A prospective cohort study found that adults with hemoglobin levels 1 to 3 g/dL above the World Health Organization's anemia thresholds had lower mortality compared to those with levels below and above this range. The study suggests that further investigation of borderline anemia is warranted.
A prospective cohort study found that higher parental vitamin B12 and maternal RBC folate levels before and after conception, respectively, were associated with lower birth defect risk. This suggests that the nutritional status of both parents during the periconceptional period may play a role in preventing birth defects.
The updated guideline recommends routine obesity screening, comprehensive lifestyle intervention, and individualized use of medications and endoscopic and surgical procedures. Obesity should be treated as a chronic disease requiring longitudinal, flexible care pathways.
An observational study found that older adults with consistently elevated NT-proBNP concentrations had a significantly higher risk for cardiovascular disease and death. Those whose levels returned to normal had a comparable risk to those who never showed signs of heart stress.
Recent staffing cuts, funding disruptions, and organizational changes at AHRQ have raised concerns about research projects on diagnostic errors, maternal health, and primary care. Experts call for Congress to act and urge the agency to resume regular meetings of the US Preventive Services Task Force.
A randomized controlled trial found that first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis significantly improves walking-related pain in patients with painful hallux rigidus. The study suggests arthrodesis as a preferred treatment option for some patients, providing a greater reduction in walking-related pain and secondary outcomes.
A cost analysis of the 2025 New Mexico measles outbreak found it carried an estimated societal cost of $5.4 million, with vaccination-related activities accounting for about $2.1 million. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining strong vaccination coverage to prevent future outbreaks.
A growing trend of patients turning to AI chatbots for health advice reflects broader healthcare system strain and patient dissatisfaction with traditional care options. Critical care doctor Robert B. Shpiner argues that addressing underlying structural issues is essential to mitigate AI risks.
A single-group, open-label study found that olorofim, a novel antifungal agent, showed efficacy in patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis, a rare complication of Valley Fever. By days 42 and 84, about 76% and 73% of patients showed clinical improvement, respectively.
Researchers from Rutgers University analyzed US insurance claims data to compare the risk of ischemic optic neuropathy among initiators of GLP-1 RAs versus SGLT-2is or DPP-4is. A small increase in risk was observed, but absolute risk remained very low.
A pooled analysis of two randomized trials found that decreasing sleep by just 1.5 hours each night was associated with increases in body weight, waist circumference, and sedentary time in adults with elevated cardiometabolic risk. The findings highlight the importance of discussing sleep duration at health care visits.
A study found that administering COVID-19 and influenza vaccines on the same day is not associated with an increased risk of serious or clinically meaningful adverse events. The research, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, involved 2.5 million patients in the US Department of Veterans Affairs health care system and compared thos...
A target trial emulation study found that delaying treatment of moderate pre-cancerous cervical cells (CIN 2) does not increase three-year cancer risk and reduces unnecessary excisions. The study suggests it may be safe to delay treatment, especially for lower-risk CIN 2, by adopting careful follow-up strategies.
The American College of Physicians recommends semaglutide and tirzepatide as first-line treatments for nonpregnant adults with obesity, while recommending lifestyle modifications including improved nutrition and physical activity. The guideline also emphasizes discussing benefits, harms, costs, and contraindications with patients.
A study analyzing insurance claims data found similar risks between continued and non-continued GLP-1RA medication use during early pregnancy. The authors conclude that further research is needed to better understand the safety of GLP-1RAs in pregnancy due to imprecise estimates for rare outcomes.
A new study found that nearly a quarter of adults with a normal weight BMI may still be at risk for obesity-related health complications. The research highlights the importance of considering multiple factors beyond body mass index (BMI) to accurately identify individuals at risk for these conditions.
Patients with employer-sponsored insurance may benefit from using direct-to-consumer pharmacies for high-cost generics, with savings ranging from 80% to nearly 100%. This strategy is particularly recommended for disease areas with high cost sharing, such as oncology and psychiatry.
Researchers found little consistency in prior authorization rules from Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare, highlighting a fragmented system that may contribute to administrative burden. Assembling these rules into a shared database is feasible and could improve transparency for patients and clinicians.
Researchers found a sustained reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and death associated with single flexible sigmoidoscopy screening, particularly in men. The study suggests that this screening method can provide long-lasting benefits beyond the usual 15-year screening age range.
A randomized controlled trial found that a 1 L PEG-ascorbate regimen provided effective and high-quality bowel cleansing, while being associated with a greater willingness to repeat the regimen compared to 2 L and 4 L PEG regimens. The findings support adopting a low-volume regimen to improve completion rates and patient tolerability.
A new trial found that proximal hypoglossal nerve stimulation (pHGNS) significantly reduced breathing interruptions during sleep and improved daytime sleepiness without adverse events. The therapy, an FDA-approved alternative to nasal positive airway pressure, was found to be safe and effective in patients with moderate-to-severe obstr...
For eligible patients with community-acquired pneumonia, shorter treatment durations may be as safe and effective as traditional longer regimens. The study found no meaningful differences in mortality, readmissions, or C. difficile infections among patients who received three to four days of antibiotics.
The ACP's 2026 Internal Medicine Meeting will gather over 5,000 clinicians and experts to explore cutting-edge research and innovations in patient care. Keynote speaker Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH, will discuss clinical leadership and trust in the age of information chaos.
A study of young adults treated in emergency departments found that a firearm-specific risk screening tool, SaFETy score, can predict the risk of interpersonal firearm violence. The findings support the value of the SaFetY score for screening young adults for firearm risk who present to emergency departments.
Researchers found that adults with type 2 diabetes who switched from dulaglutide to tirzepatide reported improved emotional responses and a greater quality of life. The study suggests that tirzepatide may offer broader benefits beyond glucose control, improving patients' physical and emotional well-being.
