Outpatient Medicine Update-Rapid Fire Research

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The talk reviews emerging research across lipidology, cannabis, and several clinical topics.<br /><br />Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a largely genetic, atherogenic particle associated with cardiovascular events and aortic stenosis. The speaker notes new guidance recommending one-time testing for adults, while emphasizing that current treatments have limited effects; elevated results may prompt more aggressive management of other risk factors. Promising Lp(a)-lowering drugs are in trials, but cardiovascular benefits remain unproven. Observational findings also suggest aspirin might reduce aortic-stenosis risk in people with high Lp(a), requiring confirmation.<br /><br />Cannabis use and product potency are rising, including among older adults. Evidence for benefits is limited, with possible uses for nausea, weight gain in HIV, and some chronic pain. Potential harms include cardiovascular events, impaired cognition, pregnancy and child-development risks, cannabis hyperemesis, psychiatric disorders, and cannabis use disorder. Most findings are observational, so causality and the effects of specific products remain uncertain.<br /><br />Other studies suggest surgery may benefit older patients with acute cholecystitis; low BMI may be associated with worse surgical outcomes in older adults; and leaving hospital against medical advice is linked to higher readmission and mortality. Outpatient follow-up within 30 days appears beneficial, though earlier visits were not clearly superior. Additional findings link living near golf courses and high anticholinergic medication burden with potential health risks, while regular positive-airway-pressure use and higher daily step counts are associated with better outcomes. The talk also highlights rising healthcare costs, especially hospital charges, and new guidance on evaluating functional seizures.

Keywords

Lipoprotein(a)

Lp(a)

cardiovascular risk

aortic stenosis

cannabis use

older adults

surgical outcomes

hospital readmission

anticholinergic burden

positive airway pressure

daily step counts

healthcare costs