Scalp Dysesthesia: Think of Cervical Spine Disease
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Abnormal sensations above may be rooted in problems below.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
April 19, 2013
Covering:
Thornsberry LA and English JC III., JAMA Dermatol 2013 Feb; 149:200
Excess Risk for Hip Fracture Among Nursing Home Residents Who Take Nonbenzodiazepine Hypnotics
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk was particularly elevated among new users.
DMPA and Bone Health: Settling a Fractious Issue
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Large retrospective cohort study shows DMPA use did not raise fracture risk.
High Calcium Intake Is Associated with Earlier Mortality in Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Higher death rates occurred with daily intakes exceeding 1400 mg.
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation in Women: Making Sense of Conflicting Data
Most women should strive to eat a diet rich in these nutrients and consider supplements only if necessary to meet the RDA.
By JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH, and Shari S. Bassuk, ScD
February 28, 2013
Vitamin D and Calcium: What Women Need at Midlife and After
Women's Health Patient Information
Both nutrients are important for bone health.
High Supplemental Calcium Intake Is Associated with Cardiovascular Death
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But elevated risk was only in men and only for death from heart disease.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
February 26, 2013
Covering:
Xiao Q et al., JAMA Intern Med 2013 Feb 4
Larsson SC., JAMA Intern Med 2013 Feb 4
No Link Between Bisphosphonate Use and Gastrointestinal Cancers
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In case-control studies, bisphosphonate use of any dose did not confer risk.
No Benefit of Vitamin D Supplementation for Knee Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A 2-year study might have been too short, but results still are discouraging.
Does Calcium Consumption Improve Bone Density in Elders?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A study among older adults showed no clear relation between calcium intake and bone density.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 3, 2013
Covering:
Anderson JJB et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012 Dec; 97:4531
Bisphosphonate-Associated Atypical Femur Fractures: A Case Series
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Index fractures occurred after a mean 9 years of bisphosphonate therapy.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 3, 2013
Covering:
Schneider JP et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012 Dec; 97:4324
Use of Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty Declined in 2010
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Negative randomized trials might explain the decrease.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 3, 2013
Covering:
Long SS et al., AJR Am J Roentgenol 2012 Dec; 199:1358
When to Repeat Bone-Density Testing Depends on Initial T Score
For women with normal bone-density scores, 10 to 15 years seems to be appropriate.
Epidural Corticosteroid Injections for Sciatica
An outbreak of fungal meningitis and data showing limited efficacy should dampen enthusiasm for this procedure.
Meta-Analysis of Epidural Corticosteroid Injections for Sciatica
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
No long-term benefit was found for leg pain, disability, or back pain.
Public Health Approach to Vitamin D Deficiency
A British universal campaign reduced symptomatic vitamin D deficiency and increased public awareness.
Retrospective Review of Children with Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis
Most patients were girls with multifocal recurrent disease and family history of autoimmune disease.
Once-Yearly Zoledronic Acid for Men with Osteoporosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This drug lowered the incidence of radiographic, but not clinical, vertebral fractures.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 13, 2012
Covering:
Boonen S et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Nov 1; 367:1714
USPSTF Recommends That Menopausal Hormone Therapy Not Be Used to Prevent Chronic Conditions
Women's Health Practice Watch
Notwithstanding this guidance, HT's role in averting osteoporosis should not be overlooked.
Vitamin D's Effect on Calcium Absorption
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Supplemental vitamin D enhanced calcium absorption very little among women with mild vitamin D insufficiency.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 18, 2012
Covering:
Gallagher JC et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012 Oct; 97:3550
Voriconazole Associated with High Serum Fluoride and Bone Disease
Patients with hematologic malignancies who received long-term voriconazole developed bone pain and periostitis.
Long-Term PPI Use Does Not Accelerate Loss of Bone Mineral Density
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Proton-pump inhibitor users had lower bone mineral density values than nonusers at study entry, but there was no difference in bone mineral density changes during the next 10 years.
Does Moderate Drinking Harden Bones?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Short-term abstention and resumption of alcohol intake affected markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women.
MRI Abnormalities Are Found in Most Older Adults' Knees
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Magnetic resonance imaging detected features of osteoarthritis in 90% of people without knee pain or radiographic evidence of OA.
Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Reduce Depression Risk in Older Women
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Results from a very large, population-based, randomized study
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
August 30, 2012
Covering:
Bertone-Johnson ER et al., Am J Epidemiol 2012 Jul 1; 176:1
