Chronic News and Research

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Marijuana worsens breathing problems in current smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

"This study suggests an interaction between cigarettes and marijuana smoking. These findings have not been reported before, and they have a big public health implication," Dr. Tan says.

22 May 2007

Lubiprostone may improve symptom relief rates in adults with irritable bowel syndrome

A new study demonstrated that the active ingredient in AMITIZA (lubiprostone), given 8 mcg twice a day, may improve symptom relief rates in adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

22 May 2007

Healthy body weight throughout life prevents onset of physical disability later in life

Maintaining a healthy body weight throughout adulthood may help prevent or delay the onset of physical disability as we age, according to researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues.

22 May 2007

GSK strongly disagrees with conclusions reached in NEJM article on Avandia

GlaxoSmithKline has issued the following response to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) on Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate), a widely used and highly effective treatment for type 2 diabetes.

22 May 2007

Drug treatment slows decline in lung function in COPD patients

Treatment with a commonly used drug slows the decline in lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to results from the TORCH (TOwards a Revolution in COPD Health) study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Tuesday, May 22.

22 May 2007

Cure for hepatitis C

The use of peginterferon alone, or in combination with ribavirin, points to a cure for hepatitis C, the leading cause of cirrhosis, liver cancer and the need for liver transplant, a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher said today.

22 May 2007

Clinical trial data for Perforomist Inhalation solution

Data presented at the International Conference of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) demonstrate that Perforomist (formoterol fumarate) Inhalation Solution, delivered by nebulization, is an effective and well-tolerated new treatment option for patients suffering from emphysema or chronic bronchitis, otherwise known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

22 May 2007

Cigarette use may explain asthma epidemic in children

The rise in cigarette use by adults over the past century may explain the asthma epidemic in children according to a study by researchers at the Mailman School of Public Health.

22 May 2007

Link between periodontitis and tongue cancer

Researchers at the University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute have shown for the first time that an association exists between long-standing periodontitis, or gum disease, and risk of tongue cancer.

22 May 2007

Blood-thinning drugs need closer monitoring

Natalie Oake and colleagues report on a meta-analysis of studies that recorded hemorrhages and thromboembolic (blood clot) events in patients taking blood-thinners.

22 May 2007

Chronic pain has an effect on memory

We all know that a chronic bout of pain if it goes on for any length of time stops you thinking straight but now Canadian researchers say they have found that it also has a significant effect on both attention and memory.

21 May 2007

Ulcerative colitis disruptive in relationships

Nearly three out of four ulcerative colitis (UC) sufferers (73 percent) responding to a new nationwide survey say not feeling well has become a normal part of life.

18 May 2007

Quality improvement effort pays off in diabetes care

Spending money to improve diabetes care at federally qualified community health centers is a sound investment, according to one of the first studies to examine the clinical and economic impact of quality improvement on diabetes care.

18 May 2007

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals to initiate new Bavituximab HCV trial

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals has announced it has filed a new clinical trial protocol with the FDA to study bavituximab in patients co-infected with HCV and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

18 May 2007

Chronic pain can impair your memory and your concentration

Anyone who has experienced chronic pain knows that it affects the ability to work, sleep and perform other activities essential to leading a full life.

18 May 2007

American Dental Association praises pediatric dental bill

The American Dental Association (ADA) applauds Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) for introducing legislation to help end the silent epidemic of untreated dental disease among the nation's disadvantaged children.

18 May 2007

Pycnogenol natural pine bark extract reduces heart failure

A study to be published in an upcoming edition of the journal of Cardiovascular Toxicology reveals Pycnogenol natural pine bark extract from the French maritime pine tree, helps prevent damage that high blood pressure causes to the heart.

17 May 2007

Merits and risks of postmenopausal hormone therapy

The study was categorized as a primary prevention trial for coronary heart disease, although the fact that mean age at recruitment was 63 years was not given enough importance at that time. WHI investigators concluded that hormone therapy (HT) was not cardioprotective, and, in fact, its riskbenefit ratio did not favor the use of postmenopausal hormones for prevention of chronic diseases.

17 May 2007

Herpes infection may be symbiotic

Mice with chronic herpes virus infections can better resist the bacterium that causes plague and a bacterium that causes one kind of food poisoning, researchers report in Nature.

17 May 2007

Virtual Iraq provides better understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder

Weill Cornell Medical College researchers are using a virtual reality simulation called "Virtual Iraq" to better understand how symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develop.

17 May 2007