Sharon Smith

A longer stay in the emergency department is associated with an increased risk for early clinical deterioration among patients, a study finds. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/longer-ed-stay-linked-early-clinical-deterioration-2026a1000cdt?src=rss

Findings of a real-world study confirm guidelines that recommend physical therapy as first-line treatment; it has a slight edge over cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/pt-safe-and-effective-first-line-treatment-chronic-low-back-2026a1000cez?src=rss

Early use of hydroxychloroquine in adults with isolated discoid lupus is linked to lower 5-year rates of hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and stroke, a study shows. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/discoid-lupus-hydroxychloroquine-linked-lower-cardiovascular-2026a1000ces?src=rss

Extreme heat is linked to increased ED visits in older adults treated at hospitals serving low-income, minoritized populations but not in those treated at hospitals serving higher-income populations. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/extreme-heat-may-increase-ed-visits-older-adults-low-income-2026a1000c96?src=rss

A phase 2 study evaluates the safety and efficacy of brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab plus chemotherapy in patients with early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/immunotherapy-combo-shows-promise-hodgkin-lymphoma-2026a1000c8x?src=rss

Palindromic rheumatism often begins with hand and shoulder involvement, and patients who progress to persistent inflammatory arthritis develop it in joints affected by prior palindromic flares. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/do-palindromic-rheumatism-flares-indicate-future-arthritis-2026a1000c0h?src=rss

Emergency department visits and admissions for urology conditions surged in Ontario from 2007 to 2022, with longer wait times, especially for women and patients with low income. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/emergency-department-visits-and-hospital-admissions-urologic-2026a1000c0e?src=rss

Greater weight loss during a 24-month primary care lifestyle intervention was associated with larger improvements in quality-of-life among patients with obesity. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/intensive-lifestyle-intervention-boosts-qol-obesity-2026a1000c0c?src=rss

For patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, front-loading immunotherapy with induction chemo and chemoradiotherapy, without maintenance immunotherapy, may improve outcomes. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/early-tislelizumab-may-boost-progression-free-survival-2026a1000bur?src=rss

Monthly injectable HIV therapy shows lower treatment failure than oral regimens in individuals with adherence challenges. Medscape News Global source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/hiv-treatment-may-move-beyond-daily-pills-injectables-2026a1000bu9?src=rss

With a mental health care provider shortage and many patients’ seeking mental health support, primary care doctors have stepped up to the front lines. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/primary-care-front-lines-mental-health-care-2026a1000bqr?src=rss

B-type natriuretic peptide shows a graded association with decline in kidney function in individuals with diabetes, even at concentrations ≤ 18.4 pg/mL, which are conventionally considered normal. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/well-known-cardiac-marker-signals-kidney-decline-diabetes-2026a1000bqb?src=rss

Older adults with chronic disease who have less education, lower income, and no active jobs tend to experience symptoms of depression. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/lower-income-and-educational-attainment-tied-depression-risk-2026a1000bi8?src=rss

The EU aims to offer pharmaceutical companies ‘workable terms’ in policies designed to improve future pandemic response. Medscape News Europe source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/preparing-next-pandemic-what-eu-wants-2026a1000b2t?src=rss

A 2025 American Family Physician editorial by Dr. Joel Selanikio discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) tools had accelerated an existing trend of “patients bypassing physicians to diagnose and treat themselves,” which began with over-the-counter drugs and online search engines. This direct-to-consumer health care approach received a boost in January with OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT Health , which invites users to upload their medical records and health data from apps for personalized recommendations. AI chatbots can provide helpful responses to health questions in several low-stakes contexts, as outlined in this handout from Dewey Labs : translating medical jargon, brainstorming possible causes of symptoms, summarizing research or test results, and preparing questions for an upcoming doctor’s visit. However, a recent study in Nature Medicine highlighted ChatGPT Health’s significant limitations in triaging patients with acute problems to appropriate levels of care. Dr. Ashwin...

