Beauty and the Beast: Two Side Effects of Bariatric Surgery

From the annual scientific meeting of the Obesity Society, Washington, DC–
Like it or not, bariatric surgery is becoming more common as a treatment for morbid (and even not so morbid) obesity, especially in adolescents and young adults.
Bariatric surgery sounds like a quick and easy fix–have surgery, lose weight, feel great. But, of course, it’s not that [...]

A Global Health Agenda

From the World Diabetes Congress, Montreal
“Improving the quality of life for people with diabetes at all levels,” Dr. Jean Claude Mbanya replied when I asked him what his primary goal would be over the next 3 years of his term as president of the International Diabetes Federation.
The steps to achieving that goal, which he outlined [...]

Perfect Harmony: AAFP and Coca-Cola Get Cozy

From the annual American Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates, Boston
Under fiscal pressure to make ends meet without raising its dues, the American Academy of Family Physicians has inked a consumer alliance with the Coca-Cola Company. At a town hall meeting held the opening evening of the Congress of Delegates, AAFP President-Elect Dr. Lori [...]

Patients With Diabetes Catch a Break

From the annual meeting of the Eastern Vascular Society in Philadelphia:
 It’s not easy for people with diabetes. Among their problems is that just about any other medical condition is worse when it happens against the backdrop of diabetes.
So a report on Sept. 24 that endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) in patients with diabetes is no [...]

Obesity by any Other Name…

Is the term “insulin resistant” being used clinically as a way to avoid telling patients directly that they are overweight or obese?
The thought occurred to me at a session held during at a joint meeting of the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society and the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology. To a jam-packed room, 5 members [...]

A Little Help, Please?

the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone Mineral Research in Denver
Sure, we all come to the big meetings for the new data but that’s not the only reason. The chance to brainstorm and strike up collaborative relationships is a pretty motivating reason too.
A case in point: I spent some time today in the [...]

Still on the Fence About FRAX

from the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone Mineral Research in Denver
It seems that it’s not just the big names in bone mineral research and fracture risk who are divided over the utility of the WHO’s FRAX fracture risk assessment tool, as suggested in a recent New York Times article.  The rank and file [...]

Under Pressure

From the annual meeting of the Society of Hypertension in Blacks
Rear Admiral Penelope Slade-Sawyer updated attendees on Healthy People 2010, acknowledging straightaway that the health initiative did not meet its two core goals of eliminating health disparities and improving the quality and years of healthy living for Americans.
Strides were made in reducing coronary heart disease death rates [...]

Patient Power

from the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology in Philadelphia
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
This morning I listened to Dr. Fred Kaplan, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, talk about [...]

To Go With Your Cafe Au Lait: The Policy and Practice Podcast

From congressional hearings, press briefings and other health reform goings-on, Washington, D.C.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooddddddddddddddd Morning, Washington!
OK, it’s mid-morning here, but it’s still morning on the Left Coast.  While ya’ll are enjoying your cafe au lait and beignets and Congress is off home to play, the hard-working staff here at the International Medical News Group has produced yet another [...]