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News, opinions and meeting coverage in primary care.

Big BP Variation Between Arms Raises Red Flag

A substantial difference in blood pressure from one arm to the other could be a warning sign for overall cardiovascular and mortality risk, a meta-analysis determined.

Docs Contradict NCAA on Sickle Cell Trait Tests

The American Society of Hematology is challenging the major college sports organization over its policy on sickle cell trait testing for athletes.

ER Presentation Not the End for Colon Cancer Patients

SAN FRANCISCO -- Curative therapy is still a possibility, even if a colon cancer patient is seen for the first time in the emergency department with acute symptoms, researchers said here.

Ski Helmets Not Best for Sledding

To protect kids' noggins before setting them on toboggans parents should ditch ski helmets for hockey or cycling ones, results of a study suggest.

Lack of Birth Control Common Among Teen Moms

About half of teenage mothers who didn't plan to get pregnant did not use contraception at the time they conceived, CDC researchers found.

50-Year-Olds Get New Knees in Record Numbers

During the past three decades there has been a dramatic increase in knee replacement surgeries, particularly among individuals in their 50s, a Finnish study found.

Higher LDL Level Linked to Lower Incidence of Afib

Although physicians usually aim to lower patients' total and, in particular, LDL cholesterol, lower LDL levels are associated with developing atrial fibrillation, a study has found.

Parkinson's Called Hidden Killer

Life expectancy for patients with Parkinson's disease is poorer than some previous studies have suggested, with barely one-third of patients surviving six years with the condition, researchers said.

Two-Drug Combo Appears Best for Refractory Epilepsy

For patients with refractory epilepsy, a combination of lamotrigine and valproate may be the best option for preventing seizures, a retrospective analysis showed.

OCD in Adulthood Traced to Cues in Childhood

Rituals and sensory hypersensitivities in a child may be early warning signs of adult obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), according to the results of two studies from Israel.

Post-Ear Tube MRSA Infections Not Serious

Among children with ear infections following tympanostomy tube placement, infections associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) did not result in worse outcomes than those caused by other pathogens, a single-center study showed.

ADHD Drug Helpful in Adult Depression

Phase II trial results suggested that a stimulant drug approved to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder may improve cognitive function in adults with major depression, its manufacturer said.

FDA Issues Second Contact Lens Recall

WASHINGTON -- The FDA has issued a class I recall 芒鈧€� the agency芒鈧劉s most serious 芒鈧€� for a second brand of CooperVision芒鈧劉s AVAIRA Aquaform contact lenses that may cause serious eye injury.

Fructose No Substitute for Glucose in Diabetes

NEW YORK -- Although it negates the dumping of glucose directly into the bloodstream, fructose may not be the choice sweetener for diabetics, researchers said here.

RSNA: Growth Hormone May Help Heavy Women With Bone Problems

CHICAGO -- Premenopausal women who are obese may not be spared from osteopenia, as some research has suggested, but growth hormone therapy may help spur bone formation, researchers said here.

Consumer Reports Backs Dr. Oz on Arsenic in Juice

Roughly 10% of apple and grape juice samples tested by Consumer Reports contained total levels of arsenic that exceeded federal standards set for drinking water, according to results of an investigation released today.

'Upset Stomach' Feels Better After Killing H. pylori

Eradicating Helicobacter pylori with antibiotics provided significant benefits to primary care patients with functional dyspepsia, according to results of a randomized trial.

Low-Dose Zolpidem Gets FDA Okay for Wee-Hours Awakening

A new formulation of the insomnia drug zolpidem tartrate (Ambien) has been approved to treat middle-of-the-night awakenings followed by difficulty returning to sleep, the FDA said.

Acetaminophen OD More Deadly if Taken in Stages

Acetaminophen overdoses were more likely to be fatal if patients consumed a series of high doses spread over the course of a day rather than downing, say, a bottle of pills at one time, outcomes among patients admitted to a specialized liver center showed.

FDA Revokes Avastin Approval for Breast Cancer

WASHINGTON -- The FDA has announced that bevacizumab (Avastin) is no longer approved for the treatment of breast cancer; the Genentech drug retains its other indications and will remain on the market.

Use of Psych Drugs Up, Women Biggest Users

One American in five takes psychiatric medication for conditions such as depression and anxiety, and use of the drugs is more common among women, researchers found.

ACR: Savella Brings Relief Long-Term in Fibromyalgia

CHICAGO -- Milnacipran (Savella), a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, brought long-term relief to fibromyalgia patients who remained on therapy, researchers said here.

Systolic BP That's Too Low After Stroke Not Good Either

Systolic blood pressure that is too low -- as well as too high -- may put patients who have had a noncardioembolic ischemic stroke at risk for another one, researchers found.

Tampon Recall Stems from Bacterial Contamination

Kimberly-Clark has announced the recall of a number of Kotex brand tampon lots because of contamination with potentially life-threatening Enterobacter sakazakii.

Life Expectancy Shorter After TIA

Nine years after discharge, the survival of patients hospitalized with a transient ischemic attack was 20% lower than expected, with older patients more likely to be affected, according to an Australian study.

Jumpy Legs in Parkinson's Likely Not RLS

Patients with early Parkinson's disease were more likely to have a movement disorder called leg motor restlessness than true restless legs syndrome, a study found.

ACAAI: Intradermal Testing No Help for Cat Allergies

BOSTON -- Intradermal allergen testing adds no useful information when evaluating patients for cat allergies, since the results are usually false when they contradict those of skin-prick testing, a researcher said here.

Training Technique Stresses Athletes' Spines

CHICAGO --The squat lift, an exercise that has long been a standard training technique for athletes, puts inordinate stress on the spine and likely is the cause of chronic stress fractures in young athletes.

Vodka, Malt Liquor Most Likely to Buy Trip to Emergency Room

WASHINGTON -- Vodka and malt beverages were the forms of alcohol most likely to have been consumed by patients who wound up at the emergency department, seeking treatment for an injury, according to a small study.

Feeding By Tube Is Common with Tracheotomy

CLEVELAND-Patients who require a tracheotomy to help them breathe often have trouble swallowing, which cuts their caloric intake. The solution, say experts, is to supplement regular meals with feeding by a nasogastric tube, which is what doctors treating Pope John Paul II have decided to do.