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Defensive medicine under attack

Around one-eighth of all requests for tests and procedures by gastroenterologists are attributable to the practice of defensive medicine, Italian research shows.

14 Feb 2013

Cyclist pollution exposure minimized by use of quieter roads

Research suggests that using quieter streets with less traffic exposes city cyclists to lower levels of air pollution than using more congested routes, although wind-speed has a significant influence on levels of pollution exposure experienced each day.

14 Feb 2013

Xpert diagnosis of TB and its drug resistant strains

The use of a novel, diagnostic test called Xpert is both sensitive and specific in detecting tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance, report US researchers.

14 Feb 2013

Nerve stimulation could stave off migraine attacks

Transcutaneous stimulation of the trigeminal nerve has shown promise as a treatment for migraine, according to results of a randomized controlled trial.

14 Feb 2013

Amblyopia screening guidelines updated

The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the professional body for pediatric eye care, has issued revised guidelines for preschool vision screening based on new evidence.

14 Feb 2013

Researchers ESTABLISH efficacy of tedizolid phosphate for skin infections

Results from the phase III ESTABLISH-1 study show that the new antibiotic tedizolid phosphate is noninferior to linezolid for the treatment of acute bacterial and skin structure infections.

14 Feb 2013

Circumcision at 3 to 6 years does not impair psychosexual function in adulthood

Circumcision performed between ages 3 to 6 years does not adversely affect men’s psychosexual function during adulthood, report Turkish researchers.

14 Feb 2013

Piroxicam ultrasound combination optimal for knee osteoarthritis

Phonophoresis of the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam with ultrasound is more effective than ultrasound alone for improving pain and other symptoms of mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis, show study findings.

12 Feb 2013

UV prevention measures may influence rheumatoid arthritis incidence

Increased ultraviolet-B exposure reduces the risk for rheumatoid arthritis in women, US researchers suggest, but the drive to protect against skin cancer in recent years may have negated this benefit.

12 Feb 2013

Intratympanic versus systemic steroid improves sudden hearing loss

Intratympanic treatment with the steroid dexamethasone should be considered as a salvage therapy for patients who have not responded to systemic treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss, suggest study findings.

12 Feb 2013

Congenital anomaly prevalence should spark ART policy change

Assisted reproductive technology may be associated with the increased proportion of multiple birth infants affected by congenital abnormalities since the 1980s, European research suggests.

12 Feb 2013

Diastolic hypotension key predictor of admission in pediatric asthma

Results from a large study show that diastolic hypotension is a consistent predictor of admission to hospital in all children with asthma.

12 Feb 2013

Low vitamin D not linked to poor physical performance in octogenarians

Researchers have found no evidence for a link between low vitamin D levels and impaired physical performance in people aged 80 years or older.

12 Feb 2013

Short but frequent exercise best for beating weight gain

Results from a small exploratory study suggest that short bouts of intermittent exercise may stimulate fat metabolism more effectively than longer continuous exercise sessions.

11 Feb 2013

Lipid associated variant linked to aortic stenosis, valve disorders

People who carry a lipoprotein(a) gene variant are at increased risk for aortic valve calcification and aortic stenosis, suggest study findings.

11 Feb 2013

Individualized flu immune responses revealed by high-throughput sequencing

Researchers have shown that it is possible to create personalized, individual-specific measurements of the antibody repertoire in response to influenza vaccination using high-throughput DNA sequencing technology.

11 Feb 2013

Bladder reconstruction rate after cystectomy varies

The use of bladder orthotopic reconstruction after cystectomy for cancer is uncommon in England and varies significantly among patient groups, report researchers.

11 Feb 2013

Bronchiolitis, air pollution have ‘synergistic effect’ on asthma risk

Results from a Korean study show that a history of bronchiolitis plus exposure to increased levels of air pollution “synergistically” increases a child’s risk for asthma.

11 Feb 2013

Work stress ‘unlikely’ cause of cancer

Work-related stress is unlikely to be a major cause of cancer, say researchers who found no link between job strain and the risk for overall or site-specific malignancy.

11 Feb 2013

Allopurinol may improve CV outcomes in kidney disease

The xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol appears to be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality in patients with hypertensive nephropathy, show findings from a Japanese study.

8 Feb 2013