A Genetic Predictor of Antipsychotic-Associated Weight Gain in Children and Adults
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Homozygosity for a minor-allele polymorphism was strongly associated with severe weight gain after 12 weeks of treatment with atypical antipsychotics.
By Barbara Geller, MD
June 4, 2012
Covering:
Malhotra AK et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2012 May 7
Lifestyle Modification and Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Written lifestyle advice is effective as an adjunctive intervention for depression.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
June 4, 2012
Covering:
García-Toro M et al., J Affect Disord 2012 Apr 18
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Lack of benefit in recent studies could reflect greater use of other preventive strategies.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
May 24, 2012
Covering:
Kwak SM et al., Arch Intern Med 2012 May 14; 172:686
Hu FB and Manson JE., Arch Intern Med 2012 May 14; 172:694
BMI Associated with Lumbar Disk Degeneration
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The findings help explain the link between obesity and low back pain.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 24, 2012
Covering:
Samartzis D et al., Arthritis Rheum 2012 May; 64:1488
Maternal Obesity May Increase Risk for Autism
More evidence that maternal metabolic conditions during pregnancy are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
May 16, 2012
Covering:
Krakowiak P et al., Pediatrics 2012 May; 129:e1121
Eating Certain Fish Might Prevent Liver Cancer
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a large prospective study in Japan, higher consumption of fish with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids translated to lower risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Risk Factors for Clinical Failure in Cellulitis and Skin Abscess
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Hospitalized patients with obesity may experience clinical failure because of inadequate antibiotic dosing.
The Higher the Body-Mass Index, the Higher the Risk for Adenoma
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A 5-unit increase in BMI was associated with a 19% increased risk for colorectal adenoma.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
April 27, 2012
Covering:
Ben Q et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Apr; 142:762
In Alzheimer Disease, Antioxidants Hurt
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Antioxidants do not improve AD biomarkers and adversely affect cognition.
Do School Bans Lower Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption?
Bans lowered only in-school consumption but not overall consumption.
Revisiting Variability in Measurement of Vitamin D Levels
General Medicine Summary and Comment
On average, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels differed by 5 ng/mL across two assays.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 10, 2012
Covering:
Barake M et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012 Mar; 97:835
Sleep Apnea — Another Risk Factor for the Development of Psoriasis?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Despite the finding of a significant relationship, the magnitude of risk was low and some questions remain.
Dietary Fiber and Diverticulosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Study findings challenge the common view that fiber intake protects against diverticulosis.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 5, 2012
Covering:
Peery AF et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Feb; 142:266
Few Americans Meet Goals for Cardiovascular Health
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Healthy behaviors are significantly associated with decreased mortality, but recent decades have seen little progress toward improving those behaviors.
High Intake of White Rice Associated with Excess Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This finding was particularly marked in Asian populations.
Bariatric Surgery as a Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes in Obese Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Many patients achieved diabetic remission during the first 2 years of follow-up.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Schauer PR et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 26
Mingrone G et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 26
Failure to Thrive in Infants with Complex Facial Hemangiomas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Close monitoring for failure to thrive and early intervention are recommended for infants with complex, ulcerated, perioral, or airway hemangiomas.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
March 23, 2012
Covering:
Thomas MW et al., Pediatr Dermatol 2012 Jan/Feb; 29:49
Fitness and Overweight: How Do They Contribute to Cardiovascular Risk?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Improvements in one measure somewhat — but not completely — offset deteriorations in the other.
Gastrostomy Tube Feeding in Children with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Dermatology Summary and Comment
GTF should be started before onset of malnutrition to optimize surgical outcome and catch-up growth and enable pubertal development.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
March 16, 2012
Covering:
Colomb V et al., Br J Derm 2012 Feb; 166:354
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation in Older Adults
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A randomized trial found no effect on cancer or vascular mortality.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 13, 2012
Covering:
Avenell A et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012 Feb; 97:614
Pasteurization Still Makes a Difference
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Unpasteurized milk and cheese cause many more infectious outbreaks than pasteurized products.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 6, 2012
Covering:
Langer AJ et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2012 Mar; 18:385
Synergistic Effect of Maternal Smoking and Obesity on Birth Defects
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Offspring of obese women who smoke during pregnancy face particularly high risk for congenital heart anomalies.
Another Molecular Clue About Exercise's Power to Combat Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Exercising muscle produces irisin, which converts calorie-storing white fat cells into calorie-burning brown fat cells.
Lactose Malabsorption in Children Is Not Associated with Lower Calcium Intake or Bone Mass
Lactose absorbers and malabsorbers have the same calcium intake and bone density.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
February 22, 2012
Covering:
da Silva Medeiros LC et al., J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2012 Feb; 54:204
Fried-Food Consumption Not Linked to Heart Disease or Death
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The type of oil used for frying (olive versus sunflower) did not influence the findings.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
February 21, 2012
Covering:
Guallar-Castillón P et al., BMJ 2012 Jan 24; 344:e363
Leitzmann MF and Kurth T., BMJ 2012 Jan 24; 344:d8274
