Extended Androgen-Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Disease-free survival at 10 years was better for patients who received post-radiation ADT than for those who did not.
Nonparkinsonian Diseases Caused by LRRK2 Mutations
Neurology Summary and Comment
Screening for <$EMPH_O>LRRK2<$EMPH_C> mutations in patients with neurodegenerative diseases identified two individuals with nonparkinsonian diseases who had mutations.
By D.A. Grimes, MD, FRCPC
June 17, 2008
Covering:
Chen-Plotkin AS et al., Neurology 2008 Feb 12; 70:521
Guideline for Osteoporosis Screening in Men
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Testing is recommended for men at increased risk.
Nesiritide Infusion Comes Up Short Again
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Patients with advanced heart failure do not seem to benefit from outpatient infusions of B-type natriuretic peptide.
Effects of Direct Renin Inhibition on Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a small trial, adding aliskiren to standard therapy improved biomarkers and was well tolerated, but robust safety and outcomes data are still wanting.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
June 11, 2008
Covering:
McMurray JJV et al. for the Aliskiren Observation of Heart Failure Treatment (ALOFT) Investigators., Circ Heart Fail 2008 May; 1:17
A Brightening Outlook: Bright Light plus Melatonin in Elderly Patients with Dementia
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
An inexpensive combination treatment has modest positive effects.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
June 10, 2008
Covering:
Riemersma-van der Lek RF et al., JAMA 2008 Jun 11; 299:2642
Cerebral Microbleeds in Elders
Neurology Summary and Comment
Lobar microbleeds may indicate cerebral amyloid angiopathy, whereas deep or infratentorial microbleeds may be related to risk factors for vascular disease.
By Anand Viswanathan, MD, PhD
June 10, 2008
Covering:
Vernooij MW et al., Neurology 2008 Apr 1; 70:1208
Inappropriate Medication Use in Hospitalized Elders
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Variations in prescribing practices provide an area for quality improvement.
Walking Speed and Stroke Risk
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Slow walking pointed to higher likelihood of ischemic stroke.
Symptoms and Survival in Advanced Prostate Cancer
TAX 327 trial investigators examined associations between survival and therapy-induced pain, PSA, and QOL responses.
Amyloid Plaques Are Surprisingly Dynamic
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
In a mouse model of Alzheimer disease, amyloid plaques popped up like popcorn.
By Sam Gandy, MD, PhD
June 3, 2008
Covering:
Meyer-Luehmann M et al., Nature 2008 Feb 7; 451:720
Inequitable Access to Coronary Angiography Linked with Higher Rates of Coronary Events and Death
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Minorities, women, elders, and the poor had less access to coronary angiography in the U.K., where equity of access is a key principle.
Peripheral Opioid Antagonist for Opioid-Induced Constipation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Within 4 hours of the first dose, defecation occurred in 48% of methylnaltrexone patients and in 15% of the placebo patients.
Can We Prevent Poststroke Depression?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
It seems so, and escitalopram is a better choice than problem-solving therapy.
Does Hormone Therapy Prevent Postmenopausal Dementia?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Long-term HT use had no protective effect on dementia incidence.
Prevention of Heart Failure
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
AHA experts summarize heart failure epidemiology, describe evidence-based preventive interventions, and outline initiatives to advance awareness and understanding.
Are Low Vitamin D Levels Associated with Nonspecific Pain?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The results of two studies argue against any simple relation between diffuse pain and vitamin D deficiency.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 20, 2008
Covering:
Hicks GE et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2008 May; 56:785
Warner AE and Arnspiger SA., J Clin Rheumatol 2008 Feb; 14:12
Troponin Levels and Prognosis in Patients with Acute Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In an observational study, elevations in cardiac troponin predicted poor outcome — but does routine testing substantially affect treatment decisions?
Cardiovascular Risk Prediction: Beyond the Established Risk Factors
Cardiology Summary and Comment
The inclusion of four biomarkers may improve risk stratification — at least among older men.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
May 14, 2008
Covering:
Zethelius B et al., N Engl J Med 2008 May 15; 358:2107
de Lemos JA and Lloyd-Jones DM., N Engl J Med 2008 May 15; 358:2172
Delayed Presentation for ST-Segment-Elevation MI: Which Patients Are at Greatest Risk?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An analysis of nationwide data profiles the most vulnerable; whether targeted interventions can improve outcomes remains to be seen.
Open Versus Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
LRP was associated with less blood loss but lower probability of continence recovery than was open prostatectomy.
More Data on Aromatase Inhibitors for Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Extending endocrine therapy beyond 5 years prevents some breast cancer relapses.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 8, 2008
Covering:
Muss HB et al., J Clin Oncol 2008 Apr 20; 26:1956
Mamounas EP et al., J Clin Oncol 2008 Apr 20; 26:1965
Goss PE et al., J Clin Oncol 2008 Apr 20; 26:1948
Prophylactic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A finding that inappropriate ICD shocks are associated with increased mortality raises a chicken-or-egg question.
By Mark S. Link, MD
April 30, 2008
Covering:
Daubert JP et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 Apr 8; 51:1357
Raitt MH., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 Apr 8; 51:1366
Adenoma Recurrence and Guidelines for Surveillance After Polypectomy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At 4 years, advanced adenomas were detected in 9% of high-risk patients but also in 5% of low-risk patients.
Do Disease Management Programs Really Make a Difference in Heart Failure?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A randomized trial of three programs of varying intensity did not reveal any significant differences in outcomes.
By William T. Abraham, MD
April 23, 2008
Covering:
Jaarsma T et al. for the COACH Investigators., Arch Intern Med 2008 Feb 11; 168:316
