A recent survey of multiple large, national databases in the US has reported that Clostridium difficile (C.diff) colitis is now the 9th leading cause of gastrointestinal and liver related deaths. Way out of line with my own perception of GI-related mortality, Continue reading
Category Archives: Prevention
Pneus on pneumococcal vaccination from the ACIP
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has just changed its recommendations for the use of pneumococcal vaccines for adults 19 years or older with immunocompromising conditions, such as functional or anatomic asplenia, Continue reading
Women who smoke lose a decade of life. Or more.
A study on the effect of smoking on longevity in women was just published in The Lancet of October 27, 2012. As would be expected, the impact is significant. What might be surprising is just how significant. Continue reading
Pre-Halloween scare about strokes in young people
Be alarmed. Be very alarmed. A recent study in the journal Neurology reveals an increasing rate of strokes in young people. Though the overall stroke rate remains low compared to older folks, stroke rates are still climbing in a concerning fashion. Continue reading
“In thy foul throat thou liest.” – Richard III, William Shakespeare
The Infectious Disease Society of America recently released its guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Pharyngitis. It’s difficult when a patient has a sore throat, but it’s a stick-to-your-guns issue for the good of your patients. Continue reading
Why should we be concerned about “amenable mortality”?
I don’t know what you would have done, but when I recently saw the adjective amenable used to describe mortality, I did a double take. The phrase appeared in a recent article in Health Affairs. Like any confused inhabitant of the 21st Century, I immediately went Continue reading
What is the skinny on NAFLD?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease – NAFLD – is fairly common among our adult patients, and is increasing in prevalence in our pediatric patients as well. You know the scenario. A person’s transaminases are a bit high on routine screening. Ultrasound shows Continue reading
The pen is mightier than the pill
New York City now has its highest-ever life expectancy. The NYC Health Department recently reported that a baby born in 2009 would have an 80.6 year life span (women 82 years and men 76.3 years). This is 17 months greater than in 2006 and 31 months longer Continue reading
Your Medi-Cal patients can get $20 for trying to stop smoking
Getting our smoking patients to put down their cigarettes (aka coffin nails) can be difficult. Sorry, I know this sounds like I’m preaching to the choir. Medi-Cal patients smoke at a higher rate – 31% – than patients with other insurance – 22%. They even smoke Continue reading
Paper, plastic, or gastroenteritis
A cluster of acute norovirus gastroenteritis was recently reported to the Oregon Public Health Division. It occurred in a group of 17 girls on a soccer team traveling with their four adult chaparones.1 After thorough investigation, the source of the norovirus appeared to be Continue reading