Medscape News CME

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Radiologic Scale Helps Predict Disease Severity in Infants With Necrotizing Enterocolitis CME In a case-control study, the Duke Abdominal Assessment Scale assisted clinicians in determining the severity of disease and the need for surgery in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.
  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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Excessive Pregnancy Weight Gain in Obese Women May Be Retained for 1 Year CME In a retrospective cohort study, obese women who gain more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy are much more likely to retain a portion of that weight 1 year after delivery.
  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
• FDA Approvals: Elitek, Fluarix, Votrient CME/CE The FDA has approved an expanded indication for rasburicase intravenous infusion, a pediatric use of a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, and pazopanib tablets for advanced renal cell carcinoma.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Supervised Exercise Therapy May Be Helpful for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome CME In a randomized trial, this intervention was associated with less knee pain and better function at short-term and long-term follow-up vs usual care in patients seen in general practice.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Bones More Mature Than Chronologic Age May Be a Marker for Hypertension in Children CME A study shows that irrespective of body mass index, advanced skeletal maturation should be considered as an independent marker for the development of hypertension in children.
  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
• Psychiatric Disorders, Sexual Trauma Linked to Urinary Tract Symptoms CME Depression, anxiety, and sexual trauma have all been implicated as risk factors in lower urinary tract symptoms.
  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
• 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