Home Internal Medicine December 2015 Briefing – Internal Medicine

December 2015 Briefing – Internal Medicine

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for December 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

AMA: Burnout Is Top Issue for Physicians in 2015

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physician burnout is the top issue for physicians in 2015, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).

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Alcohol Binge Damage May Be Worse Than Previously Thought

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Chronic drinking combined with binge drinking may be more destructive than previously thought, according to an animal study published online Nov. 20 in Biomolecules.

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Characteristics of Compression Stockings May Impact Compliance

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients after deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the most important characteristics of elastic compression stocking (ECS) therapy are risk reduction of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and ability to put on the ECS without assistance, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

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Antimicrobial Stewardship Improves Outcomes for MRSA

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients receiving antimicrobial injections targeting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program that includes daily review of prescriptions is associated with improved clinical outcomes, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

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Researchers Call for Retraction of Nitroglycerin-Bone Density Study

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Some authors of a published study that claimed nitroglycerin might boost bone density in older women have asked that the study be retracted, saying the lead researcher falsified data in the report. The research was first published in February 2011 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The request for a retraction appeared online Dec. 28 on the journal’s website.

Notice of Retraction

Study Strengthens Evidence for Mycoplasma genitalium As STI

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is prevalent in more than 1 percent of the sexually-experienced British population, with no infections detected in those reporting no previous sexual experience, according to a study published online Nov. 3 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

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Thyroid CA Patients Report Poor QOL, Despite Good Prognoses

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Thyroid cancer survivors report lower quality of life than people who survive other cancers, according to research published in the Dec. 17 issue of Thyroid.

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Eating Potatoes on a Regular Basis May Up Risk of T2DM

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Greater potato consumption is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Diabetes Care.

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After Nonfatal Overdose, Most Patients Prescribed More Opioids

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with a nonfatal opioid overdose are almost always prescribed opioids after overdose, according to a study published online Dec. 29 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Breast CA Detection Comparable for Ultrasound, Mammography

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Ultrasound and mammography appear equally likely to detect breast cancer, according to research published online Dec. 28 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

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Second Cancer Risk Persists for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivors

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivors have an increased risk of a second cancer, with risk still elevated at 35 years or more after treatment, according to a study published in the Dec. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Sodium Restriction May Be Detrimental in Heart Failure

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sodium restriction may be harmful in patients with chronic heart failure, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 issue of JACC: Heart Failure.

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Impact of 2012 USPSTF Guideline Against PSA Screening Explored

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients undergoing prostate needle biopsies after the 2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against prostate-specific antigen-based screening for prostate cancer for men of any age are more likely to be diagnosed with high-risk disease, according to research published in the January issue of The Journal of Urology.

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Optimism May Improve Outcomes Post Acute Coronary Syndrome

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) optimism is associated with greater physical activity and lower rates of cardiac readmission at six months, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

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Cohesive Care Team Ups Health Benefit of EHR Use in Diabetes

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Electronic health record (EHR)-related health improvement is greater for patients with diabetes cared for by primary care teams with higher cohesion, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in the American Journal of Managed Care.

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Patients Can Safely Self-Administer IV Antibiotics at Home

MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients can be taught to safely self-administer long-term intravenous antibiotics at home, without the help of a health care worker, according to research published online Dec. 15 in PLOS Medicine.

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Efficacy of Azithromycin in Chlamydia Remains High

MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Azithromycin is not noninferior to doxycycline for treatment of urogenital chlamydia infection among adolescents; however, the efficacy of both types of treatment is high, according to a study published in the Dec. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Higher Hospital Prices in U.S. ‘Monopoly Markets’

MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Prices at hospitals in monopoly markets are 15 percent higher than those at hospitals in areas with at least four providers, according to research published recently at the Health Care Pricing Project website.

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Treating Hypertension Beneficial Regardless of Baseline Pressure

MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Blood pressure lowering treatment reduces the risk of major cardiovascular disease events, with reductions seen regardless of starting blood pressure, according to research published online Dec. 23 in The Lancet.

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PSA Screening May Be Harmful for Patients With ESRD

MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening may be harmful, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

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Empirical Treatment More Cost-Effective for Onychomycosis

MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with suspected onychomycosis, empirical treatment with terbinafine is more cost-effective than confirmatory testing, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in JAMA Dermatology.

