IDUs Benefit Fully from ART
Mortality curves after starting ART are similar for IDUs and non-IDUs.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
August 18, 2008
Covering:
Wood E et al., JAMA 2008 Aug 6; 300:550
Postdeployment Drinking
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A prospective study shows increased risks for alcohol problems after combat exposure.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
August 18, 2008
Covering:
Jacobson IG et al., JAMA 2008 Aug 13; 300:663
Corrigan JD and Cole TB., JAMA 2008 Aug 13; 300:720
A Rapid Qualitative Test for Ethylene Glycol
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The colorimetric test was 100% sensitive and 89% specific.
How to Adopt New Evidence-Based Practices
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This brief training can help.
Crack Cocaine Accelerates the Progression of HIV Disease
In a cohort of HIV-infected women, crack users had higher rates of new AIDS-defining illness and lower rates of 8-year survival than did nonusers.
Why Do You Think They Are Called Potheads?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Chronic heavy use is associated with low hippocampal volumes, psychopathology, and cognitive impairment.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
July 21, 2008
Covering:
Yücel M et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Jun; 65:694
Women, Men, Smoking, and Lung Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The association between smoking and lung cancer risk was equitable across the sexes.
Smoking Cessation and Mortality: Turning Back the Clock?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
At 20 years after quitting, past smokers' risk for death from all major causes was similar to that of never-smokers.
Brief Alcohol Counseling in the ED
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Brief counseling by an ED clinician was no more effective than scripted discharge instructions.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
June 19, 2008
Covering:
D’Onofrio G et al., Ann Emerg Med 2008 Jun; 51:742.e2
Bernstein E and Bernstein J., Ann Emerg Med 2008 Jun; 51:751
We Worry About Jaundice in Young Infants, but Maltreatment Is a Bigger Problem
Of 905,000 substantiated maltreatment cases in 2006, 10% were reports of nonfatal maltreatment in infants younger than 1 year.
By William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
June 4, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Apr 4; 57:336
Peer Supporters Might Prevent Onset of Smoking in Eighth-Graders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Training students to talk informally with their peers about smoking offers an innovative way to discourage teens from picking up the habit.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
May 27, 2008
Covering:
Campbell R et al., Lancet 2008 May 10; 371:1595
Mermelstein R., Lancet 2008 May 10; 371:1556
Management of Cocaine-Associated Chest Pain and MI
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The most important differences from management of non–cocaine-associated chest pain and MI are use of benzodiazepines and avoidance of beta-blockers for patients with hypertension and tachycardia.
Psychiatric Disorders in Combat Zone Veterans: What Mandatory Screens Can Find
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Postdeployment mental health screening results in high yields.
By Joel Yager, MD
May 12, 2008
Covering:
Seal KH et al., Am J Public Health 2008 Apr; 98:714
Smoking Prevention Intervention in Adolescents
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A specific provider- and peer-delivered intervention raised both continuing abstinence rates among nonsmokers and cessation rates among smokers.
Marijuana Use and Mortality After Myocardial Infarction
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An analysis suggests that marijuana use is associated with higher short-term risk for mortality in survivors of MI.
Nonmedical Use of Prescription Opioids
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An increasing problem in both adults and adolescents
By Deborah Cowley, MD
May 5, 2008
Covering:
Becker WC et al., Drug Alcohol Depend 2008 Apr 1; 94:38
Wu L-T et al., Drug Alcohol Depend 2008 Apr 1; 94:1
Guidelines: MI and Chest Pain Associated with Cocaine Use
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
A scientific statement summarizes urgent and nonurgent care of a subgroup of chest-pain patients with unique characteristics.
By Mark S. Link, MD
April 16, 2008
Covering:
McCord J et al., Circulation 2008 Apr 8; 117:1897
Possible New Treatment for Alcohol Dependence
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A drug that inactivates the neurokinin 1 receptor reduced cravings for alcohol.
Inappropriate Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal Is Common
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Care is poor, despite the existence of proven therapies.
Telling Smokers Their Lung Age Increases Their Likelihood of Quitting
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Expressing spirometry results as lung age is more effective than providing raw numbers.
New Treatment for Alcoholism?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A receptor antagonist that targets craving and stress has positive effects.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 24, 2008
Covering:
George DT et al., Science 2008 Mar 14; 319:1536
Increasing Amphetamine Abuse Among Pregnant Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Hospitalizations for amphetamine abuse in pregnant women have doubled and primarily occur in the western region of the U.S.
Cannabis Smoking Is Bad for Oral Health
Periodontal disease can now be added to the list of potential adverse effects of marijuana smoking.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
March 12, 2008
Covering:
Thomson WM et al., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:525
Hujoel PP., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:574
Torpy JM et al., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:598
Activated Charcoal Has No Benefit in Organophosphate Overdose
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
As with other types of overdose, activated charcoal fails to make a difference.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
March 7, 2008
Covering:
Eddleston M et al., Lancet 2008 Feb 16; 371:579
Eyer P and Eyer F., Lancet 2008 Feb 16; 371:538
Is Psychosis Nonspecific?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Methamphetamine psychosis may share a dysbindin polymorphism with schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
March 3, 2008
Covering:
Kishimoto M et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Jan 15; 63:191
