Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers and Marfan Syndrome
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Results of a small, preliminary study of the effects of ARBs on abnormal aortic root enlargement are quite promising.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Young Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Suboptimal vitamin D levels were common in healthy infants and toddlers.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
June 24, 2008
Covering:
Gordon CM et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008 Jun; 162:505
Taylor JA., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008 Jun; 162:583
Is Congestive Heart Failure Triggered or Treated by Inhibition of TNF?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, especially those with highly active disease, are at high risk for development or worsening of heart failure.
By Deborah M. DeMarco, MD
June 24, 2008
Covering:
Listing J et al., Arthritis Rheum 2008 Mar; 58:667
Long-Term Clinical and Immunological Effects of Anti-CD20 Treatment in Refractory SLE
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Anti-CD20 treatment could be beneficial for treatment of patients with refractory lupus nephritis and autoimmune cytopenias.
By Deborah M. DeMarco, MD
June 24, 2008
Covering:
Lindholm C et al., J Rheumatol 2008 May; 35:826
Prednisolone Is as Effective as Naproxen for Acute Gout
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A 5-day course of oral prednisolone is a reasonable alternative to NSAIDs for treating patients with acute gouty arthritis.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
June 17, 2008
Covering:
Janssens HJEM et al., Lancet 2008 May 31; 371:1854
Impact of Antiepileptic Therapy on Bone-Mineral Density in Young Women
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Phenytoin — but not carbamazepine, lamotrigine, or valproate — reduced bone-mineral density at the femoral neck over a 1-year period.
By Carolyn B. Becker, MD
June 17, 2008
Covering:
Pack AM et al., Neurology 2008 Apr 29; 70:1586
Oral Prednisolone for Gout
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Oral prednisolone is as safe and effective as naproxen.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
June 13, 2008
Covering:
Janssens HJEM et al., Lancet 2008 May 31; 371:1854
Rainer TH and Graham CA., Lancet 2008 May 31; 371:1816
Guideline for Osteoporosis Screening in Men
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Testing is recommended for men at increased risk.
Alendronate and Atrial Fibrillation: Weighing Risks and Benefits
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women who ever used alendronate were at higher risk for atrial fibrillation.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
June 12, 2008
Covering:
Heckbert SR et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Apr 28; 168:826
Ustekinumab for Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
This human monoclonal antibody significantly improved PASI scores, but some questions about its use remain.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
May 30, 2008
Covering:
Leonardi CL et al., Lancet 2008 May 17; 371:1665
Papp KA et al., Lancet 2008 May 17; 371:1675
Bartlett BL and Tyring SK., Lancet 2008 May 17; 371:1639
Pregabalin Is Effective for Treatment of Fibromyalgia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Patients who received pregabalin had significant improvements in pain and sleep.
Are Low Vitamin D Levels Associated with Nonspecific Pain?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The results of two studies argue against any simple relation between diffuse pain and vitamin D deficiency.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 20, 2008
Covering:
Hicks GE et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2008 May; 56:785
Warner AE and Arnspiger SA., J Clin Rheumatol 2008 Feb; 14:12
Can’t Get a Break: Osteoporotic Fractures and Quality of Life
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Women with fragility fractures and inadequate osteoporosis treatment were at increased risk for another fracture within a year, with negative effects on quality of life.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
May 15, 2008
Covering:
Cooper C et al., Osteoporos Int 2008 Apr; 19:493
Thiazolidinediones and Risk for Fractures
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In an observational study, users of TZDs had higher risk for fractures than those taking other antidiabetes medications.
Alendronate and Risk for Atrial Fibrillation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Because of inconsistent results across several studies, it's still unclear whether oral bisphosphonates increase risk for atrial fibrillation.
Be Still My Heart — Bisphosphonates Not Linked to Arrhythmias
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Use of oral bisphosphonates did not increase risk for atrial fibrillation and flutter.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
April 17, 2008
Covering:
Sørensen HT et al., BMJ 2008 Apr 12; 336:813
Should We Be Concerned About Jaw Osteonecrosis with Oral Bisphosphonates?
BRONJ probably occurs rarely with oral bisphosphonate therapy, but the true incidence isn’t clear yet.
A New Approach to Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A new statistical model predicts 10-year risk for hip and other major fractures.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 8, 2008
Covering:
Tosteson ANA et al., Osteoporos Int 2008 Apr; 19:437
Dawson-Hughes B et al., Osteoporos Int 2008 Apr; 19:449
Siris E and Delmas PD., Osteoporos Int 2008 Apr; 19:383
Oral Bisphosphonates Do Not Increase Risk for Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A previous finding of increased risk for atrial fibrillation and flutter after IV bisphosphonate was not observed in orally treated patients.
Effect of Anastrozole on Bone-Mineral Density
Five years of anastrozole therapy did not lead to osteoporosis for any woman with normal BMD at baseline.
A Bad Break in Epilepsy?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Deficits in bone mineral density are found in children with epilepsy, and these deficits worsen as illness duration increases.
Healthcare Expenditures for Spine Problems Have Increased
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
At the same time, patient functioning has decreased.
Oral Bisphosphonates and Oral Health
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Oral BP administration was not associated with increased risk for ONJ.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
February 28, 2008
Covering:
Cartsos VM et al., J Am Dent Assoc 2008 Jan; 139:23
Grbic JT et al., J Am Dent Assoc 2008 Jan; 139:32
Glick M., J Am Dent Assoc 2008 Jan; 139:12
Does Bisphosphonate Use Cause Aseptic Osteonecrosis?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Although BP use seemed to be associated with aseptic osteonecrosis, cause and effect were not demonstrated.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
February 28, 2008
Covering:
Etminan M et al., J Rheumatol 2008 Jan 15
Spinal Stenosis: Surgical vs. Nonsurgical Therapy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Outcomes with surgery appeared to be superior, but several problematic aspects of this study preclude us from drawing definitive conclusions.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Weinstein JN et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 21; 358:794
