Table of Contents

May 5, 2009; 150 (9)

Articles

  • Residual Thrombosis on Ultrasonography to Guide the Duration of Anticoagulation in Patients With Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Randomized Trial

    • Paolo Prandoni,
    • Martin H. Prins,
    • Anthonie W.A. Lensing,
    • Angelo Ghirarduzzi,
    • Walter Ageno,
    • Davide Imberti,
    • Gianluigi Scannapieco,
    • Giovanni B. Ambrosio,
    • Raffaele Pesavento,
    • Stefano Cuppini,
    • Roberto Quintavalla,
    • Giancarlo Agnelli,
    • and for the AESOPUS Investigators
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:577-585; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00003

    Prandoni and colleagues randomly assigned 538 patients with proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) who had completed 3 months of anticoagulation to receive anticoagulation for a fixed duration or for a flexible duration that depended on results of ultrasonography. During follow-up, 17% versus 12% of the fixed-duration therapy and ultrasonography-guided groups, respectively, had recurrent thromboembolism, whereas 0.7% versus 1.5% had major bleeding events. Individualizing the duration of anticoagulation therapy for DVT may reduce the rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE).

  • Health Care–Associated Native Valve Endocarditis: Importance of Non-nosocomial Acquisition

    • Natividad Benito,
    • José M. Miró,
    • Elisa de Lazzari,
    • Christopher H. Cabell,
    • Ana del Río,
    • Javier Altclas,
    • Patrick Commerford,
    • Francois Delahaye,
    • Stefan Dragulescu,
    • Helen Giamarellou,
    • Gilbert Habib,
    • Adeeba Kamarulzaman,
    • A. Sampath Kumar,
    • Francisco M. Nacinovich,
    • Fredy Suter,
    • Christophe Tribouilloy,
    • Krishnan Venugopal,
    • Asuncion Moreno,
    • Vance G. Fowler, Jr.,
    • and the ICE-PCS (International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective Cohort Study) Investigators
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:586-594; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00004

    Does native valve endocarditis acquired in health care settings other than the hospital differ from community-acquired and nosocomial infection? In this study, out-of-hospital infection accounted for about one half of all cases of health care–associated native valve endocarditis and clinical features and outcomes were similar to those of nosocomial infection. Clinicians should be alert to the problem of health care–associated native valve endocarditis acquired out of the hospital.

  • Molecular Markers and Death From Prostate Cancer

    • John Concato,
    • Dhanpat Jain,
    • Edward Uchio,
    • Harvey Risch,
    • William W. Li,
    • and Carolyn K. Wells
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:595-603; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00005

    Do biomolecular markers distinguish indolent from aggressive prostate cancer? This observational study of U.S. veterans found that biomarkers of cell cycle regulation (bcl-2 and p53) and high microvessel density in biopsy specimens obtained at diagnosis are associated with increased risk for death from prostate cancer. The authors did not measure the extra prognostic value of biomarkers when added to clinical factors that might affect prognosis.

  • A New Equation to Estimate Glomerular Filtration Rate

    • Andrew S. Levey,
    • Lesley A. Stevens,
    • Christopher H. Schmid,
    • Yaping (Lucy) Zhang,
    • Alejandro F. Castro III,
    • Harold I. Feldman,
    • John W. Kusek,
    • Paul Eggers,
    • Frederick Van Lente,
    • Tom Greene,
    • Josef Coresh,
    • and for the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration)
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:604-612; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00006

    The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation underestimates glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with mild kidney disease. Levey and associates therefore developed and validated the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. The CKD-EPI was somewhat more precise and accurate than the MDRD Study equation, especially at higher GFRs.

  • Press Releases by Academic Medical Centers: Not So Academic?

    • Steven Woloshin,
    • Lisa M. Schwartz,
    • Samuel L. Casella,
    • Abigail T. Kennedy,
    • and Robin J. Larson
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:613-618; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00007

    Press releases might be a source of exaggerated descriptions of scientific findings in the popular media. Among 200 press releases from 20 U.S. medical centers, 23% of the 95 releases on human research omitted study size and 33% did not quantify results. Moreover, 40% reported on human studies with the weakest study designs, and 58% did not report the relevant cautions.

Review

  • Narrative Review: Evolving Concepts in Potassium Homeostasis and Hypokalemia

    • Megan Greenlee,
    • Charles S. Wingo,
    • Alicia A. McDonough,
    • Jang-Hyun Youn,
    • and Bruce C. Kone
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:619-625; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00008

    This review highlights recent discoveries about the control of potassium homeostasis. New data show that feedforward homeostatic responses activate when the body senses decreased potassium intake, even when the plasma potassium level is still within the normal range. In other words, very rapid mechanisms act to preserve potassium homeostasis independently of the much slower feedback activation of renal potassium conservation when the plasma potassium level decreases.

History of Medicine

  • Ibn Sina and the Clinical Trial

    • Mohammad M. Sajadi,
    • Davood Mansouri,
    • and Mohamad-Reza M. Sajadi
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:640-643; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00011

    This article presents an overview of the life and work of Ibn Sina, known as “Avicenna” in the West, and discusses the similarity of his treatise on drug testing to modern concepts of pharmacology and clinical trials.

