Being an expert witness was an eye-opening experience that made me question the very essence of the “art” of medicine and its place in a world dominated by evidence-based medicine. The encounter I had while testifying in court reminded me of Viktor Frankl’s profound statement that “textbooks tell lies.” This article explores the significance of
Health
The long-term use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has shown promising results in slowing the progression of eye disease in sleep apnea patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, according to a small randomized study. However, patients who adhered to the intervention ended up with more retinal microhemorrhages. The findings from this single-center trial underscore the
A recent study conducted by researchers has provided compelling evidence of the efficacy of bimekizumab, an interleukin-17 (IL-17) blocker, in the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The trial, which spanned over 52 weeks, showcased strong efficacy of bimekizumab in improving the condition of patients with axSpA. More than 60% of patients demonstrated a 40% improvement
Aspirin has long been used for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the use of enteric coating on aspirin pills has been a topic of debate regarding its effectiveness and safety. A recent study, known as the ADAPTABLE trial, aimed to investigate whether enteric coating impacted the outcomes of ASCVD patients. This analysis
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, providing an additional option to protect against hospitalization and death from circulating variants. This protein-based shot is designed to target the XBB.1.5 strain and offers a non-mRNA alternative for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. After approving Pfizer and Moderna’s new vaccines last month
A 38-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) presented for a routine ophthalmic examination, only to leave the Danish clinicians puzzled by the presence of choroidal Yasunari nodules in both eyes. This patient had no previous history of systemic vasculopathy, but did have a long-standing issue with peripheral retinal capillary nonperfusion in her left eye.
Primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a challenging cancer to treat, especially for patients who are not suitable candidates for surgery. However, a promising new study, the FASTRACK II trial, has shown that stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) may be an effective and noninvasive alternative for these patients. Led by Shankar Siva, PhD, at the
The use of anti-obesity medications has become a subject of great interest and debate, with widespread media coverage and discussions surrounding their efficacy and safety. While the majority of this discourse has centered around adults, it is important to recognize that obesity affects a significant number of children and adolescents in the United States. In
A recent report from the Lancet Commission sheds light on the global imbalance in power dynamics that has negatively affected women’s access to cancer prevention, detection, and care. Despite significant advancements in healthcare, cancer remains one of the leading causes of premature death among women worldwide. Each year, an alarming 2.3 million women die prematurely
Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), refers to the presence of symptoms that persist for at least three months after recovering from COVID-19. As the global pandemic continues, there is growing concern about the long-term effects of the virus on individuals. In the United States, data from the CDC’s National