PHILADELPHIA - The publishers of Annals of Internal Medicine, the flagship journal of the American College of Physicians (ACP), have released a new book featuring the most pioneering and influential studies ever published in the journal. Landmark Papers in Internal Medicine: The First 80 Years of Annals of Internal Medicine presents a selection of 33 groundbreaking papers chosen by experts from among the most-cited articles published in Annals.

Landmark Papers is edited by two of internal medicine's most renowned physicians. Harold C. Sox, MD, MACP, Editor of Annals of Internal Medicine, is an author and scholar, and currently serves as Chair of the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Comparative Effectiveness Research. Edward J. Huth, MD, MACP, FRCP (London), is Editor Emeritus of Annals of Internal Medicine. A respected author of several books and chapters, Dr. Huth is known as the "Dean of American Medical Editors."

"We are publishing this collection because we believe that today's internists can benefit greatly from the knowledge presented in these original papers," said Dr. Sox. "These articles have transcended time to form the basis on which internal medicine is practiced today. We hope that readers will enjoy reading about these studies, as described in the words of the leaders who contributed significantly to the advancement of medical science."
Each article featured in Landmark Papers is introduced by commentary from a distinguished expert who discusses the article's importance at the time it was published, how it shaped patient treatment or influenced medical practice, and how the knowledge continues to be significant today. Some of the experts and topics covered include:

* Harold C. Sox, MD, MACP - general internal medicine
* Philip R. Lee, MD, MACP - health economics and policy
* Charles F. Wooley, MD and Mark E. Silverman, MD, MACP, FRCP, FACC - cardiology
* Robert G. Dluhy, MD - endocrinology
* Marvin H. Sleisenger, MD, MACP, DSe (Hon) - gastroenterology
* James N. George, MD, FACP and Arafat Tfayli, MD - hematology
* Bennett Lorber, MD, DSc (Hon), MACP - infectious diseases
* Darren Taichman, MD, PhD - pulmonology and critical care medicine
* Garabed Eknoyan, MD, FACP - nephrology
* Dupont Guerry IV, MD, FACP - oncology
* Edward D. Harris, Jr., MD, MACP, MACR, FRCP (London) - rheumatology

Papers were initially selected on the basis of the frequency with which they were cited by authors of other articles, signifying that the articles were among the most influential to the medical world. An expert in each subspecialty area participated in the final selection process and contributed a commentary about the importance of each of their selections.