Depression Affects Remission in Patients With RA or PsA
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/depression-affects-remission-in-patients-with-ra-or-psa/ TOPLINE: Depression is associated with lower odds of achieving remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) over 2 years of follow-up. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed data from two cohorts in the Netherlands to assess the impact of depression and anxiety on remission in 400 patients with RA and […]
Most US Adults Plan to Skip Annual COVID Vaccines
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/most-us-adults-plan-to-skip-annual-covid-vaccines/ Most US adults continue to plan on skipping an annual COVID vaccine. About 6 in 10 people say they probably won’t get an updated shot this year, despite the CDC’s recommendation that everyone do so, according to results of a new survey from the Pew Research Center. When asked why people […]
Elevated Stroke Risk Following NAION
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/elevated-stroke-risk-following-naion/ Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is significantly associated with persistently elevated risk for stroke, independent of typical cardiovascular risk factors, a large multinational cohort study showed. Stroke risk was three to five times higher in the first 3 months following NAION diagnosis, and the risk remained high over 10 years […]
Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Faster Biological Aging
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/ultraprocessed-foods-linked-to-faster-biological-aging/ TOPLINE: Consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), such as carbonated drinks, processed meats, and sweet or savory packaged snacks, is associated with accelerated biological aging, as measured by 36 blood-based biomarkers, and factors other than poor nutritional content may be to blame. METHODOLOGY: Previous studies have reported an association between high consumption […]
Health Prices Are Getting More Transparent, but It’s Still Not Enough, Experts Say
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/health-prices-are-getting-more-transparent-but-its-still-not-enough-experts-say/ WASHINGTON — Health transparency rules have helped researchers gain more insight into hospital pricing practices, Ge Bai, PhD, CPA, said here Wednesday at an event sponsored by Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms. The price transparency regulations that were part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) “gave us unprecedented insight […]
Anesthesiologist Gets 190 Years for Tampering With IV Bags Used in Surgeries
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/anesthesiologist-gets-190-years-for-tampering-with-iv-bags-used-in-surgeries/ A Dallas anesthesiologist was sentenced Wednesday to 190 years in prison for injecting a nerve-blocking agent and other drugs into bags of intravenous fluid at a surgical center where he worked, leading to the death of a coworker and causing cardiac emergencies for several patients. The emergencies began 2 days after […]
Now a Win for Nerve Stimulation in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/now-a-win-for-nerve-stimulation-in-rheumatoid-arthritis/ WASHINGTON — A small implant delivering electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve outperformed a sham treatment in relieving rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms among patients who failed at least one biologic or targeted synthetic drug, a researcher reported here. After 24 weeks, 51.5% of patients randomized to active stimulation achieved ACR20 responses […]
‘A Watershed Moment’: GLP-1 Drug Succeeds in Late-Stage MASH Trial
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/a-watershed-moment-glp-1-drug-succeeds-in-late-stage-mash-trial/ Semaglutide (Wegovy) improved liver fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and led to greater rates of MASH resolution, an interim analysis of a phase III trial showed. In part 1 of the so-called ESSENCE trial, treatment with the GLP-1 receptor agonist resulted in higher week-72 rates of steatohepatitis resolution […]
Laryngeal Dystonia Symptoms Improve With Novel Treatment
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/laryngeal-dystonia-symptoms-improve-with-novel-treatment/ Sodium oxybate provided temporary relief for laryngeal dystonia patients who were alcohol-responsive. The neurologic disorder causes laryngeal muscle spasms, leading to a chronically strained voice. Several public figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Diane Rehm, have the condition. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem), a drug approved to treat people with narcolepsy, provided […]
Genetic Carrier Screening Changed Couples’ Reproductive Decision Making
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/genetic-carrier-screening-changed-couples-reproductive-decision-making/ Couples who were found to be genetic carriers for autosomal recessive or X-linked genetic conditions often opted to change their reproductive strategy, a large Australian population-based study found. Overall, 1.9% of the 9,107 couples tested had an increased chance of having a child with certain genetic conditions, and 76.6% of these […]
For AF, LAA Rivals Anticoagulants After Ablation
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/for-af-laa-rivals-anticoagulants-after-ablation/ A left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device provides long-term thromboembolic protection that is equivalent to direct oral anticoagulants after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), along with a lower risk of bleeding, according to the multicenter, randomized OPTION trial. Based on this trial, which is the first to compare LAA closure with […]
Experts Release Recs on Off-Label Use of Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/experts-release-recs-on-off-label-use-of-oral-minoxidil-for-hair-loss/ An international expert consensus statement provided best-practice recommendations for the off-label use of low-dose oral minoxidil among patients with hair loss. Using a modified Delphi process, 43 hair-loss specialist dermatologists from 12 countries reached consensus on 76 items, including diagnoses for which oral minoxidil may provide benefit, indications for oral versus […]
Texas Has Sued Three Doctors Over Youth Gender-Affirming Care
