A systematic review found that weight-loss interventions were associated with improvements in some polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms, including improved menstrual frequency. The interventions also showed a clinically significant improvement in metabolic markers and hormonal balance.
A study found that up to 50.7% of Medicare beneficiaries with modest incomes may not have sufficient funds to cover out-of-pocket costs associated with a single hospital stay. This financial precarity is more prevalent among Black and Hispanic beneficiaries, those with lower education levels, and those with multiple chronic conditions.
A systematic review of randomized clinical trials found that AI-assisted colonoscopies increased overall detection of colonic polyps and adenomas, with a small increase in procedure time. Researchers also found no clear differences in benefit for detecting adenomas across different AI systems.
A nationwide mortality data study found Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults have the third highest cardiovascular death rate in the US, with approximately 40% of deaths attributed to coronary heart disease. The study highlights a need for focused interventions to promote cardiovascular health among NHPI adults.
Researchers evaluated HIV reservoir in breast milk cells of two women living with HIV, detecting very low levels of cellular HIV DNA. The study's findings support revised recommendations on infant feeding by people with HIV in high resource settings.
A randomized controlled trial found that time-restricted eating (TRE) led to greater improvements in glucose control, weight loss, and fat reduction compared to standard nutrition counseling in adults with metabolic syndrome. TRE resulted in a lower risk of muscle mass loss during weight loss.
Gestational carriers, also known as pregnancy surrogates, are at a higher risk for severe maternal morbidity, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and postpartum hemorrhage compared to women carrying their own pregnancies. The study found that these risks were nearly twice as high as in unassisted conception pregnancies.
A cross-sectional study of cardiovascular devices found that most recalled devices did not undergo clinical testing before authorization and were not required to undergo postmarket surveillance studies. The study highlights the need for more rigorous testing and monitoring of these devices to ensure patient safety.
A nationwide retrospective cohort study found a detrimental relationship between COVID-19 caseload and survival across all hospital types. Approximately 1 in every 5 COVID-19 deaths were attributed to hospital caseload strain, highlighting the importance of minimizing caseload surge during future public health emergencies.
A large cohort study found that false-positive mammography results lead to a significant decrease in subsequent screening rates among women. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, highlights the potential unintended consequence of false positives on routine breast cancer screening participation.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that approximately 61% of Medicare-eligible adults have a BMI of 27 or higher, making them eligible for semaglutide. However, the number of patients who will be eligible depends on how cardiovascular disease is defined, with narrow definitions resulting in only 3.6 million people b...
Researchers developed alternative criteria using a prediction model to identify people with the most to gain from lung cancer screening. The study found that high-benefit groups include those who smoked for a long duration but at a lower intensity, heavy smokers who quit over 15 years ago, and racial and ethnic minority groups.
A national cohort study found that no routine clinical lab test can aid in diagnosing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ongoing inflammation is thought to contribute to symptoms like anosmia and PASC. Researchers also discovered a link between SARS-CoV-2 and diabetes risk, independent of PASC symptoms.
A modeling study estimates that cancer screening costs over $40 billion annually in the US, with an emphasis on enhancing equitable access to recommended screenings. However, experts argue that this estimate may underestimate the true cost due to lack of consideration for subsequent testing, ineligible patients, and overdiagnosis.
A nationwide study found a marked increase in new GLP-1RA prescriptions for obesity, particularly since 2020. Semaglutide was the most prescribed GLP-1RA, but prescriptions among those with obesity without type 2 diabetes spiked, worsening existing racial and ethnic disparities.
A nationally representative US survey found that women aged 39-49 who received a decision aid describing the benefits and harms of breast cancer screening were more likely to delay or forego screening. The study suggests that providing accurate information may change intention to screen for some women, particularly those with higher br...
A randomized, controlled trial found acupuncture to be effective in reducing methadone dose and opioid cravings in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. The study suggests that acupuncture could be a useful adjunctive treatment for individuals receiving MMT, potentially improving their treatment outcomes.
A study of over 183,000 adults found that certain antidepressants can cause significant weight gain or loss, while others have little to no effect. Bupropion was consistently associated with the least weight gain among 8 first-line antidepressants, which may impact medication adherence and patient treatment decisions.
The American College of Physicians reaffirms its policies on LGBTQ+ health, emphasizing the need for access to evidence-based gender-affirming care and research into improving care for transgender individuals. The updated policy paper also recommends protecting civil rights and implementing public policies that uphold the ability to ta...
A survey of 150 million adults in the US suggests that nearly a third of those aged 60 or older are using aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease without medical advice. The findings highlight the urgent need for physicians to discuss the benefits and risks of aspirin use with their patients.
A study of almost 400,000 live births found that paternal use of metformin monotherapy was not significantly associated with major congenital malformations. However, researchers noted that fathers prescribed metformin had higher rates of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, which could affect reproductive health.
A laboratory study found that passive heat exposure stresses the heart, increasing myocardial blood flow in all participants, regardless of age or health status. Adults with a history of CAD are at particular risk and may benefit from minimizing cardiac strain during extreme heat by staying cool.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that artificial intelligence (AI) technology should augment physician decision-making, rather than replacing it. ACP advises that AI tools should be designed to enhance human intelligence, prioritize privacy and clinical safety, and reduce disparities in healthcare.
A cost-effectiveness analysis found that first-line MRI-based screening for prostate cancer is less effective and more costly than first-line PSA testing. Despite free MRI costs, the first-line approach resulted in increased false positives and overdiagnosis without substantial reductions in mortality.
