Browse Primary Care/Hospitalist Articles by Topic

Probiotic Use to Reduce Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea

In a systematic review of probiotic use for reducing Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), probiotics appear to be most beneficial in populations with high baseline risk of CDAD (> 5%).

Caregivers and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Interventions

The authors of a review of randomized, controlled trials found that mindfulness-based stress reduction may reduce short-term anxiety and depressive symptoms in people caring for family members with dementia.

Alcohol Use: No Safe Level

A systematic analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 on alcohol-linked disorders and patterns of alcohol use over 25 years worldwide found there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

Effect of Diet on Hippocampal Volume in a Population at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in community-dwelling people (average age of 60 years) found that a long-term, high-quality diet was associated with larger hippocampal volumes after an average interval of 11 years.

Trends in Supplemental Vitamin D Intake

The authors investigated the trends in daily supplemental vitamin D intake of ≥ 1,000 IU and ≥ 4,000 IU and found increasing use of vitamin D supplementation.

Insulin Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes: Social, Psychological, and Clinical Factors

The choices for insulin therapy are ever increasing with the development of new products that provide greater flexibility, greater range of effectiveness, lower risk of hypoglycemia, and lower pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability. These allow for individualization of treatment to match a patient’s daily life but typically at greater cost. This article will review the psychological, social, and clinical factors pertaining to the various insulin products, as well as strategies to initiate and intensify insulin therapy, to help clinicians supplement and enhance their clinical practices in diabetes management.

Omadacycline Injection and Tablets (Nuzyra)

The FDA has approved a broad-spectrum antibiotic for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

Nocturia: Does Salt Intake Play a Role?

Researchers suggest that excessive salt intake can contribute to urinary frequency and nocturia.

Exercise Improves Physical Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Tailored exercise therapy can improve physical functioning in patients with knee osteoarthritis and comorbid conditions.

Limited English Proficiency Associated With Significant Differences in End-of-Life Care

In a retrospective cohort study, patients with limited English proficiency had lower rates of do not resuscitate orders, comfort measures orders, and advance directives; higher rates of receiving certain types of life support; and longer hospital stays compared to their English-speaking counterparts.