Are Multivitamin Use and Prostate Cancer Related?
Heavy use of multivitamins and certain individual micronutrient supplements was associated with risk for advanced prostate cancer.
Vitamin D and Physical Performance in Older Adults
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level below 20 ng/mL was associated with physical decline.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 14, 2007
Covering:
Wicherts IS et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007 Jun; 92:2058-65
Palliative Care Consultation and Length of Stay in the ICU
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A palliative-care intervention reduced ICU stay and did not increase MICU or in-hospital mortality.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 14, 2007
Covering:
Norton SA et al., Crit Care Med 2007 Jun; 35:1530-5
Luce JM and White DB., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007 Jun 1; 175:1104-8
Warfarin: Prescribe with Care in the Elderly
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a real-world cohort of elderly patients, the hazards of warfarin therapy were found to be greater than previously reported.
By Mark S. Link, MD
June 13, 2007
Covering:
Hylek EM et al., Circulation 2007 May 29; 115:2689-96
Wyse DG., Circulation 2007 May 29; 115:2684-6
Varicella and Varicella-Zoster Vaccine
Neurology Summary and Comment
Two articles focus on recent changes in the use and effects of the varicella-zoster vaccine in older adults and the varicella vaccine in children.
By Karen Roos, MD
June 12, 2007
Covering:
Kimberlin DW and Whitley RJ., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 29; 356:1338-43
Chaves SS et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 15; 356:1121-9
Retinol Benefits Naturally Aged Skin
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Topical vitamin A temporarily improved signs of chronologic aging.
By George J. Hruza, MD
June 8, 2007
Covering:
Kafi R et al., Arch Dermatol 2007 May; 143:606-12
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Lifestyle Choices
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Patients who undergo colorectal cancer screening should be reminded about the importance of an overall healthy lifestyle.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
June 8, 2007
Covering:
Larsen IK et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007 Apr; 5:477-83
Screening and Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Two new studies suggest that screening offers long-term benefits, but the picture is not so clear for endovascular repair.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
June 7, 2007
Covering:
Kim LG et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 May 15; 146:699-706
Lederle FA et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 May 15; 146:735-41
Can Ventilatory Efficiency Be Used to Classify Patients with Heart Failure?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
VE/VCO2 slope is a more accurate prognosticator than VO2 and may have a role in stratifying risk.
By Frederick A Masoudi, MD, MSPH
June 6, 2007
Covering:
Arena R et al., Circulation 2007 May 8; 115:2410-7
Mancini D and LeJemtel TH., Circulation 2007 May 8; 115:2376-8
Stopping Drugs That Cause Elders to Fall
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Drugs are an important cause of falls in elderly people.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 5, 2007
Covering:
van der Velde N et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2007 May; 55:734-9
Does Depression Care Decrease Mortality?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Care management was associated with lower mortality risk among those with major depression, but the mechanism is unclear.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
June 5, 2007
Covering:
Gallo JJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 May 15; 146:689-98
Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma Modestly Beneficial in Elders
Neurology Summary and Comment
A randomized trial shows a modest survival benefit over surgery alone, without worsening quality of life or cognition.
By Jay Loeffler, MD
June 5, 2007
Covering:
Keime-Guibert F et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Apr 12; 356:1527-35
Can Pharmacist Intervention Improve Adherence to Heart Failure Medication?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results of a randomized trial were encouraging but were not sustained.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
May 30, 2007
Covering:
Murray MD et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 May 15; 146:714-25
Can NSAIDs Prevent Alzheimer Disease?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Neither celecoxib nor naproxen prevented AD or mild cognitive impairment.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 29, 2007
Covering:
ADAPT Research Group., Neurology 2007 May 22; 68:1800-8
More Support for Fecal Immunochemical Testing
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Immunochemical testing is emerging as superior to guaiac-based testing for colorectal cancer screening.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
May 25, 2007
Covering:
Guittet L et al., Gut 2007 Feb; 56:210-4
NSAIDs and Aspirin as Chemoprevention for CRC
Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
The USPSTF recommends neither aspirin nor other NSAIDs for chemoprevention of colorectal cancer in average-risk people.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
May 25, 2007
Covering:
Rostom A et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Mar 6; 146:376-89
Dubé C et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Mar 6; 146:365-75
An Aspirin Every Other Day Won’t Keep Cognitive Decline Away
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Long-term low-dose aspirin use did not protect against cognitive decline among healthy nonsmoking women 65 or older.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
May 24, 2007
Covering:
Kang JH et al., BMJ 2007 May 12; 334:987
A Dopamine Agonist Patch for Early PD
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
This trial confirms efficacy of once-daily skin patch delivery of rotigotine, a nonergoline dopamine agonist, for early PD.
By Frederick J. Marshall, MD
May 22, 2007
Covering:
Watts RL et al., Neurology 2007 Jan 23; 68:272-6
ART in Older Patients
Excellent adherence to antiretroviral therapy may counterbalance immune senescence in older HIV-infected patients.
By Rebeca Plank, MD
May 21, 2007
Covering:
Silverberg MJ et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Apr 9; 167:684-91
Physical Activity and Improvements in Cardiorespiratory Fitness
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Some exercise is good, and more is better.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
May 15, 2007
Covering:
Church TS et al., JAMA 2007 May 16; 297:2081-91
Lee I-M., JAMA 2007 May 16; 297:2137-9
Did the WHI Results Affect Breast Cancer Incidence?
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
The decrease in breast cancer incidence might be linked to discontinuation of hormone therapy.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
May 14, 2007
Covering:
Ravdin PM et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Apr 19; 356:1670-4
Improving Libido in Postmenopausal Cancer Survivors
Transdermal testosterone did not improve sexual desire in this 8-week crossover trial.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
May 14, 2007
Covering:
Barton DL et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 May 2; 99:672-9
ASCO Practice Guidelines for Initial Hormonal Management of Prostate Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Updated recommendations for treating patients with metastatic, recurrent, or progressive disease
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
May 14, 2007
Covering:
Loblaw DA et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Apr 20; 25:1596-605
Postmenopausal Pelvic Organ Prolapse Waxes and Wanes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Mild prolapse appears unlikely to progress significantly in the short term.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
May 10, 2007
Covering:
Bradley CS et al., Obstet Gynecol 2007 Apr; 109:848-54
Drugs and Deterioration in Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Various prescribed drugs had either positive or negative effects on the rate of progression.
By Mario F. Mendez, MD, PhD
May 8, 2007
Covering:
Ellul J et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007 Mar; 78:233-9
