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
Genes, Stress, and Adolescent Drinking
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers find a connection between a single-nucleotide polymorphism, drinking, and stressful events.
By Barbara Geller, MD
March 3, 2008
Covering:
Blomeyer D et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Jan 15; 63:146
Cocaine Chest Pain: To Beta Block or Not?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
β-blockers reduced the incidence of myocardial infarction but not death in this retrospective cohort study.
Marijuana Smoking Linked to Periodontal Disease
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The association is independent of tobacco smoking.
Marijuana and Periodontal Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cannabis smoking could be an independent risk factor, in addition to tobacco.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
February 12, 2008
Covering:
Thomson WM et al., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:525
Hujoel PP., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:574
Alcohol Screening and Brief Counseling Are Cost-Saving
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But it’s hardly ever done in primary care.
Another Smoking Gun: The Effects of Cigarettes on Skin Aging
Dermatology Summary and Comment
One twin smoked; the other didn’t.
Getting High Reaches New Lows
Illicit drug use among American teenagers continues its decade-long decline.
Drinking Goals for Patients with Alcohol Dependence
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Abstinence is still best.
"I Didn’t Smoke, But I Inhaled"
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A smokeless vaporizer might decrease dangerous combustion products, thus encouraging medical marijuana use.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 18, 2008
Covering:
Abrams DI et al., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2007 Nov; 82:572
A Molecular Switch for Chronic Cocaine Addiction
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An animal study provides important insights.
Baclofen Aids Alcohol Abstinence in Patients with Cirrhosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This small trial also suggested that baclofen is not hepatotoxic.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
January 3, 2008
Covering:
Addolorato G et al., Lancet 2007 Dec 8; 370:1915
Garbutt JC and Flannery B., Lancet 2007 Dec 8; 370:1884
It’s Not Benign: Cannabis, Cognition, and Psychosis
Accumulating evidence suggests that cannabis use is harmful to mental health.
Crystal Meth and HIV/AIDS: The Perfect Storm?
Methamphetamine use is already influencing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. and could have an even greater impact in coming years.
Does Cannabis Cause Schizophrenia?
Neurology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis suggests that cannabis use is associated with a 40% increased risk of psychosis in later life.
By Leslie L. Iversen, PhD
November 27, 2007
Covering:
Moore THM et al., Lancet 2007 Jul 28; 370:319
Nordentoft M and Hjorthøj C., Lancet 2007 Jul 28; 370:293
