Clinical Conversations

January 27th, 2012

Podcast 143: PPIs and asthma control — it doesn’t work in kids, either

Controlling asthma by the use of proton pump inhibitors apparently doesn’t work any better in children than it does in adults. Yet the practice is widely used. A study in JAMA and an accompanying fiery editorial seem to put the notion to rest. Listen in. As always, suggestions are welcomed. You can reach me directly at 617-440-4374 […]

---

July 16th, 2011

Podcast 126: Placebos and Medical ‘Meaning’

Last week’s New England Journal of Medicine paper on the placebo effect in evaluating asthma treatments was fascinating in itself. The editorial that accompanied it, however, was a delight. It asks clinicians to think less about laboratory measures of cure, and more about the patient’s satisfaction with treatment — whether the treatment was “real” or not. […]

---

April 11th, 2009

Podcast 38: A conversation about using PPIs in poorly controlled asthma — rather, not using them — with Robert A. Wise of Johns Hopkins.

There are lots of people with poorly controlled asthma who are on PPIs, but don’t need to be. That’s the clear implication of research just published in the New England Journal of Medicine. We’ll talk with a member of the writing committee, Dr. Robert A. Wise. If you like what you hear, call 1-617-440-4374, and […]

---