Saturday, March 7, 2009

FROM THE FDA

 

 

Consumers should beware if wearing transdermal medication patches

 

Many of these patches have metal in the backing. If you are advised to have an MRI, tell your healthcare provider that you are wearing a patch (even if it’s over-the counter for smoking cessation). The patches can overheat and cause burns.

 

LINK

 

Are you taking a GERD medication containing metoclopramide?

 

There is now a “black box” warning on its long-term use. A side-effect, that was formerly only in the product insert, is now on the side of the box. The side-effect in question is tardive dyskinesia.

 

LINK

 

 

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES

 

Too much cost for too little gain

 

This article would have been more appropriate for my daily blog. However, I have been on a soapbox a bit lately. So, I’m going to just give you the link without comment.

 

LINK

 

And in a similar vein, an article to stimulate thought

 

LINK

 

Thought you’d skip the shot and take the spray? Think again.

 

A large study of military personnel indicates that taking the intramuscular flu vaccine prevents flu better than does the nasal spray UNLESS this is your first attempt at preventing the flu. In that case, take the spray. But next year, take the shot!

 

LINK

 

FDA approval is not a protection against a lawsuit

 

This is another article that requires thought. Therefore, I’m presenting it without comment.

 

LINK

 

Just because it’s “free” doesn’t mean you should take it

 

Colds and flu are viral in origin and can not be treated by antibiotics – even if they are free. At best they are useless for these illnesses at worst they will increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

 

LINK

 

Researchers are closer to a treatment for Parkinson’s disease

 

Skin cells have been converted into dopamine secreting cells. The skin cells were taken from individual’s with Parkinson’s disease. The study is very small and treatment is still in the distant future. However, this is an interesting advance and one that circumvents any auto-immune issues.

 

LINK

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

FROM THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES

 

Medicare will now cover testing for obstructive sleep disorder

 

LINK

Saturday, February 28, 2009

FROM THE CDC

 

Maps related to the social determinants of health

 

The social determinants of health include:

 

• Socioeconomic status
• Transportation
• Housing
• Access to services
• Discrimination by social grouping (e.g., race, gender, or class)
• Social or environmental stressors

 

LINK

 

 

African-American women at higher risk for pregnancy and birth complications

 

These complications often result in premature birth and neurological illness in the baby.

 

LINK

  

Asthma is more likely to cause death in African Americans than in non- African Americans

 

The reason for this disparity is unknown.

 

LINK  

 

FROM THE FDA

 

Voluntary recalls of peanut products this week – only 27 (and one of them was for dog biscuits)!

 

Still no national brand peanut butter in jars on the list.

 

Searchable Website

 

Consumer Education

 

A guide to the Safer Use of Pain Medication

 

LINK

 

 

FROM THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

 

Protein, Fats, Carbs or Calories

 

This study was also picked up by the New York Times. But I think the original is worth a look. In summary: 811 healthy but overweight or obese adults (30 – 70, 40% men) were put on one of four diets (either low fat, low carb or low protein in various percentage combinations) with the common factor that all diets were calorie restricted (a 750 kcal deficit from baseline).

 

At 6 months, the average weight loss for all groups was 6kg. At 12 months all participants began to re-gain weight. At 2 years (the end of the study), the average weight loss for all groups was 4 kg.

 

The moral of the story? When it comes to losing weight, calories count more than the type of calories.

 

LINK

 

An Editorial in the same issue of NEJM suggests that perhaps the only approach to the problem of obesity is a community approach.

 

LINK

 

 

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES

 

A forever flu vaccine?

 

Maybe. In the future. So far it’s only in the conceptual stage, with an “Achilles’ heel” of the virus having possibly been found. Clinical trials in humans “could” begin as early as three years from now.

 

LINK 

 

And another research team makes a similar announcement

 

LINK  

 

Dementia – Can it be linked to vitamin D

 

Slight evidence, but every little bit helps.

 

LINK

 

What every parent knows

 

If they’re getting fidgety and need help focusing, send them out to play.

 

LINK  

 

A drug to prevent prostate cancer?

 

Read the fine print and talk with your doctor before making your decision.

 

LINK  

Saturday, February 21, 2009

 

FROM THE CDC

 

Latest health information on young adults 18 – 29

 

• Young women are smoking less, but not young men.
• Twenty-four percent of young adults are obese.
• Seventy percent of deaths among young adults are related to accident, homicide or suicide.
• Almost 9% have suffered from a mental disorder in the past 12 months.
• Seventeen percent report not being able to afford needed health care.
• Percentages of young adults that are uninsured:

                        18 to 19 year olds – 21%

                        20 to 24 – 34%

                        25 to 29 _ 29%

 

LINK

 

 

FROM THE FDA

 

Voluntary recalls of peanut products this week – 58!

National brands of peanut butter sold in jars still NOT affected. However, the recalls (while fewer than last week) have expanded to wild bird food.