A study found that statin therapy significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in adults aged 60 years and older, including those over 85. Statins also did not increase the risk for adverse events such as myopathies and liver dysfunction.
A study of over 75,000 adults found no association between autoimmune diseases and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), suggesting that previous associations may be due to ascertainment bias. The findings have implications for screening recommendations for patients with autoimmune disease.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that low testosterone levels are associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death. Men with very low testosterone concentrations had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death, regardless of other hormone levels.
A multisite review found that adverse events during outpatient care were relatively common and often serious, with 7% of outpatients experiencing at least one event. Adverse drug events were the most common, and these events occurred more frequently among older adults and were often preventable.
A study of 15 brand-name drugs found that competition from 'skinny label' generics saved Medicare nearly $15 billion from 2015 to 2021. The largest savings were seen for rosuvastatin, pregabalin, and imatinib, with actual spending being $16.8 billion versus projected spending of $31.5 billion.
An observational study of over 700,000 patients found that female physicians treated male and female patients with lower mortality and readmission rates. The effect was particularly pronounced in female patients treated by female physicians, possibly due to patient-centered communication and reduced sociocultural taboos.
The American College of Physicians recommends adding SGLT-2 and GLP-1 agonists to metformin in adults with Type 2 diabetes for improved cardiovascular outcomes. The guidelines prioritize shared decision-making, considering individual patient characteristics and values.
A new supplement published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights important new evidence from 2023 that may have been missed by clinicians. The supplement features summaries of novel findings across eight medical disciplines, including cardiology, critical care, and oncology.
A US study found that medical cannabis enrollment increased overall between 2016 and 2022, but decreased in states with legalized recreational use. The number of patients using cannabis for medical purposes has risen by over 600% since 2016.
A study found that structural racism is largely to blame for disparities in tuberculosis (TB) incidence among the U.S.-born population. Researchers analyzed national TB registry data and found that TB incidence ratios were higher for certain racial and ethnic groups, with greater relative disparities among females.
A study found that an annual vaccination campaign with a second dose for children under 2 years old and individuals aged 50 and over can significantly reduce hospitalizations, deaths, and healthcare spending. The optimal timing for the second vaccination is delivering it 5 months after initial vaccination.
A recent study found that digital reminders for flu vaccination increased vaccination rates among older adults in Denmark by one percentage point. However, it did not improve clinical outcomes, including hospitalization and death rates.
A 20-year analysis found that calcium and vitamin D supplements reduced cancer mortality by 7%, but increased cardiovascular disease mortality by 6% in postmenopausal women. The study suggested that cancer incidence depends on pre-supplementation status, while CVD mortality is higher among supplement users.
A large binational study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an increased risk of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) extending up to 12 months after infection. Vaccination showed some protection against AIRDs, particularly among those who were vaccinated.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) emphasizes the need for policy efforts to address homelessness, recommending stable housing and adequate funding. The report also highlights the importance of providing targeted medical services and decriminalizing life-sustaining activities in public.
A study of over 250 patients with Cushing's disease and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas found that those who achieved remission were more likely to develop new-onset autoimmune disease within three years. Higher prevalence of adrenal insufficiency may have contributed to this development.
A study of 18,000 women found those diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were 8 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to control group. This increased risk is attributed to higher likelihood of psychiatric conditions such as depressive disorders and anxiety disorders associated with PCOS. Researchers emphasize the ne...
A study of over 1.6 million ED visits found that nearly two-thirds of low-risk pulmonary embolism patients were hospitalized, despite evidence suggesting safety in outpatient management. Researchers suggest further investigation into ED triage decisions to improve appropriate use of outpatient care.
A cross-sectional study of over 6,500 adults aged 65+ found that older adults spent an average of 20.7 days per year receiving healthcare outside the home. The 'health care contact days' metric can help evaluate care and identify areas for improvement, such as coordinating tests with visits and reducing Friday office visits.
A clinical trial found that trazodone and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia were no more effective than placebo in improving insomnia symptoms among long-term dialysis patients. Serious adverse events also occurred more frequently with trazodone use. More trials are needed to investigate additional therapies for this condition.
The 2024 adult immunization schedule features four new vaccines, including the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, mpox vaccine, a new MenACWY-MenB combo vaccine, and updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine. Clinicians stress the need for effective communication strategies to increase vaccine uptake among skeptical patients.
A study of over 5,000 adults found that acute hospital care at home (AHCaH) is associated with low mortality, escalation, and readmission rates among medically complex and socially vulnerable patients. AHCaH was also linked to improved experiences and physical activity levels.
A survey of low-income adults showed a significant decrease in food insecurity, from 20.6% in 2019 to 15.5% in 2021. The findings highlight the importance of financial relief and nutritional benefits for vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends removing barriers to participating in the electoral process to advance health equity. ACP supports policies ensuring safe and equitable access to voting, opposes partisan gerrymandering, and encourages civic participation among healthcare professionals.
Suicide rates in the US increased across all racial groups between 1999 and 2020, with highest rates among White people and American Indian/Alaska Native persons. Firearms and hanging were the top methods used, with a sharp increase in hangings among women.
The American College of Physicians has published a new clinical practice guideline for the prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hepatitis C virus in chronic kidney disease. The guideline includes recommendations for expanding treatment with sofosbuvir-based regimens to patients with CKD glomerular filtration rate categor...