Almost one percent of American children had an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a large CDC surveillance study whose lead author called the condition a "significant public health issue."
Across 11 sites in the U.S., ASD prevalence in 2006 ranged from about one out of 80 children to one out of every 240 children, with an overall prevalence of one in 111 youngsters, according to a report by investigators from the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disorders Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
Among 10 ADDM sites that reported data in both 2002 and 2006, there was an average 57% increase in ASD prevalence. No single factor could explain the rise, researchers said. Overall ASD prevalence was 4.5 times higher in boys than in girls: about one in every 70 boys and one in every 315 girls.
From 2002 to 2006, prevalence increased 60% in boys and 48% in girls (P<0.001 for both).
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that all children be screened for autism when they are 18 and 24 months old which is especially important, as early recognition and treatment improves outcomes.
ASD diagnosis was made at a slightly younger age in 2006 than in 2002, but it was still delayed to an average age of 53 months. That was so despite the fact that anywhere from 70% to 95% of children had developmental concerns noted in their records before age 3. Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Abdominal surgeries riskier for older adults than previously thought
About 2 million older adults undergo abdominal surgeries in the U.S. every year, a number that's expected to grow as the proportion of older adults increases rapidly: by 2020, one in six adults is expected to be older than 65, and 15% will be over 85.
The patient records came from the Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System, a state-wide database that contains information on the age, sex, zip code, and billed charges of patients, as well as the codes for their diagnosis and procedures.
The study focused on complications that occurred within 90 days of discharge and deaths within 90 days of hospital admission.
After adjusting for various factors, including hospital volume and patient characteristics, the study found that the odds of early death after abdominal surgery increased considerably for each five-year increase in age beyond 65. These associations held for patients with cancer and other diagnoses, and for both elective and nonelective procedures (P<0.001).
The likelihood of complications increased as patients aged beyond 65 years, with the researchers finding the following associations between age and complication frequency (trend test, P<0.001):
65 to 69 years, 14.6%
70 to 74 years, 16.1%
75 to 79 years, 18.8%
80 to 84 years, 19.9%
85 to 89 years, 22.6%
90 and older, 22.7%
Similarly, older patients were at higher risk of mortality. Death rates by age group were (trend test, P<0.001):
65 to 69 years, 2.5%
70 to 74 years, 3.8%
75 to 79 years, 6.0%
80 to 84 years, 8.1%
85 to 89 years, 12.6%
90 and older, 16.7%
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Massarweh N, et al "Impact of advancing age on abdominal surgical outcomes" Archttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifh Surg 2009; 144: 1108-14.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
The patient records came from the Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System, a state-wide database that contains information on the age, sex, zip code, and billed charges of patients, as well as the codes for their diagnosis and procedures.
The study focused on complications that occurred within 90 days of discharge and deaths within 90 days of hospital admission.
After adjusting for various factors, including hospital volume and patient characteristics, the study found that the odds of early death after abdominal surgery increased considerably for each five-year increase in age beyond 65. These associations held for patients with cancer and other diagnoses, and for both elective and nonelective procedures (P<0.001).
The likelihood of complications increased as patients aged beyond 65 years, with the researchers finding the following associations between age and complication frequency (trend test, P<0.001):
65 to 69 years, 14.6%
70 to 74 years, 16.1%
75 to 79 years, 18.8%
80 to 84 years, 19.9%
85 to 89 years, 22.6%
90 and older, 22.7%
Similarly, older patients were at higher risk of mortality. Death rates by age group were (trend test, P<0.001):
65 to 69 years, 2.5%
70 to 74 years, 3.8%
75 to 79 years, 6.0%
80 to 84 years, 8.1%
85 to 89 years, 12.6%
90 and older, 16.7%
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Massarweh N, et al "Impact of advancing age on abdominal surgical outcomes" Archttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifh Surg 2009; 144: 1108-14.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Autism increases in the US
Almost one percent of American children had an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a large CDC surveillance study whose lead author called the condition a "significant public health issue."
Across 11 sites in the U.S., ASD prevalence in 2006 ranged from about one out of 80 children to one out of every 240 children, with an overall prevalence of one in 111 youngsters, according to a report by investigators from the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disorders Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
Among 10 ADDM sites that reported data in both 2002 and 2006, there was an average 57% increase in ASD prevalence. No single factor could explain the rise, researchers said. Overall ASD prevalence was 4.5 times higher in boys than in girls: about one in every 70 boys and one in every 315 girls.
From 2002 to 2006, prevalence increased 60% in boys and 48% in girls (P<0.001 for both).
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that all children be screened for autism when they are 18 and 24 months old which is especially important, as early recognition and treatment improves outcomes.
ASD diagnosis was made at a slightly younger age in 2006 than in 2002, but it was still delayed to an average age of 53 months. That was so despite the fact that anywhere from 70% to 95% of children had developmental concerns noted in their records before age 3.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Across 11 sites in the U.S., ASD prevalence in 2006 ranged from about one out of 80 children to one out of every 240 children, with an overall prevalence of one in 111 youngsters, according to a report by investigators from the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disorders Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
Among 10 ADDM sites that reported data in both 2002 and 2006, there was an average 57% increase in ASD prevalence. No single factor could explain the rise, researchers said. Overall ASD prevalence was 4.5 times higher in boys than in girls: about one in every 70 boys and one in every 315 girls.
