In the News
Physicians might control long-term opioid use through initial prescribing habits, study says
Researchers concluded that the probability of long-term opioid use can be minimized by starting with a single prescription of a short-acting opioid, with no refills, and a cumulative dose less than 120 morphine milligram equivalents.
GLP-1 analogues may be associated with bile duct, gallbladder disease
Results point to an association between bile duct and gallbladder disease and use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues, but researchers cautioned that further studies are needed.
MKSAP Quiz: 3-month history of gradually progressive abdominal distention
A 68-year-old woman is evaluated for a 3-month history of gradually progressive abdominal distention. Her medical history is notable for a 20-year history of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. She also has had a 10-year history of elevation of serum aminotransferase levels, which was attributed to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. She does not consume alcohol. Her medications are metformin, lisinopril, low-dose aspirin, and simvastatin. Following physical and abdominal exams, what is the most appropriate next step in management?
HCV patients being treated for opioid addiction appear to benefit from antiviral therapy
Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who were receiving opioid-agonist therapy (such as methadone or buprenorphine) and treatment with elbasvir-grazoprevir had high rates of sustained virologic response regardless of continued drug use, an industry-funded study found.
CMS selects 14 regions for new primary care model
Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) is the only medical home model that is specifically identified in the Quality Payment Program under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) as an advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM).
A doctor turns to social media for organ donation
Yul Ejnes, MD, MACP, continues his monthly column at KevinMD.com in a post about using social media as an innovative way to find an organ donor.
Put words in our mouth
ACP Internist Weekly 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.