Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Peginterferon Alfa-2a Plus Ribavirin For Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection., Michael W. Fried , M.D., Mitchell L. Shiffman , M.D., K. Rajender Reddy , M.D., Coleman Smith , M.D., George Marinos , M.D., Fernando L. Gonçales , Jr., M.D., Dieter Häussinger , M.D., Moises Diago , M.D., Giampiero Carosi , M.D., Daniel Dhumeaux , M.D., Antonio Craxi , M.D., Amy Lin , M.S., Joseph Hoffman , M.D., Jian Yu , M.D., Ph.D.

Internal Medicine Publications

BACKGROUND

Treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a alone produces significantly higher sustained virologic responses than treatment with interferon alfa-2a alone in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We compared the efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin, interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin, and peginterferon alfa-2a alone in the initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

METHODS

A total of 1121 patients were randomly assigned to treatment and received at least one dose of study medication, consisting of 180 μg of peginterferon alfa-2a once weekly plus daily ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg, depending on body weight), weekly peginterferon alfa-2a plus daily placebo, …

Ventricular Pacing Or Dual-Chamber Pacing For Sinus-Node Dysfunction, Gervasio A. Lamas , M.D., Kerry L. Lee ,Ph. D., Michael O. Sweeney , M.D., Russell Silverman , M.D., Angel Leon , M.D., Raymond Yee , M.D., Roger A. Marinchak , M.D., Greg Flaker , M.D., Eleanor Schron , M.S., R.N., E. John Orav , Ph.D., Anne S. Hellkamp, Lee Goldman , M.D., Stephen Greer , M.D., John Mcanulty , M.D., Kenneth Ellenbogen , M.D., Frederick Ehlert , M.D., Roger A. Freedman , M.D., N.A. Mark Estes Iii, M.D., Arnold Greenspon , M.D.

Internal Medicine Publications

BACKGROUND

Dual-chamber (atrioventricular) and single-chamber (ventricular) pacing are alternative treatment approaches for sinus-node dysfunction that causes clinically significant bradycardia. However, it is unknown which type of pacing results in the better outcome.

METHODS

We randomly assigned a total of 2010 patients with sinus-node dysfunction to dual-chamber pacing (1014 patients) or ventricular pacing (996 patients) and followed them for a median of 33.1 months. The primary end point was death from any cause or nonfatal stroke. Secondary end points included the composite of death, stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure; atrial fibrillation; heart-failure score; the pacemaker syndrome; and the quality of …

Voriconazole Compared With Liposomal Amphotericin B For Empirical Antifungal Therapy In Patients With Neutropenia And Persistent Fever, Thomas J. Walsh, Peter Pappas, Drew J. Winston, Hillard M. Lazarus, Finn Petersen, John Raffalli, Saul Yanovich, Patric Stiff, Richard Greenberg, Gerald Donowitz, Jeanette Lee

VCU Health Publications

Background

Patients with neutropenia and persistent fever are often treated empirically with amphotericin B or liposomal amphotericin B to prevent invasive fungal infections. Antifungal triazoles offer a potentially safer and effective alternative.

Methods

In a randomized, international, multicenter trial, we compared voriconazole, a new second-generation triazole, with liposomal amphotericin B for empirical antifungal therapy.

Results

A total of 837 patients (415 assigned to voriconazole and 422 to liposomal amphotericin B) were evaluated for success of treatment. The overall success rates were 26.0 percent with voriconazole and 30.6 percent with liposomal amphotericin B (95 percent confidence interval for the difference, –10.6 …

Using Validation As A Consultant In A Richmond, Virginia Continuing Care Retirement Community, John Colletti

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Familiarize readers with the intricacies of setting up a behavioral program for persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's type dementia in a long term care facility.

2. Exemplify importance of interdisciplinary work.

3. Outline the future of the Validation Method in Virginia.

Older Adults, Social Techniques, And Memory, Karla K. Ziegenbalg

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To use a social psychological perspective to examine memory abilities of older adults.

2. To understand in what ways the social environment, through direct social interaction, affects the memory performance of older adults.

3. To find out what, if any, social factors support memory performance in older adults.

Older Homeless Women: Beneath The Safety Net, Anne J. Kisor, Lynne Kendal-Wilson

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Discuss how there is no stereotypical experience of, or explanation for, homelessness among older women.

2. Discuss why it is important to study the experiences of older homeless women.

3. Discuss policy and practice recommendations and specific ways to bridge efforts of aging and homeless service providers.

Are You At Risk For Blindness? Don't Keep Glaucoma A Family Secret! Older Age Is A Risk Factor, Mary Price

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Raise awareness of risk factors for glaucoma.

2. Encourage health care providers to educate the patient about glaucoma risk factors.

3. Educate glaucoma patients to encourage family members to seek a glaucoma examination.

Serratia Marcescens Bacteremia Traced To An Infused Narcotic, Belinda E. Ostrowsky , M.D., M.P.H., Cynthia Whitener , M.D., Helen K. Bredenberg , M.D., Loretta A. Carson , M.S., Stacey Holt , B.S., Lori Hutwagner , M.S., Matthew J. Arduino , Dr., Ph.D, William R. Jarvis , M.D.

Family Medicine and Population Health Publications

BACKGROUND

From June 30, 1998, through March 21, 1999, several patients in the surgical intensive care unit of a hospital acquired Serratia marcescens bacteremia. We investigated this outbreak.

METHODS

A case was defined as the occurrence of S. marcescens bacteremia in any patient in the surgical intensive care unit during the period of the epidemic. To identify risk factors, we compared patients with S. marcescens bacteremia with randomly selected controls. Isolates from patients and from medications were evaluated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The hair of one employee was tested for fentanyl.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients with S. marcescens bacteremia were identified; …