Archives
Short term use of oral corticosteroids and related harms
13 Apr, 2017 | 16:07h | UTCCorticosteroids, even if used for short periods of time, seems to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this retrospective cohort with 1.5 million adults, the incidence of acute adverse events (sepsis, venous thromboembolism, fracture) increased by twofold to fivefold above background rates.
Global burden of disease attributable to ambient air pollution
12 Apr, 2017 | 15:57h | UTCRelated commentary: Tallying the bills of mortality from air pollution (free)
4.2 million deaths globally were attributable to fine particles and another 254 000 to surface ozone in 2015. The article also has details on country-specific deaths and disability-adjusted life-years from 1990 through 2015.
Famine now threatens 20 million people
12 Apr, 2017 | 16:00h | UTCFamine now threatens 20 million people – more than at any time since World War II – Washington Post (RT @AthaliaChristie and @wpjenna)
Potentially Curable Pancreatic Cancer Guideline
13 Apr, 2017 | 16:02h | UTCDue to a recent study showing a 2,5 month increase in median overall survival, the doublet regimen of gemcitabine and capecitabine seems to be preferred in the absence of concerns for toxicity or tolerance.
Prostate Cancer Screening Draft Recommendations – USPSTF
12 Apr, 2017 | 15:58h | UTCProstate Cancer Screening Draft Recommendations – U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (free)
Viewpoint: The US Preventive Services Task Force 2017 Draft Recommendation Statement on Screening for Prostate Cancer: An Invitation to Review and Comment – JAMA (free)
See also: Should you get screened for prostate cancer? We break down the latest advice – STAT News (free)
For those aged 55 to 69 it recommends “informed, individualized decision making based on a man’s values and preferences”. According to a useful infographic from the draft recommendations, the benefits are likely small. For every 1000 men offered PSA based screening over a period of 10-15 years, the test would avoid cancer spreading in 3 men and death from prostate cancer in 1-2 men, with the undesired consequences of false positives and subsequent procedures in many patients.
The Patients Were Saved. That’s Why the Families Are Suing
13 Apr, 2017 | 16:01h | UTCThe Patients Were Saved. That’s Why the Families Are Suing – The New York Times (free)
“Historically, the practice has been “if in doubt, err on the side of aggressive, life-sustaining treatment,””. That might be changing.
New ILAE Epilepsy Classification Published
12 Apr, 2017 | 15:51h | UTCNew ILAE Epilepsy Classification Published – Medscape (free registration required)
Position paper: Operational classification of seizure types by the International League Against Epilepsy (free)
Practical manual: Instruction manual for the ILAE 2017 operational classification of seizure types (free)
“For the first time in 30 years, an epileptic seizures classification update” (RT @MedscapeNeuro see Tweet)
The hospital of tomorrow in 10 points
12 Apr, 2017 | 15:54h | UTCThe hospital of tomorrow in 10 points – Critical Care (free)
This is the first article in a new thematic series about the future of critical care (free)
Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hip
12 Apr, 2017 | 15:55h | UTCManagement of Osteoarthritis of the Hip – American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (free PDF)
Source: AAOS releases new clinical practice guideline for osteoarthritis of the hip – Medical Express (free)
How Many Pills Are Too Many?
12 Apr, 2017 | 15:56h | UTCHow Many Pills Are Too Many? – The New York Times (10 articles per month are free)
“Evidence has mounted about the dangers of taking multiple, perhaps unnecessary, medications” (from Tweet)
Respiratory effect of beta-blockers in people with asthma and cardiovascular disease
11 Apr, 2017 | 15:48h | UTCRespiratory effect of beta-blockers in people with asthma and cardiovascular disease: population-based nested case control study – BMC Medicine (free) (RT @atscommunity)
Cardioselective beta-blockers, mostly atenolol and bisoprolol in this cohort, were not associated with increased risk of moderate or severe asthma exacerbations. In contrast, non-selective beta-blockers, mostly sotalol and carvedilol in this cohort, were associated with increased risk.
