Iron Chelation Improves Survival in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

A retrospective review has shown improved overall survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome who underwent iron chelation therapy.
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

Survival Better With Short, Daily Dialysis Than With Conventional Hemodialysis

Survival among 117 patients treated by short, daily hemodialysis was 61% better than that of the US population on conventional hemodialysis, according to a recent study.
Medscape Medical News
Marlene Busko

International Approvals: Humira Pen, Dynamic Cervical Implant, Arctic Sun

Canada has approved a device (Humira Pen) to administer an arthritis drug; the EU has approved a titanium implant (Dynamic Cervical Implant), and Japan has approved a temperature management system (Arctic Sun).
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

Specific Symptoms May Assist in Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer

In a case-control study, specific symptoms in conjunction with their frequency and duration helped identify women with ovarian cancer, suggesting that a symptom index may be useful. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Finasteride May Lower Serum PSA Level in Men With Male-Pattern Hair Loss

Based on results from a randomized trial with 1 mg-day of finasteride for 48 weeks, an adjustment to PSA level should be made during prostate cancer screening. (CME)
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay,Charles Vega

Massage Therapy May Help Reduce Pain of Knee Osteoarthritis

A randomized controlled trial showed that massage therapy is effective in reducing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, warranting further study of cost-effectiveness. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay

Dabigatran as Good as Enoxaparin, but More Convenient

The RE-MODEL study in patients undergoing total knee replacement shows the 2 drugs are similarly effective at preventing venous thromboembolism.
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

Aurora Kinase Inhibitor Shows Activity in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The investigational drug is the first to show clinical activity in this population of treatment-resistant patients with a poor prognosis.
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey

Neurologists May Underrecognize, Undertreat Epilepsy

Good seizure control improves quality of life and lessens anxiety in patients with epilepsy, a new study suggests.
Medscape Medical News
Caroline Cassels

Stem Cells Offer Hope in Severe Graft-vs-Host Disease

Treatment with donated mesenchymal stem cells can be life-saving in patients with severe acute graft-vs-host disease.
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

Premenopausal Women With Breast Cancer Do Not Need to Wait to Conceive

Premenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer may try to conceive instead of waiting for 2 years after diagnosis, according to researchers. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Women with Epilepsy at Increased Risk for Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature menopause was more likely, although none of the patients had an endocrine disorder.
Medscape Medical News
Paula Moyer

Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation Shows Potential as a Way To Treat Epilepsy

In a small pilot study, the treatment was well tolerated and associated with fewer seizures.
Medscape Medical News
Paula Moyer

Central Obesity Increases Risk for Microalbuminuria in Type 1 Diabetes

A randomized study suggests that central obesity is an independent risk factor for incident microalbuminuria in individuals with type 1 diabetes. (CME)
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay

Vitamin K1 Prophylaxis May Be Helpful in Preterm Infants

In a randomized trial, 0.2 mg of prophylactic vitamin K1, administered intramuscularly, maintained vitamin K sufficiency in preterm infants at 32 weeks' gestation. (CME)
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay,Penny Murata

Rituximab Improves Treatment of Burkitt?s Lymphoma

Adding rituximab to chemotherapy regimens improves the response rate and dramatically reduces toxicity in Burkitt?s lymphoma.
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

First Demonstration of "Apparently Fully Curative" Gene Therapy

Children with severe combined immunodeficiency are healthy and thriving after hemopoietic stem-cell gene therapy, going "from bubble to the playground."
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

FDA Approvals: Gore Propaten, D-Spect Cardiac, Kinetic

The FDA has approved an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-heparin vascular graft (Gore Propaten), a functional cardiac imaging system (D-Spect Cardiac), and a cervical plating system (Kinetic).
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

Enzyme-Inducing Antiepileptic Drugs Associated with Lower Vitamin D in Men

Men with epilepsy who take enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs have lower levels of vitamin D as well as lower calcium and higher parathyroid hormone, according to investigators.
Medscape Medical News
Paula Moyer

Idraparinux Shows Promise for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Administered once weekly, the subcutaneous injection may offer an alternative to standard heparins and vitamin-K antagonists.
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey

