Articles tagged with Internal Medicine
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.
TaVNS has shown significant effects in various body systems, reducing depression scores and treating conditions such as migraines, anxiety, cognitive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive decline. It has also demonstrated benefits for the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
A randomized clinical trial found that both electronic cigarettes containing nicotine and varenicline were effective for 6-month smoking cessation. The study results suggest a potential new approach to smoking cessation.
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.
A 15-day course of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir did not demonstrate a significant improvement in select postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms in vaccinated adults with prolonged symptom duration. Further studies are needed to determine the role of antivirals in PASC treatment.
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.
Early admission of COVID-19-positive patients to skilled nursing facilities was associated with preventable cases and mortality among residents. Facilities with staff and PPE shortages were disproportionately affected, underscoring the importance of adhering to infection-control protocols.
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.
Inflation-adjusted healthcare spending among privately insured US families increased, with low-income families facing a substantial financial medical burden. Financial medical burden was more than 26% of postsubsistence income for low-income families, compared to approximately 6% for higher-income families.
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 new study found that patients prefer professional-looking backdrops during telehealth visits, including diplomas and credentials. This affects their perception of the doctor's expertise and trustworthiness, with lower composite scores for non-traditional environments like kitchens and bedrooms.
A new study finds mail-order pharmacy dispensing of mifepristone for medication abortion is effective, acceptable to patients, and feasible. This care model can improve access to medication abortion services and reduce the need for in-person screening.
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 study published in JAMA found that newly trained internal medicine physicians with top scores on the board certification exam had lower risk of dying within seven days or being readmitted to hospital. The analysis used nearly 7,000 patients and showed a significant link between exam scores and patient outcomes.
Text messaging and bulk ordering can significantly increase mammogram completion rates for breast cancer screening outreach. The study found that these interventions are effective in improving adherence to recommended screening guidelines.
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 previously healthy man developed toxic leukoencephalopathy after inhaling fentanyl, leading to inflammation in the brain and potentially irreversible damage. Fortunately, he slowly recovered with wraparound treatment from a multidisciplinary team at OHSU.
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.
Research suggests that female physicians have a clinically significant impact on patient outcomes, with lower mortality and readmission rates compared to male doctors. Female patients benefit more significantly from treatment by female physicians, possibly due to better communication and understanding of sensitive health issues.
A new study finds that initiating antihypertensive medication in older long-term care residents increases fracture risk, particularly among those with dementia. The study advises caution when prescribing antihypertensives to this vulnerable population.
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.
Only 4% of cancer survivors met all four American Cancer Society guidelines, with a mean of 2.0 guidelines met. This study aims to improve understanding of guideline adherence and inform recommendations for patients who have completed cancer treatments.
A national cohort study of over 2 million Swedish women found that those experiencing five major adverse pregnancy outcomes had significantly higher mortality rates. The study highlights the importance of early preventive evaluation and long-term follow-up for detection and treatment of chronic disorders associated with premature morta...
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.