Atypical Mycobacterial Infections Might Be on the Rise
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Pulmonary infections are now more common than pulmonary tuberculosis.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
October 21, 2010
Covering:
Winthrop KL et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Oct 1; 182:977
Prevots DR et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Oct 1; 182:970
Preventive Care in Patients with Advanced Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Some screening tests were performed with unexpectedly high frequencies, but stopping can be a difficult decision.
Practice Parameter: Assessing and Managing Driving Risk in Dementia
Neurology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
An update on the evidence for factors that predict increased driving risk
By Germaine L. Odenheimer, MD
October 19, 2010
Covering:
Iverson DJ et al., Neurology 2010 Apr 20; 74:1316
Memantine for Parkinson Disease Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
A randomized trial shows a marginal benefit for LBD and has no effect for PDD.
By Andrew Siderowf, MD
October 19, 2010
Covering:
Emre M et al., Lancet Neurol 2010 Oct; 9:969
How Deadly Is Delirium in Elders?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Delirium was an independent predictor of 6-month mortality among older emergency department patients.
Depression Is Linked to Cardiovascular Prognosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Somatic symptoms of depression are predictors of adverse cardiovascular events.
Is Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Beneficial After Below-Knee Bypass Grafting?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Not for venous grafts, but maybe for prosthetic grafts.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 14, 2010
Covering:
Belch JJF et al., J Vasc Surg 2010 Oct; 52:825
Warfarin Therapy During Fecal Occult Blood Testing
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Warfarin was not associated with excess false-positive FOBTs.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 14, 2010
Covering:
Iles-Shih L et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2010 Sep; 105:2030
Diagnosing Delirium at the Bedside: Which Test Is Best?
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Evidence supports the Confusion Assessment Method, which can be administered in 5 minutes.
Do Tans in the Can Keep Us out of the Sun and Salon?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Researchers found conflicting results in users of sunless tanning products.
By Alan C. Geller, MPH, RN
October 8, 2010
Covering:
Cokkinides VE et al., Arch Dermatol 2010 Sep; 146:987
Pagoto SL et al., Arch Dermatol 2010 Sep; 146:979
Is Undiagnosed Celiac Disease Clinically Important?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Population screening is unlikely to yield mortality or morbidity benefits.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 7, 2010
Covering:
Godfrey JD et al., Gastroenterology 2010 Sep; 139:763
Treating Depression in Patients with Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Disappointing findings from a trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor underline the complexity of the problem.
Rolofylline for Acute Heart Failure? Maybe Not
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A phase III trial dashes hopes for an agent aimed at stopping the downward spiral of decompensation and renal failure.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
October 6, 2010
Covering:
Massie BM et al. for the PROTECT Investigators and Committees., N Engl J Med 2010 Oct 7; 363:1419
Measures of Physical Capability Predict Early Mortality
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Grip strength, walking speed, and chair rising were markers in elders.
Does Continuous Dopaminergic Stimulation Reduce Dyskinesia Risk?
Neurology Summary and Comment
The STRIDE-PD trial was a good idea with a not-so-great design, and it leaves this question unanswered.
By Shyamal Mehta, MD, PhD
October 5, 2010
Covering:
Stocchi F et al., Ann Neurol 2010 Jul; 68:18
What Causes Fatigue in Parkinson Disease?
Neurology Summary and Comment
A review of the evidence falls short of providing an answer.
By Thomas D. Sabin, MD
October 5, 2010
Covering:
Beiske AG and Svensson E., Acta Neurol Scand 2010 Jul; 122:78
Palliative Care Early On Has Many Benefits
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Cancer patients felt better and survived longer.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
September 30, 2010
Covering:
Temel JS et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Aug 19; 363:733
Kelley AS and Meier DE., N Engl J Med 2010 Aug 19; 363:781
Fear of Falling Makes Falls More Likely
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Among elders, perceived risk and physiological risk are factors in falls.
How Does Education Protect Against Dementia?
Neurology Summary and Comment
This study confirms that higher level of education is associated with a lower incidence of clinical dementia but not reduced pathology.
By Howard S. Kirshner, MD
September 28, 2010
Covering:
EClipSE Collaborative Members., Brain 2010 Aug; 133:2210
Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
A review of the research on pathology and clinical findings
Outcomes After Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Intensive Care Units
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Critically ill patients, especially those requiring hemodynamic support, are unlikely to survive cardiopulmonary arrests.
By Matthew Hoffman, MD, and Neil H. Winawer, MD, SFHM
September 27, 2010
Covering:
Tian J et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Aug 15; 182:501
Migraine with Aura Is a Risk Factor for Early Mortality
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Excess all-cause and cardiovascular deaths were noted in an Icelandic study.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Promising Development for Patients with Few Options
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In the PARTNER trial, TAVI significantly improved 12-month outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis deemed unsuitable for valve replacement surgery.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
September 22, 2010
Covering:
Leon MB et al. for the PARTNER Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2010 Sep 22
Vertebroplasty — 1 Year Later
Is vertebroplasty still an acceptable option for patients with fractures?
Palliative Oxygen Offers No More Relief Than Intranasal Room Air
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Simpler interventions might be preferable.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
September 14, 2010
Covering:
Abernethy AP et al., Lancet 2010 Sep 4; 376:784
