Family Medicine
WHO Report | A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth
28 Feb, 2023 | 14:04h | UTCSummary: This new report by United Nations agencies shows that a woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth. The report covers maternal deaths from 2000 to 2020 and reveals that maternal deaths either increased or stagnated in nearly all regions of the world, with some regions experiencing major setbacks. The poorest parts of the world and countries affected by conflict continue to have the highest rates of maternal deaths. Severe bleeding, high blood pressure, pregnancy-related infections, complications from unsafe abortion, and underlying conditions aggravated by pregnancy are the leading causes of maternal deaths, which are largely preventable and treatable with access to high-quality healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic may have further held back progress on maternal health. The report calls for urgent action to ensure every woman and girl has access to critical health services before, during, and after childbirth, so they can fully exercise their reproductive rights.
News Release: A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth: UN agencies – World Health Organization
Commentaries:
Ambitious goal to slash maternal deaths in jeopardy – Nature
U.N.: Progress on reducing global maternal mortality has stalled since 2015 – STAT
Eight Hundred Women Die Every Day During Pregnancy or Childbirth – Health Policy Watch
RCT | Physician-led medication reviews in polypharmacy patients with Type 2 DM treated with at least 12 medications
1 Mar, 2023 | 13:36h | UTC
Choosing Wisely in Cardiology | New ACC list of five things physicians and patients should question
28 Feb, 2023 | 14:03h | UTCSummary: The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has released a list of “Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question” in cardiology as part of the Choosing Wisely campaign, which encourages conversations between clinicians and patients about potentially unnecessary tests, treatments, and procedures. The list includes recommendations to:
- Avoid the routine use of invasive hemodynamic monitoring with pulmonary artery catheters in patients with uncomplicated acute decompensated heart failure.
- Avoid performing atrial fibrillation ablation for the sole purpose of discontinuing chronic anticoagulation.
- Avoid routine imaging stress tests or coronary CT angiography for the workup of palpitations or presyncope.
- Avoid obtaining a coronary artery calcium score in patients with known clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- Avoid obtaining routine serial echocardiograms for chronic heart failure if there has been no change in signs, symptoms, or management.
The recommendations are based on published national guidelines and aim to broadly represent the field of cardiology.
Commentary: ACC Releases New List of Choosing Wisely Recommendations – American College of Cardiology
See complete lists of low-value practices: Choosing Wisely U.S. / Choosing Wisely UK / Choosing Wisely Australia AND Choosing Wisely Canada
Review | Antiphospholipid syndrome: advances in diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management
28 Feb, 2023 | 14:00h | UTCAntiphospholipid syndrome: advances in diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management – The BMJ
M-A | Which adverse events and which drugs are implicated in drug-related hospital admissions
28 Feb, 2023 | 13:59h | UTCSummary: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide an updated estimation of drug-related hospital admissions, the types and frequency of drug-induced harm, and the drugs involved. The review included 17 studies that examined acute admissions to emergency departments or inpatient wards resulting from drug-induced harm in the general population. These studies were published between January 2012 and December 2021. The estimated rates of admissions resulting from adverse drug reactions* (ADRs) and adverse drug events* (ADEs) were 8.3% and 13.9%, respectively. Almost half of the admissions related to ADRs and over two-thirds of those related to ADEs were possibly preventable. Gastrointestinal disorders, electrolyte disturbances, bleeding events, and renal and urinary disorders were the most frequently involved categories of drug-induced harm. The most frequently involved drug groups were nervous system drugs, followed by cardiovascular and antithrombotic agents.
*Adverse drug events (ADEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. Adverse drug events (ADEs) refer to any negative effect that results from medication exposure and can be caused by a variety of factors, including medication errors, overdose, drug interactions, or allergic reactions. In contrast, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a specific type of ADE that occur as unintended effects of medication at normal therapeutic doses.
