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FOR THE PRESS
20 June 2000 Annals of Internal Medicine Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by
the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal
Medicine (ACP-ASIM), an organization of more than 115,000
physicians trained in internal medicine. The following highlights
are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of
information. For an embargoed fax of an article, call
1-800-523-1546, ext. 2656 or 215-351-2656. Full content of the
issue will be available on the Internet at www.acponline.org on
June 20, 2000.
Erectile Dysfunction Drug May Be Cost-Effective, But Should
Health Insurance Pay for It?
In a new study using a decision analysis model, the erectile
dysfunction drug sildenafil (Viagra), compared with no treatment,
was as cost-effective as kidney dialysis, cholesterol lowering
medication or coronary artery bypass surgery (Article, p. 933). An
editorial asks, when 1 in 5 Americans are not covered by health
insurance, should health insurance, originally developed to
minimize the financial burden of serious illness, pay for lifestyle
enhancements like treatment for erectile dysfunction? (Editorial,
p. 994.)
Also in the June 20 Annals of Internal
Medicine
- Hemophilia patients infected with HIV and hepatitis G virus
(HGV), a virus that is prevalent but not known to be associated
with any chronic disease, had better AIDS-free survival rates than
those not infected with HGV.
(Brief Communication, p. 959.)
- Peace Corps volunteers in Guatemala were followed for two years
for occurrences of diarrheal illness. Among other conclusions, the
detailed study confirmed common wisdom that risk factors include
drinking water from an unknown source; eating food prepared by a
local friend or family; eating at small, working-class restaurants;
and drinking iced beverages or eating ice cream or flavored ices.
(Abroad, p. 982.)
- An "informationist" or research associate working with a
clinical team is needed to synthesize new information and research
answers to questions arising at the bedside or in the office as
care is given. The proliferation of medical information and the
shrinking time available to search the medical literature mean that
important medical information may not be incorporated expeditiously
into real-life health care.
(Editorial, p. 996.)
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