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February 2009

Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act (PFREA) Of 2009 Introduced In 111th U.S. Congress. The PFREA would expand the research, prevention, and awareness activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health with respect to pulmonary fibrosis. Medical News Today. 02/20/09. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis)

FDA Approves KAPIDEX (dexlansoprazole) Delayed-Release Capsules For The Treatment Of GERD. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved KAPIDEX™ (dexlansoprazole) delayed release capsules for the once-daily, oral treatment of heartburn associated with symptomatic non-erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), the healing of erosive esophagitis (EE) and the maintenance of healed EE. Medical News Today 02/03/09 (Also see : Barrett’s Esophagus and GERD)

The pain of arthritis. Lupus, gout, scleroderma and Raynaud’s disease are all in the arthritis family. And bacterial infections such as gonorrhea or Lyme disease can cause arthritis. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability for Americans older than 15, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Carroll County Times. 01/25/09. (Also see: Pain and Arthritis)

Positive Data From Lung Study May Lead to First FDA Approved Treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis PF). A pivotal Phase III clinical trial is completed for Pirfenidone and data released. The positive data could pave the way for the first FDA-approved therapy to treat PF. Breakthrough Digest. 02/04/09. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis and Clinical Trials)

Adverse events of low-to-medium-dose oral glucocorticoids in inflammatory diseases: A meta-analysis. The risk of adverse events depends on study design and disease. In most studies, aimed at efficacy of glucocorticoids or other drugs, adverse events were not systematically assessed. Clear guidelines on assessment of adverse events are lacking. J N Hoes. Ann Rheum Dis. 12/09/2008. (Also see: Glucocorticoids)

Tooth Infection Causes Brush With Death. There are links between gum disease and conditions that affect your entire body: Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, lung problems. Now there's a relationship apparently between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease. Foxreno.com. 01/27/09. (Also see: Dental Involvement)

Forest and Cypress Announce FDA Approval of Savella™ for the Management of Fibromyalgia. Forest Laboratories, Inc. and Cypress Bioscience, Inc. announced that Savella™, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of fibromyalgia. The studies showed that Savella doses of 100 mg/day and 200 mg/day demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful concurrent improvements in pain, patient global assessment, and physical function. The companies expect Savella to be available in pharmacies by March 2009., Forest Laboratories, Inc.; Cypress Bioscience, Inc. 01/14/09. (Also see: Treatments FMS)

Appeals can remedy many health insurance claim denials. If your health insurance carrier denies a claim for a blood test, out-of-network service or a preauthorization for an expensive surgery, you do have options. M. Burden. The Flint Journal. MLive.com. 02/08/09. (Also see: Disability Resources)

Antibiotics’ dangers not widely known. When Dr. J.T. Cooper hobbles around his Marietta medical office, the boot brace on his right foot is a reminder of a danger posed by some of the most popular, and misprescribed, antibiotics on the market. A. Young. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 01/04/09.

Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for treatment of hyperalgesia and pain. Evidence continues to emerge supporting the use of TENS for the treatment of a variety of painful conditions while identifying strategies to increase TENS effectiveness. J. M. DeSantana. Current Rheumatology Reports. 01/09/2009. (Also see: Pain Management)

Black Raspberries Protect Against Cancer: New Study Finds Black Raspberries Help Barrett's Esophagus Patients. A new study showed that black raspberries helped many patients reverse the negative impact of reflux acid. Nearly 4 in 10 saw a boost in a protective enzyme and 6 in 10 saw a decline in oxidative stress, which can cause cell damage. Medical News Today. 02/15/09. (Also see : GERD and Barrett’s Esophagus)

Doctors Issue New Neuropathy Test Guidelines. A combination of blood tests and other specialized assessments seems to be most effective in finding the cause of a common nerve problem called neuropathy, according to new guidelines issued by the American Academy of Neurology. (HealthDay) U. S. News. 12/03/2008. (Also see: Neurological Involvement

Do FDA Statin Ad Rules Make Patients Fear Myopathy? Statins cause no more muscle pain than placebo in controlled trials, but many patients (and some physicians) remain convinced of a connection between these lipid-lowering drugs and muscle problems. J. Kelly. Musculoskeletal Report. January 12, 2009. (Also see: Myositis and Statins)

Chocolate may be Beneficial for Chronic Fatigue (CFS). Regularly consuming chocolate could be beneficial to those with chronic fatigue syndrome, according to a small study at Hull York Medical School. NaturalNews.com. 01/28/09. (Also see: CFS Treatments)

Chickpeas can cure skin disease: BHU scientists. Chickpeas hold the cure for leucoderma, a chronic skin disease that causes loss of pigment, resulting in white spots or patches on the skin, claim scientists of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The Times of India. 01/27/09. (Also see: Vitiligo)