Which Antibiotic for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Ciprofloxacin offered no benefit over an old standby, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
August 5, 2010
Covering:
Nouira S et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Jul 15; 51:143
Another Study of Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a Swedish trial, screening was associated with an absolute reduction of 0.4% in prostate cancer mortality.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 3, 2010
Covering:
Hugosson J et al., Lancet Oncol 2010 Aug; 11:725
Wrist Fractures Initiate Functional Decline
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Older women who sustain wrist fractures are more likely to experience progressive functional decline than are women without wrist fractures.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
July 29, 2010
Covering:
Edwards BJ et al., BMJ 2010 Jul 8; 341:c3324
Vitamin D and Cognitive Function in Older Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Low levels are associated with cognitive decline.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 27, 2010
Covering:
Llewellyn DJ et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1135
Grey A et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1099
Less Is More!
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
The likelihood of an adverse drug reaction in older patients rose with the number of medications taken.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
July 23, 2010
Covering:
Onder G et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1142
Schneider EL and Campese VM., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1148
Health Effects of Vitamin D: The "D"-bate Goes On
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Does vitamin D deficiency itself underlie the association with cognitive decline (and other conditions), or does it reflect an unhealthy lifestyle?
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
July 23, 2010
Covering:
Llewellyn DJ et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1135
Grey A et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1099
Risk Factors for Stroke: A Global Study
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Nine modifiable factors account for 90% of stroke incidence worldwide.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
July 22, 2010
Covering:
O'Donnell MJ et al., Lancet 2010 Jul 10; 376:112
Blood Pressure Control in Patients with Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
No benefit for lowering BP to <130/80 mm Hg
Short Telomeres Are Associated with Excess Cancer Incidence and Mortality
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A prospective study suggests that telomere length and cancer incidence are related.
Polidocanol Safety
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Low rates of adverse effects are reported after sclerotherapy with a drug recently approved by the U.S. FDA.
Testosterone in Older Men: More Clarity or More Confusion?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Results of three studies argue against wholesale use of this drug for anti-aging purposes.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 15, 2010
Covering:
Wu FCW et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 8; 363:123
Krasnoff JB et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010 Jun; 95:2790
Basaria S et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 8; 363:109
Testosterone Therapy in Men with Androgen Deficiency Syndromes
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Endocrine Society recommendations reflect ongoing uncertainty.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 15, 2010
Covering:
Bhasin S et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010 Jun; 95:2536
Antibiotic-Induced Hyperkalemia and Renin-Angiotensin–System Inhibitors
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among older patients who were receiving renin-angiotensin–system inhibitors, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (but not other antibiotics) increased the risk for hyperkalemia.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
July 14, 2010
Covering:
Antoniou T et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 28; 170:1045
Retinopathy in the ACCORD Trial
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Findings from the ACCORD Eye Study are not straightforward.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 13, 2010
Covering:
The ACCORD Study Group and ACCORD Eye Study Group., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 15; 363:233
β-Blockers for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
β-blockers were associated with lower mortality and fewer acute exacerbations in patients with COPD.
Treating Heart Failure in Hospitalized Patients: How Are We Doing?
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
A 14-year review of Medicare patients reveals significant secular trends toward shorter length of stay and lower 30-day mortality but more readmissions.
Aspirin for Primary Prevention in Patients with Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Recommendations from three professional organizations
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 8, 2010
Covering:
Pignone M et al., Circulation 2010 Jun 22; 121:2694
Yet Another Study of Lowering Homocysteine to Prevent Vascular Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An eighth randomized trial showed no benefit.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 8, 2010
Covering:
Study of the Effectiveness of Additional Reductions in Cholesterol and Homocysteine (SEARCH) Collaborative Group., JAMA 2010 Jun 23/30; 303:2486
Regional Variation in Practice and Healthcare Spending
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Regional differences in healthcare spending are not explained entirely by medical needs of patients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 8, 2010
Covering:
Song Y et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 1; 363:45
Zuckerman S et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 1; 363:54
Obesity Raises Risk for Diabetes in Older People
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Weight gain after age 50, just like earlier in life, raises risk.
Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
We might have a new therapeutic target.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
July 6, 2010
Covering:
Saito T et al., Nat Med 2010 Jun; 16:678
Yang S et al., Nat Med 2010 Jun; 16:687
Husa M et al., Nat Med 2010 Jun; 16:641
Use of Long-Term Acute-Care Hospitals on the Rise in the U.S.
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
A 10-year review of Medicare beneficiary data reveals that the number of long-term acute-care hospitals increased by 8.8% annually.
Pramipexole for Depression in Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
The largest study of depression in PD to date demonstrates that pramipexole is a statistically better treatment than placebo, but not by a lot.
By Joseph H. Friedman, MD
June 29, 2010
Covering:
Barone P et al., Lancet Neurol 2010 Jun; 9:573
At What Level of Vitamin D Does Fracture Risk Rise?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In older men, fracture risk was elevated only among those with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <16 ng/mL.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 24, 2010
Covering:
Melhus H et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010 Jun; 95:2637
Oral and Transdermal Estrogen Therapy and Risk for Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Low-dose transdermal delivery was not associated with elevated risk.
