The American College of Physicians recommends that individuals with heart disease should only receive red blood cell transfusions if they have severe anemia. Additionally, researchers found that the concept of 'healthy and overweight' is a myth, as individuals in the same BMI category can have varied metabolic features. The study's fin...
The American College of Physicians recommends restricting red blood cell transfusions to severe anemia cases in patients with heart disease. ACP also advises against using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in mild to moderate anemia with heart conditions due to increased risks of thromboembolic events and stroke rates.
The US Preventive Services Task Force found no evidence that screening for oral cancer by primary care physicians reduces morbidity or mortality. Oral cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages, highlighting the importance of earlier diagnosis.
A review of President John F. Kennedy's medical records reveals a complex medical history, including Addison's disease and hypothyroidism. Researchers now believe Kennedy may have had polyendocrine syndrome type II, a rare autoimmune disorder combining the two conditions.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that calculating comorbidity-adjusted life expectancy may help physicians determine whether to continue or stop cancer screening in elderly patients. The researchers found that patients with higher levels of comorbidity had shorter life expectancies than healthy patients of ...
A systematic review found multivitamin supplements lack effectiveness in preventing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality. Guidelines for opioid prescribing also need improvement to mitigate overdose deaths among patients with chronic pain.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that women who adhered to a Mediterranean-type diet in midlife had greater physical and mental function in old age. Researchers also developed a scoring system to identify low-risk patients for strep throat, which could potentially save hundreds of thousands of doctor visits...
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends against routine screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in asymptomatic adults, citing the potential harms of testing. ACP also advises against treating patients with stage 1-3 CKD with combination therapy, due to increased risk of adverse effects.
The American College of Physicians recommends against routine screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in asymptomatic adults without risk factors. In contrast, patients with hypertension and stage 1-3 CKD should be treated with ACE inhibitors or ARBs to manage elevated low-density lipoprotein levels. The evidence review suggests tha...
A rare glimpse into President Taft's weight loss journey with a modern approach to treating obesity, and how lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes in high-risk patients. Unruptured brain aneurysms are common but few cause harm.
The USPSTF found no conclusive evidence to support routine blood pressure screening in asymptomatic youth. However, there is a growing concern about the increasing rates of childhood obesity and its potential impact on adult cardiovascular health.
Research found that patients with more primary care visits have lower colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates. Increasing access to primary care may reduce the national burden of CRC.
The American College of Physicians recommends weight loss and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as initial treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. ACP also suggests mandibular advancement devices as an alternative for patients who prefer it or have trouble with CPAP.
The American College of Physicians recommends treating obstructive sleep apnea with weight loss and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy as initial treatment. For patients who do not tolerate or comply with CPAP, a mandibular advancement device (MAD) is an alternative therapy option.
A survey of young breast cancer patients found that nearly all chose prophylactic mastectomy to reduce risk of contralateral breast cancer, despite knowing it doesn't improve survival rates. The study highlights the need for better risk communication strategies to help patients make informed decisions.
The American College of Physicians outlines a team-based model of healthcare with 13 principles to encourage effective teamwork and collaboration. Highly-functioning teams assign responsibility based on patient needs, prioritize culture, communication, and mutual respect.
A Facebook intervention led to increased HIV testing among high-risk men, with a peer-led group showing significant results. The study found that more participants requested an HIV testing kit after 12 weeks compared to the control group.
The USPSTF recommends that primary care clinicians provide education or brief counseling to prevent tobacco use in school-aged children and adolescents. A systematic evidence review found that such interventions can reduce the risk of smoking initiation by 19% compared to control participants.
Research published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that low diastolic blood pressure may be a significant risk factor for mortality in patients with CKD. A study of over 651,000 veterans found that those with diastolic blood pressures below 70mmHg had higher mortality rates compared to those within the recommended range.
A study found that patients with Celiac disease and persistent intestinal damage have a higher risk for lymphoproliferative malignancy. Prioritizing USPSTF recommendations based on patient characteristics can improve life-expectancy by identifying the most beneficial interventions for each individual.
Screening asymptomatic high-risk adults for lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) may significantly reduce mortality, according to a systematic review. The US Preventive Services Task Force reviewed 67 articles and found that LDCT screening can detect lung cancer at an earlier stage, leading to lower mortality rates.
Long-term aspirin use has been linked to reduced colorectal cancer risk, but alternate-day dosing shows increased gastrointestinal bleeding. Electronic health records adoption led to ambulatory cost savings of 3% per member per month and reductions in radiology costs in experimental pilot communities.
The US Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening for primary open-angle glaucoma. Two commentaries explore the physician's role in preventing gun violence, including the importance of discussing guns with elderly patients and advocating for mental health treatment.
Salsalate shows promise as a type 2 diabetes treatment, reducing A1C and fasting blood glucose levels, but increases risk of hypoglycemia. Black men are less likely to have advanced colorectal neoplasia found at screening than white men, with disparities attributed to access and modifiable risk factors.
The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in persons at high risk for infection. One-time screening for all adults born between 1945 and 1965 may identify infected patients at an earlier, more treatable stage of disease.
Two independent reviews of rhBMP-2 trial data found no significant benefits and potential increased risks of cancer associated with its use. The studies suggest that patients should be counseled on the relative benefits and harms of each option, as the role of rhBMP-2 in spinal surgery is still being defined.
The US Preventive Services Task Force found primary care interventions for preventing child maltreatment to be ineffective due to limited evidence. In contrast, diabetes patients on Medicare are two to three times more likely to use brand-name drugs than VA patients, at an added annual cost of $1 billion.