EULAR revised recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia
12 Apr, 2017 | 15:52h | UTCEULAR revised recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia – Annals of Rheumatic Diseases (free)
Source: EULAR Revised Recommendations for the Management of Fibromyalgia – Medscape (free registration required)
Why Are So Many People Popping Vitamin D?
11 Apr, 2017 | 15:47h | UTCWhy Are So Many People Popping Vitamin D? – The New York Times (10 articles per month are free)
“Labs performing these tests are reporting perfectly normal levels of vitamin D — 20 to 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood — as “insufficient.” As a consequence, millions of healthy people think they have a deficiency”
Note: Some organizations still think appropriate levels would be above 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood, more details in the text.
Multivitamins are probably a waste of money
12 Apr, 2017 | 15:50h | UTCVitamins and the Failure of Free-Market Health – The Atlantic (free)
“The booming dietary-supplement industry is plagued by outlandish claims, undermining credible science, and seeding confusion”.
Effect of Baseline Nutritional Status on Long-term Multivitamin Use and Cardiovascular Disease Risk – JAMA Cardiology (link to abstract – $ required for full-text)
See also: Multivitamins may not improve heart health in men – UPI (free) AND Other recent commentary on multivitamins: Multivitamins a waste of money and just create ‘very expensive urine’ – The Guardian (free)
“Multivitamin use does not prevent major CV disease events in men, regardless of baseline nutritional status” (RT @CaulfieldTim)
Emergencies in Hematology and Oncology
11 Apr, 2017 | 15:45h | UTCEmergencies in Hematology and Oncology – Mayo Clinic Proceedings (free)
Comprehensive review covering the most common oncological emergencies.
Wed, Apr 12 – 10 Medical Stories of The Day!
12 Apr, 2017 | 00:20h | UTC
1 – Prostate Cancer Screening Draft Recommendations – U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (free)
Viewpoint: The US Preventive Services Task Force 2017 Draft Recommendation Statement on Screening for Prostate Cancer: An Invitation to Review and Comment – JAMA (free)
See also: Should you get screened for prostate cancer? We break down the latest advice – STAT News (free)
For those aged 55 to 69 it recommends “informed, individualized decision making based on a man’s values and preferences”. According to a useful infographic from the draft recommendations, the benefits are likely small. For every 1000 men offered PSA based screening over a period of 10-15 years, the test would avoid cancer spreading in 3 men and death from prostate cancer in 1-2 men, with the undesired consequences of false positives and subsequent procedures in many patients.
Related commentary: Tallying the bills of mortality from air pollution (free)
4.2 million deaths globally were attributable to fine particles and another 254 000 to surface ozone in 2015. The article also has details on country-specific deaths and disability-adjusted life-years from 1990 through 2015.
3 – How Many Pills Are Too Many? – The New York Times (10 articles per month are free)
“Evidence has mounted about the dangers of taking multiple, perhaps unnecessary, medications” (from Tweet)
4 – The hospital of tomorrow in 10 points – Critical Care (free)
This is the first article in a new thematic series about the future of critical care (free)
5 – EULAR revised recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia – Annals of Rheumatic Diseases (free)
Source: EULAR Revised Recommendations for the Management of Fibromyalgia – Medscape (free registration required)
6 – Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hip – American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (free PDF)
Source: AAOS releases new clinical practice guideline for osteoarthritis of the hip – Medical Express (free)
7 – New ILAE Epilepsy Classification Published – Medscape (free registration required)
Position paper: Operational classification of seizure types by the International League Against Epilepsy (free)
Practical manual: Instruction manual for the ILAE 2017 operational classification of seizure types (free)
“For the first time in 30 years, an epileptic seizures classification update” (RT @MedscapeNeuro see Tweet)
8 – Vitamins and the Failure of Free-Market Health – The Atlantic (free)
“The booming dietary-supplement industry is plagued by outlandish claims, undermining credible science, and seeding confusion”.