Perspective | Gender dysphoria in young people is rising — and so is professional disagreement
28 Feb, 2023 | 13:55h | UTCGender dysphoria in young people is rising—and so is professional disagreement – The BMJ
News Release: Gender dysphoria is rising—and so is professional disagreement – BMJ Newsroom
Commentary on Twitter
More children and adolescents are identifying as transgender and are being offered medical treatment, especially in the US—but some providers and European authorities are urging caution because of a lack of strong evidence. @writingblock reports https://t.co/24aDMo7rb0
— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) February 26, 2023
Guidelines | Efficacy and safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of acute pain after orthopedic trauma
28 Feb, 2023 | 13:48h | UTC
Review | Embracing complexity: making sense of diet, nutrition, obesity and type 2 diabetes
28 Feb, 2023 | 13:42h | UTCEmbracing complexity: making sense of diet, nutrition, obesity and type 2 diabetes – Diabetologia
Commentary on Twitter
Comprehensive Review @DiabetologiaJnl by my very talented friend Prof Nita Forouhi
Embracing complexity: making sense of diet, nutrition, obesity & T2 diabeteshttps://t.co/PxGOZL0XkB pic.twitter.com/x2GaDPClfi
— Prof Kamlesh Khunti (@kamleshkhunti) February 24, 2023
Under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ license
RCT | Effects of an exercise and physical activity program in patients with atrial fibrillation
28 Feb, 2023 | 13:38h | UTCAn Exercise and Physical Activity Program in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The ACTIVE-AF Randomized Controlled Trial – JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: ACTIVE-AF Suggests Physical Activity May Reduce Atrial Fibrillation Risk – HCP Live
Choosing Wisely internationally – 213 helpful recommendations for antimicrobial stewardship!
27 Feb, 2023 | 13:19h | UTCSummary: The article discusses the importance of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance and the role of the Choosing Wisely campaign in promoting the rational use of antibiotics. The study evaluated 213 Choosing Wisely recommendations related to AMS practices in six countries (Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, the USA, and Germany) and categorized them according to six categories: diagnostics, indication, choice of anti-infective drugs, dosing, application, and duration of therapy. Topics related to indication and diagnostics were most frequently addressed, and avoiding antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria and upper respiratory tract infections were central topics across all countries.
Article: Choosing Wisely internationally – helpful recommendations for antimicrobial stewardship! – Infection
See complete lists of low-value practices: Choosing Wisely U.S. / Choosing Wisely UK / Choosing Wisely Australia AND Choosing Wisely Canada
Perspective | Beware of overdiagnosis harms from screening, lower diagnostic thresholds, and incidentalomas
27 Feb, 2023 | 13:18h | UTCSummary: This article discusses the concept of overdiagnosis and its relevance to clinical practice guidelines. Overdiagnosis is the diagnosis of a condition that, if unrecognized, would not result in symptoms or cause a patient harm during their lifetime, such as discovering a low-grade cancer that will never lead to symptoms at the end of life. But, unlike false positives, overdiagnosed individuals truly have the condition; they just don’t benefit from the diagnosis. Overdiagnosis can also result from lowering diagnostic thresholds for diagnosing a disease, which inflates diagnosis rates among patients and leads to recommendations for subsequent interventions without clear benefits. The article highlights the importance of providing accurate information to patients about the possibility and burden of overdiagnosis to inform shared decision-making and minimize the harms of screening interventions.
Related:
Overdiagnosis: it’s official – The BMJ
Overdiagnosis: what it is and what it isn’t – BMJ Evidence Based Medicine
Overdiagnosis across medical disciplines: a scoping review – The BMJ Open
Too much medical care: bad for you, bad for health care systems – STAT News
Overdiagnosis: causes and consequences in primary health care – Canadian Family Physician
Five warning signs of overdiagnosis – The Conversation
What is overdiagnosed cancer? And why does it matter? – Croakey
Blame rising cancer overdiagnosis on ‘irrational exuberance’ for early detection – STAT
A food allergy epidemic… or just another case of overdiagnosis?
An epidemic of overdiagnosis: Melanoma diagnoses sky rocket
RCT | Tight glycemic control did not preserve pancreatic beta cell function in newly diagnosed pediatric type 1 diabetes
27 Feb, 2023 | 13:16h | UTCSummary: The study aimed to determine if intensive diabetes management with an automated insulin delivery system could help preserve pancreatic beta cell function in youth with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The randomized clinical trial included 113 youths aged 7 to 17 years and found that although the mean time in the target range of 70 to 180 mg/dL was 78% in the intensive management group vs. 64% in the standard care group, intensive diabetes management did not affect the decline in pancreatic C-peptide secretion at 52 weeks. The study concluded that near normalization of glucose levels instituted immediately after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes did not preserve pancreatic beta cell function in youth.
