Why Do Obese Men Have Lower PSA Concentrations?
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Hypotheses include lower androgenic activity or hemodilution caused by larger plasma volumes.
Weight, Mortality, and Disability
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Underweight and overweight are associated with specific mortality patterns, but the disability burden of obesity is probably more important.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
November 15, 2007
Covering:
Flegal KM et al., JAMA 2007 Nov 7; 298:2028
Alley DE and Chang VW., JAMA 2007 Nov 7; 298:2020
Gregg EW and Guralnik JM., JAMA 2007 Nov 7; 298:2066
Another Novel Approach to Avoiding Fat and Bulking Up
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Low-magnitude, high-frequency vibration can prevent stem cells from becoming adipocytes — in mice.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
November 15, 2007
Covering:
Rubin CT et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007 Nov 6; 104:17879
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Diabetes, and Obesity
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Obese diabetic women were at highest risk for pelvic floor disorders.
Vitamin E and Venous Thromboembolism
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Finally, there’s a reason to take vitamin E.
How Are GER and Metabolic Syndrome Related?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Univariate analysis shows that the prevalence of GER rises with increases in BMI, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and fasting blood glucose levels.
By David A. Johnson, MD
November 2, 2007
Covering:
Moki F et al., Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2007 Oct 1; 26:1069
Artificial Food Additives and Hyperactivity: Was Feingold Right?
Artificial food colorings and sodium benzoate increased hyperactive behavior in a community sample of preschool and school-aged children.
Coronary Heart Disease Linked to Colorectal Tumors
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Evidence from a prospective study implicates common risk factors, notably metabolic syndrome and smoking.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce the Risk for Islet Cell Decline in Children
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Analyses of intake and biomarker data strengthen the evidence for a protective effect against type I diabetes.
Weight Control and Bone Density During the Menopausal Transition
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A healthful diet and exercise program has a downside: loss in BMD.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
October 30, 2007
Covering:
Park HA et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007 Oct; 92:3809
Effect of Immunosuppressants on Antibodies to Infliximab
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Methotrexate and azathioprine are equally effective at lowering risk for development of antibodies.
Eating Disorders in Early Pregnancy
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Most remit, but incidence of binge-eating disorder increases.
Predicting Postoperative Mortality in Gastric Bypass Surgery
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Clinicians may find this scoring system helpful when counseling patients considering bypass surgery.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 11, 2007
Covering:
DeMaria EJ et al., Ann Surg 2007 Oct; 246:578
Is Adiposity in Women a Risk Factor for Psoriasis?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Weight gain and multiple measures of adiposity were strong risk factors for incident psoriasis in women.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
October 11, 2007
Covering:
Setty AR et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Aug 13/27; 167:1670
Metabolic Syndrome, Schizophrenia Treatment, and a Possible Vulnerability Factor
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Risk for the metabolic syndrome increased in treated patients who had one of three polymorphisms encoding the serotonin 2C receptor.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
October 5, 2007
Covering:
Mulder H et al., J Clin Psychopharmacol 2007 Aug; 27:338
Fructose Absorption in Healthy Adults
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Normal healthy adults can absorb 25-g bolus doses of fructose, but not 50-g doses, so a 25-g dose is suggested for identifying patients with fructose malabsorption.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
September 28, 2007
Covering:
Rao SSC et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007 Aug; 5:959
Vitamins C and E and Beta Carotene Do Not Prevent Cardiovascular Events in Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Still no benefit from these antioxidants alone or combined
Fitness, Obesity, and Insulin Resistance
Exercise decreased insulin resistance despite no changes in fat or lean body mass.
A Link Between Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Celiac Disease?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a case series of 17 children with EoE, 6 had celiac disease; after switching to gluten-free diets, all 6 had complete resolution of their presenting EoE complaints.
By David A. Johnson, MD
September 21, 2007
Covering:
Quaglietta L et al., Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2007 Aug 1; 26:487
Cutting Calories Surgically
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Patients who underwent bariatric surgery experienced long-term weight loss with lower overall mortality.
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
September 20, 2007
Covering:
Sjöström L et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Aug 23; 357:741
Gastric Bypass Surgery and Long-Term Mortality
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In patients with severe obesity, gastric bypass surgery significantly reduced the long-term likelihood of death.
Dietary Habits Could Affect Risk for Colorectal Cancer Recurrence
In a large study, a diet that included high fat and sugar content was associated with risk for colorectal cancer recurrence.
Probiotics Prevent C. difficile Diarrhea
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Low-cost prophylactic interventions are becoming more important as the <$EMPH_O>C. difficile<$EMPH_C> infection rate rises.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
September 7, 2007
Covering:
Hickson M et al., BMJ 2007 Jul 14; 335:80
Abdominal Circumference and BE
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a case-control study, larger abdominal circumference (adjusted for BMI) was associated modestly with greater risk for Barrett esophagus.
By David A. Johnson, MD
August 30, 2007
Covering:
Corley DA et al., Gastroenterology 2007 Jul; 133:34-41
Maternal Obesity Increases Risk for Birth Defects
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Maternal obesity and overweight increased risk for many birth defects, but obesity decreased risk for gastroschisis.
