The American journal of medicine
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Evaluation of an Integrated Multidisciplinary Care Model for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Prospective, Open-label, Non-randomized Controlled Intervention Study

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated multidisciplinary care model for patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) compared to standard care. The study found that, despite high retention and positive participant feedback regarding rehabilitation, there were no significant improvements in physical functioning or other key outcomes after 12 months. This highlights the need for more effective therapeutic interventions to alter the disease trajectory of ME/CFS.

Why Exercise Does Not Work Equally Well for Everyone: Life-Course Conditions and the Limits of Precision Medicine

Sep 19, 2026

The authors investigate why exercise yields varying benefits across individuals, despite advancements in precision medicine and molecular profiling aimed at personalizing exercise prescriptions. They argue that the effectiveness of exercise is influenced not only by biological responses but also by life-course conditions, or "biography," which encompass social factors and psychosocial stress. This perspective highlights that the benefits of exercise are unevenly distributed, challenging the notion that molecular measurements alone can address these disparities.

Impact of Small Airway Dysfunction on Asthma Presentation and Future Exacerbation Risk: A Cohort Study

Sep 18, 2026

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between small airway dysfunction and the risk of future exacerbations in adults with asthma. The findings revealed that small airway dysfunction was present in a significant majority of participants and was independently associated with a higher rate of acute exacerbations. Additionally, among those with small airway dysfunction, improvements in asthma symptom control and certain spirometric measures were observed over time.

Plant-Based Diets and Prevalent Pre-Heart Failure in the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (Echo-SOL)

Sep 18, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between plant-based dietary index (PDI) patterns and the prevalence of pre-heart failure among U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults. Their findings indicated that while overall PDIs were not associated with pre-heart failure, a higher unhealthy PDI was linked to increased odds of pre-heart failure specifically among participants of Puerto Rican heritage, with vegetable intake associated with lower odds and animal fat intake with higher odds. The study highlights the need for further longitudinal research to confirm these associations.

Calcium Channel Blockers are Safe and Beneficial in Patients with Heart Failure and Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

Sep 17, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) on all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure and advanced chronic kidney disease. Their retrospective cohort study found that CCB use was associated with lower mortality rates, suggesting that CCBs may serve as a beneficial adjunctive therapy for blood pressure control in this high-risk population.

Gaps in Receipt of Alcohol Treatment Services Among Adults with Hepatic Steatosis

Sep 17, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the screening consistency for alcohol use, the prevalence of different alcohol use categories, and the gaps in access to alcohol treatment services among adults with hepatic steatosis. They found that while a significant portion of patients reported mild-moderate or hazardous alcohol use, only 13.4% received any form of treatment, highlighting the need for improved screening and timely access to alcohol treatment services in this population. The study underscores the effectiveness of treatment in reducing alcohol use among those who engage with these services.

Lipid deposition as a common feature of pneumonias of different etiologies

Sep 17, 2026

The authors investigate the role of lipid metabolism in pneumonia, examining lipid deposition in lungs affected by both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonias compared to non-pneumonic controls. Their findings reveal significant lipid accumulation in pneumonic tissues, particularly in inflamed areas, and suggest alterations in lipid biosynthesis and storage pathways, indicating that these metabolic changes may serve as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets across various pneumonia types.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation

Sep 17, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in patients with established atrial fibrillation (AF). Their retrospective cohort study found that while MASLD did not affect all-cause mortality, it was associated with increased risks of major adverse cardiovascular events and chronic kidney disease. These findings suggest that MASLD may serve as a risk marker for morbidity in AF patients, though causality remains unestablished.

Drawing a Line Between Integrative and Functional Medicine

Sep 16, 2026

The authors aim to clarify the distinctions between Integrative Medicine (IM) and Functional Medicine (FM), highlighting that while IM is rooted in evidence-based practices and interdisciplinary collaboration, FM focuses on identifying individualized root causes of chronic diseases through nonstandard methods. They discuss the potential drawbacks of FM, including low-value testing and health inequities, and advocate for new clinical frameworks to adhere to rigorous evidence standards in medicine.

Prior GLP-1RA or Tirzepatide Use and Early Cardiorenal Outcomes After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Sep 14, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of prior use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) or tirzepatide on early cardiovascular and kidney outcomes following metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). Their findings indicate that patients with prior use experienced significantly lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular events and early postoperative kidney complications compared to nonusers. This suggests that preoperative metabolic optimization strategies may enhance postoperative cardiorenal outcomes.