Stability of Patient Preferences for Life-Sustaining Treatment
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patient preferences for life-sustaining treatment can fluctuate near the end of life.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 19, 2007
Covering:
Fried TR et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2007 Jul; 55:1007-14
Estrogen Therapy and Coronary Calcification
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
More evidence that estrogen therapy early in menopause may confer more benefit than risk
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 18, 2007
Covering:
Manson JE et al. for the WHI and WHI-CACS Investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 21; 356:2591-602
Traditional Mediterranean Diet Lowers Oxidized LDL
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Early findings from the PREDIMED trial show a beneficial effect on some cardiovascular risk factors.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 18, 2007
Covering:
Fitó M et al. for the PREDIMED Study Investigators., Arch Intern Med 2007 Jun 11; 167:1195-203
Excellent Long-Term Prognosis for Patients with Idiopathic or Lone AFib
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A 25-year follow-up study showed survival rates and stroke risks similar to those of healthy peers.
By Mark S. Link, MD
July 18, 2007
Covering:
Jahangir A et al., Circulation 2007 Jun 19; 115:3050-6
Preventing Prostate Cancer with Finasteride: Effect on Sexual Function
Men who received finasteride had slightly more sexual dysfunction at 6 months than did men who received placebo, but the effect was minimal and transient.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Moinpour CM et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Jul 4; 99:1025-35
Androgen-Deprivation Therapy and MIs in Men with Prostate Cancer
Men with preexisting cardiovascular risk factors, including advanced age, might be at risk for adverse events after as little as 6 months of ADT.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
July 16, 2007
Covering:
D’Amico AV et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jun 10; 25:2420-5
Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation, Revisited
Adjusted-dose warfarin is still the best approach for lowering stroke incidence in both primary-prevention and secondary-prevention settings.
By David Green, MD, PhD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Hart RG et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Jun 19; 146:857-67
AML Therapy in Elders
Low-intensity outpatient consolidation therapy, rather than a single high-intensity regimen, led to a higher survival rate at 2 years.
By Michael E. Williams, MD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Gardin C et al., Blood 2007 Jun 15; 109:5129-35
It’s Never Too Late for Change . . .
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Two animal studies indicate that adult neuronal growth may be the norm and that environmental factors may assist growth.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Sale A et al., Nat Neurosci 2007 Jun; 10:679-81
Toni N et al., Nat Neurosci 2007 Jun; 10:727-34
But Not All Change Is Good
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
As people age, they may become less concerned about possible financial losses.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Larkin GRS et al., Nat Neurosci 2007 Jun; 10:787-91
What Caused the Decline in Cardiac Death Rate from 1980 to 2000?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A new analysis credits improved treatment and reduction in risk factors about equally.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 11, 2007
Covering:
Ford ES et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 7; 356:2388-98
Lowering Blood Pressure Improves Diastolic Function Irrespective of Drug Type
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An ARB demonstrated no significant advantage over other drug classes in patients with diastolic dysfunction but without LV hypertrophy.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
July 11, 2007
Covering:
Solomon SD et al., Lancet 2007 Jun 23; 369:2079-87
Ahmed A et al., Lancet 2007 Jun 23; 369:2053-4
Warfarin Therapy in Clinical Practice
Neurology Summary and Comment
Three studies emphasize the need for careful physician assessment of patient eligibility and follow-up during warfarin therapy.
By J. Philip Kistler, MD
July 10, 2007
Covering:
Kimmel SE et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 12; 167:229-35
White HD et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 12; 167:239-45
Glazer NL et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 12; 167:246-52
Folic Acid to Prevent Recurrence of Colorectal Adenomas?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A large, randomized trial showed no evidence of benefit.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
July 6, 2007
Covering:
Cole BF et al., JAMA 2007 Jun 6; 297:2351-9
Ulrich CM and Potter JD., JAMA 2007 Jun 6; 297:2408-9
Methylphenidate Treatment for Advanced Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Results in a small, selected group are promising, but a larger, controlled trial is needed.
By Richard Rosenbaum, MD
July 3, 2007
Covering:
Devos D et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007 May; 78:470-5
Good News and Bad News About Colonic Polyps and Prevention of Colon Cancer: The Good News
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Aspirin prevents COX-2–overexpressing colorectal cancers.
By David H. Ilson, MD, PhD
July 2, 2007
Covering:
Chan AT et al., N Engl J Med 2007 May 24; 356:2131-42
Good News and Bad News About Colonic Polyps and Prevention of Colon Cancer: The Bad News
Folic acid failed to prevent colorectal polyps and might increase risk for polyps that are more advanced.
By David H. Ilson, MD, PhD
July 2, 2007
Covering:
Cole BF et al., JAMA 2007 Jun 6; 297:2351-9
BRCA2 Mutation Predicts Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Presence of a single <$EMPH_O>BRCA2<$EMPH_C> mutation among Icelandic men allowed researchers to correlate genotype with prostate cancer prognosis.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
July 2, 2007
Covering:
Tryggvadóttir L et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Jun 20; 99:929-35
Support for Follow-Up Colonoscopy 1 Year After Cancer Resection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Colon examination soon after colon cancer resection was associated with better survival rates.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
June 29, 2007
Covering:
Rulyak SJ et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007 Apr; 5:470-6
Aspirin Does Not Benefit Cognition in Older Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The mean decline in global cognition was similar with aspirin or placebo.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
June 26, 2007
Covering:
Kang JH et al., BMJ 2007 May 12; 334:987
Risk Prediction for Acute Upper GI Hemorrhage
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
A new scoring system identifies patients who can be treated without hospital admission.
By David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)
June 25, 2007
Covering:
Imperiale TF et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Jun 25; 167:1291-6
Racial Differences in Acute MI Care
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
New evidence that black patients with AMI are less likely to receive coronary revascularization and that they have higher long-term mortality rates than white patients
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
June 20, 2007
Covering:
Popescu I et al., JAMA 2007 Jun 13; 297:2489-95
Assessing Risk for Progression in Smoldering Myeloma
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
SM patients at the highest risk might benefit from therapy to prevent overt myeloma.
By Michael E. Williams, MD
June 20, 2007
Covering:
Kyle RA et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 21; 356:2582-90
Imaging Amyloid and Regional Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Amyloid imaging distinguishes AD from normal brain, but its clinical utility awaits further study.
By Stephen Gomperts, MD, PhD
June 19, 2007
Covering:
Edison P et al., Neurology 2007 Feb 13; 68:501-8
Does Physical Activity Prevent Age-Related Motor Decline?
Neurology Summary and Comment
It might, but we need a randomized trial to find out.
By Lisa S. Krivickas, MD
June 19, 2007
Covering:
Buchman AS et al., Muscle Nerve 2007 Mar; 35:354-62
