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Consumer Health Digest #10-12
March 25, 2010
Consumer Health Digest is a free weekly e-mail newsletter edited by
Stephen Barrett, M.D., with help from William M. London, Ed.D. It
summarizes scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement
actions; news reports; Web site evaluations; recommended and
nonrecommended books; and other information relevant to consumer
protection and consumer decision-making.
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http://www.ncahf.org/digest09/09-45.html and send a contribution.
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Serious new acupuncture infection risks described.Microbiologists at the University of Hong Kong are concerned that the
threat of infections associated with acupuncture may be much greater
than previously thought. In a British Medical Journal editorial, the
researchers warned that bacterial infections, hepatitis B and C
viruses, and possibly even HIV may be transmitted through the use of
contaminated equipment and lack of adequate skin disinfection. They
expressed particular concern about mycobacteria that can grow rapidly
where needles are inserted and lead to large pustules, abscesses, and
ulcers after several weeks to months. Two outbreaks involving more
than 70 patients were reported in 2006, and a case of methicillin
resistant Staph aureus (MRSA)was reported last year. [Acupuncture
transmitted infections. British Medical Journal 340:c1268, 2010]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20233800###
Blood pressure device claims challenged.Device Watch has posted a detailed report on the CardioVision, an
automated blood pressure cuff intended to measure the stiffness of
the walls of the brachial artery at the elbow. [Barrett S. Be wary of
CardioVision assessment. Device Watch, March 25, 2010]
http://www.devicewatch.org/reports/cardiovision.shtml Marketers claim that the device is useful for assessing heart attack risk and
monitoring the effect of cholesterol-lowering and other risk-factor
changes. The report concludes:
"Arterial stiffness measurements can identify some people who are at
risk for cardiovascular disease. However, they are not as reliable or
cost-effective as standard blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.
Some practitioners use CardioVision as a gimmick to sell
inappropriate chelation therapy. Some use it as a simple way to boost
their income, and some may be submitting inappropriate procedure
codes on insurance claims."
###
Cancer news reports may be overly optimistic.Researchers who surveyed 13 prominent newspapers and magazines have
concluded that (a) stories about cancer often discuss aggressive
treatment and survival but rarely discuss treatment failure, adverse
events, end-of-life care, or death; (b) these portrayals may give
patients an inappropriately optimistic view of cancer treatment,
outcome, and prognosis; and (c) insufficient attention is paid to how
palliative and hospice care compare with "heroic" attempts at cures.
[Fishman J and others. Cancer and the media: How does the news report
on treatment and outcomes? Archives of Internal Medicine 170:515-518,
2010]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20233800An accompanying editorial offers one reason for this imbalance:
"Hopeful stories . . . . increasingly come directly from the medical
literature, which has a well-oiled machine for getting its most
promising "breakthrough" research into the nation's premier
newspapers and news magazines. The leading medical journals routinely
issue press releases well in advance of publication to give reporters
adequate time to accurately report stories. Some hold briefings that
can be accessed via the Internet. But instead of improving coverage,
this public relations machinery has fed a proliferation of news
services that provide short synopses of the latest clinical trials. .
. by reporters no longer given the time and resources to put the
latest research in a larger context."
[Goozner M. Covering cancer: Comment on "Cancer and the Media."
Archives of Internal Medicine 170:518-520, 2010]
###
Please help Simon Singh.
Simon Singh, who is being unfairly sued by the British Chiropractic
Association, has initiated a new petition to promote the repeal of
the UK's Draconian libel laws. More than 44,000 people worldwide have
signed it so far, and several prominent legislators have expressed
their support. Please sign the petition at
http://www.libelreform.org/sign , even if you signed a similar one
last year.
###
Other issues of the Digest are accessible through
http://www.ncahf.org/digest10/index.html If you enjoy this
newsletter, please recommend it to your friends.
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Stephen Barrett, M.D.
Consumer Advocate
Chatham Crossing, Suite 107/208
11312 U.S. 15 501 North
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Telephone: (919) 533-6009
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