Internal Medicine Alert – August 15, 2008
August 15, 2008
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Should Patients with COPD Exacerbations Receive Beta Blockers?
The findings of this retrospective study of 825 patients hospitalized with COPD exacerbations indicate that the use of beta blockers in such patients is not harmful and may actually be associated with reduced mortality. -
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Rosacea: Clinical Effectiveness of Its Eradication
Rosacea patients have increased incidence of small bowel bacterial overgrowth vs controls, and the eradication of this overgrowth leads to almost complete and long-lasting skin lesion regression. -
Effect of Obesity and Lifestyle on Risk of Acute Coronary Events
Obesity confers an elevated risk of ACS in subgroups of subjects with both healthy and less healthy lifestyle behaviors. However, adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors is definitely associated with a lower risk even among obese individuals. -
Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, Acellular Pertussis and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (KINRIX™)
A single injection has been approved for a fifth dose of DTaP and the fourth dose of inactivated polio (IPV) in children 4 to 6 years of age. The combination vaccine is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as KINRIX. -
Clinical Briefs by Louis Kuritzky, MD
It has been suggested that bipolar disorder (BPD) is underdiagnosed, and is hence sometimes regrettably discovered subsequent to unmasking with treatment instituted for presumed unipolar depression. -
ECG Review: What's There to Worry About?
The ECG shown above was obtained from a 63-year-old man with chest pain. How would you interpret his tracing and accompanying lead II rhythm strip? What is there to worry about? -
Pharmacology Watch
Baxter Bioscience has developed a whole-virus, two dose vaccine against avian flu; warning label now on antipsychotics regarding an increased risk of mortality in elderly patients treated for dementia-related psychosis; vitamin D for men with heart disease on horizon? A new oral anticoagulant may soon be available for prevention of thrombotic complications of hip or knee surgery; FDA Actions