From 2002 to 2006, prevalence increased 60% in boys and 48% in girls (P<0.001 for both).
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that all children be screened for autism when they are 18 and 24 months old which is especially important, as early recognition and treatment improves outcomes.
ASD diagnosis was made at a slightly younger age in 2006 than in 2002, but it was still delayed to an average age of 53 months. That was so despite the fact that anywhere from 70% to 95% of children had developmental concerns noted in their records before age 3.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Monday, August 8, 2011
Cluster Headaches
Concerned about recent overdoses of radiation in CT perfusion scans, an FDA official urged imaging practitioners to go "back to basics" when they're performing the scans.
The advice comes after more than 250 patients in two states were exposed to excess radiation during CT perfusion brain scans.
"Until we get through whether we're dealing with errors that people are making (or) whether these are problems with the CT scanners themselves, we're saying go back to basics," said Jeffrey Shuren, MD, acting director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
Shuren and colleagues released a set of interim recommendations while the agency continues to investigate cases of overexposure reported in California and Alabama.
They include:
• Imaging facilities should review their radiation dosing protocols for all CT perfusion studies to ensure that dosing is correct for each study.
• They should implement quality control procedures to ensure that protocols are followed and correct radiation is used.
• For each patient, technologists should check the CT scanner displays to make sure the radiation to be delivered is appropriate.
• If more than one study is performed during one session, practitioners should adjust the radiation dose so it is appropriate for each study.
The agency also urged imaging facilities to check whether any patients who underwent CT perfusion scans have received excess radiation.
"We're reminding (practitioners) of good practices that they should be employing routinely," said Charles Finder, MD, also of the agency's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
The issue arose when the FDA was told of more than 200 cases of excess radiation delivered during CT perfusion brain scans at Cedars-Sinai Medical center in Los Angeles. (See CT Safety Warnings Follow Radiation Overdose Accident)
Since then, the agency has received reports of 14 cases at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, also in Los Angeles, as well as an undetermined number of cases at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., according to Simon Choi, PhD, also of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
Choi said the the agency is investigating reports in Alabama, too, but he did not give numbers or the name of the facility involved.
The agency said scanners made by two manufacturers, GE and Toshiba, are involved in the incidents.
Affected patients had redness of the skin and some hair loss, but potential long-term consequences include an increased risk of cancer and cataracts, Finder said.
The standard radiation dose for a CT perfusion scan is between 0.5 and 1.0 Gray, but it was reported that some patients at Cedars-Sinai got as much as 3.0 or 4.0 Gray.
According to a statement from the hospital, "there was a misunderstanding about an embedded default setting applied by the machine."
The recommendations apply to all CT perfusion imaging, since the methods involved are the same as for brain perfusion scans, the FDA said.
While the agency is probing cases in the two states, Shuren said, "we would not be surprised to find there are similar occurrences in other states."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
The advice comes after more than 250 patients in two states were exposed to excess radiation during CT perfusion brain scans.
"Until we get through whether we're dealing with errors that people are making (or) whether these are problems with the CT scanners themselves, we're saying go back to basics," said Jeffrey Shuren, MD, acting director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
Shuren and colleagues released a set of interim recommendations while the agency continues to investigate cases of overexposure reported in California and Alabama.
They include:
• Imaging facilities should review their radiation dosing protocols for all CT perfusion studies to ensure that dosing is correct for each study.
• They should implement quality control procedures to ensure that protocols are followed and correct radiation is used.
• For each patient, technologists should check the CT scanner displays to make sure the radiation to be delivered is appropriate.
• If more than one study is performed during one session, practitioners should adjust the radiation dose so it is appropriate for each study.
The agency also urged imaging facilities to check whether any patients who underwent CT perfusion scans have received excess radiation.
"We're reminding (practitioners) of good practices that they should be employing routinely," said Charles Finder, MD, also of the agency's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
The issue arose when the FDA was told of more than 200 cases of excess radiation delivered during CT perfusion brain scans at Cedars-Sinai Medical center in Los Angeles. (See CT Safety Warnings Follow Radiation Overdose Accident)
Since then, the agency has received reports of 14 cases at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, also in Los Angeles, as well as an undetermined number of cases at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., according to Simon Choi, PhD, also of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
Choi said the the agency is investigating reports in Alabama, too, but he did not give numbers or the name of the facility involved.
The agency said scanners made by two manufacturers, GE and Toshiba, are involved in the incidents.
Affected patients had redness of the skin and some hair loss, but potential long-term consequences include an increased risk of cancer and cataracts, Finder said.
The standard radiation dose for a CT perfusion scan is between 0.5 and 1.0 Gray, but it was reported that some patients at Cedars-Sinai got as much as 3.0 or 4.0 Gray.
According to a statement from the hospital, "there was a misunderstanding about an embedded default setting applied by the machine."
The recommendations apply to all CT perfusion imaging, since the methods involved are the same as for brain perfusion scans, the FDA said.
