Patient Information

A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled studies involving more than 4000 heart failure patients confirmed that an exercise training intervention run for at least 3 weeks produces a statistically significant relative reduction in all-cause mortality of 18%, according to Oriana Ciani, PhD, a health technology researcher at the University of Exeter (England). The individual patient data meta-analysis also showed a statistically significant 11% relative reduction in the incidence of all-cause hospitalization during at least 6 months of follow-up to the exercise programs. Learn more about the findings at Cardiology News, available at: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/exercise-training-cuts-heart-failure-mortality/c94d2f9c4abf4eea8381de3290883eea.html.

A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled studies involving more than 4000 heart failure patients confirmed that an exercise training intervention run for at least 3 weeks produces a statistically significant relative reduction in all-cause mortality of 18%, according to Oriana Ciani, PhD, a health technology researcher at the University of Exeter (England). The individual patient data meta-analysis also showed a statistically significant 11% relative reduction in the incidence of all-cause hospitalization during at least 6 months of follow-up to the exercise programs. Learn more about the findings at Cardiology News, available at: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/exercise-training-cuts-heart-failure-mortality/c94d2f9c4abf4eea8381de3290883eea.html.

A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled studies involving more than 4000 heart failure patients confirmed that an exercise training intervention run for at least 3 weeks produces a statistically significant relative reduction in all-cause mortality of 18%, according to Oriana Ciani, PhD, a health technology researcher at the University of Exeter (England). The individual patient data meta-analysis also showed a statistically significant 11% relative reduction in the incidence of all-cause hospitalization during at least 6 months of follow-up to the exercise programs. Learn more about the findings at Cardiology News, available at: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/exercise-training-cuts-heart-failure-mortality/c94d2f9c4abf4eea8381de3290883eea.html.

Glucose self-monitoring not only yields valuable information on which to base diabetes treatment, it also helps motivate patients and keeps them engaged in and adherent to their care. However, choosing the most appropriate meters and supplies from the plethora available can be challenging. Working together, healthcare providers and certified diabetes educators can ensure that people with diabetes are getting the most out of self-monitoring process. To find out who should monitor blood glucose and how often, and the advances in and limitations of current devices, go to Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/past-issues/past-issue-single-view/self-monitoring-of-blood-glucose-advice-for-providers-and-patients/a077c938c36233cb5bb87ccf89270041.html.

Glucose self-monitoring not only yields valuable information on which to base diabetes treatment, it also helps motivate patients and keeps them engaged in and adherent to their care. However, choosing the most appropriate meters and supplies from the plethora available can be challenging. Working together, healthcare providers and certified diabetes educators can ensure that people with diabetes are getting the most out of self-monitoring process. To find out who should monitor blood glucose and how often, and the advances in and limitations of current devices, go to Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/past-issues/past-issue-single-view/self-monitoring-of-blood-glucose-advice-for-providers-and-patients/a077c938c36233cb5bb87ccf89270041.html.

Glucose self-monitoring not only yields valuable information on which to base diabetes treatment, it also helps motivate patients and keeps them engaged in and adherent to their care. However, choosing the most appropriate meters and supplies from the plethora available can be challenging. Working together, healthcare providers and certified diabetes educators can ensure that people with diabetes are getting the most out of self-monitoring process. To find out who should monitor blood glucose and how often, and the advances in and limitations of current devices, go to Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/past-issues/past-issue-single-view/self-monitoring-of-blood-glucose-advice-for-providers-and-patients/a077c938c36233cb5bb87ccf89270041.html.

In contrast to stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute exacerbations of COPD pose special management challenges and can significantly increase the risks of morbidity and death as well as the cost of care. This review from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, available at http://www.ccjm.org/topics/pulmonary/single-article-page/treating-and-preventing-acute-exacerbations-of-copd/8265d5ff355c3a17c96fa34564ea7465.html, provides the latest information on the definition and diagnosis of COPD exacerbations, disease burden and costs, etiology and pathogenesis, and management and prevention strategies.

In contrast to stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute exacerbations of COPD pose special management challenges and can significantly increase the risks of morbidity and death as well as the cost of care. This review from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, available at http://www.ccjm.org/topics/pulmonary/single-article-page/treating-and-preventing-acute-exacerbations-of-copd/8265d5ff355c3a17c96fa34564ea7465.html, provides the latest information on the definition and diagnosis of COPD exacerbations, disease burden and costs, etiology and pathogenesis, and management and prevention strategies.

In contrast to stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute exacerbations of COPD pose special management challenges and can significantly increase the risks of morbidity and death as well as the cost of care. This review from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, available at http://www.ccjm.org/topics/pulmonary/single-article-page/treating-and-preventing-acute-exacerbations-of-copd/8265d5ff355c3a17c96fa34564ea7465.html, provides the latest information on the definition and diagnosis of COPD exacerbations, disease burden and costs, etiology and pathogenesis, and management and prevention strategies.

