What Are the Benefits of Aldosterone Antagonists in Real-World HF Treatment?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a study of registry data, these agents were associated with reductions in HF hospitalization but not mortality or cardiovascular readmission.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
January 2, 2013
Covering:
Hernandez AF et al., JAMA 2012 Nov 28; 308:2097
Fang JC., JAMA 2012 Nov 28; 308:2144
When to Repeat Bone-Density Testing Depends on Initial T Score
For women with normal bone-density scores, 10 to 15 years seems to be appropriate.
End-of-life Care in the Intensive Care Unit
Intensivists were surveyed on their perceptions of appropriateness of care and guiding life-support decisions.
Fibroblast Subtypes
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A possible target for slowing the aging of skin may emerge from exploration of differences in papillary and reticular fibroblasts.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
December 21, 2012
Covering:
Janson DG et al., J Invest Dermatol 2012 Nov; 132:2565
Better Cognitive Functioning in the Elderly Linked to More-Intense Physical Activity
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In a community sample of well-functioning adults over age 60, peak intensity of physical activity, rather than overall quantity, was the better predictor of higher levels of cognitive performance.
By Joel Yager, MD
December 21, 2012
Covering:
Brown BM et al., Transl Psychiatry 2012 Nov 20; 2:e191
Thyroid Function and Risk for AF: A Linear Relation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients with even subclinical hyperthyroidism had excess risk for atrial fibrillation.
Abiraterone Effective for Chemotherapy-Naive Prostate Cancer Patients
Patients with castration-resistant metastatic disease achieved significantly longer progression-free survival with abiraterone than with placebo.
Alzheimer Disease Risk Variant Discovered
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
An anti-inflammatory gene is linked to increased risk for Alzheimer disease.
By Brandy R. Matthews, MD
December 18, 2012
Covering:
Jonsson T et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Nov 14
Guerreiro R et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Nov 14
Neumann H and Daly MJ., N Engl J Med 2012 Nov 14
PCA3, a Relatively New Marker for Prostate Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This test might lower the number of biopsies driven by prostate-specific antigen testing.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
December 13, 2012
Covering:
Crawford ED et al., J Urol 2012 Nov; 188:1726
Warfarin May Be Beneficial for up to 6 Months After Bioprosthetic AVR
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Data from a Danish registry supports current recommendations for 3 months of anticoagulation and suggests that extending therapy confers additional benefit.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
December 12, 2012
Covering:
Mérie C et al., JAMA 2012 Nov 28; 308:2118
Mehta SR and Weitz JI., JAMA 2012 Nov 28; 308:2147
Low-Dose Aspirin and Dementia in Older Women
Neurology Summary and Comment
Does low-dose acetylsalicylic acid prevent cognitive decline in women with high cardiovascular risk?
By Jon Brillman, MD, FRCPI
December 11, 2012
Covering:
Kern S et al., BMJ Open 2012 Oct 3; 2:e001288
Functional Capacity in Heart Failure: Which Test, and for What Purpose?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
As a prognostic tool, the 6-minute walk test was as good as cardiopulmonary exercise testing, but neither added much to clinical and demographic markers.
Patterns of Pertussis Among Adults
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Women, obese people, and people with asthma are at risk — or possibly just more likely to be recognized as having the infection.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
December 4, 2012
Covering:
Liu BC et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Dec 1; 55:1450
STN vs. GPi DBS for Parkinson Disease: More Evidence of Similarity
Neurology Summary and Comment
Secondary findings show subtle differences but should be interpreted cautiously.
By Michael S. Okun, MD
December 4, 2012
Covering:
Odekerken VJJ et al., Lancet Neurol 2012 Nov 16
Hypertension in the Oldest Old
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Among 85- to 90-year-olds, high blood pressure was associated with less cognitive and physical decline.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 29, 2012
Covering:
Sabayan B et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2012 Nov; 60:2014
Does Aliskiren Have a Role in Treating Patients with Diabetes?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In combination with an angiotensin-receptor blocker or angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitor, the drug was ineffective.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 29, 2012
Covering:
Parving H-H et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Dec 6; 367:2204
Providing Recommendations to Patient Surrogates About Limiting Life Support
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Although most intensivists believe providing recommendations is appropriate, practice varies.
By Patricia Kritek, MD
November 27, 2012
Covering:
Brush DR et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Oct 1; 186:633
Fecal Immunochemical Testing for Colorectal Cancer Screening
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
FIT detected most cancers, but only a minority of advanced adenomas.
More Evidence That Exercise Is Beneficial in Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Treadmill exercise — especially lower-intensity, longer-duration exercise — improved gait, and stretching and resistance training improved strength.
Neurologist Care and Hospitalizations in Patients with Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Frequent neurologist care was associated with fewer PD-related hospitalizations, shorter stays, and lower costs than less-frequent neurologist care.
By Michael S. Okun, MD
November 20, 2012
Covering:
Willis AW et al., Neurology 2012 Oct 23; 79:1774
Zapping Bacteria
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy may have merit for treating chronic leg and foot ulcers.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
November 16, 2012
Covering:
Morley S et al., Br J Dermatol 2012 Oct 15
No Benefit of Multivitamins for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Men
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A randomized, controlled trial showed that myocardial infarction, stroke, and death were not affected.
Once-Yearly Zoledronic Acid for Men with Osteoporosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This drug lowered the incidence of radiographic, but not clinical, vertebral fractures.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 13, 2012
Covering:
Boonen S et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Nov 1; 367:1714
Adjuvant Radiotherapy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer
At median follow-up of 10.6 years, postoperative radiotherapy improved biochemical progression-free survival, but not clinical disease progression.
Poor Physical Performance Associated with Dementia, Again
Neurology Summary and Comment
The "oldest old" are more likely to have dementia if they have physical impairments.
