Canadian Medical Association Journal

RESEARCH

The prognosis of acute and persistent low-back pain: a meta-analysis
Luciola da C. Menezes Costa PhD, Christopher G. Maher PhD, Mark J. Hancock PhD and colleagues
May 14, 2012

Patients who presented with acute back pain improved markedly in the first six weeks, and by one year, the average levels of pain and disability were low. The initial pattern was similar for patients presenting with persistent back pain, but these patients had moderate levels of pain and disability after one year. These findings are based on a systematic review of 33 cohorts including 11 166 people. Summarizing prognostic factors is a challenge, say the authors, and could be a topic for future research. Full article

COMMENTARY: Prognosis in people with back pain

MORE RESEARCH

REVIEW

Managing obesity in adults in primary care
May 14, 2012

The 5A model can be useful in primary care for counselling patients who are obese or overweight. Measuring waist circumference can identify those with abdominal obesity whom may have a normal body mass index. Adding psychological interventions to dietary or physical activity interventions improves their success, emphasize Plourde and Prud'Homme. Full article

MORE REVIEW

PRACTICE

A Jehovah's Witness adolescent with pancytopenia
May 14, 2012

A 15-year-old girl refused transfusion for profound anemia because of her religious beliefs. Her symptoms worsened, and she ended up in the intensive care unit. What should the health care team do in this situation? Full article

MORE PRACTICE

NEWS

Refugee health reforms assailed
May 18, 2012

A desire to dissuade “bogus” refugee claims, public envy over the level of health care that asylum seekers receive, and cost savings are ample justification for limitations on hospital, physician and other medical services provided to refugee claimants and protected persons, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney says. Full article

MORE NEWS

FOR THE RECORD

Multiple strategies needed to reduce obesity
May 17, 2012

With America’s “epidemic of excess weight” causing nearly 21% of annual medical spending in the United States to be gobbled up in the treatment of obesity-related illness, the US Institute of Medicine is urging the adoption of a national “meta-strategy for obesity prevention. Full article

MORE NEWS

NEWS

Should hiding HIV status always be a crime?
May 17, 2012

Canadians living with HIV should not face jail time for keeping their medical condition from sexual partners if the risk of transmission is low or if they use condoms while having sex, civil liberties advocates say. Full article