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Investigational drug for pulmonary hypertension may improve the quality of life for patients with scleroderma and lupus

An investigational new drug for pulmonary hypertension may improve the quality of life for thousands of patients with scleroderma, lupus, and other associated connective tissue diseases, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

18 Oct 2004

Study underscores the relative safety of infliximab, when used properly

Rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving the recommended starting dose (3mg/kg) of infliximab (REMICADE®) have no more serious rate of infections than do patients taking methotrexate alone

18 Oct 2004

New treatment antibody - AMG 162 - may help prevent osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis

A novel treatment administered semiannually to postmenopausal women with low bone density appears to rapidly inhibit the bone resorption process, resulting in improvements in bone mineral density at 12 months

18 Oct 2004

$Strontium ranelate may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis$

Strontium ranelate may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis

Strontium ranelate, a new oral medication on the horizon, may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

18 Oct 2004

Anesthetics are effective in reducing the pain of circumcision in newborns

Anesthetics are effective in reducing the pain of circumcision in newborns, judging from the baby’s heart rate and time spent crying after the procedure, a new analysis finds.

18 Oct 2004

Insulin sensitizing drugs help thin women as well overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Insulin-sensitizing drugs can help thin women with polycystic ovary syndrome even if they do not appear to be insulin resistant, broadening the range of women who can benefit from the therapy, a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher said in this month’s issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility.

16 Oct 2004

Vitamin E's status as a super supplement questioned

Over the past decade, vitamin E has become one of the top-selling supplements in the United States, in part because research released in the early- to mid-1990s suggested that taking vitamin E supplements might protect against heart disease, boost the immune system and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

14 Oct 2004

Low dose aspirin dosages trigger the body to generate its own anti-inflammatory compounds

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and colleagues have demonstrated for the first time in humans in a randomized clinical trial that low-dose aspirin - dosages equivalent to one baby aspirin (81 mg) - trigger the body to generate its own anti-inflammatory compounds that help fight unwanted inflammation.

13 Oct 2004

Researchers have discovered an effective new way to treat giant cell arteritis

Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered an effective new way to treat giant cell arteritis (GCA), a debilitating cause of headaches, fatigue, muscle pain and even blindness. The findings of this research will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting.

13 Oct 2004

Influenza expert is beginning a three-year direct comparison of flu shots versus nasal spray flu vaccine

Flu shots have been around since World War II, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long recommended shots as a way to prevent influenza in the elderly. The approval of a new nasal spray vaccine begs the question whether those looking to stave off the flu should stick with the tried and true injection or switch to the nasal spray.

13 Oct 2004

A new approach to controlling blood cholesterol levels may be a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease

A new approach to controlling blood cholesterol levels that is already being investigated to prevent cardiovascular disease also may be a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

13 Oct 2004

Paroxetine is an effective treatment for diminishing hot flashes in men who are receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer

A new antidepressant medication is an effective treatment for diminishing hot flashes in men who are receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer, Mayo Clinic researchers report in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

12 Oct 2004

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy may reduce the risk of a second attack of symptoms related to multiple sclerosis

Anat Achiron, M.D., Ph.D., of Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel, and colleagues assessed the effect of IVIg treatment in patients after the first neurological event suggestive of MS and evaluated the occurrence of a second attack.

11 Oct 2004

Tamoxifen increases risk of stroke in women slightly

A recent analysis of tamoxifen studies completed since 1980 revealed an increased risk of stroke in women who were randomized to tamoxifen versus placebo or other therapies. Details of the analysis and the researchers' conclusions are reported in the October 12 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

11 Oct 2004

Low-dose estrogen therapy significantly reduced the progression of fatty buildup in the arteries leading to the heart

“We’ve shown that you can get the same reduction in coronary artery atherosclerosis with standard-dose or low-dose estrogen,” said Thomas B. Clarkson, D.V.M., one of the investigators. “It is very significant.”

10 Oct 2004

Researchers test whether huperzine A can effectively treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are testing whether huperzine A, a natural moss extract used in Chinese medicine, can effectively treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

8 Oct 2004

The use of anti-inflammatory drugs to treat severe head injuries is actually dangerous

The use of anti-inflammatory drugs to treat patients with severe head injuries—common practice worldwide for the past 30 years—is actually dangerous and associated with around a 20% increase in death within two weeks of hospital admission, conclude authors of an international study in this week’s issue of THE LANCET.

8 Oct 2004

The search for the Holy Grail for dieters is on

Starting this month Canadian and British scientists will begin collaborating on a study to examine human appetite- controlling hormones with a view to finding out what will increase PYY, a powerful hormone in the human body which dramatically diminishes appetite.

7 Oct 2004

Canadian Rheumatology Association issues statement on Vioxx alternatives

The Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) has issued a statement to its 350 members and other interested parties, recommending alternative treatment considerations in the wake of the worldwide recall of Merck's rofecoxib, (Vioxx(R)) last week.

7 Oct 2004

EMEA statement following withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib)

EU regulators met with the marketing authorisation holder of Vioxx (rofecoxib), Merck Sharp & Dohme, on 4-5 October 2004 at the informal meeting of the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) held in Scheveningen, The Netherlands.

6 Oct 2004

Placebo News and Research

Investigational drug for pulmonary hypertension may improve the quality of life for patients with scleroderma and lupus

Study underscores the relative safety of infliximab, when used properly

New treatment antibody - AMG 162 - may help prevent osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis

Strontium ranelate may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis

Anesthetics are effective in reducing the pain of circumcision in newborns

Insulin sensitizing drugs help thin women as well overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Vitamin E's status as a super supplement questioned

Low dose aspirin dosages trigger the body to generate its own anti-inflammatory compounds

Researchers have discovered an effective new way to treat giant cell arteritis

Influenza expert is beginning a three-year direct comparison of flu shots versus nasal spray flu vaccine

A new approach to controlling blood cholesterol levels may be a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Paroxetine is an effective treatment for diminishing hot flashes in men who are receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy may reduce the risk of a second attack of symptoms related to multiple sclerosis

Tamoxifen increases risk of stroke in women slightly

Low-dose estrogen therapy significantly reduced the progression of fatty buildup in the arteries leading to the heart

Researchers test whether huperzine A can effectively treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

The use of anti-inflammatory drugs to treat severe head injuries is actually dangerous

The search for the Holy Grail for dieters is on

Canadian Rheumatology Association issues statement on Vioxx alternatives

EMEA statement following withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib)

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