In most children, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a curable disease that responds to surgical treatment with adenotonsillectomy. But recent research suggests that a higher-than-realized number of children may grow out of their OSA. In fact, a recent study in CHEST identified factors associated with spontaneous resolution of sleep apnea that can help physicians identify children who can avoid surgery. For more on childhood OSA, see the article from Chest Physician, available at http://www.chestphysician.org/news-from-chest/article/sleep-strategies-treating-childhood-osa/d0566fd44f306901e0a1f3a3de7e57b2.html

In most children, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a curable disease that responds to surgical treatment with adenotonsillectomy. But recent research suggests that a higher-than-realized number of children may grow out of their OSA. In fact, a recent study in CHEST identified factors associated with spontaneous resolution of sleep apnea that can help physicians identify children who can avoid surgery. For more on childhood OSA, see the article from Chest Physician, available at http://www.chestphysician.org/news-from-chest/article/sleep-strategies-treating-childhood-osa/d0566fd44f306901e0a1f3a3de7e57b2.html

In most children, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a curable disease that responds to surgical treatment with adenotonsillectomy. But recent research suggests that a higher-than-realized number of children may grow out of their OSA. In fact, a recent study in CHEST identified factors associated with spontaneous resolution of sleep apnea that can help physicians identify children who can avoid surgery. For more on childhood OSA, see the article from Chest Physician, available at http://www.chestphysician.org/news-from-chest/article/sleep-strategies-treating-childhood-osa/d0566fd44f306901e0a1f3a3de7e57b2.html

The United States has the “opportunity and responsibility” to lead a global action against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to a report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. While there is no vaccine for HCV, new therapies do offer a cure for most patients. But eradicating HCV requires a multipronged approach: ending transmission, eliminating chronic HCV, and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. For more information on the strategies that could meet these goals, go to Federal Practitioner: http://www.fedprac.com/specialty-focus/hepatitis-c/article/can-hepatitis-b-and-c-be-eliminated/cc5f56c697746870f8da1c44dc7de26e.html.

The United States has the “opportunity and responsibility” to lead a global action against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to a report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. While there is no vaccine for HCV, new therapies do offer a cure for most patients. But eradicating HCV requires a multipronged approach: ending transmission, eliminating chronic HCV, and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. For more information on the strategies that could meet these goals, go to Federal Practitioner: http://www.fedprac.com/specialty-focus/hepatitis-c/article/can-hepatitis-b-and-c-be-eliminated/cc5f56c697746870f8da1c44dc7de26e.html.

The United States has the “opportunity and responsibility” to lead a global action against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to a report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. While there is no vaccine for HCV, new therapies do offer a cure for most patients. But eradicating HCV requires a multipronged approach: ending transmission, eliminating chronic HCV, and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. For more information on the strategies that could meet these goals, go to Federal Practitioner: http://www.fedprac.com/specialty-focus/hepatitis-c/article/can-hepatitis-b-and-c-be-eliminated/cc5f56c697746870f8da1c44dc7de26e.html.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) recently issued joint recommendations on 2 new medications for stage C heart failure patients with a reduced ejection fraction. Valsartan/sacubitril, a combination angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor, and ivabradine, a sinoatrial node modulator, were both approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015, but ivabradine has been licensed for a decade in Europe. Although a comprehensive update to ACC/AHA/HSFA heart failure guidelines is still being developed, the focused update is intended to coincide with the release of new European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines. Find out what the guideline authors recommend at Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/guidelines-add-two-new-heart-failure-treatments/98c0b0a2a2e77dac550cdd52953033ea.html.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) recently issued joint recommendations on 2 new medications for stage C heart failure patients with a reduced ejection fraction. Valsartan/sacubitril, a combination angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor, and ivabradine, a sinoatrial node modulator, were both approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015, but ivabradine has been licensed for a decade in Europe. Although a comprehensive update to ACC/AHA/HSFA heart failure guidelines is still being developed, the focused update is intended to coincide with the release of new European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines. Find out what the guideline authors recommend at Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/guidelines-add-two-new-heart-failure-treatments/98c0b0a2a2e77dac550cdd52953033ea.html.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) recently issued joint recommendations on 2 new medications for stage C heart failure patients with a reduced ejection fraction. Valsartan/sacubitril, a combination angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor, and ivabradine, a sinoatrial node modulator, were both approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015, but ivabradine has been licensed for a decade in Europe. Although a comprehensive update to ACC/AHA/HSFA heart failure guidelines is still being developed, the focused update is intended to coincide with the release of new European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines. Find out what the guideline authors recommend at Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/guidelines-add-two-new-heart-failure-treatments/98c0b0a2a2e77dac550cdd52953033ea.html.

It may be time to revise guidelines when it comes to initial treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by exacerbations, based on data from a phase III trial reported at an international conference of the American Thoracic Society. The trial, known as FLAME, undertook a head-to-head comparison of 2 inhaled drug combinations (indacaterol and glycopyrronium vs salmeterol and fluticasone) among more than 3300 patients from 43 countries. After a year, the annual rate of exacerbations was 11% lower with indacaterol-glycopyrronium than with salmeterol-fluticasone. More on the results of the trial is available at Family Practice News: http://www.familypracticenews.com/specialty-focus/pulmonary-sleep-medicine/single-article-page/dual-bronchodilator-combination-shines-in-patients-with-high-risk-copd/60032e8e9b0393af639f41566f165d80.html.

