PBM Regulation Bill a Good Possibility This Year, House Staffer Says
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/pbm-regulation-bill-a-good-possibility-this-year-house-staffer-says/ Legislation providing more scrutiny for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that failed to make it through Congress in the waning days of 2024 seems to still be viable for passage this year, according to a House staff member. “I think there’s plenty of political will there; that’s what I’ve seen from members,” […]
Faricimab Again Linked to Rare but Severe Eye Adverse Effects
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/faricimab-again-linked-to-rare-but-severe-eye-adverse-effects/ Three patients developed occlusive retinal vasculitis following rechallenge with faricimab (Vabysmo) after initially developing mild intraocular inflammation for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) or diabetic macular edema, according to a retrospective case series. At a single academic tertiary referral center, mild intraocular inflammation developed in four eyes following […]
Trump Ends Fauci’s Security Detail
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/trump-ends-faucis-security-detail/ President Trump has ended the federal security detail for Anthony Fauci, MD, the infectious disease expert who advised him on the COVID-19 pandemic, a person familiar with the matter said Friday. Fauci is the latest in a string of former Trump aides-turned-critics to see their federal protection canceled despite ongoing threats […]
Autism Prevalence Is Climbing, but It’s Not Due to Vaccines
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/autism-prevalence-is-climbing-but-its-not-due-to-vaccines/ President Trump has said that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his nominee to run HHS, would investigate why autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses are rising. Since at least 2014, Trump has floated a theory that vaccines are behind the rise, but no evidence indicates this is true. “There have been extensive studies […]
High Success Rate With Conversion Therapy for Unresectable Gastroesophageal Cancer
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/high-success-rate-with-conversion-therapy-for-unresectable-gastroesophageal-cancer/ SAN FRANCISCO — Three-fourths of patients with unresectable gastroesophageal cancer converted to resectable and had clear margins after treatment with a chemoimmunotherapy combination, a small Chinese study showed. Results showed that 39 of 52 patients had clear margins (R0) after surgery, following treatment with the PD-1 antibody camrelizumab and chemotherapy. Nearly […]
NIH Meeting Cancellations Could Impact Cancer Research
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/nih-meeting-cancellations-could-impact-cancer-research/ This week, the Trump administration imposed a range of restrictions that impact the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These include sudden meeting cancellations, such as expert panels that review grant proposals, as well as a broader pause on external communications at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), HHS […]
Importance of Personalized Photoprotection Highlighted
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/importance-of-personalized-photoprotection-highlighted/ With the wide variety of sunscreen options available for photoprotection in the United States, one might expect dermatologists to tailor their recommendations based on a patient’s skin type — but that’s not always the case. According to a 2021 survey of 77 dermatology trainees and dermatology faculty across all hospitals affiliated […]
Trump Pardons Anti-Abortion Activists Who Blockaded Clinic Entrances
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/trump-pardons-anti-abortion-activists-who-blockaded-clinic-entrances/ President Donald Trump announced Thursday he would pardon anti-abortion activists convicted of blockading abortion clinic entrances. Trump called it “a great honor to sign this.” “They should not have been prosecuted,” he said as he signed pardons for “peaceful pro-life protesters.” The people pardoned were involved in the October 2020 invasion […]
FDA OKs Esketamine Nasal Spray Monotherapy for Depression
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fda-oks-esketamine-nasal-spray-monotherapy-for-depression/ The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental new drug application allowing esketamine nasal spray (Spravato; Johnson & Johnson) to be used as a standalone treatment in adults with major depressive disorder who have not responded adequately to at least two oral antidepressants. The FDA first approved esketamine […]
Fake Cancer Drugs; Let’s Talk About Sex; Reducing Cancer-Related Fatigue
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fake-cancer-drugs-lets-talk-about-sex-reducing-cancer-related-fatigue/ Beware of fake cancer drugs that have found their way into the booming online business of counterfeit prescription medications. (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center) Cecile Richards, 67, former president of Planned Parenthood and long-time abortion-rights activist, died of brain cancer earlier this week. (The Guardian) Clinicians often do not discuss sex […]
Trump’s Gain-of-Function Plan; Is Anyone in Charge at CDC? Andie MacDowell’s Dx
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/trumps-gain-of-function-plan-is-anyone-in-charge-at-cdc-andie-macdowells-dx/ Note that some links may require registration or subscription. The Trump administration is crafting an executive order that would halt federal funding for gain-of-function research. (Wall Street Journal via MSN) Meanwhile, Trump is cracking down on telework with a return-to-work order and MedPage Today plans to write about federal workers at […]
How Disaster Planning Can Protect Your Practice From Financial Ruin
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/how-disaster-planning-can-protect-your-practice-from-financial-ruin/ On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina invaded the Gulf Coast, with New Orleans at the center of the storm. Not long after, the city was 80% underwater. There was a mandatory evacuation, and everyone — doctors and hospital staff included — was forced to leave. We were not able to return […]
A Guide for Discussing GLP-1s as Obesity Treatments
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/a-guide-for-discussing-glp-1s-as-obesity-treatments/ The arrival of drugs that mimic the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) has revolutionized the treatment of overweight and obesity, offering a biologic intervention that targets the root neurohormonal and genetic causes of these chronic conditions. However, the journey to successful treatment can be fraught with challenges, including patient hesitancies […]
