Medicine

Three Meds Equal as Second-Line Therapy for Status Epilepticus

Levetiracetam, fosphenytoin, and valproate are equally effective in children and adults for the treatment of benzodiazepine-refractory convulsive status epilepticus.

Waist Circumference Measurements May Predict Dementia Risk

In older adults, BMI-adjusted waist circumference was positively associated with the incidence of dementia.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Model Benefits Rural, Underserved Areas

How much do streamlined autism spectrum disorder diagnostic models benefit primary care clinics in rural and underserved communities?

Effect of Legislation on School Vaccination Rates May Be Limited

Assuming the current rates of medical exemptions persist, the overall exemption rate in California schools is expected to stabilize at 1.87% by 2027.

FDA Approves Triple Combination Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor; Vertex) for the treatment of patients aged 12 years and older with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have ≥1 F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Trikafta is a fixed-dose combination containing elexacaftor 100mg, tezacaftor 50mg, and ivacaftor 75mg that is co-packaged…

CDC Releases Clinical Guidance on E-Cigarette Lung Injury

In an early-release Oct. 11 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC presents interim guidance to help clinicians assess, evaluate, manage, and follow patients with electronic cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury.

Personal Colorectal Cancer Risk Evaluation Should Drive Screening

Using the GRADE system to review new evidence, a panel issued weak recommendations for colorectal cancer screening options based on estimated 15-year individual risk.

Clinical Recommendations for the Treatment of Adolescent Obesity

A Clinical Update review published in JAMA detailed current research surrounding the efficacy and safety of obesity treatment for adolescents, including behavioral interventions, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.

Providing Medicine at No Charge Alters Treatment Adherence

Free distribution of essential medicines was shown to improve treatment adherence. Bettering access to essential medicines can improve quality of care and move toward achieving univer-sal health coverage.

Enhanced Recovery Program Aids Bariatric Surgery Outcomes

Implementation of a large-scale, enhanced recovery project for bariatric surgery is feasible and results in a decrease in extended length of stay (ELOS).

Considerable Proportion of ICU Admissions May Be Preventable

ICU hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions have decreased during a 10-year period.

Types of Data Compromised in Breaches of Protected Health Information Identified

In this study, 71% of the breaches compromised sensitive demographic orfinancial information that may be used for fraudulent purposes.

Laser Therapies for the Healing of Burn Scars: An Interview With Jill Waibel, MD

The innovative use of fractionation of laser beam technology in dermatology has led to significant improvements in the treatment of burn scars, regardless of how mature.

More Blood Pressure Drugs Recalled

Some lots of losartan have been found to be contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical N-methylnitrosobutyric acid.

Fighting a Silent Killer: Identifying Chronic Kidney Disease at Stage 1

The benefits of early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are significant, as patients in whom CKD is diagnosed in the early stages have the chance to make lifestyle changes, learn how to manage their disease, and extend their lives while avoiding or postponing the need for dialysis or transplant.

Should Aging Physicians Be Required to Undergo Cognitive Testing? Three Experts Weigh In

The issue of aging physicians poses serious challenges to the medical profession, with concerns that judgment or skills might decline with age.

How Gratitude Can Help Resolve Ethical Dilemmas

Gratitude may be a valuable tool that helps clinicians to develop “moral clarity” by improving the quality of their thought processes.

Increased Availability of Cooking Oil, Other Energy-Dense Products Promoted Weight Gain Among Tsimane’

The Tsimane’ Amazonian Panel Study sought to investigate the effect of modernization and market exposure on the health of Bolivia’s Tsimane’ forager-horticulturalists.

House Speaker Unveils Plan to Lower Drug Costs

The proposed plan would allow Medicare to negotiate prices for high-cost drugs.

Examining the Cognitive Factors Underlying the Pain Experience in Endometriosis

The pain experience of women with endometriosis may indirectly be influenced by worry traits and maladaptive thoughts.