Dementia, Nifedipine, Elmiron and Incidental Findings

Last updated:March 21, 2024

Have you been missing our news round up? It’s been a busy couple of weeks for me, but I’m back and with more articles and reports than I can fit in one column, so look for a bonus column on Thursday this week.

If you aren’t familiar with the phrase, “incidental findings,” don’t miss the first report below, “Too Much Healthcare.” And enjoy the last story about dementia, human contact trumps medicine again!

Be well.

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Too Much Healthcare – Incidental Findings

Incidental findings are when an x-ray, MRI or scan finds something other than what was being investigated. In other words, “In looking for X we happened to find Y…” It could be a nodule on a thyroid or a shadow on a liver, whatever it is, most doctors feel compelled to pursue the incidental finding, “just to rule out something.”

In this survey almost all of the responding 991 practicing physicians stated they had cared for patients who had experienced a cascade of ultimately useless and/or harmful medical tests and interventions after an incidental finding.

Cascades of Care After Incidental Findings in a US National Survey of Physicians – JAMA Network, Oct 16, 2019

Nifedipine and Premature Labor

“Certain pregnant women with the cardiac condition aortic stenosis may be at risk of hypotension and chest pain from nifedipine (calcium channel blocker), the preferred drug to prevent premature labor, according to a case report.”

Nifedipine Seen Risky in Pregnant Women With Heart Conditions – MedPage, Oct 15, 2019

Elmiron and eye damage

Elmiron, prescribed for interstitial cystitis (IC), a bladder condition, appears to cause eye damage in about 25% of those who use it, primarily to the retina. The connection was difficult to make because the damage was attributed to other conditions, like macular degeneration.