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Zinc nasal gel effective for the common cold
Zinc nasal gel (Zicam) reduced the duration of the common cold by 41 hours, was well tolerated, and was relatively inexpensive.
More studies, in a broader population, comparing zinc nasal gel with other cold remedies (such as decongestants, antihistamines, antitussives, and antipyretics/analgesics) are needed before recommending it as first-line therapy.
Zinc nasal gel (Zicam) reduced the duration of the common cold by 41 hours, was well tolerated, and was relatively inexpensive.
More studies, in a broader population, comparing zinc nasal gel with other cold remedies (such as decongestants, antihistamines, antitussives, and antipyretics/analgesics) are needed before recommending it as first-line therapy.
Zinc nasal gel (Zicam) reduced the duration of the common cold by 41 hours, was well tolerated, and was relatively inexpensive.
More studies, in a broader population, comparing zinc nasal gel with other cold remedies (such as decongestants, antihistamines, antitussives, and antipyretics/analgesics) are needed before recommending it as first-line therapy.
What is the best NSAID regimen for arthritis patients with bleeding ulcer?
Among arthritis patients with a recent history of bleeding ulcer, celecoxib was just as likely as diclofenac plus omeprazole to cause recurrent bleeding. The effectiveness of these two regimens in preventing recurrent bleeding compared with a general nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) used alone cannot be determined from this study. Unfortunately, adverse renal effects were common with both regimens.
Among arthritis patients with a recent history of bleeding ulcer, celecoxib was just as likely as diclofenac plus omeprazole to cause recurrent bleeding. The effectiveness of these two regimens in preventing recurrent bleeding compared with a general nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) used alone cannot be determined from this study. Unfortunately, adverse renal effects were common with both regimens.
Among arthritis patients with a recent history of bleeding ulcer, celecoxib was just as likely as diclofenac plus omeprazole to cause recurrent bleeding. The effectiveness of these two regimens in preventing recurrent bleeding compared with a general nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) used alone cannot be determined from this study. Unfortunately, adverse renal effects were common with both regimens.
Breastfeeding reduces pain in neonates
Breastfeeding is a safe and effective analgesic for healthy neonates undergoing painful minor procedures. This may be another reason to encourage mothers to breastfeed their infants when possible.
Increasing evidence suggests long-term deleterious effects associated with the experience of pain in the neonatal period. A remaining question is: should we encourage mothers to breastfeed when infants are receiving their vaccinations?
Breastfeeding is a safe and effective analgesic for healthy neonates undergoing painful minor procedures. This may be another reason to encourage mothers to breastfeed their infants when possible.
Increasing evidence suggests long-term deleterious effects associated with the experience of pain in the neonatal period. A remaining question is: should we encourage mothers to breastfeed when infants are receiving their vaccinations?
Breastfeeding is a safe and effective analgesic for healthy neonates undergoing painful minor procedures. This may be another reason to encourage mothers to breastfeed their infants when possible.
Increasing evidence suggests long-term deleterious effects associated with the experience of pain in the neonatal period. A remaining question is: should we encourage mothers to breastfeed when infants are receiving their vaccinations?
Does C-reactive protein predict cardiovascular events in women better than LDL?
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent predictor of a first cardiovascular event in women and appears to be a stronger predictor than low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
Unfortunately, this information does not lead directly to a therapeutic intervention. As an accompanying editorial stated, low carotenoid levels also predict cardiovascular events, but supplementation with beta carotene does not reduce an individual’s risk.1
This study does not clarify whether CRP is a causative agent, a marker, or a result of cardiovascular disease. Our focus should remain on identifying and treating conventional risk factors until we better understand the exact role CRP has in therapeutic decisions regarding cardiovascular disease.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent predictor of a first cardiovascular event in women and appears to be a stronger predictor than low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
Unfortunately, this information does not lead directly to a therapeutic intervention. As an accompanying editorial stated, low carotenoid levels also predict cardiovascular events, but supplementation with beta carotene does not reduce an individual’s risk.1
This study does not clarify whether CRP is a causative agent, a marker, or a result of cardiovascular disease. Our focus should remain on identifying and treating conventional risk factors until we better understand the exact role CRP has in therapeutic decisions regarding cardiovascular disease.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent predictor of a first cardiovascular event in women and appears to be a stronger predictor than low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
Unfortunately, this information does not lead directly to a therapeutic intervention. As an accompanying editorial stated, low carotenoid levels also predict cardiovascular events, but supplementation with beta carotene does not reduce an individual’s risk.1
This study does not clarify whether CRP is a causative agent, a marker, or a result of cardiovascular disease. Our focus should remain on identifying and treating conventional risk factors until we better understand the exact role CRP has in therapeutic decisions regarding cardiovascular disease.
