Childhood Stresses Take a Toll on Adult Immune Health
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In a large records study, childhood adversity increases the risk for autoimmune disorders in adulthood.
By Joel Yager, MD
March 23, 2009
Covering:
Dube SR et al., Psychosom Med 2009 Feb; 71:243
Briefly Noted
Statins’ effect on nonmelanoma skin cancer, minocycline-induced drug hypersensitivity, anti-TNF-
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Excess risk with infliximab and adalimumab but not with etanercept
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
March 10, 2009
Covering:
Strangfeld A et al., JAMA 2009 Feb 18; 301:737
Whitley RJ and Gnann JW Jr., JAMA 2009 Feb 18; 301:774
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with infliximab or adalimumab are at increased risk for herpes zoster.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
March 4, 2009
Covering:
Strangfeld A et al., JAMA 2009 Feb 18; 301:737
Whitley RJ and Gnann JW Jr., JAMA 2009 Feb 18; 301:774
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Herpes zoster may occur more often and more severely in patients receiving monoclonal antibody treatment.
Ustekinumab Appears to Be Effective Against Psoriatic Arthritis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Recently shown to be effective against psoriasis, this agent also successfully treated psoriatic arthritis.
Another Study of Chondroitin Sulfate for Knee Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A prescription formulation, widely available in Europe, delayed progression of knee osteoarthritis, but pain benefits were less clear.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 19, 2009
Covering:
Kahan A et al., Arthritis Rheum 2009 Feb; 60:524
Imaging Does Not Alter Outcomes in Acute Low Back Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis provides more reason to curb routine lumbar imaging.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 17, 2009
Covering:
Chou R et al., Lancet 2009 Feb 7; 373:463
Kochen MM et al., Lancet 2009 Feb 7; 373:436
Mortality Risk Following Osteoporotic Fracture
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Elevated risk was associated with even minor fractures and, with hip fractures, persisted for at least 10 years.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use in Patients with Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Compelling evidence for avoiding NSAIDs underscores the challenges of pain management in these patients.
Benefits of Antidepressants in Fibromyalgia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Tricyclic antidepressants were effective in reducing pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Should We Routinely Prescribe Folic Acid Supplementation for Methotrexate Recipients?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
An inexpensive supplement holds promise for preventing methotrexate-related hepatic toxicity.
Quad Strength and Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Quadriceps strength was associated with preservation of patellofemoral — but not tibiofemoral — cartilage.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 15, 2009
Covering:
Amin S et al., Arthritis Rheum 2009 Jan; 60:189
Briefly Noted
Effectiveness of imatinib for GVHD, link between COPD and psoriasis, and safety of anti-TNF agents for patients with rheumatoid arthritis/hepatitis C coinfection
New Drug Holds Some Promise for Treatment-Failure Gout
General Medicine Summary and Comment
IV pegloticase every 2 to 4 weeks effectively controlled uric acid levels, but the incidence of adverse events was high.
By Deborah M. DeMarco, MD
December 18, 2008
Covering:
Sundy JS et al., Arthritis Rheum 2008 Sep; 58:2882
Reducing GI Risks from Antiplatelet and NSAID Therapy
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Consensus recommendations from the ACC, AHA, and ACG
Lupus Patients Are at Risk for Vitamin D Deficiency
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Disease in these patients flares with sun exposure, but photoprotection can produce vitamin D deficiency.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
October 24, 2008
Covering:
Cusack C et al., Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2008 Oct; 24:260
IL-18: A Novel Cytokine Is Implicated in Cutaneous Lupus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Interleukin-18 influenced an elevated inflammatory response in the keratinocytes of patients with CLE.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
October 24, 2008
Covering:
Wang D et al., Arthritis Rheum 2008 Oct; 58:3205
Statins Might Benefit Digital Ulcerations and Raynaud Phenomenon
Dermatology Summary and Comment
These relatively inexpensive agents hold promise for resolving digital ulcers in sclerosis-related Raynaud phenomenon.
More Results from a Study of Glucosamine and Chondroitin
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Radiographic data show no benefit of glucosamine or chondroitin for attenuating joint space narrowing.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 16, 2008
Covering:
Sawitzke AD et al., Arthritis Rheum 2008 Oct; 58:3183
Marketing, Disguised as Research
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Seeding studies are trials that are funded entirely by drug manufacturers for the primary purpose of exposing physicians to new drugs.
A boxed warning regarding the risk for invasive fungal infections must be added to the prescribing information for tumor necrosis factor–
TNF Antagonists for Treatment of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In children, adalimumab with or without methotrexate reduced disease activity and number of flares.
By Deborah M. DeMarco, MD
September 25, 2008
Covering:
Lovell DJ et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Aug 21; 359:810
Meniscal Damage on Knee MRI in the General Population
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Only about one third of people with meniscal damage reported knee pain, aching, or stiffness.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 18, 2008
Covering:
Englund M et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Sep 11; 359:1108
Arthroscopic Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis — No Benefit
General Medicine Summary and Comment
No incremental improvement was observed when arthroscopic surgery was added to physical and medical therapy.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 16, 2008
Covering:
Kirkley A et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Sep 11; 359:1097
