Internal Medicine Alert – December 15, 2025

Knee Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Meniscal Tear: Lessons from Two 2025 Trials

Two high-quality, randomized studies demonstrate the effectiveness of unsupervised exercise programs for knee osteoarthritis and degenerative menisical tear.

Ablation vs. Drugs for Ventricular Tachycardia

A sub-analysis of the VANISH2 trial, which compared catheter ablation (CA) to antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the suppression of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy has shown that in the sotalol therapy group, those randomized to CA less frequently experienced the VT-based composite endpoint. Conversely, in the amiodarone group, the primary endpoint was similar in the CA- and drug therapy-randomized patients, but amiodarone produced more adverse events.

Comprehensive Data Analysis Validates the Effectiveness and Safety of COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza Vaccination

Respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

Cephalexin Beat Cefdinir for Treating Uncomplicated UTI in Women

Cefdinir was inferior to cephalexin in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women due to a high rate of early recurrence.

Spironolactone for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

In this meta-analysis of 563 patients from five randomized controlled trials, objective assessment of acne improvement was higher in the spironolactone group compared to the placebo group (odds ratio, 6.59; 95% confidence interval, 3.50-12.43).

Remibrutinib Tablets (Rhapsido)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a second Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), remibrutinib, for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in adults who remain symptomatic despite antihistamine treatment. The first BTKi, rilzabrutinib (Wayrilz), was approved for chronic immune thrombocytopenia. Remibrutinib is distributed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation as Rhapsido.

Can You Be Certain?

You are asked for your opinion on this electrocardiogram (ECG). No history is available. Can you be certain of your diagnosis?