Patient Information

In this case report, the authors describe their experience in caring for a 62-year-old man with hepatic decompensation and acute kidney injury that was caused by simeprevir/sofosbuvir initiation for chronic hepatitis C (HCV). In the article, which is available at http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/possible-simeprevirsofosbuvir-induced-hepatic-decompensation-with-acute-kidney-failure/4aa123f84bba6831d73a86fd67565a5e/ocregister.html, the authors advise that careful consideration is needed prior to the initiation of simeprevir/sofosbuvir—particularly in patients with advanced liver disease or known hepatocellular carcinoma and baseline renal impairment.

In this case report, the authors describe their experience in caring for a 62-year-old man with hepatic decompensation and acute kidney injury that was caused by simeprevir/sofosbuvir initiation for chronic hepatitis C (HCV). In the article, which is available at http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/possible-simeprevirsofosbuvir-induced-hepatic-decompensation-with-acute-kidney-failure/4aa123f84bba6831d73a86fd67565a5e/ocregister.html, the authors advise that careful consideration is needed prior to the initiation of simeprevir/sofosbuvir—particularly in patients with advanced liver disease or known hepatocellular carcinoma and baseline renal impairment.

In this case report, the authors describe their experience in caring for a 62-year-old man with hepatic decompensation and acute kidney injury that was caused by simeprevir/sofosbuvir initiation for chronic hepatitis C (HCV). In the article, which is available at http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/possible-simeprevirsofosbuvir-induced-hepatic-decompensation-with-acute-kidney-failure/4aa123f84bba6831d73a86fd67565a5e/ocregister.html, the authors advise that careful consideration is needed prior to the initiation of simeprevir/sofosbuvir—particularly in patients with advanced liver disease or known hepatocellular carcinoma and baseline renal impairment.

High-dose oral vitamin D supplements taken for one year significantly improved cardiac structure and function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, according to results from a new study published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. However, the study, led by Dr. Klaus Witte of the University of Leeds (England), found that 6-minute walk-distance—the study’s primary outcome measure—was not improved after a year’s supplementation with vitamin D. For more on the study, go to Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/high-dose-vitamin-d-improves-heart-structure-function-in-chronic-heart-failure/ddee3f3aef17d20293b99a606045ef98.html.

High-dose oral vitamin D supplements taken for one year significantly improved cardiac structure and function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, according to results from a new study published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. However, the study, led by Dr. Klaus Witte of the University of Leeds (England), found that 6-minute walk-distance—the study’s primary outcome measure—was not improved after a year’s supplementation with vitamin D. For more on the study, go to Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/high-dose-vitamin-d-improves-heart-structure-function-in-chronic-heart-failure/ddee3f3aef17d20293b99a606045ef98.html.

High-dose oral vitamin D supplements taken for one year significantly improved cardiac structure and function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, according to results from a new study published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. However, the study, led by Dr. Klaus Witte of the University of Leeds (England), found that 6-minute walk-distance—the study’s primary outcome measure—was not improved after a year’s supplementation with vitamin D. For more on the study, go to Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/high-dose-vitamin-d-improves-heart-structure-function-in-chronic-heart-failure/ddee3f3aef17d20293b99a606045ef98.html.

Pioglitazone, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, may reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and heart attacks by 24% in people who are insulin resistant but do not have diabetes, according to findings from the Insulin Resistance Intervention after Stroke (IRIS) trial. The study, supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is the first to provide evidence that suggests a drug that targets cell metabolism may be protective against recurrent vascular events even before diabetes develops. More information on the study is available at Federal Practitioner: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/diabetes-drug-reduces-recurrent-vascular-events/bd40f959f882ada3b88cfaa670c4fa44/ocregister.html.

Pioglitazone, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, may reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and heart attacks by 24% in people who are insulin resistant but do not have diabetes, according to findings from the Insulin Resistance Intervention after Stroke (IRIS) trial. The study, supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is the first to provide evidence that suggests a drug that targets cell metabolism may be protective against recurrent vascular events even before diabetes develops. More information on the study is available at Federal Practitioner: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/diabetes-drug-reduces-recurrent-vascular-events/bd40f959f882ada3b88cfaa670c4fa44/ocregister.html.

Pioglitazone, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, may reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and heart attacks by 24% in people who are insulin resistant but do not have diabetes, according to findings from the Insulin Resistance Intervention after Stroke (IRIS) trial. The study, supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is the first to provide evidence that suggests a drug that targets cell metabolism may be protective against recurrent vascular events even before diabetes develops. More information on the study is available at Federal Practitioner: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/diabetes-drug-reduces-recurrent-vascular-events/bd40f959f882ada3b88cfaa670c4fa44/ocregister.html.

Adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is a difficult patient management issue. Recent studies confirm widely varying PAP therapy adherence rates (30%-84%). Clinicians at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit developed a set of "super user" criteria, a 5-point method for encouraging patients to maximize adherence to PAP therapy. All 5 criteria, which are discussed in detail in this article from Federal Practitioner, must be satisfied to attain “super user” status. For more, go to: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/how-to-make-your-patient-with-sleep-apnea-a-super-user-of-positive-airway-pressure-therapy/bbd97c064c5f91688f04b82c8b04b054/ocregister.html.

Adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is a difficult patient management issue. Recent studies confirm widely varying PAP therapy adherence rates (30%-84%). Clinicians at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit developed a set of "super user" criteria, a 5-point method for encouraging patients to maximize adherence to PAP therapy. All 5 criteria, which are discussed in detail in this article from Federal Practitioner, must be satisfied to attain “super user” status. For more, go to: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/how-to-make-your-patient-with-sleep-apnea-a-super-user-of-positive-airway-pressure-therapy/bbd97c064c5f91688f04b82c8b04b054/ocregister.html.

Adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is a difficult patient management issue. Recent studies confirm widely varying PAP therapy adherence rates (30%-84%). Clinicians at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit developed a set of "super user" criteria, a 5-point method for encouraging patients to maximize adherence to PAP therapy. All 5 criteria, which are discussed in detail in this article from Federal Practitioner, must be satisfied to attain “super user” status. For more, go to: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/how-to-make-your-patient-with-sleep-apnea-a-super-user-of-positive-airway-pressure-therapy/bbd97c064c5f91688f04b82c8b04b054/ocregister.html.

Because pain and depression share common neurobiological pathways and clinical manifestations, you can use similar strategies and, often, the same agents to treat both conditions when they occur together. This article from Current Psychiatry, available at http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/specialty-focus/depressive-disorders/article/chronic-pain-and-depression-treatment-of-2-culprits-in-common/6bc388cf05b07e8dc6bbc1b86f50f0bf.html, reviews different treatment options (including non-drug interventions) that can help patients with both pain and depression, as well as drug-drug interactions that can occur.

Because pain and depression share common neurobiological pathways and clinical manifestations, you can use similar strategies and, often, the same agents to treat both conditions when they occur together. This article from Current Psychiatry, available at http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/specialty-focus/depressive-disorders/article/chronic-pain-and-depression-treatment-of-2-culprits-in-common/6bc388cf05b07e8dc6bbc1b86f50f0bf.html, reviews different treatment options (including non-drug interventions) that can help patients with both pain and depression, as well as drug-drug interactions that can occur.

Because pain and depression share common neurobiological pathways and clinical manifestations, you can use similar strategies and, often, the same agents to treat both conditions when they occur together. This article from Current Psychiatry, available at http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/specialty-focus/depressive-disorders/article/chronic-pain-and-depression-treatment-of-2-culprits-in-common/6bc388cf05b07e8dc6bbc1b86f50f0bf.html, reviews different treatment options (including non-drug interventions) that can help patients with both pain and depression, as well as drug-drug interactions that can occur.

Homelessness and unstable housing situations are associated with higher rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C infection (HCV), according to researchers from Columbia University in New York City, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and the Ontario HIV Treatment Network in Canada. The researchers reviewed 152 studies involving 139,757 individuals who had HIV or were co-infected with HCV. The researchers found “strong evidence” that the lack of stable, secure, and adequate housing is a significant barrier to consistent and appropriate medical care, as well as the reduction of risk behaviors. For more on this research, see the Federal Practitioner article at: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/homelessness-hiv-and-hcv/6a66b2b7db3f0299caa7aaf050129fb4/ocregister.html.

Homelessness and unstable housing situations are associated with higher rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C infection (HCV), according to researchers from Columbia University in New York City, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and the Ontario HIV Treatment Network in Canada. The researchers reviewed 152 studies involving 139,757 individuals who had HIV or were co-infected with HCV. The researchers found “strong evidence” that the lack of stable, secure, and adequate housing is a significant barrier to consistent and appropriate medical care, as well as the reduction of risk behaviors. For more on this research, see the Federal Practitioner article at: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/homelessness-hiv-and-hcv/6a66b2b7db3f0299caa7aaf050129fb4/ocregister.html.

Homelessness and unstable housing situations are associated with higher rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C infection (HCV), according to researchers from Columbia University in New York City, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and the Ontario HIV Treatment Network in Canada. The researchers reviewed 152 studies involving 139,757 individuals who had HIV or were co-infected with HCV. The researchers found “strong evidence” that the lack of stable, secure, and adequate housing is a significant barrier to consistent and appropriate medical care, as well as the reduction of risk behaviors. For more on this research, see the Federal Practitioner article at: http://www.fedprac.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/homelessness-hiv-and-hcv/6a66b2b7db3f0299caa7aaf050129fb4/ocregister.html.

