Most Read Clinical Headlines in 2013
Revisit the articles from each medical specialty that attracted the most eyeballs in 2013.
From breastfeeding implications, to iPhone apps for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to Obamacare fallouts, here are the most popular pediatrics, gastroenterology, primary care, rheumatology, neurology, psychiatry, pain management, infectious disease, cardiology, and endocrinology articles from 2013.
Pediatrics
Peanut Butter Intake in Pre-Teens Tied to Breast Health
Vegetable protein and fat intakes, including peanut butter and nuts, during pre-adolescence may subsequently help reduce the risk for benign breast disease (BBD).
Breastfeeding Duration Linked to Child Intelligence
Breastfeeding duration is associated with receptive language at age 3 and intelligence at age 7.
A Month-Old Infant Misdiagnosed with Child Abuse
A diagnostic radiologist misinterprets a month-old infant's anterior-posterior (AP) chest radiograph and AP and lateral skull radiographs as being "positive" for bilateral parietal bone fractures.
Gastroenterology
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity's Existence Questioned
There is no evidence that gluten is a trigger in patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) placed on a low fermentable, oligo-, di-, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet.
Top 5 iPhone and iPad Apps for Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
It is important for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to understand more about their condition and track their diet and bowel habits to help manage their symptoms. These apps for the iPhone and iPad provide useful information for patients that can help them learn more about the symptoms and management of IBS, track their medications and daily habits, and share this information with their health care providers.
Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diet and Medication
Doctors are using a variety of treatment options, including antibiotics and antidepressants, to try to help people looking for relief from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Primary Care
Fallout from Increase in High-Deductible Health Plans Examined
The expected increase in high-deductible health plan (HDHP) enrollment due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) highlights the need for more research into the health impact of HDHPs.
Many Health Care Professionals Oppose ACA Proposals
The majority of health care professionals are concerned about negative outcomes relating to enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), although they recognize the benefits.
Expansion of Pharmacists' Practice Has Implications for Physicians
The expanding scope of pharmacists' practice will potentially improve patient care but has implications for physicians.
Rheumatology
Which Anti-TNF Treatment Works Best in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis?
In patients with psoriatic arthritis, first-line treatment often consists of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Patients who do not respond to treatment with NSAIDs may benefit from treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and leflunomide.
Even though recent reviews were unable to provide evidence of efficacy for several oral and topical complementary treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a group of researchers in Japan decided to clinically evaluate the effectiveness of static electric field therapy by high voltage alternating current (EF-HVAC) in the chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder, given the method’s prevailing use in headache, shoulder stiffness, chronic constipation, and insomnia among patients who fail to respond to conventional therapies.
Inadequate Vitamin D May Increase Risk of Certain Rheumatic Diseases
While substantial evidence already shows several genetic and environmental elements factor into immune-mediated rheumatic disease susceptibility, a recent review of hospital admissions data suggests vitamin D deficiency can single-handedly elevate a patient’s risk of developing certain chronic conditions within that group of disorders.
Neurology
Effect of Statins on Cognitive Function Unclear
Current published evidence is lacking and further research is needed to establish an effect of statins on cognitive function.
The authors of “Analysis of Immune-Related Loci Identifies 48 New Susceptibility Variants for Multiple Sclerosis,” published in Nature Genetics, genotyped a large cohort that included patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls, looking at more than 160,000 autosomal variants for regions that are potentially associated with multiple sclerosis.
Fish Oil Reverses Effects of Alcohol on Brain Cells
Treating brain cells with a compound in fish oil reverses the neuroinflammation and neuronal death caused by alcohol abuse by 90 percent.
Psychiatry
ADHD Linked to Defecation Disorders in Children
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are significantly more likely to have constipation and fecal incontinence issues than children without ADHD.
Depression and Nocturia May Be Bidirectionally Linked
There may be a bidirectional association between depression and nocturia, according to a review published in the September issue of The Journal of Urology.
Autistic Traits More Common in Children with ADHD
About one in five children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show signs of autism.
Pain Management
Attention Opioid Prescribers: Change Is Coming
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has published the 2013 version of the Model Policy on the Use of Opioid Analgesics in the Treatment of Chronic Pain.
5 Things I Wish I Learned in Medical School about Managing Pain
With most medical schools devoting only a few curriculum hours to pain management training, many physicians begin their medical career underprepared to meet the needs of patients suffering with chronic pain.
Addicted Physicians Say Drug Misuse Is for Self-Medication
Physicians who misuse prescription drugs report self-medication as a leading reason, according to research published in the September/October issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
Infectious Disease
First Human Infected With New Strain of Bird Flu
The first confirmed case of a person infected with a new H6N1 bird flu virus subtype has been reported by scientists in Taiwan.
Outbreaks of Severe Conjunctivitis Reported
Between 2006 and 2010, six outbreaks of human adenovirus (HAdV)-associated epidemic keratoconjunctivitis were reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Fungal Infections Associated with Methylprednisolone Shot Investigated
For patients who received epidural, paraspinal, or joint infections with contaminated lots of methylprednisolone acetate, infections caused by the outbreak associated pathogen Exserohilum rostratum result in a spectrum of clinical disease.
Cardiology
Metformin Has Little Benefit for Heart Disease Patients Without Diabetes
For patients without diabetes with high cardiovascular risk who are taking statins, metformin has no effect on mean distal carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).
Researchers Scrutinize High Discontinuation Rates of Statins
It seems as though everyone has hypercholesterolemia. In fact, it’s the most common chronic condition in the United States. It’s also highly responsive to drug intervention, the most common of which is a prescription for a 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, or statin.
The late-breaking HPS2-THRIVE (Heart Protection Study 2-Treatment of HDL to Reduce the Incidence of Vascular Events) trial was an early highlight of ACC.13, the 62nd Annual Scientific Session & Expo of the American College of Cardiology.
Endocrinology
Office Employees 'Too Tired' to Exercise
Barriers and enablers for good nutrition and physical activity influence employee health behaviors.
Daytime Sleepiness Predicts Hypoglycemia in Diabetes
Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who experience increased daytime sleepiness may be at increased risk for hypoglycemia.
Irregular Menstruation in Teenagers May be a Warning Sign
One study indicates that irregular periods in teenage girls are linked to obesity, and girls suffering from irregular periods may also present early warning symptoms of diabetes, reproductive issues, and heart disease.