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/texas-has-sued-three-doctors-over-youth-gender-affirming-care/ In less than a month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued three doctors who provide gender-affirming care to minors in an attempt to enforce a state law that bans such care. The first lawsuit, filed October 17, alleged that May Lau, MD, MPH, of UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, […]
Psych Hospitals Investigated; Internet & Well-Being; Trump’s Mental Institutions
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/psych-hospitals-investigated-internet-trumps-mental-institutions/ The Department of Justice launched an investigation into whether adults with serious mental illness were unnecessarily institutionalized in Michigan state-run psychiatric hospitals. (CBS News) In a phase II trial of major depressive disorder, five of seven participants experienced remission after two doses of an investigational psilocybin therapy (CYB003), said developer Cybin. […]
Eliminate Clozapine REMS, FDA Panels Say
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/eliminate-clozapine-rems-fda-panels-say/ Two US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panels are urging the agency to eliminate the risk management program for the antipsychotic drug clozapine, saying that restrictions are limiting access to a life-changing and life-saving medication for people with schizophrenia. Members of the Drug Safety and Risk Management and Psychopharmacologic Drugs […]
Postpartum Depression Rose Significantly Over Past Decade
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/postpartum-depression-rose-significantly-over-past-decade/ Diagnoses of postpartum depression (PPD) increased significantly across all racial and ethnic groups and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) categories over the past decade, according to a California-based cross-sectional study. An analysis of more than 400,000 pregnancies found that prevalence of PPD doubled from 2010 to 2021 (9.4% vs 19%), according […]
Advocates Fear Trump Will Reimpose Abortion ‘Gag Rule’ Governing U.S. Aid to Africa
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/advocates-fear-trump-will-reimpose-abortion-gag-rule-governing-u-s-aid-to-africa/ EPWORTH, Zimbabwe — Carrying her infant daughter, 19-year-old Sithulisiwe Moyo waited 2 hours to get birth control pills from a tent pitched in a poor settlement on the outskirts of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. The outreach clinic in Epworth provides Moyo with her best shot at achieving her dream of returning to […]
GLP-1 Use Prior to Surgery: Analyzing the Updated Guidance
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/glp-1-use-prior-to-surgery-analyzing-the-updated-guidance/ Glatter is an assistant professor of emergency medicine. Papadakos is a director of critical care medicine and a professor of anesthesiology, surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, and internal medicine. Since the modern practice of anesthesia has evolved, providers have been concerned about pulmonary aspiration — when gastric contents enter the lung, resulting in […]
Tapered Steroid Dosing Safe, Effective in Severe Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/tapered-steroid-dosing-safe-effective-in-severe-alcohol-associated-hepatitis/ Tapering doses of corticosteroids was safer than, and just as effective as, a fixed dose in patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis, a randomized trial showed. Patients who received a tapered dose of prednisolone starting at 40 mg and reduced by 10 mg weekly over the course of 4 weeks compared with […]
What to Know About Jay Bhattacharya, Trump’s Potential NIH Pick
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/what-to-know-about-jay-bhattacharya-trumps-potential-nih-pick/ Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, of Stanford University in California, has emerged as President-elect Donald Trump’s top pick to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), according to reporting from the Washington Post. Amid Trump’s stated plans to “restructure federal agencies,” Bhattacharya would indeed be an outsider coming in to lead the […]
Sustained Viral Suppression in Multidrug-Resistant HIV With Lenacapavir at 3 Years
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/sustained-viral-suppression-in-multidrug-resistant-hiv-with-lenacapavir-at-3-years/ In 3-year data from the CAPELLA study, the subcutaneous, long-acting capsid inhibitor lenacapavir (Sunlenca) demonstrated sustained suppression with no emergence of resistance in highly treatment-experienced individuals with multidrug-resistant HIV. The findings were presented at the recent IDWeek annual meeting in Los Angeles. In this MedPage Today video, Joseph Eron, MD, of […]
Science Weighs in on Suicide Prevention
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/science-weighs-in-on-suicide-prevention/ Suicide and self-harm continue to be serious concerns in Europe, despite decreasing rates over the past two decades. In 2021 alone, 47,346 people died by suicide in the European Union, close to 1% of all deaths reported that year. Measures have been taken at population, subpopulation, and individual levels to prevent […]
FDA Approves Bimekizumab for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fda-approves-bimekizumab-for-hidradenitis-suppurativa/ The US Food and Drug Administration has approved bimekizumab, a humanized interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F antagonist, for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Approval was based on results from two phase 3 studies, BE HEARD I and BE HEARD II, which found that bimekizumab improved the […]
Sacubitril/Valsartan Curbs Cardiotoxicity From Chemotherapy
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/sacubitril-valsartan-curbs-cardiotoxicity-from-chemotherapy/ CHICAGO — Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) was effective at keeping cardiotoxicity at bay in high-risk people receiving anthracycline chemotherapy in the SARAH trial. Cancer patients were less likely to have a greater than 15% reduction in global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the left ventricle if they had been randomly assigned the angiotensin receptor-neprilysin […]
ImmunoPET Tracer Can Detect Common Kidney Cancers
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/immunopet-tracer-can-detect-common-kidney-cancers/ Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) comprises 80% of all primary kidney malignancies and causes 90% of kidney cancer deaths. But it is notoriously tough to diagnose. RCC is not easily distinguished from other types of renal masses using standard radiologic tools such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound. Blood tests, including […]