Simple Retinal Scan May Help Predict Stroke Risk
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/simple-retinal-scan-may-help-predict-stroke-risk/ Researchers have identified novel retinal vascular signatures that are significantly associated with the risk for a first stroke. When combined with age and sex, these retinal “fingerprints” predicted stroke risk as well as established traditional risk factors. The fingerprint, which consists of 29 retinal parameters that measure retinal health, can be […]
Boosting Lignan Intake in T2D May Lower Mortality Risk
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/boosting-lignan-intake-in-t2d-may-lower-mortality-risk/ TOPLINE: Higher intake of lignans — a group of plant-based antioxidants abundant in flaxseeds, whole grains, coffee, and some fruits and vegetables — is associated with a reduced risk for all-cause mortality and lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially in non-White individuals. METHODOLOGY: […]
Boosting Lignan Intake in T2D May Lower Mortality Risk
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/boosting-lignan-intake-in-t2d-may-lower-mortality-risk/ TOPLINE: Higher intake of lignans — a group of plant-based antioxidants abundant in flaxseeds, whole grains, coffee, and some fruits and vegetables — is associated with a reduced risk for all-cause mortality and lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially in non-White individuals. METHODOLOGY: […]
Competition Remains Elusive in Private Insurance Market
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/competition-remains-elusive-in-private-insurance-market/ Competition among US private insurance companies has generally declined since 2011 in large-group, small-group, and individual markets, a government report found. However, the trend has slowed or even reversed in some states over the past few years. Meanwhile, an American Medical Association (AMA) analysis warns that “the vast majority of health […]
Which Influenza Antivirals Are Actually Helping Patients?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/which-influenza-antivirals-are-actually-helping-patients/ Antivirals recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for treating influenza showed little benefit for nonsevere cases in a systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) had little to no effect on mortality, hospitalization rates, or symptom duration. Peramivir (Rapivab) had […]
Managing GI and Liver Conditions During Pregnancy
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/managing-gi-and-liver-conditions-during-pregnancy/ Clinicians should be aware of how to manage certain gastrointestinal (GI) and liver conditions associated with pregnancy, such as hyperemesis gravidarum, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and acute fatty liver of pregnancy, according to a clinical practice update (CPU) from the American Gastroenterological Association. Notably, procedures, medications, or other interventions intended to […]
European Medical Groups Call for Action on Workforce Crisis
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/european-medical-groups-call-for-action-on-workforce-crisis/ The European Union of Medical Specialists and seven other European medical organizations have published a joint policy paper to address Europe’s ongoing health workforce crisis. The World Health Organization has estimated that Europe will have a shortage of 600,000 doctors, 2.3 million nurses, and 1.1 million social care staff and assistants […]
Steroids in Pregnancy May Heighten Autism, ADHD Risk in Child
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/steroids-in-pregnancy-may-heighten-autism-adhd-risk-in-child/ Children exposed to glucocorticoids prenatally may have an increased risk of developing autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other mood-related conditions, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers from Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark, analyzed data from over 1 million births in Denmark from 1999 to 2016. Previous studies linking […]
A ‘Nagging Gap’: Screening Men for Osteoporosis
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/a-nagging-gap-screening-men-for-osteoporosis/ Earlier this month, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released updated screening recommendations for osteoporosis. The task force reaffirmed their 2018 recommendations that all women aged 65 years or older and postmenopausal women younger than 65 years at increased risk for osteoporotic fracture should be screened. Notably, there were no […]
Stop DMT in Stable Multiple Sclerosis: Yes or No?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/stop-dmt-in-stable-multiple-sclerosis-yes-or-no/ A significant portion of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can achieve a stable disease state when treated with modern disease-modifying therapy (DMT), especially when started early in the disease course, begging the question — can these medications be stopped? Research into the safety of stopping DMT in patients with stable MS […]
Patients, Outcomes Similar at Academic, Community Hospitals
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/patients-outcomes-similar-at-academic-community-hospitals/ Patient demographics and outcomes are similar at academic and community hospitals in Ontario, new research indicates. A retrospective cohort study included all adult general medicine patients admitted to or discharged from 28 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, between April 2015 and December 2021. Researchers compared demographic and clinical characteristics (including age, sex, […]
Loneliness During Adolescence May Affect Health in Adulthood
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/loneliness-during-adolescence-may-affect-health-in-adulthood/ TOPLINE: Increased loneliness during adolescence is associated with various health and well-being outcomes, including an increased risk for asthma and depression, in adulthood. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a longitudinal study to examine the association between increased loneliness over 1 year during adolescence and its subsequent health and well-being outcomes in adulthood. They […]
Home Cannabis Smoke Leaves Traces in Children’s Urine Tests
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/home-cannabis-smoke-leaves-traces-in-childrens-urine-tests/ TOPLINE: Children living in households with reported in-home cannabis smoking show five times higher odds of having detectable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) equivalents in their urine than those without exposure. Among 275 children studied, 27.3% had detectable urinary cannabinoids. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional analysis included 275 children (mean age, 3.6 years) from San Diego […]
Birch Bark Gel Shows Sustained Benefits for EB
