Internal Medicine Alert – May 30, 2012
May 30, 2012
View Archives Issues
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Vitamin D Deficiency and Cardiovascular Health
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced survival. Vitamin D supplementation improved survival, especially in patients with documented deficiency. -
How Often Should Healthy Women be Screened for Osteoporosis?
In a prospective study of nearly 5000 postmenopausal women, it was determined that it would take 16.8 years to develop osteoporosis in 10% of women with normal bone mineral density. The authors conclude that repeat screening in women without new risk factors can be delayed for at least 15 years. -
Myocardial Infarction Symptom Presentation
The authors conclude that in patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction, women were more likely than men to present without chest pain and had higher mortality than men within the same age group. -
Is a Family History of Cardiovascular Disease Valuable?
The authors concluded that systematically obtaining family history identifies more subjects with high CV risk who may benefit from more aggressive preventive interventions. -
Avanafil Tablets (Stendra™)
A new selective phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor has been approved for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Avanafil was developed by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation in Japan and is manufactured in Japan and marketed by Vivus, Inc., as Stendra. -
Clinical Briefs By Louis Kuritzky, MD
Within a few years after the initiation of diagnostic X-rays, toxic effects were noted, including increased risk for skin cancer, leukemia, dermatitis, and cataracts. In this early period, doses of X-ray, especially from fluoroscopy, were high. Protective devices for patients as well as persons occupationally exposed to diagnostic radiation demonstrably reduced such adverse consequences.