More articles from From the Editor
- Lipoprotein ‘little a’: More than a little target in the management of cardiovascular risk?
Lipoprotein(a) was once believed to play no contributory role in the development of cardiovascular disease. That storyline has since flipped.
- No surprise, all inflammation is not created equal as it relates to cardiovascular disease
It is accepted that inflammation is an important component of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but have we found the right inflammatory target for pharmacologic therapy?
- Flexibility is warranted in applying prescribing guidelines
Discontinuation of benzodiazepines in chronic users may be associated with a small increase in mortality and a higher risk of adverse events, especially in the short term after cessation.
- Newer diabetes drugs: Surprising shared benefits and unique side effects
The shared beneficial effects of the SGLT2 inhibitors and the GLP-1 receptor agonists, drugs with distinct mechanisms of action, may have an anti-inflammatory explanation.
- Immunotherapy meets William Shakespeare
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are potentially life-saving therapies that can trigger a wide range of autoimmune pathology.
- Allopurinol hypersensitivity is rare, bad, and partially avoidable, but allopurinol can still be used effectively
The shadow of the 1984 Hande et al guidelines still hangs over clinical decision-making when managing allopurinol dosing in patients with gout and chronic kidney disease.
- The gift of lasting immunity
Measles vaccine–induced immunity, although not necessarily lifelong for all individuals, is quite durable.
- Psychedelics in the medical toolbox?
Given the historical association of psychedelics as “recreational” mind-altering compounds within countercultures of the 1960s and 1970s, their current introduction into several aspects of medical practice is a surprise to many.
- All sulfa drugs are not created equal
Misinformation about “sulfa allergy” can result in unnecessary avoidance of useful medications and the prescription of less effective alternatives.
- Treating the thyroid: Trust the feedback loop
Studies show that, when testing to detect or monitor thyroid dysfunction, we order more free T3 and T4 levels than are necessary. We apparently should trust the thyroid-stimulating hormone feedback loop more than we do.