Articles related to Family Medicine/General Practice

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have been found to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in men with both coronary artery disease (CAD) and erectile dysfunction (ED), with tadalafil showing greater cardiac benefits compared to sildenafil, according to a study presented at the American Urological Association’s annual meeting. The retrospective study analyzed over 41,000 men with CAD and ED and found that those who took tadalafil or sildenafil had significantly lower 5-year risks of heart failure, myocardial infarction, and overall mortality compared to those who received no PDE5i treatment. Tadalafil recipients had even lower risks than sildenafil recipients across all categories. The study suggests that understanding the specific differences among PDE5i medications is crucial for addressing cardiac outcomes in patients with ED and CAD, with tadalafil potentially offering superior benefits due to differences in pharmacokinetics and longer duration of efficacy. However, further research is needed before definitive conclusions can be made regarding preferential prescription of tadalafil over other PDE5i medications.

Internal medicine physicians play a crucial role in addressing osteoporosis challenges. Many at-risk patients are not screened or educated about fracture prevention, and a significant number of individuals with high fracture risk remain undiagnosed and untreated. Efforts should focus on recognizing fractures as diagnostic indicators, expanding screening, and implementing effective treatments. The recent clinical guideline emphasizes bisphosphonates as first-line therapy, denosumab as second-line, and injectable medications for high-risk cases. Primary care physicians should take an active role in screening, diagnosing, and treating osteoporosis to prevent future fractures, even without immediate subspecialist care. Risk assessment tools, healthy lifestyles, and consideration of benefits, harms, patient values, and costs in medication selection are important. Empowering primary care doctors is vital in bridging the treatment gap and preventing fractures.

Adding to the evidence that good nutrition supports healthy aging, this study shows that blood levels of certain saturated fatty acids, along with omega-6, -7 and -9 fatty acids, correlated with improved memory as well as larger frontal, temporal, parietal lobes.

This article discusses some key infectious disease information that was released in 2022 but is unrelated to COVID-19. The literature was reviewed for sound new information relevant to internal medicine experts and subspecialists whose practice does not focus on infectious diseases. The publications mentioned are about diverse species in various patient populations.

Vabbing (look it up on TikTok) is the practice of putting one’s own vaginal fluid to the body in order to attract future mates or suitors. Researchers have yet to determine whether or not human pheromones exist or how they function. Vabbing can alter a user’s psychological state, improving their perceived attractiveness. According to experts, those willing to attempt vabbing may already be the type of people capable of meeting a relationship or sexual partner.

In the first update in more than five years, these new guidelines review dosing recommendations for 41 antimicrobials, as applicable for patients with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m.