It may be time to revise guidelines when it comes to initial treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by exacerbations, based on data from a phase III trial reported at an international conference of the American Thoracic Society. The trial, known as FLAME, undertook a head-to-head comparison of 2 inhaled drug combinations (indacaterol and glycopyrronium vs salmeterol and fluticasone) among more than 3300 patients from 43 countries. After a year, the annual rate of exacerbations was 11% lower with indacaterol-glycopyrronium than with salmeterol-fluticasone. More on the results of the trial is available at Family Practice News: http://www.familypracticenews.com/specialty-focus/pulmonary-sleep-medicine/single-article-page/dual-bronchodilator-combination-shines-in-patients-with-high-risk-copd/60032e8e9b0393af639f41566f165d80.html.

It may be time to revise guidelines when it comes to initial treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by exacerbations, based on data from a phase III trial reported at an international conference of the American Thoracic Society. The trial, known as FLAME, undertook a head-to-head comparison of 2 inhaled drug combinations (indacaterol and glycopyrronium vs salmeterol and fluticasone) among more than 3300 patients from 43 countries. After a year, the annual rate of exacerbations was 11% lower with indacaterol-glycopyrronium than with salmeterol-fluticasone. More on the results of the trial is available at Family Practice News: http://www.familypracticenews.com/specialty-focus/pulmonary-sleep-medicine/single-article-page/dual-bronchodilator-combination-shines-in-patients-with-high-risk-copd/60032e8e9b0393af639f41566f165d80.html.

Advanced age, as well as coexisting medical conditions, medications, and the timing and intensity of therapy are all factors that increase the risk of bleeding in patients taking anticoagulants. This article from the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine lists scoring tools that can help identify patients at heightened risk and describes considerations that come into play when determining whether the risk of bleeding outweighs the benefits of anticoagulation. Read more at http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/how-can-i-predict-bleeding-in-my-elderly-patient-taking-anticoagulants/f0c1ece959ee916bee40669ae636c38a.html.

Advanced age, as well as coexisting medical conditions, medications, and the timing and intensity of therapy are all factors that increase the risk of bleeding in patients taking anticoagulants. This article from the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine lists scoring tools that can help identify patients at heightened risk and describes considerations that come into play when determining whether the risk of bleeding outweighs the benefits of anticoagulation. Read more at http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/how-can-i-predict-bleeding-in-my-elderly-patient-taking-anticoagulants/f0c1ece959ee916bee40669ae636c38a.html.

Advanced age, as well as coexisting medical conditions, medications, and the timing and intensity of therapy are all factors that increase the risk of bleeding in patients taking anticoagulants. This article from the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine lists scoring tools that can help identify patients at heightened risk and describes considerations that come into play when determining whether the risk of bleeding outweighs the benefits of anticoagulation. Read more at http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/how-can-i-predict-bleeding-in-my-elderly-patient-taking-anticoagulants/f0c1ece959ee916bee40669ae636c38a.html.

People who live in areas with more intense outdoor nighttime light radiance are more likely to go to bed after midnight, get fewer than 6 hours of sleep, and be dissatisfied with their sleep, compared with people who live in areas with less intense nighttime light radiance, according to research presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. The researchers noted that if this association between outdoor nighttime light exposure and changes in sleep habits is confirmed by other studies, people may want to consider room darkening shades, sleep masks, or other options to reduce their exposure to nighttime light. An overview of the research is available at Neurology Reviews: http://www.neurologyreviews.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/nighttime-light-radiance-affects-sleep/d1f539419c140f8f9c536881cdb1d3d5.html.

People who live in areas with more intense outdoor nighttime light radiance are more likely to go to bed after midnight, get fewer than 6 hours of sleep, and be dissatisfied with their sleep, compared with people who live in areas with less intense nighttime light radiance, according to research presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. The researchers noted that if this association between outdoor nighttime light exposure and changes in sleep habits is confirmed by other studies, people may want to consider room darkening shades, sleep masks, or other options to reduce their exposure to nighttime light. An overview of the research is available at Neurology Reviews: http://www.neurologyreviews.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/nighttime-light-radiance-affects-sleep/d1f539419c140f8f9c536881cdb1d3d5.html.

People who live in areas with more intense outdoor nighttime light radiance are more likely to go to bed after midnight, get fewer than 6 hours of sleep, and be dissatisfied with their sleep, compared with people who live in areas with less intense nighttime light radiance, according to research presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. The researchers noted that if this association between outdoor nighttime light exposure and changes in sleep habits is confirmed by other studies, people may want to consider room darkening shades, sleep masks, or other options to reduce their exposure to nighttime light. An overview of the research is available at Neurology Reviews: http://www.neurologyreviews.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/nighttime-light-radiance-affects-sleep/d1f539419c140f8f9c536881cdb1d3d5.html.