Landmark Biomarker Studies Are Likely to Overstate Findings
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results of frequently cited studies often differ markedly from those of meta-analyses or studies in larger populations.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
July 6, 2011
Covering:
Ioannidis JPA and Panagiotou OA., JAMA 2011 Jun 1; 305:2200
Bossuyt PMM., JAMA 2011 Jun 1; 305:2229
ASCO 2011 Report: Genitourinary Cancer
The management of advanced renal cell cancer (RCC) has evolved into a sequential paradigm since the current generation of agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth . . .
Predicting Fracture Risk in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At similar bone-mineral densities, fracture risk was higher for diabetic patients.
Smoking Increases the Risk for Prostate Cancer Recurrence and Mortality
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
The increase in risk was seen only among men who were current or recent smokers at the time of diagnosis.
Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
A new practice guideline recommends against routinely measuring serum vitamin D levels in adults.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 23, 2011
Covering:
Holick MF et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011 Jun 6
Exemestane for Breast Cancer Prevention
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a 3-year trial, this drug lowered breast cancer incidence in postmenopausal women.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 23, 2011
Covering:
Goss PE et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Jun 23; 364:2381
The Immune System and Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Antibodies to Merkel cell polyomavirus and intratumoral CD8+ lymphocyte invasion predict outcomes in patients with MCC.
By Kenneth Y. Tsai, MD, PhD
June 17, 2011
Covering:
Touzé A et al., J Clin Oncol 2011 Apr 20; 29:1612
Paulson KG et al., J Clin Oncol 2011 Apr 20; 29:1539
PPIs Might Decrease the Effectiveness of Alendronate to Prevent Fractures
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Concurrent use of proton-pump inhibitors blunted the efficacy of the bisphosphonate in reducing risk for hip fractures in patients aged 70 and older.
Nonmemory Symptoms Can Lead to Misdiagnosis in Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
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Initial and final diagnoses were incorrect in about half of patients with atypical presentations.
Predicting Alzheimer Disease with Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neurology Summary and Comment
Thinner cortex in specific brain regions was associated with deterioration from normal cognition to Alzheimer disease in two separate cohorts of elders.
By William J. Jagust, MD
June 14, 2011
Covering:
Dickerson BC et al., Neurology 2011 Apr 19; 76:1395
Screening for Orientation to Time as an Indicator of Cognitive Dysfunction
Neurology Summary and Comment
Disorientation to month or year in patients aged 65 and older predicted dementia or delirium.
By Brandy R. Matthews, MD
June 14, 2011
Covering:
O'Keeffe E et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2011 May; 82:500
Health Literacy and Heart Failure Outcomes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Mortality was higher in patients who had low health literacy.
Primary Care Physicians and the Quality and Cost of Medical Care
General Medicine Summary and Comment
When PCPs are plentiful, quality is better.
β-Blockers in COPD Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Four-year mortality was lower among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who received β-blockers.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Reasonable Alternative to High-Risk Surgery?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
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TAVI proves noninferior to surgical valve replacement in regard to short-term efficacy, although safety concerns linger.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
June 8, 2011
Covering:
Smith CR et al. for the PARTNER Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2011 Jun 9; 364:2187
Schaff HV., N Engl J Med 2011 Jun 9; 364:2256
Copeptin Levels Predict Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure Symptoms
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Independently and combined with N-terminal proBNP, a new biomarker was significantly associated with mortality risk in a primary-care cohort.
Androgen-Deprivation Therapy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Overall 5-year survival rate was 96% with adjuvant ADT after radical prostatectomy.
Chemotherapy for Older Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Older patients experienced limited added benefit from reduced-dose oxaliplatin or capecitabine.
Fecal Occult Blood Tests Can Do More Harm Than Good in the Elderly
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Among elderly men, 87% with the worst life expectancy and 65% with the best life expectancy experienced more burden than benefit from fecal occult blood testing.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
June 3, 2011
Covering:
Kistler CE et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 May 9
Avastin vs. Lucentis for Neovascular Macular Degeneration
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This head-to-head trial is a great example of comparative effectiveness research on a costly treatment.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 31, 2011
Covering:
The CATT Research Group., N Engl J Med 2011 May 19; 364:1897
Tiotropium vs. Long-Acting β-Agonists for Older Patients with COPD
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Mortality was higher among patients who received initial treatment with tiotropium.
Exercise the Arms, Benefit the Legs
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Supervised arm exercises improved walking distance in patients with vascular claudication.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 31, 2011
Covering:
Saxton JM et al., J Vasc Surg 2011 May; 53:1265
Does Your Neighborhood Get You Depressed?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
For older individuals, neighborhood characteristics may increase risk for depression, but the effect is modest.
By Joel Yager, MD
May 27, 2011
Covering:
Ahern J and Galea S., Am J Epidemiol 2011 Apr 28
For Which Conditions Is Tai Chi Effective?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Systematic review finds benefit only for falls prevention and psychological health.
Myocardial Injury Associated with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Most patients have elevated cardiac enzyme markers after uncomplicated TAVI, but higher levels may be associated with worse outcomes.