Clinical Guidelines

  • Folic Acid for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

    • U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:626-631; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00009

    The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updates its 1996 review on folic acid supplementation in women ofchildbearing age. They recommend that all women planning or capable of pregnancy take a daily supplement containing 0.4 to 0.8 mg (400 to 800 µg) of folic acid (grade A recommendation).

  • Folic Acid Supplementation for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects: An Update of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    • Tracy Wolff,
    • Catherine Takacs Witkop,
    • Therese Miller,
    • and Shamsuzzoha B. Syed
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:632-639; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00010

    To support the USPSTF recommendation statement in this issue, the authors reviewed new evidence on the benefits and harms of taking folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in offspring. Four observational studies reported benefit in reduction of risk for neural tube defects associated with use of folic acid supplements. The sole study on harms found that a previously reported association of twinning with folic acid intake was not valid.

Editorials

  • Optimal Duration of Anticoagulation After Venous Thromboembolism: Fixed and Evidence-Based, or Flexible and Personalized?

    • Samuel Z. Goldhaber
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:644-646; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00012

    In this issue, Prandoni and coworkers report a lower rate of recurrent VTE when anticoagulation was continued until the veins had recanalized. However, the results are not sufficiently definitive to justify changing medical practice. For now, the most practical strategy is to follow current guidelines: time-limited anticoagulation for provoked and indefinite therapy for idiopathic VTE.

  • Clinically Relevant Prognostic Markers for Prostate Cancer: The Search Goes On

    • Edward P. Gelmann and
    • Susan M. Henshall
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:647-649; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00014

    In this issue, Concato and colleagues conclude that bcl-2, p53, or high microvessel density in prostate biopsies is associated with increased risk for death from prostate cancer. These 3 markers correlate well with tumor grade, tumor stage, or both; however, each is a relatively weak prognostic indicator. Until we have sufficiently discriminating markers, treatment decisions will continue to be poorly informed by evidence.

On Being a Doctor

  • Smashed Pots

    • Jack Coulehan
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:650-651; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00015

Letters

  • Adjusting for Inflation and Higher Surgery Costs in a Cost-Effectiveness Study of Spinal Surgery

    • Neil H. Shusterman and
    • Haim Erder
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:652; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00016

  • Adjusting for Inflation and Higher Surgery Costs in a Cost-Effectiveness Study of Spinal Surgery

    • Dominic J. Balestra
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:652; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00017

  • Adjusting for Inflation and Higher Surgery Costs in a Cost-Effectiveness Study of Spinal Surgery

    • Anna N.A. Tosteson,
    • James N. Weinstein,
    • and Jonathan S. Skinner
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:652-653; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00018

  • Health Effects and Further Consequences of the Train From Golmud to Lhasa

    • Matiram Pun
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:653; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00019

  • Rejuvenation in Older Adults Receiving Oral Ghrelin

    • Hernando Rafael
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:653-654; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00020

  • Rejuvenation in Older Adults Receiving Oral Ghrelin

    • Markus Gaugg
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:654; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00021

  • Rejuvenation in Older Adults Receiving Oral Ghrelin

    • Jim Webster
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:654-655; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00022

  • Rejuvenation in Older Adults Receiving Oral Ghrelin

    • Ralf M. Nass,
    • Mary Lee Vance,
    • and Michael O. Thorner
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:655; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00023

  • Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in a Patient With Resolved Hepatitis B Virus Infection Receiving Maintenance Rituximab for Malignant B-Cell Lymphoma

    • Yu Xuan Koo,
    • Daniel S.W. Tan,
    • Iain B. Tan,
    • Miriam Tao,
    • and Soon Thye Lim
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:655-656; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00024

  • The Immune Inflammatory Reconstitution Syndrome and Central Nervous System Toxoplasmosis

    • Ivo W. Tremont-Lukats,
    • Pedro Garciarena,
    • Rubén Juarbe,
    • and Rima N. El-Abassi
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:656-657; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00025

  • Correction: The Effect of Preventive Lamivudine on Hepatitis B Reactivation During Chemotherapy

    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:657-658; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00026

Medical Writings: Book Notes

  • Evidence-Based Medical Monitoring: From Principles to Practice

    • John Concato
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:659; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00027

  • The Rational Clinical Examination: Evidence-Based Clinical Diagnosis

    • Jon Allen and
    • Joshua Wynne
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:659; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200904210-00028

Ad Libitum

  • The Handshake

    • Jason David Eubanks
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:646; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00013

  • Severed Cords

    • Jason David Eubanks
    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:660; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00029

Medical Notices

  • Medical Notices

    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:0; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00030

Summaries for Patients

  • Residual Thrombosis to Guide the Duration of Anticoagulation

    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:I-44; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00001

  • Folic Acid for the Prevention of Infant Neural Tube Defects: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation

    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:I-50; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00002

In the Clinic

  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

    Ann Intern Med May 5, 2009 150:ITC5-1; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-01005

    This issue provides a clinical overview of abdominal aortic aneurysm, focusing on diagnosis, treatment, practice improvement, and patient information. Readers can complete the accompanying CME quiz for 1.5 credits.

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This Issue

May 5, 2009; 150 (9)
  1. Articles
  2. Review
  3. History of Medicine
  4. Clinical Guidelines
  5. Editorials
  6. On Being a Doctor
  7. Letters
  8. Medical Writings: Book Notes
  9. Ad Libitum
  10. Medical Notices
  11. Summaries for Patients
  12. In the Clinic

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