Pioglitazone demonstrates anti-atherosclerotic effect in type 2 diabetics
November 13th 2006The thiazolidinedione pioglitazone has a beneficial effect on carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) compared with glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes, said Theodore Mazzone, MD, lead investigator of the CHICAGO (Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Atherosclerosis Using Pioglitazone) study.
Pharmacist intervention improves medication adherence, leads to risk factor improvement
November 13th 2006Pharmacist-directed education combined with prepackaging of medications increases compliance with medication schedules, leading to improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels among elderly patients, according to a study headed by Allen J. Taylor, MD.
Coronary calcium screening influences use of statins and aspirin
November 12th 2006Screening for coronary calcium may provide an impetus for physicians to initiate preventive cardiovascular therapies in patients who have coronary calcium, but persistence with the medications is no better than in patients who are started on therapies without a coronary calcium test, said Allen J. Taylor, MD
Navimedix offers free pharmacy connection
November 10th 2006You don't have an e-prescribing program, but wish you could reduce the number of pharmacy calls regarding refills? Help may be on the way. Navimedix, a national company that provides web-based, health plan-sponsored administrative services, recently started offering a free service that connects physician offices online with pharmacies for prescription renewals, patient drug histories, and formulary lookups. The only thing physicians have to do is allow Navimedix to include some patient care messages from plans and disease management companies on the refill queries from pharmacies.
Stroke risk increases significantly in AF patients
October 1st 2006Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are over age 65 are 5 to 7 times more likely to have a stroke than same-aged patients without the condition, said Daniel Tambunan, MD, Assistant Director, Family Practice Residency, Florida Hospital, Orlando, Fla.
Take claims of chest pain serious, doctors say
October 1st 2006"Chest pain" is a broad symptom, but every patient who claims this ailment should be examined for coronary artery disease using their pain characteristics and their risk factor profile, said Daniel S. Clark, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, and Robert J. Dachs, MD, of St. Clare's Family Medicine Residency, Albany Medical College, Schenectady, NY.
Use a 4-stage system to simplify the approach to heart failure
October 1st 2006The more than 150 guidelines for recognizing and treating heart failure issued by the American College of Cardiologists (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) are way too numerous and complicated, said Theodore G. Ganiats, MD, of the University of California at San Diego.
Drugs, behavioral changes both needed to combat GU disorders
September 29th 2006Today's men tend to favor laser treatments, or at least the quickest treatment possible, for their GU, but fast isn't necessarily the best option, said Richard G. Roberts, MD, JD, Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison.
Preventing recurrence of ischemic stroke
September 28th 2006Sept. 28 - Washington, D.C. - Contrary to conventional wisdom, heparin and warfarin are not effective in preventing recurrence of ischemic stroke, Dan Brewer, MD, associate professor of family medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, told attendees at the AAFP Scientific Assembly.
After terror, patients see primary care docs first
September 28th 2006After a terrorist attack, the majority of mental health patients will first present to a primary care physician, Thomas Rosenthal, MD, professor and chair, family medicine, University at Buffalo told listeners at the AAFP's annual meeting.
Primary care must adopt team approach
September 28th 2006Sept. 28 - Washington, D.C.- We are on the edge of a revolution in scientific knowledge, said Newt Gingrich, keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the American Academy of Family Physicians' Scientific Assembly and former U.S. Congressman and speaker of the House of Representatives.
Effects of child abuse persist into adulthood
September 27th 2006Society cannot afford the consequences of child abuse and neglect, said Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, MD, of Wasilla, Alaska, and adults who were abused as children are more likely to suffer from disorders such as obesity and depression. Three million reports of child abuse are filed each year, about 1 million of which are substantiated. One in every 3 to 5 girls and 1 in every 5 to 10 boys experience abuse before age 18.