Daily Rounds: Colonoscopy Does Save Lives; Diet Drug Wins Approval; Harvard Hip Study Questioned

Report affirms lifesaving role of colonoscopy - The New York Times A new study  confirms what doctors have long hoped, but not known for certain: colonoscopies save lives. The death rate from colorectal cancer was cut in half for people who had colonoscopies and had any precancerous polyps removed, according to the New England Journal of Medicine study. (The New York Times)

FDA panel suggests approval of weight-loss drug rejected in 2010 - NPR.org After a day-long hearing, a Food and Drug Administration panel reversed its previous decision and voted in favor of a weight-loss drug called Qnexa. The drug, made by California-based Vivus Inc, is a combination of two generic drugs already on the market, "phentermine, a stimulant used for short periods to help control weight, and topiramate, typically used for migraines and seizures." (Shots blog and All Things Considered)

Harvard hip fracture study comes under federal scrutiny – The Boston Globe US health regulators have ordered a Harvard researcher to better explain to elderly nursing home residents the risks they faced by participating in his hip fracture research. The study, by Dr. Douglas P. Kiel, was meant to examine causes of hip fracture, which can be lethal in elderly patients. At-risk patients routinely wear underwear padded at the hip, but for the study, they were given undergarments padded only on one side. There is some indication that the imbalanced padding caused more falls. (The Boston Globe)