JAMA internal medicine
Audio Summaries

Steatotic Liver Disease Risk Scores to Predict Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sep 21, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of various risk scores for predicting cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with noncirrhotic steatotic liver disease (SLD). They found that the SAFE score was particularly effective in predicting cirrhosis risk, while other scores showed limited utility for HCC screening decisions. Overall, the study suggests that the SAFE score could help guide surveillance strategies for patients with SLD.

Effective Palliative Care for Hospice Transitions

Sep 14, 2026

The authors aimed to identify hospital and palliative care program factors that influence hospice use among cancer patients. Through a qualitative study involving interviews and observations at six palliative care programs, they found that high-performing programs exhibited strong, trust-based relationships between palliative care and oncology teams, which facilitated better collaboration and earlier hospice referrals. These insights highlight the importance of interpersonal dynamics in improving end-of-life care for cancer patients.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk in Midlife Women With Vasomotor Symptoms

Sep 8, 2026

The authors aimed to estimate the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on cardiovascular risk among perimenopausal and recently postmenopausal women experiencing vasomotor symptoms. Their findings suggest that initiating MHT may reduce cardiovascular events by 22%, particularly in Black women and those starting treatment within 10 years of menopause onset. However, they caution that these results should not be interpreted as a recommendation for MHT for cardiovascular disease prevention due to potential confounding factors.

Timing of Initiation of Methadone Take-Home Dosing

Sep 8, 2026

The authors aimed to determine the impact of different initiation times for methadone take-home dosing on all-cause mortality and treatment discontinuation among individuals undergoing opioid use disorder treatment in British Columbia, Canada. Their findings indicate that initiating take-home doses within 5 to 12 weeks and 13 to 24 weeks after induction significantly reduced both mortality and discontinuation rates compared to no take-home dosing, highlighting the potential benefits of refining clinical guidelines for methadone treatment.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Effectiveness in Medicare Beneficiaries Residing in Nursing Homes

Aug 31, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations in preventing RSV-associated outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries living in nursing homes during the first season of the vaccine's availability. The study found that RSV vaccination was associated with significant reductions in hospitalizations (73% effectiveness), deaths (56% effectiveness), severe outcomes (59% effectiveness), and thromboembolic events (66% effectiveness) among this high-risk population. Overall, the findings indicate that RSV vaccines can improve health outcomes for nursing home residents.

Specialist Referral for Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Aug 30, 2026

This randomized clinical trial aimed to determine whether routine referral of prostate cancer patients to cardiovascular specialists would improve cardiovascular risk factor control and reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes compared to usual care. The results indicated that while the intervention led to better cholesterol management, it did not significantly affect the incidence of major cardiovascular events such as death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Thus, the study suggests that specialist referral may enhance specific risk factor control but does not guarantee a reduction in clinical cardiovascular events.

Epidemiologic Study of Transfusion-Related Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Aug 24, 2026

This study investigates the association between the prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) and allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) in patients with blood type O receiving B or AB blood products. The authors found that in AGS high-prevalence regions, there was a significantly higher risk of ATRs among these patients compared to those receiving O units, suggesting that transfusion-related alpha-gal syndrome (TRAGS) may be a distinct risk factor in these areas. The findings indicate the need for blood collectors and transfusion services to implement preventive measures in regions where AGS is prevalent.

Serologic Immunity to Hepatitis A and B in US Adults and High-Risk Populations

Aug 17, 2026

The authors aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with serologic immunity to hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis B (HBV) among US adults, particularly in high-risk populations. The study found that overall immunity levels were suboptimal, with 39.5% for HAV and 27.1% for HBV, highlighting significant gaps in protection, especially among high-risk groups. These results underscore the need for targeted vaccination strategies to improve immunity against these viral infections.

Management of Shoulder Pain in Primary Care: A Review

Aug 17, 2026

This review aims to provide an evidence-based update on the diagnosis and management of shoulder pain in primary care, addressing the question of how to effectively manage this common condition. The authors emphasize that most shoulder pain cases are nontraumatic and can be managed with supportive care, education, and watchful waiting, while highlighting the importance of excluding serious underlying conditions before initiating treatment. They conclude that early imaging and surgical interventions are often unnecessary, as most patients recover with minimal intervention.

Medicare Advantage and Type 2 Diabetes Outcomes

Aug 10, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether Medicare Advantage (MA) coverage leads to better outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to Original Medicare (OM). Their longitudinal cohort study found no significant differences in key health metrics such as HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol, nor in social determinants of health like food insecurity and housing instability, between the two groups after 12 months. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the higher spending associated with MA in improving health outcomes for T2D patients.