New PubMed Articles 15 May 2010

1.

Burden of COPD in a government health care system: a retrospective observational study using data from the US Veterans Affairs population.

Sharafkhaneh A, Petersen NJ, Yu HJ, Dalal AA, Johnson ML, Hanania NA.

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2010 May 6;5:125-32.PMID: 20461144 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

2.

The Yield of Routine Outpatient Electroencephalograms in the Veteran Population.

Bozorg AM, Lacayo JC, Benbadis SR.

J Clin Neurophysiol. 2010 May 11. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20461015 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations

3.

Inappropriate Prescribing Predicts Adverse Drug Events in Older Adults(June).

Lund BC, Carnahan RM, Egge JA, Chrischilles EA, Kaboli PJ.

Ann Pharmacother. 2010 May 11. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20460558 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations

4.

The effects of alcoholism comorbidity on neurocognitive function following traumatic brain injury.

Allen DN, Goldstein G, Caponigro JM, Donohue B.

Appl Neuropsychol. 2009 Jul;16(3):186-92.PMID: 20183171 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

5.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in US veterans.

Hauser DL, Titchner RL, Wilson MA, Eid GM.

Obes Surg. 2010 Mar;20(3):283-9. Epub 2010 Jan 5.PMID: 20049654 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

Blood Flow Restriction Builds Muscle Faster During Resistance Exercise - May Benefit Elderly

Muscle mass in elderly boosted by combining resistance exercise and blood flow restriction 05/14/2010. For years, researchers have known that resistance exercise training –such as weightlifting, in which muscles work against gravity or another force — can be one of the most effective ways to fight the debilitating muscle loss caused by aging. But many older people are unable to get the full benefits of such training because they suffer from conditions such as arthritis that prevent them from lifting enough weight to stimulate muscle growth. And, while younger men and women continue to produce significant amounts of muscle protein for hours after a resistance exercise workout, seniors receive a much smaller post-workout benefit.

Now, though, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have determined that moderately and temporarily restricting the flow of blood through muscles — a practice adopted by bodybuilders who noticed that it made light weights feel heavier— can be combined with low-level resistance exercise training to produce muscle-mass increases in older men. University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston via Eurekalert!

New PubMed Articles 13 May 2010

1.

Proton pump inhibitors and risk for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection.

Linsky A, Gupta K, Lawler EV, Fonda JR, Hermos JA.

Arch Intern Med. 2010 May 10;170(9):772-8.PMID: 20458084 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

2.

Comparative study of skin sebum and elasticity level in patients with sulfur mustard-induced dermatitis and healthy controls.

Davoudi SM, Sadr B, Hayatbakhsh MR, Keshavarz S, Shohrati M, Naghizadeh MM, Babakoohi S, Rashighi-Firouzabadi M, Firooz A.

Skin Res Technol. 2010 May;16(2):237-42.PMID: 20456104 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

3.

Comparison of laparoscopic and open repair with mesh for the treatment of ventral incisional hernia: a randomized trial.

Itani KM, Hur K, Kim LT, Anthony T, Berger DH, Reda D, Neumayer L; Veterans Affairs Ventral Incisional Hernia Investigators.

Arch Surg. 2010 Apr;145(4):322-8; discussion 328.PMID: 20404280 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

4.

A checklist to identify inpatient suicide hazards in veterans affairs hospitals.

Mills PD, Watts BV, Miller S, Kemp J, Knox K, DeRosier JM, Bagian JP.

Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2010 Feb;36(2):87-93.PMID: 20180441 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

5.

The Veterans Affairs shift change physician-to-physician handoff project.

Anderson J, Shroff D, Curtis A, Eldridge N, Cannon K, Karnani R, Abrams T, Kaboli P.

Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2010 Feb;36(2):62-71.PMID: 20180438 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

6.

Features and prognostic factors for elderly with acute poisoning in the emergency department.

Hu YH, Chou HL, Lu WH, Huang HH, Yang CC, Yen DH, Kao WF, Deng JF, Huang CI.

