Family Medicine
Unlocking paywalled research papers (legally)
6 Apr, 2017 | 15:14h | UTCUnpaywall finds free versions of paywalled papers – Nature (free) (RT @dannykay68)
See also: Unlocking paywalled research papers: Two big steps forward, two steps back, by James C Coyne – Coyne of the Realm (RT @hildabast)
Apparently, it successfully finds an open-access version (completely legal) of a paper around 30% of the time. We have tried and it worked for some of the articles we’ve tested. See it for yourself.
Singapore Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines: Lipids
7 Apr, 2017 | 15:24h | UTCSingapore Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines: Lipids (free PDF)
Nearly a third of tests and treatments are unnecessary
6 Apr, 2017 | 15:22h | UTCNearly a third of tests and treatments are unnecessary – CMAJ News (free) (RT @ChooseWiselyCA)
Press release: Canadians have more than 1 million potentially unnecessary medical tests and treatments every year – Canadian Institute for Health Information (free)
See report: Unnecessary Care in Canada (free PDF)
Growing problem in many countries, making resources less available for treatments and conditions that matter.
Pertussis shot in pregnant moms protects newborns
6 Apr, 2017 | 15:12h | UTCEffectiveness of Vaccination During Pregnancy to Prevent Infant Pertussis – Pediatrics (free)
See also: Study: Pertussis shot in pregnant moms protects newborns – CIDRAP (free)
Source: Global Health NOW Newsletter
Long-term use of antibiotics and risk of colorectal adenoma
6 Apr, 2017 | 15:13h | UTCLong-term use of antibiotics and risk of colorectal adenoma – Gut (free)
Sources: Antibiotics overuse could increase bowel cancer risk, study finds – The Guardian (free) (RT @Onisillos) AND Long-Term Use of Antibiotics Associated with Later-Life Colorectal Adenomas – Physician’s First Watch (free)
Cancer patients have 55% greater risk of suicide
6 Apr, 2017 | 15:05h | UTCCancer patients have 55% greater risk of suicide, study finds – The Guardian (free) (RT @ghn_news)
Can low-dose aspirin can reduce risk of death from cancer?
6 Apr, 2017 | 15:07h | UTCLow-dose aspirin can reduce risk of death from cancer, research says – CNN (free)
Not so fast: CNN claims aspirin can reduce cancer death risk, falling into observational study trap – HealthNewsReviews (free)
See also: Final Recommendation Statement: Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer – U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (free)
Choosing Wisely initiative was launched 5 years ago
5 Apr, 2017 | 21:50h | UTCChoosing Wisely initiative was launched 5 years ago, and now has over 490 recommendations from 18 countries (all resources are free)
Lists from other countries: Choosing Wisely UK / Choosing Wisely Australia / Choosing Wisely Canada
The Choosing Wisely is a leading effort to encourage conversations aimed at reducing unnecessary tests and treatments to improve value in healthcare.
Management of cystic renal lesions
5 Apr, 2017 | 21:51h | UTCCUA guideline on the management of cystic renal lesions – Canadian Urological Association Journal (free)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
5 Apr, 2017 | 21:49h | UTCReview: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – Deutsches Ärzteblatt international (free)
The wound/burn guidelines – Japanese Dermatological Association
5 Apr, 2017 | 21:55h | UTCThe wound/burn guidelines – Japanese Dermatological Association (all guidelines are free)
Wounds in general / Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment for pressure ulcers / Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment for diabetic ulcer/gangrene / Guidelines for the management of skin ulcers associated with connective tissue disease/vasculitis / Guidelines for the management of lower leg ulcers/varicose veins / Guidelines for the management of burns
Prognosis of undiagnosed chest pain
5 Apr, 2017 | 21:44h | UTCPrognosis of undiagnosed chest pain: linked electronic health record cohort study – The BMJ (free)
See also: Patients with Undiagnosed Chest Pain Still at Cardiovascular Risk – Physician’s First Watch (free)
“Chest pain rarely harmless. Even if undiagnosed 6 months after first presentation linked to increased cardiac events.” (RT @pascalmeier74)
American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria Adds Topics
4 Apr, 2017 | 21:19h | UTCACR Appropriateness Criteria Adds Topics, Covers More Clinical Variants Than Ever Before (free)
Browse Appropriateness Criteria Topics (free)
Source: Newswise
This comprehensive guide from American College of Radiology (ACR) covers 230 topics with more than 1,100 clinical indications and has just been updated. It is a very useful resource for doctors in all specialties to guide which exam is most appropriate in each clinical situation.