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/birch-bark-gel-shows-sustained-benefits-for-eb/ TOPLINE: Long-term treatment with Oleogel-S10 (birch bark extract, Filsuvez) gel significantly reduced wound burden and disease activity in individuals with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), with a high adherence rate and a manageable safety profile over 24 months. METHODOLOGY: In the phase 3 randomized EASE trial, patients with dystrophic and junctional EB (DEB […]
Dapagliflozin and Calorie Restriction Achieves T2D Remission
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/dapagliflozin-and-calorie-restriction-achieves-t2d-remission/ TOPLINE: Combining dapagliflozin with calorie restriction achieved a greater type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission rate and significant changes in body fat and metabolic risk factors than calorie restriction alone. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a multicenter, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial at 16 centers in mainland China from June 2020 through January 2023. […]
More Research Backs Migraine Meds as Heart Safe
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/more-research-backs-migraine-meds-as-heart-safe/ TOPLINE: The use of anti–calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (anti-CGRP mAbs) was not linked to increased risk for a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event in a cohort study of older adults with migraine. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective, sequential cohort study from 2018 to 2020, analyzing data from Medicare beneficiaries aged 18 […]
Can Breast Cancer Screening Be Better Tailored to Risk?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/can-breast-cancer-screening-be-better-tailored-to-risk/ SAN ANTONIO — Can breast cancer screening be better tailored to a person’s individual risk of cancer? Guidelines advise heightened surveillance in certain women, including those with a family history of breast cancer and those with a BRCA mutation, but for average-risk women screening largely remains an age-based, one-size-fits-all proposition. More […]
Multiagent Adjuvant Therapy Ups Pancreatic Cancer Survival
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/multiagent-adjuvant-therapy-ups-pancreatic-cancer-survival/ TOPLINE: Adjuvant combination leucovorin calcium, fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) and other multiagent chemotherapy regimens boost overall survival (OS) in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative FOLFIRINOX. Single-agent adjuvant chemotherapy shows no significant survival benefit. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study across 48 centers in 20 countries from […]
Huntington’s Disease: Can Beta Blockers Help?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/huntingtons-disease-can-beta-blockers-help/ In a recent study, beta blockers appeared to significantly lower both the annualized risk for conversion from presymptomatic to symptomatic Huntington’s disease (HD) and the rate of worsening among symptomatic patients. Accordingly, authors suggested, beta blockers one day may play a role in treating HD, perhaps by blocking norepinephrine signaling or […]
IFSH Guides Surgical Decisions in OPSCC but Has Limitations
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/ifsh-guides-surgical-decisions-in-opscc-but-has-limitations/ Intraoperative frozen section histology (IFSH) demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy for individual surgical margins in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), but it may fall short in predicting final surgical margin status, according to the authors of new research. Despite the limitations of IFSH, it remains a key tool for […]
Parental Divorce in Childhood Linked With Adult Stroke Risk
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/parental-divorce-in-childhood-linked-with-adult-stroke-risk/ Experiencing one’s parents’ divorce in childhood is associated with increased risk for stroke in older adults, according to a recent study. A secondary analysis of public data suggests that parental divorce in childhood may increase stroke risk in older adults by as much as 61%. Though this is not the first […]
Promising New Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/promising-new-blood-test-for-colorectal-cancer-screening/ An investigational blood test for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) in average-risk adults met the primary endpoints of sensitivity and specificity in the PREEMPT CRC study, the largest study of any blood-based CRC screening test. With continued optimization, this blood test “may provide a convenient, effective option for colorectal cancer […]
Hair loss drug finasteride ‘biggest mistake of my life’
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/hair-loss-drug-finasteride-biggest-mistake-of-my-life/ Michelle Roberts, Nat Wright and Adam Eley BBC News Kyle Some online sites are prescribing men a hair loss drug that has potentially risky side effects without consistent safety checks, the BBC has found. The side effects of finasteride can include suicidal thoughts and impotence, yet some big brand companies will […]
What to Make of the Comorbidities Linked to Rosacea
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/what-to-make-of-the-comorbidities-linked-to-rosacea/ As a steady stream of studies suggests associations between rosacea and comorbidities, ranging from cardiovascular disease to depression and gastrointestinal (GI) issues, patients may look to their dermatologists for guidance on how to interpret these findings. “The co-occurrence of rosacea and systemic disease is far from definitive, and the majority of […]
Trump Administration Forces NIH Meeting Cancellations
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/trump-administration-forces-nih-meeting-cancellations/ Some scientific meetings involving the NIH were abruptly cancelled this week, leaving researchers concerned about their work and the implications for science under the second Trump administration. An email from an NIH official to a group that reviews federal grant applications for scientific research stated the following: “At the present time, […]
More Thyroid Cancers Found After Starting GLP-1s: Researchers Think They Know Why
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/more-thyroid-cancers-found-after-starting-glp-1s-researchers-think-they-know-why/ More thyroid cancers were detected soon after starting a GLP-1 receptor agonist than other diabetes drugs, a secondary analysis of a target trial emulation of a comparative effectiveness study found. Of over 350,000 adults with type 2 diabetes, thyroid cancer risk was significantly higher within the first year after GLP-1 agonist […]
Alcohol Causes Cancer. We Should Be Drinking Less.