While the agency is probing cases in the two states, Shuren said, "we would not be surprised to find there are similar occurrences in other states."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Good News & Bad News
NIH Report Finds Cancer Incidence Has Declined.
A report by the NIH found that "the incidence in men of cancers of the prostate, lung, oral cavity, stomach, brain, colon and rectum has declined." However, "rates in men continue to rise for kidney/renal, liver, and esophageal cancer, as well as for leukemia, myeloma and melanoma," the agency said.
Heavy Margarines May Be Increasing Their Risk Of A Painful Inflammatory Bowel Disease,
People who eat lots of red meat, cook with certain types of oil, and use some kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-heavy margarines may be increasing their risk of a painful inflammatory bowel disease, a study in more than 200,000 Europeans shows.
These foods are high in linoleic acid and the study have found that people who were the heaviest consumers of this omega-6 PUFA were more than twice as likely to develop ulcerative colitis as those who consumed the least.
But eating more eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and fish oils, was associated with a lower risk of the disease.
To investigate the role of fatty acids and ulcerative colitis, a life-long disease characterized by inflammation of the lining of the large intestine, investigators analyzed the problem. Their analysis included 203,193 men and women 30 to 74 years old. During follow-up, which ranged from about 2 to 11 years, 126 people developed ulcerative colitis.
People in the top quartile of linoleic acid intake (they were consuming around 13 to 38 grams a day) were 2.5 times more likely to have developed the disease than people who consumed the least, about 2 to 8 grams daily.
While a Western-style, red-meat-heavy diet is high in this fatty acid and low in omega-3s, a more Mediterranean style eating pattern -- with plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, and nut oils -- would be low in linoleic acid and high in omega-3.
It is estimated that if omega-3s do help prevent ulcerative colitis, eating a couple of servings of fish a week would probably be protective.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
A report by the NIH found that "the incidence in men of cancers of the prostate, lung, oral cavity, stomach, brain, colon and rectum has declined." However, "rates in men continue to rise for kidney/renal, liver, and esophageal cancer, as well as for leukemia, myeloma and melanoma," the agency said.
Heavy Margarines May Be Increasing Their Risk Of A Painful Inflammatory Bowel Disease,
People who eat lots of red meat, cook with certain types of oil, and use some kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-heavy margarines may be increasing their risk of a painful inflammatory bowel disease, a study in more than 200,000 Europeans shows.
These foods are high in linoleic acid and the study have found that people who were the heaviest consumers of this omega-6 PUFA were more than twice as likely to develop ulcerative colitis as those who consumed the least.
But eating more eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and fish oils, was associated with a lower risk of the disease.
To investigate the role of fatty acids and ulcerative colitis, a life-long disease characterized by inflammation of the lining of the large intestine, investigators analyzed the problem. Their analysis included 203,193 men and women 30 to 74 years old. During follow-up, which ranged from about 2 to 11 years, 126 people developed ulcerative colitis.
People in the top quartile of linoleic acid intake (they were consuming around 13 to 38 grams a day) were 2.5 times more likely to have developed the disease than people who consumed the least, about 2 to 8 grams daily.
While a Western-style, red-meat-heavy diet is high in this fatty acid and low in omega-3s, a more Mediterranean style eating pattern -- with plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, and nut oils -- would be low in linoleic acid and high in omega-3.
It is estimated that if omega-3s do help prevent ulcerative colitis, eating a couple of servings of fish a week would probably be protective.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Friday, July 15, 2011
High coffee, tea intake may reduce chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
According to a study spublished in the Archives of Internal Medicine, "drinking four cups of coffee, decaf, or tea daily can reduce the chances of getting type 2 diabetes by about 25 percent to 35 percent." Harvard University "researchers reviewed 18 studies of almost 500,000 people" and discovered that "for each cup of coffee people drank, their likelihood of getting diabetes dropped by seven percent."
"Even better results were found for bigger coffee and tea consumers -- drinking three to four cups a day was associated with about a 25% reduced diabetes risk, compared with those who drank between none and two cups day.. In addition, investigators found "positive results with decaf coffee and tea." Specifically, those "who drank more than three to four cups of decaf a day had about a one-third lower risk than those who didn't drink any," while "tea drinkers who consumed more than three to four cups a day had about a one-fifth lower diabetes risk than non-tea drinkers."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
"Even better results were found for bigger coffee and tea consumers -- drinking three to four cups a day was associated with about a 25% reduced diabetes risk, compared with those who drank between none and two cups day.. In addition, investigators found "positive results with decaf coffee and tea." Specifically, those "who drank more than three to four cups of decaf a day had about a one-third lower risk than those who didn't drink any," while "tea drinkers who consumed more than three to four cups a day had about a one-fifth lower diabetes risk than non-tea drinkers."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Americans living longer than ever
Americans are living a record 77 years and 11 months on average...according to two studies that led researchers to suggest raising the retirement age." The first study, from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, found that in the "US in 2007, the latest year for which figures are available," the "0.76 percent death rate is the lowest ever," driven by "a decline in deaths from heart disease and other ailments." Meanwhile, a second study published Dec. 14 in the health journal Milbank Quarterly, found that "every year that gets tacked on to the average life expectancy costs an extra trillion dollars in expenditures by Social Security and Medicare."
