SMJ // January 2026, Volume 119 - Issue 1

Original Article

Prevalence and Trends of Obesity and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease among Adults in the United States

Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects approximately 100 million individuals in the United States. Previous studies have reported a significant association between obesity and MASLD. The objective of our study was to examine the relationship between obesity and population-level trends in MASLD prevalence among US adults aged 20…

Review Article

Genomics and Personalized Medicine: The DNA Revolution Reshaping Patient Care by 2035

The rapid evolution of genomic technologies is poised to transform patient care during the next decade, integrating precision medicine with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic decision making, and personalized healthcare strategies. This review explores key advancements in genomics, including whole-genome sequencing, single-cell genomics, pharmacogenomics, and gene-editing technologies,…

Original Article

Implementing a Veteran-Centric Care Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents: A Preliminary Report

Objective: We sought to evaluate the benefit of implementing a 2-hour afternoon didactic workshop teaching Internal Medicine (IM) residents about the unique aspects of caring for US military veterans. Methods: Using a conceptual framework of patient-centric care, we designed and implemented a veteran-centric care workshop focusing on cultural differences in…

Original Article

Fostering Collaboration: An Interprofessional Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Workshop for Medical, Physician Assistant, Nursing, and Pharmacy Students

Objectives: Quality improvement and patient safety (QI/PS) education is required for students in undergraduate healthcare training. Interprofessional education provides an excellent collaborative opportunity to teach the core concepts of this topic; however, implementing a successful interprofessional activity often is challenging due to complex curricular and scheduling differences. To meet this…

Posted in: Primarily Safety/Quality Improvement2

Original Article

Increased Rate of Vaginal Adhesion in Hematologic Cancer Survivors after Vaginal Prolapse Surgery

Objective: We sought to determine whether there is an increased rate of vaginal adhesion complications between a hematologic cancer survivor population and a benign population after vaginal prolapse surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with a history of hematologic cancer undergoing vaginal prolapse surgery at our…

Posted in: Obstetrics and Gynecology53

Original Article

Surgical Outcomes of Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomies Based on Uterine Cancer Staging

Objectives: Minimally invasive surgery is effective for early-stage uterine cancer due to its confinement to the corpus uteri. Stage 1 endometrial cancer has two subgroups: stage 1A (

Posted in: Obstetrics and Gynecology53 Uterine Disorders3

Letter to the Editor

Smartphone-Enabled Otoscopy to Bridge Rural ENT Disparities

To the Editor: Rural Americans face persistent barriers in otolaryngologic care due to shortages of otolaryngologists, geographic isolation, and limited transportation. These challenges contribute to significant delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Posted in: Otolaryngology and Dental Medicine4

Perspectives

“Noncompliant” Is an Adjective, Not an Explanation

The potential power and influence of labels we apply to people have been known for some time. Rosenthal and Jacobson showed how negative expectations of students on the part of teachers could influence academic outcomes, and Stuart and Wolpe showed how psychiatric labels (diagnoses) could bend interpretations of observed behavior…

Original Article

Factors Affecting Physician Exit and Reentry into Medicine

Objectives: This survey study investigates the factors contributing to physicians taking time off from clinical medicine and the challenges of reentry. Methods: This qualitative study used an online survey conducted from February to July 2023. The survey was e-mailed to physicians (Doctors of Medicine and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) licensed…

Original Article

Relationship between the Prevalence of Syphilis and COVID-19 in Lubbock County and Texas

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the trends in syphilis prevalence in Lubbock County, Texas, from 2018 to 2022 and identify significant changes over time. In addition, it sought to assess the relationship between syphilis trends and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, comparing local patterns to state-level data. Methods:…

Posted in: Sexually Transmitted Diseases & Infections of Reproductive Organs4

Review Article

Cardiovascular Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa: QT Prolongation, Bradycardia, and Structural Cardiac Changes

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder with profound cardiovascular consequences, including QT interval prolongation and bradycardia. These abnormalities contribute to an increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and long-term cardiac dysfunction. Although electrolyte imbalances and malnutrition are also recognized as key contributors, the precise mechanisms underlying…

Posted in: Psychiatry6 Eating Disorders (Not Including Obesity)4

Original Article

Gender-Based Differences in Mental Health Outcomes Following Breast Surgery: Insights from Epic Cosmos

Objectives: Individuals with conditions affecting the appearance of the breast may suffer from psychosocial distress contributing to mental health disease. Breast surgery is one solution offered to mitigate these effects. Psychosocial distress of breast appearance may be experienced differently among genders. This study investigates the interplay of breast surgery, mental…

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