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/alcohol-causes-cancer-we-should-be-drinking-less/ Thrul is an associate professor of mental health and an alcohol policy research fellow. Platz is a professor of epidemiology. Alcohol causes cancer, and we should be drinking less of it. There, we said it. We realize this op-ed will make us hugely unpopular at the next professional conference reception where, […]
Kate Middleton and Remission: Oncologists Weigh In
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/kate-middleton-and-remission-oncologists-weigh-in/ Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced last week that she was in remission from cancer. Since she never disclosed the type of cancer, it’s hard to know exactly what remission means for the princess. But gynecologic oncologists shared some insights with MedPage Today. In March 2024, Middleton announced that she […]
FDA Approves Grafapex (Treosulfan) for HSCT Conditioning
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fda-approves-grafapex-treosulfan-for-hsct-conditioning/ The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved treosulfan (Grafapex, Medexus Pharmaceuticals) in combination with fludarabine as a preparative regimen to clear bone marrow before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in adults and children with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes who are at increased risk for adverse events with […]
Novel Treatments for Cutaneous Neurofibromas Show Promise
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/novel-treatments-for-cutaneous-neurofibromas-show-promise/ In the opinion of R. Rox Anderson, MD, patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) have long been underserved in the medical field. This tumor-predisposition syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 3500 people and is caused by heterozygous loss of NF1, a gene “that’s the size of a barn and is prone […]
Alzheimer’s Pathology May Not Explain Links Between Cognitive Decline and Depression
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/alzheimers-pathology-may-not-explain-links-between-cognitive-decline-and-depression/ Depressive symptoms were not consistently associated with Alzheimer’s pathology in people without dementia. In people with normal cognition, amyloid and depressive symptoms were not linked. In people with mild cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms were tied to lower odds of amyloid pathology. Early Alzheimer’s pathology was not consistently linked to depressive symptoms […]
Injectable Anticoagulant Substantially Cuts Bleeding Risk in Afib
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/injectable-anticoagulant-substantially-cuts-bleeding-risk-in-afib/ Novel agent abelacimab has potential to be a safer anticoagulant, according to the randomized AZALEA-TIMI 71 trial. The trial had been stopped early because of a surprisingly large reduction in bleeds with abelacimab. It remains to be seen whether abelacimab is clinically effective for stroke prevention in people with atrial fibrillation. […]
Purdue Pharma and Owners to Pay $7.4B in Settlement to Lawsuits Over OxyContin
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/purdue-pharma-and-owners-to-pay-7-4b-in-settlement-to-lawsuits-over-oxycontin/ Members of the family who own Purdue Pharma, the maker of oxycodone hydrochloride (OxyContin), and the company itself, agreed to pay up to $7.4 billion in a new settlement to lawsuits over the toll of the powerful prescription painkiller, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday. The deal, agreed to […]
Docs, Nurses React to Trump Executive Orders; RNs vs ICU Mom; Post-Wildfire Masking?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/docs-nurses-react-to-trump-executive-orders-rns-vs-icu-mom-post-wildfire-masking/ The following contains links to social media websites including Bluesky, X, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Doctors including Zachary Rubin, MD, and Eric Burnett, MD, blasted the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), speaking to the likely consequences for public and global health. Meanwhile, […]
If This Is the Best AI Can Do, Rheumatologists’ Jobs Are Safe
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/if-this-is-the-best-ai-can-do-rheumatologists-jobs-are-safe/ (MedPage Today) — Three well-known artificial intelligence (AI) systems (also called large language models or LLMs) missed the cut when asked to answer questions like those on rheumatology board certification exams, researchers said. Responses… Source link : https://www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology/generalrheumatology/113903 Author : Publish date : 2025-01-23 18:27:57 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to […]
Muscle Strength, Fitness Linked to Lower Mortality Risk in Patients With Cancer
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/muscle-strength-fitness-linked-to-lower-mortality-risk-in-patients-with-cancer/ Cancer patients with high muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) had a significantly lower risk of death from any cause, including those with advanced cancers, a large retrospective review showed. All-cause mortality risk declined by as much as 46% among patients with high muscle strength and CRF as compared with those […]
Trump’s Gag Order Halts CDC Publication
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/trumps-gag-order-halts-cdc-publication/ For the first time in its more than 60-year history, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) did not go out as scheduled because of a communications pause at federal health agencies issued by the Trump administration. Past editors of MMWR and prior leaders of CDC lamented the lack of […]
New AGA Guideline; Imaging for HCC Surveillance; ‘Breakthrough’ Hepatitis D Drug
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/new-aga-guideline-imaging-for-hcc-surveillance-breakthrough-hepatitis-d-drug/ The American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) issued a new clinical guideline recommending antiviral drugs for patients at high risk for hepatitis B reactivation. (Gastroenterology) Researchers identified the enzyme CMPK2 as a possible target for therapies aiming to prevent metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) from progressing to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). (Journal […]
