Brian L. Sprague, PhD; Natasha K. Stout, PhD; Clyde Schechter, MD, MA; Nicolien T. van Ravesteyn, PhD; Mucahit Cevik, MS; Oguzhan Alagoz, PhD; Christoph I. Lee, MD, MSHS; Jeroen J. van den Broek, MS; Diana L. Miglioretti, PhD; Jeanne S. Mandelblatt, MD, MPH; Harry J. de Koning, MD, PhD; Karla Kerlikowske, MD, MS; Constance D. Lehman, MD, PhD; Anna N.A. Tosteson, ScD
This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of adding supplemental ultrasonography to breast cancer screening with mammography screening for women with dense breasts. The analysis found that adding supplemental ultrasonography screening would result in limited health gains at substantially increased cost.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):157-166. doi:10.7326/M14-0692
Emanuele Cereda, MD, PhD; Catherine Klersy, MD, MSc; Marcella Serioli, RD; Aldo Crespi, MD; Federico D'Andrea, MD; for the OligoElement Sore Trial Study Group
Pressure ulcers can be costly and difficult to treat, and evidence about interventions to promote healing is limited. This randomized trial evaluated whether supplementation with arginine, zinc, and antioxidants within a high-calorie, high-protein formula improves healing of pressure ulcers. It found that the enriched formula improved healing in malnourished patients receiving nutritional support.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):167-174. doi:10.7326/M14-0696
Supplemental Content
Adam E. Singer, MPhil; Daniella Meeker, PhD, MS; Joan M. Teno, MD, MS; Joanne Lynn, MD, MA, MS; June R. Lunney, PhD, RN; Karl A. Lorenz, MD, MSHS
Despite end-of-life care receiving increased attention in recent years, it is not known whether dying patients' symptoms have improved. This cohort study describes changes in pain intensity and symptom prevalence reported by patients and their proxies during the last year of life from 1998 to 2010. Findings suggest that serious pain and other troubling symptoms remain prevalent among patients near the end of life.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):175-183. doi:10.7326/M13-1609
Video
Johan Sundström, MD, PhD; Hisatomi Arima, MD, PhD; Rod Jackson, MBChB, PhD; Fiona Turnbull, MBChB, MPH (Hons), PhD; Kazem Rahimi, MD; John Chalmers, MD, PhD; Mark Woodward, PhD; Bruce Neal, MBChB, PhD; on behalf of the Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists' Collaboration
This meta-analysis of several large trials suggests that persons with mild hypertension (140-159/90-99 mm Hg) and no known cardiovascular disease who had blood pressure reductions of about 3.6/2.4 mm Hg with pharmacologic therapy had reduced risk for stroke and death.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):184-191. doi:10.7326/M14-0773
Margaret A. Piper, PhD, MPH; Corinne V. Evans, MPP; Brittany U. Burda, MPH; Karen L. Margolis, MD, MPH; Elizabeth O'Connor, PhD; Evelyn P. Whitlock, MD, MPH
This systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force evaluates the benefits and harms of screening for high blood pressure (BP) in adults and summarizes evidence on screening intervals and the diagnostic and predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events of different BP measurement techniques. Evidence supports ambulatory BP monitoring as the reference standard for confirming elevated office BP screening results to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):192-204. doi:10.7326/M14-1539
CME
Richard M. Kaufman, MD; Benjamin Djulbegovic, MD, PhD; Terry Gernsheimer, MD; Steven Kleinman, MD; Alan T. Tinmouth, MD; Kelley E. Capocelli, MD; Mark D. Cipolle, MD, PhD; Claudia S. Cohn, MD, PhD; Mark K. Fung, MD, PhD; Brenda J. Grossman, MD, MPH; Paul D. Mintz, MD; Barbara A. O'Malley, MD; Deborah A. Sesok-Pizzini, MD; Aryeh Shander, MD; Gary E. Stack, MD, PhD; Kathryn E. Webert, MD, MSc; Robert Weinstein, MD; Babu G. Welch, MD; Glenn J. Whitman, MD; Edward C. Wong, MD; Aaron A.R. Tobian, MD, PhD
Platelet transfusions are administered to prevent or treat bleeding in patients with quantitative or qualitative platelet disorders. The AABB (formerly, the American Association of Blood Banks) developed this guideline on appropriate use of platelet transfusion in adult patients.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):205-213. doi:10.7326/M14-1589
David K. Kim, MD; Carolyn B. Bridges, MD; Kathleen H. Harriman, PhD, MPH, RN; on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) presents the 2015 recommended immunization schedule for adults. This schedule has been approved by the ACIP, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American College of Nurse-Midwives.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):214-223. doi:10.7326/M14-2755
Scott D. Halpern, MD, PhD; Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD
This commentary discusses the recent report from the Institute of Medicine Committee on Approaching Death, particularly the committee's recommendation to reimburse physicians for engaging patients in advance care planning.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):224-225. doi:10.7326/M14-2476
Debra L. Ness, MS; Beverley H. Johnson, BSN
This commentary discusses the recent report from the Institute of Medicine Committee on Approaching Death, which the authors believe will drive constructive conversations that advance a rational debate that is the essential foundation for better policy and practice.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):226-227. doi:10.7326/M14-2537
Philip A. Pizzo, MD
The co-chair of the Institute of Medicine Committee on Approaching Death discusses changes needed in the care of patients approaching death and argues that treating physicians should remain fully present even after their patients enter palliative care or hospice programs.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):228-229. doi:10.7326/M14-2399
Jaya K. Rao, MD, MHS, Deputy Editor
This commentary discusses the recent report from the Institute of Medicine Committee on Approaching Death, noting that it is the first Institute of Medicine report on the end of life to explicitly mention public health as having a role in this arena and discusses the promise of this approach.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):230-231. doi:10.7326/M14-2479
Deborah Cotton, MD, MPH, Deputy Editor
End-of-life care is the topic of this issue's discussion from the Annals archives.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):232. doi:10.7326/M14-2865
Jackson T. Wright Jr., MD, PhD
In this issue, Sundström and colleagues assess evidence on the effects of blood pressure reduction on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stage 1 hypertension and Piper and associates evaluate methods used to identify persons with elevated blood pressure. The editorialist discusses the implications of these 2 systematic reviews.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):233-234. doi:10.7326/M14-2836
Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD
In this issue, the ACIP presents the recommended immunization schedule for adults 2015. The editorialist discusses the single change to this year's schedule: expansion of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine coverage to all adults aged 65 years or older.
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):235-236. doi:10.7326/M14-2547
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):237. doi:10.7326/L15-5043
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):237-238. doi:10.7326/L15-5043-2
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):238. doi:10.7326/L15-5048
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):238-239. doi:10.7326/L15-5049
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):239-240. doi:10.7326/L15-5049-2
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):240. doi:10.7326/L15-5049-3
Marc Mora, MD
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):166. doi:10.7326/M14-2324
Audio
Megan McNamara; Pelin Batur; Kristi Tough DeSapri
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):ITC1. doi:10.7326/AITC201502030
CME Supplemental Content
Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(3):I-28. doi:10.7326/P15-9003