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Experts call for global treaty on drug quality

Professionals from the world of health, including health charities, legal and medical academia, and former or current government health officials, have called for the creation of an internationally binding treaty to tackle illegitimate drugs.

16 Nov 2012

In utero exposure to BPA associated with decreased thyroid function in newborn sheep

In utero exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) can be associated with decreased thyroid function in newborn sheep, according to a recent study accepted for publication in Endocrinology, a journal of The Endocrine Society. Hypothyroidism is characterized by poor mental and physical performance in human adults and in children can result in cognitive impairment and failure to grow normally.

15 Nov 2012

New study confirms neurodevelopmental effects of PBDE flame retardant exposure in children

Prenatal and childhood exposure to flame retardant compounds are linked to poorer attention, fine motor coordination and IQ in school-aged children, a finding by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, that adds to growing health concerns over a chemical prevalent in U.S. households.

15 Nov 2012

Palliative care advice for dementia ‘culturally sensitive’

The translation and adaptation of a Canadian palliative care decision-making booklet for patients with dementia and their families into Italian, Dutch, and Japanese reveals several culturally sensitive topics, show study results.

14 Nov 2012

Tell the whole truth about implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

Consent discussions regarding the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in elderly individuals rarely include the device's implications at the end of life, indicate US study results.

13 Nov 2012

Caution over monoclonal antibody treatment for MS

Alemtuzumab, an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, provides a more effective treatment for individuals with relapsing‑remitting multiple sclerosis than the immunomodulating drug interferon beta 1a, but has significant side effects, show findings from a phase III trial.

12 Nov 2012

Postural control the best predictor of stroke rehabilitation outcome

Having good postural control at admission to a skilled nursing facility after a stroke significantly increases elderly patients' chances of achieving a successful discharge to independent living and having good functional status at discharge, study results show.

12 Nov 2012

Automated eye tests best for toddlers

Children under the age of 4 years benefit from instrument-based vision screening rather than visual acuity tests since the former is quick, requires minimal cooperation of the child, and is not dependent on their behavioral responses, says a policy statement released by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

9 Nov 2012

Reminder of values helps African–Americans interact with physicians

Completing a values-affirmation task before a scheduled visit to the primary care physician could improve communications between African–American patients and their providers, show the results of a randomized, controlled study.

9 Nov 2012

Seat laws boost child car safety

US research shows that mandatory booster seat laws for children aged 4 to 7 years play a significant role in reducing fatalities in this age group after car accidents.

8 Nov 2012

Many patients over-optimistic about palliative chemotherapy

A majority of advanced colorectal and lung cancer patients in the USA may not understand that chemotherapy is unlikely to cure them, according to the results of a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

8 Nov 2012

Premenopausal use of hormonal contraceptives may improve women’s cognitive abilities

Premenopausal use of hormonal contraceptives may improve the cognitive abilities of women in midlife and for years afterward. This finding may have implications for prevention of declining cognitive function that occurs with advancing age and in diseases such as Alzheimer's.

8 Nov 2012

Thyroid journal publishes new ATA guidelines for management of anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare form of thyroid tumor, but it is also the most deadly. Newly developed evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring and follow-up care of patients with this extremely aggressive form of thyroid cancer are published in Thyroid, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

8 Nov 2012

Any hospice better than none at end of life

Nursing home residents with advanced dementia who receive any hospice care during the last 90 days of life receive fewer aggressive treatments and are less likely to die in hospital than their counterparts who do not receive such care, show US study results.

6 Nov 2012

Neonatal TSH screening insensitive for iodine insufficiency

Measuring levels of neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone may not be sufficiently sensitive for inferring the extent of iodine deficiency in a given population, study results suggest.

5 Nov 2012

NICE decides to recommend Bristol-Myers Squibb’s YERVOY for treatment of advanced melanoma

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is pleased to announce that today the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has decided to recommend YERVOY (ipilimumab), which is approved in the European Union for the treatment of previously-treated metastatic (advanced) melanoma, within the Final Appraisal Determination (FAD).

3 Nov 2012

Multiple sclerosis disease activity reduced by leukaemia drug, even when first-line treatment has failed

A drug which was originally developed to treat leukaemia and other cancers of the immune system offers substantial improvements over existing treatments in reducing relapse rates for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), even when they have not responded well to first-line treatment, according to the results of two phase 3 trials published Online First in The Lancet.

1 Nov 2012

Hospice volunteers' satisfaction relies on appreciation, support

The majority of individuals involved with nine Canadian hospice volunteer programs are satisfied with their work, citing the appreciation and gratitude of patients and their families as the most satisfying aspect of volunteering, indicate study results.

31 Oct 2012

Pediatric hospitalists keen on texting, worry about privacy

An overwhelming majority of pediatric hospitalists use a smartphone and text messaging, while approximately half either send or receive work-related text messages while they are on duty, show survey findings.

30 Oct 2012

Universal approach to MRSA-prevention in ICU is most effective

Universal decolonization of all patients admitted to intensive care units using chlorhexidine baths and mupirocin treatment for 5 days significantly reduces the risk for infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , report researchers.

26 Oct 2012