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Modifiable Factors Affect Racial Differences in Lung Cancer

MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Racial/ethnic variation is evident in lung cancer incidence and mortality among postmenopausal women, but other factors may have an influence, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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Better Info Needed in Transfer From Peds to Adult Care for T1DM

MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For young adults with type 1 diabetes transitioning from pediatric care to adult endocrinologists, information transfer seems to be inadequate, according to research published online Dec. 17 in Diabetes Care.

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Infusion of HIV-Neutralizing Antibody Decreases Viremia

FRIDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A single infusion of the potent human monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the HIV-1 CD4 binding site, VRC01, decreases plasma viremia, according to a study published in the Dec. 23 issue of Science Translational Medicine.

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Both Smoking Bans and Cigarette Taxes Deter Smokers

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Comprehensive cigarette bans are most effective at limiting smoking among casual users, but high taxes may have the most impact on people who smoke more than a pack a day, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in the American Journal of Public Health.

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Daily INR Measurement Best for Hospitalized Patients on Warfarin

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For hospitalized patients, international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring less frequently than daily is associated with increased odds of warfarin-associated adverse events, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

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ACOG: New Recommendations for Cervical Cancer Screening

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In a practice bulletin published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, new recommendations are presented for cervical cancer screening and prevention.

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FDA Lifts Ban on Blood Donations by Men Who Have Sex With Men

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Men who have sex with men who have abstained from sex for one year will now be allowed to donate blood in the United States. The new policy, announced Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, reverses a three-decades-old ban on donations from this group of men that traces back to the start of the AIDS epidemic.

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Specific, Consistent ICD-10 Coding Key to Timely Payments

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In order to prevent denials, it is important to code correctly within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), with specificity matching documentation, according to an article published in Medical Economics.

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Two Draft Statements From USPSTF Open for Comment

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has found that current evidence is insufficient for determining the balance of benefits and harms of lipid disorder screening in children, while for statin use in adults, recommendations vary with patient age. These findings form the basis of two draft recommendation statements published online Dec. 21 by the USPSTF.

Draft Recommendation Statement – Lipid Screen
Evidence Review
Comment on Recommendations
Draft Recommendation Statement – Statin Use
Evidence Review
Comment on Recommendations

Reperfusion Delay Cuts Benefit of Intra-Arterial Tx for Stroke

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by intracranial arterial occlusion, for every hour of reperfusion delay there is a decrease in the benefit of intra-arterial treatment (IAT), according to research published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Neurology.

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Many Ignore Warning Symptoms Before Sudden Cardiac Arrest

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) frequently have warning symptoms, usually chest pain and dyspnea, in the month prior to the event, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Combined Patient, Physician Intervention Ups Function in OA

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis, a combined patient and provider intervention is associated with modest improvements in function, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Periodontal Disease Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Risk

MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Periodontal disease is associated with increased risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women, according to research published online Dec. 21 in Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

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Affordable Care Act Has Improved Access to Care, Affordability

MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has improved access to care and affordability of care for many adults, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.

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Pay-for-Performance to PCPs May Improve Disease Management

MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Pay-for-performance (P4P) measures have an overall positive effect on disease management, according to a review published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine.

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Increase in Alcohol Tax Linked to Reduction in Gonorrhea Rates

MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Introduction of an increase in alcohol beverage sales tax is associated with a reduction in gonorrhea rates, according to research published online Dec. 9 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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Acral Pigmented Lesions More Common on Darker Skin

FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People with darker skin are about one-third more likely to have acral pigmented lesions on their palms and soles, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

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Over Half of U.S. States Ill Prepared for Disease Outbreaks

FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than half of U.S. states are poorly prepared to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, according to a new report released Dec. 17 by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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Many Patients With Diagnosed OSA Not Receiving Treatment

FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many patients with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are not being treated, with only 42 percent reporting adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment, according to research published in the November issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

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Meta-Analysis: Risk of Dementia Up in Type 2 Diabetes

FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The risk of dementia is increased for individuals with type 2 diabetes, and the additional risk of vascular dementia, but not nonvascular dementia, is greater in women than in men, according to a meta-analysis published online Dec. 17 in Diabetes Care.

