Healthcare Traveler - June 2008 - (Page 39)

causes sudden cardiac arrest. Approximately 1,000 people— mostly teenagers—die each year when this silent condition is triggered by sudden shocks like sports injuries or strong emotions, leading to a longer QT interval that raises arrhythmia risk when the heart fails to “reset.” Linking data that revealed arrhythmia risk in angina patients to an electrical side effect of ranolazine that had appeared in clinical trials, researchers ran controlled tests on LQTS patients, which demonstrated that the drug shortened the QT interval by enough time to cut patients’ risk of death. Eurekalert.org. “Angina drug potentially useful against heart rhythm disorders.” 2008. www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-03/uorm-adp033108.php (2 Apr. 2008). Innovations In Practice Lower PSA thresholds for obese men? Photo: Getty Images/Victor Rayes O verweight and obese men carry lower concentrations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) than average-weight men, a finding from an earlier study that researchers at Duke University Medical Center have confirmed in the wider population. Researchers sought to determine whether high, early-life body mass index (BMI) correlated with current BMI and the results of PSA tests and digital rectal examination for prostate abnormalities. They found that higher BMI did associate with lower PSA values—mildly and moderately-to-severely obese men had PSA scores 14% and 29% lower, respectively, than normal-weight men—but that weight had no significant association with digital exam findings. The researchers believe the greater blood volume of obese men dilutes their PSA levels, which—combined with evidence of greater posttreatment cancer progression and mortality in obese men—may lead doctors to miss positive cancer diagnoses and delay treatment. They conclude that the PSA threshold for a positive result should be adjusted for the patient’s obesity level, and that all patients should pursue healthy lifestyles and be screened regularly to cut their odds of developing advanced prostate cancer. Eurekalert.org. “Overweight and obese men have lower PSA values, even before they get prostate cancer.” 2008. www.eurekalert.org/pub_ releases/2008-02/dumc-oao021908.php (11 Mar. 2008). Price, M. M., Hamilton, R. J., et al. “Body mass index, prostate-specific antigen, and digital rectal examination findings among participants in a prostate cancer screening clinic.” 2008. www.goldjournal.net/article/S00904295(07)02407-7/fulltext (11 Mar. 2008). This department originally appeared in RN, a sister publication. For subscription information, call 800-284-8945 or visit www.rnweb.com. Circle Career Card No. 638 June 2008 Healthcare Traveler 39 http://Eurekalert.org http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-03/uorm-adp033108.php http://Eurekalert.org http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases.2008-02/dumc-oao021908.php http://www.rdstaffing.com http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases.2008-02/dumc-oao021908.php http://www.goldjournal.net/article/S00904295(07)02407-7/fulltext http://www.goldjournal.net/article/S00904295(07)02407-7/fulltext http://www.rnweb.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - June 2008

Healthcare Traveler - June 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes You Said It Cover Story: Day Trippin' A Matter of Choice Clinical Highlights Drug Update When In... On Assignment Name It Advertisers' Index Travel Tips Tax Facts Big Deals Contest Rules Going the Distance Starter's Kit Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - June 2008

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