Extranasal MRSA Colonization in Nursing Home Residents
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Colonization with MRSA at groin and perianal sites was significantly more common in residents with indwelling catheters than in those without such devices.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 23, 2008
Covering:
Mody L et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 May 1; 46:1368
Prostate Cancer Mortality in the U.S. and U.K.: Effect of PSA Screening
Rates of PSA testing and types of therapy for early prostate cancer from 1975 through 2003 were analyzed for both countries.
Should We Treat Hypertension in Very Old People?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In the HYVET, relatively healthy octogenarians benefited from antihypertensive therapy.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 17, 2008
Covering:
Beckett NS et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Mar 31
Kostis JB., N Engl J Med 2008 Mar 31
Disparity of Surgical Care in Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Awareness is the first step toward eliminating racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors in surgical treatment.
Do Patients with Familial Prostate Cancer Have Worse Outcomes?
Father–son pairs shared good or poor prognoses.
Are Antihypertensive Drugs Neuroprotective in Parkinson Disease?
Neurology Summary and Comment
A large case-control study suggests that calcium channel blockers are the only antihypertensives that reduce the risk for Parkinson disease.
By Robert L. Rodnitzky, MD
April 15, 2008
Covering:
Becker C et al., Neurology 2008 Feb 6
Is It Too Late to Have a Drink?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Individuals who began consuming alcohol in middle age had no increased mortality risk and had lower rates of cardiovascular events than did persistent nondrinkers.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
April 9, 2008
Covering:
King DE et al., Am J Med 2008 Mar; 121:201
Should We Be Concerned About Jaw Osteonecrosis with Oral Bisphosphonates?
BRONJ probably occurs rarely with oral bisphosphonate therapy, but the true incidence isn’t clear yet.
Does Specialized Palliative Care Improve Patients’ Quality of Life?
No methodologically sound studies are available to help us answer this important question.
By Barbara Murphy, MD
April 8, 2008
Covering:
Zimmermann C et al., JAMA 2008 Apr 9; 299:1698
Quality of Life Following Primary Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Quality-of-life changes were related to satisfaction with treatment, regardless of the chosen therapy.
Assessing Risk for Falls in Neurology Patients
Neurology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Certain neurologic conditions may increase the risk for falls in older patients.
By Joe Verghese, MD
April 8, 2008
Covering:
Thurman DJ et al., Neurology 2008 Feb 5; 70:473
Radiesse and Restylane Duel
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Radiesse appears to have conferred longer-lasting improvement.
By George J. Hruza, MD
April 4, 2008
Covering:
Moers-Carpi MM and Tufet JO., Dermatol Surg 2008 Feb; 34:210
You’re Never Too Old to Start Treatment for Hypertension
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a randomized trial suggest that antihypertensive therapy lowers risk not only for stroke, but also for death from any cause.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 31, 2008
Covering:
Beckett NS et al. for the HYVET Study Group., N Engl J Med 2008 May 1; 358
Trends in Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Decreased incidence + increased survival + an aging population = increased prevalence.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Dementia
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Drugs do not lead to dramatic improvements in patients with dementia.
Vitamin D2 vs. Vitamin D3 Supplementation — Does It Matter?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplements were equally effective in raising serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 25, 2008
Covering:
Holick MF et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008 Mar; 93:677
Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson Disease Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
Are they two sides of the same coin?
By Stephen Gomperts, MD, PhD
March 25, 2008
Covering:
McKeith I., Pract Neurol 2007 Nov; 7:374
Sleep Apnea and Seizures in Older Adults
Neurology Summary and Comment
This study revealed a dramatically higher frequency of obstructive sleep apnea among adults older than 50 with worsening or new seizures, compared to those with stable seizures.
By Milena Pavlova, MD
March 25, 2008
Covering:
Chihorek AM et al., Neurology 2007 Nov 6; 69:1823
Effect of Anastrozole on Bone-Mineral Density
Five years of anastrozole therapy did not lead to osteoporosis for any woman with normal BMD at baseline.
Radiotherapy for Rectal Cancer Is Associated with Testes Dysfunction
Testosterone levels were lower and FSH and LH levels were higher in men who underwent radiotherapy than in men who did not.
By Barbara A. Murphy, MD
March 18, 2008
Covering:
Bruheim K et al., Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2008 Mar 1; 70:722
PET Imaging and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Detection
Neurology Summary and Comment
Occipital predominance of Pittsburgh Compound B retention on PET imaging could provide confirmation of CAA diagnoses and predict cerebral hemorrhage and adverse reactions to antiamyloid immune therapy.
By Sandra E. Black, MD, FRCP(C)
March 18, 2008
Covering:
Johnson KA et al., Ann Neurol 2007 Sep; 62:229
Anger in Patients with Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Patients with PD appeared to have less anger than normal controls in this study, but what this result means is unclear.
By Joseph H. Friedman, MD
March 18, 2008
Covering:
Macías Y et al., Mov Disord 2008 Jan 30; 23:195
Assessing Risks Associated with Hospitalization in Elders
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Internal medicine residents often are not aware of their older patients’ risks for adverse outcomes during hospitalization.
Use of an Internet-Based Tool to Improve Hospital Care of Stroke Patients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
"Get With The Guidelines–Stroke," a quality-improvement initiative at 99 U.S. hospitals, produced impressive results in 1 year.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
March 12, 2008
Covering:
LaBresh KA et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Feb 25; 168:411
How Common Is Incidental Prostate Cancer?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In an autopsy study of organ donors, asymptomatic prostate cancer was very common among men older than 50.
