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
Cardiovascular Risk and Calcium Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Calcium supplementation might raise, rather than lower, cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
February 19, 2008
Covering:
Bolland MJ et al., BMJ 2008 Feb 2; 336:262
Healthcare Expenditures for Back and Neck Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The costs of treating neck and back and neck pain are high and are increasing, without a corresponding apparent functional benefit.
Bedtime Dose of Modified-Release Prednisone Reduces Morning Arthritis Stiffness
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Modified-release prednisone offered greater relief of morning stiffness and no greater risk than immediate-release prednisone.
Falling Through the Cracks: Can Depression Affect BMD?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women with MDD had lower BMD and higher pro-inflammatory cytokine levels than did women without depression.
Injectable Progestins and Bone Loss: Is It Reversible?
Bone loss observed during DMPA contraceptive use was completely reversed several years after cessation of use.
Vitamin D Compounds Have Uncertain Benefit in Kidney Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Results of a meta-analysis indicate that efficacy is unproven.
One Vertebral Fracture Forecasts Another
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women with a current vertebral fracture and osteoporosis had more than 50% absolute risk for another vertebral fracture within 15 years.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
January 17, 2008
Covering:
Cauley JA et al., JAMA 2007 Dec 19; 298:2761