A viral plastic diet trend raises concerns for choking, metabolic disruption, and increased risk for eating disorders among youth. Medscape News Global source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/viral-plastic-diet-linked-eating-disorder-risk-2026a1000b2r?src=rss

Growing antimicrobial resistance is prompting renewed interest in phage therapy, with preliminary data indicating improved outcomes when combined with standard antibiotics. Medscape News Europe source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/phage-therapy-gains-momentum-antibiotic-resistance-2026a1000ay1?src=rss

First-time mothers with high genetic risk for systolic blood pressure have a higher likelihood of postpartum hypertension, but BMI and hypertensive pregnancy disorders are stronger risk factors. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/genetic-risk-tied-postpartum-bp-risk-bmi-matters-more-2026a1000axw?src=rss

A surge in demand since last year for estrogen patches to ease menopause symptoms has strained supplies and led to shortages, sparking a scramble for medicines that industry... Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/s/viewarticle/patients-scramble-find-estrogen-patches-shortage-worsens-2026a1000av8?src=rss

Avacopan shows a favorable safety profile in ANCA-associated vasculitis in real-world settings, with hepatobiliary events as the leading safety concern and no adverse events of high clinical priority. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/real-world-data-avacopan-reveal-safety-signals-2026a1000auc?src=rss

A neuroimmune gene signature detectable in blood and liver predicts viral hepatitis severity, suggesting nervous-immune crosstalk drives disease progression and informs monitoring. Medscape News Europe source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/neuroimmunome-predicts-viral-hepatitis-severity-2026a1000asw?src=rss

A secondary analysis of a phase 3 trial suggests that patients with relapse within 3 months of treatment or persistent disease represent a distinct high-risk group. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/early-relapse-signals-high-risk-primary-refractory-lbcl-2026a1000as0?src=rss

On-site hepatitis C virus testing and treatment with peer support at opioid treatment programs boosts access to curative therapy and sharply increases treatment initiation. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/site-hepatitis-c-care-boosts-treatment-uptake-2026a1000anb?src=rss

Australia has banned life insurance companies from using genetic testing information to deny or restrict policies. Medscape News Australia source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/australia-bans-use-genetic-testing-information-life-insurers-2026a1000anj?src=rss

Researchers evaluate whether postoperative ctDNA-guided adjuvant atezolizumab after radical cystectomy is cost-effective compared with standard care in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/circulating-tumor-dna-guided-adjuvant-therapy-cuts-bladder-2026a1000amx?src=rss

Having a parent with an autoimmune disease may be associated with an increased risk for allergic diseases, a meta-analysis shows. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/autoimmune-disease-parent-tied-allergy-risk-child-2026a1000amv?src=rss

Researchers report that fungal extracts may influence vaccine reactogenicity and antibody kinetics, with effects observed only in individuals without prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Medscape News Global source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fungal-extract-may-improve-covid-vaccine-response-2026a1000ah5?src=rss

From acne to rosacea, growing evidence shows targeted dermocosmetics can serve as monotherapy for mild disease or as adjunctive care, improving outcomes and treatment tolerability. Medscape News Global source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/dermocosmetics-are-therapeutic-cosmetics-real-2026a1000ah2?src=rss

Early warning scores fairly predict 24-h deterioration in adults aged 80 years or older in the emergency department, with the Rapid Emergency Medicine Score more consistent and improving with age. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/early-warning-scores-fairly-accurate-older-adults-ed-2026a1000acf?src=rss

Infectious enteritis is associated with an increased long-term risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, and elevated healthcare use. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/infectious-enteritis-linked-increased-long-term-risk-2026a1000ac5?src=rss

The WHO urges governments to raise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, citing the growing chronic disease burden and strong public support for fiscal interventions. Medscape News Global source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/who-urges-higher-taxes-tobacco-alcohol-sugary-drinks-2026a1000a60?src=rss

Children aged 1 and 2 years are at a highest risk for cleaning product-related injury. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/bleach-detergents-drive-pediatric-injuries-cleaners-2026a1000a59?src=rss

Exposure to dupilumab is associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with cutaneous autoimmune diseases in children with atopic dermatitis or persistent asthma. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/dupilumab-use-tied-autoimmune-skin-disease-risk-kids-2026a1000a09?src=rss

Evidence suggests that sexual function may remain stable or improve after menopause, challenging assumptions of decline. Medscape News Global source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/sexual-desire-menopause-may-reflect-psychosocial-factors-2026a1000a02?src=rss

Most gastric cancers found in people diagnosed with H pylori may already be present at diagnosis, and treatment of the infection may not provide short-term protection. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/symptom-based-h-pylori-testing-inadequate-gastric-cancer-2026a10009vc?src=rss

Continuous exposure to dogs in children with asthma is associated with a risk for asthma exacerbations but does not increase the risk for moderate-to-severe asthma. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/dog-exposure-raises-asthma-exacerbation-risk-allergic-kids-2026a10009v1?src=rss