What It’s Like to Win an Ig Nobel; Oxygen Company Too Big to Ban? AI Cuts Care
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/what-its-like-to-win-an-ig-nobel-oxygen-company-too-big-to-ban-ai-cuts-care/ Welcome to the latest edition of Investigative Roundup, highlighting some of the best investigative reporting on healthcare each week. What It’s Like to Win an Ig Nobel While Ig Nobel honorees aren’t always sure they want the recognition, the prizes do bring attention to their research, according to reporting in Nature. […]
Potassium Binder Cuts Hyperkalemia Risk in HF Patients on Spironolactone
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/potassium-binder-cuts-hyperkalemia-risk-in-hf-patients-on-spironolactone/ CHICAGO — Treatment with the potassium binder sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC; Lokelma) stabilized potassium levels among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) during spironolactone optimization, a prospective, randomized-withdrawal trial showed. Among 203 patients, 71% of those taking SZC achieved the primary endpoint of optimal response — normokalemia while […]
Human Cell Atlas project transforms understanding of human body
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/human-cell-atlas-project-transforms-understanding-of-human-body/ Getty Images An ambitious plan to map all 37 trillion cells in the human body is transforming understanding of how our bodies work, scientists report. The received wisdom said we were built from around 200 types of cell – such as heart muscle or nerve cells. Instead the Human Cell Atlas […]
Doc Killed After Presentation; Bird Flu Mutations Worrying; Americans Snub COVID Vax
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/doc-killed-after-presentation-bird-flu-mutations-worrying-americans-snub-covid-vax/ Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Endocrinologist Olga Duchon, MD, was fatally shot over the weekend in suburban Chicago less than 2 hours after giving a talk on weight-loss medications. Police say a suspect, the father of Duchon’s daughter, has been arrested. (CBS News Chicago, ABC7 Chicago) Although […]
Scrap Clozapine’s REMS Program, FDA Advisors Say
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/scrap-clozapines-rems-program-fda-advisors-say/ A joint FDA advisory committee on Tuesday overwhelming voted to eliminate the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program designed around the risk for severe neutropenia associated with clozapine, a drug used to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. All but one of the 15 voting panel members said the current requirements […]
Daytime Sleepiness May Flag Predementia Risk
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/daytime-sleepiness-may-flag-predementia-risk/ TOPLINE: Sleep-related daytime dysfunction is associated with an almost threefold higher risk for motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, a predementia condition characterized by slow gait and cognitive issues, a new study shows. METHODOLOGY: Researchers included 445 older adults without dementia (mean age, 76 years; 57% women). Sleep components were assessed, and […]
Late-Life Weight Patterns May Predict Longevity
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/late-life-weight-patterns-may-predict-longevity/ SEATTLE — How weight changes as individuals get older might be a clue to how long they’ll live, according to new research that suggests that weight trajectories could serve as informative biomarkers of aging and longevity. The study was presented on November 14 at the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 2024 […]
Alcohol-mimicking drug found to ease voice spasm that RFK Jr has
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/alcohol-mimicking-drug-found-to-ease-voice-spasm-that-rfk-jr-has/ Getty Images People with laryngeal dystonia (LD), a condition that makes the voice sound strained and hoarse, might benefit from a drug already used to treat a sleep disorder, researchers say. Some volunteers who tried the narcolepsy treatment, sodium oxybate, found it eased their speech in a similar way to drinking […]
NCCN Expands Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment Guidelines
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/nccn-expands-cancer-genetic-risk-assessment-guidelines/ The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has expanded two cancer genetic risk assessment guidelines to meet the growing understanding of hereditary cancer risk and use of genetic tests in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. Additional cancer types were included in the title and content for both guidelines. Prostate cancer was added […]
Persistence and Shifts in Occupational Lung Diseases
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/persistence-and-shifts-in-occupational-lung-diseases/ Black lung disease and silicosis have roots in the industrial revolution, and beryllium disease dates to before World War II, but these conditions have not been consigned to the dustbin of history. In fact, changing work conditions, new industries, and even nearby environmental exposure have kept them relevant to respiratory practice, […]
MELD 3.0 Reduces Sex-Based Liver Transplant Disparities
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/meld-3-0-reduces-sex-based-liver-transplant-disparities/ SAN DIEGO — Since the adoption of the most recent Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD 3.0) scoring system by the federal Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) in July 2023, the gender gap in liver transplants has narrowed, according to new research. In particular, women are now more likely to […]
H pylori and FIT Co-Testing May Aid Gastric Cancer Screening
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/h-pylori-and-fit-co-testing-may-aid-gastric-cancer-screening/ TOPLINE: Adding Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HPSA) testing to a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)–based colon cancer screening program did not reduce gastric cancer incidence or mortality compared with FIT alone. However, after adjusting for confounders, the incidence of gastric cancer was lower in the HPSA testing plus FIT group. METHODOLOGY: Gastric […]