Researchers found that daily sunscreen use significantly slows skin aging, with a 24% decrease in photoaging compared to discretionary application. In contrast, a survey of 1,820 physicians revealed that only about 43% had basic electronic health record systems and 10% met meaningful use criteria, highlighting challenges in EHR adoptio...
Researchers found that using the oral glucose challenge test (OGCT) with a glucose threshold of 7.2 mmol/L had a sensitivity of 99 percent and specificity of 77 percent for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM screening may also reduce complications such as preeclampsia, shoulder dystocia, and high birth weight.
The American College of Physicians recommends targeting a blood glucose level of 140-200 mg/dL for surgical and medical intensive care unit patients when using intensive insulin therapy. The guidelines aim to balance the benefits and harms of hyperglycemia management in hospitalized patients.
Studies of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients reveal that older, sicker men are unlikely to benefit from aggressive therapy. Researchers found that those aged 61-74 and over 75 with multiple health issues face high risks of mortality from non-prostate causes, suggesting a shift towards more conservative treatment approaches.
The US is on high alert for a potential Chinese Avian Flu pandemic, with over 100 infected and 24 deaths reported. The US Preventive Services Task Force also recommends screening all adults for alcohol misuse to reduce preventable deaths.
Researchers found that ambrisentan treatment worsened IPF progression and hospitalization rates. Assessing acute changes in Lung Allocation Score can inform organ wait-list strategies to reduce post-transplant mortality. Inexpensive behavioral interventions helped TB patients in poor countries quit smoking, offering a basis for effecti...
The USPSTF recommends screening all adults and adolescents aged 15-65 and pregnant women for HIV to improve clinical outcomes and reduce mother-to-child transmission rates. Universal screening is associated with minimal harm and targeted screening misses a substantial number of cases.
The USPSTF reviewed evidence on suicide screening and treatment for adults and adolescents, finding that primary care-feasible screening tools can identify adults at increased risk for suicide but have limited ability to detect risk in adolescents. Treatment with psychotherapy reduced the risk of suicide attempts by 32% in high-risk ad...
The American College of Physicians recommends high-risk women receive preventive drug therapy to reduce risk of primary breast cancer. CT scans can also be used to screen for osteoporosis at lower costs without additional radiation exposure. However, using computer-aided detection in mammography increases diagnosis of early stage cance...
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has introduced two evidence-based interventions and two videos to enhance patient-clinician communication in the first year following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event. The initiatives aim to improve health outcomes by providing a patient guide, clinician support tool, and video resources.
Annals of Internal Medicine and ACP honor Adrienne Allen, MD, MPH, and Matthew Spitzer, MD, for their groundbreaking research on patient safety and erectile dysfunction. The awards highlight the importance of rigorous methodology and potential impact on clinical practice.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) have released a policy paper providing guidance on best practices for physicians' online behavior. The recommendations aim to preserve trust in patient-physician relationships and protect patient interests when using social media.
The ACP Clinical Guidelines app provides clinicians with easy access to evidence-based clinical recommendations and rationale, saving them time in their practice. Available on iPhone, iPad, and Android, the app includes guidance statements and high-value care advice for all currently active guidelines.
The American College of Physicians has developed interventions to help patients with prediabetes, gout, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. The organization has created patient guides and videos that provide practical tips and concrete examples for reducing the risk of developing diabetes, managing gout, and achieving healthy weight loss.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) releases new recommendations for prostate cancer screening, focusing on shared decision-making and clear patient preference. Men between 50-69 years old should discuss the benefits and harms of PSA testing with their doctor before undergoing screening. The ACP also recommends against screening f...
The American College of Physicians suggests that men between 50-69 discuss potential benefits and harms of the PSA test before screening. The risks include problems interpreting test results, biopsy complications, and treatment side effects. ACP recommends against testing in men younger than 50 or older than 69 with low life expectancy.
Researchers found that obese employees who received group-based financial incentives lost more weight than those with individual incentives. In contrast, higher blood levels of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids protected against death, primarily due to reduced cardiovascular events.
Researchers found that most medical subspecialty practices are unable to accommodate patients who use wheelchairs, citing transfer issues as the primary barrier. A new study suggests hydrochlorothiazide may be a safer treatment option than chlorthalidone for elderly patients with hypertension, due to its lower risk of electrolyte imbal...
The American College of Physicians publishes a special supplement on patient safety strategies, featuring articles on reducing cancer risk through colonoscopy screening and increasing colorectal cancer screening adherence via electronic health records. Researchers found that colonoscopy screening reduces late-stage cancer diagnosis by ...
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against daily supplementation with vitamin D ≤ 400 IU and calcium ≤ 1,000 mg for fracture prevention in postmenopausal women. Daily supplementation has no net benefit and increases the risk of kidney stones, according to a systematic evidence review.
Acupuncture showed statistically significant improvements in symptoms and medication use for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Increasing CT screening thresholds could decrease false positive results but may delay cancer diagnosis. The American College of Physicians has released a new tip sheet with these findings.
Public health experts at Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research emphasize the need for evidence-based policies to prevent gun violence. Physicians are urged to engage in prevention efforts through strategies such as discussing guns with patients and advocating for change in Congress.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that exercising regularly earlier in life can significantly lower the risk of developing dementia later in life. Researchers analyzed data from over 19,000 adults and found a strong association between midlife fitness levels and reduced risk of all-cause dementia. Additio...