Articles tagged with Internal Medicine
Approximately 1 in 30 clinical trials were disrupted due to grant funding terminations, disproportionately affecting infectious disease and prevention studies. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable financial support to ensure trial operations and participant safety.
A 47-year-old man from New Jersey died after consuming beef due to a tick-borne meat allergy caused by the Lone Star tick's alpha-gal sugar. Researchers identified the allergy and its link to fatal anaphylaxis, urging physicians to investigate severe abdominal pain after eating red meat in areas with high Lone Star tick populations.
Researchers identified a 'sweet spot' in clinical decision-making, where presenting two or more appropriate treatment options increases the odds of physicians selecting a high-quality alternative. The study challenges the widely cited status-quo bias theory and suggests that more options can lead to better care decisions.
A new report from Northwestern University offers six practical strategies to improve the doctor-patient bedside encounter in an era dominated by AI. By employing these strategies, clinicians can strengthen patient-physician relationships, combat inequities, and reduce burnout, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Research published in ERJ Open Research suggests that assessing hospital patients' reported shortness of breath could help doctors prioritize care for those at high risk of death. Patients who developed shortness of breath were six times more likely to die than those who did not, with a higher rating indicating greater risk.
A culturally tailored community health worker intervention modestly lowered interdialytic weight gain and improved dialysis adherence among Hispanic and Latino patients with hemodialysis-dependent kidney failure. This study suggests that such interventions can enhance patient outcomes for these vulnerable populations.
The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated effective protection against severe disease and similar effectiveness against different subvariants. However, their effectiveness declined over time.
A randomized clinical trial found that an unsupervised online Tai Chi intervention improved knee pain and function compared to the control group at 12 weeks. This free web-based intervention offers a safe, accessible, and scalable option for guideline-recommended osteoarthritis exercise.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in private homes show effectiveness in improving patient outcomes for those with shockable rhythms during cardiac arrest. However, considering the rarity of cardiac arrest at home and current AED pricing, general purchase is not deemed cost-effective.
The FDA has approved elinzanetant for treating hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women. The drug significantly reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms while improving sleep quality and quality of life.
A randomized clinical trial found that colchicine did not improve functional capacity or inflammatory markers in adults with long COVID. Researchers highlight the need for new therapeutic strategies for this condition.
Researchers found that specific bacteria, such as Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Fusobacterium species, are associated with AIG-related neuroendocrine tumors. The study suggests that changes in host metabolism occur before alterations in the gastric microbiota, potentially creating a microenvironment that favors tumor growth.
A new review in Frontiers in Science calls for a fundamental shift in how heart drugs are discovered and tested using AI, omics, and big data. This approach could drive the development of personalized treatments for cardiovascular disease, which currently relies on broad-brush treatments that don't account for individual variability.
The FDA has approved AD-NP1 for human clinical trials, a monoclonal antibody that targets cellular metabolism to promote tissue repair of multiple organs. Funded by the National Institutes of Health and other sources, AD-NP1 has shown efficacy in mice and monkeys, and may benefit various organs beyond the heart after acute injury.
A recent study suggests that the rise in early-onset cancer incidence in the US population may not be as significant as initially thought. Much of the increase is attributed to increased diagnostic scrutiny and over-diagnosis, rather than a genuine rise in clinically meaningful cancer cases.
A large international clinical trial found that elinzanetant significantly reduces hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women by over 73%. The drug also shows secondary benefits such as improved quality of life and reduced sleep disturbances, with no harmful effects on the liver or bone density.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that elevated phosphate levels are associated with poor outcomes in canine respiratory disorders. The study used medical records from 133 dogs and identified heart rate, body temperature, and other factors as significant prognostic indicators.
A new study uses GenAI models to extract pathological features for lung adenocarcinoma grading and prognosis, achieving striking accuracy and consistency. The research team discovered 11 key histological features and 4 clinical variables that provide a comprehensive risk assessment for patients.
A study of 22 million urgent care visits found 12.4% of patients received antibiotics, 9.1% glucocorticoids, and 1.3% opioids for generally inappropriate diagnoses. The trends highlight the need for improved clinician knowledge, patient demand, and decision support.
The article provides practical strategies for managing symptoms in patients receiving GLP-1 RAs, focusing on diet and physical activity interventions to support muscle and nutrient preservation. Lifestyle factors remain crucial in GLP-1 RA treatment for effective weight management.
