Clinical
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Breast Cancer and Hormonal Contraception: New Information or Sensationalism?
Highly publicized results from the Danish database demonstrate an increase in the risk of breast cancer associated with current use of hormonal contraception. Consistent with prior research, the risk is small, confined to current users, and disappears following discontinuation.
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FDA Actions
In this section: Agency approves new diabetes treatment, green lights medicine for treatment of shock, gives the go ahead to a follow-on version of insulin lispro injection, launches a new website to assist with antibiotic selection, and removes a boxed warning from long-acting beta-agonists in combination with inhaled corticosteroids regarding asthma-related death.
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No Association Between Vitamin D, Calcium Supplements and Fracture Prevention in Older Adults
There were no significant associations between calcium, vitamin D, or combined calcium and vitamin D supplements or the incidence of nonvertebral, vertebral, or total fractures. The results were consistent regardless of the dose of vitamin D or calcium, sex, fracture history, dietary calcium intake, or baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration.
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Is There a Connection Between Breast Cancer and Hormonal Contraceptives?
In a recent study, the authors concluded that while the risk is small, there was a higher risk of breast cancer among women who currently or recently used contemporary hormonal contraceptives than among women who had never used hormonal contraceptives.
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The Sticky Wicket of Androgen Receptor Modulators
In a recent investigation, less than half the products tested contained the amount of active product claimed on the label, almost 20% contained none of the claimed active component, and some contained substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
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Addressing Insomnia
If cognitive behavioral therapy is insufficient to remedy insomnia, sedative-hypnotic agents must be added sometimes. Consultation with a sleep expert for refractory cases, or for cases requiring more sustained use of medications, is fully appropriate.
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Updated Hypertension Guidelines
Perhaps the most novel innovation is the recategorization of systolic blood pressure 130-139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 80-89 mmHg as stage 1 hypertension. Previously, this blood pressure zone was labeled prehypertension.
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Statins for COPD?
Even though numerous pharmacologic treatments are available to mollify COPD symptoms, mortality and disease progression do not appear to be altered by pharmacologic treatment.
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Educating Patients About ‘Ugly Duckling Sign’
Patients or their partners detect most malignant melanomas first. Enhancing public awareness of malignant melanomas and enabling patients to promptly and accurately identify at-risk lesions is important.
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An Overlooked Disability Burden
The sudden loss of hearing is considered an otologic emergency, requiring prompt evaluation. Only a few patients with identified hearing loss take advantage of hearing aids, perhaps daunted by issues like cost, potential stigma associated with wearing a hearing-assistive device, or comfort.