Browse Internal Medicine Articles by Topic

Early, Goal-directed Therapy of Septic Shock

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: Hemodynamic management did not lead to an improvement in outcome.

Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: Prednisolone or Pentoxifylline?

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: A clinical trial studied short- and medium-term mortality in patients admitted to the hospital for severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Wide Tachycardia in a Patient with Chest Pain

The 12-lead ECG and accompanying long lead II rhythm strip in the Figure was obtained from a 70-year-old woman with chest pain. She was hemodynamically stable at the time this ECG was recorded. What is the rhythm?

Clinical Briefs

Accumulation of briefs: Consequences of NSAID Use in Patients Receiving Post-MI Antithrombotic Prophylaxis, Psoriasis Is Associated with Insulin Resistance, and Difficult Questions About Testosterone and Mortality

Steroids for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia: More Evidence or More Uncertainty?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of mortality from infection in industrialized countries, and treatment failure occurs in 10-20% of cases despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Thus, effective treatment strategies that reduce the burden of CAP would have a major impact on public health. Several previous studies that investigated the role of corticosteroids in CAP produced mixed results. Torres and colleagues hypothesized that corticosteroids modulate the immune response in severe CAP, thereby decreasing treatment failure.

Effects of Lifestyle Modifications on the Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerotic Burden

A look at how lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications and regular exercise, impact therapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Diet Sodas: Are They Really Diet?

Over the past several decades, concerns about increased sugar consumption has led some experts to recommend the use of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs).¹

Controversial Removal of Dietary Supplements from Retailers’ Shelves

Until sound testing methodology and retailer/government oversight is honed, clinicians and consumers should discuss the appropriateness of dietary supplement use and the choice of products from reputable companies.

Lactobacillus casei Supplementation Improves Inflammatory Markers and Disease Activity Scores in Rheumatoid Arthritis

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei 01 was provided to women with rheumatoid arthritis at a dosage of 10⁸ colony forming units for a period of 8 weeks and compared to a placebo treatment. Disease activity score and levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-12 were found to be significantly decreased at the end of the intervention. Additional parameters of state and trait anxiety were also evaluated and were not significantly altered by therapies.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease

This randomized, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in patients with Crohn’s disease significantly improved the patient’s CD symptoms, quality of life, mucosal inflammation, serum hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein levels compared to the control group.