Risk of pneumonia and other complications of influenza-like illness in patients treated with oseltamivir.

Background: Clinical trials suggest that the risk of pneumonia and other sequelae of influenza may be reduced in patients using oseltamivir.

Research Design And Methods: This retrospective cohort study used U.S.

The risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias among cisapride users in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Purpose: Serious, although rare, ventricular arrhythmias and deaths have been reported in patients taking cisapride monohydrate. Without quantification of the risk involved, it is impossible to develop rational therapeutic guidelines.

Subjects And Methods: Arrhythmic events (sudden deaths and other events compatible with serious ventricular arrhythmias) were sought among 36,743 patients prescribed cisapride in the United Kingdom and Saskatchewan, Canada.

5-Aminosalicylates, sulfasalazine, steroid use, and complications in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Objectives: The choice between sulfasalazine and 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) drugs in the management of patients with ulcerative colitis often depends on idiosyncrasies of drug tolerance and control of the disease in individual patients. We sought to evaluate whether there were population differences in the effect of 5-ASA and sulfasalazine on the occurrence of clinically recognized adverse events. We also attempted to determine whether there were differences in the use of concomitant steroids and in the rates of hospitalization.

Connecticut physicians' knowledge and needs assessment of environmentally related health hazards--a survey.

Health care professionals for the most part, have had little or no formal education in environmental or occupational medicine. A survey tool was created to determine the educational needs of physicians in Connecticut related to environmental medicine. The questionnaire targeted four informational areas: demographics, diagnosis of environmentally caused illnesses, knowledge of environmental hazards specific to Connecticut's Superfund sites, and preference of educational materials.

Oral airway insertion tolerance: a study comparing thiopental and propofol.

An oral airway frequently is utilized in maintaining a patent airway. However, a patient must be able to tolerate such an aid. This study suggests that propofol induction is superior to thiopental (Pentothol) induction in this regard, because it allows for prompt and earlier airway insertion.