Simone Gold, MD, Pardoned By Trump
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/simone-gold-md-pardoned-by-trump/ Simone Gold, MD, JD, posted on X that she “wept tears of joy” after President Donald Trump granted her “a full and unconditional pardon” on his first day back in office, along with nearly 1,600 other Jan. 6 defendants. Gold, who was convicted and served time in federal prison for trespassing […]
Like It or Not, Teledermatology Is Here to Stay
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/like-it-or-not-teledermatology-is-here-to-stay/ When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and clinicians turned to telemedicine video chats as a substitute, David J. Goldberg, MD, JD, recalls the challenges of dealing with clunky internet connections and well-meaning patients who struggled to use the technology. “You’d get them on and you’re having this conversation and they’re sitting in […]
Obesity Medications: Who Needs Priority Access
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/obesity-medications-who-needs-priority-access/ When new medications are so effective that physicians refer to them as “gamechangers,” it tends to generate a lot of interest. In the case of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, the demand was so intense that shortages resulted. Supriya Rao, MD “They work really […]
Adult ADHD Diagnosis Linked to Earlier Death
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/adult-adhd-diagnosis-linked-to-earlier-death/ A diagnosis of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults was associated with a 7-year reduction in life expectancy, on average, compared to the general population, findings from a large study show. Compared with peers without ADHD, males with ADHD in the matched retrospective UK study died an estimated 7 years earlier, […]
RFK Jr. Says He Resigned From Anti-Vax Nonprofit as He Seeks Top HHS Job
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/rfk-jr-says-he-resigned-from-anti-vax-nonprofit-as-he-seeks-top-hhs-job/ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is distancing himself from his anti-vaccine work as he seeks to become the leader of the nation’s top health agency under President Trump, according to government ethics documents released Wednesday. Kennedy has pulled in roughly $10 million in income from his work over the past year, which […]
Aesthetician Charged With Injecting Customers With Counterfeit Botox
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/aesthetician-charged-with-injecting-customers-with-counterfeit-botox/ A New York City aesthetician was charged Wednesday with injecting customers with counterfeit botulinum toxin (Botox) at his medical spa after some of them complained that it made them sick. The charges against Joey Grant Luther were announced by federal authorities, who said some clients faced life-threatening injuries after receiving injections […]
Study Finds Actionable Mutations in Brain Mets of Breast Cancer Patients
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/study-finds-actionable-mutations-in-brain-mets-of-breast-cancer-patients/ In this MedPage Today video from the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), Gaia Griguolo, MD, of the Veneto Institute of Oncology in Padua, Italy, presents findings from a study characterizing breast cancer brain metastases using next-generation sequencing. The research reveals actionable genomic alterations in the homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) […]
Why Loneliness Is Now Common Among Doctors
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/why-loneliness-is-now-common-among-doctors/ “There are so many times when I feel like I’m experiencing Groundhog Day,” says Rachel Southard, DO, a resident physician in obstetrics and gynecology. “Every day is practically the same, and yet the world outside of the hospital is continuing to unfold, and I hardly know anything about it.” Rachel Southard, […]
Normal Fasting Glucose Doesn’t Guarantee Diabetes Prevention
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/normal-fasting-glucose-doesnt-guarantee-diabetes-prevention/ TOPLINE: Fasting plasma glucose levels outside 80-94 mg/dL, male sex, older age, and abnormal body mass index (BMI) categories all contribute to diabetes development, with additive effects. METHODOLOGY: Understanding the interplay between the risk factors for diabetes and its development is crucial for developing individual, practice, and population-level prevention strategies. Researchers […]
Bodybuilders’ Trick Helps Knee OA Patients in Trial
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/bodybuilders-trick-helps-knee-oa-patients-in-trial/ A technique now widely used in sports medicine to speed recovery from leg injuries helped reduce symptoms and improve function in people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, a randomized trial showed. Among 87 patients completing the 24-week study, adding blood flow restriction (BFR) to a low-intensity exercise regimen provided patients […]
RFK Jr. Committee Hearing Set; Who Funds WHO; Why Avoid Seed Oils?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/rfk-jr-committee-hearing-set-who-funds-who-why-avoid-seed-oils/ Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s HHS nominee hearing with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee is set for Jan. 29. (FirstWord Pharma) Ahead of this, Kennedy has been trying to revamp his image as pro-vaccine safety instead of anti-vaccine among senators considering his nomination. […]
Financial Burden Persists Despite Copay Aid
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/financial-burden-persists-despite-copay-aid/ TOPLINE: Among patients with cancer or autoimmune diseases receiving charitable copay assistance foundation (CPAF) support, 84% reported financial toxicity. Despite having insurance coverage, 41% spent > 10% of their monthly income on healthcare. METHODOLOGY: CPAFs provide financial grants to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for prescribed medications for insured patients. While […]
Vomiting bug keeps pressure on hospitals in England
