A Critical Review of Chiropractic Practice
Limited data support spinal manipulation for treating low back pain, but the technique is associated with serious risks.
Steroid Injections for Trigger Finger
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was the only independent predictor of recurrent symptoms.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 28, 2008
Covering:
Rozental TD et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008 Aug; 90:1665
Seeding Trials: Taking ADVANTAGE
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A case study of a drug trial provides valuable evidence of a disturbing practice: the disguise of marketing schemes as scientific research.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
August 18, 2008
Covering:
Hill KP et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Aug 19; 149:251
Sox HC and Rennie D., Ann Intern Med 2008 Aug 19; 149:279
Doctor, How Long Will My Low Back Pain Last?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Among a cohort of primary care patients with low back pain, recovery was slower than has been reported previously, and only 72% had recovered completely at 1 year.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin After Knee Arthroscopy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Heparin prophylaxis lowered risk for deep venous thrombosis.
Methotrexate plus Etanercept for Early, Moderate-to-Severe RA
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Likelihood of remission and of radiographic nonprogression was greater with combination therapy than with methotrexate alone.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
August 12, 2008
Covering:
Emery P et al., Lancet 2008 Aug 2; 372:375
Kremer JM., Lancet 2008 Aug 2; 372:347
Aromatase Inhibitors and Arthralgias
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Characterizing the joint pain associated with adjuvant aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
August 7, 2008
Covering:
Morales L et al., J Clin Oncol 2008 Jul 1; 26:3147
Hershman DL., J Clin Oncol 2008 Jul 1; 26:3120
MRI Evaluation of Costal Cartilage Injuries
General Medicine Summary and Comment
MRI is an appropriate modality on rare occasions.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 7, 2008
Covering:
Subhas N et al., AJR Am J Roentgenol 2008 Jul; 191:129
Exercise plus Amenorrhea Equals Thinner Bones
Adolescent endurance athletes with amenorrhea had significantly lower BMD <$EMPH_O>z<$EMPH_C> scores than did either eumenorrheic athletes or eumenorrheic nonathletes.
Rivaroxaban Is Superior to Enoxaparin for Thromboprophylaxis After Knee and Hip Arthroplasty
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The results of three studies could usher in a new era of fixed-dose oral thromboprophylaxis.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
July 24, 2008
Covering:
Lassen MR et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 26; 358:2776
Kakkar AK et al., Lancet 2008 Jul 5; 372:31
Eriksson BI et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 26; 358:2765
Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients Treated with Efalizumab
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Sixteen patients in a group of 450 efalizumab recipients developed joint manifestations.
Fluoroquinolone-Related Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture
A boxed warning must be added to the prescribing information for systemic fluoroquinolones.
Surgery vs. Nonoperative Treatment for Sciatica: Follow-Up After 2 Years
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Short-term results were better with surgery, but outcomes were similar between groups at 1 year and 2 years.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Might Occur Before Adolescence
This report suggests that CFS can affect children as young as age 2 years and that young children can be as severely affected as older children.
Is Congestive Heart Failure Triggered or Treated by Inhibition of TNF?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, especially those with highly active disease, are at high risk for development or worsening of heart failure.
By Deborah M. DeMarco, MD
June 24, 2008
Covering:
Listing J et al., Arthritis Rheum 2008 Mar; 58:667
Long-Term Clinical and Immunological Effects of Anti-CD20 Treatment in Refractory SLE
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Anti-CD20 treatment could be beneficial for treatment of patients with refractory lupus nephritis and autoimmune cytopenias.
By Deborah M. DeMarco, MD
June 24, 2008
Covering:
Lindholm C et al., J Rheumatol 2008 May; 35:826
Prednisolone Is as Effective as Naproxen for Acute Gout
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A 5-day course of oral prednisolone is a reasonable alternative to NSAIDs for treating patients with acute gouty arthritis.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
June 17, 2008
Covering:
Janssens HJEM et al., Lancet 2008 May 31; 371:1854
Guideline for Osteoporosis Screening in Men
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Testing is recommended for men at increased risk.
Alendronate and Atrial Fibrillation: Weighing Risks and Benefits
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women who ever used alendronate were at higher risk for atrial fibrillation.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
June 12, 2008
Covering:
Heckbert SR et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Apr 28; 168:826
Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Patients with Small-Vessel Vasculitis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Investigators propose IgA antibodies as markers of disease in Henoch-Schönlein purpura, but this call may be premature.
Pregabalin Is Effective for Treatment of Fibromyalgia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Patients who received pregabalin had significant improvements in pain and sleep.
Are Low Vitamin D Levels Associated with Nonspecific Pain?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The results of two studies argue against any simple relation between diffuse pain and vitamin D deficiency.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 20, 2008
Covering:
Hicks GE et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2008 May; 56:785
Warner AE and Arnspiger SA., J Clin Rheumatol 2008 Feb; 14:12
Distinguishing Polymyositis from Inclusion Body Myositis
Neurology Summary and Comment
Features of IBM are not present in every biopsy and, without a good clinical examination, can lead to misdiagnosis as PM.
By Anthony A. Amato, MD
May 6, 2008
Covering:
Chahin N and Engel AG., Neurology 2008 Feb 5; 70:418
Kissel JT., Neurology 2008 Feb 5; 70:414
Should We Be Concerned About Jaw Osteonecrosis with Oral Bisphosphonates?
BRONJ probably occurs rarely with oral bisphosphonate therapy, but the true incidence isn’t clear yet.
A New Approach to Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A new statistical model predicts 10-year risk for hip and other major fractures.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 8, 2008
Covering:
Tosteson ANA et al., Osteoporos Int 2008 Apr; 19:437
Dawson-Hughes B et al., Osteoporos Int 2008 Apr; 19:449
Siris E and Delmas PD., Osteoporos Int 2008 Apr; 19:383
