Monthly Archives: April 2012

Alzheimer’s disease drug donepezil demonstrates promising safety profile

Key Point: Donepezil’s cardiac safety profile appears promising in this small-scale, short-term study. If drugs with a similar mechanism of action that affect acetylcholine are prescribed in patients receiving this therapy, patients should be closely monitored for potential cardiac effects. However, these effects have not been significantly demonstrated in patients… 

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Posted in Geriatrics, Neurology, Pharmacology, Primary Care | Tagged , , , , , , , | Volume: | Leave a comment

New dengue fever classification differentiates typical and severe infections to improve patient triage and management

The spread of dengue fever is a significant problem, mostly due to increased global trade and travel. It is estimated to cause 50 million infections yearly, with outbreaks in India becoming more commonplace. Infections often occur in urban areas and spread into neighboring communities. Over the last 20 years, higher… 

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Posted in Infectious Disease, Primary Care | Tagged , , , , , | Volume: | Leave a comment

Study takes a closer look at triggers of hospitalization for venous thromboembolism

Algorithms that predict risk for venous thromboembolism occurring outside of the hospital setting should be reevaluated to include infection, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and blood transfusion, in addition to the more commonly recognized triggers such as major surgeries, fractures, immobility, and chemotherapy, according to a recent study. “The notion that VTE occurs… 

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Posted in Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Orthopedics, Pharmacology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Volume: | Leave a comment

Improved sanitation and access to water decreases infant, child, and maternal mortality

Increased access to improved water sources and improved sanitation are each associated with a significant decrease in mortality in children younger than 5 years, mortality due to diarrhea in children younger than 5 years, infant mortality, and maternal mortality. These were the findings of a large observational study that included… 

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Posted in Hygiene, Ob/Gyn, Pediatrics, Women's Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | Volume: | Leave a comment

Risk of post-partum pre-eclampsia and eclampsia persist after delivery

Delayed post-partum pre-eclampsia and eclampsia remain risks for maternal health in the week following delivery, regardless of whether there is a maternal history of hypertension or whether hypertensive disease has developed prior to hospital discharge, according to a recent study. “The sudden appearance of post-partum eclampsia can be a rude… 

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Posted in Hypertension, Ob/Gyn | Tagged , , , , , | Volume: | Leave a comment

Delivery of a pre-term or low birth weight baby increases maternal risk for cardiovascular disease later in life

Pre-term delivery and low birth weight for gestational age each individually increase the risk of maternal hospitalization or death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life, according to a recent study published in Circulation. CVD was defined as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular events, and/or heart failure. “Management of pre-term and… 

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Posted in Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Non-Communicable Disease, Ob/Gyn | Tagged , , , | Volume: | Leave a comment

Oral misoprostol is as effective as intravenous oxytocin in labor augmentation

Oral misoprostol is an effective agent to augment labor compared with intravenous oxytocin, according to a study published recently in Obstetrics & Gynecology. India has the largest number of births per year in the world, 27 million, with greater than 60% occurring at home, according to the World Health Organization…. 

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Posted in Ob/Gyn, Pharmacology | Tagged , , , , , | Volume: | Leave a comment