Overall, the 2007 data "show continued improvements in life expectancy for all Americans, although women are faring better than men, and whites fare better than other racial groups" by a "race differential" of about "4.6 years." But, even amid this progress, vast geographical discrepancies remain -- with people in southern states still facing higher death rates than those living in other parts of the country."
And, "even though Americans can expect to live longer than their parents, life expectancy in the" US "is still lower than in many other industrialized countries, including Canada and Japan. Even so, the "dramatic improvements in the health of Americans over the last 20 years" will "have unforeseen effects on the country. The Social Security and Medicare "programs weren't designed to support people for that long."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Overall, the 2007 data "show continued improvements in life expectancy for all Americans, although women are faring better than men, and whites fare better than other racial groups" by a "race differential" of about "4.6 years." But, even amid this progress, vast geographical discrepancies remain -- with people in southern states still facing higher death rates than those living in other parts of the country."
And, "even though Americans can expect to live longer than their parents, life expectancy in the" US "is still lower than in many other industrialized countries, including Canada and Japan. Even so, the "dramatic improvements in the health of Americans over the last 20 years" will "have unforeseen effects on the country. The Social Security and Medicare "programs weren't designed to support people for that long."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Friday, April 15, 2011
DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS OF OSTEOPOROSIS DRUGS
The FDA sent out a nationwide announcement about "the potential side effects of osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax [alendronate]." the agency "said in their announcement...physicians need to watch for the possibility of possible risk of femur fractures. And this didn't just apply to Fosamax, this applied to all four drugs that are in this group Fosamax, Actonel [risedronate], Boniva [ibandronate], and Reclast [zoledronic acid]."
Studies show the bones of some post-menopausal women who take bisphosphonates...to ward off osteoporosis can stop rejuvenating and become brittle after long-term use." Researchers found that "the drugs are effective initially in slowing bone loss," but "the quality of the bone diminished after long-tern bisphosphonate use." A separate study indicated that "bone densitometry (DXA) scans show a buckling potential in the femur area of the hip in patients being treated for osteoporosis with bisphosphonates."
The FDA is now examining whether long-term use of the drugs increases the risk of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures, but so far, the agency said the data it "has reviewed have not shown a clear connection."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Studies show the bones of some post-menopausal women who take bisphosphonates...to ward off osteoporosis can stop rejuvenating and become brittle after long-term use." Researchers found that "the drugs are effective initially in slowing bone loss," but "the quality of the bone diminished after long-tern bisphosphonate use." A separate study indicated that "bone densitometry (DXA) scans show a buckling potential in the femur area of the hip in patients being treated for osteoporosis with bisphosphonates."
The FDA is now examining whether long-term use of the drugs increases the risk of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures, but so far, the agency said the data it "has reviewed have not shown a clear connection."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Monday, March 21, 2011
DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS OF OSTEOPOROSIS DRUGS
The FDA sent out a nationwide announcement about "the potential side effects of osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax [alendronate]." the agency "said in their announcement...physicians need to watch for the possibility of possible risk of femur fractures. And this didn't just apply to Fosamax, this applied to all four drugs that are in this group Fosamax, Actonel [risedronate], Boniva [ibandronate], and Reclast [zoledronic acid]."
Studies show the bones of some post-menopausal women who take bisphosphonates...to ward off osteoporosis can stop rejuvenating and become brittle after long-term use." Researchers found that "the drugs are effective initially in slowing bone loss," but "the quality of the bone diminished after long-tern bisphosphonate use." A separate study indicated that "bone densitometry (DXA) scans show a buckling potential in the femur area of the hip in patients being treated for osteoporosis with bisphosphonates."
The FDA is now examining whether long-term use of the drugs increases the risk of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures, but so far, the agency said the data it "has reviewed have not shown a clear connection."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Studies show the bones of some post-menopausal women who take bisphosphonates...to ward off osteoporosis can stop rejuvenating and become brittle after long-term use." Researchers found that "the drugs are effective initially in slowing bone loss," but "the quality of the bone diminished after long-tern bisphosphonate use." A separate study indicated that "bone densitometry (DXA) scans show a buckling potential in the femur area of the hip in patients being treated for osteoporosis with bisphosphonates."
The FDA is now examining whether long-term use of the drugs increases the risk of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures, but so far, the agency said the data it "has reviewed have not shown a clear connection."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Medical Malpractice Is Frequent On TV
According to the American Academy of Neurology Television dramas are potentially a powerful method of educating the public so it is a concern to find that TV shows inaccurate showed seizure management which would qualify for medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is rife on the television medical shows with specifically nearly half of TV doctors and nurses committing seizure management errors. Researchers screened the popular medical dramas Grey's Anatomy, House, Private Practice and ER to see if TV medical dramas were helping to educate the public about first aid and seizures. The study found inappropriate practices occurred in 25 cases, or nearly 46 per cent of the incidents.
