Internal Medicine Alert – April 15, 2003

April 15, 2003

• Norovirus Infection

  Noroviruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States, accounting for approximately 23 million cases annually.

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• Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs as a Risk Factor for Acute Diarrhea: A Case Crossover Study

  Recent NSAID use is a risk factor for acute diarrhea, a consideration for general physicians along with GI specialists.

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• Drug Treatments to Prevent Breast Cancer

  Only tamoxifen has enough evidence to be recommend for the prevention of breast cancer, and its use is limited to very high-risk women with a low risk of side effects.

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• Diabetic Neuropathy

  This study shows that intravenous amantadine is beneficial in reducing the pain of painful peripheral neuropathy, with an effect sustained for at least 1 week after an infusion.

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• Pharmacology Update: Azelaic Acid Gel 15% (Finacea — Berlex)

  Azelaic acid gel has been approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate rosacea. This naturally occurring saturated dicarboxylic acid is formulated in an aqueous gel formation for this indication.

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• Clinical Briefs

  Effect of Ibuprofen on Cardioprotective Effect of Aspirin; Relapse Prevention with Antidepressant Drug Treatment in Depressive Disorders; Incidence and Preventability of Adverse Drug Events Among Older Persons in the Ambulatory Setting

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• ECG Review: What Might the Echo Show?

  The ECG in the Figure was obtained from a 55-year-old man with a history of heart failure and emphysema. What might his echocardiogram show?

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• Pharmacology Watch: Warfarin Effectively Prevents Venous Thromboembolism

  Warfarin Effectively Prevents Venous Thromboembolism; Vitamin D Reduces Osteoporotic Fractures; Adefovir Effective for Hepatitis B Treatment; Ibuprofen/Aspirin Study Revisited; ACE Inhibitors Favored in Cardiovascular Care; Digoxin Dosing and Heart Failure

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