Articles tagged with Internal Medicine
Researchers discovered that eliminating a specific protein called FoxO1 protects the heart from stress caused by diabetes. This finding could lead to new treatments for patients with diabetes.
A study found that patients leaving hospitals against medical advice do not have to pay the full cost of their stay, as insurance companies typically cover the expenses. However, many physicians and some consent forms incorrectly inform patients that they may be held financially responsible if they leave AMA.
A new study found that daily diet soft drink consumption may be associated with a higher risk of vascular events, including stroke and heart attack. In contrast, regular soft drink consumption and moderate intake of diet soft drinks do not appear to increase the risk of these events.
A new study finds that physician referral rates in the United States increased by 92% over a decade, leading to an estimated 159% increase in visits resulting in referrals. This surge in referrals is attributed to increased specialization and the increasing responsibilities of primary care physicians.
UT Southwestern researchers found that exercise stimulates autophagy, a process that degrades damaged cellular components. This discovery suggests that autophagy plays a crucial role in the protective effects of exercise on blood sugar metabolism and may contribute to other health benefits.
A Yale University study found that factors like chronic conditions, low physical activity, and hospitalization increase the likelihood of elderly disability. Women are also more likely to become disabled in later years.
A new study by Yale researchers found that measuring patient deaths over a 30-day period, rather than just during initial hospitalization, provides a more accurate assessment of hospital quality. This approach reveals significant differences in quality between hospitals and favors those with shorter patient stays.
A recent survey of doctors and patients found contrasting opinions on electronic records, with PCPs worried about increased demands and patient confusion, but patients expressing enthusiasm for sharing notes. Meanwhile, the US Preventive Services Task Force reviewed evidence on vitamin D supplementation for fracture protection and canc...
Inaccurate blood pressure measurements from faulty techniques result in misclassified patients and potentially different treatment decisions. A study published by the University of New Mexico found that 93% of patients have different blood pressure readings when using outdated versus updated guidelines.
A nationwide survey found that few hospitals are aggressively combating catheter-associated urinary tract infections, a common healthcare-associated infection. The study suggests that hospitals may not be using enough prevention practices for UTIs, despite increased use of methods to prevent other hospital-acquired infections.
Patients on liver transplant waiting lists prefer to receive high-quality donor organs, even if it means waiting longer, according to a new study. The research found that 58% of candidates would only accept organs with a risk of graft failure of 25% or less.
Researchers developed a blood test that measures lung protein levels to quantify smoking-related effects on heart disease. Smokers with high lung protein levels are more likely to develop dangerous plaque buildup in blood vessels.
Inadequate handovers during patient care shifts lead to decreased continuity of care and higher risk of adverse events. Effective strategies, such as prioritizing acutely ill patients and minimizing discussion on straightforward cases, can improve the quality of sign-out processes.
A new testing program coupled with a year-long clinical experience improved internal medicine resident scores on the Internal Medicine In-Training Exam. The study found that residents who participated in the program showed a significant increase in median individual percentile rank, outperforming control groups by 8.5 percentile points.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that $6.7 billion was spent on unnecessary tests or medications, with brand-name statins accounting for 86% of the cost. Excess spending included blood work, bone density scans, and antibiotic prescriptions.
A study of over 1,100 women found hip fractures increase short-term mortality rates for women aged 65-79 and those aged 80+, even after controlling for underlying health status. Healthy women in this age group are at increased risk of death after a hip fracture.
A survey of US primary care physicians reveals that nearly half believe their patients receive too much medical care, while 52% think the amount is just right. The authors suggest that reimbursement systems should encourage longer visits to reduce pressures on physicians.
A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that most uninsured patients in Massachusetts are employed but unable to afford employer-sponsored insurance or subsidized state plans. The study suggests that the system of coverage failed those who lost their job, particularly during economic downturns.
The American College of Physicians advocates for a seventh ACGME/ABMS general competency on cost-conscious care. Meanwhile, research on Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in relation to diabetes remains inconclusive. Additionally, local incidence data may improve the diagnosis of strep throat, which affects millions worldwide each year.
A study suggests that referral practices need to be tailored by specialty. Primary care physicians are more likely to cite patient access and physician communication as reasons, while specialists prioritize patient experience.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that 51.5% of US internal medicine residents reported burnout symptoms, with those owing over $200,000 in debt experiencing lower quality of life and test scores. The study also revealed a link between resident distress and lower-quality patient care.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.