Family Medicine

Session at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers debates whether the side effects associated with alemtuzumab, a novel anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, might ultimately prevent its approval for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, despite evidence of clinical effectiveness.

Low rates of immunogenicity observed in study support the potential benefits of subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a in the treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

The reductions in brain volume often seen in patients with chronic relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis may be reduced by treatment with interferon beta-1a, though treatment may be affected by the patient's immunologic status.

Analysis of NARCOMS data showed that switching from natalizumab to fingolimod or injectable therapy was associated with an increased likelihood of reported disability progression.

Primary MS is characterized by neurodegeneration with neuroaxonal injury and diffuse inflammation; disease progression is linked with age. Effective management calls for symptom-specific medical management combined with wellness and health maintenance measures.

Although there are more treatment options than ever before available to patients and clinicians, new approaches are needed to treat acute exacerbations, as well as new options that can help meet the long-term goals of symptomatic management and rehabilitation.

Coping strategies based on enhanced mindfulness and a greater sense of agency can help patients improve their quality of life.

A radiograph to detect the presence of a cervical rib should be mandatory prior to thoracic outlet syndrome surgery as a baseline study.

Medication selection should be driven by rational polypharmacy and take into account such factors as pain type, underlying symptoms, comorbidities, patient preference, and medication side effects.

Some studies have shown benefit in reducing pain and spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis, but the data is mixed and can be highly subjective.

Research from the Mayo Clinic suggests that an order set designed to standardize the treatment of anaphylaxis in emergency departments may lead to improved guideline adherence and better treatment outcomes.

When it comes to hospital admissions, hip fractures outnumber all other orthopedic injuries, with more than 300,000 Americans breaking a hip annually and requiring 24-hour care post-surgery.

Patients with psoriatic arthritis may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, so physicians must carefully weigh the pros and cons of treatment with corticosteroids and other proatherogenic drugs.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the discovery of hepatitis C, health officials ramped up a public awareness campaign during the month of May to encourage more testing for hepatitis among at-risk populations.

Total number of hospitalizations increased by more than 23%, while associated treatment costs rose but mortality declined.

Study results announced at the 11th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Spring Symposium show tofacitinib met its two primary efficacy endpoints.

Medical hazards related to the use of health information technology (HIT) currently pose the biggest threat to patient safety, according to the inaugural industry report from the nonprofit ECRI Institute.

New research may help doctors predict when patients who have suffered one attack of anaphylaxis will undergo a second attack without any additional exposure to the original trigger.

A Swedish pharmaceutical company has been granted approval by the European Commission to market the drug simeprevir for the treatment of genotype 1 and 4 chronic hepatitis C infection.

Study results showed treatment with N-acetylcysteine did not slow the decline in lung function, reduce acute exacerbations, or improve survival compared with placebo in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Results from two studies show that treatment with the novel kinase inhibitor nintedanib significantly slowed disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, only one study showed nintedanib had any effect on slowing deterioration in quality of life or reducing the risk of a first acute exacerbation compared with placebo.