J Chin Med Assoc. 2010 Feb;73(2):78-87.PMID: 20171587 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

7.

Increasing copayments and adherence to diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemic medications.

Maciejewski ML, Bryson CL, Perkins M, Blough DK, Cunningham FE, Fortney JC, Krein SL, Stroupe KT, Sharp ND, Liu CF.

Am J Manag Care. 2010 Jan 1;16(1):e20-34.PMID: 20059288 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Free ArticleRelated citations

8.

The revolving door: high ER use among older veterans.

Claver ML, Levy-Storms L.

Qual Health Res. 2010 Mar;20(3):365-74. Epub 2009 Oct 13.PMID: 19826079 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

9.

Outcomes comparison of head and neck free tissue transfers in three different hospital populations.

Myers LL.

Microsurgery. 2009;29(8):593-7.PMID: 19653323 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

10.

HIV infection and the risk of diabetes mellitus.

Butt AA, McGinnis K, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Crystal S, Simberkoff M, Goetz MB, Leaf D, Justice AC; Veterans Aging Cohort Study.

AIDS. 2009 Jun 19;23(10):1227-34.PMID: 19444074 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

11.

Quality of life in veterans suffering from chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Kucukalic A, Dzubur-Kulenovic A.

Med Arh. 2009;63(6):339-41.PMID: 20380115 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Recovering From PTSD With VA Counseling

VA Helps "Dear John" Veteran Recover from PTSD 05/13/2010.  Iraq War Veteran Todd Vance's life in the Army has been portrayed in two major books and a top box office movie. He was the inspiration for the fictional main character in the best selling novel and hit movie, "Dear John," and his real experiences as an Army team leader for a Stryker brigade also were chronicled in the critically acclaimed book, "My War: Killing Time in Iraq."  VA

Mind-controlled Bionic Arm

Mind-controlled bionic arm goes for test drive 05/13/2010. If you've watched the movie "The Men Who Stare at Goats," you'd know it's all about covert efforts by the military to develop mind control. Well, good luck to them. However, it may be a bit premature to write off mind control as so much paranormal "X-File"-ish diddle-dee-doo, considering that Germany-based Otto Bock HealthCare has just done the seemingly impossible with a mind-controlled robotic arm. CNET News

Treatment Decisions After Brain Injury — Tensions Among Quality, Preference, and Cost

Variations in decisions for care of patients with brain injury 'disturbing' 05/13/2010. Treatment decisions involving patients with severe brain injury vary widely between medical institutions and appear to be more driven by hospital and physician practices and priorities. In an article appearing today in the New England Journal of Medicine, physicians at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) argue that providers must take steps to develop a process of communication and decision-making that gives greater weight and voice to the informed preferences of patients and their families. New England Journal of Medicine via University of Rochester Medical Center

New PubMed Articles 12 May 2010

1.

Community-associated Clostridium difficile infection: experience of a veteran affairs medical center in southeastern USA.

Naggie S, Frederick J, Pien BC, Miller BA, Provenzale DT, Goldberg KC, Woods CW.

Infection. 2010 May 8. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20454827 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations

2.

Long-term mortality outcomes according to the frequency of right ventricular pacing in veterans.

Lampert BC, Moore HJ, Amdur RL, Karasik PE, Lewis BM, Singh SN, Fletcher RD.

Cardiol Res Pract. 2010;2010:310768. Epub 2010 May 5.PMID: 20454580 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

3.

Leading the next renovation: redesigning a pharmacy structural workspace.

Carnes P, Koons K.

J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2010 May-Jun;50(3):416-8.PMID: 20452918 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

4.

Comparison of a pharmacist-managed lipid clinic: in-person versus telephone.

Dolder NM, Dolder CR.

J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2010 May-Jun;50(3):375-8.PMID: 20452911 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

5.

A Multimodal imaging study in U.S. veterans of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom with and without major depression after blast-related concussion.

Matthews SC, Strigo IA, Simmons AN, O'Connell RM, Reinhardt LE, Moseley SA.

Neuroimage. 2010 May 5. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20451622 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations

6.

