For patients presenting to the emergency department with acute migraine, adding intravenous dexamethasone to standard treatment provides little added benefit, although it might be useful for patients with migraine lasting longer than 72 hours. Reuters Health Information
Spirometry that includes response to a bronchodilator may help identify children with clinically mild asthma who might benefit from controller therapy, results of a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Pediatrics indicate. Reuters Health Information
Treatment with pramlintide improves several aspects of diabetes control and reduces weight in type 2 diabetic patients who are not achieving glycemic targets on basal insulin, according to findings published in the November issue of Diabetes Care. Reuters Health Information
Early introduction of corticosteroid treatment to manage autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) can minimize adverse events, especially in patients with obstructive jaundice, according to a report by Japanese researchers. Reuters Health Information
In a randomized trial, an intensive, individualized behavorial intervention reduced body mass index at 3 and 6 months in overweight Mexican American children and teens. Medscape Medical News
Inhaled and oral bronchodilators do not appear to increase the risk of fracture in patients with chronic lung disease, according to Danish investigators who suggest that the "severity of the underlying lung disease" may be responsible. Reuters Health Information
A new study shows that incidence of fatal or serious heart disease in children with ADHD from stimulants is similar to national background rates, but emergency department visits have increased. Medscape Medical News
Therapy with growth hormone (GH) improves exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary performance in patients with chronic heart failure, according to Italian researchers. Reuters Health Information
Dialysis patients benefit significantly with the addition of levocarnitine to their dialysis treatments at least once a month, cutting the number of days in the hospital from an average of 15 to roughly ten days. Reuters Health Information
The PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast reduces sputum neutrophil and eosinophil counts in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a report in the December Thorax. Reuters Health Information