The researchers found in 327 episodes screened, 59 seizures occurred. Fifty-one seizures took place in a hospital. Nearly all first aid was performed by nurses or doctors.
"People with epilepsy should lobby the television industry to adhere to guidelines for first aid management of seizures," the study’s lead author said.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
The researchers found in 327 episodes screened, 59 seizures occurred. Fifty-one seizures took place in a hospital. Nearly all first aid was performed by nurses or doctors.
"People with epilepsy should lobby the television industry to adhere to guidelines for first aid management of seizures," the study’s lead author said.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Monday, February 28, 2011
RISKY HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE USE
H.G.H. is among the drugs prescribed some doctors to athletes.
The United States, however, determined that potential harm from H.G.H. is so great that federal law puts it in an unusual category of drugs that doctors cannot prescribe for unapproved, or off-label, uses. (No such ban exists in Canada.)
Its approved uses are not conditions common among professional athletes: it can be used in children with severe growth problems, H.I.V. patients may receive it if they have muscle wasting, and it can be prescribed to offset exceptional weight loss in people who have had much of their small intestine surgically removed.
Physicians and medical researchers who have studied people with medical conditions that lead to growth hormone overproduction said that available evidence suggested that athletes who cheat by using costly" human growth hormone (HGH) as a performance-enhancing drug may "simply wind up" exposing themselves to "cardiovascular problems, an increased risk of diabetes, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, glucose intolerance, colon polyps, skin growths, excessive sweating," and "serious headaches," as well as "abnormal bone growth in the face, head, hands, and feet," and possibly even cancer.
Growth hormone does not act directly. Instead it prompts the body to produce insulin-like growth factor 1, or I.G.F.-1, which then triggers growth. The overwhelming majority of I.G.F.-1 is produced by the liver and delivered through the blood stream. Evidence shows, however, that growth hormone can prompt local I.G.F.-1 production in other cells of the body
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
The United States, however, determined that potential harm from H.G.H. is so great that federal law puts it in an unusual category of drugs that doctors cannot prescribe for unapproved, or off-label, uses. (No such ban exists in Canada.)
Its approved uses are not conditions common among professional athletes: it can be used in children with severe growth problems, H.I.V. patients may receive it if they have muscle wasting, and it can be prescribed to offset exceptional weight loss in people who have had much of their small intestine surgically removed.
Physicians and medical researchers who have studied people with medical conditions that lead to growth hormone overproduction said that available evidence suggested that athletes who cheat by using costly" human growth hormone (HGH) as a performance-enhancing drug may "simply wind up" exposing themselves to "cardiovascular problems, an increased risk of diabetes, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, glucose intolerance, colon polyps, skin growths, excessive sweating," and "serious headaches," as well as "abnormal bone growth in the face, head, hands, and feet," and possibly even cancer.
Growth hormone does not act directly. Instead it prompts the body to produce insulin-like growth factor 1, or I.G.F.-1, which then triggers growth. The overwhelming majority of I.G.F.-1 is produced by the liver and delivered through the blood stream. Evidence shows, however, that growth hormone can prompt local I.G.F.-1 production in other cells of the body
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Stuttering may have "strong" genetic component
While environmental factors and stress can play roles in stuttering, new research provides further evidence of a strong genetic component." Led by geneticist Dennis Drayna, PhD, at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and reporting in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers "have discovered the first genes linked to stuttering -- a complex of three mutated genes that may be responsible for one in every 11 stuttering cases, especially in people of Asian descent." "The takeaway message of this is stuttering is not a social or emotional disorder. ... It is not the fault of a bad parent, or unwilling child. It is a serious disorder and worthy of treatment."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Friday, February 4, 2011
Hospitals Continue To Leave Foreign Objects Inside Patients
"Utah hospitals continue to mistakenly leave equipment such as sponges inside patients -- many of them women undergoing obstetrical or gynecological surgeries," according to data "on 'sentinel events'" released by the Utah state health department and the state hospital association. Notably, "out of 101 sentinel events reported in 2009 -- up from 80 reported in 2008 -- 58 were related to surgery," which "could include performing the wrong surgery on the wrong patient, death during surgery, and retention of foreign objects." Sponges -- large pieces of gauze used to stop or absorb bleeding -- are the most common items left inside patients because they can be hard to spot after surgery."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Zinc supplements cause problems
With at least two flus and plenty of colds, coughs and sore throats circulating this season, some Americans are turning to zinc to ward off viruses.
Lozenges, supplements and nasal sprays that contain the mineral claim to boost immunity, and there is some evidence that they might do so. In an effort to stay well, though, we might be making ourselves sick. Lozenges, supplements, and nasal sprays that contain" zinc "claim to boost immunity, and some doctors have prescribed supplements containing "80 milligrams of zinc" for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients to stave off blindness. However, according to a 2007 study published in the journal Experimental Eye Research, zinc "builds up in the back of the retina in people with macular degeneration and that "people who take these extra-large" zinc "supplements for years are 50% more likely to end up in the hospital with urinary tract problems."
Also excessive amounts of zinc, according to early evidence, could lead to learning and memory problems, nerve damage, urinary tract problems and other negative effects.