Suicide-related behaviors in older patients with new anti-epileptic drug use: data from the VA hospital system.

VanCott AC, Cramer JA, Copeland LA, Zeber JE, Steinman MA, Dersh JJ, Glickman ME, Mortensen EM, Amuan ME, Pugh MJ.

BMC Med. 2010 Jan 11;8:4.PMID: 20064226 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Free PMC ArticleFree textRelated citations

Tidal Wave Of Veteran Disability Applicants

Disabled Veterans Face A Faceless Bureaucracy 05/12/2010. The Department of Veterans Affairs is struggling to cope with tens of thousands of veterans filing for disability benefits. Because there are applicants from two current wars — plus a new wave from the first Gulf War and Vietnam — thousands are now stuck in the clogged pipeline. (Audio)  NPR

VA and DoD Battle Rising Costs and Health Care Implementation

DOD Struggles With Health Care Costs, VA Faces Challenges In Providing Care 05/12/2010. Defense Secretary Robert Gate spoke about the need to control soaring defense costs, especially health care expenses, while Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki responded to several health care challenges facing veterans' health care. Kaiser Health News

VAOIG Post-Operative Care Case Review at the Lexington VA Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky

Healthcare Inspection Post-Operative Care Case Review at the Lexington VA Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 05/11/2010. The VA Office of Inspector General, Office of Healthcare Inspections reviewed allegations that poor post-operative nursing care in the intensive care unit led to complications resulting in a patient’s death at the Lexington VA Medical Center. The purpose of the inspection was to determine the validity of multiple allegations regarding specific nursing care incidents.

We concluded the nursing care provided in the intensive care unit was appropriate. We substantiated one allegation that the pulse oximeter alarm was turned off during a nursing shift. During our review of the allegations, we found it difficult to navigate through nursing care flow sheets and progress notes in the medical record. We recommended that alarm systems in the intensive care unit remain activated and functional at all times. We also recommended the establishment of processes to improve medical record documentation of nursing care in the intensive care unit. VAOIG

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors - 2010 Edition

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors 05/11/2010. Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code. This booklet contains a summary of these benefits effective Jan. 1, 2010. VA

New PubMed Articles 11 May 2010

1.

Home/community monitoring using telephonic follow-up.

Martin EM, French L, Janos A.

NeuroRehabilitation. 2010 Jan 1;26(3):279-83.PMID: 20448317 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

2.

Enhanced neurorehabilitation techniques in the DVBIC Assisted Living Pilot Project.

Hoffman SW, Shesko K, Harrison CR.

NeuroRehabilitation. 2010 Jan 1;26(3):257-69.PMID: 20448315 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

3.

Cognitive rehabilitation for military personnel with mild traumatic brain injury and chronic post-concussional disorder: Results of April 2009 consensus conference.

Helmick K; Members of Consensus Conference.

NeuroRehabilitation. 2010 Jan 1;26(3):239-55.PMID: 20448314 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

4.

A longitudinal analysis of rural and urban veterans' health-related quality of life.

Wallace AE, Lee R, Mackenzie TA, West AN, Wright S, Booth BM, Hawthorne K, Weeks WB.

J Rural Health. 2010 Mar;26(2):156-63.PMID: 20447002 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

5.

Rural-urban differences in preventable hospitalizations among community-dwelling veterans with dementia.

Thorpe JM, Van Houtven CH, Sleath BL, Thorpe CT.

J Rural Health. 2010 Mar;26(2):146-55.PMID: 20447001 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

6.

A cross-sectional, multi-year examination of rural and urban Veterans Administration users: 2002-2006.

Wallace AE, MacKenzie TA, Wright SM, Weeks WB.

Mil Med. 2010 Apr;175(4):252-8.PMID: 20446500 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

7.

Demographic, physical, and mental health factors associated with deployment of U.S. Army soldiers to the Persian Gulf.

Bell NS, Amoroso PJ, Williams JO, Yore MM, Engel CC Jr, Senier L, DeMattos AC, Wegman DH.

