Thyroid News and Research

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Limited positive effect of Tafamidis in neurological disorders

Tafamidis meglumine was approved in November 2011 for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis in adults.

17 Sep 2012

Treating elderly patients with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone levels may be unnecessary

There is no evidence to link mildly elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to an increase in mortality among the elderly, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

13 Sep 2012

ATA, AACE develop new guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism

New evidence-based guidelines have been released for the diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism, a complex disease caused by an underactive thyroid gland that cannot produce enough thyroid hormone.

13 Sep 2012

Individuals without capacity excluded from potentially beneficial trials

Individuals who lack the capacity to consent to taking part in clinical trials could be missing out on the opportunity to receive potentially beneficial interventions, shows UK research.

11 Sep 2012

Keep moving, socializing to prolong life in old age

Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, to include physical exercise and leisure and social activities, prolongs life even among the elderly, show results of a Swedish study involving individuals aged 75 years and over.

10 Sep 2012

Intern work-hour restrictions? Get a physician extender, night float

The most common response by surgical chiefs at Veterans Affairs medical centers to the work-hour restrictions put in place by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in July 2011 is to hire a physician extender, report US investigators.

10 Sep 2012

New molecular pathway that leads to preeclampsia identified

Preeclampsia is one of the most dangerous conditions for the expectant mother and the unborn child and is characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine in the last trimester of pregnancy.

10 Sep 2012

Lack of support hinders evidence-based nursing

The reasons US nurses do not conduct evidence-based practice include a lack of support from their organization, resistance among their seniors, and a lack of education, show survey results.

7 Sep 2012

Centralized network may reduce inappropriate filled prescriptions

Implementing a centralized network that links province-wide pharmacy and hospital data could reduce the number of inappropriate filled prescriptions, show Canadian study results.

7 Sep 2012

Constipation drug may bring US patients relief

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved linaclotide for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adults.

6 Sep 2012

Voice therapy should be offered to more thyroidectomy patients

Voice problems following surgery to remove the thyroid gland are a common problem reported by patients, but only a minority are offered voice therapy, show results from a US study.

5 Sep 2012

Online information lacking for UK patients wishing to choose their surgeon

There is insufficient online information regarding consultant surgeons in the UK, report researchers, who suggest this needs to be addressed to allow patients to make informed choices about their healthcare.

4 Sep 2012

Obesity no barrier to knee replacement surgery

Health policy should not withhold total knee arthroplasty from patients on the basis of obesity, say UK researchers.

3 Sep 2012

Hospitalist-led ED reduces diversion, improves patient flow

Implementing a hospital medicine-led emergency department team could reduce the number of times such departments are forced to divert new patients because of a lack of beds, as well as improve patient flow, show study findings.

3 Sep 2012

Home-based care reduces mortality, institutionalization risk in elderly

Elderly individuals cared for at home under an intermediate care plan that focuses on high levels of support and rehabilitation are less likely to be relocated to an institution or to die than their peers who are treated with usual care, show study results from New Zealand.

3 Sep 2012

Physical, verbal reminders could improve preoperative preparation

Patients may be unable to recall much of the preoperative information they are given by anesthesiologists, suggesting the need for reminders such as printed instructions, and telephone calls the night before their procedure is scheduled, says a US research team.

30 Aug 2012

New York State Department of Health issues license to Veracyte's Afirma Gene Expression Classifier

Veracyte, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company pioneering the emerging field of molecular cytology, and Genzyme, a Sanofi company, today announced that the New York State Department of Health has issued a license enabling Veracyte's Afirma Gene Expression Classifier to be offered to patients in the state.

30 Aug 2012

Physicians’ emotional, institutional barriers prolong medical futility at end of life

The most common reasons that clinicians give to explain medically futile treatment at the end of life are emotional difficulties, such as a fear of talking about death, and institutional barriers, such as hospital departments expecting them to “do everything possible,” report German researchers.

29 Aug 2012

Employee benefits, stable leadership improve nurse retention in homes

Nursing homes wanting to improve their rates of registered nurse retention should offer career-advancement opportunities and reward attendance, employee benefits such as health insurance, and develop long-tenured leaders, show the results of a US study.

24 Aug 2012

Vandetanib shows efficacy in thyroid cancer

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor vandetanib could significantly extend progression-free survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer, show results of a small phase II randomized trial.

24 Aug 2012