Articles tagged with Internal Medicine
A long-term study found that even mild cognitive impairment substantially increases the risk of death, with a strong impact comparable to other chronic diseases. The study, which followed nearly 4,000 patients over 13 years, suggests that recognition of cognitive impairment in primary care practices should be given higher priority.
A study analyzing medication trials published in high-impact general medicine journals found that surrogate outcomes, composite outcomes, and disease-specific mortality are used, which can be misleading. These outcome measures may not accurately reflect a medication's impact on important clinical outcomes like heart attacks or strokes.
A new study found that hospital patients who had conversations about religion and spirituality with their healthcare team were the most satisfied with their overall care. Despite 20% of patients wanting these discussions but not having them, having a conversation led to higher patient satisfaction rates.
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that patients treated for a heart attack in US territories have a significantly higher risk of dying within 30 days. The researchers used Medicare data to compare outcomes in hospitals across the US territories and mainland, revealing substantial differences in mortality rates.
A study of 36,261 patients found that diastolic dysfunction was associated with a higher mortality rate, particularly in moderate and severe cases. The researchers suggest that early identification of advanced diastolic dysfunction may lead to earlier interventions and improved outcomes.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that ghrelin, the 'hunger hormone', triggers comfort food cravings in stressed mice, leading to overeating and increased body weight. The study suggests that ghrelin signaling plays a crucial role in stress-induced food-reward behaviors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that a promising cancer treatment drug can restore function of a heart en route to failure from high blood pressure. The drug has been shown to reverse the harmful effects of autophagy in heart muscle cells of mice, leading to regression of heart disease.
The National Physicians Alliance recommends limiting antibiotic prescribing, avoiding imaging for low back pain, and not ordering cardiac screening tests in low-risk patients. The suggestions aim to make primary care more affordable and efficient while improving patient health.
A Penn-led study has identified common clinical activities where changes in practice could lead to higher quality care and better use of finite clinical resources. The 'Top 5' list for internal medicine includes practices such as not overimaging, not overscreening, and using generic statins.
A simple fitness test can predict a person's risk of heart attack or stroke over the next decade or more. Middle-aged individuals who can run a mile quickly have a lower lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease.
A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that counties with higher median household incomes have a greater supply of hospice services. This suggests that wealthier communities are more likely to have access to these life-sustaining programs, which can improve pain control, maintain independence, and even ex...
A recent study examines changes in medical students' views about internal medicine careers from 1990 to 2007. The proportion of students planning general internal medicine training declined, while those attracted by primary care physicians' appeal increased. Bolder reform is needed to improve the educational pipeline and practice of ge...
The article discusses how fabricated research can lead to tragic consequences, including patients fearing lifesaving interventions and clinicians altering practice. The authors call for changes throughout the research process to adjust expectations for researchers, journals, and the public.
A meta-analysis of nine previous studies found that quitting smoking shortly before surgery was not associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Stopping smoking up to eight weeks before surgery did not show a beneficial or detrimental effect on outcomes compared to continued smoking.
A new study predicts the spread of cholera in Haiti and identifies effective control strategies. The researchers' model suggests a three percent risk reduction in infection through vaccination, which is twice the impact of providing clean water.
A study found that patients with low health literacy are more likely to incorrectly administer prescription medications, leading to worse health outcomes. The researchers concluded that standardized instructions and task-centered strategies could help improve adherence.
A study found that patrons of black-owned barbershops who received regular blood pressure measurements and encouragement from barbers were nearly nine times more likely to see a physician than those who only received hypertension literature. The intervention led to a significant increase in men controlling their hypertension, with rate...
A recent study found that most medical devices recalled due to serious risks were initially approved through expedited processes or exempt from regulatory review. The FDA's 510(k) process, intended for low- to moderate-risk devices, was used for 71% of recalled devices.
A recent study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine found that lifestyle factors such as not smoking, moderate coffee consumption, and good socio-economic status have a significant impact on life expectancy. The study, which followed men born in 1913, showed that these factors can increase the chances of reaching age 90 by up ...
A study found that 15 out of 20 drug classes had inconsistent black box warnings, with some warnings missing from all drugs in the same class. The researchers argue for a more transparent and systematic approach to label design.