Slim Silver Lining Appears for STI Rates
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/slim-silver-lining-appears-for-sti-rates/ The persistent epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States is showing signs of a slowdown in cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 2.4 million cases of these three nationally notifiable STIs […]
Ultrasonography-Guided Nerve Blocks Safe in Emergency Care
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/ultrasonography-guided-nerve-blocks-safe-in-emergency-care/ TOPLINE: Ultrasonography-guided nerve blocks (UGNBs) performed in emergency departments are associated with a remarkably low complication rate of 0.4% across nearly 2800 procedures, with a high proportion of patients experiencing substantial pain relief, new research shows. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed data from the National Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Block Registry to define both safety […]
Telehealth Succeeds for Rapid ART in New HIV Patients
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/telehealth-succeeds-for-rapid-art-in-new-hiv-patients/ Telehealth provides a viable alternative to early identification of HIV continuing care, based on data from 28 newly diagnosed adults with HIV. The shortage of HIV-trained healthcare providers is well-known and is expected to worsen in the United States, said Rosemary Donnelly, MSN, ANP-BC, ACRN, AAHIVS, of Q Care Plus, a […]
Most Older Adults With HIV Miss Bone Density Scans
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/most-older-adults-with-hiv-miss-bone-density-scans/ Nearly 90% of people older than 50 years living with HIV have not undergone bone mineral density testing, based on data from approximately 12,000 individuals. Factors including chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and side effects from antiretroviral therapy may contribute to accelerated aging in people with HIV, wrote Veronica J. Brady, PhD, […]
Integrated Care Models Promising for Dementia Patients
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/integrated-care-models-promising-for-dementia-patients/ Merging primary and dementia care may help clinicians prescribe unnecessary medications, according to a poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting in Seattle. Researchers at the Integrated Memory Care Center (IMCC) at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, found that patients seen in their clinic had higher […]
Study Compares Skin Toxicities of MEK Inhibitors in Children
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/study-compares-skin-toxicities-of-mek-inhibitors-in-children/ TOPLINE: MEK inhibitors are frequently associated with cutaneous adverse events in pediatric patients, and binimetinib was associated with more severe reactions than selumetinib in a retrospective study, which also found a significant association with age and the type of skin reactions experienced. METHODOLOGY: To learn more about the cutaneous adverse events […]
Sitting for More Than 10 Hours Daily Ups Heart Disease Risk
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/sitting-for-more-than-10-hours-daily-ups-heart-disease-risk/ TOPLINE: Sedentary time exceeding 10.6 h/d is linked to an increased risk for atrial fibrillation, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular (CV) mortality, researchers found. The risk persists even in individuals who meet recommended physical activity levels. METHODOLOGY: Researchers used a validated machine learning approach to investigate the relationships between sedentary […]
Interventions for Burnout and Depression Among Doctors
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/interventions-for-burnout-and-depression-among-doctors/ The well-being of doctors is under significant strain, with acute and chronic stress, psychological trauma, ethical dilemmas, and negative experiences contributing to burnout and depression. This issue affects not only healthcare professionals themselves but also their patients and the whole healthcare system. A recent review in The New England Journal of […]
Med Students Can Find Work-Life Balance: Here Are Key Tips
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/med-students-can-find-work-life-balance-here-are-key-tips/ Work-life balance is the number one source of stress for US medical students, according to a recent Medscape survey. But it doesn’t have to be that way. “There is this myth in medicine that you have to sacrifice your health, your relationships, and your overall well-being for the cause or your […]
Screening for Iron Deficiency May Prevent Progression
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/screening-for-iron-deficiency-may-prevent-progression/ VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Screening for iron deficiency in patients with risk factors may be a prudent way to prevent progression to other conditions, according to a presentation at the Family Medicine Forum 2024. Discussing iron deficiency and anemia, Anmol Lamba, MD, the co-director of the family practice residency’s enhanced skills […]
WHO Launches Toolkit to Improve Long-Term Care in Europe
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/who-launches-toolkit-to-improve-long-term-care-in-europe/ The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Regional Office for Europe has introduced a new toolkit to help policymakers identify gaps in their long-term care systems and design policies to address them. “This toolkit is a game changer,” Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, director of country health policies and systems at WHO/Europe, said at the launch […]
Home Spirometry Has Potential for Detecting SSc-ILD Decline
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/home-spirometry-has-potential-for-detecting-ssc-ild-decline/ TOPLINE: Home spirometry shows potential for early detection of pulmonary function decline in patients with systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). It shows good cross-sectional correlation with hospital tests, along with 60% sensitivity and 87% specificity for detecting progressive ILD. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a prospective, observational study to examine the validity […]
Surgeries on ‘precipice’ ahead of tax hike, says GP
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/surgeries-on-precipice-ahead-of-tax-hike-says-gp/ BBC Dr Andrew Purbrick, who represents thousands of GPs in the south of England, says surgeries are facing a “funding crisis” GP practices could be pushed “over the edge” by a planned rise in the National Insurance (NI) rate for employers, a doctor has said. The government has said the NHS […]