Cardiometabolic Abnormalities Among Normal-Weight Persons From Five Racial/Ethnic Groups
5 Apr, 2017 | 14:59h | UTCCardiometabolic Abnormalities Among Normal-Weight Persons From Five Racial/Ethnic Groups in the United States: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Two Cohort Studies – Annals of Internal Medicine (link to abstract – $ required for full-text)
Sources: Certain Racial/Ethnic Groups More Likely to Have Cardiometabolic Abnormalities at Normal Weight – Physician’s First Watch (free) AND Cardiovascular Risk High Among Some Normal Weight Minorities – Medscape (free registration required)
Compared with whites, all racial/ethnic minority groups had higher prevalence of metabolic abnormalities, with a high prevalence even in persons with normal weight. The prevalence of metabolic abnormalities in whites with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 corresponded to the prevalence in BMI values of 22.9 kg/m2 in African Americans, 21.5 kg/m2 in Hispanics, 20.9 kg/m2 in Chinese Americans, and 19.6 kg/m2 in South Asians.
Thyroid Hormone Therapy for Older Adults with Subclinical Hypothyroidism
5 Apr, 2017 | 15:02h | UTCSource: Levothyroxine Shows No Benefit in Older Adults with Subclinical Hypothyroidism – Physician’s First Watch (free)
Management of Inpatient Hyperglycemia and Diabetes in Older Adults
4 Apr, 2017 | 21:18h | UTCManagement of Inpatient Hyperglycemia and Diabetes in Older Adults – Diabetes Care (free)
Source: Management of Hyperglycemia in Elderly, Hospitalized Adults – PracticeUpdates (free registration required)
To Screen or not to Screen?
4 Apr, 2017 | 21:25h | UTCFree Online Course, Starts April 10. To Screen or not to Screen? Methods and health policies through case studies – University of Geneva and Coursera
Insomnia associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke
4 Apr, 2017 | 21:17h | UTCSource: Insomnia associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke – EurekAlert (free) (RT @CaulfieldTim)
Eosinophilia in Primary Care
4 Apr, 2017 | 19:30h | UTCEosinophilia – Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice (free)
Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults With Diabetes
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:18h | UTCCognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults With Diabetes: What a Clinician Needs to Know – Diabetes Care (free)
Source: Management of Older Adults With Diabetes and Cognitive Dysfunction – PracticeUpdate (free registration required)
“Recommendations include the need for simplified medication regimens, avoidance of glucose-lowering drugs with a high risk of hypoglycemia, periodic reassessment of glycemic goals, and repeated education of the patient and caregiver” (from PracticeUpdate commentary above)
Intensive glucose control and microvascular outcomes
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:21h | UTCEffects of intensive glucose control on microvascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised controlled trials – The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (RT @EricTopol see Tweet with interest discussion) (link to abstract – $ required for full-text)
Contradicting the analysis above, a recent report found no significant impact of tight glycemic control on the risk of dialysis / transplantation / renal death, blindness, or neuropathy: Glycemic Control for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Our Evolving Faith in the Face of Evidence – Circulation (free)
Benefits of intensive glucose control on microvascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes remains controversial.
Neuropathic pain in adults
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:23h | UTC
Anti-leukotriene agents in persistent asthma
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:15h | UTCAddition of anti-leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent asthma – Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (link to summary – $ required for full-text)
Source: EvidenceAlerts
In patients with asthma not controlled with daily low-dose inhaled corticosteroids, adding anti-leukotriene agents reduced by half the number of patients with asthma exacerbations requiring an oral corticosteroid and improved lung function and asthma control.
Mental health of adults in contact with the criminal justice system
31 Mar, 2017 | 19:06h | UTCMental health of adults in contact with the criminal justice system – NICE Guideline (free)
News release: Checks needed every year for people with a mental health problem in the criminal justice system, says NICE (free)
Impact of total knee replacement practice: cost effectiveness analysis
31 Mar, 2017 | 19:01h | UTCSee also: Knee Replacement Should Be Reserved for More Severe Osteoarthritis, Study Suggests – Physician’s First Watch (free)
Total knee replacement for patients with osteoarthritis had minimal effects on quality of life in this study. Severely affected patients seem to benefit the most from the procedure.