EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5 P.M., EDT, SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1998
June 1, 1998, Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians (ACP), an organization of 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 on June 1, 1998.
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Relatives of People With Colorectal Polyps Are at Increased Risk for Colorectal Cancer
First-degree relatives of people with newly diagnosed colorectal adenomas are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, a study shows. (Article, p. 900.) Family members of patients who were 50 years or younger when diagnosed with an adenoma had more than four times the risk for colorectal cancer.
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Review of Mosquitoes, Repellents and Relief from Bites Finds DEET the Best Repellent
An exhaustive review of the mosquito life cycle, synthetic and natural insect repellents and treatment of mosquito bites found N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) the best repellent. (Review, p. 931.) The author says that certain other repellents, including Skin-So-Soft and plant-derived repellents such as Bite Blocker, provide some protection but not the broad effectiveness and duration of repellents containing DEET. There is little evidence that ultrasonic devices and bug 'zappers' are effective.
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Human Rabies Cases in the U.S. from 1980 to 1996 Reviewed
A definitive review of the 32 laboratory-confirmed cases of human rabies in the U.S. from 1980 to 1996 concludes that human rabies is rare in the U.S. but probably underdiagnosed. (Review, p. 922.)
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HIV Will Develop Resistance to New Drugs Unless Wisely Used
HIV-1 has the potential to develop resistance to most available antiretroviral drugs, a study found. (Brief Communication, p. 906.) In an accompanying editorial, Jon H. Condra, PhD, says that since "the evolution of drug resistance is a strict Darwinian process," anti-HIV drugs must be used in a way that will suppress viral replication almost completely if resistance is to be minimized. (Editorial, p. 951.)
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The Decision to Enter a Medical Subspecialty Is Somewhat Influenced by the Degree of Managed Care in the Area Where the Physician Trained (Academia and Clinic, p. 915.)
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