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/vomiting-bug-keeps-pressure-on-hospitals-in-england/ Hospitals in England have been “hit by a surge” of norovirus – the winter vomiting bug – adding to mounting pressure on the NHS, health officials say. Data shows there were 784 patients a day in hospitals with the virus last week. This is up almost 80% on the same period […]
Obesity Drives Malignant Progression of Barrett’s Esophagus
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/obesity-drives-malignant-progression-of-barretts-esophagus/ Obesity appears to be associated with malignant progression of Barrett’s esophagus (BE), according to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis. A dose-response relationship exists between body mass index (BMI) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) or high-grade dysplasia (HGD), the authors found. “Obesity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many reflux-related esophageal […]
Modified Laparoscopic Procedure for Early Cervical Cancer?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/modified-laparoscopic-procedure-for-early-cervical-cancer/ New data suggested that laparoscopic radical hysterectomy that uses modified tumor-free (MTF) techniques can improve outcomes for patients with early-stage cervical cancer. An editorialist, however, urges caution in using these techniques for cervical cancer outside of a clinical trial setting. Study authors, led by Yuan Li, MD, with the National Clinical […]
How Can Management of Cardiogenic Shock Be Improved?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/how-can-management-of-cardiogenic-shock-be-improved/ Elevating patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) to mechanical circulatory support (MCS) early on could yield greater reductions in mortality due to CS, as opposed to the strategy of managing patients with medical therapies before escalating to MCS, according to a new review. “We haven’t really moved the needle in terms of […]
Early PDAT Shows Promise for Bacteremia
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/early-pdat-shows-promise-for-bacteremia/ TOPLINE: Early receipt of a phenotype-desirable antimicrobial therapy (PDAT), defined as beta-lactam antibiotic with the narrowest spectrum of activity that effectively targets the pathogen’s phenotype, improves 30-day clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with Enterobacterales bacteremia. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare the clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with […]
High Genetic Risk for RA Not Linked to Radiation Toxicity
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/high-genetic-risk-for-ra-not-linked-to-radiation-toxicity/ TOPLINE: A recent analysis found that patients with a high genetic risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) do not face an increased risk for acute or late radiation-induced toxicities, suggesting no need to alter treatment plans based on RA genetic risk. METHODOLOGY: Having RA may increase patients’ risk for radiosensitivity, which could […]
Increasing Number of Canadians Faces Health Misinformation
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/increasing-number-of-canadians-faces-health-misinformation/ A growing number of Canadians encounters health misinformation online, which has resulted in negative health consequences and broken trust for some patients, according to a new survey commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). More than a third of survey respondents said that they seek health information online because they don’t […]
10% of US Teen Girls Report Sexual Assault in Lifetime
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/10-of-us-teen-girls-report-sexual-assault-in-lifetime/ TOPLINE: Research showed children experienced varying rates of sexual harassment and sexual violence, with girls reporting higher rates of forced sexual intercourse (6.8%) than boys (3.3%). METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed data of 958,182 children and teens from 165 studies conducted in 80 countries worldwide, including the United States, Zambia, and Cambodia. The […]
GLP-1 Benefits, Risks Detailed in ‘Atlas’ Mapping Outcomes
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/glp-1-benefits-risks-detailed-in-atlas-mapping-outcomes/ A study of more than two million people with diabetes builds on evidence of broad-ranging benefits and risks of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in the clinical setting, providing an “atlas” mapping extensive outcomes and some new insights to potentially explore in more rigorous clinical trials. “This is the […]
Over 5 Million Lean Adults in US Burdened With Liver Disease
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/over-5-million-lean-adults-in-us-burdened-with-liver-disease/ TOPLINE: The prevalence of steatotic liver disease (SLD) is 12.8% among lean US adults, with metabolic dysfunction–associated SLD (MASLD) accounting for 9.3% overall and a higher prevalence in non-Hispanic Asian and Hispanic individuals. METHODOLOGY: Researchers investigated the prevalence of SLD in 2965 lean adults (body mass index less than 23 for […]
Muscle-to-Fat Ratio Key to Lung Function
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/muscle-to-fat-ratio-key-to-lung-function/ TOPLINE: An increased muscle-to-fat (MF) ratio is associated with improved lung function in men and nonsmoking women of middle age. Increases in the MF ratio are linked to a reduced decline in lung function over time compared with a decrease in MF ratio. METHODOLOGY: This prospective community-based cohort study explored the […]
US Buprenorphine Dispensing Trends Shift Post-Pandemic
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/us-buprenorphine-dispensing-trends-shift-post-pandemic/ TOPLINE: Buprenorphine dispensing for opioid use disorder (OUD) increased among US adolescents but decreased among young adults between 2020 and 2023, with overall dispensing declining 6.5% annually, a new study shows. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2020-2023 data from an all-payer pharmaceutical claims database, capturing 93% of prescriptions dispensed […]
FDA Proposes Cap on Nicotine in Tobacco Products
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fda-proposes-cap-on-nicotine-in-tobacco-products/ The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule to limit the amount of nicotine in cigarettes and certain other combustible tobacco products in a bid to curb their addictive properties. Under the proposed rule, the agency would require manufacturers to limit the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, […]
