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Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone in Women

A task force of representatives from leading international societies issued guidance for appropriate prescribing of testosterone in women.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States — Not a Happy Picture

Since reaching historically low rates, many sexually transmitted infections have re-emerged in the United States. Of particular concern is the continued emergence of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Optimism (Hopefully!) Increases Odds of ‘Exceptional Longevity’

Analysis of 10-year follow-up data from the Nurses’ Health Study and 30-year follow-up data from the Veteran Affairs Normative Aging Study show a significant association between baseline levels of higher optimism and longevity, even when data is adjusted for health behaviors and psychosocial factors.

Soft Drinks and Death

This long-term, large-scale European study finds that higher use of total soft drinks is associated with a higher risk of death; additionally, higher use of artificially sweetened soft drinks is associated with higher risk of death from cardiovascular illness and higher use of sugar-sweetened soft drinks is associated with higher risk of death from digestive illnesses.

Vegetarians and Stroke

A prospective cohort study in the United Kingdom demonstrated that vegetarians have a 22% lower incidence of ischemic heart disease, but a 20% increased incidence of total stroke, mostly related to hemorrhagic stroke, when compared to meat eaters. No difference in ischemic stroke or acute myocardial infarction was found.

Lavender Aromatherapy During Chemotherapy

Lavender oil aromatherapy demonstrated some benefits in sleep and anxiety for people undergoing chemotherapy.

Peppermint Oil for IBS?

The PERSUADE study, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of two formulations of peppermint oil, demonstrated no statistically significant reduction in abdominal pain response nor overall symptom relief in Rome IV IBS patients using Food and Drug Administration/European Medicines Agency endpoint criteria over an eight-week trial period.

Early Dexmedetomidine Provides Similar 90-Day Mortality Compared to Usual Care in Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Adults

When the early use of continuous infusion dexmedetomidine was compared to usual care for sedation in mechanically ventilated critically ill adults, there was no difference in 90-day mortality. Dexmedetomidine may not be an ideal sedative for mechanically ventilated critically ill adults requiring deeper sedation, although its use may result in greater ventilator-free, coma-free, or delirium-free days.

Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Cirrhosis

Acute kidney injury and hepatorenal syndrome are common conditions found in patients with cirrhosis, due to the systemic vasodilation and systemic inflammation frequently found in this population.

Anticoagulation Decisions in Atrial Fibrillation

Using the Delphi method of arriving at a consensus among clinicians concerning to whom with atrial fibrillation to recommend oral anticoagulants, the risk of stroke, the risk of hemorrhage, and patient-specific factors emerged. Many of these factors are not included in the guidelines and should be studied further.