Steroid Dependency in Children with IBD
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Findings from two prospective studies support a top-down approach to treating moderate-to-severe IBD in pediatric patients.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
December 22, 2006
Covering:
Hyams J et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006 Sep; 4:1118-23
Markowitz J et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006 Sep; 4:1124-9
Breast Milk Is Best
. . . but fortification makes it better.
By William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
December 20, 2006
Covering:
Arslanoglu S et al., J Perinatol 2006 Oct; 26:614-21
Vitamin D: Protective Effect Against Multiple Sclerosis?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
High serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with lower risk for MS in whites.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
December 19, 2006
Covering:
Munger KL et al., JAMA 2006 Dec 20; 296:2832-8
Cannabinoid-Receptor–Blocker Appears to Reduce Weight and Lower HbA1c in Diabetics
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
With rimonabant, patients reduced weight and cardiovascular risk factors.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
December 19, 2006
Covering:
Scheen AJ et al., Lancet 2006 Nov 11; 368:1660-72
The Effect of Maternal Weight Loss from Obesity Surgery on Obesity in Offspring
Children born after maternal obesity surgery had lower obesity rates than those born before surgery.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
December 13, 2006
Covering:
Kral JG et al., Pediatrics 2006 Dec; 118:e1644-9
Obesity and Diabetes Are Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Both overweight status and DM were associated independently with HCC in patients with cirrhosis.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
December 8, 2006
Covering:
N’Kontchou G et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006 Aug; 4:1062-8
Vitamin D and Statins: Is There a Connection?
Neurology Summary and Comment
It’s time to test the hypothesis that statins act via vitamin D receptors.
By Michael F. Holick, MD, PhD
December 5, 2006
Covering:
Grimes DS., Lancet 2006 Jul 1; 368:83-6
Low-Carbohydrate Diets and Coronary Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An analysis from the Nurses’ Health Study suggests that low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein diets do not increase coronary risk.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 14, 2006
Covering:
Halton TL et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Nov 9; 355:1991-2002
Fish Intake: Benefits vs. Risks
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A large systematic review documents far greater benefits than risks, with caveats for certain vulnerable groups.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
November 8, 2006
Covering:
Mozaffarian D and Rimm EB., JAMA 2006 Oct 18; 296:1885-99
No CHD Risk Increase or Reduction with a Low-Carb Diet in Women
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Nurses’ Health Study data suggest that the carbohydrate content of a diet is neither an independent risk factor for, nor a protector from, coronary heart disease.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
November 8, 2006
Covering:
Halton TL et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Nov 9; 355:1991-2002
Celiac Disease and TB Risk
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Using data from Swedish national registers, researchers showed a strong association between celiac disease and TB, but the mechanism remains unclear.
By Thomas Glück, MD
November 8, 2006
Covering:
Ludvigsson JF et al., Thorax 2006 Oct 17
Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Adolescents
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Researchers in an epidemiologic study find links between sleep-disordered breathing and ADHD, inattentive type.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
November 6, 2006
Covering:
Johnson EO and Roth T., Sleep 2006 Sep 1; 29:1135-42
High Numbers of Physically Unfit Adolescents
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An assessment of data from the NHANES suggests that one third of U.S. youths are physically unfit.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
October 31, 2006
Covering:
Pate RR et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006 Oct; 160:1005-12
Can Dementia Be Predicted 20 Years in Advance?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Researchers aimed to develop a simple method to predict risk for late-life dementia in middle-aged people.
By Philip B. Gorelick, MD, MPH
October 31, 2006
Covering:
Kivipelto M et al., Lancet Neurol 2006 Sep; 5:735-41
Health Food? Let the Buyer Beware!
Avoid unpasteurized products, keep perishable foods cold until eaten, clean fresh fruits and vegetables before consumption, and clean contaminated surfaces.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
October 18, 2006
Covering:
Comparison of Strategies to Maintain Weight Loss
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Individual weigh-ins and group sessions led to the least amount of weight gain.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Wing RR et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Oct 12; 355:1563-71
Adolescent Obesity and Premature Death: How Do We Reduce the Risk?
Obese adolescents can lose weight if they remain in therapy and take their medicine.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 11, 2006
Covering:
van Dam RM et al., Ann Intern Med 2006 Jul 18; 145:91-7
Berkowitz RI et al., Ann Intern Med 2006 Jul 18; 145:81-90
Maintaining Weight Loss Through Self-Regulation
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Face-to-face and Internet-based interventions were compared in a rigorous randomized controlled trial lasting 18 months.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Wing RR et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Oct 12; 355:1563-71
Preventing Progression from Impaired Glucose Tolerance to Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Overweight patients with impaired glucose tolerance lowered their absolute 3-year risk for diabetes from about 35% to 15% by losing 5 kg.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 5, 2006
Covering:
Hamman RF et al., Diabetes Care 2006 Sep; 29:2102-7
Inadequate Secondary Prevention After Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Secondary prevention efforts are inadequate despite the high risk for secondary cardiovascular events among survivors of either myocardial infarction or stroke.
By Adnan I. Qureshi, MD
October 3, 2006
Covering:
Cheng E et al., Cerebrovasc Dis 2006 Mar; 21:235-41
Dietary Supplements and Prevention of Chronic Disease: Insufficient Evidence
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Findings from an NIH state-of-the-science conference on multivitamin/mineral supplements and chronic disease prevention
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
September 28, 2006
Covering:
NIH State-of-the-Science Panel., Ann Intern Med 2006 Sep 5; 145:364-71
Huang H-Y et al., Ann Intern Med 2006 Sep 5; 145:372-85
Health Benefits of Green Tea
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Green tea consumption was inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
September 28, 2006
Covering:
Kuriyama S et al., JAMA 2006 Sep 13; 296:1255-65
A Mixed Report Card on Adolescent Health
The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System tracks the health of the nation’s adolescents.
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP
September 20, 2006
Covering:
Eaton DK et al., MMWR Surveill Summ 2006 Jun 9; 55:1-108
Kids Need More Exercise. What Role Should Schools Play?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
New AHA recommendations challenge schools to play an active role in meeting guideline standards for childhood physical activity, and a new study urges us to exceed those standards.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
September 20, 2006
Covering:
Pate RR et al., Circulation 2006 Sep 12; 114:1214-24
Andersen LB et al., Lancet 2006 Jul 22; 368:299-304
Obesity Is Risky. What About Being Merely Overweight?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Observational data suggest that mortality risk starts to increase at a BMI below the threshold for obesity, at least based on self-reported weight at age 50.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
September 20, 2006
Covering:
Adams KF et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Aug 24; 355:763-78
