October 19, 2021 Issue of JAMA

October 19, 2021, Vol 326, No. 15, Pages 1463-1544

This Week in JAMA

Audio Highlights

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):e2018181. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.18181

Podcast: Varenicline and Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation, Hypothermia for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, Tramadol vs Codeine and Adverse Outcomes, and more

Original Investigation

Effects of Combined Varenicline With Nicotine Patch and of Extended Treatment Duration on Smoking Cessation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Timothy B. Baker, PhD; Megan E. Piper, PhD; Stevens S. Smith, PhD; et al.

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1485-1493. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15333

This randomized clinical trial compares combinations of varenicline plus the nicotine or placebo patch vs combinations used for either 12 weeks (standard duration) or 24 weeks (extended duration) for smoking cessation in adults who smoked 5 cigarettes/d or more.

Editorial
Is There a Role for Combined Use of Varenicline and Nicotine Patch or Extended Treatment Duration to Enhance Smoking Cessation?
Rajat S. Barua, MD, PhD; Mohinder Vindhyal, MD, MEd

JAMA

Effect of Moderate vs Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia on Mortality and Neurologic Outcomes in Comatose Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: The CAPITAL CHILL Randomized Clinical Trial

Michel Le May, MD; Christina Osborne, BSc; Juan Russo, MD; et al.

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1494-1503. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15703

This randomized trial assesses the effect of therapeutic hypothermia at target temperatures of 31 掳C vs 34 掳C for 24 hours on all-cause mortality or poor neurologic outcome at 180 days among comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Association of Tramadol vs Codeine Prescription Dispensation With Mortality and Other Adverse Clinical Outcomes

Junqing Xie, BSMed, MSc; Victoria Y. Strauss, PhD; Daniel Martinez-Laguna, MD, PhD; et al.

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1504-1515. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15255

This propensity score鈥搈atched cohort study uses primary care data to assess the associations of tramadol, compared with codeine, with all-cause mortality and other adverse clinical outcomes (cardiovascular events, fractures, constipation, delirium, falls, opioid abuse/dependence, and sleep disorders) 1 year after first dispensation in outpatient settings in Catalonia, Spain.

Editorial
Tramadol, Codeine, and Risk of Adverse Outcomes
Howard S. Kim, MD, MS; Danielle M. McCarthy, MD, MS; Patrick M. Lank, MD, MS

JAMA

Research Letter

Association of Remote vs In-Person Benefit Delivery With WIC Participation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aditi Vasan, MD, MSHP; Chén C. Kenyon, MD, MSHP; Christina A. Roberto, PhD; et al.

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1531-1533. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14356

This study assesses whether participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) differed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in states with offline vs online electronic benefits transfer debit cards.

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response Following Vaccination With BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273

Deborah Steensels, PharmD, PhD; Noella Pierlet, MSc; Joris Penders, MD, PhD; et al.

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1533-1535. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15125

This study compares the immune responses to the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines in health care workers in Belgium.

Viewpoint

The Supreme Court, the Texas Abortion Law (SB8), and the Beginning of the End of Roe v Wade?

I. Glenn Cohen, JD; Eli Y. Adashi, MD, MS; Lawrence O. Gostin, JD

Abstract Full Text

JAMA. 2021;326(15):1473-1474. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.17639

This Viewpoint discusses SB8, the recent law passed in Texas that essentially prohibits abortion after 6 weeks of gestational age, and the effect this will have on persons seeking pregnancy termination as well as the future of constitutional protection of abortion services.

Coverage of Dental, Vision, and Hearing Services in Medicare: The Window of Opportunity Is Open

Amber Willink, PhD; Karen Davis, PhD

Abstract Full Text

JAMA. 2021;326(15):1475-1476. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.13291

This Viewpoint discusses how consumer need, policy solutions, and the legislative environment around Medicare expansion to include dental, vision, and hearing services offer a rare window of opportunity for policy change.

