In the News
Fecal occult blood associated with mortality from more than just colorectal cancer
The study looked at all individuals who participated in screening with guaiac fecal occult blood tests in Tayside, Scotland, between 2000 and 2016, with follow-up of up to 16 years.
Fidaxomicin has higher cure rate for C. difficile than other drug options, meta-analysis finds
The study authors concluded that fidaxomicin could be considered as a first-line therapy for Clostridium difficile infection and that metronidazole should not be recommended.
H. pylori frequently resistant to usual antibiotic treatments, meta-analysis finds
Primary and secondary resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were found to be at least 15%, the common threshold for choosing alternative empiric regimens, in almost all World Health Organization regions.
MKSAP quiz: ED visit for lower abdominal discomfort
This month's quiz asks readers to determine appropriate management for a 58-year-old woman who presents to the ED with findings consistent with acute diverticulitis.
Spotlight on mortality trends in liver disease
One study looked at 10-year U.S. mortality trends related to chronic liver diseases, while another assessed mortality from cirrhosis and liver cancer in the U.S. from 1999 to 2016.
HCV-infected kidney transplants appear cost-effective in recipients with HCV
Transplanting a hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected kidney and then administering HCV treatment was more effective and cost less than transplanting an HCV-uninfected kidney after HCV treatment in HCV-infected patients, mainly because the waiting list for uninfected kidneys is longer.
Penicillin allergy associated with risk of MRSA, C. diff, due to use of other antibiotics
Systematically addressing penicillin allergies may be an important public health strategy to reduce the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile among patients with a documented penicillin allergy.
High inpatient occupancy levels associated with lower risk of hospital-acquired C. diff
Researchers analyzed administrative data from 2008 to 2012 among Medicare recipients with a discharge diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, or pneumonia at 327 California hospitals.
In IBS with constipation, plecanatide reduced abdominal pain and increased bowel movements at 12 wk
Clinical judgment will be needed to determine whether the relatively modest improvement in outcomes will be important to patients for whom the drug is considered, according to an accompanying ACP Journal Club commentary.