Embargo Date: May 14, 1997 5 P.M. EDT
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5 P.M., EDT, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1997
May 15, 1997, Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians
(ACP), more than 100,000 physicians trained in internal medicine. The following
highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of
information. For a copy of an article, call 1-800-523-1546, ext. 2656 or
215-351-2656.
* * *
Cholesterol Levels Related to Death From Coronary Heart Disease in Elderly
Elevated total cholesterol level is a risk factor for death from coronary heart
disease in older adults, although these elevations often appear to be obscured
by the presence of chronic disease and frailty, a multicenter, longitudinal
study of 4,066 men and women shows. (Article, p. 753.) The authors call for
randomized, controlled clinical trials targeted to older populations to clarify
further the risks and benefits of cholesterol screening in the elderly.
* * *
Antihypertensive Drug Treatment on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Men and Women
Previous trials of drug therapy for hypertension have shown an overall benefit
in preventing cardiovascular disease, but have suggested that the benefits from
treatment for women is less than for men. A meta-analysis of individual patient
data from 20,802 women and 19,975 men found apparently smaller risk reduction in
women from antihypertensive drug treatment results from a lower degree of
untreated risk. (Article, p. 761.) The efficacy of antihypertensive drug
treatment does not differ between men and women, the study shows.
* * *
Medical Applications of Marijuana
The authors have evaluated two decades of research on the medical applications,
physical complications, and legal precedents for the use of pure
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or crude marijuana, with emphasis on the use
of THC derivatives for glaucoma, nausea associated with chemotherapy, appetite
stimulation, and spinal cord spasticity. (Perspectives, p. 791.) Evidence
supports the selective use of pure THC preparations to treat nausea associated
with cancer chemotherapy and to stimulate appetite.
* * *
ACP Outlines Steps for Fecal Occult Blood Testing and Interpretation in Colon
Cancer Screening
ACP outlines steps for testing and interpreting results of fecal occult blood
tests (FOBTs) when screening for colon cancer. (Position Paper, p. 808.) An
accompanying background paper reviews the evidence for the efficacy of FOBT
screening and addresses the procedures for screening with FOBTs, the definition
of a positive test result, the timely evaluation of positive results, and the
rescreening of persons with positive or negative results. (Position Paper, p.
811.)
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