A pilot study evaluated Nutri, a clinical decision support tool for brief diet counseling in safety-net clinics. PCPs found the system usable and satisfactory, while patients effectively engaged with the intervention.
A randomized clinical trial found that cannabidiol (CBD) administration led to liver enzyme level elevations in 5.6% of participants and potential drug-induced liver injury in 4.9%. Hepatic enzymes returned to normal within weeks after discontinuation. Further research is needed on CBD's long-term effects and safety.
Researchers found that combining RFA with anti-PD-1 therapy significantly suppressed non-ablated distant HCC tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice. The treatment remodeled the immune microenvironment, promoting durable immune memory against tumor recurrence.
Dr. Ghosh's expertise combines clinical, social science, and policy research to address the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. His initiatives focus on developing interventions against heatwaves, hurricanes, and flooding.
Prevalence of current cannabis use rose significantly among adults aged 65+, particularly those with higher incomes. Adults with initial lower cannabis use rates now exhibit the highest prevalence by 2023.
A national survey of internal medicine physicians found that experiencing sacred moments is common among physicians. However, discussing these experiences with colleagues is infrequent, suggesting a potential impact on physician well-being.
New University of Michigan studies find that women primary care physicians are more likely to experience burnout from patient portal messages, but also spend more time managing these messages. Innovative solutions like Patient Asynchronous Care Effort (PACE) slots can help reduce workload and improve physician experiences.
This novel treatment approach yields better weight loss maintenance and cardiovascular risk outcomes compared to standard-of-care treatment. Patient-delivered lifestyle intervention combined with peer support significantly improves weight loss and reduces cardiovascular risk.
The university successfully secured funding for two new clusters, SCALE and CPI, which will focus on understanding cellular architecture and cardiovascular diseases. The clusters aim to pioneer new paths in medicine through innovative research.
A study published in JAMA Health Forum found that patients with female primary care physicians had better diabetes control, more eye exams, and fewer emergency department visits. Women PCPs also earned more than their male colleagues through value-based payment, possibly due to their patients having lower healthcare utilization.
Researchers found that snus cessation led to a clinically significant rise in blood pressure, averaging 3.7 mm Hg, and weight gain of 1.8 kilos in a group of 33 participants. The study suggests that healthcare professionals should monitor blood pressure after snus cessation, especially for individuals with cardiovascular problems.
UCF students created an AI system, AIMS, to track surgical staples during robotic surgeries, reducing waste and improving sustainability. The technology was developed as part of the college's Senior Design capstone course and has been successfully tested in operating rooms at Orlando Health.
A study found that US physicians working with an incompletely staffed team experienced significantly greater odds of burnout, intention to reduce clinical work hours, and intention to leave their organization. This highlights the importance of adequate staffing for physician well-being.
Researchers found daily increases of 11-24% in asthma-related emergency department visits over the first episode of a wildfire event, continuing up to 6 days after it ended. However, a second period of heavy smoke did not result in an increase in asthma-related ED visits.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a substantial increase in depressive symptoms among US adults, with younger individuals being disproportionately affected. Worsening mental health trends were observed across the population.
New UCLA-led research finds that telemedicine use in 2023 reduced monthly CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 61,000 to 130,000 gas powered vehicles. This modest but noticeable impact on the environment could have policy implications for US healthcare delivery.
A recent meta-analysis found that generative AI's diagnostic accuracy is lower than that of specialist doctors, with an average accuracy of 52.1%. The study suggests that while generative AI has the potential to support non-specialist doctors in diagnostics, further research is needed to improve its capabilities.
A study published in Journal of Proteome Research reveals that inflammation and aging contribute to the development of non-viral liver cancer. Researchers analyzed gene expression and metabolites in normal and affected samples, identifying potential therapeutic targets for chemoprevention.
Researchers compared surgical resection to immunotherapy in HCC patients with pulmonary metastasis, finding surgery provides better long-term prognosis and overall survival. Treatment allocation and hepatic tumor T stage are independent prognostic factors for overall survival.
Current computed tomography (CT) imaging may lead to up to 103,000 future cancers over a patient's lifetime. If practices persist, CT-associated cancer could account for 5% of all new diagnoses annually.
