Articles tagged with Internal Medicine
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends removing barriers to participating in the electoral process to advance health equity. ACP supports policies ensuring safe and equitable access to voting, opposes partisan gerrymandering, and encourages civic participation among healthcare professionals.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials found daily tooth brushing may reduce hospital-acquired pneumonia rates by up to 50% in high-risk patients. This study suggests that widespread toothbrushing policies could save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
A recent study published in Gastroenterology & Endoscopy found that narrow-band imaging at low magnification can detect lesions missed by white-light imaging. Annual endoscopic examinations using LM-NBI revealed a threefold higher detection rate of neoplastic lesions compared to conventional magnifying endoscopy.
Research reveals SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence in extracellular vesicles of patients with negative PCR tests, suggesting a potential source for recurrent infections. The discovery may aid in identifying individuals with persistent or recurrent COVID-19 infections and offer new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
A Northwestern University study found that nearly two-thirds of patients discontinue or change their medication within a year, highlighting the need for better understanding of barriers to treatment adherence. The high discontinuation rate for GLP-1 RAs may be due to gastrointestinal side effects.
According to a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine, most adults who qualify for statin use for primary prevention are not receiving them. The study found that despite increased overall statin use over time, only 35% of eligible adults were taking statins between 2013 and 2018. The researchers suggest that innovative effo...
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully developed a novel pneumococcal vaccine that demonstrates efficacy in suppressing pneumococcal pneumonia in macaques. The vaccine's design combines proprietary mucosal vaccine technology with pneumococcal surface proteins to cover a wide range of serotypes.
A study of 438,000 U.S. adults found that smoking cessation can significantly reduce cardiovascular, cancer, and respiratory mortality rates. Within a decade of quitting, former smokers' risk of cardiovascular death was approximately one-third that of continuing smokers.
A randomized trial found that unfiltered traffic-related air pollution caused a rapid and significant increase in blood pressure, which persisted for more than 24 hours. The study suggests that effective cabin air filtration may reduce the negative effects of air pollution on blood pressure.
A study of over 2.9 million patients found that gender concordance was associated with lower mortality for female patients, but higher mortality for male patients. The quality of surgical care provided by female surgeons is equivalent to or slightly better than that provided by male surgeons.
The COVID-19 pandemic and drug overdose epidemic significantly contributed to the widening gender gap in US life expectancy. Chronic metabolic disease and mental illness are also thought to play a role in the growing disparity.
A study found that 20% of patients treated with nirmatrelvir-ritavir (N-R) experienced virologic rebound, a phenomenon where viral load increases after initial decline. In contrast, only 1 untreated patient was affected. The researchers suggest considering the risks and benefits of N-R treatment in patients at low risk for severe disease.
A nationally representative survey reveals a shift in tobacco use among young adults, with historically low cigarette use and higher e-cigarette use. Exclusive e-cigarette users are unlikely to transition to combustible tobacco.
Researchers found that acupuncture improved symptoms in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), but the benefits were not significant enough to meet the minimal clinical difference threshold. The study included over 300 participants and suggested that clinicians should consider using acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment.
A study found that physicians who presented treatments for obesity as good news and an opportunity were more successful in helping patients lose weight. Patients who received counseling with a positive and optimistic tone had significantly higher weight loss outcomes compared to those who received neutral or negative advice.
A novel multicomponent intervention aimed at improving patient access to kidney transplants did not significantly increase the rate of completed steps in a randomized clinical trial involving 20,375 patients. The study highlights the need for sustained efforts to address barriers to transplantation globally.
Research at Niigata University demonstrated the GH-IGF-1 axis's role in inhibiting fatty liver disease progression. The study highlights the significance of brain peptide dynamics in maintaining pathological homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for IGF-1 release.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that both nurse practitioners (NPs) and physicians are similarly likely to inappropriately prescribe medications to older patients, with an average of 1.7 inappropriate prescriptions for every 100 prescriptions written. The authors suggest that use of clinician-level perform...
A study of 222 US hospitals found that 79.4% of patient-facing websites did not mention abortion, with limited information provided when it was mentioned. This lack of disclosure may contribute to stigma surrounding abortion care.
The study reveals that dementia significantly affects an older adult's long-term care and financial status, with incremental changes being substantial. Family care availability should be considered in assessing the effects of dementia on caregivers' lives.
