More articles from 1-Minute consult
- Are antibiotics indicated for the treatment of aspiration pneumonia?
Yes, for primary bacterial aspiration pneumonia and secondary bacterial infection of aspiration (chemical) pneumonitis, but not for uncomplicated chemical pneumonitis.
- Can patients with COPD or asthma take a beta-blocker
Yes, if they really need one. We would choose a cardioselective agent.
- Do incretin drugs for type 2 diabetes increase the risk of acute pancreatitis?
Probably not. The risk is higher in type 2 diabetes regardless of treatment.
- Should patients with mild asthma use inhaled steroids?
Yes—but only if we consider the severity of the asthma, the goals of therapy, and the benefits and risks.
- Does vitamin D deficiency play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure? Do supplements improve survival?
Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure, but whether giving patients supplements improves their survival is not clear.
- When should serum amylase and lipase levels be repeated in a patient with acute pancreatitis?
In general, repeating these measurements has no value once the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is made.
- Should we routinely screen for hypercapnia in sleep apnea patients before elective noncardiac surgery?
Yes. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome is often undiagnosed and greatly increases perioperative risk.
- Is an ACE inhibitor plus an ARB more effective than either drug alone?
No. Dual renin-angiotensin system blockade has never been shown to reduce the rates of morbidity or death from any cause.
- Does measuring natriuretic peptides have a role in patients with chronic kidney disease?
Measuring them can help diagnose decompensated heart failure and predict the risk of death and hospitalization, but whether it helps in chronic kidney disease is unclear.
- What is the role of probiotics in the treatment of acute Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea?
Overall, the evidence does not support using probiotics to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. More studies are needed to determine if they are helpful and, if so, which ones and at what dosages.