9 – Effect of Baseline Nutritional Status on Long-term Multivitamin Use and Cardiovascular Disease Risk – JAMA Cardiology (link to abstract – $ required for full-text)
See also: Multivitamins may not improve heart health in men – UPI (free) AND Other recent commentary on multivitamins: Multivitamins a waste of money and just create ‘very expensive urine’ – The Guardian (free)
“Multivitamin use does not prevent major CV disease events in men, regardless of baseline nutritional status” (RT @CaulfieldTim)
10 – Surprising And Sobering: 7 Facts About Global Health – NPR (free)
Hypertension Canada’s 2017 Guidelines
10 Apr, 2017 | 16:10h | UTC
F.D.A. Will Allow 23andMe to Sell Genetic Tests for Disease Risk to Consumers
10 Apr, 2017 | 16:03h | UTCF.D.A. Will Allow 23andMe to Sell Genetic Tests for Disease Risk to Consumers – The New York Times (10 articles per month are free)
See also: Before you send your spit to 23andMe, what you need to know – STAT News (free) AND 23andMe given green light to sell DNA tests for 10 diseases – Nature News (free) AND 23andMe Rides Again: FDA Clears Genetic Tests To Predict Disease Risk – Forbes (free) AND Too Much Information? FDA Clears 23AndMe to Sell Home Genetic Tests for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s – Scientific American (free)
“The controversial step will significantly expand direct-to-consumer testing – but what if the news is bad?” (from Scientific American above)
Achieved blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients
11 Apr, 2017 | 15:44h | UTC
Achieved blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients: results from ONTARGET and TRANSCEND trials – The Lancet (link to abstract – $ required for full-text) (RT @AnilMakam “Lower achieved blood pressure in high risk patients for cardiovascular disease do WORSE” see Tweets)
In high-risk patients, patients who achieved a systolic blood pressure < 120 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure < 70 mmHg had HIGHER risk of complications. “These data suggest that the lowest blood pressure possible is not necessarily the optimal target for high-risk patients”
The cross-cutting contribution of the end of neglected tropical diseases to the sustainable development goals
10 Apr, 2017 | 16:06h | UTCThe cross-cutting contribution of the end of neglected tropical diseases to the sustainable development goals – Infectious Diseases of Poverty(free) (RT @ghn_news see Tweet)
Related commentary from the author: Impact beyond the neglected (free)
See also: United Nations – Sustainable Development Goals
This review examines how the interventions being used against neglected tropical diseases are contributing to achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Tue, Apr 11 – 10 Medical Stories of The Day!
11 Apr, 2017 | 00:26h | UTC
1 – Respiratory effect of beta-blockers in people with asthma and cardiovascular disease: population-based nested case control study – BMC Medicine (free) (RT @atscommunity)
Cardioselective beta-blockers, mostly atenolol and bisoprolol in this cohort, were not associated with increased risk of moderate or severe asthma exacerbations. In contrast, non-selective beta-blockers, mostly sotalol and carvedilol in this cohort, were associated with increased risk.
2 – Why Are So Many People Popping Vitamin D? – The New York Times (10 articles per month are free)
“Labs performing these tests are reporting perfectly normal levels of vitamin D — 20 to 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood — as “insufficient.” As a consequence, millions of healthy people think they have a deficiency”
Note: Some organizations still think appropriate levels would be above 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood, more details in the text.
3 – Updated Fact Sheet: Lymphatic filariasis – World Health Organization (free) (RT @AbraarKaran)
See also: The Unexpected Cause Of This Awful Disease Lay Right Underfoot – NPR Health News (free) AND WHO’s Work on Neglected Tropical Diseases (free)
4 – Body-Weight Fluctuations and Outcomes in Coronary Disease – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ required for full-text)
Source: Weight Fluctuation Tied to Mortality in CAD Population – MedPage Today (free registration required)
5 – Emergencies in Hematology and Oncology – Mayo Clinic Proceedings (free)
Comprehensive review covering the most common oncological emergencies.