Article: Effect of Tight Glycemic Control on Pancreatic Beta Cell Function in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial – JAMA (free for a limited period)
Editorial: Preserving Pancreatic Beta Cell Function in Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes – JAMA (free for a limited period)
Commentary on Twitter
Intensive diabetes management with automated insulin delivery did not affect the decline in pancreatic C-peptide secretion at 52 weeks in youths with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. https://t.co/e1n5xagrtv #ATTD2023 pic.twitter.com/C6743BmqyH
— JAMA (@JAMA_current) February 24, 2023
Study links proton pump inhibitor use to increased risk of acquiring drug-resistant bacteria in hospitalized patients
27 Feb, 2023 | 13:13h | UTCSummary: This case-control study investigated whether proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with an increased risk of acquiring extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales among hospitalized patients. The study involved 2239 adult hospitalized patients. After controlling for confounding factors, patients who received PPIs within the previous 30 days had a nearly 50% increased risk (aIRR, 1.48) of acquiring ESBL- or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales compared with those who did not receive PPIs. The study has the limitations of an observational study but points to the need for judicious use of PPIs to mitigate the risk of acquiring drug-resistant Enterobacterales among hospitalized patients.
Commentaries:
Study links acid suppressants to colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria – CIDRAP
Proton Pump Inhibitors Associated With Increased Risk of Drug-Resistant Infections – HCP Live
RCT | Verapamil partially preserved pancreatic beta cell function in newly diagnosed pediatric type 1 diabetes
27 Feb, 2023 | 13:14h | UTCSummary: The study aimed to determine whether verapamil could preserve pancreatic beta cell function in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The randomized clinical trial involved 88 participants who were given either verapamil or placebo once daily for 52 weeks. The study found that C-peptide levels were 30% higher in the verapamil group compared to the placebo group at 52 weeks, and the percentage of participants with a 52-week peak C-peptide level of 0.2 pmol/mL or greater was 95% in the verapamil group compared to 71% in the placebo group. The study also found that verapamil was well tolerated with few adverse events. The results suggest that verapamil may partially preserve stimulated C-peptide secretion in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. However, further studies with patient-relevant outcomes are needed to determine the long-term effectiveness and the optimal length of therapy.
Article: Effect of Verapamil on Pancreatic Beta Cell Function in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial – JAMA (free for a limited period)
Editorial: Preserving Pancreatic Beta Cell Function in Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes – JAMA (free for a limited period)
News Release: Verapamil shows beneficial effect on the pancreas in children with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes – University of Minnesota
Commentary on Twitter
In youth with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, verapamil partially preserved stimulated C-peptide secretion at 52 weeks from diagnosis compared with placebo. https://t.co/m4xbczf93C #ATTD2023 pic.twitter.com/teM0jjh1tT
— JAMA (@JAMA_current) February 24, 2023
Cohort Study | Aggressive end-of-life care is still common among older adults with metastatic cancer in the US
27 Feb, 2023 | 13:11h | UTCSummary: The study aimed to compare the markers of aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care between older adults with metastatic cancer who are nursing home (NH) residents and those who live in community settings. The study analyzed data from 146,329 patients who died from metastatic breast, colorectal, lung, pancreas, or prostate cancer between 2013 and 2017, and found that aggressive EOL care was more common among NH residents than community-dwelling residents (63.6% vs. 58.3%). More than one hospital admission in the last 30 days of life and death in the hospital were the key markers associated with a higher prevalence of aggressive EOL care. The authors suggest that interventions targeting these factors could improve the quality of end-of-life care.
Parkinson disease primer for the general practitioner
27 Feb, 2023 | 13:00h | UTCPart 1: Diagnosis – Canadian Family Physician
Part 2: Management of motor and nonmotor symptoms – Canadian Family Physician
Related:
Management of psychiatric and cognitive complications in Parkinson’s disease – The BMJ
Podcast | Parkinson’s Disease for primary care.
Cohort Study | Could regular laxative use be associated with an increased risk of dementia?