Is terazosin helpful in chronic prostatitis?
Terazosin, an alpha-1-adrenergic blocker, is well tolerated, relieves pain symptoms, and improves quality of life in healthy men aged 20 to 50 years who have chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Terazosin should be strongly considered as a first-line treatment in such patients. However, men with infectious prostatitis were excluded from this study. Also, the benefits of terazosin beyond 14 weeks are unknown.
Terazosin, an alpha-1-adrenergic blocker, is well tolerated, relieves pain symptoms, and improves quality of life in healthy men aged 20 to 50 years who have chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Terazosin should be strongly considered as a first-line treatment in such patients. However, men with infectious prostatitis were excluded from this study. Also, the benefits of terazosin beyond 14 weeks are unknown.
Terazosin, an alpha-1-adrenergic blocker, is well tolerated, relieves pain symptoms, and improves quality of life in healthy men aged 20 to 50 years who have chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Terazosin should be strongly considered as a first-line treatment in such patients. However, men with infectious prostatitis were excluded from this study. Also, the benefits of terazosin beyond 14 weeks are unknown.
Oral vitamin D3 decreases fracture risk in the elderly
Vitamin D3 (or its physiologic equivalent, ergocalciferol), administered at a dose of 100,000 IU every 4 months for 5 years, is effective for primary prevention of fractures in the active elderly aged 65 to 85 years.
This treatment regimen has no effect on cardiovascular, cancer, or all-cause mortality. Despite a seemingly large dose averaging 800 IU per day, this regimen is a safe, cheap (<$2 per year), and effective therapy for primary prevention of fractures.
Vitamin D3 (or its physiologic equivalent, ergocalciferol), administered at a dose of 100,000 IU every 4 months for 5 years, is effective for primary prevention of fractures in the active elderly aged 65 to 85 years.
This treatment regimen has no effect on cardiovascular, cancer, or all-cause mortality. Despite a seemingly large dose averaging 800 IU per day, this regimen is a safe, cheap (<$2 per year), and effective therapy for primary prevention of fractures.
Vitamin D3 (or its physiologic equivalent, ergocalciferol), administered at a dose of 100,000 IU every 4 months for 5 years, is effective for primary prevention of fractures in the active elderly aged 65 to 85 years.
This treatment regimen has no effect on cardiovascular, cancer, or all-cause mortality. Despite a seemingly large dose averaging 800 IU per day, this regimen is a safe, cheap (<$2 per year), and effective therapy for primary prevention of fractures.
Does magnesium therapy early in acute MI reduce mortality?
Short-term mortality is not reduced with early administration of intravenous magnesium in high-risk patients having an acute myocardial infarction (MI). There is no reason to give intravenous magnesium unless patients have other indications for repletion, such as a low magnesium level or arrhythmia responsive to magnesium therapy.
Short-term mortality is not reduced with early administration of intravenous magnesium in high-risk patients having an acute myocardial infarction (MI). There is no reason to give intravenous magnesium unless patients have other indications for repletion, such as a low magnesium level or arrhythmia responsive to magnesium therapy.
Short-term mortality is not reduced with early administration of intravenous magnesium in high-risk patients having an acute myocardial infarction (MI). There is no reason to give intravenous magnesium unless patients have other indications for repletion, such as a low magnesium level or arrhythmia responsive to magnesium therapy.
