EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5 P.M., EST, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1997
February 15, 1997, Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians, more than 90,000 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.
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Treating Patients With Dyspepsia Who Are Seropositive for Helicobacter Pylori
The most cost-effective management strategy for patients with dyspepsia who are seropositive for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is empiric (that is, proceeding to treatment without endoscopic diagnostic testing) anti-H. pylori therapy, a study shows. (Article, p. 280.) The strategy outlined in this analysis can be used to make management and policy decisions about these patients, the authors state, unless physicians are concerned about resistance to antimicrobial agents or the lack of proven benefit of anti-H. pylori therapy in nonulcer dyspepsia.An accompanying editorial discusses how evidence from decision analyses indicates that antimicrobial plus antisecretory therapy may be the preferred way to manage patients who have dyspepsia and are shown by noninvasive testing to have H. pylori infection. (Editorial, p. 315.)
* * *Practice Guidelines for Managing Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
The American Society of Hematology summarizes its Practice Guideline Panels findings on the diagnosis and management of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a relatively common, acquired bleeding disorder, in adults. A complete version of the guideline was published in Blood in July 1996. (Position Paper, p. 319.)
A corresponding editorial explains the process by which the American Society of Hematologys ITP practice guideline was developed, criticism the guideline has received, and the importance of publishing a shorter version of the guidelines in this issue, which includes only material that is most directly related to the practice of internal medicine. (Editorial, p. 317.)
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