EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5 P.M., EDT, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1997
September 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. The full text of selected articles can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals/annaltoc.htm
* * * Study Finds NSAIDS Often Prescribed Unnecessarily for Elderly Patients
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are often prescribed unnecessarily and NSAID-related side effects are often inaccurately diagnosed and inappropriately managed, a new study shows. (Article, p. 429.) A prospective cohort study of elderly standardized patients conducted in Canada found that unnecessary NSAID prescriptions were written during 41.7 percent of office visits, and NSAIDS were prescribed even when patients had relative contraindications to NSAID therapy. The study also showed that shorter office visits and failure to recognize contraindications to therapy seem to compromise the appropriateness of prescribing.
An accompanying editorial examines the effect of the pressure to shorten the length of office visits on the quality of care. (Editorial, p. 483.)
* * * Study Shows Deep Venous Thrombosis Screening Does Not Reduce Complications After Discharge
Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, important complications after total hip or knee arthroplasty, can be reliably detected with screening tests. However, a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial found that routine use of screening compression ultrasonography before hospital discharge did not reduce the rate of subsequent thromboembolic complications, and does not seem to be justified in this setting. (Article, p. 439.) The study also showed that hospitalized patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty who received warfarin prophylaxis had low rates of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after discharge.
* * * Federated Council of Internal Medicine's Resource Guide for Residency Education
The Federated Council of Internal Medicine has developed a resource guide to help internal medicine residency programs produce internists who are prepared for the challenges of current and future practice. (Academia and Clinic, p. 454.)
* * * Treating Asthma with Antileukotrienes
A paper reviews the clinical activity, efficacy, and safety of a new class of drugs for asthma treatment. (Review, p. 472.)
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