In the News


Routine physicals not associated with improved morbidity, mortality in nongeriatric patients

Routine physicals do not decrease morbidity or mortality and are unlikely to be beneficial, a review concluded.

Stopping antipsychotics in Alzheimer's patients with a sustained response may lead to increased rate, shorter time to relapse

Alzheimer's patients with psychosis or agitation that had responded to risperidone therapy for four to eight months had nearly double the risk of relapse after stopping the drug compared to placebo, a study found.

MKSAP Quiz: follow up of aplastic anemia

A 24-year-old man undergoes follow-up evaluation for treatment of aplastic anemia. Two of his siblings are HLA-identical matches. Review of the bone marrow biopsy done 2 weeks ago confirms the diagnosis of aplastic anemia, demonstrating an aplastic bone marrow with normal cytogenetics. What is the most appropriate treatment?

SSRIs associated with increase in brain hemorrhage risk in some patients, but absolute risks appear small

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may increase risk for brain hemorrhage in some patients, although the absolute risks are probably low, a study found.

Fast action, individualized treatment necessary in fungal meningitis outbreak

A research letter and an opinion piece published last week in Annals of Internal Medicine provide details and guidance on caring for patients in the current outbreak of fungal meningitis due to contaminated methylprednisolone.

ACIP: pneumococcal vaccine schedule outlined for high-risk adults

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) outlined recommendations and dosing regimens for the use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

ACP co-authors NEJM Sounding Board article against legislative interference in the exam room

ACP joined with four other medical associations to co-author “Legislative Interference with the Patient-Physician Relationship,” which was published in the Oct. 18 New England Journal of Medicine.

The October issue is online

The October issue of ACP Hospitalist is online and includes stories about hospitalists choosing careers in post-acute care, reviewing medications in the elderly, and attempting mobilization within 24 hours of a stroke.

ACP members elected to Institute of Medicine membership

Several ACP members have been elected as Institute of Medicine (IOM) members.

Put words in our mouth

ACP InternistWeekly wants readers to create captions for our new cartoon and help choose the winner. Pen the winning caption and win a $50 gift certificate good toward any ACP product, program or service.