Identifying Zoonotic Infections in the Canadian Arctic
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/identifying-zoonotic-infections-in-the-canadian-arctic/ Animal-borne infectious diseases in the Arctic, although rare, are becoming more common as the region gains increasing global interest and is transformed by climate change, according to a new review. In the Canadian Arctic, Indigenous people (including the Inuit, Gwich’in, and Athabaskan communities) may encounter zoonotic infections while caring for the […]
Meta-Analysis Links Metformin to Lower Dementia Risk in T2D
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/meta-analysis-links-metformin-to-lower-dementia-risk-in-t2d/ TOPLINE: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on metformin face a lower risk for all-cause dementia than those not on metformin, with the protective effect being particularly evident in patients with nonspecified diabetes. METHODOLOGY: Multiple meta-analyses have shown that metformin has neuroprotective and neuromodulatory functions in T2D, but they relied heavily […]
Large Weight Swings Risky in CVD Patients With Obesity
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/large-weight-swings-risky-in-cvd-patients-with-obesity/ TOPLINE: Compared with stable weight, large weight gain (≥ 10 kg) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality among individuals with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Large weight loss also is associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a prospective cohort study using […]
Repurposing Meds for Dementia Prevention: Will it Work?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/repurposing-meds-for-dementia-prevention-will-it-work/ Common drug classes that have the potential to be repurposed for dementia prevention should be prioritized for further study, new research suggests. Some antibiotics and antivirals, certain vaccines, anti-inflammatories, and medication to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol are among the medications most associated with a lower risk for dementia, the […]
Can Medical Schools Funnel More Doctors Into Primary Care?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/can-medical-schools-funnel-more-doctors-into-primary-care/ Throughout her childhood, Julia Lo Cascio dreamed of becoming a pediatrician. So, when applying to medical school, she was thrilled to discover a new, small school founded specifically to train primary care doctors: NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. Now in her final year at the Mineola, New York, school, […]
Over Half of Topical Antifungal Rxs May Be Unnecessary
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/over-half-of-topical-antifungal-rxs-may-be-unnecessary/ TOPLINE: More than half of the topical antifungal prescriptions in the United States in 2023 may have been unnecessary, and only 16% of patients received diagnostic testing to confirm the need for these prescriptions, according to a study using an insurance claims database. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed data from Merative MarketScan Commercial […]
Largest Study to Date Identifies Hundreds of Genes for MDD
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/largest-study-to-date-identifies-hundreds-of-genes-for-mdd/ The largest and most ethnically diverse study of its kind has identified 697 genetic variants linked to major depressive disorder (MDD). The research also highlights potential therapies for repurposing, such as pregabalin, commonly used for pain and anxiety, and modafinil, prescribed for daytime sleepiness. However, at least one genetics expert questions […]
New European Patient Forum Paper Highlights AMR Challenges
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/new-european-patient-forum-paper-highlights-amr-challenges/ The European Patient Forum (EPF) recently released a policy paper on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to improve the understanding of how AMR affects patients and how the patient community can work together to build effective solutions. The EPF paper is part of a greater effort by European organizations, such as the European […]
Caring for Patients With Diabetes During Los Angeles Fires
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/caring-for-patients-with-diabetes-during-los-angeles-fires/ As firefighters continue to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles, Anne Peters, MD, and her team, have kept their attention on ensuring their patients with diabetes have the care — and supplies — they need. Peters serves patients in both the underserved Los Angeles as well as the […]
Dogs Helping Ease Staff and Patient Stress
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/dogs-helping-ease-staff-and-patient-stress/ DENVER — Outside HCA HealthONE Rose medical center, the snow is flying. Inside, on the third floor, there’s a flurry of activity within the labor and delivery unit. “There’s a lot of action up here. It can be very stressful at times,” said Kristina Fraser, an OB-GYN in blue scrubs. Nurses […]
EU and UNICEF Join Forces to Improve Child and Teen Health
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/eu-and-unicef-join-forces-to-improve-child-and-teen-health/ The European Commission and UNICEF have embarked on a 3-year collaboration to improve mental and physical health among children and adolescents in the European Union (EU), Iceland, and Norway. The partnership will design a policy tool kit revolving around the following five pillars: Promoting healthy lifestyles; early childhood development and intervention; […]
How New Research Is Redefining Melanoma Treatment
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/how-new-research-is-redefining-melanoma-treatment/ The treatment landscape for melanoma saw significant advancements in 2024, as highlighted by Elisa Funck-Brentano, MD, PhD, from Ambroise-Paré Hospital in Paris, France, during her presentation at the 2024 Dermatology Days of Paris conference in Paris. Checkpoint Inhibitors in Neoadjuvant Therapy The standard approach for treating resectable stage III melanoma with […]
Economic Stain Drives Child Scurvy Surge in France