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Longer Follow-Up Needed to Evaluate Ovarian CA Screening

THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The efficacy of ovarian cancer screening is unclear, with no significant reduction in mortality in primary analysis, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in The Lancet.

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Symptoms Frequently Reported by Ebola Virus Survivors

THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Survivors of Ebola virus disease (EVD) frequently have symptoms, including ocular symptoms, most of which resolve over time, according to a letter to the editor published in the Dec. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Antineoplastic Agent Obscures Diagnosis of Fungal Meningitis

THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case of cryptococcal meningitis with false-negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture results following receipt of capecitabine has been described in a case report published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

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Greater Effort Needed to Prevent Epilepsy-Related Mortality

THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The importance of preventing epilepsy-related mortality is highlighted in an article published online Dec. 16 in Neurology.

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Roughly Half of U.S. Hospitals Require Staff Flu Vaccination

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The majority of U.S. hospitals don’t require health care providers to get a seasonal flu vaccine, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

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Industry Outpacing NIH in Funding Research

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There’s been a sharp rise in the number of industry-funded clinical trials and a significant decline in those financed by the U.S. government in recent years, according to findings published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Distribution of Opioid Prescribing ID’d for Different Providers

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The top 10 percent of Medicare prescribers account for more than 50 percent of opioid claims, compared with almost 80 percent for the top 10 percent of the California Workers’ Compensation providers, according to a research letter published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Risk of CV Events Up After Shingles Diagnosis in Seniors

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Stroke risk appears to more than double in the first week following a shingles diagnosis, with myocardial infarction (MI) risk also climbing, though not by quite as much, according to research published online Dec. 15 in PLOS Medicine.

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Antidepressant Tx Increases Subsequent Mania/Bipolar Risk

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with unipolar depression, the risk of subsequent mania/bipolar disorder is increased in association with antidepressant treatment, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in BMJ Open.

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Greater Racial, Ethnic Diversity of Doctors Found in Ob-Gyn

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among adult medical specialists, greater racial and ethnic diversity is found among obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns), according to research published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

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Omalizumab Highly Effective for Severe Allergic Asthma

TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Omalizumab appears to be highly effective for the management of severe allergic asthma, according to a review of “real-life” effectiveness studies published online Dec. 8 in Allergy.

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Dose-Linked Pulmonary Complications After FFP Infusion

TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About 20 percent of patients administered fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to reverse warfarin anticoagulation develop pulmonary complications, with highest risk seen with more than three units of FFP, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

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Uptake of ‘Western Lifestyle’ Tied to Rising Cancer Rates

TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Better screening and lifestyle changes have helped to reduce the prevalence of common cancers in many high-income countries, but low- and middle-income countries are seeing those rates rise as they adopt unhealthy Western habits, according to a report published online Dec. 14 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

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Perceived Stress May Increase Risk of Cognitive Decline

TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — High levels of perceived stress could be a risk factor for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders.

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Neurotoxicity of Anesthesia in Children Needs to Be Addressed

TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A recent survey of pediatric anesthesia programs at teaching institutions in the United States highlights the need for improvements in training, clinical practice, and communication related to neurotoxicity associated with general anesthesia in young children, according to research published in the January issue of Pediatric Anesthesia.

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Platelet Counts Rise With Viral Response to Hep C Therapy

TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Platelet counts rise among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who experience a sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy, according to research published online Dec. 8 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

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Improvements in RA Disease Activity With Bariatric Sx

MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), bariatric surgery-associated weight loss correlates with lower disease activity, decreased serum inflammatory markers, and less RA-related medication use, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

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Plant-Based Diets Linked to Lower Mortality in CKD

MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A diet high in plant protein intake is associated with lower all-cause mortality in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to research published online Dec. 10 in the American Journal of Kidney Disease.

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Vagus Nerve Stimulation + Rehab Feasible After Stroke

MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation appears to be feasible and safe for patients after ischemic stroke, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in Stroke.

