As we prepare to crack the binding on the 19th(!) Volume of the EBM Focus, we want to thank you from the bottom of our EBM-loving hearts for continuing to support the work we do. Our team scours top medical journals for new research each week and convenes at the virtual table with curiosity, open-mindedness, and a healthy dose of skepticism with the goal of providing an article that informs, appraises, and maybe even entertains. And while we very much enjoy what we do, we want to make sure you enjoy our work too. We’d love for you to share your thoughts on things you’d like us to start doing, stop doing, or keep doing. Of course we won’t stop you if you just want to share your overwhelming praise (or discontent!) either. Click the “Send Comment to the Editor” button in the blue box at the bottom of the screen and we will read them and respond.
Cheers to 2024! We wish you a year of health, happiness, and new adventures. Here’s a look back at the top 10 EBM Focus articles from 2023 based on your readership.
Warmly,
The EBM Focus team
Kate, Alan, Dan, Nicole, Vincent, Elham, Sarah, Hannah, and Jen
1. Paxlovid Prevents Long-COVID
Paxlovid seems to reduce both mortality and the risk of long-COVID in people at high risk.
Make sure the appropriate size blood pressure cuff is being used to avoid underdiagnosis and overtreatment of hypertension.
3. Don’t Believe the Hype: New Study Provides No New Evidence on Time-restricted Eating
A new study doesn’t add much to what we know about weight control. We still think the best diet for patients is the one to which they will adhere in the long term.
4. You’re Not Hallucinating: Psilocybin Is a Viable Treatment Option for MDD
Single-dose psilocybin 25 mg appears safe and effective for moderate to severe MDD, with results lasting at least 6 weeks.
5. 8,000 Steps to Living a Longer Life
One to 2 days per week of walking at least 8,000 steps per day might be enough to decrease all-cause mortality.
6. Coronary Calcium Scores: Not the New ASCVD Calculator
Coronary calcium scores may be slightly better than pooled cohort equations for appropriately classifying risk of coronary heart disease, but that doesn’t mean everyone should get a coronary CT.
7. Masking our Confirmation Bias About Preventing COVID
According to the newest and best available evidence to date, wearing surgical masks in the community doesn't prevent COVID or flu-like illnesses. And N-95s don’t seem better than surgical masks in healthcare settings.
8. Zuranolone: a Novel Hormone-Based Treatment for Severe Postpartum Depression
Consider zuranolone 50 mg po daily for 14 days for severe postpartum depression.
9. Vitamin D for Diabetes Prevention: Here We Go Again
Vitamin D may be getting another fifteen minutes of fame for its potential role in preventing diabetes, but please don’t start “treating to target” yet.
10. Skin Cancer Screening: There’s No “I” in Recommend
Keep doing skin checks for patients at high risk of skin cancer and of course biopsy those with suspicious lesions, but think twice before doing a whole body exam for asymptomatic people at average risk.
DynaMed EBM Focus Editorial Team
This EBM Focus was written by Katharine DeGeorge, MD, MS, Senior Deputy Editor at DynaMed and Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Virginia. Edited by Alan Ehrlich, MD, Executive Editor at DynaMed and Associate Professor in Family Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School; Dan Randall, MD, Deputy Editor at DynaMed; Nicole Jensen, MD, Family Physician at WholeHealth Medical; Vincent Lemaitre, PhD, Medical Editor at DynaMed; Elham Razmpoosh, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow at McMaster University; Hannah Ekeh, MA, Senior Associate Editor at DynaMed; and Jennifer Wallace, BA, Associate Editor at DynaMed.