Complement in kidney disease
Kidney injury due to the complement system is increasingly being recognized. In this month's AJKD, Thurman provides an overview of the complement system, highlighting its activation in the pathogenesis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and C3 glomerulopathy. The author also reviews laboratory tests that are vital to the clinical workup of patients with complement-mediated kidney disease and discusses treatment regimens, including the role of complement inhibitors like eculizumab. American Journal of Kidney Diseases
(1/2015) Share: 
Increasing physical activity in adults with arthritis
Exercise is beneficial for adults with arthritis, yet physical activity levels are low for this population. In a 12-week randomized control trial, adults with arthritis participated in either a self-directed exercise intervention (First Step to Active Health®) or nutrition control program (Steps to Healthy Eating). While both programs improved functional and psychosocial outcomes, participants in the exercise program showed significant improvements in lower body strength and flexibility, functional exercise capacity, pain and stiffness, fatigue, and arthritis management self-efficacy. (Available for CME credit.) American Journal of Preventive Medicine
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Mental disorder associations with chronic headache
Although there is a significant association between pre-existing depression and later onset of chronic headache, the extent to which other pre-existing mental disorders are associated with subsequent onset of headache in the general population is not known. Also unknown is the extent to which these associations vary by gender or by life course. This study shows that there is a temporal association between a broad range of pre-existing mental disorders and the subsequent onset of severe or frequent headaches in general population samples across the world. It also highlights the importance of assessing a broad range of mental disorders. The Journal of Pain
(1/2015) Share:
Slowing muscle mass loss to improve self-sufficiency
Acute disease is often associated with inflammation and decreased food intake and physical activity, resulting in loss of muscle mass. Especially in older patients, this can result in a loss of self-sufficiency. This study involved 200 patients, half of whom received protein supplements and a physical rehabilitation program for the duration of their hospital stay, with a one-year follow-up. The intervention group showed a higher percentage of self-sufficiency and slowed loss of muscle mass. Nutrition
(1/2015) Share:
State-by-state difference in certified nurse aide activities
Expanding a certified nurse aide's (CNA's) duties in the nursing home in some states, but not others, beyond the standard scope of practice care tasks listed in the CFR §483 may help the resident and help the nursing staff, if adequate training is provided, but it makes it difficult to measure outcomes from state to state. A survey of all 50 states found that state regulations vary and some state boards of nursing were not sure about CNA's responsibilities. (Free abstract only.) Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
(1/2015) Share:
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Healthy habits cut women's risk of heart disease by 90% over 20 years
Adhering to six healthy habits can reduce a woman's chances of getting heart disease by 90% over 20 years, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Researchers followed about 90,000 nurses from 1991 to 2011, focusing on behaviors that include maintaining a normal weight, getting 2.5 hours a week of exercise, eating a healthy diet and not smoking. HealthDay News
(1/5) Share:
Analysis: SSRIs raise gastrointestinal bleeding risk
The risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is 1.55 times greater for patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors than for patients who have never been treated with the drugs, according to a review of data from 22 studies in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Acid-suppressing drugs appear to reduce the bleeding risks among SSRI users significantly, a subgroup analysis found. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News
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Connecting with patients is the foundation of good care, doctor says
Studies have shown that two-thirds of patients leave the hospital without knowing their diagnosis, and the majority of patients leave their physician's office misunderstanding directions for their care. A program in Harrisburg, Pa., aims to change that by training physicians in patient communication with a particular emphasis on listening. "We need to move away from the perception that social skills and better communication are a kind of optional extra for doctors," writes Dr. Nirmal Joshi, chief medical officer for Pinnacle Health System. "A good bedside manner is simply good medicine." The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
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Next MU attestation deadline is Feb. 28
Eligible professionals have until Feb. 28 to attest to 2014 meaningful use data, the CMS announced. The agency also said EPs who fail to demonstrate MU for 2014 and don't attain a 2016 hardship exception will receive payment adjustments starting Jan. 1, 2016. EHR Intelligence
(1/5) Share:
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Study links eating whole grains to lower risk of early death
People who ate the most whole grains were about 9% less likely to die early compared with those who ate the least, and the risk of death decreased 5% for each additional ounce of consumption per day, Harvard School of Public Health researchers reported in JAMA Internal Medicine. The data also linked whole-grain consumption to a lower risk of death from heart disease, and people who ate more whole grains were more likely to be physically active and have healthier diets overall. Reuters
(1/5), Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)
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It may be necessary temporarily to accept a lesser evil, but one must never label a necessary evil as good."
-- Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist Share:
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