Incretin-based antidiabetic drugs didn’t raise the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, according to an international observational study involving 1.5 million patients reported online in The New England Journal of Medicine. “With 3.2 million person-years of observations, we had the statistical power to robustly assess this important drug safety issue,” the investigators said. Read more on the study at Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/incretin-based-diabetes-drugs-dont-raise-heart-failure-risk/72ea7cb26766fc17483ad005269c5da2.html.

Incretin-based antidiabetic drugs didn’t raise the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, according to an international observational study involving 1.5 million patients reported online in The New England Journal of Medicine. “With 3.2 million person-years of observations, we had the statistical power to robustly assess this important drug safety issue,” the investigators said. Read more on the study at Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/incretin-based-diabetes-drugs-dont-raise-heart-failure-risk/72ea7cb26766fc17483ad005269c5da2.html.

Incretin-based antidiabetic drugs didn’t raise the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, according to an international observational study involving 1.5 million patients reported online in The New England Journal of Medicine. “With 3.2 million person-years of observations, we had the statistical power to robustly assess this important drug safety issue,” the investigators said. Read more on the study at Cardiology News: http://www.ecardiologynews.com/specialty-focus/heart-failure/single-article-page/incretin-based-diabetes-drugs-dont-raise-heart-failure-risk/72ea7cb26766fc17483ad005269c5da2.html.

The prevalence of type 1 diabetes in people younger than age 20 increased by 23% from 2001 to 2009, and the disease now affects as many as 1.25 million Americans. This case from Clinician Reviews provides a brief overview of the diagnosis and management considerations required for successful care of these patients. The article is available at: http://www.clinicianreviews.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/the-challenges-of-type-1-diabetes-a-case-based-review/a5a6fab4483946a829d60880ec2e3a74.html.

The prevalence of type 1 diabetes in people younger than age 20 increased by 23% from 2001 to 2009, and the disease now affects as many as 1.25 million Americans. This case from Clinician Reviews provides a brief overview of the diagnosis and management considerations required for successful care of these patients. The article is available at: http://www.clinicianreviews.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/the-challenges-of-type-1-diabetes-a-case-based-review/a5a6fab4483946a829d60880ec2e3a74.html.

The prevalence of type 1 diabetes in people younger than age 20 increased by 23% from 2001 to 2009, and the disease now affects as many as 1.25 million Americans. This case from Clinician Reviews provides a brief overview of the diagnosis and management considerations required for successful care of these patients. The article is available at: http://www.clinicianreviews.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/the-challenges-of-type-1-diabetes-a-case-based-review/a5a6fab4483946a829d60880ec2e3a74.html.

This patient handout from the American Thoracic Society doesn’t just list the signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); it also explains what is causing the symptoms and steps to take to get better control over them. The handout, available at http://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/signs-symptoms-of-COPD.pdf, discusses symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and coughing, as well as the point at which patients should reach out to their health care providers.

This patient handout from the American Thoracic Society doesn’t just list the signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); it also explains what is causing the symptoms and steps to take to get better control over them. The handout, available at http://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/signs-symptoms-of-COPD.pdf, discusses symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and coughing, as well as the point at which patients should reach out to their health care providers.

This patient handout from the American Thoracic Society doesn’t just list the signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); it also explains what is causing the symptoms and steps to take to get better control over them. The handout, available at http://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/signs-symptoms-of-COPD.pdf, discusses symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and coughing, as well as the point at which patients should reach out to their health care providers.

Newly diagnosed native valve infectious endocarditis is not in and of itself an indication for anticoagulation. What’s less clear, however, is how one should proceed when a patient has a preexisting or coexisting indication for anticoagulation such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. Recommendations for anticoagulation in patients with infectious endocarditis are summarized in this evidence-based review article from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/can-patients-with-infectious-endocarditis-be-safely-anticoagulated/dbe0163aac4657c558cd476fcb1e815d.html.

Newly diagnosed native valve infectious endocarditis is not in and of itself an indication for anticoagulation. What’s less clear, however, is how one should proceed when a patient has a preexisting or coexisting indication for anticoagulation such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. Recommendations for anticoagulation in patients with infectious endocarditis are summarized in this evidence-based review article from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/can-patients-with-infectious-endocarditis-be-safely-anticoagulated/dbe0163aac4657c558cd476fcb1e815d.html.

Newly diagnosed native valve infectious endocarditis is not in and of itself an indication for anticoagulation. What’s less clear, however, is how one should proceed when a patient has a preexisting or coexisting indication for anticoagulation such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. Recommendations for anticoagulation in patients with infectious endocarditis are summarized in this evidence-based review article from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/can-patients-with-infectious-endocarditis-be-safely-anticoagulated/dbe0163aac4657c558cd476fcb1e815d.html.