Internal Medicine Alert – September 15, 2025

Gabapentin and the Risk of Dementia in Adults with Chronic Pain

In a retrospective cohort study, gabapentin prescription in adults with chronic low back pain was associated with increased risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, particularly in non-elderly adults.

MIND Matters: Diet, Exercise, and Engagement in Cognitive Health

This multicenter, randomized clinical trial showed that a highly structured, multidomain lifestyle intervention modestly but significantly was associated with improved global cognitive function throughout two years in at-risk older adults, compared to a lower-intensity, self-guided program.

Routine Boosting Against Tetanus and Diphtheria in Adults: A Time to Reconsider

Slifka and colleagues make a strong argument against the routine booster vaccination of adults against tetanus and diphtheria as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Treatment Window for Lowering Blood Pressure in Acute ICH

Effective treatment for acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has remained elusive, with inconclusive results from surgical evacuations, as well as blood pressure management. The investigators performed a pooled analysis of four INTERACT trials that studied the effect of aggressive blood pressure lowering in patients with acute ICH. Ultra-early treatment (< 3 hours from onset) may be beneficial, but most patients are not so quickly diagnosed or treated.

Sunvozertinib (Zegfrovy) Tablets

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an accelerated approval to sunvozertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations (EGFR exon20ins). The FDA also approved a companion diagnostic device, Oncomine Dx Express Test to help detect exon20ins mutations.

Treated as Aberrant SVT

I was given this electrocardiogram without knowing details of the history beyond that the patient was an older man who was hemodynamically stable. He was being treated on the assumption that the rhythm was a supraventricular tachycardia with QRS widening because of aberrant conduction. Do you agree with this assumption? How certain are you of your answer