Women plan UK legal action over talc cancer claims
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/women-plan-uk-legal-action-over-talc-cancer-claims/ BBC Cassandra Wardle is one of hundreds of women part of the group action against Johnson & Johnson Hundreds of women in the UK are planning to take on one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies over alleged links between talc and cancer. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, Cassandra Wardle […]
The reality of my life with a brain tumour
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/the-reality-of-my-life-with-a-brain-tumour/ Warning: This video contains scenes which some viewers may find distressing As I waited for brain surgery, I instinctively pressed record on my phone camera, thinking I might be documenting the final months of my life. I have made a career telling other people’s stories but this seemed like a time […]
Food Retention With GLP-1s May Vary by Endoscopic Procedure
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/food-retention-with-glp-1s-may-vary-by-endoscopic-procedure/ TOPLINE: The use of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) is associated with a higher risk for retained gastric contents in upper endoscopy but not when the procedure is combined with colonoscopy, and also with inadequate bowel preparation in colonoscopy alone or with upper endoscopy. METHODOLOGY: GLP-1 RAs may lead […]
Can Early Biologics Prevent Difficult-to-Treat RA?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/can-early-biologics-prevent-difficult-to-treat-ra/ TOPLINE: Early escalation to biologic therapies after failure of treat-to-target with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not significantly reduce the risk for the development of difficult-to-treat RA. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis including 722 patients with new-onset RA (mean age, 60 years; 72% women) who were identified […]
IV Fluid Shortage May Change Hospital Hydration Practices
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/iv-fluid-shortage-may-change-hospital-hydration-practices/ Hospitals around the country are conserving critical intravenous fluid supplies to cope with a shortage that may last months. Some hospital administrators say they are changing how they think about IV fluid hydration altogether. Hurricane Helene, which hit North Carolina in September, wrecked a Baxter International facility that produces 60% of […]
Woof, Woof! Robotic Pets Boost Senior Well-Being
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/woof-woof-robotic-pets-boost-senior-well-being/ They might not be the cuddliest creatures, but robotic pets may be one answer to the loneliness epidemic in older adults. Companion robotic pets reduced depression, anxiety, and loneliness in women aged over 65 years living in communities, according to a study presented at the Gerontological Society of America 2024 Annual […]
Fitness Level May Offset Genetic Dementia Risk
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fitness-level-may-offset-genetic-dementia-risk/ High fitness was associated with lower dementia risk, even in people with genetic predisposition. Across all age groups between 39 and 70, higher fitness was tied to better cognitive function. Cardiorespiratory fitness may a predictor of cognitive health, the researchers suggested. Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia appeared to be […]
Physicians Flock to Bluesky, Hoping to Leave X Behind
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/physicians-flock-to-bluesky-hoping-to-leave-x-behind/ In the wake of the presidential election, physicians have been flocking to the social media platform Bluesky, asserting there’s now a critical mass of medical professionals engaging on the site. Many told MedPage Today that Bluesky resembles X (formerly Twitter) in its early days, when they considered it a place for […]
Small Benefit, Persistent Toxic Risk With Adjuvant Anthracycline in Breast Cancer
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/small-benefit-persistent-toxic-risk-with-adjuvant-anthracycline-in-breast-cancer/ Adding an anthracycline to adjuvant chemotherapy for TOP2A-normal early breast cancer significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) but not overall survival (OS) at 10 years, and doubled the risk of heart failure, a randomized trial showed. Patients who received epirubicin and cyclophosphamide prior to docetaxel (EC-D) had a 21% reduction in the […]
Trump Taps Dr. Mehmet Oz to Run Medicare and Medicaid
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/trump-taps-dr-mehmet-oz-to-run-medicare-and-medicaid/ Nov. 19, 2024 — President-elect Donald J. Trump has said that he would nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is the federal agency that provides health coverage to more than 160 million through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance […]
Metformin Use Linked to Fewer Asthma Attacks
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/metformin-use-linked-to-fewer-asthma-attacks/ Treatment with metformin was associated with a reduction in asthma attacks among patients with asthma and type 2 diabetes, with additional reductions observed with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, according to a self-controlled case series and population-based cohort study. Among over 12,000 patients, use of metformin was associated with fewer […]
Trump Taps Dr. Oz to Run CMS
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/trump-taps-dr-oz-to-run-cms/ President-elect Donald Trump says he is nominating Mehmet Oz, MD, a heart surgeon who hosted a long-running television talk show, to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every […]
Opioids Tied to Higher Dementia Risk, but Only After a Point
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/opioids-tied-to-higher-dementia-risk-but-only-after-a-point/ Cumulative high opioid use was tied to increased dementia risk in adults 60 and older. At or below a threshold of 90 total standardized doses, there was no significant link between opioids and dementia. The findings were based on observational data in Denmark. After a certain threshold, cumulative opioid use was […]
