Carotid Intima–Media Thickness for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a large meta-analysis, addition of the test did not substantially improve Framingham risk classification.
Intermittent vs. Continuous Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Overall survival was noninferior with intermittent ADT.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
September 5, 2012
Covering:
Crook JM et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Sep 6; 367:895
Sartor O., N Engl J Med 2012 Sep 6; 367:945
Which Elders with Systolic Hypertension Should We Treat?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Those with fast walking speeds reap more benefit.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
August 30, 2012
Covering:
Odden MC et al., Arch Intern Med 2012 Aug 13/27; 172:1162
Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Reduce Depression Risk in Older Women
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Results from a very large, population-based, randomized study
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
August 30, 2012
Covering:
Bertone-Johnson ER et al., Am J Epidemiol 2012 Jul 1; 176:1
Physical Therapy Has Short-Term Clinical Benefits in Patients with Parkinson Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis showed that many functional outcomes improved with PT.
Do Migraines Affect Cognition?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In older women, migraines were not associated with cognitive decline.
Growth Hormone–Releasing Hormone for Cognition
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
GHRH improves cognitive performance and some endocrine values in healthy elderly people and in those with MCI.
Accuracy of Florbetapir PET Imaging in Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
The imaging modality is highly accurate, but its role in diagnosis and its social implications need consideration.
How Obesity, Diabetes, and Infection Interact After Total Joint Replacement
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Periprosthetic infection was associated with severe obesity and, to a lesser extent, diabetes.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 16, 2012
Covering:
Jämsen E et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012 Jul 18; 94:e1011
PSA Screening and Quality of Life
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Using simulation modeling, researchers estimated potential gains in quality-adjusted life-years from prostate-specific antigen screening.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 15, 2012
Covering:
Heijnsdijk EAM et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Aug 16; 367:595
Sox HC., N Engl J Med 2012 Aug 16; 367:669
Many Elders Don't Receive Primary Preventive Treatment for Cardiovascular Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Statins were unlikely to be prescribed for patients 75 or older.
Medical Risk Factors for Depression in the Elderly
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In a large prospective study, obesity, but not hypertension, was associated with an elevated risk for depression in patients 65 and older.
By Joel Yager, MD
August 13, 2012
Covering:
Godin O et al., Am J Epidemiol 2012 Aug 1; 176:204
Can We Safely and Effectively Vaccinate Patients Receiving Biologic Therapies for Immune-Mediated Disease?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Indications are promising but not definitive; nevertheless, we should discuss results with patients who request the herpes zoster vaccine.
What's the Optimal HbA1c Level in Elders?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
In an observational study, glycosylated hemoglobin between 8% and 9% was best.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 9, 2012
Covering:
Yau CK et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2012 Jul; 60:1215
Does the Zoster Vaccine Prevent Recurrent Shingles?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A small study suggests its short-term effect is nil.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
August 9, 2012
Covering:
Tseng HF et al., J Infect Dis 2012 Jul; 206:190
Wake Up: Objective and Subjective Assessments of Hot Flashes' Effects on Sleep Don't Always Match
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Clinicians and researchers should focus on vasomotor symptoms labeled bothersome by women.
Refining Patient Selection for CRT
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Observational findings in patients with mildly symptomatic HF show independent predictors — and improved outcomes — of super response to CRT.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
August 8, 2012
Covering:
Hsu JC et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2012 Jun 19/26; 59:2366
Ellenbogen KA and Huizar JF., J Am Coll Cardiol 2012 Jun 19/26; 59:2374
Interactions Between PPIs and Clopidogrel Are Clinically Unimportant
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Proton-pump inhibitor use was not associated with excess adverse cardiac outcomes in clopidogrel patients.
Hip Fracture Is Less Likely After Cataract Surgery
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk was 16% lower within 1 year after cataract removal.
Weight Loss for Overweight Cancer Patients: Benefits Aplenty
Diet and exercise interventions resulted in better maintenance of functional status and reductions in levels of hormones associated with postmenopausal breast cancer.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
August 7, 2012
Covering:
Demark-Wahnefried W et al., J Clin Oncol 2012 Jul 1; 30:2354
Campbell KL et al., J Clin Oncol 2012 Jul 1; 30:2314
Ligibel JA and Goodwin PJ., J Clin Oncol 2012 Jul 1; 30:2294
Autologous Fibroblasts Can Reduce Wrinkles
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Autologous cell therapy marks the beginning of a new phase in aesthetic therapy
Rehospitalizations Are Common Within 30 Days After Acute Myocardial Infarctions
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But only 40% of such rehospitalizations are related directly to incident MIs.
Sex Differences in Statin Benefits
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Secondary cardiac prevention in men and women was similar, but benefits for overall mortality and stroke might be different.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
August 2, 2012
Covering:
Gutierrez J et al., Arch Intern Med 2012 Jun 25; 172:909
Taylor F and Ebrahim S., Arch Intern Med 2012 Jun 25; 172:919
Exercise for Depressive Symptoms in Heart Failure Patients?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Very modest effects are found in patients with minimal baseline depressive symptoms, in a randomized, controlled, but flawed trial.
When Does Alzheimer Disease Start?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
A study of familial AD suggests the disease starts more than 20 years before clinical symptoms develop.
