| News for nurse practitioners
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- Greater mortality risk is found with dialysis catheters
An analysis of 67 studies found that dialysis patients with venous catheters were more likely to die, develop infections and have heart attacks or strokes than those treated with arteriovenous grafts and fistulas. Grafts, however, were associated with an 18% greater mortality risk and a 36% higher chance of serious infection than fistulas. The findings are reported in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. HealthDay News
(2/21)      
- Nearly 13% in U.S. know they have type 2 diabetes
According to a Harris Interactive/HealthDay survey, 1 in 8 Americans report being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, while more than one-third of respondents either had the disease themselves or had an immediate family member with diabetes. Researchers also found 35% of diabetes patients said their condition was only "somewhat" controlled, while 5% reported having poorly controlled diabetes. HealthDay News
(2/20)
- "Choose Wisely" adds 90 new tests, procedures to avoid
The "Choose Wisely" campaign added 17 medical groups to its roster on Thursday, along with 90 additional tests, procedures and treatments that are overused and should be avoided in certain patient groups. Added to the list were the use of antibiotics for pink eye, population-based screening for vitamin D deficiency, and elective inducement or cesarean-section deliveries before 39 weeks. MedPage Today (free registration)
(2/21)
- Community interventions change behaviors in pilot study
An Oxford Health Alliance-funded pilot study found that community interventions in three nations had a positive effect on diet, exercise and tobacco use. "Community programs are where we need to be," said Dr. Beatriz Champagne of the InterAmerican Heart Foundation in Dallas, who was involved in the Community Interventions for Health project. "All the theories in the world are no good if they can't be put into practice." Medscape (free registration)
(2/14)
- Antioxidant-rich diet may not protect brain
Older people who ate the most antioxidant-rich foods were just as likely to develop dementia or have a first stroke as those who consumed the least, a Dutch study found. Brain scans showed no evidence that dietary antioxidants were associated with white or gray matter volume. Certain specific antioxidants still appear to have a protective effect, a researcher said. The findings appear in the journal Neurology. Reuters
(2/20)
- Study: Physical therapy can help pediatric constipation
Physical therapy techniques, such as training abdominal muscles, massage and breathing exercises, used with laxatives, help treat chronic constipation but not fecal incontinence among children, according to a Brazilian study in the journal Colorectal Disease. Researchers said the therapy may stimulate colon movement, along with improving abdominal muscle tone and fecal propulsion. MedWire News (U.K.)
(2/20)
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 | Modern Strategies for Improving Adult Immunization Rates
Participate in a free on-demand CE activity focusing on "Strategies and Clinical Practice Models to Facilitate Influenza Immunization in Adult Hospitalized Patients." There is no charge for participating in this educational initiative and ASHP membership is not required. Get started here. |
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| Pharmaceutical News |  |  |
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- Study links exogenous insulin to higher mortality risk in diabetes
Data on 84,622 type 2 diabetes patients showed those on exogenous insulin treatment had a higher risk of complications -- including major cardiovascular events, renal conditions, cancer and all-cause mortality -- than those who were on other glucose-lowering therapies. "There is a clear need to review the way in which exogenous insulin is used in people with type 2 diabetes and to establish in detail the risk-benefit profile at differing stages of the natural history of the disease and in phenotypically different subgroups," researchers wrote in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Healio/Endocrine Today
(2/20)
- Anticoagulants may prolong lives of prostate cancer patients
Researchers tracked nearly 250 patients with advanced or spreading prostate cancer and found that those treated with anticoagulants such as heparin and warfarin lived longer than those who didn't receive the medications. Use of blood thinners was associated with a 39% increase in overall survival. The study looked at patients being treated with chemotherapy and was reported at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. HealthDay News
(2/21)
| Emerging Trends, Products and Technologies | | |
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- Overall calorie intake down slightly in children, CDC says
Adults ate, on average, about 11% of their daily calories from fast food between 2007 and 2010, down from 13% from 2003 to 2006, CDC researchers reported on Thursday. The overall calorie intake of children dropped, but the calories they consumed from saturated fat remained above optimal levels. Reuters
(2/21)
| Health Policy and Legislative News | | |
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- CMS: Lower Part D drug costs expected in 2014
Medicare prescription drug costs are expected to be flat or drop for enrollees next year, according to the CMS. "Premiums are driven by insurance plan estimates of what their average cost will be to treat a patient, so it's fair to say we're likely to see relatively flat premium growth next year," Georgetown University professor Jack Hoadley said. However, the "doughnut hole" will affect beneficiaries faster than before. Reuters
(2/21)
| AANP News | | |
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Be an early bird!
AANP members are encouraged to register now for the 2013 AANP 28th National Conference and make a hotel reservation to stay between June 17 to 23 at the conference hotel by March 4 to be eligible for one of the two "Early Bird" drawings for valuable prizes. We encourage you to register early to be eligible for a drawing and for best selection of workshops and sessions! Workshops have limited attendance and fill quickly. Find the details of the drawings' eligibility requirements. The conference will be held starting on June 18 (an additional workshop day) and continue through June 23 at The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas! Download the registration brochure for more information. Upon payment and completion of conference registration, your receipt will contain a link to AANP Housing and the access code required to make reservations at the Conference Hotel. AANP has arranged for a special conference rate of $159 per standard suite plus taxes and resort fee. This rate will be honored for reservations that occur any nights June 15 to 25, based on availability with some restrictions. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact conference@aanp.org or call (512) 442-4262, ext. 5238.
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