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Interaction Described Between Acenocoumarol, Levofloxacin

MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More frequent monitoring may be required when patients are taking both acenocoumarol and levofloxacin due to the possibility of an adverse interaction, according to a case report published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

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Early Chemo Less Likely to Help Black Breast Cancer Patients

MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is less likely to benefit black women with breast cancer than those in other racial and ethnic groups, according to a study published online Nov. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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New Model of Inpatient Care Can Improve Outcomes

MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a new model of care can improve outcomes of care in medical and surgical units, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

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Hepatitis E Virus Rare Among HIV-Infected Population

MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is low in HIV-infected (HIV+) women and men, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in Hepatology.

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Moderate Drinking May Benefit Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Patients

MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease who consume two to three alcoholic drinks a day may have a reduced risk of mortality compared to those who consume one or fewer drinks a day, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in BMJ Open.

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Asthma Tied to Increased Risk of Chronic Migraines

FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People with asthma may be more than twice as likely to develop chronic migraines as those without asthma, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in Headache.

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Paracentesis Underutilized in Patients With Cirrhosis, Ascites

FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients admitted with diagnoses of cirrhosis and ascites, paracentesis is associated with decreased in-hospital mortality but is underutilized, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

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Toxic Skin Effects Common With EGFR-TKI Use in NSCLC

FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is associated with skin toxic effects, according to a research letter study published online Dec. 10 in JAMA Dermatology.

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Seven Behaviors Suggested to Improve ‘Art of Medicine’

FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Seven behaviors should be implemented to improve the art of medicine, which can help improve relationships with patients, according to an article published in Family Practice Management.

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Central Venous Pressure-Guided Hydration Beneficial in CKD, CHF

FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) undergoing coronary procedures, central venous pressure (CVP)-guided hydration is associated with reduced risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), according to a study published online Dec. 9 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

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Accuracy of Clinical Diagnosis in TIA Called Into Question

FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The presence of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions is similar in patients clinically diagnosed with transient neurological attack (TNA) and transient ischemic attack (TIA), calling into question the accuracy of clinically diagnosing TIA, according to research published in the December issue of the Annals of Neurology.

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Herpes Zoster Risk in RA Up With Older Age, Prednisone Dose

FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased herpes zoster (HZ) risk with older age and higher prednisone dose, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

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Lower RA Activity for Patients Seen at Practices With NPs, PAs

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have lower disease activity when seen at practices with nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs) versus rheumatologist-only practices, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

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Radiographs Not Picking Up Osteoarthritis in Hip

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — X-rays don’t detect hip osteoarthritis (OA) in many patients, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment, according to findings published online Dec. 2 in The BMJ.

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Nitrates in Heart Failure May Harm More Than Help

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nitrates don’t improve quality of life or everyday activity levels as intended in patients with heart failure, according to research published in the Dec. 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Cognitive Therapy, Meds Equally Effective for Major Depression

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants could both be equally effective as stand-alone treatments for major depressive disorder, according to a review published online Dec. 8 in The BMJ.

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Excessive Testing May Be Compromising T2DM Care

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many Americans with type 2 diabetes may be getting unnecessary tests — and, in some cases, needless changes in medication, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in The BMJ.

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Mindfulness Tx Aids Cancer-Linked Cognitive Impairment

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For breast and colorectal cancer survivors, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is associated with improvements in cognitive function, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.

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Presence of Medical Students in ER Slightly Ups Length of Stay

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The presence of medical students in the emergency department is associated with increased length of stay (LOS) but the slight increase is not likely to be clinically relevant, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.

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Nutraceuticals Alone or With Ezetimibe Aid in Dyslipidemia

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For statin-intolerant patients with dyslipidemia with ischemic heart disease treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, nutraceuticals alone or in combination with ezetimibe improve the lipid profile, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

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Percentage of Graduates Entering GME Stable Over Past Decade

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite an increase in the number of U.S. medical school graduates, over the past decade the percentage entering graduate medical education (GME) training has remained stable, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.

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Warfarin + Sulfonylureas May Increase Risk of Hospitalization

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Taking warfarin at the same time as glipizide or glimepiride may increase the risk of hospitalization, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in The BMJ.

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Depression Not Uncommon Among Resident Physicians

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than one in four doctors-in-training may be depressed, which could put their patients at risk, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.