Brienne Miner and Melisa Wong, two emerging investigators, received the Arti Hurria Memorial Award for their work on sleep health and geriatric oncology. Their research aims to improve sleep health and cancer care for older adults.
A study found that AI recommendations were rated as superior to physicians' decisions in real-life clinical settings, with lower risk for potential harm. The AI system uses modeling to calculate probabilities and derives treatment plans based on medical guidelines, complementing human physician discernment.
The American College of Chest Physicians' CHEST Critical Care and CHEST Pulmonary journals have been indexed in Elsevier's Scopus database. This achievement is a testament to the high-quality research published in these journals, which provide open access content in pulmonary and critical care medicine.
Researchers discuss AI-driven clinical recommendations, switching GLP1-RAs for better glucose control, and ACP's best practice advice on cannabis use for noncancer pain. Studies show improved outcomes with AI-assisted virtual urgent care visits and switching to tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes.
A study found that pedometers capture a remarkable 88% of the health information provided by more advanced accelerometer measurements. Walking at a brisk pace is essential for cardiovascular health optimization, with a minimum cadence of 80 steps per minute strongly associated with good aerobic fitness.
Dr. David Winchester will lead the American College of Cardiology's Board of Governors, guiding chapters representing all 50 states and promoting heart health improvement in communities. His term aims to address practice challenges through advocacy and chapter support.
Dr. Christopher Kramer began a one-year term as head of the American College of Cardiology, addressing workforce issues, health equity and AI-driven solutions to improve cardiovascular care. With over 35 years of membership and leadership roles, Kramer brings experience in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.
A recent expert review highlights the strong link between hypertension and atrial fibrillation, which can lead to thousands of strokes. Controlling high blood pressure could significantly reduce the likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation.
A comprehensive study found that people with fatty liver disease have almost twice the mortality rate of the general population. The disease is caused by overweight or obesity and increases the risk of dying from various causes, including liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and infections.
The Asia-Pacific region's H. pylori treatment practices show a growing consensus on primary and secondary prevention, but differences in antimicrobial resistance and medical resources persist. Establishing uniform standards for gastric cancer prevention will be crucial to addressing these disparities.
A recent cohort study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that statin use was associated with a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic decompensation in patients with chronic liver disease. This suggests that statins may play a role in preventing the progression of liver disease and reducing the risk of liver cancer.
The Dobbs decision has been linked to moderate but significant decreases in obstetrics and gynecology practitioners in the most restrictive states compared to control states. Clinician migration is likely affecting reproductive care access, quality, and equity as abortion rights are increasingly decided at the state level
A cohort study found that consuming more butter was associated with higher mortality rates, whereas increasing consumption of plant-based oils was linked to lower mortality. Substituting butter with plant-based oils may provide substantial benefits in preventing premature deaths.
A recent study found that US physicians experienced lower mortality rates compared to the general population, but this benefit did not extend to female or racial and ethnic minority groups. The study highlights the need for renewed efforts to address health inequities within the healthcare workforce.
A cohort study found that telemedicine adoption was associated with modestly lower use of 7 out of 20 examined low-value tests, while having no effect on other tests. The results suggest potential benefits of telemedicine and mitigate concerns about increased spending.
New UCLA-led research finds that Paxlovid does not significantly reduce COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality among vaccinated older adults. The study suggests that Paxlovid's potential effect on COVID-19 hospitalization in vaccinated older adults is four times weaker than originally reported.
A new study from the University of Texas at Arlington found that Americans aged 65 and older who experienced parental divorce as children were more likely to suffer a stroke compared to their peers. The study analyzed data from over 13,000 older Americans and found that about 14% had experienced parental divorce during childhood.
A recent study found that telehealth is closing the care gap for people with substance use disorder in rural areas, but those covered by Medicaid managed care have lower access to this treatment. Rural individuals experienced the greatest overall increase in substance use disorder treatment among all populations studied.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs show reduced risk of moderate/severe COPD exacerbations compared to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors. This finding may inform glucose-lowering medication prescribing for patients with type 2 diabetes and active COPD.
A cross-sectional study found that underrepresented in medicine internal medicine residents remained underrepresented compared to their program's county populations. The findings highlight the need for racial and ethnic diversity policies to address the continuing disparity among graduate medical education physicians.