27 Feb, 2023 | 12:59h | UTCAssociation Between Regular Laxative Use and Incident Dementia in UK Biobank Participants – Neurology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
News Release: Study: People Who Regularly Use Laxatives May Have an Increased Risk of Dementia – American Academy of Neurology
Commentary: Regular Use of Laxatives Linked to Risk for All-Cause Dementia – HealthDay
M-A | Adverse perinatal outcomes associated with antiretroviral therapy in women living with HIV
27 Feb, 2023 | 12:48h | UTC
Review | Pre-eclampsia
27 Feb, 2023 | 12:47h | UTCPre-eclampsia – Nature Reviews Disease Primers (if the link is paywalled, try this one)
Chronic low back pain: a narrative review of recent international guidelines for diagnosis and conservative treatment
27 Feb, 2023 | 12:46h | UTC
SR | Nonopioid pharmacological management of acute low back pain
27 Feb, 2023 | 12:42h | UTCCommentary: Which Meds are Best for Acute Low Back Pain? – RheumNow
Related:
M-A: Effectiveness of treatments for acute and subacute mechanical non-specific low back pain
Guideline Interventions for the management of acute and chronic low back pain.
M-A: Little benefit from muscle relaxants for adults with non-specific low back pain.
Cluster RCT | Effect of an antibiotic stewardship intervention to improve antibiotic prescribing for suspected UTI in older adults
24 Feb, 2023 | 13:58h | UTCSummary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of a multifaceted antibiotic stewardship intervention to improve antibiotic prescribing for suspected urinary tract infections (UTI) in frail older adults. The study was a pragmatic, parallel, cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in four European countries and included 1041 frail older adults aged 70 or older. The intervention involved a decision tool for appropriate antibiotic use, supported by a toolbox with educational materials. The control group provided care as usual. The primary outcome was the number of antibiotic prescriptions for suspected UTI per person year, and secondary outcomes included incidence of complications, hospital referrals, admissions, and mortality. The results showed that the intervention group had a lower rate of receiving an antibiotic prescription for a suspected UTI (0.27 per person year) compared to the control group (0.58 per person year), with no increase in complications or adverse events.
Commentary: Trial: Stewardship intervention cuts antibiotic prescribing for suspected urinary infections – CIDRAP
Related:
Case-Control Study | Current pyuria cut-offs may promote inappropriate UTI diagnosis in older women
USPSTF Recommendation Statement: Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults
RCT | Aspirin discontinuation at 24 to 28 weeks’ gestation in pregnancies at high risk of preterm preeclampsia
24 Feb, 2023 | 13:56h | UTCArticle: Aspirin Discontinuation at 24 to 28 Weeks’ Gestation in Pregnancies at High Risk of Preterm Preeclampsia: A Randomized Clinical Trial – JAMA (free for a limited period)
Editorial: Biomarkers and the Risk of Preeclampsia – JAMA (free for a limited period)
Commentary on Twitter
Aspirin discontinuation at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation was noninferior to aspirin continuation for preventing preterm preeclampsia in pregnant individuals at high risk of preeclampsia and a normal sFlt-1:PlGF ratio. https://t.co/6yIBsfxwU5 pic.twitter.com/RGqQLvb20l
— JAMA (@JAMA_current) February 21, 2023
Guideline | Diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori
24 Feb, 2023 | 13:53h | UTCRelated:
M-A | Efficacy of elimination diets in eosinophilic esophagitis
24 Feb, 2023 | 13:47h | UTCSummary: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of various dietary treatment regimens for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). After analyzing 34 studies with 1762 patients, it was concluded that dietary therapy is a viable and efficacious option for individuals with EoE of all ages, with an overall histological remission rate of 53.8% and a clinical response rate of 80.8%. The study also found that highly restrictive dietary regimes, such as a six-food elimination diet, may not be superior to less restrictive dietary regimens, such as a four-food elimination diet or one-food elimination diet, in achieving histological remission, supporting less restrictive dietary regimens as a treatment option. The study has several limitations, such as the observational nature of most studies included.
Commentary: Elimination diets effective for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis – ACP Gastroenterology
Commentary on Twitter
Efficacy of dietary therapy in eosinophilic esophagitis for (1) histologic remission & (2) clinical response
6⃣-food elimination diet: 61%, 93%
4⃣-food elimination diet: 49%, 74%
1⃣-food elimination diet: 51%, 87%
Targeted elimination diet: 46%, 69%#EoEhttps://t.co/VKXgCQO9O6 pic.twitter.com/KfpSburuwN— John Damianos, M.D. (@john_damianosMD) February 1, 2023
Article under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license