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Expiratory Snoring Predicts COPD in Sleep Disordered Breathing

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with sleep disordered breathing (SDB), expiratory snoring predicts obstructive airway disorders, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

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Med Ed Can Be Improved for High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The combination of effective transmission of knowledge, facilitation of reflective practice, and a supportive environment can educate physicians to deliver high-value, cost-conscious care, according to a review published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.

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CDC: Fewer Americans Struggling With Medical Bills

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer American families are struggling to pay medical bills, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

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ADT for Prostate CA Tied to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer might dramatically increase a man’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a large-scale analysis of health data suggests. The study was published online Dec. 7 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit Feasible for Acute Stroke Care

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A mobile stroke treatment unit (MSTU) is feasible for providing acute stroke treatment, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Neurology.

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Skin Lesions for 29 Percent With Anti-TNF Treatment in IBD

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, skin lesions frequently develop but rarely necessitate treatment discontinuation, according to research published online Dec. 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Review Compares Outcomes, Safety for Once-Weekly GLP-1RAs

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cardiometabolic outcomes and safety vary among different once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) treatments, according to a review published online Dec. 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Linked to Oxidative Stress

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is associated with increased total oxidative status and oxidative stress index values, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in the International Journal of Dermatology.

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U.S. Health Care Spending Increased in 2014

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The expansion of insurance coverage and increases in retail prescription drug spending contributed to an increase in total national health care expenditures in 2014, according to a report published online Dec. 2 in Health Affairs.

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Survey: U.S. PCPs Feel Ill-Prepared for Complex Care

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Compared to their international peers, doctors on the front lines of U.S. medicine feel they aren’t prepared to treat the sickest patients, according to the results of a survey published in the December issue of Health Affairs.

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Endurance Athletes May Suffer Dangerous Metabolic Effects

MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Participation in the endurance competition known as the Ultraman is associated with dramatic alterations in body composition, muscle health, hormones, and metabolism, according to a study published online Nov. 11 in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.

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Etiology of Leukemia in Breast Cancer Survivors Explored

MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers are zeroing in on factors that may increase the risk of leukemia after breast cancer treatment, according to a report published online Dec. 7 in Cancer.

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Bariatric Surgery Beats Medical Control for Diabetes Remission

MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Surgery is more effective than medical control for diabetes remission, with predictors including lower baseline glycemia and shorter diabetes duration, according to research published online Dec. 1 in Diabetes Care.

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Breaking Up Prolonged Sitting Benefits Postmenopausal Women

MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Breaking up prolonged sitting with standing or walking improves postprandial markers of cardiometabolic health in overweight/obese, dysglycemic, postmenopausal women, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in Diabetes Care.

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Variation in Prices of Cancer Drugs in High-Income Countries

MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The prices of cancer drugs vary greatly across high-income countries, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in The Lancet Oncology.

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AFP Levels Predict Fibrosis Regression After SVR in Hep C

MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), lower post-treatment α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and HCV genotype 2 correlate with liver fibrosis regression after sustained virological response (SVR), according to a study published online Dec. 3 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

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Statin Treatment Linked to Reduced Risk of Cataracts

MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Statin treatment is associated with reduced risk of incident cataract development, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

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Low-Risk Prostate CA Patients May Not Be Monitored Properly

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many men with low-risk prostate cancer who choose active surveillance may not be followed as closely as they should be, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of Cancer.

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Metformin Linked to Beneficial Changes in Gut Bacteria

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Metformin appears to trigger favorable changes in intestinal bacteria, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in Nature.

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Guidelines Promote Awareness, Use of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines for enhanced implementation, use, and delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) have been presented in a policy statement published in the Dec. 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

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Cardiovascular Trial Sponsorship Significantly Impacts Findings

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Large clinical studies that are sponsored by industry are more likely to report favorable outcomes and less likely to report unfavorable outcomes than those sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), particularly those in the cardiovascular field, according to research published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

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Testosterone Treatment Tied to Improved Insulin Sensitivity

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For men with type 2 diabetes and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), testosterone treatment is associated with improved insulin sensitivity, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in Diabetes Care.

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Glove-Related Hand Urticaria May Be Rising in Health Care Workers

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Health care workers are at high risk of glove-related hand urticaria, an occupational issue that may be increasing, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the British Journal of Dermatology.

