Antidepressants Are Ineffective for Depression in Dementia Patients
Neurology Summary and Comment
With no differences in effectiveness between antidepressants and placebo, psychosocial treatment approaches should be routinely pursued in the initial phase of treatment.
Does Circadian-Activity-Rhythm Architecture Predict Future Cognitive Decline?
Neurology Summary and Comment
A prospective, observational study in older women suggests that it does.
By Bradley F. Boeve, MD
August 9, 2011
Covering:
Tranah GJ et al., Ann Neurol 2011
Are Hospitalists Really Cost-Effective?
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A retrospective cohort study suggests that hospitalist care leads to higher total expenditures and more medical utilization following hospital discharge.
Hair Regeneration
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Epithelial and melanocyte stem cells collaborate to regenerate pigmented hair; here's how.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
August 5, 2011
Covering:
Rabbani P et al., Cell 2011 Jun 10; 145:941
ABCD2 Score Might Be Poor Predictor of Stroke Risk
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Sensitivity of the score was poor in a cohort of emergency department TIA patients with a 1.8% incidence of stroke at 7 days.
Vertebroplasty Isn't Effective for Vertebral Compression Fractures
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis showed no benefit over sham injection.
Patients Vulnerable to Adverse Drug Events Often Receive High-Risk Prescriptions
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In Scotland, risky prescribing was common, especially among older patients and those with multiple prescriptions.
Stroke Risk-Stratification Scores Have Limited Prognostic Value in Elders with AF
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The authors suggest anticoagulation for all elders with atrial fibrillation.
Physical Activity and Cognitive Health, Revisited
Neurology Summary and Comment
Rx: 30 minutes of brisk walking daily to maintain cognition despite vascular risk factors
By Brandy R. Matthews, MD
August 2, 2011
Covering:
Vercambre M-N et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 Jul 25; 171:1244
Antidepressants Are Ineffective for Depression in Dementia Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
With no differences in effectiveness between antidepressants and placebo, psychosocial treatment approaches should be routinely pursued in the initial phase of treatment.
Self-Harm and High Suicide Risk: Age Makes a Difference
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Among adults with first episodes of self-harm, older people have more hopelessness and more physical illness and may require a different treatment approach.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
August 1, 2011
Covering:
Oude Voshaar RC et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2011 Jun; 72:737
Parkinson Disease and Depression: CBT Helps
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Cognitive-behavioral therapy tailored specifically to PD patients is beneficial, even for those on antidepressants.
TNF Inhibitors Double Infection Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
At 1 year, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors were associated with excess risk for serious infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 28, 2011
Covering:
Komano Y et al., J Rheumatol 2011 Jul; 38:1258
Pressure Ulcers Occur More Often in Black Nursing Home Residents
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Prevalence has declined among all nursing home residents, but racial differences persist.
Menopause Increases Risk for Recurrent Syncope in Women with Long-QT Syndrome, Type 2
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Clinicians caring for women with LQTS should be mindful of genotype and continue beta-blockers after menopause in patients with LQT2.
By Mark S. Link, MD
July 27, 2011
Covering:
Buber J et al., Circulation 2011 Jun 21; 123:2784
ADT plus Radiation for Early, Localized Prostate Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Combined short-course androgen-deprivation therapy and external beam radiotherapy conferred a survival benefit to men with intermediate-risk disease.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
July 26, 2011
Covering:
Jones CU et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Jul 14; 365:107
D'Amico AV., N Engl J Med 2011 Jul 14; 365:169
Multifaceted Podiatry Treatment of Foot Pain Prevents Falls in Elders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Intervention patients received appropriate footwear and a home-based foot and ankle exercise program.
Time Spent Sitting Is Associated with Incident PE in Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The strength of the association was similar to that for other pulmonary embolism risk factors, including smoking and obesity.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
July 19, 2011
Covering:
Kabrhel C et al., BMJ 2011 Jul 4; 343:d3867
Douketis JD and Iorio A., BMJ 2011 Jul 4; 343:d3865
Guidelines for Delirium Prevention in At-Risk Adults
Neurology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
U.K. national guidelines provide 13 specific recommendations for a multidisciplinary intervention.
By Vanja Douglas, MD
July 19, 2011
Covering:
O'Mahony R et al., Ann Intern Med 2011 Jun 7; 154:746
Rapidly Progressive Dementia Does Not Always Mean Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
One third of patients diagnosed with CJD carried different pathologic diagnoses at autopsy; of these, one quarter were potentially treatable conditions.
By James Mastrianni, MD, PhD
July 19, 2011
Covering:
Chitravas N et al., Ann Neurology 2011 Jun 14
Low-Dose CT Screening Lowered Lung Cancer–Related Mortality
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
But false-positive computed tomography test results were common in a cohort of older smokers.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 14, 2011
Covering:
The National Lung Screening Trial Research Team., N Engl J Med 2011 Aug 4; 365:395
Sox HC., N Engl J Med 2011 Aug 4; 365:455
QRS Threshold for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Might Be Too Low
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis suggests that CRT does not benefit patients with QRS intervals shorter than approximately 150 msec.
Lateral Wedge Insoles Are Ineffective for Mild-to-Moderate Medial Knee Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At 1 year, no difference was found between wedge and flat insoles in knee pain or cartilage volume.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
July 12, 2011
Covering:
Bennell KL et al., BMJ 2011 May 18; 342:d2912
Bierma-Zeinstra SMA., BMJ 2011 May 18; 342:d2860
Endovascular Coiling vs. Surgical Clipping for Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms: Does Patient Age Matter?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Outcomes were significantly better after coiling than after clipping in all age groups, and coiling's advantage increased with advancing age.
By Salvador Cruz-Flores, MD, MPH
July 12, 2011
Covering:
Brinjikji W et al., Stroke 2011 May; 42:1320
ASCEND-HF: Nesiritide Does Not Benefit Patients with Acute Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Rapid approval of the drug for early symptom relief has proven to be unjustified.
