Etoricoxib shows better gastrointestinal tolerability than diclofenac in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a report in the March issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Reuters Health Information
The CDC reports that the number of US hospitalizations of kidney disease quadrupled from 1980 to 2005; the increase in kidney disease hospitalizations was greatest in people aged 65 years and older. WebMD Health News
Accumulation of ceramide in the respiratory tract makes cystic fibrosis patients prone to lung infections, the results of an animal study suggest. Furthermore, one enzyme -- acid sphingomyelinase (Asm) -- is in large part responsible for this build-up and could serve as a therapeutic target. Reuters Health Information
Women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are significantly more likely to report sexual dysfunction than women without LUTS, researchers reported here at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Urology. Reuters Health Information
Investigators have shown for the first time in a clinical setting that a beta3 adrenoceptor agonist (YM178) is effective against the symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and is also well tolerated. Reuters Health Information
One of the largest and longest case series to date suggests percutaneous vertebroplasty provides significant relief of back pain, increased mobility, and quality of life, without any signal of increased fracture rates or major complications. Medscape Medical News
In a population-based cohort study, maternal and paternal history of breech delivery at term was associated with increased risk for breech presentation in first-born offspring. Medscape Medical News
In a multicenter, retrospective study, patients treated with paricalcitol alone had better outcomes on NKF K/DOQI targets for intact parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus levels than did those treated with both drugs. Medscape Medical News
Alterations in lung mechanics with postural changes tend to be small in healthy individuals, results of a study published in the March issue of Chest suggest. Body position is therefore not a major variable in the measurement of lung sound intensity in this population. Reuters Health Information
Pretreatment with high doses of folic acid can reduce ischemic myocardial dysfunction and post-reperfusion injury, the results of an animal study suggest. Reuters Health Information
