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Rofecoxib
— another COX-2 bites the dust?
WICHITA, KS —
Rofecoxib, a popular COX-2 inhibitor, could be linked
to some serious side effects like increased risk of
edema and high blood pressure, according to findings
published in the June issue of the Journal of Rheumatology.
Researchers looked at 8,538 patients and found that
only those using rofecoxib experienced the side effects
— other non-selective NSAIDs and celecoxib had
no negative effects.
Lipids
gone wild
ROCHESTER, MN
— New research has now made a formal link
between dyslipidemia and hypertension. Results of a
study published in the June 28 issue of the Archives
of Internal Medicine show that among 1,070 black
and 1,286 white hypertensive participants, cholesterol
problems were rampant — at least 50% of them had
dyslipidemia. Another startling result was the discovery
that nine out of 10 dyslipidemic patients received inadequate
or no treatment.
No
wonder I felt sleepy after the spaghetti
DURHAM, NC —
Results from a small study have found that the Atkins
diet might help curb narcolepsy. Researchers out of
Duke University looked at nine narcoleptic patients
put on a low-carb ketogenic diet assessed at baseline,
two, four and eight weeks using the Narcolepsy Symptom
Status Questionnaire (NSSQ) and two other sleep scales.
At week eight the dieters had perked up, though only
the NSSQ score changed, decreasing by 18%. The study
authors aren't sure why.
Catch
more ZZZs, shed more pounds
BETHESDA, MD —
In other sleep/diet news, a major study by the US National
Institute of Mental Health has found that sleeping well
helps people control their weight. Nearly 500 young
adults were monitored over a span of 13 years. When
the subjects' average night's sleep was reduced (from
7.7 hours to 7.3 hours for women and 7.1 to 6.9 for
men) they gained an average of 2.27kg. Researchers suspect
the appetite controlling hormone leptin, released during
sleep, plays a role. The study was published in the
June 15th issue of Sleep.
The
milk of human anti-virals
LUND, SWEDEN —
There's an unlikely potential cure for the wart-ridden
to get rid of their unsightly blemishes — a protein
complex called lactalbumin-oleic acid, found in breast
milk. Research in the June 24 issue of the New England
journal of Medicine looked at 40 patients with common
skin warts that didn't respond to conventional treatment.
Patients were given the protein or placebo; after three
weeks the entire treatment group saw a 75% decrease
in wart size, and with continued treatment the warts
disappeared completely. Two years later 38 of the patients
were still wart-free.
Spoonful
of sugar helps meds down the drain
HERSHEY, PA —
Hacking coughs in kids often send parents reaching
for the cough syrup to help the little tyke get through
the night. But new research shows that two common ingredients
in over the counter cough meds are about as useful as
a spoonful of sugar. The research, in the July issue
of Pediatrics, looked at 100 children aged two
to 18 with upper respiratory infections. Findings showed
that both dextromethorpan and diphenhydramine were no
better than a placebo at relieving their coughs.
Cacti
one on
NEW ORLEANS —
In a study fit for Mardi Gras, Tulane University researchers
have found that extract from the prickly pear cactus
taken before a bender can reduce hangovers. Fifty five
young boozers were given either the cactus extract or
a placebo on an empty stomach, then sent out to get
smashed, quaffing between five to 10 drinks each. A
scale of 0 (no worse for wear) to 6 (I swear I'll never
drink again) was used to rank the day after. Those who
took the extract posted an average 1.0 hangover while
the placebo group pegged a far nastier 1.8. The study
was published in the June 28 Archives of Internal
Medicine.
Hold
off on the ABCs
WASHINGTON —
Most parents probably believe that multivitamins, such
as those added to infant formulas, are good for baby.
But new research in the July issue of Pediatrics shows
that the vitamins may actually cause more harm than
good. The study looked at 8,000 infants and found a
link between multivitamin supplements and asthma or
food allergy risk. A history of vitamin use was associated
with a higher risk of asthma in black children and early
vitamin use was linked to food allergies in formula-fed
children. More than half of all American toddlers are
being fed multivitamins in some form.
Nourishment
for the HIV positive
BOSTON —
But multivitamins aren't all bad. In fact they could
prove a boon for HIV positive patients, helping to delay
the onset of AIDS, according to a study in the July
1 New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers
looked at over a thousand pregnant Tanzanian women with
HIV over five years. Those who took multivitamins were
about 50% less likely to develop AIDS during the study.
However, because the test subjects were mostly poor
and likely malnourished researchers aren't sure if the
vitamins would help in the developed world.
A
signed work of art
OAKBROOK TERRACE,
IL — The Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations (the largest accreditor
of US hospitals) just introduced a new set of precautions
for surgeons. Docs will now have to leave their John
Hancock at the site of incision after their final consultation
with the cognizant patient. It's hoped the measure will
prevent wrong-site surgeries (there were 23 reported
in the first three months of 2004). Scalpel-wielders
will also need to take a 'timeout' and do a quick inventory
of tools and confirm they're looking at the right patient
in the OR.
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