Vaccines Work Longer than Previously Thought

November 29, 2007

Long-term study raises questions about need for booster shots

Analyzing regular blood samples taken over 26 years from health employees at a primate research center, an Oregon team has found that most vaccines remain potent far longer than thought – with response half-lives often lasting longer than a century.

Of the viral disorders, varicella had the shortest half-life, at only 50 years. Only tetanus and diphtheria had half-lives shorter than 20 years.

Keep your eyes open for newer research that spurs a change in guidelines regarding booster shots.

See how SearchMedica categories allow you to hone in on specific questions:

Evidence Based Articles and Meta-Analyses
Find the studies that lay to rest the old allegation that vaccines cause autism.

Practice Guidelines
Refresh yourselves on the latest standards for use of the new varicella vaccine.

No Comments » | Family Medicine | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Cranky Aged Mama

FDA approves Abilify for adolescents with schizophrenia

November 27, 2007

Based on the recent multinational study showing a significant benefit for adolescents with schizophrenia, the FDA has approved aripirazole (Abilify) for kids aged 13 to 17. The study showed significant improvements over placebo, and a discontinuation rate of only about 4% over six weeks.

In that clinical study involving more than 300 adolescents in 13 countries, the most common side effects were extrapyramidal symptoms and drowsiness. About 5% of the teens gained at least 7% over their baseline weight.

The action closely follows approval of risperidone for kids with schizophrenia only two months ago.

Learn more quickly with SearchMedica’s content categories:

Practical Articles and News
Find guidance for encouraging adherence despite body-image issues in young schizophrenia patients.

Clinical Trials for Patients
A new clinical trial (but not for adolescents) is comparing Abilify head-to-head with injectable Risperdal to test the effects on adherence. (The hypothesis favors Risperdal).

No Comments » | Adolescent, Nervous System, Schizophrenia | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Cranky Aged Mama

NSAIDs May Prevent Parkinson’s

November 19, 2007

People who regularly took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin for at least a month were significantly less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease in the following two years, according to a study just published in Neurology.

Association does not equal causation, but the study adds to growing evidence that implicates neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s.

Recently a trial was suspended when NSAIDs showed no protective effect against Alzheimer’s.

Refine Your Search

Patient Education Materials
For someone eager to start prophylaxis now, point out that the strategy is not proven and offer information about side effects that they can take home and read later.

Clinical Trials for Patients
No clinical trials are underway to test this possibility. But one that was completed in October is assessing brain markers of inflammation in Parkinson’s and similar disorders.

No Comments » | Nervous System | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Cranky Aged Mama

Cognitive, light therapy work against SAD

November 12, 2007

Improving treatment for the seasonally sad

The clocks change again, and people with seasonal affective disorder brace themselves. What’s new for these patients since last autumn? For one thing, a new study hints that cognitive therapy might boost the effects of light treatment.

A new multicenter trial shows that a more targeted LED light source may work better than the large full-spectrum lamps.

Clinical Trials for Patients
The new LED light and other strategies are being tested in numerous new clinical trials involving SAD.

Alternative Medicine
Your patient might like to know that the National Institutes of Health endorse light therapy for SAD as an example of “veritable energy medicine”.

No Comments » | Alternative Medicine, Mood Disorder | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Cranky Aged Mama

More zinc equals less pneumonia

November 8, 2007

In nursing home (at least), boosting zinc lowers pneumonia risks.

In a study of nursing home residents enrolled in a nutrition trial, those with serum zinc at or above normal levels (70 microg/dL) had less severe pneumonia and were less likely to die of it. The study was published in Oct. 2007 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Does this justify recommending zinc supplements for your older patients living at home? Probably not. Another recent study showed that multivitamin and mineral supplements had no effect on the course of infections among elderly individuals in the community.

Clinical Trials for Patients
Clinical researchers are currently paying more attention to zinc and pneumonia in malnourished children.

Evidence Based Articles and Meta-analyses
What is the evidence that zinc lozenges shorten the course of a common cold?

No Comments » | Alternative Medicine, Geriatrics | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Cranky Aged Mama

Hepatitis A Vaccine Better than Immune Globulin

November 1, 2007

Given after exposure, the hepatitis A vaccine provides as much protection against hepatitis A as immune globulin, according to a new randomized study in the New England Journal of Medicine. An accompanying editorial says the vaccine may be preferable to the immune globulin. It is no more expensive, easier to administer, more widely available, and effective longer.

The study validates new recommendations from the CDC issued last June. Those at high risk of liver disease after contracting HepA—people under one year old or older than 40 and those with chronic liver disease—should still receive immune globulin.

The number of hepatitis A cases in the US plummeted to less than 4,000 last year, thanks to herd immunity after introduction of the vaccine.

Practical Articles and News
What are the contraindications to using this vaccine?

Practice Management
What are the CPT codes for hepatitis A?

No Comments » | Family Medicine, Internal Medicine | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Cranky Aged Mama