Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation Is Common in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
An implantable loop recorder established new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation in 25% of patients with cryptogenic stroke.
By Hooman Kamel, MD
April 30, 2013
Covering:
Cotter PE et al., Neurology 2013 Apr 23; 80:1546
FDA Lowers Age Restriction on Plan B One-Step
Women's Health News in Context
Decision makes EC available without prescription (but with proof of age) to women aged 15 and older.
Has the "Breast Is Best" Campaign Gone Too Far?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
A physician's personal experience illustrates the shame and guilt that policies promoting breast-feeding can cause.
Predicting Medication Response in Older Depressed Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Duration of illness is the largest moderator of response.
By Joel Yager, MD
April 29, 2013
Covering:
Nelson JC et al., Am J Psychiatry 2013 Apr 19
Coccidioidomycosis on the Rise
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Incidence of this endemic fungal disease increased eight-fold between 1995 and 2011.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
April 3, 2013
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Moral Wkly Rep 2013 Mar 29
Combination Therapy for Cryptococcal Meningitis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
The probability of survival was significantly higher with amphotericin B plus flucytosine than with amphotericin B alone.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
April 3, 2013
Covering:
Day JN et al., N Engl J Med 2013 Apr 4; 368:1291
Perfect JR., N Engl J Med 2013 Apr 4; 368:1354
Allergic Contact Dermatitis of the Vulva
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Patients may need to be asked about use of potentially allergenic products.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
April 5, 2013
Covering:
O'Gorman SM and Torgerson RR., Dermatitis 2013 Mar; 24:64
A Calculator to Estimate Risks and Benefits of Low-Dose Aspirin
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A new tool aids clinicians in deciding whether or not to prescribe LDA.
Rituximab for Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia
Adding rituximab to dexamethasone for patients with newly diagnosed ITP improved treatment response but increased the rate of serious adverse events.
By David Green, MD, PhD
March 26, 2013
Covering:
Gudbrandsdottir S et al., Blood 2013 Mar 14; 121:1976
More Evidence that Colonoscopy Prevents Colorectal Cancer
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Another observational study supports the effectiveness of screening colonoscopy – in both the left and right colon.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
March 22, 2013
Covering:
Doubeni CA et al., Ann Intern Med 2013 Mar 5; 158:312
Most OB/GYNs Perform Pelvic Examinations Routinely
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Nearly all survey respondents would do bimanual pelvic examinations on healthy, asymptomatic women who do not need Pap smears.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
March 14, 2013
Covering:
Henderson JT et al., Am J Obstet Gyn 2013 Feb; 208:109
Bump RC., Am J Obstet Gyn 2013 Feb; 208:91
Prescriber-Dependent Antibiotic Treatment Course: Best for the Patient?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A population-based survey of long-term care facilities indicates that antibiotic duration is based on physician preference rather than patient treatment needs.
Managing Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer Patients
Oncology and Hematology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
A summary of new guidelines for prevention and treatment
By David Green, MD, PhD
February 5, 2013
Covering:
Farge D et al., J Thromb Haemost 2013 Jan; 11:56
Debourdeau P et al., J Thromb Haemost 2013 Jan; 11:71
HSV-1 Infection More Common Than HSV-2 — and Now Often Genital
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a prospective study involving HSV-seronegative women, incidence of HSV-1 infection was more than double that of HSV-2 infection; most symptomatic HSV-1 infections were genital.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 20, 2013
Covering:
Bernstein DI et al., Clin Infect Dis 2013 Feb 1; 56:344
Whitley RJ., Clin Infect Dis 2013 Feb 1; 56:352
A Magnetic Sphincter Device Shows Promise for GERD
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Esophageal acid exposure was significantly reduced in 64% of patients who had the device surgically implanted.
By David A. Johnson, MD
February 20, 2013
Covering:
Ganz RA et al., N Engl J Med 2013 Feb 21; 368:719
New Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines Released
Emergency Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
These updated guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock are based on broad agreement among a large group of international experts.
Adalimumab a "Proven" Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Weekly treatment produced a small but statistically significant improvement in moderate to severe disease.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
December 21, 2012
Covering:
Kimball AB et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Dec 18; 157:846
Time to Rethink Our Assumptions About ICP Monitoring for TBI
Neurology Summary and Comment
A randomized trial finds no benefit from therapy guided by intracranial pressure monitoring rather than clinical and radiographic signs.
By Hooman Kamel, MD
December 21, 2012
Covering:
Chesnut RM et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Dec 12
What Pediatric Providers Know About Concussions
Many lack adequate training or tools to systematically diagnose and manage children with such injuries.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
December 19, 2012
Covering:
Zonfrillo MR et al., Pediatrics 2012 Dec; 130:1120
Isolated Hepatitis B Core Antibody: A Step Closer to Understanding this Enigmatic Profile
This serologic pattern is associated with HIV or hepatitis C virus infection and is usually a persistent finding.
A Clinical Scoring System for Predicting Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
The negative predictive value of a low probability 4Ts score was 0.998.
After a Negative Screening Colonoscopy, Switch to Other Testing?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A simulation model suggests that such a switch could be as effective as colonoscopy — with lower cost and risk for complications.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
November 30, 2012
Covering:
Knudsen AB et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Nov 6; 157:611
Use of Screening Upper Endoscopy in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Best Practices
Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
New guidance from the American College of Physicians aims to prevent unnecessary procedures and their associated complications and costs.
By David A. Johnson, MD
December 7, 2012
Covering:
Shaheen NJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Dec 4; 157:808
Allen JI., Ann Intern Med 2012 Dec 4; 157:827
Guidelines for the Evaluation of Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
New recommendations help clinicians to select procedures for diagnosis and risk assessment based on individual patient characteristics.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
December 12, 2012
Covering:
Fihn SD et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2012 Nov 19
Updated Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Bell Palsy
Neurology Summary and Comment
New American Academy of Neurology guidelines provide more-definitive advice.
