1999.08.16 Pearls
 

Generic doxycycline, 100 mg BID, was as effective as conventional treatment in community acquired pneumonia. Arch Intern Med 1999 (Feb 8);159:266.

It is estimated that about 50,000 people go to US hospitals each year complaining of dizziness, headache, and nausea due to hyponatremia. This study of 53 elderly women hospitalized for hyponatremia found that treatment with water restriction was inferior to treatment with IV saline. Arieff AI et al. JAMA 1999;281:2295.

Cigarette smokers (over 1 pack per day) are three times more likely to catch a pneumonia than nonsmokers according to this study. The researchers estimated that 1 in 3 cases of pneumonia could be avoided by not smoking. Gonzales C et al. Chest 1999;116:375.

This study of 746 Kenyan men found that uncircumcised men were 4 times more likely to contract HIV and 2.5 times more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease, as compared with circumcised men. J Infectious Disease 1999;180:330.

Women greatly underestimate their risk of osteoporosis. In this survey of 1000 women, 86% of those over 50 did not think they would get osteoporosis, even though nearly 50% will get the disease. Prevention 1999 (August).

In this study of 120 mice, dietary DHEA supplementation did not prolong life or confer any noticable benefits. J Amer Geriatrics Soc 1999;47:960.

This study of over 1000 mothers, maternal intake of caffeine during pregnancy was not associated with an increased rate of SIDS. This study contradicts findings of a previous study that did show a relationship. Arch Dis Childhood 1999;81:107.

Passive smoking (i.e. exposure to environmental cigarette smoke by nonsmokers) can increase a nonsmoker's risk of stoke by up to 82% according to this study. Bonita R et al. Tobacco Control 1999.

This study showed that walking improved cognitive skills better than stretching and toning exercises. Benefits were found after 6 months. Nature 1999;400:418.