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/economic-stain-drives-child-scurvy-surge-in-france/ A team from Robert Debré Hospital, part of the Assistance Publique — Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) group in Paris, France, conducted a study on the rising incidence of scurvy by examining hospitalization trends among children in France, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The 9-year population-based study revealed a concerning increase in hospitalizations […]
FDA Approves Treosulfan as Part of AML/MDS Conditioning Regimen
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fda-approves-treosulfan-as-part-of-aml-mds-conditioning-regimen/ The FDA approved treosulfan (Grafapex) with fludarabine as a preparative regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients ages 1 year and older with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), Medexus announced on Wednesday. “This FDA approval provides a useful option for adult and pediatric patients, with the […]
Anti-TIGIT Shows Promise in Unresectable Liver Cancer
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/anti-tigit-shows-promise-in-unresectable-liver-cancer/ Addition of the anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibody tiragolumab to standard first-line treatment resulted in better response rates and improved survival for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, a randomized phase Ib-II MORPHEUS-Liver study showed. At the clinical cutoff date, the 41 patients assigned to treatment with tiragolumab had a confirmed objective response rate […]
Make the Diagnosis: This Cyst Is Asymptomatic. Is It a Problem?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/make-the-diagnosis-this-cyst-is-asymptomatic-is-it-a-problem/ Presentation A 67-year-old man visited the doctor for a cyst-like lesion that developed on his face 3 months prior. The patient reported that the lesion was asymptomatic and caused no discomfort. On examination, a whitish nodule with overlying telangiectasia was seen near the lateral canthus. A thick, cheesy material with a […]
FDA Warns About Anaphylaxis Risk With MS Drug
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fda-warns-about-anaphylaxis-risk-with-ms-drug/ The FDA added a boxed warning about rare cases of anaphylaxis associated with the multiple sclerosis (MS) drug glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa), the agency announced on Wednesday. The warning indicates that anaphylaxis can occur at any time, from as early as after the first dose or after doses administered years after […]
FTC Settles With Private Equity Firm Over Anesthesia Investments
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/ftc-settles-with-private-equity-firm-over-anesthesia-investments/ Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement with the private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS), resolving a potential administrative antitrust case. The FTC had alleged that WCAS — through its portfolio company U.S. Anesthesia Partners (USAP) — engaged in acquisitions to “suppress competition and drive […]
A WHO Exit Is a Huge Mistake
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/a-who-exit-is-a-huge-mistake/ Lawrence Gostin is Distinguished University Professor, Georgetown University’s highest academic rank, and Founding O’Neill Chair in Global Health Law. He directs the WHO Center on National and Global Health Law. Follow Dear President Trump, On your first day in office, you signed an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from membership […]
Clinicians and Mental Health Care; Schizophrenia Tx Flops; Cobenfy for Alzheimer’s?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/clinicians-and-mental-health-care-schizophrenia-tx-flops-cobenfy-for-alzheimers/ Healthcare workers cited concerns about confidentiality as a barrier to getting treatment for mental health issues, according to a national internet panel survey. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) Iclepertin, an investigational glycine transporter 1 inhibitor, missed both primary and key secondary endpoints for improving cognitive impairment in adults with schizophrenia in […]
No Clear Winner in SGLT2 Showdown for Cardiovascular Disease
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/no-clear-winner-in-sglt2-showdown-for-cardiovascular-disease/ Comparative effectiveness study followed adults with type 2 diabetes who initiated SGLT-2 inhibitors from 2014 to 2020. Real-world outcomes largely point to comparable risks of hospitalization for acute MI/ischemic stroke and heart failure hospitalization on these drugs. Only the 5-mg dose of dapagliflozin, not recommended for cardiovascular risk reduction, showed a […]
Trump Administration Freezes Many Health Agency Reports and Posts
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/trump-administration-freezes-many-health-agency-reports-and-posts/ The Trump administration has put a freeze on many federal health agency communications with the public through at least the end of the month. In a memo obtained by the Associated Press, acting HHS Secretary Dorothy Fink, MD, told agency staff leaders Tuesday that an “immediate pause” had been ordered on […]
Intermittent Explosive Disorder Tied to Multiple Comorbidities
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/intermittent-explosive-disorder-tied-to-multiple-comorbidities/ Intermittent explosive disorder (IED), characterized by impulsive aggression and poorly regulated emotional control, was associated with multiple classes of comorbidities, an analysis of 117.7 million healthcare records showed. Of 30,000 individuals with an IED diagnosis during their lifetime, 95.7% had at least one other psychiatric diagnosis, reported Yanli Zhang-James, MD, PhD, […]
Expert Highlights Updates in Pediatric Vitiligo Care
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/expert-highlights-updates-in-pediatric-vitiligo-care/ In the clinical opinion of Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, pediatric patients with vitiligo would benefit from improved treatments and management strategies. “There is a tremendous variation in how patients deal with their vitiligo, depending upon the extent and makeup of the pre-teen or teen,” Eichenfield, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology […]