Internal Medicine Alert – May 15, 2003

May 15, 2003

• One-Year Outcomes in Survivors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

  In this prospective, longitudinal study of 195 patients, it was found that patients who survived acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have persistent functional limitation 1 year post-ICU discharge secondary to extrapulmonary limitation.

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• Early Predictors of Severity in Acute Lower Intestinal Tract Bleeding

  Initial clinical data can help predict high-risk patients with lower GI bleeding, including tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, and absence of abdominal tenderness.

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• Adefovir Dipivoxil Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis Due to HBV Infection

  Adefovir dipivoxil, 10 mg p.o. daily, is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis due to HBV, regardless of the presence or absence of HBeAg, and it did not select resistant mutants after 48 weeks of administration.

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• Oral Contraceptives and Hypertension

  The use of oral contraceptives in women with hypertension produced higher blood pressures and poor control of blood pressure.

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• Pharmacology Update: Estradiol Acetate Vaginal Ring (Femring — Warner Chilcott)

  The FDA has recently approved a vaginal estrogen ring for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause. The self-inserted ring releases 50 mg or 100 mg of estradiol daily for 3 months.

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• Clinical Briefs

  Oral Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Fractures and Mortality; Oral Opioid Therapy for Chronic Peripheral and Central Neuropathic Pain; Tacrolimus Ointment vs. Topical Corticosteroids in Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

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• ECG Review: A Fib with PVCs?

  Clinical scenario: The computerized interpretation for the ECG in the Figure read, Atrial fibrillation with PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). Do you agree?

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• Pharmacology Watch: Counterfeit Procrit Uncovered by FDA Surveillance

  Counterfeit Procrit Uncovered by FDA Surveillance; Pharmaceutical Marketing Campaigns in Full Swing; Ambulatory Antibiotic Reduction: Take the Good with the Bad; Nefazodone Under Attack Once Again; Lindane Receives Black Box Warning; Aspirin Could Help Reduce Colorectal Adenomas.

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