Progress in Shortening Reading Times for CT Colonography
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
CAD programs can detect lesions reliably.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
November 2, 2007
Covering:
Johnson KT et al., AJR Am J Roentgenol 2007 Oct; 189:W172
More Support for Current Guidelines on Surveillance Colonoscopy
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a large screening study, baseline colonoscopy findings predicted risk for advanced neoplasia 5 years later.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
November 2, 2007
Covering:
Lieberman DA et al., Gastroenterology 2007 Oct; 133:1077
Combination ACE-inhibitor and Angiotensin-Receptor Blocker Therapy: A Review of Safety Data
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Proceed with caution when combining drugs that target the renin-angiotensin system.
Are Estrogen and Cognition Linked?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Two new studies generate more questions than answers.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
October 30, 2007
Covering:
Rocca WA et al., Neurology 2007 Sep 11; 69:1074
Maki PM et al., Neurology 2007 Sep 25; 69:1322
CHF in Older Women After Adjuvant Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Adjuvant therapy that includes anthracyclines raises risk for adverse cardiac events.
Fluoroquinolone Restriction in an Elderly Population
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A new policy resulted in a 30% reduction in fluoroquinolone use but produced no significant changes in rates of infection-related hospitalization or total antibiotic use.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 24, 2007
Covering:
Mamdani M et al., Am J Med 2007 Oct; 120:893
Does Cardiac Resynchronization Reduce Atrial Arrhythmias?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a small observational study, the frequency and duration of atrial tachyarrhythmias decreased in individuals with pre-existing devices who upgraded to CRT.
By Mark S. Link, MD
October 17, 2007
Covering:
Yannopoulos D., J Am Coll Cardiol 2007 Sep 25; 50:1246
Leon AR., J Am Coll Cardiol 2007 Sep 25; 50:1252
Heart Failure Hospitalizations and Mortality
Cardiology Summary and Comment
The risk for death was remarkably high during the first month after discharge and after prolonged hospitalization.
Another Nod for the Flu Vaccine
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A large, long-term study supports benefits in adults 65 years or older.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
October 16, 2007
Covering:
Nichol KL et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1373
Treanor JD., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1439
Finasteride for Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer: The Story Continues
Differences in prostate volume and other grading artifacts might have contributed to the higher incidence of high-grade cancers in the PCPT.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
October 16, 2007
Covering:
Lucia MS et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Sep 19; 99:1375
Andriole GL et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Sep 19; 99:1355
Aromatase-Inhibitor–Induced Joint Complaints: An Underappreciated Problem?
Joint complaints are common among women who receive AIs.
Again, Higher Mortality with Antipsychotics in Patients with Dementia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Both conventional and atypical antipsychotics were associated with higher mortality.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 11, 2007
Covering:
Kales HC et al., Am J Psychiatry 2007 Oct; 164:1568
Beyond Blood Pressure Control
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Targeting LV hypertrophy may reduce incident HF.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
October 10, 2007
Covering:
Okin PM et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Sep 4; 147:311
Does Donepezil Control Agitation in Alzheimer Patients?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
It was not more effective than placebo.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 9, 2007
Covering:
Howard RJ et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1382
PPIs Don’t Increase Risk for Colorectal Cancer
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Even long-term or intense use of proton-pump inhibitors didn’t raise colorectal cancer risk significantly in two large studies.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
October 5, 2007
Covering:
Yang Y-X et al., Gastroenterology 2007 Sep; 133:748
Robertson DJ et al., Gastroenterology 2007 Sep; 133:755
Sex, Race, and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Two large, observational studies suggest sex and racial bias in the use of ICDs in the U.S.
By Mark S. Link, MD
October 3, 2007
Covering:
Curtis LH., JAMA 2007 Oct 3; 298:1517
Hernandez AF., JAMA 2007 Oct 3; 298:1525
Redberg RF., JAMA 2007 Oct 3; 298:1564
Long-Term Effectiveness of Flu Vaccine in Community-Dwelling Elderly Persons
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A 10-year multicenter study shows that influenza vaccination reduces rates of hospitalization and death in elderly persons.
By Neil R. Blacklow, MD
October 3, 2007
Covering:
Nichol KL et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1373
Treanor JD., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1439
CT Colonography Is Equal to Colonoscopy for Detecting Advanced Adenomas
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Whether CTC is the better test for screening overall still is unclear.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
October 3, 2007
Covering:
Kim DH et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:1403
Promising Treatment Approach for Alzheimer Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A recombinant version of a naturally occurring protein clears substantial amounts of amyloid-ß from the brain.
Prognostic Implications for Patients with Gleason Tertiary Pattern 5 Prostate Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Grade 5 tertiary patterns in biopsy specimens portend worse outcomes than standard Gleason scores predict.
Is Less-Intensive Prostate Cancer Screening Appropriate?
Two- and 4-year screening regimens led to similar rates of aggressive interval cancers in a large European study.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
October 2, 2007
Covering:
Roobol MJ et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Sep 5; 99:1296
Crawford ED., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Sep 5; 99:1279
Proposed Revision of Research Diagnostic Criteria for Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
More than 20 years after the currently used criteria were formulated, experts propose revised criteria that emphasize episodic memory impairment and introduce neurobiologic measures.
By Gad A. Marshall, MD
October 2, 2007
Covering:
Dubois B et al., Lancet Neurol 2007 Aug; 6:734
Foster NL., Lancet Neurol 2007 Aug; 6:667
Does Weight Loss Precede Dementia?
Neurology Summary and Comment
This retrospective study adds to what we know but doesn’t settle the question.
By David A. Wolk, MD
October 2, 2007
Covering:
Knopman DS et al., Neurology 2007 Aug 21; 69:739
The Questions Continue About Thiazolidinediones’ Safety
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A new meta-analysis shows an elevated risk for congestive HF but no increase in cardiovascular death rate with either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
September 28, 2007
Covering:
Lago RM et al., Lancet 2007 Sep 29; 370:1129
Cleland JGF and Atkin SL., Lancet 2007 Sep 29; 370:1103
Montori VM et al., Lancet 2007 Sep 29; 370:1104
Lancet 2007 Sep 29; 370:1101
What’s an Appropriate Interval for PSA Screening?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The cumulative 10-year incidence of interval cancer was virtually the same with 2- or 4-year screening regimens.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 27, 2007
Covering:
Roobol MJ et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Sep 5; 99:1296