The University of Louisville is increasing training for medical students in rural communities and West Louisville to prepare them for primary care careers. The grant will enhance programs that attract and train physicians to practice in medically underserved regions.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that reattribution of pain to mind or brain processes can lead to significant reductions in chronic back pain intensity. Participants who received pain reprocessing therapy reported being pain-free or nearly so after treatment, compared to those receiving placebo controls.
Adult Black patients experience higher risk of physical restraint in emergency departments compared to other racial groups, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study emphasizes the importance of considering how racism may affect disparate use of restraints among adult patients.
The September issue of the CHEST journal features research on long COVID, including a review on exercise pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2. Original studies also explore asthma treatment with albuterol-budesonide inhalers and sleep therapy using oronasal masks.
The American College of Physicians has issued updated rapid, living practice points on treating COVID-19 patients in outpatient settings. The new guidance supports the use of molnupiravir or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for symptomatic patients with confirmed mild to moderate COVID-19.
A study of over 15,000 individuals with chronic kidney disease found that young age, Black race, and low education and income were linked to lower flu vaccine uptake. The study suggests that targeted vaccination efforts could improve uptake among those with kidney disease.
A new study reveals that over half of adult patients skip questioning about firearms on screening questionnaires, while surveyed primary care providers are often uncomfortable discussing firearm safety with most patients. The study suggests a need for more research and improved training on firearm-related topics for primary care clinics.
In a cohort study of 2,055 patients with glomerular diseases, COVID-19 vaccination did not worsen kidney damage or affect proteinuria. The data support vaccination for COVID-19 in patients with glomerular disease.
Researchers found a significant disparity in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates between Black and Hispanic EMS agencies in certain areas, with lower rates reported in these agencies. The study's findings suggest that further assessment is needed to address these discrepancies.
A nationally representative study found that at least one out of five prescriptions for commonly prescribed generic medications were cheaper through Amazon Prime or GoodRx Gold discount cards compared to actual out-of-pocket payments made by patients. The findings highlight the disproportionately higher frequency of out-of-pocket payme...
Two studies demonstrate that artificial intelligence in colonoscopy can increase adenoma detection rates and reduce miss rates, but also lead to increased removal of non-neoplastic polyps. The findings suggest the need for additional research on more defined detection parameters before AI can be integrated into routine clinical care.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 clinical trials involving 2.1 million individuals found no significant lifetime gain from common cancer screening tests. However, colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy may have a potential benefit, according to the study.
Researchers at UCLA have found that embedding study recruitment in pre-appointment check-in pages can increase participation rates up to 40 times higher than traditional methods. The new technique, called preCheck-in recruitment, resulted in a socio-demographically representative patient population without financial incentives or staff...
Public health experts recommend continuing routine mask-wearing in healthcare settings to protect vulnerable patients and staff from COVID-19. The authors argue that while severe cases have decreased, asymptomatic spread remains a threat, particularly among high-risk patients and healthcare workers who may not be aware they are infected.
A nationally representative study found that higher residential levels of fine particulate matter were associated with greater rates of incident dementia. The findings suggest that intervening on key emission sources could have value in reducing dementia risk, although further research is needed.
An intensive lifestyle intervention was associated with increased employment rates and improved labor market outcomes. The study suggests that such interventions can positively impact individuals with type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance of considering labor market productivity in disease management.
A study published in Liver Research found that glucokinase activators (GKAs) improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice with diet-induced obesity. However, GKAs also induced hepatic lipid accumulation, which activated the PERK-UPR signaling pathway.
The Keck School of Medicine's Primary Care Program has shown a significant increase in primary care residency matches and representation, particularly among underrepresented groups. The program provides skill-based training, mentorship, and community-focused experiences that prepare students for careers in primary care medicine.
A randomized crossover trial involving 195 adults showed that using a regular cuff size resulted in inaccurate BP readings. The study emphasizes the need for individualized cuff selection to ensure accurate blood pressure measurements.
Researchers found that adults who experienced violence, financial stress, or separation from parents as children were more likely to experience physical and cognitive impairments. Adverse childhood experiences can have lifelong consequences, including difficulty walking, carrying out daily activities, and problems with memory.
A significant racial gap exists in M.D.-Ph.D. training, with Black students facing a 50% higher risk of leaving compared to their white peers. The study reveals that 29% of Black students did not complete their training, highlighting the need for targeted support and interventions.
A recent study found that higher plant protein intake is associated with lower risk of chronic kidney disease. The UK Biobank study data revealed that participants consuming more plant-based protein had a reduced risk of developing CKD.
The American College of Physicians recommends starting colorectal cancer screening at age 50 for asymptomatic adults with average risk. The guideline aims to balance benefits and harms of screening in this population. Screening in younger adults may not offer significant net benefit due to lower incidence rates.
The American College of Physicians recommends a federal pandemic preparedness plan, prioritizing health equity and real-time data sharing. ACP also calls for bolstering healthcare supply chains and supporting medical practices during emergencies.
A study of 538,000 deaths in Florida and Ohio between March 2020 and December 2021 found significant excess mortality among Republican voters compared to Democratic voters. The disparity suggests differences in vaccination attitudes and uptake may have influenced pandemic severity and trajectory.
A team of medical leaders recommends a sustainably funded public-private partnership to combat misinformation, citing challenges faced by the TIOS-VY organization. The American College of Physicians calls for modernizing public health infrastructure, including increased funding and addressing disinformation, especially on social media.
A study comparing history of present illness summaries generated by a chatbot and senior internal medicine residents found that both were graded similarly by internal medicine attending physicians. The findings suggest the potential of chatbots to aid clinicians with medical documentation, highlighting their accuracy.
The American College of Chest Physicians has launched CHEST Pulmonary, a new online publication dedicated to pulmonary and sleep medicine. The journal features original research, case series, and reviews on various topics, including implementation science and artificial intelligence applications.
A team of UVA Health experts warns that surgeon-scientists are struggling to obtain research funding, which could lead to a decline in innovations for patients. The researchers found that internal medicine trainees are six times more likely to secure R01 grants and career development awards.
Researchers found that acute kidney injury does not predict worsening of kidney function trajectory in patients with CKD, suggesting that pre-existing kidney disease may be a major contributor. The study recommends focusing on flattening the eGFR slope and treating proteinuria to slow CKD progression.
A new study found that people with low incomes in states that expanded Medicaid received more preventive care and overall health care compared to those in non-expansion states. The likelihood of high-value care, such as medications for heart problems or osteoporosis, increased in expansion states.
A study of commercially insured adults with chronic noncancer pain found that state medical cannabis laws did not lead to a reduction in the use of opioid or nonopioid pain treatments. The researchers also suggested slow implementation and reluctance among healthcare leaders may have contributed to these findings.
The expert panel's recommendations aim to improve early detection of mild cognitive impairment in primary care, benefiting patients and caregivers. The work group advocates for the routine use of brief cognitive assessments to identify patients in need of full cognitive examination.
Researchers found that when a patient's congestive heart failure is mentioned during the initial check-in process, emergency room physicians are less likely to test for pulmonary embolism, potentially leading to delays in diagnosis. This anchoring bias can delay crucial testing and diagnosis of deadly medical conditions.
The inaugural issue of CHEST Critical Care focuses on clinically relevant research and patient management guidance for critical care medicine. The journal accepts submissions of original research, case series, and research letters, covering topics such as intensive care medicine and diverse populations.
A randomized controlled trial found that time-restricted eating produced similar weight loss results to traditional calorie counting in a racially diverse population of adults with obesity. Participants who engaged in 8-hour time-restricted eating had improved insulin sensitivity compared to those in the control group.
New research suggests optogenetics could restore regular heart rhythm without shocks, improving prognosis and quality of life for AF patients. Light therapy has shown promising results in rats, indicating potential translatability to humans.
A post-hoc analysis of the ASPREE trial found that low-dose aspirin was associated with a 20% increased incidence of anemia and decline in ferritin levels in healthy older adults. The study recommends periodic monitoring of hemoglobin for patients taking aspirin.
A new method combines ultracentrifugation fractionation, solid-phase alkylation based sample preparation, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to profile the urine proteome. This approach drastically reduces analysis time by 3-4 times and enhances identification coverage by 130%-160% compared to existing methods.
A statewide pay-for-performance intervention based on Choosing Wisely reduced rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections from 43% to 25%. This reduction occurred without measurable harms at safety-net hospitals serving disadvantaged patients.