WHO Guidelines for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

WHO Guidelines for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis - 2011 Update

New guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) offer the latest approaches for better control of the disease that claims millions of lives each year.

The guidelines, published online August 4, 2011 in the European Respiratory Journal, update recommendations from previous guidelines published in 2008 and are intended to help inform practitioners, particularly those in lower-income settings, of the very latest and most cost-effective standards of care for achieving optimal patient outcomes.

Aliskiren added to ACE, ARB Therapy causes higher adverse events

On December 20, 2011 in Basel, Switzerland; Novartis announced that the data safety and monitoring board (DSMB) for the ALTITUDE trial identified an increase in adverse events and no apparent benefit among patients randomized to aliskiren (Rasilez/Tekturna, Novartis), thus prompting their recommendation for termination of the study.

Lagos State Government, Doctors Feud Continues

MEDICAL NEWS & RESEARCH
The feud between the Lagos State Government and its doctors has not ended even after the 788 doctors sacked by the government have been recalled.

Internet Addiction - the tales of a blogging doctor

STORY OF THE MEDICINE BLOGGER

The West African College of Physicians, WACP and National Postgraduate Medical College, NPMC professional specialty fellowship exams, which I sat for in April and May respectively, have come and gone, and it surely has not been a good season for me because it left a sour taste in my mouth.

UNILORIN teaching hospital starts kidney transplant, cosmetic surgery

MEDICAL NEWS & RESEARCH
The University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital has concluded plans to start cosmetic surgery and kidney transplant in the hospital.

Cuba Test New HIV / AIDS vaccine (Teravac-HIV-1) on humans

MEDICAL NEWS & RESEARCH
Cuba has unveiled a new HIV vaccine which reports say have successfully been tested on mice, and the country is ready to begin human testing soon.

First Data to Show Antihypertensive Therapy Prolongs Life

The first long-term data from a high-blood-pressure study, the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP), show that each month of chlorthalidone-based therapy was associated with approximately one day of extension in life, free from cardiovascular death.

A Third of All Cancers in the UK Can Be Prevented, Review Discovers

A third (more than 100 000 cases) of all cancers in the United Kingdom are caused by just four risk factors and are potentially preventable, concludes a comprehensive review of the evidence.

Childhood Obesity Can be Prevented - Cochrane Review

Strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity in schools and other settings are effective in preventing childhood obesity, says an updated Cochrane Collaboration review released last week.

Memories of Christmases Past in Hospital

CHRISTMASES PAST IN HOSPITAL - by George Watts

Earlier this year, 2011, I came across a wonderful piece written by George Watts, a retired consultant surgeon in Birmingham. He had written the piece way back in 2006, and published it first on BMJ. Although "old", the freshness of the message resonated strongly into me and gave me such pleasure that I decided to share it here with you. I do hope you enjoy it like I did.

Gene Therapy Achieves Early Effective Success Against Hereditary Bleeding Disorder

Study of gene therapy developed at UCL and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers first proof adults with haemophilia B benefit from treatment, reducing need for injections with clotting factor to prevent bleeds. Indeed, this is one of the most heart warming news I have come across this month.

GMC Strikes Off Gynaecologist for Botching Vaginal Surgery and Dishonesty

It was a busy week, and I was looking forward to a nice weekend. Well I had my weekend, and picked up a copy of the November 2011 edition of BMJ as I lounged and saw this depressing story. Many of you may have heard the unfortunate story before me. But if you have not heard of the doctor who was just struck off by the GMC in the UK, then this article is for you.

FDA Issues New Warnings on Use of Simvastatin

Some days back, I was online reading up stuff on Medscape and I came across a very interesting commentary. It was written by Dr. Sandra Fryhofer in relation to the current raging simvastatin saga and her review of the FDA's latest warnings about this popular statin. I am not going to pre-empt her. I share her thoughts here because I found them quite illuminating. Happy reading!

How to Boost Practice Profits: 10 'Tell-It-Like-It-Is' Secrets

Whether you're employed and dissatisfied working for someone else, already in private practice, or considering taking the plunge right out of school, some key steps will help bring you the practice success that you want to achieve.

Study Links Atherosclerosis to Low Vitamin D

Investigators have identified new evidence from the Northern Manhattan Study connecting atherosclerosis to low vitamin D levels. They found that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with increased intima-media and maximal carotid thickness in those with plaque.