A recent study found that nearly 18% of patients are perceived as 'difficult' by their physicians, leading to lower satisfaction and trust. These difficult encounters also result in worsening symptoms two weeks after the consultation.
Research suggests that smoking before menopause may be associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Women who smoked more or longer had a higher risk of breast cancer, while passive smoking was not linked to an increased risk.
Researchers pinpointed the ventral premammillary nucleus as a key site in the brain where leptin acts to trigger puberty in females. This finding sheds light on the potential impact of childhood obesity on the onset of puberty, particularly in girls.
A new blood test can detect cardiac troponin T levels in 25% of seemingly healthy individuals, indicating an increased risk of dying from heart disease. The test's results showed that those with elevated troponin T levels were nearly seven times more likely to die within six years.
A recent study found that nearly half of men in this age group would like to have more sex, despite the common perception that elderly people are not capable of or interested in sex. Meanwhile, a meta-analysis of heart treatments failed to show significant differences between two commonly used medications. The American College of Physi...
A circuit in the brain regulating serotonin-receptor signaling may explain anti-diabetic actions independent of body weight and feeding. Reactivating this receptor in specific neurons protects mice from insulin resistance and metabolic problems.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that the adrenal gland hormone aldosterone increases activity in the nervous system that raises blood pressure. The research suggests that treating hypertension requires targeting not just the kidneys but also the sympathetic nervous system.
A study found that starting dialysis earlier in advanced kidney disease was associated with a greater risk of death. Patients who began dialysis early had a higher mortality rate compared to those who started later, especially those with lower albumin levels.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that door-to-balloon time has dropped dramatically for heart attack patients, from 113 minutes in 2003 to 76 minutes in 2008. However, despite the quicker hospital care, mortality rates remained unchanged at around 4%.
A survey found that physicians' relationships with industry decreased since 2004 but remain common, with 83.8% of physicians reporting ties in 2009.
A recent study found that patients with non-STEMI heart attacks often experience long delays to hospital arrival, with a median delay time of 2.6 hours. Despite efforts to improve timely care, many patients still wait over two hours before seeking medical attention.
According to a study, primary care physicians earn significantly lower hourly wages compared to specialists in surgery, internal medicine, and other fields. The average annual income of primary care physicians is $187,857, which is 48% lower than that of surgeons.
Two Elsevier medical titles, Color Atlas of Clinical Hematology and Kumar & Clark's Clinical Medicine, won first prize in their respective categories at the BMA Medical Book Competition. The awards recognize the quality and expertise in these medical texts.
A new study highlights the excess burden of medical conditions on top of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in returning US soldiers. Women with PTSD suffer from more medical conditions than men, with a median value of 7 conditions compared to 4.5 in women without mental health issues.
Researchers investigated whether recent experiences with clinical problems lead to availability bias, a key contributor to diagnostic errors. Structured re-analysis of case findings was found to counteract this bias and improve diagnostic accuracy.
A study by University of Illinois College of Medicine researchers found that the order of third-year core clerkships affects performance on subject exams and overall grades. Internal medicine as the first clerkship was strongly associated with better outcomes, but not clinical performance or USMLE scores.
A new study finds that US government health reforms have improved insurance coverage and reduced financial barriers to care, but failed to address disparities in access to care and self-rated health. The research suggests that health reform policies should focus on broader social determinants of health to advance health equity.
A simplified clinical tool has led to the reclassification of millions of Americans into different risk groups, potentially affecting their treatment. The study found that 15% of adults were reclassified, with 10% moving to higher-risk groups and 5% to lower-risk groups, leading to potential over-treatment or under-treatment.
Researchers found that a low-carb diet based on animal protein may increase death risk compared to a vegetable-based diet. Additionally, patients often overestimate the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and radiation-free magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) offers an accurate diagnosis for peripheral arterial disease.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that reminder systems encouraging prompt removal of urinary catheters reduced CAUTIs by 52%. The researchers suggest that low-cost interventions like nurse-empowered catheter stop orders could be effective in reducing infections. Hospitals can implement these strategies to improve...
