CSF Biomarkers and AD Prediction
Neurology Summary and Comment
In patients with mild cognitive impairment, CSF biomarkers helped predict who would develop Alzheimer disease.
By David Knopman, MD
September 15, 2009
Covering:
Mattsson N et al., JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:385
Petersen RC and Trojanowski JQ., JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:436
Predicting Recurrent Adenomas
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Using results from baseline and surveillance colonoscopies provides better risk estimates than using results from the most recent examination alone.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
September 11, 2009
Covering:
Robertson DJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Jul 21; 151:103
New Therapy for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Use of the CYP17-inhibitor abiraterone was associated with declines in prostate-specific antigen levels.
Can Patients Test Their Own Memory?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Can the TYM (test your memory) serve as a self-administered screening test?
By Paul R. Solomon, PhD
September 8, 2009
Covering:
Brown J et al., BMJ 2009 Jun 9; 338:b2030
Computerized Alerts Can Influence Drug Prescribing
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
After computer prodding, physicians ordered fewer prescriptions for potentially inappropriate drugs and heavily advertised drugs.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 3, 2009
Covering:
Terrell KM et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2009 Aug; 57:1388
Fortuna RJ et al., J Gen Intern Med 2009 Aug; 24:897
How Should We Assess Drug Prescribing for Elders?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Experts in geriatric prescribing raise questions about published criteria for judging quality of drug prescribing.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 3, 2009
Covering:
Steinman MA et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jul 27; 169:1326
Women Lose Knee Cartilage Faster Than Men Do
Women's Health Summary and Comment
MRIs show women lose three to four times more knee cartilage annually.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
September 3, 2009
Covering:
Hanna FS et al., Menopause 2009 Jul/Aug; 16:666
Pioglitazone vs. Rosiglitazone in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Pioglitazone was associated with lower risk for death and heart failure.
Aspirin Lengthens Survival in Patients with Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Starting regular aspirin therapy after colorectal cancer diagnosis was associated with lower mortality during 12 years.
The Gleason Score: Does Order of Pattern Numbers Matter?
As a prognostic marker for prostate cancer, 3 + 4 does not equal 4 + 3.
Insufficient Evidence: A Retrial for a Suspected Parkinson Gene
Neurology Summary and Comment
A study fails to validate the association of <$EMPH_O>GIGYF2<$EMPH_C> with Parkinson disease, highlighting the need for caution in using newly identified genes in genetic testing.
By Craig Blackstone, MD, PhD
September 1, 2009
Covering:
Nichols WC et al., Neurology 2009 Jun 2; 72:1886
Clark LN., Neurology 2009 Jun 2; 72:1882
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy to Prevent Heart Failure: Gathering Momentum
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
MADIT-CRT findings demonstrate a benefit of resynchronization in patients with NYHA class I or II heart failure.
By Mark S. Link, MD
September 1, 2009
Covering:
Moss AJ et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 1
Time to Abandon the "Shotgun Approach" to Syncope Evaluation
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Many unnecessary and costly tests are obtained to evaluate elders with syncope.
By Aaron J. Calderon, MD, FACP
August 31, 2009
Covering:
Mendu ML et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jul 27; 169:1299
Heidenreich PA., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jul 27; 169:1262
Creaming Pemphigoid
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Less-frequent clobetasol treatment worked as well as the standard regimen and was safer.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
August 28, 2009
Covering:
Joly P et al., J Invest Dermatol 2009 Jul; 129:1681
Testing for the Cause of Syncope in Elders
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Most tests have a low diagnostic yield and are not cost-effective.
By J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP
August 28, 2009
Covering:
Mendu ML et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jul 27; 169:1299
Heidenreich PA., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jul 27; 169:1262
Quinn JV., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jul 27; 169:1305
Outpatient Colonoscopy in Older Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Risk for gastrointestinal complications rose with age and history of certain comorbidities.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
August 28, 2009
Covering:
Warren JL et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Jun 16; 150:849
Albumin Excretion and Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A newly identified independent risk factor warrants further study.
Percutaneous Mitral Annuloplasty: First Results with CARILLON Device
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a feasibility study are promising but need to be confirmed in randomized trials.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
August 26, 2009
Covering:
Schofer J et al., Circulation 2009 Jul 28; 120:326
Bach DS., Circulation 2009 Jul 28; 120:272
The Hypertension–Dementia Connection: A Chance to Make a Difference?
Neurology Summary and Comment
What is the effect of treating hypertension on the incidence of dementia or the development of Alzheimer pathology?
By David A. Drachman, MD
August 25, 2009
Covering:
Hoffman LB et al., Neurology 2009 May 19; 72:1720
Haag MDM et al., Neurology 2009 May 19; 72:1727
Possible New Option for Treating Osteoporosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Both men who were receiving androgen-deprivation therapy and postmenopausal women gained bone density with denosumab.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 20, 2009
Covering:
Cummings SR et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Aug 20; 361:756
Smith MR et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Aug 20; 361:745
Khosla S., N Engl J Med 2009 Aug 20; 361:818
Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity, and Risk for Dementia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Both diet and exercise are beneficial, but the combination seems particularly advantageous.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
August 13, 2009
Covering:
Scarmeas N et al., JAMA 2009 Aug 12; 302:627
Féart C et al., JAMA 2009 Aug 12; 302:638
Infliximab Is Superior to Conventional DMARDs in Patients with Early RA
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Adding a TNF antagonist to methotrexate resulted in a significantly better response to therapy.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
August 13, 2009
Covering:
van Vollenhoven RF et al., Lancet 2009 Aug 8; 374:459
Vitamin D Levels and Bone Loss in Older Men
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In men older than 75, 25(OH)D levels lower than 20 ng/mL were associated with accelerated bone loss.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 13, 2009
Covering:
Ensrud KE et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009 Aug; 94:2773
You'll Faint When You See the Bill
Cardiology Summary and Comment
The most expensive tests for evaluating syncope usually don't influence diagnosis or management, and the least expensive — and most useful — test is underused.
Predicting Outcome in Patients with Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A simple risk score could take some of the uncertainty out of watchful waiting for valve replacement.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
August 12, 2009
Covering:
Monin J-L et al., Circulation 2009 Jul 7; 120:69
Coglianese EE and Davidoff R., Circulation 2009 Jul 7; 120:9
