Medscape Internal Medicine Headlines

Physicians Are Talking About: The Audacity That Physicians Should Take the Helm of Healthcare Reform

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 16:52:45 EDT

As the US healthcare reform movement gains momentum, Medscape Physician Connect commentators propose their own strategies for change.
Medscape Family Medicine

New Therapy for Blepharitis

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 16:19:52 EDT

Blepharitis and its comorbid ocular surface disease conditions are routinely encountered by ophthalmologists. What new antibiotic therapy is available?
Medscape Ophthalmology

Hospitalization More Common Among Heavy Drinkers

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 15:54:15 EDT

Compared with teetotalers, men who consume 22 or more units of alcohol per week have a 20% higher rate of acute admissions, new research shows.
Medscape Medical News

Does the Use of Recombinant Human Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Improve IVF Implantation and Pregnancy Rates?

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:37:28 EDT

A commentary on a study on the use of recombinant human LIF in women with repeatedly failed IVF cycles, published April 2009 in Fertility and Sterility.
Medscape Ob/Gyn & Women's Health

Low IQ Alone Not Related to Early Mortality

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:34:37 EDT

New research suggests it is not low cognitive ability that contributes to early mortality but rather other factors, particularly socioeconomic status.
Medscape Medical News

Determining the Genetic Origin of the 2009 A(H1N1) "Swine" Flu

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:33:36 EDT

Dr. Ali Torkamani comments on a study published in Science discussing the genetic origin of the 2009 "swine flu" and the implications for future flu surveillance.
Medscape Genomic Medicine

Doctor Shopping for Pain Relief

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:24:34 EDT

Some patients feel it is necessary to visit multiple doctors to obtain adequate pain relief.
Medscape Neurology & Neurosurgery

Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction: A Clinical Minefield With Many Unanswered Questions

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:22:19 EDT

Patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction are often difficult to evaluate. Review the latest on diagnosis and treatment, and learn about opportunities for further research.
Medscape Gastroenterology

Why More Doctors Should Use NPs and PAs -- And Why They Don't

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:02:20 EDT

As physician reimbursements decline and universal healthcare seems possible, doctors can become more profitable and more competitive by using nurse practitioners and PAs.
Medscape Business of Medicine

Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Associated With Lower Cognitive Performance

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 12:40:20 EDT

A new cohort study shows that cognition may decrease over time for older adults with severe COPD.
Medscape Medical News

Obesity on the Rise in US

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 12:30:45 EDT

The prevalence of obesity in US adults has increased by more than 25% in 2008; a separate report found that healthcare spending on obesity increased by 80% from 2001 to 2006.
Medscape Medical News

Few Oncologists Consider Cancer Patients' "Burden of Survivorship"

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 12:14:46 EDT

When active treatment ends, many cancer patients experience feelings of letdown and emptiness, so return visits for monitoring should also be used to inspire patients, suggests 1 medical oncologist.
Medscape Medical News

Does Race Affect Cancer Survival?

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 11:57:27 EDT

Breast cancer deaths are higher for black women despite equal treatment.
WebMD Health News

Menstrual Periods: Clues to Ovarian Cancer

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 11:57:27 EDT

A study shows the risk of death from ovarian cancer is linked to overall number of ovulatory cycles.
WebMD Health News

Interferon Gamma-1b May Not Improve Survival in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 10:56:54 EDT

A randomized controlled trial suggests that interferon gamma-1b cannot be recommended as treatment in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis because it does not improve survival duration.
Medscape Medical News

ISSTDR 2009: HPV Vaccination Program Reduces the Incidence of Genital Warts in Both Women and Men

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 10:38:57 EDT

A free HPV vaccine program was associated with a reduction in risk for genital warts within a few years.
Medscape Medical News

Variations in 5 Genes Independently Increase Glioma Risk

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 10:20:46 EDT

The presence of 8 or more of 14 genetic variations conveys a 4-fold increase in glioma risk compared with in individuals who have a median number of these variants.
Medscape Medical News

American Academy of Neurology Weighs in on Healthcare Reform

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 09:32:30 EDT

Medicare reimbursement undervalues much of the work neurologists do, the academy says. In a letter to Congress, specialists make a case for revising payments to support preventive and office-based services.
Medscape Medical News

Efficacy of HPV Vaccine Confirmed for Women Over 25 Years of Age

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 21:12:59 EDT

Initial studies of HPV vaccines were conducted in very young subjects. Now, a trial confirms that infection can also be prevented in those older than 25, says Dr. Maurie Markman in this video blog.
Medscape Hematology-Oncology

Pioglitazone Prevents In-Stent Restenosis in Diabetics

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 15:36:34 EDT

In patients with type 2 diabetes who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the use of pioglitazone appears to suppress in-stent neointimal proliferation, Japanese and US researchers report in the June issue of JACC: Coronary Intervention.
Reuters Health Information