Physical Activity: Good for Bone Health in Young Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Physically active children accrued 5% more whole-body bone-mineral content than did their inactive peers.
By Robert Dershewitz, MD, MSc
June 30, 2006
Covering:
Janz KF et al., J Pediatr 2006 Jun; 148:793-9
Transdermal Fentanyl for Severe Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
This opioid is a treatment option for patients with severe knee or hip osteoarthritis, but side effects are common.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 4, 2006
Covering:
Langford R et al., Arthritis Rheum 2006 Jun; 54:1829-37
Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a small randomized trial, symptom scores were significantly better with acupuncture than with a sham procedure.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 4, 2006
Covering:
Martin DP et al., Mayo Clin Proc 2006 Jun; 81:749-57
Casting Is Overkill for Wrist Buckle Fractures
Children with buckle fractures who received removable splints were able to return to normal activities sooner than children who received standard casts.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
May 26, 2006
Covering:
Plint AC et al., Pediatrics 2006 Mar; 117:691-7
Neonatal Injury: Don’t Get the Shoulder Stuck
Maternal obesity, large newborn size, and a second stage of labor longer than 20 minutes increase the risk for neonatal injury from shoulder dystocia.
By William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
May 26, 2006
Covering:
Mehta SH et al., J Perinatol 2006 Feb; 26:85-8
Ruling Out Bony and Ligamentous Cervical Injury in Obtunded Patients
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The combination of CT plus MRI shows promise.
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
May 23, 2006
Covering:
Stassen NA et al., J Trauma 2006 Jan; 60:171-7
Don't Delay Surgery After Hip Fracture
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Patients who did not receive surgery within 24 hours of hip fracture had higher mortality rates.
By Keith I. Marton, MD
May 19, 2006
Covering:
Bottle A and Aylin P., BMJ 2006 Apr 22; 332:947-51
More About Cardiovascular Risk with NSAIDs and COX-2 Inhibitors
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Consistent with randomized trials, this observational study showed that rofecoxib use increased risk for MI and stroke.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 12, 2006
Covering:
Solomon DH et al., Arthritis Rheum 2006 May; 54:1378-89
Adrenal Suppression with Low-Dose Steroids
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Absolute levels of plasma cortisol were somewhat suppressed by low-dose prednisolone or budesonide.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 12, 2006
Covering:
Kirwan JR et al., Arthritis Rheum 2006 May; 54:1415-21
Prednisone for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Radiographic Follow-Up
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Benefits from low-dose steroid therapy might persist for several years after therapy ends.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 12, 2006
Covering:
Jacobs JW et al., Arthritis Rheum 2006 May; 54:1422-8
Rheumatic Fever: Less Frequent, But Not Gone!
The reduced incidence may be partly explained by a decreased incidence of rheumatogenic strains and an increased incidence of nonrheumatogenic strains of group A streptococcus.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
April 21, 2006
Covering:
Shulman ST et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Feb 15; 42:441-7
More Data on Thalidomide for Multiple Myeloma
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In two studies, thalidomide recipients experienced significantly higher rates of complete or partial response than did patients who received no thalidomide.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 18, 2006
Covering:
Palumbo A et al., Lancet 2006 Mar 11; 367:825-31
Barlogie B et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Mar 9; 354:1021-30
HIV Infection and Reduced Bone-Mineral Density in Women
In a cross-sectional analysis, HIV-positive women had lower bone-mineral density than HIV-negative women; the difference was significant only in nonblack women.
By Judith Currier, MD, MSc
April 12, 2006
Covering:
Arnsten JH et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Apr 1; 42:1014-20
Yin MT and Glesby MJ., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Apr 1; 42:1021-3
Post-Hospitalization VTE after Hip or Knee Surgery
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Patients who have hip or knee surgery have an increased risk for venous thromboembolism in the 1 to 3 months after hospitalization.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 7, 2006
Covering:
Bjørnarå BT et al., J Bone Joint Surg Br 2006 Mar; 88:386-91
A New Approach to Treating Osteoporosis?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Denosumab injections every 3 or 6 months increased BMD among these postmenopausal women.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
April 4, 2006
Covering:
McClung MR et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 23; 354:821-31
Celecoxib and Cardiovascular Risk
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis points to increased MI risk associated with use of celecoxib, compared with placebo and other control treatments.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
March 30, 2006
Covering:
Caldwell B et al., J R Soc Med 2006 Mar; 99:132-40
Plain Radiography of the C-Spine: Are We Missing Something?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Many patients with c-spine fractures identified by plain radiography had additional injuries that were detected only by CT.
By Richard D. Zane, MD, FAAEM
March 28, 2006
Covering:
Barrett TW et al., Ann Emerg Med 2006 Feb; 47:129-33
Using Ottawa Ankle Rules at Triage Does Not Shorten Stay
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Initiating radiography at triage did not save time.
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
March 28, 2006
Covering:
Fan J and Woolfrey K., Acad Emerg Med 2006 Feb; 13:153-7
Bone Health Begins Early
Highlights from an AAP clinical report on bone health and calcium for infants, children, and adolescents.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
March 24, 2006
Covering:
Greer FR et al., Pediatrics 2006 Feb; 117:578-85
WOMEN’S HEALTH INITIATIVE UPDATE: Calcium, Vitamin D, and Risk for Fracture, Colorectal Cancer
Women's Health Practice Watch
Supplementation did not affect overall fracture or colorectal cancer risk, but reductions in hip fracture were noted in some subgroups.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 21, 2006
Covering:
Jackson RD et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 16; 354:669-83
Wactawski-Wende J et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 16; 354:684-96
Forman MR and Levin B., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 16; 354:752-4
Finkelstein JS., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 16; 354:750-2
Screening for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
We should recognize that information is lacking on whether key elements of the DDH screening process lead to better patient outcomes.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
March 21, 2006
Covering:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force., Pediatrics 2006 Mar; 117:898-902
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.,
Physical Demands in the Workplace and Long-Term Disability
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A small number of improvements in the physical work environment might reduce the likelihood of long-term disability.
By Keith I. Marton, MD
March 21, 2006
Covering:
Lund T et al., BMJ 2006 Feb 25; 332:449-51
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate for Knee Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate were ineffective overall, but conferred some benefit in a subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 28, 2006
Covering:
Clegg DO et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 23; 354:795-808
Hochberg MC., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 23; 354:858-60
MRI vs. Helical-CT for Detecting Cervical Ligamentous Injury
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
MRI is vastly superior to CT but less convenient in trauma patients.
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
February 28, 2006
Covering:
Diaz JJ Jr et al., J Trauma 2005 Oct; 59:897-903
Calcium plus Vitamin D — Little Effect on Fracture Rates
Gastroenterology General Medicine
A large trial from the Women's Health Initiative showed no significant effect on rates of hip and other fractures.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 28, 2006
Covering:
Jackson RD et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 16; 354:669-83
Finkelstein JS., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 16; 354:750-2
