INFLUENZA VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS VARIES BY AGE
Case-control study of the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine found overall vaccine effectiveness to be 60%, ranging from 69% in those ages 3 to 8 to just 36% in those 65 or older.
Citation: Treanor JJ, Talbot HK, Ohmit SE, et al. Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines in the United States during a season with circulation of all three vaccine strains. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;55:951-959.
NSAIDS INCREASE CV RISK AFTER MI, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH OF TIME
A nationwide cohort study in Denmark shows increased coronary risk with NSAID use for at least five years after first-time myocardial infarction.
Citation: Olsen AM, Fosbøl EL, Lindhardsen J, et al. Long-term cardiovascular risk of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use according to time passed after first-time myocardial infarction: a nationwide cohort study. Circulation. 2012;126:1955-1963.
PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC CANCER OFTEN OVERESTIMATE CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC EFFICACY
Survey of patients with metastatic solid tumors reveals significant misunderstanding regarding the curative potential of chemotherapy, and an inverse relationship between level of understanding and patients’ satisfaction with physician communication.
Citation: Weeks JC, Catalano PJ, Cronin A, et al. Patients’ expectations about effects of chemotherapy for advanced cancer. N Engl J Med. 2012;367:1616-1625.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID ABUSE
This case series from the National Poison Data System indicates that adverse effects of synthetic cannabinoids are generally mild and self-limited, though rare reports of life-threatening seizures were identified.
Citation: Hoyte CO, Jacob J, Monte AA, Al-Jumaan M, Bronstein AC, Heard KJ. A characterization of synthetic cannabinoid exposures reported to the National Poison Data System in 2010. Ann Emerg Med. 2012;60:435-438.
FDA APPROVES FIRST SUBCUTANEOUS HEART DEFIBRILLATOR
Based on a multicenter study of 321 patients, the FDA approved the first subcutaneous heart defibrillator, which might be useful for patients in whom intravascular lead placement is problematic.
Citation: Bolek M. FDA approves first subcutaneous heart defibrillator. Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm321755.htm. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013.
ADD PCV13 TO THE LIST OF ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS
Thirteen-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is now recommended in addition to 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in adults 19 and older with immunocompromising conditions to decrease the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease.
Citation: Bennett NM, Whitney CG, Moore M, et al. Use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for adults with immunocompromising conditions: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61:816-819.