Elevated Risk for Cognitive Decline with Albuminuria
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk association suggests common microvascular pathology.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
February 1, 2011
Covering:
Barzilay JI et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 Jan 24; 171:142
Medicare Costs of Advanced Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
Hospitalizations and hospice care drive Medicare expenditures for nursing home residents with advanced dementia.
By Liana S. Rosenthal, MD, and E. Ray Dorsey, MD, MBA
February 1, 2011
Covering:
Goldfeld KS et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 Jan 10
Surprising Connections
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Mutations in genes related to gamma-secretase function are associated with hidradenitis suppurativa — and with Alzheimer disease.
Transdermal DHT to Prevent Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Dihydrotestosterone treatment did not inhibit prostrate growth.
Gait Speed Predicts 10-Year Survival in Elders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Predictive value roughly equaled that of more complex clinical assessments.
Prevalence of Sexual Activity Among Men Older Than 75
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Nearly half of men in this study said sex was at least somewhat important to them.
Botulinum Toxin for Overactive Bladder?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Off-label use is becoming common, but better data on efficacy and safety are needed.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 20, 2011
Covering:
Dmochowski R et al., J Urol 2010 Dec; 184:2416
Candesartan vs. Losartan for Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Disturbing findings from a registry study call into question the class effects of angiotensin-receptor blockers.
Prophylactic Antibiotics at Catheter Removal After Prostatectomy?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Prophylactic ciprofloxacin started the day before catheter removal appears to reduce the risk for postprostatectomy urinary tract infection.
How the Brain Works in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Imaging showed patients with less-severe impairment to have greater activation of some brain areas, compared with healthy controls.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 10, 2011
Covering:
Clément F and Belleville S., Biol Psychiatry 2010 Nov 15; 68:894
Blood Pressure and Mortality in Older Patients with Kidney Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In an observational study, systolic BP <130 mm Hg was associated with higher 5-year mortality.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 6, 2011
Covering:
Weiss JW et al., Am J Kidney Dis 2010 Dec; 56:1062
Remarkable Reversal of Aging in Mice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Restoring telomerase function in mutant mice reversed signs of aging.
Rates and Outcomes of Non–Evidence-Based ICD Placement
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Recipients of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator who do not meet guideline-recommended eligibility criteria are at elevated risk for in-hospital complications.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
January 4, 2011
Covering:
Al-Khatib SM et al., JAMA 2011 Jan 5; 305:43
Kadish A and Goldberger J., JAMA 2011 Jan 5; 305:91
Vitamin of the Year?
Psychiatry Year in Review
Let the sunshine in: Vitamin D deficiency has neuropsychiatric implications.
Testosterone Supplementation in Older Men: Mixed Messages
Higher testosterone levels might be associated with better physical performance, but supplementation is recommended only for alleviation of sexual symptoms.
Endarterectomy vs. Stenting for Carotid Artery Stenosis
For now, endarterectomy remains the treatment of choice.
Antibiotics and Steroids for COPD
Low-dose oral steroids and common antibiotics lead to better outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.
Palliative Care Can Extend Life
Cancer patients who enrolled in a care program soon after diagnosis lived longer (and felt better) than others.
A Revolution in VTE Prophylaxis
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
The oral Xa inhibitor apixaban is more effective than and as safe as enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after hip replacement.
By Aaron J. Calderon, MD, FACP
December 22, 2010
Covering:
Lassen MR et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Dec 23; 363:2487
Hylek E., N Engl J Med 2010 Dec 23; 363:2559
Androgen-Deprivation Therapy and Risk for Colorectal Cancer
ADT was associated with excess risk for CRC among men who received this treatment for prostate cancer.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
December 21, 2010
Covering:
Gillessen S et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2010 Dec 1; 102:1760
Lin JH and Giovanucci E., J Natl Cancer Inst 2010 Dec 1; 102:1746
Active Surveillance vs. Initial Treatment for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
The less aggressive approach was associated with greater quality-adjusted life expectancy, according to a decision analysis.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
December 21, 2010
Covering:
Hayes JH et al., JAMA 2010 Dec 1; 304:2373
Thompson IM and Klotz L., JAMA 2010 Dec 1; 304:2411
To Prevent Dementia, Is Timing Everything?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Clinical and preclinical evidence of a critical window for hormone therapy to prevent dementia
By Jonathan Silver, MD
December 20, 2010
Covering:
Whitmer RA et al., Ann Neurol 2010 Nov 12
Smith CC et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010 Nov 9; 107:19543
New Institute of Medicine Recommendations on Vitamin D
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Evidence is lacking for extraskeletal health benefits of vitamin D; most people in the U.S. and Canada have adequate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
December 17, 2010
Covering:
Ross AC et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010 Nov 29
Prevalence of Pain During the Last 24 Months of Life
General Medicine Summary and Comment
During the month before death, pain prevalence was 46%.
DHA Supplementation in Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
A negative trial raises questions.
By Martha Clare Morris, ScD
December 14, 2010
Covering:
Quinn JF et al., JAMA 2010 Nov 3; 304:1903
