JAMA Clinical Reviews

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A Patient's Perspective on Nonoperative Treatment of Appendicitis Aug 11, 2020

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A major study recently published in JAMA showed that many children who have appendicitis do not need surgery and, if they undergo surgery, may have more disability than if they were treated with antibiotics alone. JAMA Clinical Reviews spoke with a patient in the study whose mother happens to be JAMA Associate Editor Preeti Malani, MD, JAMA's infectious diseases editor and chief health officer for the University of Michigan. This patient initially was treated with antibiotics, later required appendectomy, and discussed the difficulties he experienced following laparoscopic appendectomy.

Association of Nonoperative Management Using Antibiotic Therapy vs Laparoscopic Appendectomy With Treatment Success and Disability Days in Children With Uncomplicated Appendicitis

Updated Pulmonary Embolism Guidelines Aug 11, 2020

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The European Society of Cardiology updated its guidelines for pulmonary embolism in 2019. Jonathan Paul, MD, from the University of Chicago discusses what is new in the management of pulmonary embolism based on his August 11, 2020, JAMA Guidelines Synopsis article.

Related Article(s):

Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

The Importance of Minimal Clinically Important Differences in Research Studies Aug 06, 2020

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Before a study is carried out, it is important to define what is an important difference between groups. This is often not done correctly. Anna McGlothlin, PhD, from Berry Consultants discusses how to assess the minimal clinically important difference in research studies.

Update on Dexamethasone for the Treatment of COVID-19 Aug 05, 2020

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Few treatments have proven to be effective for treating COVID-19. Recently, a clinical trial reporting the results of dexamethasone for treating COVID-19 was published and has received a great deal of attention in the popular media. Greg Curfman, MD, JAMA Deputy Editor, reviews the study and discusses what the findings do or do not reveal about the efficacy of dexamethasone for treating COVID-19.

Related Article(s):

Missed Opportunities on Emergency Remdesivir Use

Update on Congestive Heart Failure Aug 04, 2020

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Congestive heart failure is common and can have devastating effects on patients' quality of life. Until recently few treatments were available, but that has changed. Congestive heart failure management has substantially improved. Hutter Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School James L. Januzzi Jr, MD, reviews the diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure.

Related Article(s):

Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Treating Pediatric Appendicitis Nonoperatively Jul 27, 2020

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Accumulating evidence in adults has shown that nonoperative treatment of appendicitis is an acceptable means for treatment. A recent prospective study published in JAMA has shown the same is true for children. Most children who are treated with antibiotics instead of surgery for appendicitis do just fine. The lead author for this study, Peter Minneci, MD, from the Nationwide Children's Hospital of the Ohio State Medical School, discusses his work in investigating alternative ways to treat appendicitis.

Association of Nonoperative Management Using Antibiotic Therapy vs Laparoscopic Appendectomy With Treatment Success and Disability Days in Children With Uncomplicated Appendicitis

Perioperative Risk Assessment Jul 21, 2020

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Jeffrey Berger, MD, from the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at the New York University School of Medicine, explains the ins and outs of perioperative cardiovascular risk assessment and management for noncardiac surgery.

Related Article(s):

Perioperative Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Management for Noncardiac Surgery

Drug Treatment for Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer Jul 21, 2020

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Some of the nearly 40 000 deaths each year in the US from breast cancer might be avoided through use of medications to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women. Patricia Ganz, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Public Health at UCLA, reviews the evidence underlying chemoprevention of breast cancer and which women might benefit from the drugs.

Related Article(s):

Medications for Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Risk Calculators:

https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov/calculator.html https://tools.bcsc-scc.org/BC5yearRisk/intro.htm https://ibis.ikonopedia.com/

Remdesivir and Dexamethasone for the Treatment of COVID-19 Jul 20, 2020

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Both remdesivir and dexamethasone have been promoted as effective treatments for COVID-19. JAMA Deputy Editor Greg Curfman, MD, and Professor Rachel Sachs, JD, from the Washington University School of Law discuss the science and health policy aspects of these COVID-19 treatments.

Related Article(s):

Missed Opportunities on Emergency Remdesivir Use

How Is COVID-19 Transmitted? Jul 13, 2020

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Whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted by droplets or aerosol influences which public health interventions might slow its spread. Michael Klompas, MD, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, explains evidence to date about mechanisms of coronavirus transmission and implications for pandemic containment and mitigation efforts.

Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Theoretical Considerations and Available Evidence

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