Medical News

RA Drugs Increase Cancer and Infection Risk Significantly

Remicade and Humira are anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs that are effective and widely used and advertised for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The problem is that, according to a recent Mayo Clinic study, these drugs triple the risk for malignancy and double the risk for infection.

Source:
Rheumatoid arthritis drugs increase infection, cancer risks. ACP Observer.
Anti-TNF Antibody Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Risk of Serious Infections and Malignancies. JAMA.


"Burning Out" the Bronchial Muscle to Treat Asthma

Bronchial thermoplasty is an experimental method for treatment of severe drug-resistant asthma. The best evidence so far seem to be from studies with as few as 16 patients, so it will be a while before bronchial thermoplasty becomes mainstream (if ever).

Source:
Asthma Experiment Removes Lung Tissue. Associated Press, WSJ (subscription required)
The Alair System for Bronchial Thermoplasty. Medgadget.


ACP "Internal Medicine 2007"

ACP changed the name of its Annual Session to Internal Medicine 2007 " to increase the visibility of internal medicine." Interesting idea. With fewer medical student choosing internal medicine as a career each year, let's hope it works.

Source:
ACP's Annual Session gets name change. ACP Observer.


Pulmonary Artery Catheters Not Helpful in ICU Patients

We have been aware of previous research with similar conclusions for a while now. The latest study was done in part at the Cleveland Clinic and adds to the evidence that Swan-Ganz catheters are more harmful than beneficial to most ICU patients.

Source:
Pulmonary artery catheter does not improve outcomes in intensive care. ACP Observer.
Pulmonary-Artery versus Central Venous Catheter to Guide Treatment of Acute Lung Injury. NEJM.
Just the FACTTs (Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial). Notes from Dr. RW.

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