Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM), an organization of more than 115,000 physicians trained in internal medicine. The following highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information. For an article, call 1-800-523-1546, ext. 2656 or 215-351-2656.
Eradicating H. Pylori Reversed Iron Deficiency Anemia in a Study of 30 Patients
A study of 30 people with iron deficiency anemia and Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, a common association, found that curing the H. pylori reversed the anemia (Brief, p. 668).
Elderly Heart Attack Patients Are Not Getting Early Beta-Blockers
Studying medical records of 58,165 elderly patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, researchers found that 51 percent of eligible candidates did not get early Beta-blocker (B-blocker) therapy (Article, p. 648). This group also had significantly higher in-hospital mortality rates. B-blockers, inexpensive drugs used to control heartbeat, should be given immediately after heart attack, the authors say, not upon hospital discharge.
Treating All Type 2 Diabetic Patients with ACE Inhibitors Improves Quality of Life
A decision analysis of data from patients with type 2 diabetes compared treating all patients with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to prevent future kidney disease with a strategy of testing first for protein in the urine, then treating only those with abnormal amounts of protein (Article, p. 660). Treatment of all patients was more expensive per patient but was associated with the lowest probability of death or end-stage kidney disease and was cost-effective. An editorial says that therapeutic decisions still depend on many factors (Ed., p. 707).
Blood Drawn from a Long-Term, Indwelling Catheter is Clinically Useful
Blood drawn from a long-term, indwelling catheter can reliably be used to rule out blood-stream infections, but positive results from blood samples drawn this way may require confirmation, a new study found (Article, p. 641).
Journal
Annals of Internal Medicine