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
Denosumab Delays Development of Bone Metastases in Prostate Cancer
Denosumab recipients achieved a 4.2-month improvement in bone metastasis–free survival compared with placebo recipients.
Sodium Excretion of >7 g or <3 g Daily Is Associated with Elevated Cardiovascular Morbidity
General Medicine Summary and Comment
By comparison, higher potassium excretion was associated with lower stroke risk.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
December 13, 2011
Covering:
O'Donnell MJ et al., JAMA 2011 Nov 23/30; 306:2229
Whelton PK., JAMA 2011 Nov 23/30; 306:2262
Monitoring at 3-Month Intervals Might Be Feasible for Some Warfarin Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Monthly testing might be unnecessary for some stable patients.
Neural Payoffs from Giving Support to a Loved One
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
In women, helping a distressed partner activated brain regions involved in reward and maternal behavior.
By Joel Yager, MD
December 12, 2011
Covering:
Inagaki TK and Eisenberger NI., Psychosom Med 2011 Nov 9
After Emergency Hospitalization, Elders Fare Better with Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Elders who received CGA were more likely to live at home afterward.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
December 8, 2011
Covering:
Ellis G et al., BMJ 2011 Oct 27; 343:d6553
Stuck AE and Iliffe S., BMJ 2011 Oct 27; 343:d6799
Heart Failure in Patients with Infective Endocarditis: Surgery or No Surgery?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A case series supports guideline recommendations for surgical treatment in patients with infective endocarditis and HF, although unmeasured confounders were probably in play.
Androgen-Deprivation Therapy and Cardiovascular Mortality
A meta-analysis indicates that ADT does not affect CV mortality and is associated with reduced disease-specific and all-cause mortality in patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
December 7, 2011
Covering:
Nguyen PL et al., JAMA 2011 Dec 7; 306:2359
Kelly WK and Gomella LG., JAMA 2011 Dec 7; 306:2382
Radiotherapy Matters for Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
Adding radiotherapy to androgen-deprivation therapy improved overall and disease-specific survival.
Intranasal Insulin Therapy for AD and Amnestic MCI
Neurology Summary and Comment
A pilot study suggests a benefit in maintaining cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer disease.
By Martin R. Farlow, MD
December 6, 2011
Covering:
Craft S et al., Arch Neurol 2011 Sep 12
Concomitant Use of Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Anticholinergics
General Medicine Summary and Comment
These drugs antagonize each other but frequently are prescribed together.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
December 1, 2011
Covering:
Boudreau DM et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2011 Nov; 59:2069