What Happens to Abortion Access in the Next Trump Administration?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/what-happens-to-abortion-access-in-the-next-trump-administration/ From enforcing the Comstock Act to reversing guidance on emergency care, there are multiple avenues for the Trump administration to dramatically limit access to abortion, even without a federal ban, legal experts told MedPage Today. However, whether the president-elect and his appointees plan to pursue a strong anti-abortion agenda remains to […]
More Lp(a)-Reducing Tx; Cardiac Denervation for Afib; LAA Occluders at 5 Years
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/more-lpa-reducing-tx-cardiac-denervation-for-afib-laa-occluders-at-5-years/ Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), was successfully reduced in phase II trials of muvalaplin and zerlasiran. (JAMA) The possibility of a drug interaction between SGLT2 inhibitors and statins was not supported by rates of rhabdomyolysis in a case-control study. (JAMA Network Open) Among patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, partial cardiac denervation […]
One in 20 Adults With RSV Hospitalized, Study Shows
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/one-in-20-adults-with-rsv-hospitalized-study-shows/ Among adults with outpatient respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections across six RSV seasons, roughly one in 20 were hospitalized within 28 days, according to a large cohort study that used data from three health record databases. In the cohort of over 67,000 patients with outpatient medically attended RSV infections, hospitalization rates […]
New MELD Model Improves Access to Liver Transplant for Women
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/new-meld-model-improves-access-to-liver-transplant-for-women/ Adoption of a new version of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, known as MELD 3.0, closed the gap in access to liver transplant between men and women, an analysis showed. Since MELD 3.0 was implemented in July 2023, a higher proportion of women are now on the liver transplant waitlist, […]
Is the Internet Impairing Your Medical Memory?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/is-the-internet-impairing-your-medical-memory/ Bhaskar is a third-year medical student. Feller is a clinical professor of medical science. You don’t need to know the role of the artery of Adamkiewicz or mechanisms of liver failure. You can Google it. And, you don’t need to remember it once you’ve looked it up — Google will remember […]
Cardio Drugs and Dementia; Fampridine and Working Memory; Alzheimer’s and Cancer
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/cardio-drugs-and-dementia-fampridine-and-working-memory-alzheimers-and-cancer/ Long-term use of many common cardiovascular drugs was tied to fewer dementia diagnoses but anti-platelet use of any duration was associated with higher dementia risk, Swedish data showed. (Alzheimer’s & Dementia) Repeated intake of fampridine (Fampyra), a potassium channel blocker used to improve walking in multiple sclerosis (MS), led to higher […]
Myasthenia Gravis: Balancing Traditional Immunotherapies vs Newer Medications
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/myasthenia-gravis-balancing-traditional-immunotherapies-vs-newer-medications/ At the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) annual meeting, Michael Hehir, MD, of the University of Vermont in Burlington, participated in a debate on integrating novel and traditional therapies in the management of myasthenia gravis. In this video, Hehir discusses various considerations — including efficacy, side effects, and […]
DHA Levels in the Brain Tied to Cognitive Function in APOE4 Carriers
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/dha-levels-in-the-brain-tied-to-cognitive-function-in-apoe4-carriers/ High-dose supplements of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, showed no effect on hippocampal volume or cognition, according to findings from the placebo-controlled PreventE4 trial presented at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease conference in Madrid. However, increases in brain DHA in both the treatment and placebo arms were associated […]
Spironolactone Shows Mixed Results in Acute MI
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/spironolactone-shows-mixed-results-in-acute-mi/ The routine administration of spironolactone to patients after a myocardial infarction (MI) did not reduce either of the coprimary outcomes in the CLEAR SYNERGY (OASIS 9) trial. However, there was a suggestion that the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist may reduce new or worsening heart failure. And although the trial had a high […]
What Are the Priorities of People With Type 1 Diabetes?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/what-are-the-priorities-of-people-with-type-1-diabetes/ TOPLINE: A multi-step survey revealed that priorities of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) include the ongoing need for research and treatments in the areas of hypoglycaemia prevention, holistic care, and psychological health, along with the need for advancements in technology including artificial intelligence. METHODOLOGY: A three-survey process was initiated […]
Nasal Spray Diuretic Shows Potential for Heart Failure in Trial of Healthy Adults
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/nasal-spray-diuretic-shows-potential-for-heart-failure-in-trial-of-healthy-adults/ CHICAGO — A bumetanide nasal spray in development for heart failure was well-tolerated and showed reliable rates of absorption compared with oral and intravenous delivery in a phase I trial of healthy volunteers. The 68-person crossover study demonstrated bioequivalence of the intranasal loop diuretic in maximum concentration and under the concentration-time […]
Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Downstaging Liver Tumors Prior to Transplant
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/immunotherapy-shows-promise-in-downstaging-liver-tumors-prior-to-transplant/ Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) achieved promising outcomes when treated with immunotherapy prior to liver transplant, a prospective study showed. Among 64 patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors, 78% had downstaging of their liver tumor to within Milan criteria for liver transplantation, and 37% went on to liver transplant, reported Parissa […]
Judge Strikes Down Wyoming Abortion Laws, Including a Ban on Pills to End Pregnancy
