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ATLANTA, Georgia — New data from a pooled analysis of the EINSTEIN-DVT   and  EINSTEIN-PE   in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism suggests that rivaroxaban  (Xarelto, Bayer/ Janssen) is similarly effective in preventing recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) as enoxaparin  followed by a vitamin-K antagonist and may be associated with less bleeding. In addition, subgroup analysis showed reassuring results in specific high-risk populations such as elderly, fragile patients, those with cancer, and those with large clots. The data was presented at the  American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2012 Annual Meeting   by  Dr Harry Buller  (Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands). He noted that the EINSTEIN-DVT and EINSTEIN-PE trials had identical noninferiority designs comparing oral rivaroxaban (15 mg twice daily for three weeks then 20 mg once daily thereafter for up to 12 months) with enoxaparin for five to 10 days followed by an oral v

The movie  Silver Linings Playbook  has been garnering critical acclaim and numerous award nominations, including today's announcement of 4 nods from the Golden Globes. But how accurately does it portray mental illness, a major theme in the film? Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in  Silver Linings Playbook . Source: Snap Stills/Rex/Rex USA At least one psychiatrist says that although he enjoyed the film, he found that it was not an accurate depiction of mental illness. "It was a really nice love story with a Frank Capra ending that was reminiscent of  It's a Wonderful Life, " Michael Blumenfield, MD, president of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, told  Medscape Medical News. "And it deals with topics not usually seen in a mainstream move," added Dr. Blumenfield, who is also a psychiatrist in Woodland Hills, California, and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at New York Medical College, in Val

AVENTURA, Florida — The problem of prescription pain medication abuse in the elderly is a rapidly growing concern, new research suggests. An epidemiologic study presented here at the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) 23rd Annual Meeting & Symposium shows that approximately 20% of individuals aged 65 years and older take analgesics several times per week and that rates of abuse or addiction in those with chronic pain is 18%. Furthermore, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone were the drugs that were most often involved in up to 40% of opiate misuse–related deaths. The researchers also found that most of the illicit pain-relieving drugs came from a well-meaning friend or relative. "What happens is that people get prescription pain medications from a friend or a relative, not from a drug dealer on the street. Or they get it from one physician. For instance, the patient goes to the dentist for a root canal or tooth extraction and gets 30 Vicodin.

An advisory panel to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended the approval of loxapine (  Adasuve , Alexa UK Ltd) for the rapid control of agitation in adult patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. On Thursday, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use announced it had adopted a positive opinion on the drug and recommended that it be granted marketing authorization. A psycholeptic antipsychotic, its efficacy is thought to be mediated through high-affinity antagonist of dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Loxapine binds with noradrenergic, histaminergic, and cholinergic receptors. Its interaction with these systems may influence the spectrum of its pharmacologic effects associated with calming effects and suppression of aggressive behavior. According to the committee's written opinion, the benefits of the drug are its "ability to rapidly reduce the agitation in mild to moderate patients with schizophrenia or bipolar diso

An advisory committee to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended that nalmefene (  Selincro , H. Lundbeck A/S), a drug for the reduction of alcohol consumption in adult patients with alcohol dependencies who have a high drinking risk level, who are without physical withdrawal symptoms, and who do not require immediate detoxification, be given marketing approval. On Thursday, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use announced that it had adopted a positive opinion and recommended the opioid receptor antagonist be granted marketing authorization. Acute alcohol intake has been shown to result in mesolimbic dopamine release, which can provide positive reinforcement. Nalmefene is thought to counteract these reinforcement effects, thereby reducing alcohol consumption. The most common side effects are "unspecific" and include nausea or dizziness; some patients have reported sleep-related events. The committee also recommended that the drug be prescri

Vitamin D levels in early pregnancy are closely related to birth weight, head circumference and ponderal index, but not placental growth, in term infants, according to a study published online  November 16 and in the January 2013 issue of the  Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism . Alison D. Gernand, PhD, MPH, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, and colleagues measured maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels to study the relationship between maternal 25(OH)D levels and newborn and placental weight. Participants were mothers who took part in the Collaborative Perinatal Project, an observational cohort that was conducted in 12 medical centers in the United States from 1959 to 1965. "Our study is an important contribution to the epidemiology evidence that maternal vitamin D status, especially in early pregnancy, may contribute to

Some researchers call hypertension a "triple curse" for African Americans, especially those aged 45 to 65 years. It's well known that the prevalence of hypertension is much higher among blacks than whites. And recent research showed that African Americans are more likely than whites to be aware of having hypertension and to be treated for it, but less likely to have it controlled. Now, a new study has found that a 10–mm Hg increase in blood pressure is associated with a 3 times greater increase in stroke risk among blacks compared with whites. "African Americans are more likely to be hypertensive, and once they're hypertensive, they're less likely to have their blood pressure controlled; and once it's not controlled, it's 3 times worse" in terms of stroke risk, said lead author George Howard, DrPH, professor, biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Together, this amounts to what he referred to as a &q