Annals of internal medicine
Audio Summaries

Tobacco Use Treatment: Synopsis of the 2026 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline

Sep 21, 2026

The authors aimed to develop a comprehensive clinical practice guideline for tobacco use treatment tailored to the populations served by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense. The 2026 guideline synthesizes evidence from recent literature and provides 32 recommendations across ten key areas, emphasizing effective strategies such as motivational interviewing and the use of FDA-approved pharmacotherapies to enhance tobacco cessation efforts.

Evaluation and Management of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease: Synopsis of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline

Sep 14, 2026

The authors aim to update the clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) as per the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) initiative. The 2026 guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on diagnosing anemia, utilizing iron therapy, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and other treatment modalities, emphasizing individualized patient care and specific thresholds for treatment. Key recommendations include prioritizing intravenous iron for hemodialysis patients and establishing tailored hemoglobin targets for initiating and maintaining therapy.

A Synopsis of the 2025 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline for Lipid Management for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction

Sep 14, 2026

The authors review the 2025 updates to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense clinical practice guideline for lipid management aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease risk. They address key questions regarding lipid management strategies, highlighting new recommendations such as the use of the PREVENT calculator for risk estimation, the inclusion of coronary artery calcium testing, and the endorsement of moderate-intensity statins for various patient populations, including those living with HIV. The update emphasizes a shift towards more intensive lipid-lowering therapies, particularly for high-risk patients.

Association Between Blood Hemoglobin Concentration and Mortality by Age and Sex : A Prospective Cohort Study

Sep 7, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline blood hemoglobin concentration and long-term mortality, stratified by age and sex, in a large UK cohort. They found a U-shaped association, indicating that mortality risk was lowest at hemoglobin levels 1 to 3 g/dL above the WHO thresholds, with increased mortality observed both below and above this range. These findings suggest that while current WHO thresholds may not need revision, they could inform clinical assessments of hemoglobin levels.

Tuberculosis

Sep 7, 2026

The authors examine the rising incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States and emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis, isolation, and treatment to improve patient outcomes and reduce transmission. They highlight the need for screening high-risk individuals and confirm that microbiological testing is essential for accurate diagnosis, followed by a multi-drug treatment regimen tailored to drug sensitivity. The paper underscores the critical role of early intervention in managing TB effectively.

Interventions to Improve Outpatient Follow-up for Hospitalized Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder : A Systematic Review

Sep 7, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hospital-based interventions designed to improve outpatient follow-up for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) after hospitalization. Their systematic review of 17 studies found that while some interventions, particularly those combining behavioral support and care coordination, showed promise in enhancing follow-up rates, the overall evidence quality was low due to high risk of bias and imprecision. The authors conclude that further high-quality randomized controlled trials are necessary to identify effective strategies for improving post-discharge care for AUD patients.

In adults with CKM syndrome, finerenone vs. placebo reduced sudden death at a median 2.9 y

Aug 31, 2026

The authors investigate whether finerenone can reduce the incidence of sudden death in adults with CKM syndrome compared to a placebo. Their findings indicate that finerenone significantly lowers the risk of sudden death over a median follow-up period of 2.9 years.

In SLE, adding dapirolizumab pegol vs. placebo to usual care improved disease activity at 48 wk

Aug 31, 2026

The authors investigate whether the addition of dapirolizumab pegol to usual care can improve disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) over a 48-week period. The findings indicate that dapirolizumab pegol significantly enhances disease activity compared to placebo, suggesting its potential as an effective treatment option for SLE.

In AIS with inadequate response to tenecteplase, tirofiban vs. placebo increased excellent functional outcome rate at 90 d

Aug 31, 2026

The authors investigate whether the addition of tirofiban, compared to placebo, can improve functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who show inadequate response to tenecteplase. Their findings suggest that tirofiban significantly increases the rate of excellent functional outcomes at 90 days post-treatment.

In HFmrEF or HFrEF, digitalis glycosides reduce a composite of CV death or worsening HF event vs. placebo at a median 36 to 37 mo

Aug 31, 2026

The authors investigate whether digitalis glycosides can reduce the risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure events in patients with heart failure with mid-range or reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF or HFrEF). Their findings indicate that treatment with digitalis glycosides is associated with a significant reduction in this composite outcome compared to placebo over a median follow-up period of 36 to 37 months.