Fall Rates Fall
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
A technology-based intervention led to fewer falls, but not fewer injuries, among older patients.
Does Vascular Depression Exist?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
A prospective study suggests that atherosclerosis does not contribute to depression but leaves open other possible associations between vascular disorders and late-onset depression.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
December 13, 2010
Covering:
Newson RS et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 Nov; 67:1144
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Looking Beyond the Scene of the Crime
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Histologic — but not always clinical — evidence of FFA can be found on the eyebrow or extremities as well as on the scalp.
By Angelica Selim, MD
December 10, 2010
Covering:
Chew A-L et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2010 Oct; 63:653
Age and Outcomes with Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients older than 80 derive clear benefit from thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
December 10, 2010
Covering:
Mishra NK et al., BMJ 2010 Nov 23; 341:c6046
Derex L., BMJ 2010 Nov 23; 341:c5891
Follow-Up of Patients with Heart Failure After Emergency Department Discharge
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In an observational study, collaborative care by both a primary care physician and a cardiologist led to the best outcomes.
Does Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Affect Physical Function?
In men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer, physical function declined within 3 months of ADT initiation.
Cost-Effectiveness of Dabigatran for Stroke Prevention
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Dabigatran, at the right price, is an attractive option for many atrial fibrillation patients.
Survival Prediction in Patients with Advanced Dementia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Structured clinical assessment outperformed hospice eligibility guidelines.
The Surest Calculation
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Two studies examine the rising cost of caring for patients with heart failure in the last 6 months of life.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
November 24, 2010
Covering:
Unroe KT et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Oct 11
Kaul P et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Oct 11
Gibson R., Arch Intern Med 2010 Oct 11
Caring for Adults at the End of Life in the Intensive Care Unit
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
A guide for delivering high-quality care
Telemonitoring Heart Failure Patients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a randomized trial, use of a telephone-based system for frequent, remote data collection did not improve outcomes.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
November 16, 2010
Covering:
Chaudhry SI et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Nov 16
Desai AS and Stevenson LW., N Engl J Med 2010 Nov 16
Dementia Associated with Heavy Smoking in Midlife
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Midlife cigarette smoking of two packs per day or more portends an elevated risk for overall dementia, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia in later life.
Steady Ready
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a new clinical trial, cardiac resynchronization therapy improved outcomes in patients with mild or moderate heart failure.
By Mark S. Link, MD
November 14, 2010
Covering:
Tang ASL et al for the Resynchronization–Defibrillation for Ambulatory Heart Failure Trial (RAFT) Investigators., N Engl J Med 2010 Nov 14
Moss AJ., N Engl J Med 2010 Nov 14
Mineralocorticoid Antagonists and Heart Failure: Off the Bench, Into the Game
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In the EMPHASIS-HF trial, the addition of eplerenone to standard therapy significantly improved outcomes.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
November 14, 2010
Covering:
Zannad F et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Nov 14
Armstrong PW., N Engl J Med 2010 Nov 14
Mortality After Ground-Level Falls
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The strongest predictors of mortality after ground-level falls are Glasgow Coma Scale score <15 and age
Vitamin B Supplementation and Cognition
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
In older men, supplementation did not affect cognition.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 10, 2010
Covering:
Ford AH et al., Neurology 2010 Oct 26; 75:1540
Healthy Lifestyle Is Associated with Lower Risk for Colorectal Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Good diet and more physical activity are among factors associated with lower risk.
Testosterone Replacement for Women with Chronic Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a small study showed some improvements in functional measures.
More Details About Breast Cancer and Physical Activity
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk declined with increased recent exercise, irrespective of other known important factors.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
November 9, 2010
Covering:
Eliassen AH et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Oct 25; 170:1758
Biologically Active Vitamin B12, Homocysteine, and Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Baseline serum levels of homocysteine correlated positively and holotranscobalamin levels correlated negatively with AD risk in a population-based, 7-year cohort study.
The Seeds of Our Own Destruction
Neurology Summary and Comment
This study shows that onset of rapid eye movement behavior disorder can occur as long as 50 years before the development of a synucleinopathy — decades longer than previously thought.
By Clifford B. Saper, MD, PhD
November 9, 2010
Covering:
Claassen DO et al., Neurology 2010 Aug 10; 75:494
Would You Walk 6 Miles for a Healthier Brain?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Exercise may protect against cognitive deterioration.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
November 8, 2010
Covering:
Erickson KI et al., Neurology 2010 Oct 19; 75:1415
Liang KY et al., Ann Neurol 2010 Sep; 68:311
Redefining Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
An ad hoc international working group proposes a new lexicon, to be used in both clinical and research settings, that defines AD on a continuum.
Diagnosis-Independent Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
A CSF signature accurately classified people with and without Alzheimer disease.
By Gad A. Marshall, MD
November 2, 2010
Covering:
De Meyer G et al., Arch Neurol 2010 Aug; 67:949
No Added Benefit from Patient Self-Management for Heart Failure
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
The addition of self-management counseling to an educational program for heart failure patients did not lower short-term mortality or hospitalization rate.
By Neil H. Winawer, MD, SFHM
November 1, 2010
Covering:
Powell LH et al., JAMA 2010 Sep 22/29; 304:1331
Cleland JGF and Ekman I., JAMA 2010 Sep 22/29; 304:1383
