The difference between getting somewhere and nowhere is the courage to make an early start. The fellow who sits still and does just what he is told will never be told to do big things."
--Charles Schwab,
entrepreneur
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| AJMPlus |
| January 28, 2010 |
Where's the sweet spot in warfarin outcomes?
This study found that warfarin is associated with better six-month outcomes among patients with atrial fibrillation complicating an acute coronary syndrome, but its use is not related to CHADS2 score or bleeding risk. The American Journal of Medicine (2/2010)
HPV testing is better than cytology
Human papillomavirus-based screening is more effective than cytology in preventing invasive cervical cancer by detecting persistent high-grade lesions earlier and providing a longer low-risk period. However, in younger women HPV screening leads to overdiagnosis of regressive CIN2. (Free registration required.) The Lancet Oncology (1/2010)
Unequal health care: Still there for women after bypass
Data from the large state-mandated California Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Outcomes Reporting Program (CCORP) indicates that women are at increased risk of operative mortality after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery compared with men, despite adjustment for preoperative risk factors. The American Journal of Cardiology (02/01/2010)
Obese mom, newborn with a congenital heart defect. An unfortunate relationship.
Women who are overweight or obese before pregnancy are more likely to deliver an infant with a congenital heart defect than are women of normal weight. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (1/2010)
Which long-term care residents get the influenza vaccine?
The newly available influenza vaccination rates from 2005-2006 for residents of long-term care facilities reveal that 83% of residents were offered the flu vaccine, nearly 72% received it, with 10% refusing it, and 14% were not offered it. Rates varied greatly among states (49% to 87%) and there were disparities among African-Americans, Hispanics and whites. Medicaid-certified-only facilities saw higher levels of compliance. (Free abstract only.) Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (1/2010)
Finding the best stents for patients with renal insuffiency
This study found that at long-term follow-up of patients with moderate to severe renal insufficiency the rates of major adverse cardiac events and of all-cause mortality were similar in the paclitaxel-eluting stents and sirolimus-eluting stents. The American Journal of Cardiology (02/01/2010)
The allure of waterpipe smoking
A survey of college students revealed an emerging prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking in traditionally low-risk populations. Club and intramural athletes actually had higher rates of waterpipe use than their nonathletic peers. (Full-text access is time-limited.) Journal of Adolescent Health (1/2010)
Catheter ablation is better than drugs in treating AF
U.S. researchers found that 66% of patients with paroxysmal or intermittent atrial fibrillation who had catheter ablation showed no symptoms of the condition a year after treatment compared with 16% of those who took drugs. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Reuters (1/26)
Race, weight affect breast-feeding rates among women
Obese woman may not breast-feed as much or for as long as normal-weight mothers, a study in Obesity found. Researchers said more white women initiated breast-feeding and did it longer than black women, but among whites, breast-feeding rates were highest among those of normal weight. Los Angeles Times (1/25)
Report lists hospitals with low mortality, complication rates
HealthGrades compiled a list of 269 U.S. hospitals that have unusually low mortality and complication rates for 26 procedures and conditions. The data was gleaned from Medicare reports and found hospitals on the list have a 29% lower mortality rate and 9% lower complication rate than other facilities. Forbes (1/26)
Gawande: More facilities should use checklists
Medicine is so complex that even the smartest physicians can't remember everything and should use a checklist to ensure proper patient care, says Harvard Medical School surgeon Dr. Atul Gawande. Author of "The Checklist Manifesto," Gawande says the checklist gets the "dumb stuff out of the way" so a medical team can focus on more important tasks. USA TODAY (1/26)
New York health system says retail clinics are a success
Continuum Health Partners said its two-year agreement to staff walk-in clinics at Duane Reade pharmacies in New York City with its own physicians has been more successful than expected. The health system, which plans to add 20 more locations in the next year or so, sees "downstream revenue" when patients seek follow-up care with its physicians and hospitals. Crain's New York Business (1/26)
Survey finds 57% of diabetics skip medication
An Internet survey of 500 people with diabetes, published in Diabetes Care, showed 57% occasionally choose not to take their insulin shots, and one in five skips shots regularly. Those most likely to skip the shots include younger, better-educated and low-income patients, those with Type 2 diabetes, and people prescribed multiple daily injections. USA TODAY (1/25)
Poll: Workers are wary of seeking mental health care
A Harris Interactive poll found 73% of employees said they feared their job could be negatively affected if they sought treatment for alcoholism. The poll, conducted for the American Psychiatric Association, showed 62% felt their job would be adversely affected if they were treated for depression. Modern Healthcare (free registration) (1/26)
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