Treating Depression and Pain in Primary Care Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
This collaborative-care intervention using antidepressants and pain self-management had sustained effects.
I Can See Clearly Now, the Game Is On
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Action video games heighten contrast sensitivity — indicating a possible method to improve eyesight in pilots or those with impaired vision.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 8, 2009
Covering:
Li R et al., Nat Neurosci 2009 May; 12:549
Caplovitz GP and Kastner S., Nat Neurosci 2009 May; 12:527
Don’t Take Those Vitamins!
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Exercise promotes health, but vitamins C and E block this benefit.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
June 8, 2009
Covering:
Ristow M et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 May 26; 106:8665
Someone to Watch Over Meds
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In two studies, researchers explore novel strategies for reducing adverse drug events caused by medication errors.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
June 3, 2009
Covering:
Murray MD et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Apr 27; 169:757
Schnipper JL et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Apr 27; 169:771
Trends in Mental Illness Treatment: A Decade of Progress?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
More patients now receive psychiatric diagnoses, but some subgroups receive less care.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
June 1, 2009
Covering:
Glied SA and Frank RG., Health Aff (Millwood) 2009 May/Jun; 28:637
A New Kind of MAO Inhibitor on the Horizon
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A promising, but early, study of a novel medication with possible applications in dementia and depression
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 1, 2009
Covering:
Hirvonen J et al., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2009 May; 85:506
Tamsulosin and Complications of Cataract Surgery
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Recent tamsulosin use was associated with higher risk for postoperative complications.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
May 28, 2009
Covering:
Bell CM et al., JAMA 2009 May 20; 301:1991
Friedman AH., JAMA 2009 May 20; 301:2044
Estradiol and Mortality in Men with Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In an observational study, both high and low estradiol levels were associated with increased mortality.
Interferon for Older Patients with Hepatitis C?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
IFN therapy was associated with improved survival and reduced risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in those with initial platelet counts <150,000 mm3 .
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 27, 2009
Covering:
Ikeda K et al., Am J Med 2009 May; 122:479
Markers of Risk for Death from Prostate Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Two markers of cell cycle regulation and microvessel density were associated with mortality.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
May 26, 2009
Covering:
Concato J et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 May 5; 150:595
Gelmann EP and Henshall SM., Ann Intern Med 2009 May 5; 150:647
Prevention of Death After Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Only a quarter of British stroke patients (age,
Research Criteria for Behavioral-Variant Frontotemporal Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
Is it time to revise the criteria from 1998?
By William W. Seeley, MD
May 19, 2009
Covering:
Piguet O et al., Neurology 2009 Feb 24; 72:732
Is Donepezil Effective for Mild Cognitive Impairment?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Donepezil was not more effective than placebo, according to the study’s primary endpoint.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 14, 2009
Covering:
Doody RS et al., Neurology 2009 May 5; 72:1555
Heart Failure in an Aging Population
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A new epidemiologic study exposes specific targets for preventive measures.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Older Patients with Breast Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Capecitabine was inferior to standard chemotherapy.
Colorectal Cancer Screening: Both Over- and Underused
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In an older VA population, healthier patients were not targeted for screening.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer Disease Share More Than You’d Think
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In animal experiments, amyloid-β levels affect TBI sequelae, which are lessened through inhibition of an enzyme involved in amyloid-β synthesis.
Acetaminophen for Acute Stroke?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
This small study fails to make the case for routine use of acetaminophen to lower body temperature in patients with acute stroke, despite an editorial to the contrary.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
May 8, 2009
Covering:
den Hertog HM et al., Lancet Neurol 2009 May; 8:434
Kasner SE., Lancet Neurol 2009 May; 8:415
Hormonal Therapy and Anxiety in Prostate Cancer Patients
Anxiety was associated with early initiation of androgen-deprivation therapy.
Markers for Prostate Cancer Lethality
Molecular markers of cell-cycle regulation and microvessel density were associated with excess risk for mortality.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
May 5, 2009
Covering:
Concato J et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 May 5; 150:595
Gelmann EP and Henshall SM., Ann Intern Med 2009 May 5; 150:647
Long-Term Outcome in Fetal Cell Transplants for Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Transplanted cells develop pathology identical to the Lewy bodies seen in PD.
By Lewis Sudarsky, MD
May 5, 2009
Covering:
Kordower JH et al., Mov Disord 2008 Dec 15; 23:2303
Delirium and Alzheimer Disease: A Dangerous Duo
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Cognitive decline accelerates in patients with AD who experience delirium.
The HORIZON Study: Bisphosphonates for Patients on Corticosteroids
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Once-yearly infusion of a bisphosphonate may be more effective and more convenient than daily bisphosphonate for preventing and treating glucocorticortoid-induced osteroporosis.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
May 1, 2009
Covering:
Reid DM et al., Lancet 2009 Apr 11; 373:1253
Gennari L and Bilezikian JP., Lancet 2009 Apr 11; 373:1225
Physician Continuity from Outpatient to Inpatient Care Is Declining
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The surge in hospitalist care is among several factors responsible.
Mammography in Very Old Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In an observational cohort, effectiveness was modest and false positives were common.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 30, 2009
Covering:
Schonberg MA et al., J Clin Oncol 2009 Apr 10; 27:1774
