February 19, 2008
Banked blood shows cat parasite infection precedes schizophrenia onset
Here’s the latest and strongest of the provocative links between toxoplasmosis and behavior change: A case-control study using blood samples taken routinely from members of the U.S. military has shown a strong (P = 0.01) association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and the onset of schizophrenia within six months.
Antibodies to the parasite carried by pet cats were associated with a 26% increase in schizophrenia risk, according to the team from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
This new study strengthens earlier evidence of an association, because of its large numbers and the use of blood samples drawn before diagnosis as well as after.
After using SearchMedica to locate a provocative study, turn to the categories to help decide what you should do next.
Patient Education Materials
What can you say to patients newly concerned about cats? You can use this category to find answers. Try the query Toxoplasma cats, and read the information for pregnant women and HIV patients. (See what the Mayo Clinic article has to say about working in the garden.)
Practical Articles & News
Inform patients that this is not really new, and for now has few practical implications. In this category you’ll find an article suggesting that the cause could just as easily be something caught in preschool, or even something Mom caught. Another reviews the long history of links between infection and mental disorders.
1 Comment | 
Respiratory_Infectious, Schizophrenia | Tagged: feline, infectious, Schizophrenia, toxoplasma | 
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Posted by Cranky Aged Mama
December 12, 2007
A report in JNCI unveils a model of breast-cancer risk assessment created specifically for African-American women. Based in part on data from the Women’s Contraceptive and Reproductive Experience (CARE) study, the new CARE model shows that 30% of African-American women should have qualified for the STAR trial of breast cancer prevention. That protocol used the standard NCI Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BRCAT), which judged only 15% eligible.
The new tool is not recommended for women who have BRCA mutations or a history of breast cancer.
Last July, Howard University researchers reported that a modified version of the BCRAT (or Gail model) was even worse at predicting risk in this population than the original Gail model itself.
A meta-analysis in JCO last year revealed that African-Americans have poorer outcomes from breast cancer treatment irrespective of socioeconomic factors. Risk counseling based on erroneous assessment must be among the reasons.
See what else you can find in the categories that sort your results by document type:
Clinical Trials for Patients
Learn more about the CARE study assessing breast cancer risk among white and African American women.
Practical Articles and News
Locate the Gail model itself on the National Cancer Institute website. (The new CARE model isn’t there yet. The NCI says it will be there shortly.)
No Comments » | 
Breast | Tagged: african american, brca, brcat, care model, clinical trials, gail model, nci, star trial | 
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Posted by Cranky Aged Mama
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: vaccine, herd immunity, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria | 
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Posted by Cranky Aged Mama
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: hepatitis, vaccine | Permalink
Posted by Cranky Aged Mama
