Marketing, Disguised as Research
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Seeding studies are trials that are funded entirely by drug manufacturers for the primary purpose of exposing physicians to new drugs.
Heartburn from Estrogen?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Users of hormone therapy, the selective estrogen-receptor modulator raloxifene, or over-the-counter soy estrogen products were more likely to report GERD symptoms than were never users.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
October 9, 2008
Covering:
Jacobson BC et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Sep 8; 168:1798
Do Elders Face Worse Prognoses in Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Researchers examined whether comorbidities and severity of bleeding are more reliable than patient age as predictors of clinical outcome in UGIB.
PPIs and CAP Risk
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Although short-term use of proton-pump inhibitors was associated with increased risk for community-acquired pneumonia, long-term use was not.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
September 24, 2008
Covering:
Sarkar M et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Sep 16; 149:391
Combined GERD/Peptic Ulcers Alert
Gastroenterology Letter to Readers
Free
Dear Readers,
By Alberta Fitzpatrick, Publisher
September 19, 2008
Pre-Endoscopy PPI Therapy for UGIB Reduces Cost of Care
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Although PPI therapy did not change clinical outcomes, it decreased the need for endoscopic therapy and allowed more patients to be discharged early, resulting in an overall reduction in costs.
Frequency of Small-Bowel Injury with Lumiracoxib
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Is lumiracoxib less injurious than naproxen plus omeprazole?
Prevalence of H. pylori Among Children in Hong Kong
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Study data show that the high population density of Hong Kong does not lead to a high prevalence of <$EMPH_O>H. pylori<$EMPH_C> infection, but other family factors that can result in early exposure to <$EMPH_O>H. pylori<$EMPH_C> do.
Is H. pylori Protective Against BE?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A current, appropriately controlled study illustrated a strong inverse association between <$EMPH_O>H. pylori<$EMPH_C> antibody status and risk for BE.
Is H. Pylori Infection Protective Against Asthma and Allergies?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
The decreasing prevalence of <$EMPH_O>H. pylori<$EMPH_C> in children might be associated with epidemics of asthma and related allergy disorders.
H. pylori’s Association with Adenocarcinoma, BE, and GERD
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
<$EMPH_O>Helicobacter pylori<$EMPH_C> seropositivity is associated with reduced risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett esophagus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Cost-Effectiveness of Pre-Endoscopy PPI Therapy
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Is pre-endoscopy PPI therapy a cost-effective method of reducing the risk for upper GI bleeding in patients with high-risk lesions?
GERD as a Societal Burden
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
People who suffer from GERD lose an average of 2.4 hours of work per week.
By David A. Johnson, MD
June 20, 2008
Covering:
Wahlqvist P et al., Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2008 May; 27:960
Coexisting Conditions and Management of Hypertension
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a population-based cohort, the more unrelated comorbidities patients had, the less likely they were to receive intensified treatment for uncontrolled hypertension.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
May 21, 2008
Covering:
Turner BJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Apr 15; 148:578
Magnetic Sphincters for Treatment of GERD
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A magnetic sphincter device proved safe and effective for the treatment of GERD in a porcine model.
Settings for Bipolar Electrocoagulation
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Optimal clinical technique involves lower watt settings of moderately long duration, and application force is needed to coagulate vessels.
Stress and GERD
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In patients with GERD, auditory stress increased perceptual response to intraesophageal acid exposure.
FDA Approves Nexium for Young Children
Children older than 1 year with documented GERD or esophagitis now have another PPI choice.
Local vs. Systemic Effects of Aspirin
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Which is more causal to peptic ulcers?
Test-and-Treat for H. pylori vs. Acid Suppression for Dyspepsia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At 1 year, the two strategies for initial treatment were equally effective — or ineffective, depending on your perspective.
Timing of H. Pylori Therapy in Gastric Cancer
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Is <$EMPH_O>Helicobacter pylori<$EMPH_C> eradication therapy more effective before or after surgery in gastric cancer patients?
Treating Reflux in Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Conservative nonpharmacologic therapy is a good initial approach for infants with symptoms that suggest GERD.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
March 18, 2008
Covering:
Orenstein SR and McGowan JD., J Pediatr 2008 Mar; 152:310
Hassall E., J Pediatr 2008 Mar; 152:301
A Link Between BMI and GERD?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Does obesity increase the risk for BE beyond its role in increasing the risk for GERD alone?
By David A. Johnson, MD
March 14, 2008
Covering:
Cook MB et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2008 Feb; 103:292
Does Omeprazole Affect Antiplatelet Therapy?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Circumstantial evidence shows that coadministration of clopidogrel and PPIs can affect platelet reactivity.
By Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
March 13, 2008
Covering:
Gilard M et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 Jan 22; 51:256
Gurbel PA et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 Jan 22; 51:261
Treat Babies with Reflux Conservatively
Conservative therapies are associated with improvement in infants with symptoms that suggest gastroesophageal reflux.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
March 12, 2008
Covering:
Orenstein SR and McGowan JD., J Pediatr 2008 Mar; 152:310
Hassall E., J Pediatr 2008 Mar; 152:301
