The week of February 2nd, 2026, brings a range of new medical research and guideline updates, as curated by the editors of NEJM Clinician. These updates span several specialties, offering insights into the management of chronic kidney disease, understanding of alcohol’s cancer risk, magnesium repletion, hypertension awareness, osteoporosis treatment, thyroid medication timing, and antibiotic use in viral pneumonia, as well as new approaches to pediatric pain management.
Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease
New guidelines from the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) address the management of anemia in chronic kidney disease. Details of these guidelines are available in Kidney International, offering updated recommendations for clinicians treating patients with this common complication of kidney disease.
Alcohol and Cancer Risk
Research published in JAMA Oncology highlights a significant issue: public misinformation regarding the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. The study suggests a need for improved public health messaging to accurately convey the potential carcinogenic effects of alcohol.
Magnesium Repletion
A question arises regarding the necessity of repleting marginally low magnesium levels. Research featured in JAMA Internal Medicine explores this clinical dilemma, potentially influencing treatment strategies for patients with low magnesium.
Public Understanding of Hypertension
The public’s knowledge about hypertension is under scrutiny, according to findings in the Journal of Hypertension. This research underscores the importance of ongoing education initiatives to improve awareness and management of this prevalent condition.
Osteoporosis Medications
Current understanding of osteoporosis medications is being re-evaluated. A study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that the efficacy of these medications may not be as straightforward as previously believed.
Levothyroxine and Food Intake
A common question among patients taking levothyroxine – whether it should be taken on an empty stomach – is addressed in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The research provides insights into the optimal timing of levothyroxine administration.
Antibiotics for Viral Pneumonia
The role of antibiotics in treating patients hospitalized with viral pneumonia is being questioned. Research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases investigates whether antibiotics provide a benefit in these cases, potentially leading to more judicious antibiotic use.
Pediatric Pain Management
New thinking is emerging regarding combination analgesia for pediatric musculoskeletal pain. A study in JAMA explores alternative and potentially more effective approaches to managing pain in children.
Featured Research in the New England Journal of Medicine
The New England Journal of Medicine itself features new research, including “Images in Clinical Medicine” showcasing a case of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia
. A review article on Cardiogenic Shock
is published this week.
NEJM Resources
The Massachusetts Medical Society, publisher of the New England Journal of Medicine, also offers several related resources. NEJM Evidence, in partnership with CIDRAP, now includes Public Health Alerts
to advance the mission of improving human health. NEJM Clinician provides concise summaries of research from over 150 medical journals. The current issue and recently published articles are available on the New England Journal of Medicine website. The next edition of NEJM Clinician will be released the week of February 9th, 2026.
Copyright © 2026 Massachusetts Medical Society.
