Pharma jousts statistically for an ankylosing spondylitis edge
Now that the interleukin-17 inhibitor secukinumab and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors are competing options for treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the companies that make those drugs... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - July 1, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Maximize depression treatment efforts with measurement-based care
WASHINGTON – Challenging patients with depression to stay engaged in their recovery while rigorously monitoring and measuring their treatment response can mean the difference between remission or... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - July 1, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Multisite NIH-sponsored research can now use single IRB
In an effort to streamline multisite clinical research, the National Institutes of Health announced a new policy related to the use of institutional review boards (IRBs).   <table... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - July 1, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

VIDEO: Nearly half of Medicaid patients denied antivirals for HCV
State Medicaid programs denied nearly half of requests to cover direct-acting antiviral drugs for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to a prospective study of... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - July 1, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Psychological therapies eased IBS for at least 6-12 months
Adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who underwent psychotherapy improved more than about 75% of controls, and the effect “remained significant and medium in magnitude” for at least 6-12... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - July 1, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Immunosuppressive regimens did not affect risk of cancer recurrence in meta-analysis
Among patients with immune-mediated diseases and a history of malignancy, cancer recurrence rates were similar regardless of whether they received tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, traditional... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - July 1, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Early sustained viral response linked to better outcomes among HCV patients
Among patients with hepatitis C virus infection who were in compensated cirrhosis, sustained viral response was associated with significantly lower rates of liver decompensation, hepatocellular... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - July 1, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Children’s lead levels in Flint, Mich., fluctuate as water supply switched
In Flint, Mich., the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels rose among children under age 6 years after the switch in the city’s water source, dropped after an advisory was issued, and then dropped... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - June 30, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Seasonal variation not seen in C. difficile rates
BOSTON – No winter spike in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates was seen among hospitalized patients after testing methodologies and frequency were accounted for, according to a large... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - June 30, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Initiative aims to improve transition from pediatric to adult care
Gregg Michael Talente, MD, remembers well a young patient who nearly fell through the gap between pediatric an adult health care. The woman was treated for lupus by her pediatrician until age 19... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - June 30, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

AUDIO: New bipolar disorder algorithm changes ranking of first-line therapies
WASHINGTON – In 2015, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration published clinical guidelines for numerous psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder, demoting several first-line... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - June 30, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Nearly 200 practices expected to participate in Oncology Care Model
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that nearly 200 physician group practices – more than double the number expected – and 17 health insurance companies will be participating in... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - June 29, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Insomnia in young men boosts cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk
DENVER – Young to early middle-aged men with insomnia symptoms are at increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, according to an analysis from the landmark CARDIA study. “We... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - June 29, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Restless sleep in 11-year-olds predicts earlier substance use
DENVER – Poor sleep quality and shorter sleep duration in boys at age 11 years is associated with subsequent accelerated use and misuse of alcohol and cannabis during adolescence and emerging... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - June 29, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Screen teens for suicide risk, AAP advises
Screening teens for suicide risk is among the recommendations in a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence. Suicide is now the second-leading cause of... (Source: Family Practice News)
Source: Family Practice News - June 29, 2016 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news