Elevated Alanine Aminotransferase Predicts Type 2 Diabetes

"Elevated Alanine Aminotransferase Predicts New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Independently of Classical Risk Factors, Metabolic Syndrome, and C-Reactive Protein in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study"

Moderate Alcohol Consumption Inversely Related to Coronary Calcification

"Drinking one or two alcoholic beverages per day is inversely associated with extensive coronary calcification in individuals without coronary heart disease, according to the results of a study published in the November 22nd issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine."

Diabetes in Midlife Linked to Dementia Three Decades Later

"People with diabetes mellitus in midlife are nearly three times more likely to develop dementia in old age than their counterparts without diabetes, according to a report in the November 23rd issue of Neurology."

Topiramate vs Placebo in Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: Analgesic and Metabolic Effects

Other anticonvulsants that are being used for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy -- valproic acid, carbamazepine, gabapentin, and vigabatrin, for example -- have been associated with weight gain and/or impaired glycemic control. This is in contrast to the topiramate experience in this study in which a large number of subjects experienced weight loss. Of note, however, approximately 1 of 4 patients in the topiramate group discontinued treatment because of an adverse event. This may, in part, reflect the target of 400 mg daily, a relatively high dose. As the study authors suggest, a lower target dose may provide comparable efficacy, may be better tolerated, and may thus improve the study-completion rate. They propose that titrating to a dose that provides adequate analgesia may be a better approach.

Unlike Rofecoxib, Celecoxib Not Linked to Increased Risk of MI

"Unlike rofecoxib, celecoxib does not appear to increase risk of myocardial infarction (MI), according to the results of a case-control study posted online Dec. 7 and published in the Feb. 1, 2005, print issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine."

Getting Sufficient Sleep May Help Reduce Weight Gain

"Sleep deprivation alters hormones and increases appetite, according to the results of a brief randomized study published in the Dec. 7 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. The editorialists suggest that getting enough sleep may help reduce weight gain."

Now I understand why I feel bloated after night duties!

Breast MRI Highly Sensitive, But Not Specific, for Breast Cancer

"Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has high sensitivity but not specificity for breast cancer, according to the results of a prospective trial published in the Dec. 8 issue of JAMA. The authors conclude that this test does not obviate the need for biopsy."