Top stories in health and medicine, December 2, 2014

From MedPage Today: Medicare Tightens Non-Emergency Ambulance Use. Seniors living in three states will need prior approval from Medicare before they can get an ambulance to take them to cancer or dialysis treatments. NSAID Effective for RA Symptoms, Celebrex Easier on Stomach. Pelubiprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is related structurally and pharmacologically to ibuprofen, is as effective as celecoxib for reducing pain and stiffness in moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but it has a less favorable gastrointestinal (GI) profile than the COX-2 selective NSAID. Comorbidities Frequent in Gout Patients. Comorbidities are common in patients with gout at diagnosis and are even likelier following the diagnosis. Depression Hampers Easing of RA Symptoms. Depression was linked to slower improvement of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms over time, and the effect was greater with more severe depressive symptoms. Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: News Rheumatology Source Type: blogs