I’ve always wondered who actually writes the questions that end up on the ABIM exam. In my mind, I picture a Voldemort-like character leading a group of similarly dark souls, cackling each time they come up with a particularly tricky …
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Last week was one of celebrities disclosing their medical histories. First, it was Angelina Jolie writing in a New York Times op-ed that she had a undergone a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer given a strong family history. The …
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In 2011, Azithromycin was the seventh most prescribed (55.3 million prescriptions) medication according to IMS Health. There have been several publications indicating that the use of macrolide antibiotics increase risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (FDA Adverse …
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The role vitamin D plays in regulating bone mineralization is well known. Adequate serum levels of vitamin D have been shown to aid in the prevention of fractures (1). Fractures in older adults, especially of the hip, create havoc. These …
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55-year-old male presents to his primary care physician’s office with blistering of his skin in sun exposed areas. The primary care physician is perplexed and decides to refer the patient to a dermatologist. After careful review, the dermatologist concludes that …
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Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone strength is compromised, which leads to increased risk of fractures. The main mechanism involved in osteoporosis is an imbalance between osteoblastic activity and osteoclastic activity. Osteoblast cells play a role in bone formation; …
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A 956-word essay by a Hollywood actress has increased awareness of breast cancer genetic syndromes on par with the work of large organizations like the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.   In a widely read …
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Studies show that one in five Medicare beneficiaries returns to the hospital within 30 days of discharge at an annual cost of $18 billion to the program. More importantly, many of these readmissions are thought to be preventable with better …
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42-year-old obese female complains of right upper quadrant pain for three months. It is particularly severe following large fatty meals and at night. The pain radiates to the back and is occasionally accompanied by nausea. Below is an ultrasound image …
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For full disclosure, I am a decidedly average test taker. My test-taking career peaked on my SATs in high school, and my percentile ranks on subsequent standardized tests have gone down in inverse relation with my ascent in the medical …
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