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Patent Foramen Ovale Does Not Confer a Higher Risk of Recurrent Events in Cryptogenic Stroke

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is common in both the general population, as well as in patients with cryptogenic stroke, with an estimated prevalence somewhere between 15-35%. Recurrent neurovascular events, both recurrent ischemic stroke as well as transient ischemic attacks, are frequent in these patients, but it is not clear whether patients with PFOs have an increased rate of recurrent events compared to those patients who do not have PFOs.

Aspirin for the Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism

This article originally appeared in the November 29, 2014, issue of Internal Medicine Alert. It was edited by Stephen A. Brunton, MD, and peer reviewed by Gerald Roberts, MD. Dr. Brunton is Adjunct Clinical Professor, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Dr. Roberts is Senior Attending Physician, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, NS/LIJ Health Care System, New Hyde Park, NY.

Testosterone Therapy – Recommendations Resulting from Two Recent Clinical Trials

The prescription rate of testosterone therapy has increased dramatically in the last decade, and primary care practitioners are asked on a daily basis about testosterone supplementation. Ingenious marketing has led many patients — many of whom are older and have risk factors for heart disease — to question if testosterone therapy is right for them.

Managing Stress to Improve GERD Symptoms

The researchers’ goal was to address the fact that therapies that are adjunctive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been under studied. In this clinical trial, an education intervention was examined in adult patients with GERD recruited from rural general practices in England.

Dietary Flavanols from Cocoa Improve Dentate Gyrus Function and Cognitive Performance in Aging Population

Decline in functional integrity of the dentate gyrus, a hippocampal region, has been observationally seen with aging.¹ However, beyond these correlations, direct association between cognitive decline, dentate gyrus function, and the effects of non-pharmacological interventions has not been demonstrated.

Massage for Neck Pain: How Much Is Optimal?

This study was performed to assess the optimal amount of time massage should be used to improve neck pain in individuals suffering from chronic (> 3 months), non-specific neck pain. A total of 228 participants were randomized to one of six study groups (approximately 38 participants in each).

Pay Attention! Tai Chi Can Help

Synopsis: A 15-week course in tai chi improved attention scores in healthy university students.

Updates and Future Direction on Medical Uses for Probiotics

The probiotic movement is rapidly growing and, although to date no probiotics have been approved by the FDA, they are actively marketed to the public as either foods or dietary supplements. It behooves the primary care physician to be familiar with the science, indications, and appropriate usage of probiotic therapies.

Clinical Briefs

Johnston BC, et al. Comparison of weight loss among named diet programs in overweight and obese adults: A meta-analysis.

The Holy Grail of Diagnosing Depression: An Effective Blood Test

An objective, laboratory based diagnostic tool for depression would be extremely helpful to primary care physicians. This study using nine biomarkers holds promise that a blood test may be able to identify depressed patients among non-depressed primary care patients