 

Searchable Website

 

 

FDA approves first implantable device to control symptoms of severe OCD

 

The deep brain device was approved under a humanitarian exemption. Humanitarian exemptions are given to devices or drugs so that their development may be facilitated. The disease or condition to be treated must affect fewer than 4,000 people annually in the US.

 

LINK

 

FDA issues online information for consumers on radiation

 

Reducing radiation from medical x-rays explains x-rays and offer advice on how to talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of having an x-ray.

 

LINK

 

 

FROM THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

 

Recommendations of the globalization of clinical research

 

The authors call for improved communication and collaboration among international pharmaceutical and device companies as well as among academia and other researchers.

 

LINK

 

 

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES

 

New studies and techniques find an increased risk of birth defects in IVF babies

 

The risks are relatively slight but disturbing since some of the defects arise from changes within the genes of the embryo as it grows before implantation.

 

LINK

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Pre-exposure prevention of HIV?

 

A study recently published in Clinical Infectious Disease discusses a mathematical model that forecasts the possibility of such prevention.

 

LINK

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, February 14, 2009

FROM THE CDC

 

New Cancer Statistics (1999 – 2005 Results)

 

Most common cancer among men:

            Prostate cancer: First among men of all races and Hispanic origin populations.

 

Most common cancer among women:

            Breast cancer: First among women of all races and Hispanic origin populations.

 

Leading cause of cancer death among men:

            Lung cancer: First among men of all racial and Hispanic origin populations.

 

Leading cause of cancer death among women:

            Lung cancer: First among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native women. Second among Hispanic women (breast cancer is first).

 

LINK 

 

 

FROM THE FDA

 

Voluntary recalls of peanut products this week – 71!

National brands of peanut butter sold in jars still NOT affected. However, the recalls (while fewer than last week) have expanded to whole, shelled peanuts in various combinations.

 

Searchable Website

 

 

Ever wonder why you have side effects to a drug and others don’t?

 

It may be in your genes. In conjunction with the FDA, the International Serious Adverse Event Consortium released data that indicate that, at least for serious skin reactions to drugs, there is a genetic basis.

 

LINK 

 

 

FROM THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

 

A Physician’s Perspective on foodborne infection

 

Dr. Maki, a professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, is strongly in favor of increseing the scope of the irradiation of food.

 

LINK 

 

 

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES

 

It may help the medicine go down, but it may also make you fat

 

Twelve ounces of soda or 20 ounces of vitamin water – when it comes to sugar content, they’re both the same. And both will put you well over the recommended daily intake of sugars. What about high-fructose corn syrup? No better (but also no worse).

 

LINK 

 

 

Obesity during pregnancy is tied to major birth defects

 

If there isn’t already enough reason to keep your weight under control here’s another one. Women! Listen up.

 

LINK

 

Assess your risk of colon cancer … but only if you’re white

 

An online colon cancer risk assessment tool was based on data that did not include information on Americans of Hispanic or African-American ethnicity. Some of this is explainable by the lack of sufficient data on those who aren’t white. However, given that African-Americans are at increased risk of colorectal cancer.

 

LINK

 

Amazing!

 

Each day there are more technological advances. While not all of them are without drawbacks, assistive devices that return people to near normal functioning are among the advances without drawbacks. Amanda Kitts can now tie shoelaces. Not bad for a woman with an artificial arm.

 

LINK

Saturday, February 7, 2009

FROM THE FDA

 

Voluntary recalls of peanut products this week – 113!

National brands of peanut butter sold in jars still NOT affected.

 

Approval of First Drug Produced by Human Gene Livestock

 

The animal is the goat and the drug, an anti-coagulant named ATryn, is made from a human protein extracted from the milk of the goats. Before you think “Phew”, look up the source of Premarin.

 

LINK 

 

FROM THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

 

Spending on Cancer Drugs

 

We all know that the cost of healthcare has risen and continues to rise. The cost of cancer drugs may be leading this increase. The cost of cancer drugs far outstrips the cost of other healthcare products in Medicare part B. Some, but not all, of the fault lies with the profit-driven pharmaceutical companies. Many Medicare regulations that counterbalance these forces are often disabled for medications to treat life-threatening illness. It’s a difficult problem.

 

LINK

 

 

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES

 

How Smart Is Your Pill?

 

If your pill is the Dutch prototype, your pill is very smart.

 

The iPill can be programmed to travel through the digestive tract and deliver medication to a specific location or locations. Furthermore, it tells the doctor where it is and gives progress reports as it travels.

 

The iPill, developed by Philips Research in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, is taken with food or water and travels naturally through (and out) the digestive system in 24 hours.

 

LINK

 

More Evidence That Diabetes and Dementia Are Linked.

 

A Swedish twin study resulted in this latest correlation.

 

LINK

 

Genetic Link to Thyroid Cancer

 

Finding genetic variations that are associated with various illnesses is neither new nor of immediate use. However, finding two such variations on the same site on the genome is quite unusual. In fact, this is so unusual that these two variants account for 57% of cases of thyroid cancer.

 

LINK