The Association of Specialty Professors has announced the ninth class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars, supporting research on pulmonary fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, and palliative care for older adults. Seven new investigators will join 75 previous scholars in advancing knowledge on these topics.
Researchers evaluated the long-term effects of low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diets on weight loss, serum lipid concentrations, and bone mineral density. Both groups achieved significant weight loss, but the low-carb diet produced greater increases in plasma HDL cholesterol concentration.
A study found that physicians' understanding of patient health beliefs is generally poor, but significantly improves when patients are more actively involved in consultations. Healthcare providers can better tailor treatment recommendations by encouraging patients to express their beliefs and concerns.
A significant geographic variation was found in the use of carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting among Medicare beneficiaries, with different regions having varying rates of each procedure. Men and patients with a prior diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease were more likely to undergo carotid revascularization.
Women with severe angina are three times more likely to develop severe coronary artery disease than men. The study found that even younger women face a higher risk of developing CAD than men in the same age group. Diabetes and high blood pressure also play a significant role in increasing the risk, particularly among young women.
A recent study by UT Southwestern researchers suggests that the brain enzyme PI3 kinase plays a key role in regulating body heat and calorie burn after consuming high-fat meals. Mice with reduced PI3 kinase activity gained weight due to impaired thermogenic response, highlighting potential new targets for combating obesity.
A new study suggests that a protein called SIRT1, found in specific neurons of the brain, is essential for maintaining normal body weight. Without this protein, mice on high-calorie diets gain more weight and are more susceptible to obesity.
A survey by Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that 91% of physicians believe 'defensive medicine' is necessary due to malpractice concerns. The study suggests that tort reform can decrease unnecessary testing and rising healthcare costs.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that fatal medication errors peak in July at teaching hospitals where new medical residents are on duty. The authors suggest re-evaluating responsibilities and increasing education on medication safety to reduce errors.
A study published in PLoS One investigates the reliability of peer review and its influence on journal editors' decisions to publish or reject research. The results suggest that reviewers agree on manuscript disposition rates barely exceeding chance, while editor decisions are significantly influenced by reviewer recommendations.
A new article proposes a three-pronged strategy to address conflicts of interest in clinical guideline development, emphasizing intellectual and financial conflicts equally. The approach aims to balance expert insights with the avoidance of inappropriate influence from experts with financial or intellectual conflicts.
A survey of 2,058 physicians found that 17% of general internists and 4% of internal medicine subspecialists have left their practices by mid-career. The study suggests that the 'general' nature of general internal medicine may give internists more options for careers outside of medicine.
Combining four unhealthy behaviors like smoking, lack of physical activity, and poor diet increases death risk. Individuals with all four behaviors had about three times the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer.
Researchers found that both men and women who had higher depression scores consumed almost 12 servings of chocolate per month. Chocolate consumption was not associated with other antioxidant-rich foods or energy intake.
Researchers found that healthy older adults taking rosuvastatin had fewer heart problems and strokes than those not taking the medication. A high false-positive rate was associated with low-dose CT lung cancer screening, highlighting its potential harms. U.S. News rankings are criticized for relying too heavily on subjective data.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) aims to provide most Americans with access to affordable healthcare, covering over 95% of legal residents. However, the law's impact on primary care access and cost control remains uncertain, with concerns about the shortage of physicians and increasing costs.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that leptin and insulin work together in specific neurons to regulate blood sugar levels and female fertility. The study suggests a functional redundancy between the two hormones, implying that one can compensate for the lack of the other.
A new study found that women and patients with dementia and diabetes are most likely to enter the Medicare Part D coverage gap, facing significant out-of-pocket drug expenses. The researchers suggest medication cost-counseling interventions for these clinically vulnerable subpopulations may be warranted.
Researchers found a persistent excess risk of death after hip fractures, especially in men, which does not return to pre-fracture levels even after 10 years. Additionally, an empirical study explored the ethics of payment for kidney donation, finding no association between price and willingness to donate across income levels, but highl...
The study proposes a national model for addressing unhealthy substance use in internal medicine residents, integrating curricula into existing teaching venues. Researchers believe this approach mirrors effective clinical management and improves residency training.