ESC: Caution for Women on Early Invasive Treatment of Non-ST Elevation Coronary Syndrome
September 5th 2007VIENNA -- Unlike the benefits found in men for early invasive treatment of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome, this strategy may increase the risk of excess bleeding or death in women, researchers here reported.
MDs with Poor Communication Skills Prime Targets for Patient Complaints
September 4th 2007MONTREAL -- Doctors who scored poorly on the patient-physician communications and clinical decision-making portions of a clinical skills exam were significantly more likely to be the targets of patient complaints to medical authorities than fair or good communicators.
ESC: Increased Mortality Erased in Latest Drug-Eluting Stent Data from Swedish Registry
September 2nd 2007VIENNA -- Time and more patients shrank the 18% three-year statistically significant risk of mortality for drug-eluting coronary stents, compared with bare-metal devices, to a non-significant 1% at four years, Swedish registry researchers reported here today.
Non–AIDS-Defining Malignancies and HAART
September 2nd 2007Two years ago, while revisiting the quality and durability of highly active antiretroviral therapy-linked immune reconstitution, I noted that the incidence of certain non-AIDS-defining malignancies associated with sexually transmitted viruses in immunosuppressed persons, including penile, oral, and anal cancers, have continued to increase among HIV-infected persons despite the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy
Editorial Comment: Plasmablastic Lymphoma-A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Puzzle
September 2nd 2007Oral cavity lymphoma occurs frequently in HIV-positive patients, often with a poor prognosis.1 Ortega and colleagues2 present an enlightening case of a destructive oral plasmablastic lymphoma in a 43-year-old HIV-positive man. Similar to another recently reported case,3 this lymphoma was their patient's first manifestation of his underlying HIV infection.
Editorial Comment: HIV Testing in Prisons and Jails-Providing the Carrot With the Stick
September 2nd 2007Treatment of HIV infection reduces the risk of transmission and can significantly improve patients’ quality of life. For these reasons, the CDC has recommended routine screening for HIV in all health care settings.1 HIV testing access in correctional facilities is the weakest link in the fight against HIV infection in the United States; increasing access to testing would improve the identification of HIV-positive inmates as they pass through prisons and jails, providing an opportunity to integrate them into the public health infrastructure of HIV care. However, numerous logistical and cost-related barriers to such testing must be addressed when determining how and when it should be conducted.
Editorial Comment: Wanted-Noninvasive Interventions for Lipodystrophy in HIV-Infected Children
September 1st 2007Miller1 reports the results of a 3-month program of progressive resistance and aerobic exercise training in 2 perinatally HIV-infected girls: a normal-weight 10-year-old and an overweight 17-year-old. By the end of the program, both had decreases in body mass index (BMI); lost fat, including visceral fat, by at least some measures; and gained significant muscle strength. One had improved cardiovascular fitness, and both showed further improvements after completing a home-based program after the initial 12-week program.