With supplements that provide many times the recommended daily intake, cold medicines that are loaded with zinc and an abundance of fortified foods -- on top of the zinc already in a healthy diet -- overdoing it might be easier than you think.
Where can zinc be found?
There are more than 75 milligrams of zinc in six oysters, nearly 9 milligrams in a 3-ounce serving of cooked beef shanks, more than 3 milligrams in a cup of baked beans, 15 milligrams in a cup of some fortified cereals and 15 milligrams in many multivitamins.
All that zinc adds up. Studies show that consuming at least 50 milligrams a day for a few months could lead to copper deficiency, which can cause anemia, bone loss, nerve damage and other problems. Taking in 80 or 100 milligrams or more for months or even years can cause bigger problems, some irreversible. A typical, over-the-counter zinc supplement contains 50 milligrams. There are 13 milligrams in one popular brand of zinc lozenges.
Zinc, copper and iron are all found in the plaque that builds up in brains of Alzheimer's patients. And while researchers try to figure out what that means, data suggest that removing zinc from the brain slows mental decline.
Denture cream
Zinc raised other alarms last year, when researchers began to notice weakness, balance and memory issues and other neurological trouble in some patients. Sleuthing revealed the only common link: All of the patients used large amounts of denture cream enhanced with zinc.
Patients in the study,had been using up to two tubes a week of Poligrip or Fixodent creams for many months or even years.
Zinc concentrations ranged from 17 to 34 milligrams per gram of denture cream, testing showed. That means that some people were exposed to as much as 330 milligrams of zinc a day, Packages of Super Poligrip now include inserts telling people to talk to their doctors if also taking zinc supplements and to use the products as directed.
Nasal sprays
Researchers recommend avoiding nasal sprays containing zinc, as well. An October study in the journal PLoS One found that the Zicam brand of homeopathic zinc-enriched nasal spray caused long-term damage to the sense of smell in mice and signs of nasal nerve damage in people.
When it comes to supplements, sucking on zinc lozenges as soon as you get a cold may help and probably won't hurt, experts say, as long as you don't suck on them all day every day for the entire flu season. A week should be fine.
Some promising research is also starting to suggest that a tiny bit of copper supplementation can help override the dangers of getting too much zinc. In the meantime, experts suggest staying well the old-fashioned way: Eat a healthy diet, and stop staying up so late.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Lozenges, supplements and nasal sprays that contain the mineral claim to boost immunity, and there is some evidence that they might do so. In an effort to stay well, though, we might be making ourselves sick. Lozenges, supplements, and nasal sprays that contain" zinc "claim to boost immunity, and some doctors have prescribed supplements containing "80 milligrams of zinc" for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients to stave off blindness. However, according to a 2007 study published in the journal Experimental Eye Research, zinc "builds up in the back of the retina in people with macular degeneration and that "people who take these extra-large" zinc "supplements for years are 50% more likely to end up in the hospital with urinary tract problems."
Also excessive amounts of zinc, according to early evidence, could lead to learning and memory problems, nerve damage, urinary tract problems and other negative effects.
With supplements that provide many times the recommended daily intake, cold medicines that are loaded with zinc and an abundance of fortified foods -- on top of the zinc already in a healthy diet -- overdoing it might be easier than you think.
Where can zinc be found?
There are more than 75 milligrams of zinc in six oysters, nearly 9 milligrams in a 3-ounce serving of cooked beef shanks, more than 3 milligrams in a cup of baked beans, 15 milligrams in a cup of some fortified cereals and 15 milligrams in many multivitamins.
All that zinc adds up. Studies show that consuming at least 50 milligrams a day for a few months could lead to copper deficiency, which can cause anemia, bone loss, nerve damage and other problems. Taking in 80 or 100 milligrams or more for months or even years can cause bigger problems, some irreversible. A typical, over-the-counter zinc supplement contains 50 milligrams. There are 13 milligrams in one popular brand of zinc lozenges.
Zinc, copper and iron are all found in the plaque that builds up in brains of Alzheimer's patients. And while researchers try to figure out what that means, data suggest that removing zinc from the brain slows mental decline.
Denture cream
Zinc raised other alarms last year, when researchers began to notice weakness, balance and memory issues and other neurological trouble in some patients. Sleuthing revealed the only common link: All of the patients used large amounts of denture cream enhanced with zinc.
Patients in the study,had been using up to two tubes a week of Poligrip or Fixodent creams for many months or even years.
Zinc concentrations ranged from 17 to 34 milligrams per gram of denture cream, testing showed. That means that some people were exposed to as much as 330 milligrams of zinc a day, Packages of Super Poligrip now include inserts telling people to talk to their doctors if also taking zinc supplements and to use the products as directed.
Nasal sprays
Researchers recommend avoiding nasal sprays containing zinc, as well. An October study in the journal PLoS One found that the Zicam brand of homeopathic zinc-enriched nasal spray caused long-term damage to the sense of smell in mice and signs of nasal nerve damage in people.
When it comes to supplements, sucking on zinc lozenges as soon as you get a cold may help and probably won't hurt, experts say, as long as you don't suck on them all day every day for the entire flu season. A week should be fine.
