Presentation of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Women
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A systematic review finds more women than men present without angina, but the difference declines with advancing age.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
January 16, 2008
Covering:
Canto JG et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Dec 10; 167:2405
Dracup K., Arch Intern Med 2007 Dec 10; 167:2396
Emerging Insight into Prostate Cancer Genetic Associations
A high-risk genetic profile plus a family history accounted for half the cases of prostate cancer in a population study.
Cognitive Dysfunction After Noncardiac Surgery
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Older age, less education, and previous stroke were among factors predicting cognitive dysfunction at 3 months postsurgery.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 15, 2008
Covering:
Monk TG et al., Anesthesiology 2008 Jan; 108:18
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Although the notion that quelling inflammation might reduce PD risk is biologically plausible, it has yet to be proved.
By C. Warren Olanow, MD
January 15, 2008
Covering:
Wahner AD et al., Neurology 2007 Nov 6; 69:1836
Segmental Zoster Paresis
Neurology Summary and Comment
Does failure to diagnose affect prognosis?
By James M. Gilchrist, MD
January 15, 2008
Covering:
Kawajiri S et al., Neurologist 2007 Sep; 13:313
Sodium Phosphate Renal Toxicity
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Although the incidence of phosphate nephropathy after colonoscopy is low, clinicians should advocate aggressive hydration for patients who use sodium phosphate preparations.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
January 11, 2008
Covering:
Russmann S et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2007 Dec; 102:2655
Testosterone Supplementation in Older Men
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Some potential adverse metabolic effects — and no functional or cognitive benefits — were reported.
Calcium Channel Blockers Can Cause Chronic Eczematous Rash
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Calcium channel blockers were the only drug class significantly associated with eczematous rash.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 10, 2008
Covering:
Joly P et al., J Invest Dermatol 2007 Dec; 127:2766
Fatal Pulmonary Embolism After Venous Thromboembolism
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Recurrent PE occurs infrequently after 6 months of anticoagulation therapy.
By David Green, MD, PhD
January 8, 2008
Covering:
Douketis JD et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Dec 4; 147:766
Serum Insulin in Nondiabetic Alzheimer Patients Correlates with Brain Volume and Cognition
Neurology Summary and Comment
Contrary to expectations, increased peripheral insulin levels correlated with <$EMPH_O>fewer<$EMPH_C> AD markers.
By Wesley Farris, MD
January 8, 2008
Covering:
Burns JM et al., Neurology 2007 Sep 11; 69:1094
Surgical Menopause and Risks for Parkinsonism and Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
Oophorectomy, especially at a relatively young age, appears to be associated with increased risk for these disorders.
By Autumn Klein, MD, PhD
January 8, 2008
Covering:
Rocca WA et al.,
Rocca WA et al., Neurology 2007 Sep 11; 69:1074
Interpreting Mildly Elevated TSH Levels in Elders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Does mild elevation indicate subclinical hypothyroidism or age-related changes?
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 3, 2008
Covering:
Surks MI and Hollowell JG., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007 Dec; 92:4575
Thiazolidinediones and Cardiovascular Risk in Older Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Population-based data confirm risk with rosiglitazone, even in patients without prior cardiac disease.
Next Generation of "Anti-Aging" Molecules Reported
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Researchers have identified molecules that are exponentially more potent than resveratrol.
Do Antivirals Help Life-Threatening Influenza?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Oseltamivir appeared to reduce influenza mortality in hospitalized patients.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
January 2, 2008
Covering:
McGeer A et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Dec 15; 45:1568
Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Alendronate
The FLEX study results help us determine for whom long-term alendronate therapy is beneficial.
Dietary Supplements Don’t Prevent Cognitive Decline, CVD, or Infections
Several studies and a meta-analysis all led to the same conclusion — no benefit from supplementation.
More Safety Data on Thiazolidinediones
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Rosiglitazone raises rates of heart failure, MI, and mortality in older diabetic patients, according to a large, retrospective study.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
December 26, 2007
Covering:
Lipscombe LL et al., JAMA 2007 Dec 12; 298:2634
Fitness and Mortality in Older Adults
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Physical activity, not body composition, may be the key to reducing risk.
When Treating Elders with Cancer, Communication Is Key
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Sometimes older patients do not want to know all the details of their illness and sometimes families insist that elders be protected from bad news. Take time to talk, the experts say.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
December 20, 2007
Covering:
Elkin EB et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Nov 20; 25:5275
Hallenbeck J and Arnold R., J Clin Oncol 2007 Nov 1; 25:5030
Risk for Healthcare-Associated Bacteremia in the Elderly
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a population-based study, the proportion of bloodstream infections caused by MRSA was high among the elderly with healthcare-associated risk factors.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
December 19, 2007
Covering:
Crane SJ et al., Am J Med 2007 Dec; 120:1078
Treating Agitation in Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
This well-executed, multicenter study found no benefit from donepezil in agitation or any other behavioral measure.
By Joseph H. Friedman, MD
December 18, 2007
Covering:
Howard RJ et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1382
Yaffe K., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1441
Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Agitation? Not So Fast
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Donepezil seems no more effective than placebo for Alzheimer patients.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
December 17, 2007
Covering:
Howard RJ et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1382
Yaffe K., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1441
Do Calcium Channel Blockers Cause Chronic Eczema in Elderly Adults?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
CCB treatment was significantly associated with eczema of unexplained origin that resolved when the drug was withdrawn.
Statins and Hemorrhagic Stroke: Shedding Light on SPARCL
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A new analysis of influential trial data clarifies the risks associated with statins for secondary prevention of stroke.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
December 12, 2007
Covering:
Goldstein LB et al. on behalf of the SPARCL investigators., Neurology 2007 Dec 12