Policies to Promote Shared Responsibility for Safer Electronic Health Records

Dean F. Sittig, PhD; Hardeep Singh, MD, MPH

Abstract Full Text

JAMA. 2021;326(15):1477-1478. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.13945

This Viewpoint discusses new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rules that will require hospitals to verify completion of an annual self-assessment of their electronic health record using the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology鈥搒ponsored SAFER Guides and suggests 3 additional steps required to strengthen the effects of the new rules and ensure patient safety.

A Piece of My Mind

The Other Side

Alyssa Perez, MD, EdM

Abstract Full Text

JAMA. 2021;326(15):1479-1480. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.17694

In this narrative medicine essay, a pulmonary and critical care physician recounts how experiencing her fianc茅鈥檚 battle with cancer altered her perceptions about how family members respond when facing terminal illness: 鈥淲e are never objective when it comes to ourselves or our loved ones.鈥�

Editorial

Is There a Role for Combined Use of Varenicline and Nicotine Patch or Extended Treatment Duration to Enhance Smoking Cessation?

Rajat S. Barua, MD, PhD; Mohinder Vindhyal, MD, MEd

Abstract Full Text

JAMA. 2021;326(15):1481-1482. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14994

Tramadol, Codeine, and Risk of Adverse Outcomes

Howard S. Kim, MD, MS; Danielle M. McCarthy, MD, MS; Patrick M. Lank, MD, MS

Abstract Full Text

JAMA. 2021;326(15):1483-1484. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14306

Users' Guides to the Medical Literature

How to Interpret and Use a Clinical Practice Guideline or Recommendation: Users鈥� Guides to the Medical Literature

Romina Brignardello-Petersen, DDS, MSc, PhD; Alonso Carrasco-Labra, DDS, MSc, PhD; Gordon H. Guyatt, MD, MSc

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1516-1523. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15319

This Users鈥� Guide to the Medical Literature provides suggestions for understanding guideline methods and recommendations for clinicians seeking direction in evaluating clinical practice guidelines for potential use in their practice.

Podcast: How to Interpret and Use a Clinical Practice Guideline
Podcast: Assessing the Strength of Recommendations: The GRADE Approach With Dr Vandvik
Podcast: Teachers' Guides to the Users' Guides

JAMA Guide to Statistics and Methods

Interim Analyses During Group Sequential Clinical Trials

William J. Meurer, MD, MS; Juliana Tolles, MD, MHS

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1524-1525. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.10174

This JAMA Guide to Statistics and Methods describes why interim analyses are performed during group sequential trials, provides examples of the limitations of interim analyses, and provides guidance on interpreting the results of interim analyses performed during group sequential trials.

Podcast: Interim Analyses During Group Sequential Trials With Dr Meurer

JAMA Clinical Challenge

Retinal Artery Thrombosis and Aortic Valve Vegetations

Shree K. Kurup, MD; Miroslav Sekulic, MD, MA; Alan H. Markowitz, MD

Abstract Full Text

JAMA. 2021;326(15):1526-1527. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.11949

A 42-year-old woman had 30 days of blurry vision in the right eye. Dilated-fundus examination and fluorescein angiography showed retinal artery thrombosis; echocardiography showed pedunculated and mobile aortic valve vegetations, and results of testing for antinuclear antibodies were positive at low titer (1:40, homogenous pattern) with positive dsDNA (5.0 IU/mL). What is the diagnosis and what would you do next?

JAMA Diagnostic Test Interpretation

Interpreting SARS-CoV-2 Test Results

KC Coffey, MD, MPH; Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS; Daniel J. Morgan, MD, MS

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1528-1529. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.16146

A 53-year-old woman presented to the gastroenterology clinic for endoscopy because of submucosal gastric nodule. Reverse transcriptase鈥損olymerase chain reaction SARS-CoV-2 testing before the procedure was positive, and the patient reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 30 days prior. What would you do next?

Medical News & Perspectives

The Lingua Franca of Addiction鈥擲tigmatizing Words That Wound

Anita Slomski

Abstract Full Text

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JAMA. 2021;326(15):1468-1470. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.16186

This Medical News article discusses clinicians鈥� enduring stigma toward patients with substance use disorders despite decades of education on the genetic and neurobiological foundations of addiction.