New Nutrition and Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors

The American Cancer Society provides nutrition and physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors during phases of treatment and recovery and for others living with advanced cancer. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Highlights From MMWR: Prescription Drug Use Linked to Fatal Crashes and More

The CDC has reported on alcohol and drug use among victims of motor vehicle crashes; environmental barriers to healthcare among disabled individuals; and prostate-specific antigen levels in men aged 40 years and older.
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

FDA Orphan Drug Approvals: VariZIG, Pafuramidine Maleate, RG1068

The FDA has granted orphan drug status for varicella zoster immune globulin [human] injection, pafuramidine maleate, and synthetic human secretin.
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

Trandolapril-Verapamil May Reduce Risk for Diabetes

A randomized trial showed that in patients with impaired fasting glucose tolerance, this fixed-dose combination reduced the risk for new-onset diabetes vs losartan-hydrochlorothiazide. (CME)
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay,Charles Vega

NEAD: In Utero Exposure To Valproate Linked to Poor Cognitive Outcomes in Kids

In utero exposure to the antiepileptic drug valproate poses a much greater risk of poor behavioral developmental outcomes compared with other commonly used antiepileptic drugs, a new study suggests.
Medscape Medical News
Caroline Cassels

Third Case of vCJD After Blood Transfusion Reported in United Kingdom

A report this week describes a third autopsy-confirmed case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease infection in a group of patients who received blood from infected donors. The case adds weight to the possibility that the disease-causing prion may be transmitted efficiently by blood transfusions
Medscape Medical News
Susan Jeffrey

Antidepressants Linked With Attempted Suicide Risk in Certain Patients

Antidepressants were linked with increased risk for attempted suicide but improved mortality rates among patients with a history of attempted suicide. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

FDA Approvals: Tyzeka and Humira

The FDA has approved telbivudine 600-mg tablets (Tyzeka) and an expanded indication for adalimumab subcutaneous injection (Humira). (CME)
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay,Yael Waknine

Literature Review Reveals CKD Population With CVD Is Undertreated

A literature review of recent articles about cardiovascular complications in CKD found great research interest but also identified how care could be improved.
Medscape Medical News
Marlene Busko

Experimental Agent Shows Promise as Safe, Effective Antiepileptic

An experimental agent is showing promise as an effective and safe replacement for the ketogenic diet and may pave the way for a new class of drugs to treat temporal lobe epilepsy, a new study suggests.
Medscape Medical News
Caroline Cassels

Stem-Cell Transplant Patients Face Long-Term Cancer Risk

A new study reveals that within 10 years of a hematopoietic stem-cell transplant, patients are almost twice as likely as the general population to develop a second solid cancer.
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey

Fortified Milk Helps Prevent Diarrhea and Pneumonia in Preschool Children

In an Indian study, consumption of milk fortified with specific micronutrients significantly reduced illnesses, especially in the first 2 years of life. (CME)
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay,Penny Murata

FDA Safety Changes: Videx, Videx EC, Seroquel, Suprane

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for didanosine, quetiapine fumarate, and desflurane. (CME)
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay,Yael Waknine

Stopping Clopidogrel Therapy Increases Mortality in Patients With Drug-Eluting Stents

An observational study found that patients treated with drug-eluting stents who are no longer taking clopidogrel at 6 or 12 months face a higher risk for death or MI during 24 months of follow-up. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News
Charles Vega,Shelley Wood

Five-Year Data on Imatinib Show Best-Ever Survival With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

The 5-year overall survival of 89% with imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia is the best ever reported for this disease.
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

Rosiglitazone Delays Treatment Failure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Rosiglitazone is better than metformin and glyburide in slowing the progression to monotherapy failure, although costs, adverse effects, and risk-benefit profile must be taken into account. (CME)
Medscape Medical News
Charles Vega,Michael O'Riordan

Gene Profiling Less Effective in Predicting Lung Cancer

Researchers say the new technique fails to outperform standard histologic examinations, which are less expensive and easily conducted
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey