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MD Consult’s News section has covered quite a variety of stories this week, though it is likely that this report comes as no surprise to most: a survey discovered that many physicians are not always completely honest with their patients. While few doctors were emulating the fictional Dr. Gregory House, there were a number of key areas identified in which less than the complete truth was revealed: medical mistakes and relationships to drug and device companies seemed particularly problematic. Various specialties showed different trends – general surgeons tended to be in favor of full disclosure, while psychiatrists tended to be less so. It was noted that in most cases, the ‘untruthfulness’ was a response to difficult questions posed by patients, and the study authors encouraged working toward better communication.

New in the Journals section this week is the February issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology focuses on fungi and allergic lower respiratory tract diseases, including asthma. One article looked at an underlying genetic susceptibility to mucocutaneous fungal infections, while another examined fungal infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Last year’s advances in mechanisms of asthma, allergy, and immunology were reviewed, and another paper (perhaps looking forward to the Olympics) studied airway inflammation and remodeling in elite swimmers. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is also new for February; among the subjects covered are simulation in endoscopy training, unsedated colonoscopy, and an experiment to assess the initial design of a suction enteroscope. Also of note is an article reporting positive results when looking to manage children with symptoms of gastroparesis via endoscopic intrapyloric botulinum injections. READ MORE >>

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This week’s MD Consult news featured a story that was widely reported elsewhere as well – it seems that bread and lunch meat are responsible for nearly half of the sodium most people manage to consume on a regular basis. Even cottage cheese was noted as a culprit, exceeding the percentage of sodium contributed by obvious offenders like chips and pretzels.

Lowering sodium intake is particular important for those suffering from kidney disease, as regular readers of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases are aware. The latest issue features a wide variety of articles, including one touching on a different aspect of sodium levels. It seems that lower serum sodium levels in certain hemodialysis patients may put them at a greater risk of death, although the authors caution that other factors cannot be ruled out by this study. Also studied is the impact of periodontal disease on kidney function in the elderly, and there is a commentary on the recent SHARP trial, which examined lipid-lowering therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease. This issue also includes a case report which focuses on acute kidney injury caused by ‘bath salts’ intoxication – it’s a useful article as the designer drugs become more popular, and this aspect of their impact may not be widely recognized. Another new issue this week is the February American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Articles in this edition range from a look at the ’30-minute rule’ from surgical decision to surgical delivery as well as the prevention of mother-to-child infection transmission. Another paper examined the association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases later in life. READ MORE >>

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No, it’s not an early Valentine’s Day special – it just so happens that this week, MD Consult featured quite a bit of cardiology news, covering stories ranging from the impact of lifestyle changes on cardiovascular risk to a closer look at earlier ventral septal defect repair, which was associated with poorer outcomes. But in more positive news, left ventricular assist devices for patients waiting for transplants performed well in a large database study, while in another story, the ideal treatments for carotid atherosclerosis were still up for debate. Fans of Spanish food will be pleased to hear that fried foods in that country may not be linked to coronary heart disease, most likely because of the types of oils used, as well as the varieties of fried foods in question – usually fish. It’s not exactly a license to eat poorly, but it’s something – although one may want to consult the next section before overindulging.

New in Journals this week is the January/March issue of Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, which kicks off 2012 with an article on the association between insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk factors and overweight in Japanese schoolchildren. American children were also considered, with a study exploring whether cell phones (plus other electronic toys) and social patterns are useful predictors of body mass – it would seem that they are. Adults came in for scrutiny as well, with a paper concluding that even ‘metabolically healthy’ obese people should still be carefully watched for signs of coronary artery disease. Sticking with the opening cardiology theme, the February 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology is also online now. An intriguing paper examines whether there has been any long-term increase in the rate of acute myocardial infarction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. An article on preventive cardiology looks at the role of primary care, while another takes a look at barriers to lifestyle changes for hypertension patients. READ MORE >>

This week, it’s not a new journal but a name change that’s making waves on MD Consult: the Journal of the American Dietetic Association has transformed into the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The new title is a reflection of the American Dietetic Association becoming the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a name that better describes the society’s members. Here are further details from the press release:

“The new name, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, was chosen because it promotes the strong science background and academic expertise of our members, primarily registered dietitians. Nutrition science underpins wellness, prevention, and treatment,” said registered dietitian and Academy President Sylvia Escott-Stump, MA, RD, LDN.

The journal, the world’s premier source of scholarly, peer-reviewed information relating to the practice and science of food, nutrition, and dietetics, serves the Academy membership as well as the global community of nutrition experts. It directly supports the Academy’s continuing goals of advancing professional knowledge across the range of research and practice issues such as: nutritional science, medical nutrition therapy, public health nutrition, food science and biotechnology, food service systems, leadership and management, and dietetics education. READ MORE >>

It has been a busy week for News on MD Consult, with stories on everything from complementary medicine to drug shortage updates. On the former subject, an article reported that herbs are not a viable osteoarthritis treatment (though non-herbal alternative therapies were not part of the review). And on the subject of nationwide drug shortages, the DEA and drug makers were questioned about the ongoing lack of supply of generic ADHD medications. In more encouraging news, there is growing evidence that the DASH diet not only improves general health, but that it can have a specifically beneficial effect on arteries and hypertension, especially in older people. The oft-namedchecked Mediterranean diet also garnered praise in the same article (though some makers of ED drugs may be less than pleased with its benefits in that department).

The first American Family Physician of 2012 went up this week, and as usual, it looks at a wide range of topics. Subjects include outpatient care of burns, osteoarthritis, and a case study of a patient with a puzzling persistent cough. This issue’s Graham Center Policy One-Pager highlights the gap in care for older adults, and recommends that geriatricians might share their skills with their primary care counterparts. Also new this week in Journals is The American Journal of Medicine; this is a supplemental issue focusing on invasive fungal infections. Diagnosis and management of these troubling infections are covered, as is the issue of antifungal drug resistance. READ MORE >>