Internal Medicine Alert – September 30, 2014
September 30, 2014
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Stopping Colonoscopy at Age 75 ¡ª Even With a History of Colon Cancer
SYNOPSIS: The incidence of colorectal cancer is much less in people > 75 years of age compared with ages 50-74, even in patients with a personal history of colon cancer or adenomatous polyps. Complication rates for colonoscopy are high in the elderly ¡Ý age 75 and in patients with comorbidities. Surveillance colonoscopy may be stopped in the advanced elderly and in comorbid elderly patients. -
Bring on the Butter and the Eggs
SYNOPSIS: People who were randomized to a low-carbohydrate diet lost more weight than those who were randomized to a low-fat diet over a year. They also had greater improvements in risk factors for cardiovascular disease. -
Good Ol’ Vitamin C: Does It Deserve Another Look for Your Heart?
SYNOPSIS: A meta-analysis and systematic review found vitamin C supplementation improved endothelial function in patients with diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. -
Empagliflozin Tablets (Jardiance ®)
A new sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) has been approved by the FDA. Empagliflozin follows canagliflozin (Invokana) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga)as the third entry in this group. These drugs reduce plasma glucose levels by reducing renal absorption of filtered glucose. Empagliflozin is marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim as Jardiance. -
CLINICAL BRIEFS
The highest morbidity and mortality consequences of influenza occur in senior citizens. The efficacy of standard flu vaccine varies depending on the outcome that is examined