Virus Sequestered in the CNS May Cause Substantial Damage
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
A small case series casts HIV as a central nervous system pathogen, even when plasma virus has disappeared.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
September 24, 2012
Covering:
Peluso MJ et al., AIDS 2012 Sep 10; 26:1765
Sleep and Working Memory in Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Slow-wave sleep may be an important modulator of dopamine-related improvement in working memory among patients with PD.
By Jennifer Rose V. Molano, MD
September 25, 2012
Covering:
Scullin MK et al., Brain 2012 Sep; 135:2789
Version of Generic Wellbutrin Withdrawn from the Market
A generic version of bupropion, distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals as Budeprion XL 300 mg, has been pulled from the market after an FDA analysis found...
Is Working Too Hard Really Bad for Your Heart?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A collaborative meta-analysis suggests that the effect is real but smaller than previously thought.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
September 19, 2012
Covering:
Kivimäki M et al., Lancet 2012 Sep 14
Pharma's Image Problem
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Practicing internists accurately assess the methodological rigor of clinical trials but discount the findings of those that are industry-funded.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
September 19, 2012
Covering:
Kesselheim AS et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Sep 20; 367:1119
Drazen JM., N Engl J Med 2012 Sep 20; 367:1152
CSF Panel Analysis for Diagnosis of Dementia and Parkinsonian Disorders
Neurology Summary and Comment
A panel of five markers was useful in distinguishing among various dementing and parkinsonian diseases in a clinic-based patient sample.
USPSTF Draft Recommendation: Clinicians Should Screen Adults for Alcohol Misuse, Provide Behavioral Counseling
Primary care clinicians should screen adults for risky drinking behaviors and offer brief behavioral counseling interventions to those who screen positive (grade B recommendation), according...
Bringing Depression in Reproductive-Aged Women out of the Shadows
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Among the 10% of pregnant and nonpregnant women who reported symptoms of a past-year major depressive episode, the disorder was undiagnosed in almost 60%.
Declining Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students
... but as many as 23% still report smoking.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
September 5, 2012
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012 Aug 10; 61:581
Causal Link Established Between Violent or Inappropriate Media and Sleep Problems in Preschoolers
In a randomized study, an intervention that encouraged educational and prosocial content was associated with improved sleep.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
September 5, 2012
Covering:
Garrison MM and Christakis DA., Pediatrics 2012 Sep; 130:492
Burnout Is More Common Among Physicians Than in the U.S. General Population
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Burnout rates are high in family medicine, internal medicine, and emergency medicine.
Ginkgo Biloba: No-Go for Alzheimer's Prevention
Another large trial shows no benefit from ginkgo biloba extract in preventing Alzheimer disease, researchers report in the Lancet Neurology .
Nearly 2900 older adults without...
Tracking Cognitive Function After Cardiac Surgery
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients who develop delirium after cardiac surgery experience slower return to their preoperative cognitive level of function.
American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report on Psychological Maltreatment
This report updates current knowledge and approaches to psychological maltreatment.
Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Autoimmunity and Chronic Pain
Neurology Summary and Comment
Identification of a link with voltage-gated potassium channel autoimmunity opens a promising avenue for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain.
By Jaime Toro, MD
August 28, 2012
Covering:
Klein CJ et al., Neurology 2012 Aug 15
Do Migraines Affect Cognition?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In older women, migraines were not associated with cognitive decline.
Findings of Nonaccidental Trauma in Household Contacts of Physically Abused Children
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Young children sharing households with physically abused children had a high incidence of fractures identified on skeletal survey.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
August 24, 2012
Covering:
Lindberg DM et al., Pediatrics 2012 Aug; 130:193
What Findings Signal Abusive Head Trauma in Young Children?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
In a meta-analysis, factors associated with abusive head trauma included inadequate history to explain the injury, retinal hemorrhage, metaphyseal fracture, and seizure within 24 hours of presentation.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
August 24, 2012
Covering:
Piteau SJ et al., Pediatrics 2012 Aug; 130:315
Psychological Distress Is Associated with Mortality Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk for death increased in a dose-response manner.
Symptomatic Iron Deficiency Without Anemia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Oral iron improved fatigue symptoms in nonanemic menstruating women with low ferritin levels.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 23, 2012
Covering:
Vaucher P et al., CMAJ 2012 Aug 7; 184:1247
Medicaid Expansion Appears to Lower 5-Year Mortality
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Data hint that bolstering the system benefits even those already enrolled.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
August 21, 2012
Covering:
Sommers BD et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jul 25
Long-Term Effects of Corporal Punishment
Adults who reported harsh physical punishment during childhood had significantly greater risk for lifetime adult mental disorders.
Elevated Risk for Victimization in Children with Disabilities
Children with mental or intellectual disabilities are at highest risk.
Sedentary Behavior Is Linked to Shorter Life Expectancy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Sitting daily for <3 hours and watching TV for <2 hours extends life expectancy by an estimated 1 to 2 years.
Escitalopram Prevents Interferon-α–Associated Depression
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In patients with hepatitis C infections and without histories of depression, escitalopram was safe and effective.