Mil Med. 2010 Apr;175(4):227-37.PMID: 20446497 [PubMed - in process]Related citations

8.

Situational challenges that impact health adherence in vulnerable populations.

Pascucci MA, Leasure AR, Belknap DC, Kodumthara E.

J Cult Divers. 2010 Spring;17(1):4-12.PMID: 20397568 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

9.

The influence of antiviral therapy on psychiatric symptoms among patients with hepatitis C and schizophrenia.

Huckans M, Mitchell A, Pavawalla S, Morasco BJ, Ruimy S, Loftis JM, Rifai MA, Hauser P.

Antivir Ther. 2010;15(1):111-9.PMID: 20167997 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

10.

Cortisol, DHEAS, their ratio and the metabolic syndrome: evidence from the Vietnam Experience Study.

Phillips AC, Carroll D, Gale CR, Lord JM, Arlt W, Batty GD.

Eur J Endocrinol. 2010 May;162(5):919-23. Epub 2010 Feb 17.PMID: 20164211 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

11.

The effect of measuring ambulatory blood pressure on nighttime sleep and daytime activity--implications for dipping.

Agarwal R, Light RP.

Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010 Feb;5(2):281-5. Epub 2009 Dec 17.PMID: 20019118 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

12.

A comparative study of pain in heart failure and non-heart failure veterans.

Goebel JR, Doering LV, Evangelista LS, Nyamathi AM, Maliski SL, Asch SM, Sherbourne CD, Shugarman LR, Lanto AB, Cohen A, Lorenz KA.

J Card Fail. 2009 Feb;15(1):24-30. Epub 2008 Nov 13.PMID: 19181290 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

New JRRD Volume 47, Issue 3, Pages 171 - 272

Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development 47(3); 171-272 04/17/2010.  This issue includes the DEKA Arm, regenerative rehabilitation, Parkinson disease, weight loss, and more. JRRD

The Improving Veterans' Electronic Transition Services Act (iVETS Act)

Bill requires VA, DOD to create Web portal for veterans 05/11/2010. A new bill would require the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to create an Internet-based portal for veterans to access their records and benefits. The Improving Veterans' Electronic Transition Services Act (iVETS Act) was introduced by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (Mass.-5) to improve the process veterans and their families have to go through in order to transfer their military records and benefit information from military to civilian life. Government Health IT

Living With TBI: An Iraq War Veterans Shares Her Story

Iraq War Veteran Shares Her Ordeal Of Living With Traumatic Brain Injury 05/11/2010. Traumatic Brain Injury has been called the signature injury of the Iraq war. Nationwide, studies suggest 300,000 returning veterans experience the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI. In San Diego, the V.A. Medical Center reports about 50 veterans a month present at the TBI clinic for testing. For those who find themselves changed in ways they cannot explain, a diagnosis of TBI is the beginning of a long road to recovery. Sage Bird is a young woman who is on that road (Audio). KPBS

Telemedicine for Depression

Telephone therapy for depression? Study says yes 05/10/2010.  Treating clinical depression on the telephone is nearly as effective as face-to-face consultations, a new Brigham Young University study finds.  The trial run included 30 people newly diagnosed with major depression. Instead of eight scheduled visits to the clinic, the participants covered the same material during a series of phone calls with the therapist. Calls varied in length, ranging from 21 to 52 minutes. The patients did not receive antidepressant medication.  Brigham Young University

90% of Irag and Afghanistan Veterans Return with Some Form of Pain

Majority of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans experience multi-symptom pain disorders 05/10/2010. Nine in 10 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans return with some form of pain and about 60 percent have significant pain, mainly from the cumulative effect of exposure to recurring blasts which cause unimaginable injuries, according to prominent VA pain clinicians speaking at the American Pain Society's annual scientific meeting. American Pain Society via The Medical News

DoD Tries Alternative Therapies to Treat PTSD

Pentagon tries aroma therapy to ease combat stress 05/09/2010. The U.S. military is experimenting with aroma therapy, acupuncture and other unorthodox methods to treat soldiers traumatized by combat experiences, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Saturday. Reuters