Source: Benzodiazepines Tied to Higher Pneumonia Risk in Patients with Alzheimer’s – Physician’s First Watch (free)
8 – Achieved blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients: results from ONTARGET and TRANSCEND trials – The Lancet (link to abstract – $ required for full-text) (RT @AnilMakam “Lower achieved blood pressure in high risk patients for cardiovascular disease do WORSE” see Tweets)
In high-risk patients, patients who achieved a systolic blood pressure < 120 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure < 70 mmHg had HIGHER risk of complications. “These data suggest that the lowest blood pressure possible is not necessarily the optimal target for high-risk patients”
9 – Richard Lehman’s weekly review of medical journals – The BMJ Blogs (free)
10 – Toward Responsible Human Genome Editing – JAMA (free)
Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients
10 Apr, 2017 | 16:08h | UTCSurgical or Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ required for full text)
Quick Take Video Summary: SURTAVI Study: TAVR versus Open Surgery (free)
See this and other highlights from the American College of Cardiology’s 66th Annual Scientific Session (some articles are no longer free)
This innovative technology seems to be useful for patients with aortic stenosis at high risk for surgery. In this new study, it was noninferior to surgery at 2 years of follow-up in old patients (averaged nearly 80 years) at intermediate risk. Longer follow up data will be important to see if it is a suitable alternative for younger patients.
Here’s why one tech investor thinks some doctors will be ‘obsolete’ in five years
10 Apr, 2017 | 15:56h | UTCHere’s why one tech investor thinks some doctors will be ‘obsolete’ in five years – CNBC (free) (RT @CMichaelGibson)
According to this point of view, radiologists will be the first ones that are affected by Artificial Intelligence. As we can see below, other specialists that work by interpreting medical images may follow, like dermatologists, ophthalmologists and pathologists.
See also: If You Look at X-Rays or Moles for a Living, AI Is Coming for Your Job – Wired (free) AND Adapting to Artificial Intelligence: Radiologists and Pathologists as Information Specialists – JAMA Viewpoint (free – and legal – PDF found with Unpaywall) AND Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Algorithm for Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy in Retinal Fundus Photographs – JAMA Internal Medicine (link to abstract – $ required for full-text) AND Predicting non-small cell lung cancer prognosis by fully automated microscopic pathology image features – Nature(free) see commentary in Computers trounce pathologists in predicting lung cancer type, severity, researchers find – Science News (free)
Screening for Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
10 Apr, 2017 | 16:05h | UTCInvited commentary: Good News for Screening for Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – JAMA Psychiatry (free)
See also: Do You Zone Out? Procrastinate? Might Be Adult ADHD – NPR Health News (free)
Others disagree… call it “disease mongering”, “overdiagnosis”. For example, Prof Allen Francis, author of Saving Normal: An Insider’s Revolt against Out-of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis, DSM-5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life, wrote some remarks about the study, see Tweet 1, Tweet 2 and Tweet 3
See also: The Selling of Attention Deficit Disorder – The New York Times (10 articles per month are free)
Mon, Apr 10 – Top 10 Medical News Stories
10 Apr, 2017 | 01:25h | UTC
Links = Interest ≠ Endorsement
2 – Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ required for full text)
Quick Take Video Summary: SURTAVI Study: TAVR versus Open Surgery (free)
See this and other highlights from the American College of Cardiology’s 66th Annual Scientific Session (some articles are no longer free)
This innovative technology seems to be useful for patients with aortic stenosis at high risk for surgery. In this new study, it was noninferior to surgery at 2 years of follow-up in old patients (averaged nearly 80 years) at intermediate risk. Longer follow up data will be important to see if it is a suitable alternative for younger patients.
