Opioids and Chronic Back Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Their efficacy is not well established, and substance disorders are common in those treated.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
January 25, 2007
Covering:
Martell BA et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Jan 16; 146:116-27
High Risk for Death in Recently Released Prisoners
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Drugs and cardiovascular disease were among the common causes of death.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
January 23, 2007
Covering:
Binswanger IA et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 11; 356:157-65
GHB: Drug of Abuse or Therapeutic Agent?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Decades of clinical and basic research reveal prospects for therapeutic use of GHB.
By Alex F. Manini, MD
January 16, 2007
Covering:
Drasbek KR et al., Acta Neurol Scand 2006 Sep; 114:145-56
CT Screening and Lung Cancer Detection in Patients at High Risk
These results show that lung cancer, when detected and treated early, often is curable.
By Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS
January 12, 2007
Covering:
The International Early Lung Cancer Action Program Investigators., N Engl J Med 2006 Oct 26; 355:1763-71
Dextromethorphan Abuse Is on the Rise Nationwide
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Particularly among adolescents
By Jill M. Baren, MD, MBE, FACEP, FAAP
January 5, 2007
Covering:
Bryner JK et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006 Dec; 160:1217-22
Dramatic Increase in Dextromethorphan Abuse Among Adolescents
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Preventive measures are needed.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
December 26, 2006
Covering:
Bryner JK et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006 Dec; 160:1217-22
Media Reports of Alcohol-Related Injury and Crime
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Are people not being informed about the relationship of alcohol to injury and crime?
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
December 18, 2006
Covering:
Slater MD et al., J Stud Alcohol 2006 Nov; 67:904-10
Imbibing on Spring Break
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
College students who travel during spring break ramp up their drinking and might not ramp it down afterwards.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
December 18, 2006
Covering:
Lee CM et al., J Stud Alcohol 2006 Nov; 67:911-6
Detrimental Hepatic Effects of Smoking in Patients with HCV
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
About one in five patients who smoked had advanced fibrosis.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 17, 2006
Covering:
Dev A et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006 Jun; 4:797-801
A Smoking-Cessation Program for HIV-Infected People
The program had unusually good results in a motivated group.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
November 13, 2006
Covering:
Elzi L et al., Antivir Ther 2006 ; 11:787-95
Do Depression and Anxiety Drive Chronic Opioid Use?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Perhaps, according to a community-based survey
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
November 13, 2006
Covering:
Sullivan MD et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Oct 23; 166:2087-93
Cortical Desynchronization and Cannabis-Associated Psychotic Symptoms
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Chronic cannabis use is associated with schizotypy and altered neural synchronization.
By Joel Yager, MD
November 6, 2006
Covering:
Skosnik PD et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Oct; 163:1798-805
Substance-Use Disorder and Antidepressant-Induced Mania
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Substance-use disorders increase the risk for switching to mania.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
October 23, 2006
Covering:
Manwani SG et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 67:1341-5
Dopamine and Dependence in Families with Alcoholism
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
High levels of some dopamine receptors might be protective.
By Barbara Geller, MD
October 23, 2006
Covering:
Volkow ND et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 63:999-1008
Empyema Is an Uncommon Complication of CAP
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A population-based study showed that pleural empyema complicated CAP in 0.7% of patients but did not affect these patients’ risk for in-hospital mortality.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 18, 2006
Covering:
Ahmed RA et al., Am J Med 2006 Oct; 119:877-83
A Mixed Report Card on Adolescent Health
The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System tracks the health of the nation’s adolescents.
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP
September 20, 2006
Covering:
Eaton DK et al., MMWR Surveill Summ 2006 Jun 9; 55:1-108
The Health Status of Young Adults: How Do They Fare?
Although most young adults reported being in good health, mortality rates more than double between adolescence and young adulthood.
By M. Susan Jay, MD
September 20, 2006
Covering:
Park MJ et al., J Adolesc Health 2006 Sep; 39:305-17
Depressive Symptoms and Smoking During Pregnancy
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Despite a cessation program, pregnant women with depressive symptoms found it difficult to quit.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
September 18, 2006
Covering:
Blalock JA et al., Am J Addict 2006 Jul/Aug; 15:268-77
Another Arrow in the Quiver to Combat Smoking
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A new smoking-cessation drug shows great promise but falls short of a complete solution.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
September 13, 2006
Covering:
Etter J-F., Arch Intern Med 2006 Aug 14/28; 166:1553-9
Nides M et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Aug 14/28; 166:1561-8
Oncken C et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Aug 14/28; 166:1571-7
Johnson BA., Arch Intern Med 2006 Aug 14/28; 166:1547-50
No Evidence for Superiority of AA or 12-Step Programs
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The programs were as helpful as other psychosocial interventions, according to a Cochrane review.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
September 1, 2006
Covering:
Ferri M et al., The Cochrane Library 2006 ; issue 3
Buprenorphine for Opioid Dependence Is Feasible in Primary Care
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Monitoring and medication prescription by generalist nurses and physicians works for many patients.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
August 15, 2006
Covering:
Fiellin DA et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 27; 355:365-74
Buprenorphine-Naloxone for Opiate Dependence in Primary Care
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
More time with clinicians is not necessarily better in maintenance therapy.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
August 7, 2006
Covering:
Fiellin DA et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 27; 355:365-74
Is a New Smoking-Cessation Drug on the Horizon?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Varenicline, a new nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, outperformed both bupropion and placebo.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
August 2, 2006
Covering:
Gonzales D et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 5; 296:47-55
Jorenby DE et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 5; 296:56-63
Tonstad S et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 5; 296:64-71
Klesges RC et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 5; 296:94-5
New Drug for Smoking Cessation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Varenicline might be more effective than bupropion.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 27, 2006
Covering:
Gonzales D et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 5; 296:47-55
Jorenby DE et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 5; 296:56-63
Tonstad S et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 5; 296:64-71
Klesges RC et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 5; 296:94-5
Binge Drinking During Pregnancy: Long-Term Effects on Offspring
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Prenatal exposure to alcohol is a risk factor for several psychiatric and personality disorders in early adulthood.
By Claudio N. Soares, MD, PhD
July 27, 2006
Covering:
Barr HM et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Jun; 163:1061-5
