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.
Chemotherapy for Older Patients with Lung Cancer
Survival benefits, especially of platinum-doublet therapy, extend to patients aged 65 and older.
Cognitive Reserve, Amyloid-Beta, and Cognitive Decline
Neurology Summary and Comment
Clinical and brain-imaging data suggest a protective effect of cognitive reserve against amyloid-related cognitive impairment in nondemented elders and patients with Alzheimer disease.
By Elliott Mufson, PhD
June 22, 2010
Covering:
Rentz DM et al., Ann Neurol 2010 Mar; 67:353
Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Implantation — A New Option for Failed Bioprostheses
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Promising results from a small case series could be good news for patients with no or few alternatives.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
June 16, 2010
Covering:
Webb JG et al., Circulation 2010 Apr 27; 121:1848
Carabello BA., Circulation 2010 Apr 27; 121:1798
Parkinson Disease and Impulse Control: The Medication Made Me Do It
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
More data on dopamine agonist–associated impulse control disorders in patients with Parkinson disease
By Jonathan Silver, MD
June 14, 2010
Covering:
Weintraub D et al., Arch Neurol 2010 May; 67:589
How Does Depression Break Your Heart?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Anhedonia might be the mediator between poor medical outcomes and depression in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 14, 2010
Covering:
Davidson KW et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 May; 67:480
Proton-Pump Inhibitor Dosing and Negative Consequences
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Four studies about the effects of PPI therapy
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
June 8, 2010
Covering:
Wang C-H et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 May 10; 170:751
Gray SL et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 May 10; 170:765
Linsky A et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 May 10; 170:772
Howell MD et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 May 10; 170:784
Katz MH., Arch Intern Med 2010 May 10; 170:747
Herpes Zoster Vaccine Is Tolerated Well but Not Disseminated Widely
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Financial barriers and questions about costs and effectiveness remain.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
June 8, 2010
Covering:
Simberkoff MS et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 May 4; 152:545
Hurley LP et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 May 4; 152:555
Donahue JG and Belongia EA., Ann Intern Med 2010 May 4; 152:609
Single-Lens Distance Glasses Lower Risk for Falls in Active Older Wearers of Multifocal Glasses
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Single-lens distance glasses were most helpful for those who regularly engaged in outdoor activities.
Stenting Versus Endarterectomy for Carotid Artery Stenosis: What Are the Trade-Offs?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Mid-term CREST findings indicate that surgery is more effective for stroke prevention, but stenting has some advantages.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
June 4, 2010
Covering:
Brott TG et al. for the CREST Investigators., N Engl J Med 2010 May 26
Davis SM and Donnan GA., N Engl J Med 2010 May 26
How Much Sunlight Is Equivalent to Vitamin D Supplementation?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Now is the winter of our vitamin D discontent.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
June 4, 2010
Covering:
Terushkin V et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2010 Jun; 62:929
Tsiaras WG and Weinstock MA., J Am Acad Dermatol 2010 Jun; 62:935
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Researchers relate trends in cardiovascular prevention and treatment to recent improvements in mortality from coronary heart disease.
Diagnosis and Management of Thoracic Aortic Disease
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Experts from many disciplines provide welcome guidance about frequently asymptomatic conditions with potentially catastrophic outcomes.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
May 26, 2010
Covering:
Hiratzka LF et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2010 Apr 6; 55:e27
Statin Efficacy in Elders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Rosuvastatin lowered risk for major cardiovascular events.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
May 25, 2010
Covering:
Glynn RJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 Apr 20; 152:488
Zieman SJ and Ouyang P., Ann Intern Med 2010 Apr 20; 152:528
Reversibility of Age-Related Memory Loss in Mice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Repairing a specific defect associated with gene activation restored memory deficits in older mice.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
May 25, 2010
Covering:
Peleg S et al., Science 2010 May 7; 328:753
Sweatt JD., Science 2010 May 7; 328:701
The Anatomical Basis of Gerstmann Syndrome
Neurology Summary and Comment
Is it a disconnection syndrome?
By Kenneth M. Heilman, MD
May 25, 2010
Covering:
Rusconi E et al., Ann Neurol 2009 Nov; 66:654
A Genetic Polymorphism for High Weight and Small Brain Volumes?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A common polymorphism increasing risks for overweight and small regional brain volumes might be particularly important in clinical psychiatric populations.
By Barbara Geller, MD
May 24, 2010
Covering:
Ho AJ et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010 May 4; 107:8404
Herpes Zoster Vaccine: Safe but Underutilized
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Although the vaccine is associated with relatively few adverse events, cost and reimbursement issues have limited its use.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 19, 2010
Covering:
Simberkoff MS et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 May 4; 152:545
Hurley LP et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 May 4; 152:555
Donahue JG and Belongia EA., Ann Intern Med 2010 May 4; 152:609
One-Time Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Yields Lasting Benefits
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Even after 11 years of follow-up, screened patients still held a colon cancer–related mortality edge over controls.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
May 18, 2010
Covering:
Atkin WS et al., Lancet 2010 May 8; 375:1624
Ransohoff DF., Lancet 2010 May 8; 375:1582
Parkinson Disease and Anticholinergics Don't Mix Well
Neurology Summary and Comment
Watch out for drugs with anticholinergic effects in your patients with PD.
By David A. Drachman, MD
May 18, 2010
Covering:
Ehrt U et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010 Feb; 81:160
Starkstein SE., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010 Feb; 81:129
PiB Doesn't Fib: Noninvasive Detection of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Neurology Summary and Comment
Imaging with Pittsburgh Compound B reliably detects cerebral amyloid angiopathy, raising the possibility of clinical diagnostic applications.
By Steven M. Greenberg, MD, PhD
May 18, 2010
Covering:
Ly JV et al., Neurology 2010 Feb 9; 74:487
Discharge Follow-Up and Readmission for Heart Failure
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Rapid outpatient follow-up of discharged heart failure patients was associated with fewer hospital readmissions.
