How outdated is Step up to medicine?

[DrDrToBe]

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I just started using this book along with my class for outpatient medicine, and I noticed that there are some inconsistencies between the syllabus and this book. For instance, in my notes it says the NCEP guidelines for optimal LDL cholesterol is <100 but in SUTM it says that the ideal LDL value is <130. I am wondering if it's because SUTM is from 2008, and these may be newer guidelines. Have you noticed similar inconsistencies, and which one do you think I should trust?

 

[badasshairday]

Step Up to Medicine is absolutely LOADED with TYPOS. So be careful. There is an errata thread floating around on SDN in the forum I believe. Do a search.

Actually there are so many typos, I'm kind of shocked that it was printed with that many errors.

 

[namethatsmell]

Along similar lines, anybody know of anything more recent than SUTM for the IM rotation/shelf? I'm tempted to use MTB (both books for steps 2/3) but have yet to look at them...could this work or does this have fail written all over it? Is there another solid IM book out there?

 

[bergwood]

I just started using this book along with my class for outpatient medicine, and I noticed that there are some inconsistencies between the syllabus and this book. For instance, in my notes it says the NCEP guidelines for optimal LDL cholesterol is <100 but in SUTM it says that the ideal LDL value is <130. I am wondering if it's because SUTM is from 2008, and these may be newer guidelines. Have you noticed similar inconsistencies, and which one do you think I should trust?

I don't know that this is an inconsistency, as the "optimal" LDL level varies depending on risk factors and comorbidities for a patient. Someone with CAD or a CAD equivalent (DM, AAA, PVD, etc) would have an optimal LDL level of <100, while a patient with ~2 risk factors would have an optimal level of <130, and an otherwise healthy patient would be <160.

 

[MagicalHobo]

step up to medicine worked great for me on my internal medicine shelf exam, along with other resources of course, MKSAP 4
I got a 98 on that test 😛 just got my score back a couple days ago

 

[DrDrToBe]

I don't know that this is an inconsistency, as the "optimal" LDL level varies depending on risk factors and comorbidities for a patient. Someone with CAD or a CAD equivalent (DM, AAA, PVD, etc) would have an optimal LDL level of <100, while a patient with ~2 risk factors would have an optimal level of <130, and an otherwise healthy patient would be <160.

Thanks for the explanation, it made more sense after I read it in another book. It does have some typo's and stuff, but I guess I'll just have to keep an open eye for those since it seems folks still manage to do really well with it.