In the News


Weight loss program may improve HbA1c more than typical diabetes nutrition counseling, study finds

The study, funded by a grant from Weight Watchers International, randomly assigned adults with type 2 diabetes to the weight loss program plus diabetes education or diabetes-specific nutritional counseling plus written follow-up.

Advances in treatment have not yielded better long-term health outcomes for childhood cancer survivors

Survivors treated in more recent decades may have access to more organized follow-up care and educational materials about late effects of treatment and, therefore, may be more likely to anticipate or report adverse outcomes, study authors noted.

MKSAP Quiz: Gradually progressive abdominal distention

A 68-year-old woman is evaluated for a 3-month history of gradually progressive abdominal distention. Her medical history is notable for a 20-year history of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. She also has had a 10-year history of elevation of serum aminotransferase levels, which was attributed to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. She does not consume alcohol. Her medications are metformin, lisinopril, low-dose aspirin, and simvastatin. Following a physical exam and lab studies, what is the most appropriate next step in management?

New assessment tool may improve predictions of CV risk, impact of preventive treatments

The new three-step tool aims to provide a framework for delivering appropriate risk-reducing strategies to Medicare patients with a 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk greater than 30%.

New questionnaire appears to successfully identify COPD in primary care settings

A survey, combined with selective peak expiratory flow, was the best method for predicting undiagnosed, clinically significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a recent case-control study found.

Seeking applicants for ACP Dragon's Lair Competition

ACP will be hosting its second “Shark Tank”-style competition at Internal Medicine Meeting 2017 from March 30 to April 1 in San Diego to showcase the best and brightest ideas to transform health care and achieve the triple aim of better health, better care, and lower costs.

And the winner is …

ACP Internist Weekly has tallied the voting from its latest cartoon contest, where readers are invited to match wits against their peers to provide the most original and amusing caption.