In episode 201, James and Mike continue on with deconstructing the concept of cholesterol measuring and lowering. We talk about various scenarios as to when one could measure cholesterol but quickly come to the realization that if one looks at the best science and uses a logical thought process, the whole concept of cholesterol measurement for individual patients is unfortunately built upon a house of cards.

Show notes

1) Meta-Analysis Comparing Mediterranean to Low-Fat Diets for Modification of Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Amer J Med 2011;124:841-51

In episode 200, James and Mike unveil the new BS Medicine Podcast. For their first topic they rant on and on about why most cholesterol measurements are pretty much a waste of time. We talk about how the breakpoints are arbitrary and lack any specific logic and that given the within-person variation, annual measurements really don’t have any value. At the end we brilliantly segue to a discussion on cranberry juice for UTIs.

Show notes

1) AACE Cholesterol Guidelines  

Endocr Pract 2012;18:1-78

2) 2012 update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in the adult

Can J Cardiol 2013;29:151-67

3) The SANDS Randomised Trial

JAMA 2008;299:1678-89

4) Monitoring cholesterol levels: Measurement Error or True Change?

Ann Intern Med 2008;148:656-61

5) Do you need to know cholesterol to assess risk?

Arch Intern Med 2012;172:1766-8

5) When to remeasure cardiovascular risk in untreated people at low and intermediate risk:observational study

BMJ 2013;346:f1895

Hi Everyone: Well, after 5 years, 199 episodes, ~ 120 hours of content = 24 hours a day for 5 days, James and Mike have decided to pull the plug on the TEC podcast. We want to thank all the listeners – some who have listened to them all – for trusting in the content that we provide.

BUT DON’T YOU WORRY.

We are coming back with more of the same and maybe a little bit more. We’ve never really liked the name “TEC podcast” so we’ve decided to make a name change and a logo change.

From now on the podcast will be known as

The Best Science (BS) Medicine Podcast – BS without the BS

Hope you like the change and let us know what you think.

In episode 199, Mike, James and Adil finish off the ADHD series by talking about the side effects and concerns for the stimulants and the evidence behind the use of non-stimulant medications. At the end Mike and James are so excited about the upcoming 200th episode they can hardly sit still so Adil starts a stat stimulant infusion on both of them.

Show notes

1) Cardiovascular Effects of Methylphenidate, Amphetamines and Atomoxetine in 
the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Drug Saf 2010; 33: 821-842

In episode 198, we bring back Adil Virani yet again to help us work through the evidence for stimulants, which one to choose, what dose to start with, what to monitor, and how long to stay on the medications. We pay very close attention to the very end.

Show notes

1) Multimodal treatment of ADHD

Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:1073-86

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2001;40:168

2) What is the evidence for using CNS stimulants to treat ADHD in children?

TI Letter

In episode 197, James and Mike bring in our good friend and colleague Adil Virani to help us to discuss the issue of ADHD. In this first part we discuss the diagnosis and try to focus on the concept of improving function rather than necessarily improving ADHD symptoms. At the end we all lose focus but realize this is exactly what has happened in the previous 196 episodes.

Show notes

1) Information on Treating ADHD – excellent patient resource on ADHD

2) Influence of relative age on diagnosis and treatment of ADHD

CMAJ 2012;184:755-62

3) The Canadian Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Resource Alliance

In episode 196, Mike and James squeeze into the literature and look to see if there is a role for drinking cranberry juice in the prevention of urinary tract infections. Given the cost and caloric intake we lean towards prophylactic antibiotics and lean even further towards a 3-day course of antibiotics when symptoms occur.

Show notes

1) Does Cranberry juice or extract prevent recurrent urinary tract infections

Tools For Practice

In this special episode of the podcast, I have a great and lengthy discussion with Ben Goldacre about a variety things from “All Trials”, new drugs, old drugs, guidelines, pragmatic RCTs, to the smartness of the public.

In episode 195, Mike and James go all PREMIUM yet again and discuss the latest Mediterranean diet study for primary prevention. We also review a study that re-looks at niacin for cardiovascular disease prevention. At the end we slather the entire podcast in extra-virgin olive oil and toast its completion with an elegant Merlot.

Show notes

1) Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet

N Engl J Med 2013
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1200303

2) Niacin – a combined analysis

Am J Cardiol 2013;111:352-5

In episode 194, Mike and James invite our good friend and colleague David Gardner to layout the evidence for folic acid and Vitamin D for depression. Because there isn’t a lot of definitive evidence we discuss how to make recommendations in the face of limited evidence. We decide that decisions often come down to the chance of harm and what other alternatives are available. At the end, Mike and David decide to take Vitamin D and folic acid just to deal with all the snow they are under. James just goes outside in the sun and gardens.

Show notes

1) Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults

J Aff Disorders 2009;117:S1–S64

2) Enhancement of fluoxetine with folic acid

J Affect Disord 2000;60:121-30 

3) Folic acid with fluoxetine

Neuroimmunomodulation 2008;15:145-52

4) Methylfolate and depression

Lancet 1990;336:392-5

5) L-methylfolate for depression

Am J Psychiatry 2012;169:1267-74

6) Vitamin D as adjunctive therapy to fluoxetine

Aust N Z J Psychiatry 0004867412465022 2012

7) Medication Info Share

8) Effect size illustrator