An MD Consult news story this week suggested that vigorous physical activity – particularly running and aerobics – appears to protect women against developing psoriasis. It was noted that similar levels of activity have already been associated with ‘a decreased risk of several disorders that are characterized by systemic inflammation, including type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, coronary artery disease, and breast cancer,’ but this study is yet another one suggesting that improved health across the board can be gained by lacing up your shoes and getting moving. Also making news in dermatology are the results of a German study, known as the SCREEN (Skin Cancer Research to Provide Evidence for Effectiveness of Screening in Northern Germany) project, which showed melanoma deaths reduced by half when total-body screening was employed. While controversy remains over the cost of such screening, the results of this study speak for themselves.
New Journals this week include the May issues of the American Journal of Surgery and Mayo Clinic Proceedings. In the former, there is an article on humanitarian medical care for the local populace in areas in which the military is deployed; bed availability seems to be the chief reason people are treated or turned away. On an entirely different subject is a study exploring whether obese patients benefit from laparoscopic appendectomy in similar ways to their slimmer counterparts; the authors were able to document a shorter length of stay for these patients. A laparoscopic approach was also studied for acute diverticulitis patients presenting in emergency situations, although there were no cost savings demonstrated in this instance. Meanwhile, Mayo Clinic Proceedings features an editorial on insomnia and its pharmacological treatments – are they always truly necessary? There is also a commentary on industry-sponsored clinical research which includes ten suggestions for closing what the authors describe as the ‘credibility gap’ that has opened in recent years. Original research in this issue looks at the association between computer use, physical exercise, aging, and mild cognitive impairment; both physical exercise and computer use were linked with decreased odds of having the condition. Another study looked to explain the ‘obesity paradox’ – the finding that overweight and obese patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention had lower mortality rates than their normal-weight counterparts – by examining whether cardiorespiratory fitness (even in overweight patients) makes a difference. This issue also includes a framework for fibromyalgia management for primary care providers.
Going back to our earlier surgery theme, Surgical Clinics of North America is new this week in the Clinics, and this issue focuses on pediatric surgery. Articles cover pain management, the paths to diagnosis for appendicitis, Meckel diverticulum, and intussusception and GERD in the pediatric population. Also included is a paper addressing the growing problem of childhood obesity, with a look at both surgical options and cooperative approaches. Common chest conditions are described in two articles as well. Another new Clinic this time around is Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, which highlights chronic disease management. The process of transitioning to a patient-centered medical home is detailed, and a ‘how-to’ guide is included, too. Pharmacologic-related issues that arise in the management of chronic diseases is also a subject for discussion, and a number of specific conditions are covered, including (among others) diabetes and depression.
Check back next week for more of what’s new on MD Consult.
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