Are ionized wrist bracelets better than placebo for musculoskeletal pain?
As a result of a profound placebo effect, this study showed that Q-Ray ionized wrist bracelets were not superior to placebo bracelets in self-reported pain improvement among patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Like many other studies involving the treatment of pain, the perception that the treatment would work profoundly improved its effectiveness. While the bracelet did not work better than placebo, many patients may experience less pain if they purchase and use it.
As a result of a profound placebo effect, this study showed that Q-Ray ionized wrist bracelets were not superior to placebo bracelets in self-reported pain improvement among patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Like many other studies involving the treatment of pain, the perception that the treatment would work profoundly improved its effectiveness. While the bracelet did not work better than placebo, many patients may experience less pain if they purchase and use it.
As a result of a profound placebo effect, this study showed that Q-Ray ionized wrist bracelets were not superior to placebo bracelets in self-reported pain improvement among patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Like many other studies involving the treatment of pain, the perception that the treatment would work profoundly improved its effectiveness. While the bracelet did not work better than placebo, many patients may experience less pain if they purchase and use it.
Is rate control better than rhythm control for atrial fibrillation in older high-risk patients?
Mortality with atrial fibrillation is similar with rhythm control and rate control treatment. However, adverse drug events and hospitalizations are more frequent with rhythm control therapy. Rate control therapy for atrial fibrillation should be the primary treatment strategy for an older high-risk population, but should not be extrapolated to younger and healthier patients (eg, patients with lone atrial fibrillation). These findings are consistent with another smaller study of patients with recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation.1
Mortality with atrial fibrillation is similar with rhythm control and rate control treatment. However, adverse drug events and hospitalizations are more frequent with rhythm control therapy. Rate control therapy for atrial fibrillation should be the primary treatment strategy for an older high-risk population, but should not be extrapolated to younger and healthier patients (eg, patients with lone atrial fibrillation). These findings are consistent with another smaller study of patients with recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation.1
Mortality with atrial fibrillation is similar with rhythm control and rate control treatment. However, adverse drug events and hospitalizations are more frequent with rhythm control therapy. Rate control therapy for atrial fibrillation should be the primary treatment strategy for an older high-risk population, but should not be extrapolated to younger and healthier patients (eg, patients with lone atrial fibrillation). These findings are consistent with another smaller study of patients with recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation.1
Are diuretics helpful in acute renal failure?
Although widely used to treat acute renal failure, diuretics may actually be harmful.
The results of this observational study demonstrated a higher risk of death and nonrecovery of renal function when diuretics were initiated during the first week of hospitalization. It didn’t matter whether a single or combination diuretic was used.
A randomized controlled trial would better answer this question by minimizing the inherent flaws in an observational study. Although this study doesn’t conclusively prove that diuretics cause poorer outcomes, it certainly raises the possibility and should prompt us to think twice before initiating diuretic therapy for acute renal failure.
Although widely used to treat acute renal failure, diuretics may actually be harmful.
The results of this observational study demonstrated a higher risk of death and nonrecovery of renal function when diuretics were initiated during the first week of hospitalization. It didn’t matter whether a single or combination diuretic was used.
A randomized controlled trial would better answer this question by minimizing the inherent flaws in an observational study. Although this study doesn’t conclusively prove that diuretics cause poorer outcomes, it certainly raises the possibility and should prompt us to think twice before initiating diuretic therapy for acute renal failure.
Although widely used to treat acute renal failure, diuretics may actually be harmful.
The results of this observational study demonstrated a higher risk of death and nonrecovery of renal function when diuretics were initiated during the first week of hospitalization. It didn’t matter whether a single or combination diuretic was used.
A randomized controlled trial would better answer this question by minimizing the inherent flaws in an observational study. Although this study doesn’t conclusively prove that diuretics cause poorer outcomes, it certainly raises the possibility and should prompt us to think twice before initiating diuretic therapy for acute renal failure.