Some promising research is also starting to suggest that a tiny bit of copper supplementation can help override the dangers of getting too much zinc. In the meantime, experts suggest staying well the old-fashioned way: Eat a healthy diet, and stop staying up so late.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Friday, December 31, 2010
Holiday Gastric Distress
At hospitals, gastric distress is a part of the holiday tradition." Indeed, "in the early hours of Thanksgiving...emergency rooms are typically empty," but certain turkey-cooking practices "can easily strike a blow" to diners. Typically, a frozen turkey is left on a counter top for 12 hours, while a roasted bird may sit "for two or three hours before" reaching the table. "During that time, a virus or bacterium can land on the food and start growing," causing gastroenteritis. "Although bacteria will die" once the bird is reheated, "the toxins made by the bacteria that cause illness can survive even in a hot oven." Bones have also been known to trigger "trips to the hospital," and those "with heart conditions should avoid too much salt, which can trigger an accumulation of fluid in the lungs."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
10 Tips on Constipation and Incontinence of Stool
1.Despite widespread belief, constipation is not necessarily a part of growing older.
2.Bowel habits are similar in both younger and older healthy people.
3.Constipation is defined as stools that are:
Too small
Too hard
Too difficult to pass
Infrequent (less than 3 per week)
4.Constipation is caused by:
Not enough dietary fiber or fluids
Medication side effects
Emotional or physical stress
Misconception about normal bowel habits
Lack of activity
Medical problems
5.How to manage mild-to-moderate constipation:
Gradually add dietary fiber from variou sources
Increase fluids (water, soup, broth, juices)
Eat meals on a regular schedule
Chew your food well
Gradually increase daily exercise
Respond to urges to move your bowels
Avoid straining
See your doctor if these measures don't work
6.Dietary therapy (increased fiber and fluids) and fiber supplements are the preferred treatment for chronic constipation.
7.In some cases, your doctor may recommend the use of stool softeners.
8.Use of mineral oil or stimulant laxatives regularly, consult your doctor to make sure what you are using is right for you.
9.Incontinence of stool or fecal soiling is most often due to leakage around a fecal impaction. Removing the impaction will usually restore continence.
10.Incontinence of stool in healthy older people deserves full education and treatment. Treatment options include:
Adjustment in dietary fiber to reduce amount of stool
Medications to decrease stool frequency
Prescribed use of enemas (not soap enemas)
Biofeedback training
Surgery to restore anal function
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
2.Bowel habits are similar in both younger and older healthy people.
3.Constipation is defined as stools that are:
Too small
Too hard
Too difficult to pass
Infrequent (less than 3 per week)
4.Constipation is caused by:
Not enough dietary fiber or fluids
Medication side effects
Emotional or physical stress
Misconception about normal bowel habits
Lack of activity
Medical problems
5.How to manage mild-to-moderate constipation:
Gradually add dietary fiber from variou sources
Increase fluids (water, soup, broth, juices)
Eat meals on a regular schedule
Chew your food well
Gradually increase daily exercise
Respond to urges to move your bowels
Avoid straining
See your doctor if these measures don't work
6.Dietary therapy (increased fiber and fluids) and fiber supplements are the preferred treatment for chronic constipation.
7.In some cases, your doctor may recommend the use of stool softeners.
8.Use of mineral oil or stimulant laxatives regularly, consult your doctor to make sure what you are using is right for you.
9.Incontinence of stool or fecal soiling is most often due to leakage around a fecal impaction. Removing the impaction will usually restore continence.
10.Incontinence of stool in healthy older people deserves full education and treatment. Treatment options include:
Adjustment in dietary fiber to reduce amount of stool
Medications to decrease stool frequency
Prescribed use of enemas (not soap enemas)
Biofeedback training
Surgery to restore anal function
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Gastric distress-related ED visits may increase during the holidays
At hospitals, gastric distress is a part of the holiday tradition." Indeed, "in the early hours of Thanksgiving...emergency rooms are typically empty," but certain turkey-cooking practices "can easily strike a blow" to diners. Typically, a frozen turkey is left on a countertop for 12 hours, while a roasted bird may sit "for two or three hours before" reaching the table. "During that time, a virus or bacterium can land on the food and start growing," causing gastroenteritis. "Although bacteria will die" once the bird is reheated, "the toxins made by the bacteria that cause illness can survive even in a hot oven." Bones have also been known to trigger "trips to the hospital," and those "with heart conditions should avoid too much salt, which can trigger an accumulation of fluid in the lungs."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Small study indicates paroxetine may damage men's sperm, impair their fertility
Add anti-depressants to the list of substances that can damage men’s sperm and potentially impair their fertility.
According to a study published online in the journal Fertility & Sterility, antidepressants may "damage men's sperm and potentially impair their fertility." For the study, researchers from the Weill Cornell Medical College "followed 35 healthy men who took paroxetine for five weeks." The investigators then performed tests "to examine DNA fragmentation, which occurs when sperm DNA is missing pieces of the genetic code. The results showed that 50 percent of men had signs of abnormal DNA fragmentation while taking the drug, compared with less than 10 percent at the start of the trial." Following discontinuation of the drug, "the men's sperm returned to normal." The authors theorized that the "antidepressant caused men's sperm to slow down as it makes its way through the male reproductive tract," thereby "allowing it to age and become damaged."