3 – The cross-cutting contribution of the end of neglected tropical diseases to the sustainable development goals – Infectious Diseases of Poverty (free) (RT @ghn_news see Tweet)
Related commentary from the author: Impact beyond the neglected (free)
See also: United Nations – Sustainable Development Goals
This review examines how the interventions being used against neglected tropical diseases are contributing to achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Invited commentary: Good News for Screening for Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – JAMA Psychiatry (free)
See also: Do You Zone Out? Procrastinate? Might Be Adult ADHD – NPR Health News (free)
Others disagree… call it “disease mongering”, “overdiagnosis”. For example, Prof Allen Francis, author of Saving Normal: An Insider’s Revolt against Out-of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis, DSM-5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life, wrote some remarks about the study, see Tweet 1, Tweet 2 and Tweet 3
See also: The Selling of Attention Deficit Disorder – The New York Times (10 articles per month are free)
5 – F.D.A. Will Allow 23andMe to Sell Genetic Tests for Disease Risk to Consumers – The New York Times (10 articles per month are free)
See also: Before you send your spit to 23andMe, what you need to know – STAT News (free) AND 23andMe given green light to sell DNA tests for 10 diseases – Nature News (free) AND 23andMe Rides Again: FDA Clears Genetic Tests To Predict Disease Risk – Forbes (free) AND Too Much Information? FDA Clears 23AndMe to Sell Home Genetic Tests for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s – Scientific American (free)
“The controversial step will significantly expand direct-to-consumer testing – but what if the news is bad?” (from Scientific American above)
6 – TV. How much is too much for our kids? – World Economic Forum (free)
Original Article Abstract ($ required for full-text): Family Socioeconomic Status Moderates Associations Between Television Viewing and School Readiness Skills – Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics
See also: Media and Young Minds – Recommendations from The American Academy of Pediatrics (free) AND Pediatricians relax guidelines on screen time for kids to give more flexibility – STAT News (free)
7 – No TV during meals may lower obesity risk – Medical News Today (free)
Original article abstract ($ required for full-text): Television, Home-Cooked Meals, and Family Meal Frequency: Associations with Adult Obesity – Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Related article: Screen time is associated with adiposity and insulin resistance in children – Archives of Diseases in Childhood (free) AND Screentime linked to greater diabetes risk among children – The Guardian (free)
The first study in adults and the second study in children suggest there might be a link between screen time and weight gain or adiposity.
8 – Here’s why one tech investor thinks some doctors will be ‘obsolete’ in five years – CNBC (free) (RT @CMichaelGibson)
According to this point of view, radiologists will be the first ones that are affected by Artificial Intelligence. As we can see below, other specialists that work by interpreting medical images may follow, like dermatologists, ophthalmologists and pathologists.
See also: If You Look at X-Rays or Moles for a Living, AI Is Coming for Your Job – Wired (free) AND Adapting to Artificial Intelligence: Radiologists and Pathologists as Information Specialists – JAMA Viewpoint (free – and legal – PDF found with Unpaywall) AND Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Algorithm for Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy in Retinal Fundus Photographs – JAMA Internal Medicine (link to abstract – $ required for full-text) AND Predicting non-small cell lung cancer prognosis by fully automated microscopic pathology image features – Nature (free) see commentary in Computers trounce pathologists in predicting lung cancer type, severity, researchers find – Science News (free)
9 – When Globalization Brings Brain-Invading Worms – The Atlantic (free) (RT @PreetiNMalani and @AdrienneLaF)
Infectious diseases are spreading faster and emerging quicker due to globalization.
10 – Seniors are given so many drugs, it’s madness – The Globe and Mail (free) (RT @RasoiniR)
“While most prescribing is well-intentioned, it’s also unco-ordinated; there is a tendency to overmedicate and leave people on drugs for too long”.