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/judge-strikes-down-wyoming-abortion-laws-including-a-ban-on-pills-to-end-pregnancy/ A state judge on Monday struck down Wyoming’s overall ban on abortion and its first-in-the-nation explicit prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy in line with voters in yet more states voicing support for abortion rights. Since 2022, Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens has ruled consistently three times […]
Novel Anti-IgG Drug Hits Mark in Sjogren’s Patients
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/novel-anti-igg-drug-hits-mark-in-sjogrens-patients/ WASHINGTON — A drug in advanced development for myasthenia gravis also showed promise as a treatment for primary Sjögren’s syndrome, a researcher reported here. Patients receiving the infusion drug, called nipocalimab, at 15 mg/kg every 2 weeks showed significantly greater improvement in a modified version of the EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease […]
75% of Adults Overweight or Obese; Global Diabetes Tx Lacking; Hidden Bone Data?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/75-of-adults-overweight-or-obese-global-diabetes-tx-lacking-hidden-bone-data/ Three-fourths of U.S. adults are now overweight or have obesity, with nearly 260 million predicted to have overweight or obesity by 2050. (The Lancet) According to another study in The Lancet, almost 60% of the over 800 million adults living with diabetes across the globe didn’t receive treatment. A Swedish cohort […]
Coroner says action needed over contaminated baby feed deaths
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/coroner-says-action-needed-over-contaminated-baby-feed-deaths/ A senior coroner has warned that more babies could die unless “action is taken”, following the deaths of three infants who had received contaminated feed while being cared for in hospital. Three-month-old Aviva Otte died in January 2014 after bacteria got into her food supply at St Thomas’ Hospital, south London. […]
‘Stop RFK War Room’; Trump Overhauling Medicaid? Why Assaults at Hospitals Rose
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/stop-rfk-war-room-trump-overhauling-medicaid-why-assaults-at-hospitals-rose/ Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Some healthcare advocacy groups launched a “Stop RFK War Room” to fight Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for HHS Secretary. (Politico) Meanwhile, Robert Redfield, MD, the former CDC director in President-elect Donald Trump’s first administration, gave a vote of confidence to Kennedy. […]
Merck Says Keytruda Injection on Par With Approved IV Version in Trial
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/merck-says-keytruda-injection-on-par-with-approved-iv-version-in-trial/ (Reuters) -Merck said on Tuesday a study showed its injectable version of cancer drug Keytruda was not inferior to the currently approved intravenous formulation of its treatment, likely making it even more accessible and easier to administer. Shares of Merck were up 1.8% in premarket trading following the news. The pharmaceutical […]
Is Pancreatic Cancer Really Rising in Young People?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/is-pancreatic-cancer-really-rising-in-young-people/ TOPLINE: The increase in incidence of pancreatic cancer among young Americans is largely due to improved detection of early-stage endocrine cancer, not an increase in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Given the stable mortality rates in this population, the increase in incidence likely reflects previously undetected cases instead of a true rise in new […]
Diabetes Drug Class May Reduce Need for Gout Medications
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/diabetes-drug-class-may-reduce-need-for-gout-medications/ WASHINGTON, DC — Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduced the need for urate-lowering therapy (ULT) and gout flare therapies in people who had both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and gout, new research has found. Data from a large US claims database showed that SGLT2i use was associated with a 31% […]
Dupilumab Beneficial When Antihistamines Fall Short for CSU
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/dupilumab-beneficial-when-antihistamines-fall-short-for-csu/ The addition of dupilumab significantly reduced itching and hives compared with placebo in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) that was uncontrolled with H1-antihistamines, based on data from 151 individuals. “Approximately 50% of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria do not respond to antihistamines,” said Thomas B. Casale, MD, professor of internal […]
Does Light-Intensity Walking Benefit Blood Glucose?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/does-light-intensity-walking-benefit-blood-glucose/ TOPLINE: Light-intensity walking reduces postprandial glucose and diastolic blood pressure in young adults with obesity and can improve insulin levels, depending on the walking pattern. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a randomized crossover trial with 16 young adults aged 18-34 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 in Bangkok, Thailand, to examine […]
SGLT2i Use for HF Rises in the US, But Not in All Hospitals
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/sglt2i-use-for-hf-rises-in-the-us-but-not-in-all-hospitals/ TOPLINE: The use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in US patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF) and a left ventricular ejection fraction > 40% increased substantially within 2 years after evidence from a clinical trial demonstrated benefits of the treatment, according to a new study, but researchers found significant variation […]
Wearable Device Can Warn of Worsening Heart Failure
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/wearable-device-can-warn-of-worsening-heart-failure/ A simple, lightweight device worn on the sternum can calculate intracardiac filling pressures, warning that heart failure is worsening, according to a study conducted to determine whether the device can produce the data needed. The developers are designing the CardioTag device to offer advantages over current implantable hemodynamic monitoring systems in […]
Intermittent Calorie Restriction Reduces Liver Fat in MASLD
