Articles tagged with Internal Medicine
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.
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 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.
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. 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that women who care for others for more than 15 hours a week are more likely to experience moderate or severe menopause symptoms. The study highlights the need for greater advocacy and support systems for midlife women in caregiving roles.
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.
A cohort study found COVID-19 to be associated with more severe disease outcomes compared to influenza and RSV during the 2022-2023 season. Vaccination attenuated these differences in severity and long-term mortality rates.
A new microdosing approach using low doses of buprenorphine has been tested on patients with opioid use disorder, but most found it ineffective. The study, which included 126 participants, showed that only 34% were able to work up to a full dose of buprenorphine.
John Howington, MD, MBA, FCCP, is the new President of CHEST, succeeding Neil S. Freedman, who will be President-Elect in 2026. Dr. Howington has extensive leadership experience and has published over 49 research publications.
A new study found that emergency department physicians differ in their likelihood of hospitalizing patients, with those who admit more patients being discharged sooner but not less likely to die. The study suggests that differences in physician decision-making drive these variations, rather than patient health.
A study estimates that approximately one-third of eligible US adults without diabetes were excluded from clinical trials supporting GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medications. The FDA should consider updating labeling to advise caution on generalizing these medications' safety and effectiveness to excluded populations.
A new study reveals that an AI algorithm can accurately detect early-stage metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in patients who meet the criteria, leaving 83% undiagnosed. This highlights the need for improved screening and diagnosis methods to prevent progression to advanced liver disease.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that using Chat GPT Plus does not significantly improve the accuracy of doctors' diagnoses, but it outperformed conventional methods in certain cases. The researchers suggest that physicians need more training and experience with AI to capitalize on its potential.
A study found that beer-only drinkers have lower-quality diets and are more likely to be male, younger, smokers, and low income. They also reported the highest total daily caloric intake and lowest level of physical activity compared to other alcohol consumers.
Researchers found that TTA reverses meldonium-induced changes in fatty acid synthesis and elongation, alleviating liver fat accumulation. Alterations in delta-6 desaturase activity and plasma L-carnitine levels play a critical role in hepatic steatosis.
A new study suggests that introducing a smaller vial size for the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab could reduce waste by 74% and save Medicare up to $336 million per year. This is due to the high amount of unused medication being discarded, with each patient often receiving a dose lower than the available vial sizes.
A crossover randomized clinical trial found that using lap or side positions for blood pressure readings leads to substantial overestimation. This misdiagnosis could have serious consequences, particularly for patients with hypertension.
A new study finds that persons with HIV diagnosed in redlined neighborhoods experience a significantly longer time to viral suppression. Systemic racism's enduring effects on present-day health outcomes among persons with HIV have been confirmed by the research.
A new AI-based system has been shown to reduce the risk of unexpected deaths in hospitalized patients by identifying those at high risk of deteriorating health. The system, CHARTWatch, uses real-time alerts and enhanced communication between nurses and physicians to support high-quality care.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that only 3% of lifestyle advice recommendations have positive effects in practice. The researchers suggest alternative community-based interventions for improving public health. The new guideline aims to help policymakers evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions.
A large-scale study in Sweden and Denmark found no clear link between the use of GLP-1 analogues and an increased risk of suicide or self-harm. The research analyzed data from over 300,000 adults treated with the medication, concluding that it is reassuring to see no apparent increase in suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
A cohort study found no association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and increased risk of suicide death or related disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study included mostly patients with type 2 diabetes.
A post hoc analysis found semaglutide treatment did not increase the risk of developing depression or suicidal ideation and was associated with a small reduction in depressive symptoms. Monitoring for mental health concerns is essential for individuals with obesity to receive proper support and care.
New evidence suggests masks can reduce transmission, but behaviors like avoiding crowds also play a role. Experts emphasize the need for multi-measure approaches to public health.
A cohort study found that expanded child tax credit (ECTC) enacted substantially lowers food insecurity, whereas ECTC expiration significantly raises it. The monthly payment structure and lack of earnings requirements may play a crucial role in preventing food insecurity.
Scalable telehealth mindfulness-based interventions show promise in treating chronic pain by improving function and reducing symptoms. The low-resource approach could accelerate the adoption of nonpharmacological pain treatment in healthcare systems.
A research study led by Amsterdam UMC demonstrates a strategy to reduce unnecessary IV and catheter use, resulting in a 37% reduction in related infections. The study's five-year sustainability highlights the importance of temporary investments and effective implementation.
A 20-year multicenter study found improvements in gender parity and career trends among internal medicine chief residents, with a significant increase in female participation and a rise in pursuing hospital medicine careers. The study also revealed new roles such as quality improvement and patient safety chief residents.
A national research study found that a lack of institutional support is the top reason doctors are reluctant to discuss addiction with their patients. The study also highlighted knowledge and skill gaps as significant barriers to delivering evidence-based interventions.
A new University of Michigan study found that over 82% of Americans aged 50-80 take one or more prescription medications, with 80% open to stopping certain drugs. However, researchers stress the importance of personalized guidance for deprescribing older adults, particularly those taking medication for cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
A cohort study found that prenatal cannabis use was associated with several negative maternal health outcomes during pregnancy. The study emphasizes the need for further research on how different aspects of prenatal cannabis use may impact these associations.
A team of researchers has discovered a mechanism by which the liver's immune cells are suppressed in chronic hepatitis B, leading to organ damage. The 'sleep timer' function allows immune cells to weaken their activity over time, preventing them from proliferating excessively and causing further damage.
Researchers developed an AI model that can estimate lung function from chest radiographs with high accuracy, potentially expanding options for pulmonary function assessment in patients who have difficulty performing spirometry. The study found a remarkably high agreement rate between the AI model's estimates and actual spirometric data.
Tirzepatide was associated with significantly greater weight loss than semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. Future studies are needed to explore differences in other 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.
A new study found that bupropion is associated with the least amount of weight gain among common antidepressant medications, with users being 15-20% less likely to gain clinically significant weight. The research also highlights the varying weight gain effects of different antidepressants.
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.
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 recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that transgender and gender-diverse adults in the US experience over 2-fold increases in frequent mental distress and depression. The population also faces significant health inequities compared to cisgender counterparts.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine demonstrated strong protection against a range of COVID-19 outcomes, including hospital admission. Annual updates to the vaccine are recommended due to waning immunity from older versions.