Vitamin D Deficiency Common Even in Southern U.S.
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In an Arizona study, a large proportion of people had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels lower than 20 ng/mL.
Tocilizumab: Interleukin-6 Inhibitor Is Effective in Adult and Juvenile Arthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Its potential seems greatest as a treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
March 27, 2008
Covering:
Smolen JS et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 22; 371:987
Yokota S et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 22; 371:998
Bongartz T., Lancet 2008 Mar 22; 371:961
Telemedicine Improves Rural Trauma Care
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Emergency physicians at a trauma center helped direct therapy at seven rural hospital EDs.
Oral Bisphosphonates and Oral Health
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Oral BP administration was not associated with increased risk for ONJ.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
February 28, 2008
Covering:
Cartsos VM et al., J Am Dent Assoc 2008 Jan; 139:23
Grbic JT et al., J Am Dent Assoc 2008 Jan; 139:32
Glick M., J Am Dent Assoc 2008 Jan; 139:12
Does Bisphosphonate Use Cause Aseptic Osteonecrosis?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Although BP use seemed to be associated with aseptic osteonecrosis, cause and effect were not demonstrated.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
February 28, 2008
Covering:
Etminan M et al., J Rheumatol 2008 Jan 15
Unraveling the Genetic Predisposition to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
A collection of studies and commentary focus on the identification of genetic defects associated with risk for SLE.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
February 27, 2008
Covering:
Hom G et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 28; 358:900
Kozyrev SV et al., Nat Genet 2008 Feb; 40:211
Nath SK et al., Nat Genet 2008 Feb; 40:152
International Consortium for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Genetics (SLEGEN)., Nat Genet 2008 Feb; 40:204
Crow MK., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 28; 358:956
Maier LM and Hafler DA., Nat Genet 2008 Feb; 40:131
Rahman A and Isenberg DA., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 28; 358:929
Fructose Consumption and Risk for Gout
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Consumption of fructose from sugar-sweetened soft drinks and other sources increases risk for gout.
Proton-Pump Inhibitors to Prevent NSAID Complications
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk for upper GI events was higher when NSAIDs or coxibs were prescribed without PPIs.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 21, 2008
Covering:
Abraham NS et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2008 Feb; 103:323
Spinal Stenosis: Surgical vs. Nonsurgical Therapy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Outcomes with surgery appeared to be superior, but several problematic aspects of this study preclude us from drawing definitive conclusions.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Weinstein JN et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 21; 358:794
Cardiovascular Risk and Calcium Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Calcium supplementation might raise, rather than lower, cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
February 19, 2008
Covering:
Bolland MJ et al., BMJ 2008 Feb 2; 336:262
Bedtime Dose of Modified-Release Prednisone Reduces Morning Arthritis Stiffness
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Modified-release prednisone offered greater relief of morning stiffness and no greater risk than immediate-release prednisone.
Vasculitis Associated with Malignancy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Some indication that patients with vasculitis have increased risk for developing cancer
If a Bone Breaks, Think Osteoporosis
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Both high- and low-trauma fractures could indicate underlying osteoporosis.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
January 10, 2008
Covering:
Mackey DC et al., JAMA 2007 Nov 28; 298:2381
Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Alendronate
The FLEX study results help us determine for whom long-term alendronate therapy is beneficial.
Adherence to Gastroprotective Therapy Limits NSAID-Associated Ulcer Complications
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Among patients who receive nonselective NSAIDs, adherence to gastroprotective therapy will lower the rate of ulcer complications.
By David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)
March 2, 2007
Covering:
Goldstein JL et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006 Nov; 4:1337-45
