Question Of The Day

The American Geriatric Society published its most recent Beers Criteria in 2023. What are Beers Criteria and in what circumstances can these criteria be applied? The AGS’ Beers Criteria identify potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults. The criteria are intended to apply to…

In a retrospective, cross-sectional study performed in an urban hospital in Minneapolis, MN, what was the greatest risk factor for patients having physical restraints applied? Drug and alcohol intoxication was associated with the highest odds ratio of having physical restraints (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.29;…

Historical QOD 3/2/2009: What findings predominate in renal biopsies of patients with lithium toxicity? Chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy (CTIN), cortical and medullary tubular cysts and dilatation, and focal segmental and global glomerulosclerosis.  Image: Severe lithium-associated chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy (CTIN) with diffuse interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy…

What is the mechanism for colchicine induced cardiotoxicity? Although widely used in gout and pericarditis, colchicine can cause cardiotoxicity when taken in overdose due to its narrow therapeutic window. Though not well understood, high levels of colchicine may induce microtubule depolymerization, thus inhibiting contractility and…

In a small retrospective case control study of patients with delusions of parasitosis, exposure to what medications was associated with the delusions? Patients with delusions of parasitosis were more commonly exposed to attention deficit disorder medications, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, opioids, and gabapentin, along with…

A study of 6101 adult cancer survivors showed the prevalence of active substance use disorder (SUD) was 3.83% (SE, 0.32%). In what types of cancer was the highest prevalence of SUD found? SUD was most prevalent in survivors of head and neck cancer (9.36% [SE,…

Historical QOD 2/27/2009: Cold allodynia (dysesthesia when touching cold water or cold objects) is characteristic of ingestion of fish containing what toxins? Ciguatoxins. Note that cold allodynia is often incorrectly termed “temperature reversal.” Isbister GK, Kiernan MC. Neurotoxic marine poisoning. Lancet Neurol. 2005 Apr;4(4):219-28. doi:…

In a study of patients who underwent spinal surgery, what medication was given during surgery that resulted in a 20% reduction of opiate use postoperatively compared to placebo? N-acetylcysteine was given at a dose of 150 mg/kg and resulted in a 20% decrease in opiate…

In a small study conducted in a Veterans Affairs hospital in Indianapolis, what was the most common way prescribers identified potential drug-drug interactions? 52% were detected by an alert in the electronic health record, 43% were identified independently by the prescriber themselves, and 5% were…

What is the estimated prognosis of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with chronic nitrous oxide use in young patients treated with B12? What is the expected duration of drug exposure after ingestion of a “6-armed, star shaped drug delivery capsule?” 10 days Henrik Galust, et al. “Tianeptine…