“It’s fairly well known that SSRI anti-depressants negatively impact erectile function and ejaculation. This study goes on step further, demonstrating that they can cause a major increase in genetic damage to sperm,” said Dr. Peter Schlegel, the study’s senior author and professor of reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York.
“Although this study doesn’t look directly at fertility, we can infer that as many as half of men taking SSRIs have a reduced ability to conceive. The amount, concentration and motility of sperm were not significantly changed by the medication.
Though men may not know it, sperm can be damaged by various substances, including smoking, alcohol, heat, anabolic steroids, drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and some environmental exposures.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
According to a study published online in the journal Fertility & Sterility, antidepressants may "damage men's sperm and potentially impair their fertility." For the study, researchers from the Weill Cornell Medical College "followed 35 healthy men who took paroxetine for five weeks." The investigators then performed tests "to examine DNA fragmentation, which occurs when sperm DNA is missing pieces of the genetic code. The results showed that 50 percent of men had signs of abnormal DNA fragmentation while taking the drug, compared with less than 10 percent at the start of the trial." Following discontinuation of the drug, "the men's sperm returned to normal." The authors theorized that the "antidepressant caused men's sperm to slow down as it makes its way through the male reproductive tract," thereby "allowing it to age and become damaged."
“It’s fairly well known that SSRI anti-depressants negatively impact erectile function and ejaculation. This study goes on step further, demonstrating that they can cause a major increase in genetic damage to sperm,” said Dr. Peter Schlegel, the study’s senior author and professor of reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York.
“Although this study doesn’t look directly at fertility, we can infer that as many as half of men taking SSRIs have a reduced ability to conceive. The amount, concentration and motility of sperm were not significantly changed by the medication.
Though men may not know it, sperm can be damaged by various substances, including smoking, alcohol, heat, anabolic steroids, drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and some environmental exposures.
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Study indicates top medical journals published significant number of ghostwritten articles
"Six of the top medical journals published a significant number of articles in 2008 that were written by ghostwriters financed by drug companies," according to a study in The Journal of the American Medical Association. The findings are of "concern" because "the work of industry-sponsored writers has the potential to introduce bias, affecting treatment decisions by doctors and, ultimately, patient care," the researchers said. The study included "authors of 630 articles who responded anonymously to an online questionnaire." Researchers found that "7.8 percent acknowledged contributions to their articles by people whose work should have qualified them to be named as authors on the papers but who were not listed."
The New England Journal of Medicine had "the highest rate of ghostwritten articles" at 10.9 percent, while "Nature Medicine had the lowest rate of unnamed writers, at two percent." Annette Flanagin, managing deputy editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, said that with ghostwriters, "you lose transparency and potential accountability." She added, "Why would they be ghosted if they didn't have an agenda?"
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
The New England Journal of Medicine had "the highest rate of ghostwritten articles" at 10.9 percent, while "Nature Medicine had the lowest rate of unnamed writers, at two percent." Annette Flanagin, managing deputy editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, said that with ghostwriters, "you lose transparency and potential accountability." She added, "Why would they be ghosted if they didn't have an agenda?"
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Survey suggests fatigued, stressed hospital residents report making more major medical errors.
"Internal medicine residents who report higher levels of fatigue, sleepiness, and distress are at greater risk for reporting major medical errors," according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers issued questionnaires to residents who had enrolled in a "Mayo Internal Medicine Well-being Study between July 2003 and February 2009."
Among the "356 participants, 139 (39 percent) reported making at least one major medical error." Of those who reported an error, "68.7 percent screened positive for depression at some point during the study." The researchers also found that "one-point increases on the fatigue and sleepiness scales were associated with 14-percent and 10-percent increased likelihoods of an error being reported during the subsequent three months."
Other factors associated with subsequent error were "burnout, depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, lower personal accomplishment, a positive depression screen," and overall quality of life. The study authors concluded that "in addition to the national efforts to reduce fatigue and sleepiness, well-designed interventions to prevent, identify, and treat distress among physicians are needed." Still, they stressed that "additional research is necessary to determine the most effective strategies for accomplishing these goals."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
Among the "356 participants, 139 (39 percent) reported making at least one major medical error." Of those who reported an error, "68.7 percent screened positive for depression at some point during the study." The researchers also found that "one-point increases on the fatigue and sleepiness scales were associated with 14-percent and 10-percent increased likelihoods of an error being reported during the subsequent three months."
Other factors associated with subsequent error were "burnout, depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, lower personal accomplishment, a positive depression screen," and overall quality of life. The study authors concluded that "in addition to the national efforts to reduce fatigue and sleepiness, well-designed interventions to prevent, identify, and treat distress among physicians are needed." Still, they stressed that "additional research is necessary to determine the most effective strategies for accomplishing these goals."
Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice. For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.
Deepen your understanding of "medical malpractice"... www.MedMalBook.com
For more health info and links visit the author's web site www.hookman.com
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