Tai Chi vs. Other Exercises for Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
A randomized comparison suggests potential benefits from both tai chi and resistance training.
By Michael S. Okun, MD
February 8, 2012
Covering:
Li F et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Feb 9; 366:511
Prostate Cancer Screening: Still No Mortality Benefit
Results after 13 years of follow-up in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial confirmed earlier findings.
Stroke Survivors Face a High Burden of Vascular Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
Delayed dementia after stroke is common and appears to reflect mostly vascular pathology.
By Hooman Kamel, MD
February 7, 2012
Covering:
Allan LM et al., Brain 2011 Dec; 134:3716
Nicotine for MCI?
Neurology Summary and Comment
A small study of a nicotine patch in patients with mild cognitive impairment showed some benefit on a reaction-time test but no effect according to clinicians' judgment.
By David S. Knopman, MD
February 7, 2012
Covering:
Newhouse P et al., Neurology 2012 Jan 10; 78:91
Healthy Nutrients in the Blood Help the Aging Brain
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A study of nutrient biomarker levels in plasma confirms the usual suspects that help or hurt our cognition.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
February 6, 2012
Covering:
Bowman GL et al., Neurology 2012 Jan 24; 78:241
Tangney CC., Neurology 2012 Jan 24; 78:230
Antipsychotics Vary in Mortality Risk in Dementia Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Haloperidol had the highest 6-month mortality rate; quetiapine, the lowest.
By Joel Yager, MD
February 6, 2012
Covering:
Kales HC et al., Am J Psychiatry 2012 Jan; 169:71
Longer Follow-Up from the U.S. Prostate Cancer Screening Trial
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At 13 years, still no mortality benefit
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 2, 2012
Covering:
Andriole GL et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2012 Jan 18; 104:125
Erectile Dysfunction Appears to Be More Prevalent in Psoriatic Patients
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Dermatologists should ask male patients with psoriasis about ED and make appropriate referrals.
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements: What Do the Data Show? Who Should Be Treated?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Vitamin D and calcium supplementation may lower fracture risk in some individuals, but data regarding its effects on cancer are inconclusive.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Chung M et al., Ann Intern Med 2011 Dec 20; 155:827
Lifetime Cardiovascular Risk: The More Things Change . . .
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Risk factors are less prevalent than in the past, but they are just as predictive of outcome.
Behavioral Techniques to Address Overactive Bladder in Men
General Medicine Summary and Comment
These techniques worked just as well as anticholinergic drugs.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 19, 2012
Covering:
Burgio KL et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2011 Dec; 59:2209
Postoperative RBC Transfusions: More Is Not Better
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A liberal red blood cell transfusion strategy did not improve outcomes after hip fracture surgery.
Even Subclinical AF Is Associated with Stroke
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In patients with pacemakers, asymptomatic AF is common and warrants increased vigilance.
By Mark S. Link, MD
January 18, 2012
Covering:
Healey JS et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 12; 366:120
Lamas G., N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 12; 366:178
Vitamin D and UVB Radiation: How Much Is Necessary?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
For individuals unable to benefit from supplements, ultraviolet B exposure every 2 weeks may be an alternative.
Altered Circadian Rhythms Are Associated with Dementia
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
But are they a cause or an effect?
By Jonathan Silver, MD
January 9, 2012
Covering:
Tranah GJ et al., Ann Neurol 2011 Nov; 70:722
Lim ASP and Saper CB., Ann Neurol 2011 Nov; 70:677
Elders Might Be Overscreened for Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The prostate cancer screening rate seems particularly excessive.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
January 5, 2012
Covering:
Bellizzi KM et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 Dec 12/26; 171:2031
Bisphosphonate Use Extends Implant Survival After Primary Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a U.K. study, bisphosphonate users had significantly lower rates of revision.
Traditional Metal-on-Polyethylene Hip Implants Aren't Inferior to Newer Devices
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Revision arthroplasty was needed more often by patients who received metal-on-metal or ceramic-on-ceramic devices.
Yet Another Way to Slow Aging
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Eliminating aging cells from the body might be a key.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
January 3, 2012
Covering:
Baker DJ et al., Nature 2011 Nov 10; 479:232
Peeper DS., Nature 2011 Nov 10; 479:186
USPSTF Recommends Against Prostate Cancer Screening
The Task Force determined that the harms of screening outweighed the benefits for most men.
Screening for Lung Cancer: Radiography? No. Low-Dose CT? Maybe.
Low-dose computed tomography was a more effective screening tool than chest radiography, but its high sensitivity came with low specificity.
Ovarian Cancer Screening: No Effect on Mortality
Annual screening with measurement of CA-125 and vaginal ultrasound led to harm among women with false positives and did not lengthen survival.
Atypical Femur Fractures with Bisphosphonates
Risk is low but not inconsequential.
Three More Topics That Drew Our Attention in 2011
Tiotropium for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, medical therapy for certain patients who might have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting, and efficacy of the herpes zoster vaccine are all on our radar in 2011.
Rectal Cancer Incidence Rose After Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Excess 10-year risk was roughly one case per 100 men.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
December 22, 2011
Covering:
Margel D et al., Ann Surg 2011 Dec; 254:947
