/CE Based on an additional review of data from a large randomized trial, the FDA is recommending that patients with a history of cardiovascular disease should avoid sibutramine.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, January 2010
• Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids May Not Reduce Preterm Birth CME In a randomized controlled trial, supplementation did not prevent recurrent preterm birth in women receiving 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, January 2010
• Management of Acute Otitis Media Without Antibiotics Has Not Increased CME/CE Although the 2004 AAP and AAFP clinical practice guideline on acute otitis media allowed for observation without initial antibiotic therapy, "watchful waiting" has not increased since 2004.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, January 2010
• Diagnosis and Management of Red Eye in Primary Care Reviewed CME/CE A review for family physicians covers the diagnosis and management of red eye in the primary care setting.
  MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs, January 2010