A systematic review of 31 studies found that diet changes and medications like thiazide diuretics, alkali therapy, and allopurinol may reduce stone recurrence in adults with calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones. However, evidence was generally limited, and more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of these interventions.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) supports the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) 2026 childhood vaccine schedule, which is based on evidence and better reflects current disease epidemiology. The ACP's Immunization Committee found the AAP recommendations to be more evidence-based than the CDC's recommendations, particularly i...
Two new ACP papers advocate for policy changes to improve healthcare access and inclusivity for people with disabilities. The papers offer recommendations to address health disparities, promote disability-inclusive medical education, and foster a supportive workplace environment.
The American College of Physicians advises all adults aged 75 or older to receive a protein subunit Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, reducing the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Adults aged 60-74 with comorbid conditions may also consider receiving the vaccine. The benefits outweigh the harms in this age group.
A cross-sectional analysis found that nearly half of mental health visits and 29 million non-mental health telehealth visits occurred annually. The study suggests that telehealth has become an essential component of care for older and medically vulnerable adults, raising concerns about rolling back telehealth flexibilities.
A new study suggests that women vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) may only need cervical cancer screenings 2-3 times over a lifetime, without compromising health benefits. This approach could lead to cost-effectiveness and reduced unnecessary follow-up procedures.
Nearly half of CDC surveillance databases have stopped updating, primarily tracking vaccination-related information and respiratory diseases. Prolonged pauses risk weakening evidence-based decision-making, and the authors recommend clear status updates, reasons for delays, and timelines for resuming data publication.
A cohort study of over 300 adults found that 58% of those diagnosed with mpox during the 2022 outbreak still experienced lingering physical effects, including appearance-related changes and anorectal or urinary problems. The study provides context on the enduring physical and psychosocial effects of mpox.
A new long-term prediction tool estimates the risk of dying from prostate cancer by combining PSA levels with factors like family history, race, age, and other health conditions. The tool showed higher accuracy in predicting prostate cancer death over decades compared to existing models.
A large population-based study found that SGLT-2 inhibitors reduced the risk of diabetic foot problems compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists. The difference was mainly due to fewer cases of nerve damage in the feet among SGLT-2 inhibitor users.
A large cohort study found that statins significantly reduce the risk of death and major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes. The findings challenge long-standing uncertainty about whether patients at low risk benefit from preventive statin therapy, suggesting that the drugs may have broader protective value.
A systematic review found that cannabis products with higher THC concentration provide small improvements in pain and function, but at the cost of increased risks of common adverse events. CBD-only formulations showed no benefits. Long-term research is needed to guide patients and policymakers.
A systematic review of 17 randomized trials found that reducing saturated fat intake lowered all-cause mortality and cardiovascular deaths among high-cardiovascular risk individuals. For people at low to intermediate risk, cutting or replacing saturated fat intake offered little benefit over 5 years. The study suggests that saturated f...
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that GLP-1 receptor agonists probably have little or no effect on the risk of thyroid, pancreatic, breast, or kidney cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes or overweight/obesity. However, longer-term studies are needed to clarify potential risks or benefits for other obesity-related cancers.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that adjunct corticosteroids probably reduce short-term mortality in cases of severe pneumonia and ARDS, but have little effect on hospital-acquired infections. The evidence suggests that there is no increased risk of infectious complications with corticosteroid use for non-COVID-19 pneumonia.
A population-based study found that exposure to cannabis retail stores was associated with increased rates of harm, particularly in neighborhoods with higher store densities. The American College of Physicians recommends that managed care strategies prioritize improving health outcomes over cost control.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued new influenza vaccine practice points that recommend standard-dose trivalent or quadrivalent vaccines for healthy adults aged 18-64, and high-dose trivalent or quadrivalent vaccines for those 65 years old. The guidelines aim to prevent seasonal epidemics caused by highly infectious fl...
A population-based cohort study found that the cumulative incidence of scrotal surgery among male living kidney donors was 1 in 8 after 20 years, compared to 1 in 143 for non-donors. Most males who donate a kidney won't develop this complication, but it's essential to inform past and future donors about the risk and potential symptoms.
A new observational study found that semaglutide, tirzepatide, and dulaglutide have similar gastrointestinal safety profiles among patients with type 2 diabetes. The medications were assessed in a large database of adults with T2D, who underwent treatment with these GLP-1 RA medications between 2019 and 2024.
A prospective cohort study found that individuals who accumulate their daily steps in longer bouts have a lower risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. In sedentary participants, the association between longer stepping bouts and lower risk was more pronounced.
A surveillance study found that cancer incidence rates for 13 types of cancer rose in both younger and older adults worldwide, with increases related to obesity. This analysis suggests that research priorities should consider cancer types seen rising in both age groups.
The recombinant shingles vaccine achieved over 50% effectiveness against any herpes zoster outcome in both older and immunocompromised adults. The study suggests individuals previously vaccinated with live zoster should be revaccinated with two doses of RZV to maintain protection.
A nationwide study finds increased physician attrition rates in psychiatry, primary care, and obstetrics and gynecology specialties. Female physicians, rural practitioners, and those outside the Northeast region are at higher risk of clinical attrition.
A prospective cohort study found an AI tool accurately assesses body composition from routine MRI, identifying patients at high cardiometabolic risk. Associations were strongest with visceral adipose tissue proportion and skeletal muscle fat fraction.
Private equity hospitals reduce staffing, leading to increased patient transfers, shortened ICU stays, and higher ED mortality. This results in decreased capacity to deliver care, with reduced salary expenditures per bed day for emergency departments and ICUs.