Metabolic Syndrome Adds Little to Prediction of Diabetes and CVD
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The metabolic syndrome was defined to aid in predicting and preventing vascular events and diabetes, but other readily available data are more powerful predictors.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
July 29, 2008
Covering:
Sattar N et al., Lancet 2008 Jun 7; 371:1927
Kahn R., Lancet 2008 Jun 7; 371:1892
Amyloid-β from People with Alzheimer Disease Is Neurotoxic
General Medicine Summary and Comment
More evidence that amyloid-β is the causative agent in AD
Statins and Cognitive Impairment
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Findings from a prospective observational study support the thesis that statin use may protect against the eventual development of dementia.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
July 28, 2008
Covering:
Cramer C et al., Neurology 2008 Jul 29; 71:344
Are Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D Levels Associated with Mortality?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Suboptimal vitamin D levels were associated with excess 8-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
More Data on Finasteride and Prevention of Prostate Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Finasteride lowers the incidence of prostate cancer, but whether it lowers prostate cancer–associated morbidity and mortality remains unclear.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 17, 2008
Covering:
Redman MW et al., Cancer Prev Res 2008 May 18
Pinsky P et al., Cancer Prev Res 2008 May 18
Management of Depression in Cancer Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Nurses provided effective, and cost-effective, depression care.
It’s All in How You Inject
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
When injecting hyaluronic acid fillers, a less traumatic approach, especially a slower flow rate, produces fewer unwanted effects.
By George J. Hruza, MD
July 11, 2008
Covering:
Glogau RG and Kane MAC., Dermatol Surg 2008 Jun; 34:S105
Longevity of a Cross-Linked Porcine Collagen Filler
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Evolence was about as safe as Restylane and resulted in some enduring improvement at 1 year.
By George J. Hruza, MD
July 11, 2008
Covering:
Narins RS et al., Dermatol Surg 2008 Jun; 34:S31
Mucolytics Can Prevent COPD Exacerbations
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
In a large, randomized, placebo-controlled study from China, the mucolytic agent carbocisteine reduced COPD exacerbations by 25% during 1 year.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
July 11, 2008
Covering:
Zheng J-P et al., Lancet 2008 Jun 14; 371:2013
Albert P and Calverley P., Lancet 2008 Jun 14; 371:1975
Is Noninvasive Ventilation Improving Outcomes?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a large randomized trial, noninvasive ventilation provided no survival advantage to patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
Targeted Inhibition of Amyloid-Beta
Neurology Summary and Comment
A novel design may improve the effectiveness of an experimental inhibitor to prevent or treat Alzheimer disease.
By Riqiang Yan, PhD
July 8, 2008
Covering:
Rajendran L et al., Science 2008 Apr 25; 320:520
Cryoablation for Small Renal Tumors in Older Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cryoablation is a technically feasible approach for patients with incidentally discovered renal masses who are not good surgical candidates.
Does Shingles Run in the Family?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A case-control study suggests that it does.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
July 1, 2008
Covering:
Hicks LD et al., Arch Dermatol 2008 May; 144:603
Hormone Therapy and Risk for Venous Thromboembolism
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Oral estrogen raises risk for VTE, especially during the first year.
The Growing Older Population’s Effect on Emergency Care
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
ED visit rates among patients aged 65 to 74 increased 34% from 1993 to 2003.
NSAIDs, Acetaminophen, and GI Events
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Risk for GI bleeding may be higher with the two drugs combined than with either drug alone.
Hazards of Warfarin Plus Antiplatelet Therapy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In U.S. and European studies, treatment with warfarin plus antiplatelet agents was associated with serious bleeding episodes.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 26, 2008
Covering:
Rogacka R et al., J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2008 Feb 1; 1:56
Johnson SG et al., Chest 2008 Apr; 133:948
Rivaroxaban for Thromboprophylaxis After Joint Replacement
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
In two large, randomized studies, rivaroxaban was superior to enoxaparin in preventing venous thrombosis.
By David Green, MD, PhD
June 25, 2008
Covering:
Eriksson BI et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 26; 358:2765
Lassen MR et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 26; 358:2776
Bare-Metal and Drug-Eluting Stents: What’s the Bottom Line?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Results of a retrospective study of Medicare patients suggest that, on balance, drug-eluting stents have improved outcomes.
Rapid Serious Adverse Events with Antipsychotics in Dementia
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Even short-term use of typical or atypical medications produces serious events.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
June 23, 2008
Covering:
Rochon PA et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 May 26; 168:1090
Hearing What There Is to Say About Scleroderma and the Ear
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Disordered hearing and balance can occur in patients with scleroderma.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
June 20, 2008
Covering:
Amor-Dorado JC et al., Medicine (Baltimore) 2008 May; 87:131
Rhythm Control for Atrial Fibrillation Takes Another Hit
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
This approach to treatment of patients with heart failure performed poorly in two recent studies.
By Mark S. Link, MD
June 18, 2008
Covering:
Roy D et al. for the Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure Investigators., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 19; 358:2667
Køber L et al. for the Dronedarone Study Group., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 19; 358:2678
Cain ME and Curtis AB., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 19; 358:2725
Patients with Heart Failure Overestimate Their Life Expectancies
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a small study suggest that patients’ expectations often are not in line with their prognoses.
How Accurately Do Patients with Heart Failure Predict Life Expectancy?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Not very; most patient estimates are more optimistic than those of predictive models.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
June 17, 2008
Covering:
Allen LA et al., JAMA 2008 Jun 4; 299:2533
Yancy CW., JAMA 2008 Jun 4; 299:2566
Salvage Radiotherapy in Radical Prostatectomy Patients with PSA-Only Relapses
Salvage therapy was most beneficial for men who received therapy within 2 years of biochemical failure.