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Poor PCI Outcomes Up for Very Old With STEMI

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Very old patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have increased rates of PCI failure, bleeding complications, and mortality, but successful PCI still benefits mortality risk across all age groups, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

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Mechanical Thrombectomy Benefits Large Vessel Occlusion

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large artery occlusion, mechanical thrombectomy after usual care is associated with improved outcomes versus usual care alone, according to a review published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Time to Tx Initiation Impacts Survival in Head, Neck Cancer

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, time to treatment initiation (TTI) impacts overall survival, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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CDC: Too Few Taking Needed Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nearly half of American adults who should be taking cholesterol-lowering drugs don’t, according to research published in the Dec. 4 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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AMA: Case Before Supreme Court Threatens Patient Privacy

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case before the Supreme Court is potentially threatening patient confidentiality, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).

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Evidence Doesn’t Support Monthly Labs With Isotretinoin

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Less frequent laboratory monitoring may be safe for patients receiving isotretinoin for acne as changes in mean values of several laboratory tests do not meet a priori criteria for high-risk, according to research published online Dec. 2 in JAMA Dermatology.

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IV Diuretics Deemed Safe in Outpatient Heart Failure Care

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Intravenous (IV) diuretics appear to be safe and effective for outpatient volume management in heart failure, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in JACC: Heart Failure.

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False-Positive Mammogram May Hint at Breast Cancer Risk Later

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women who receive a false-positive result on a mammogram may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer later, according to research published online Dec. 2 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Up With Overweight, Obesity

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and carpal tunnel release, according to a meta-analysis published in the December issue of Obesity Reviews.

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Addition of Immunosuppression No Benefit in IgA Nephropathy

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, the addition of immunosuppressive therapy to intensive supportive care does not improve outcomes, according to a study published in the Dec. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Lixisenatide Doesn’t Affect Cardiovascular Risk in T2DM

THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The addition of lixisenatide to usual care does not impact the rate of major cardiovascular events or other serious adverse events among patients with type 2 diabetes and a recent acute coronary syndrome, according to a study published in the Dec. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Levels of Ebola Virus in Blood Could Help Predict Mortality

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The levels of Ebola virus in a patient’s blood can strongly predict the mortality risk, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in PLOS Medicine.

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Depression Ups Readmission Odds for COPD Exacerbation

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Depression is independently associated with increased risk of readmission for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published online Nov. 24 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

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CPAP, Mandibular Advancement Devices Both Help Lower BP

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and mandibular advancement devices (MADs) each produce a modest reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure rates in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, according to a meta-analysis published in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Burnout Rates on the Rise for Physicians

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Burnout is a growing problem among American doctors, according to research published in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

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Burden, Costs of Gastrointestinal, Liver Disease Estimated in U.S.

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In the United States, the burden and associated costs of gastrointestinal (GI), liver, and pancreatic diseases are substantial, according to a report published in the December issue of Gastroenterology.

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USPSTF: Insufficient Evidence for Visual Skin Cancer Screening

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found that there is currently insufficient evidence to weigh the benefits and harms of visual skin cancer screening in adults. These findings form the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Nov. 30 by the USPSTF.

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Transfusion, Mortality Link Varies With Hemoglobin Levels

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For critically ill patients, the impact of transfusion on mortality varies with hemoglobin (Hgb) levels and with the presence of comorbid heart disease, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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PrEP for Men at High Risk for HIV May Be Taken on Demand

TUESDAY, Dec. 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that men at high risk for HIV can benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken before and after sex instead of every day. The study was published online Dec. 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with World AIDS Day.

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CDC: Cholesterol Levels Improving But More Work Needed

TUESDAY, Dec. 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About one in every eight American adults continue to have high levels of total cholesterol, while even more have low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, according to a December data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.

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Chikungunya Virus Deemed Significant Cause of CNS Disease

TUESDAY, Dec. 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A 2005 to 2006 chikungunya outbreak on Reunion Island, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, affected more than 300,000 people, with a higher-than-expected rate of encephalitis, researchers report online Nov. 25 in Neurology.

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Lower Patient Satisfaction With High Clinician Computer Use

TUESDAY, Dec. 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients in safety-net clinics, high computer use by clinicians is associated with lower patient satisfaction and differences in communication, according to a research letter published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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