Cardiovascular Benefit of Glycemic Control Is Limited to Those with Low Comorbidity
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Does an HbA1c level of 7% remain an appropriate goal?
A Woman with Jaundice and Progressive Weakness of Extremities
A reader-submitted case and an expert's opinion
Briefly Noted
Neonatal cutis laxa, dyskeratosis congenita, and recurrent erythema multiforme
Atypical Fractures in Long-Term Bisphosphonate Users
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A small subgroup of women might be susceptible.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
December 15, 2009
Covering:
Capeci CM and Tejwani NC., J Bone Joint Surg Am 2009 Nov; 91:2556
Lenart BA et al., Osteoporos Int 2009 Aug; 20:1353
Oral Bisphosphonates and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Case Series
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The most common triggering events were tooth extractions and tooth implants.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
December 15, 2009
Covering:
Favia G et al., J Rheumatol 2009 Dec; 36:2780
Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Contributes to Risk for Falls
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk was associated with three pain measures — number of sites, severity, and functional impairment.
Anakinra — Perhaps, a New Therapy for Pyoderma Gangrenosum?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The mechanisms of disease in a rare syndrome were the key to finding an effective therapeutic agent.
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A rare complication associated with commonly prescribed drugs
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
November 20, 2009
Covering:
Wetter DA and Davis MDP., Mayo Clin Proc 2009 Nov; 84:979
What Can the Antiphospholipid Syndrome Teach Us About HDL?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Low paraoxonase activity in women with APS correlated with dysfunctional HDL and arterial abnormalities.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
November 10, 2009
Covering:
Charakida M et al., JAMA 2009 Sep 16; 302:1210
Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients with Psoriasis: What Is the Likelihood?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Many useful lessons emerge from this prevalence study.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
October 16, 2009
Covering:
Ibrahim G et al., Arthritis Rheum 2009 Oct 15; 61:1373
Surgery vs. Noninvasive Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Surgery was more effective than other noninvasive therapies, but either treatment modality benefited patients.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
October 8, 2009
Covering:
Jarvik JG et al., Lancet 2009 Sep 26; 374:1074
Management of Chronic Pain
Comprehensive treatment for chronic pain must address both physical and psychological aspects.
By Lynn Rader, MD
October 8, 2009
Topical Voltaren Gel for Hand Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Diclofenac gel was better than placebo for relieving pain.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 6, 2009
Covering:
Altman RD et al., J Rheumatol 2009 Sep; 36:1991
Nonsurgical Approach to Dupuytren Contractures
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A trial of collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections produced promising results.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 22, 2009
Covering:
Hurst LC et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 3; 361:968
Cutaneous Toxicity Associated with "New" Therapies: Rare but Possible
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Two recent reports describe adverse events linked to drug therapy.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
September 4, 2009
Covering:
Asarch A et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2009 Jul; 61:104
Desai N et al., Br J Dermatol 2009 Jun; 160:1322
Women Lose Knee Cartilage Faster Than Men Do
Women's Health Summary and Comment
MRIs show women lose three to four times more knee cartilage annually.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
September 3, 2009
Covering:
Hanna FS et al., Menopause 2009 Jul/Aug; 16:666
Briefly Noted
Rituximab promising for bullous diseases, current knowledge of psoriasis pathogenesis, early and aggressive treatment for juvenile dermatomyositis
Infliximab Is Superior to Conventional DMARDs in Patients with Early RA
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Adding a TNF antagonist to methotrexate resulted in a significantly better response to therapy.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
August 13, 2009
Covering:
van Vollenhoven RF et al., Lancet 2009 Aug 8; 374:459
Vertebroplasty Strikes Out
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
This procedure yielded no improvements in two randomized placebo-controlled trials.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 5, 2009
Covering:
Kallmes DF et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Aug 6; 361:569
Buchbinder R et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Aug 6; 361:557
Vasculitis Update
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
A summary of vasculitic conditions, with a focus on manifestations other than leg purpura
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
July 17, 2009
Covering:
Khasnis A and Langford CA., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 Jun; 123:1226
Excellent Risk-Benefit Profile of Antimalarials in Treatment of Lupus
Results of a systematic review support use of antimalarials in patients with SLE during the entire course of the disease.
Rituximab of Little Help for Patients with Relapsing Polychondritis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In a small, retrospective study, rituximab treatment did not produce meaningful improvement.
Concomitant Management of Depression and Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An intensive, combined approach was more effective than usual care, but absolute response rates were still modest.
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.
Briefly Noted
Counseling patients at risk for melanoma, factors associated with malignancy in dermatomyositis, guidelines for safe use of methotrexate for psoriasis, and a new TNF-
