In the News
Increase in alcohol use during pandemic persisted through 2022
Compared with 2018, a study of data from the 2020 and 2022 National Health Interview Survey showed statistically significant increases in any alcohol use and heavy alcohol use, leading its authors to call for increased screening for harmful drinking.
Daytime sleepiness associated with cognitive issues, slow gait speed
Older adults with poor sleep were more likely to develop motoric cognitive risk syndrome, a predementia syndrome characterized by slow gait speed and cognitive symptoms, with depression appearing to explain some of the association.
MKSAP Quiz: 2-month history of neck pain
A 57-year-old man is evaluated for a 2-month history of neck pain and stiffness accompanied by unsteadiness on his feet, especially while climbing up or down stairs. He is otherwise healthy and takes no medications. Following a physical exam, what is the most likely diagnosis?
Nearly half of deaths among patients hospitalized for flu occur postdischarge
Only 37% of patients who died within 30 days of discharge from an influenza hospitalization had flu listed as a cause of death and this was less likely the longer the time between hospitalization and death, indicating that the link may be underappreciated, according to a recent study.
CNS polypharmacy common in older U.S. adults with dementia
A cohort study found that 14.3% of Medicare beneficiaries with dementia were prescribed three or more medications affecting the central nervous system (CNS), often by a single primary care clinician.
And the winner is …
I.M. Matters Weekly from ACP 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.