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/intermittent-calorie-restriction-reduces-liver-fat-in-masld/ TOPLINE: Intermittent calorie restriction (CR) diet is more effective in reducing liver fat content than a standard-of-care diet in patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), especially in those with obesity. METHODOLOGY: Intermittent CR, which involves alternating periods of energy restriction and regular energy intake, has been proposed as a […]
No Increased Risk of MACE in IBD
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/no-increased-risk-of-mace-in-ibd/ PHILADELPHIA — Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) don’t appear to face an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or venous thromboembolism (VTE) when taking Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), compared with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents, according to a study presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2024 […]
Can Plant-Based Diet Deliver Ample Protein for Older Adults?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/can-plant-based-diet-deliver-ample-protein-for-older-adults/ TOPLINE: Replacing animal-based protein sources with plant-based alternatives in older adults reduced both the quality and quantity of protein intake only when all animal-based foods were eliminated for a vegan scenario, finds a simulation study that suggests a switch to 60% plant-based protein seems to be safe. METHODOLOGY: For environmental and […]
Telehealth Vs In-Person Diabetes Care: Is One Better?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/telehealth-vs-in-person-diabetes-care-is-one-better/ Adults with diabetes who participated in telehealth visits reported similar levels of care, trust in the healthcare system, and patient-centered communication compared to those who had in-person visits, a cross-sectional study suggested. The authors urged continued integration of telehealth into diabetes care beyond December 31, 2024, when the pandemic public health […]
First Brain-Injected Gene Therapy Approved by FDA
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/first-brain-injected-gene-therapy-approved-by-fda/ The FDA has granted fast-track approval for a groundbreaking gene therapy indicated for a rare genetic disorder called aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. The gene therapy, marketed under the brand name Kebilidi, is the first in the United States to be injected directly into the brain. It is approved for […]
No Benefit Seen in Holding RA/SpA Meds for COVID-19 Vaccine
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/no-benefit-seen-in-holding-ra-spa-meds-for-covid-19-vaccine/ WASHINGTON — There is no benefit to interrupting treatment with many of the available targeted synthetic or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or spondyloarthritis (SpA) at the time of a repeat COVID-19 vaccine dose, new research found. In the multicenter, randomized controlled COVID Vaccine Response (COVER) trial of […]
Aggressive Infliximab Dosing Shows No Added Benefit in UC
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/aggressive-infliximab-dosing-shows-no-added-benefit-in-uc/ TOPLINE: Aggressive infliximab dosing regimens – intensified induction or accelerated induction – show similar clinical responses and remission rates as the standard infliximab dosing approach in patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) that is steroid refractory. METHODOLOGY: Infliximab is a commonly used rescue therapy in patients with ASUC; however, its […]
The Emotional Cost of Nursing School: Depression
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/the-emotional-cost-of-nursing-school-depression/ Nursing is a competitive field. In 2022, nursing schools rejected more than 78,000 qualified applications, and the students whose applications were accepted faced demanding schedules and rigorous academics and clinical rotations. Is this a recipe for depression? In 2024, 38% of nursing students experienced depression — a 9.3% increase over 2019, […]
Telehealth Shows Promise in Reducing Suicide Attempts
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/telehealth-shows-promise-in-reducing-suicide-attempts/ TOPLINE: Brief cognitive behavioral therapy (BCBT) even when delivered remotely via video telehealth effectively reduces suicide attempts among high-risk adults. METHODOLOGY: The researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial to compare BCBT and present-centered therapy (PCT) for prevention of suicide among participants receiving care at an outpatient psychiatry and behavioral health clinic […]
New Test Offers Quicker Way to Screen for Dementia
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/new-test-offers-quicker-way-to-screen-for-dementia/ SEATTLE — A novel, quick, and low-cost dementia screening test could significantly improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease in primary care settings, according to research presented at the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. The test, called qBEANS — short for Quick Behavioral Exam to Advance Neuropsychological Screening […]
Treat-to-Target Approach for RA Improves Time to Pregnancy
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/treat-to-target-approach-for-ra-improves-time-to-pregnancy/ WASHINGTON — Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience improved fertility when treated using a treat-to-target (T2T) approach aimed at remission, according to a new research presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2024 Annual Meeting. In the study, more than half the women following this T2T approach were able to […]
Which Canadians Have Greater Need?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/which-canadians-have-greater-need/ VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Amid a lack of consensus on screening men for prostate cancer using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA), family physicians can consider suggesting that their Black and Indigenous patients undergo PSA testing for prostate cancer, according to a presentation at the Family Medicine Forum 2024. Anmol Lamba, MD, an […]
Can a Changing World Agree on the WHO Pandemic Treaty?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/can-a-changing-world-agree-on-the-who-pandemic-treaty/ LISBON, Portugal — “Work together and mobilize our forces” around the Pandemic Treaty, said experts at the 17th European Public Health Conference (EPH) 2024. The agreement is being designed to promote equity in allocating vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for international health security in preparation for future pandemics. But time is running […]