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 […]
Common Heart Failure Drugs Ease Heart Damage During Chemo
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/common-heart-failure-drugs-ease-heart-damage-during-chemo/ Sacubitril-valsartan, a common drug combination for heart failure, cuts the risk for cardiomyopathy after chemotherapy in patients who received anthracycline drugs by 77% in the first randomized controlled study of this approach. The small, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, called SARAH, involved 114 patients in Brazil and was conducted over 6 months. It […]
New Pill Successfully Lowers Lp(a) Levels
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/new-pill-successfully-lowers-lpa-levels/ Muvalaplin, a novel oral medication, safely and effectively lowers high levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), results from the phase 2 KRAKEN trial show. Concentrations of Lp(a) cholesterol are genetically determined and remain steady throughout life. Levels of 125 nmol/L or higher promote clotting and inflammation, significantly increasing the risk for heart […]
Reused Pacemakers Good as New in Early Safety Data
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/reused-pacemakers-good-as-new-in-early-safety-data/ CHICAGO — Secondhand permanent pacemaker use in poorer countries, following thorough cleaning and repackaging, has not resulted in patient harm so far, according to the My Heart Your Heart trialists. In patients who could not afford new devices on their own, use of so-called “reconditioned” pacemakers met criteria for non-inferiority on […]
CDC Advisors Defend Infection Control Draft Guidance
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/cdc-advisors-defend-infection-control-draft-guidance/ Members of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) voted Friday to defend what some have called weak standards of infection control for healthcare settings, agreeing nearly unanimously that surgical masks provide adequate protection against airborne pathogens, and that sick healthcare workers may return to work after 3 days of […]
‘America Deserves Better’: Major Public Health Group Slams RFK Jr. Nomination
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/america-deserves-better-major-public-health-group-slams-rfk-jr-nomination/ One of the leading public health associations came out Monday against President-elect Trump’s nomination of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for HHS secretary. Kennedy’s selection, which would have to be either confirmed by the Senate or finalized temporarily in a recess appointment, “raises serious concerns for the health of the […]
Primary Care Doctors at Mass General Brigham Want to Unionize
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/primary-care-doctors-at-mass-general-brigham-want-to-unionize/ Several hundred primary care physicians at Mass General Brigham (MGB) notified the National Labor Relations Board on Friday that they support unionization, a move they called historic and increasingly common throughout the country. The petition to link up with the Doctors Council, a labor union for physicians, was prompted by a […]
Novel Anti-Inflammatory Flops for HFpEF, HFmrEF
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/novel-anti-inflammatory-flops-for-hfpef-hfmref/ CHICAGO — The novel myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitor mitiperstat failed to improve quality of life or functional capacity in heart failure with mid-range to preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF, HFpEF), the phase II ENDEAVOR trial showed. For the primary endpoint of Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-TSS) quality of life scores, the drug had […]
Extended Dosing Intervals Possible With Aflibercept in Diabetic Macular Edema
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/extended-dosing-intervals-possible-with-aflibercept-in-diabetic-macular-edema/ Positive 3-year results from the phase III PHOTON study were presented at the recent American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting, demonstrating that patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) achieved sustained vision improvements with extended dosing intervals and no new safety signals with aflibercept 8 mg (Eylea HD). MedPage Today brought together […]
Over 50% of U.S. Adults Qualify for Ozempic, Wegovy
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/over-50-of-u-s-adults-qualify-for-ozempic-wegovy/ More than half of all adults in the U.S. are eligible for semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), researchers estimated. Among 25,531 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2020, 8,504 were eligible for semaglutide, representing an estimated 136.8 million adults across the country. All met the […]
Gene-Editing Therapy Shows Promise in Hereditary Angioedema
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/gene-editing-therapy-shows-promise-in-hereditary-angioedema/ A single dose of the CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy NTLA-2002 significantly reduced angioedema attacks compared with placebo in patients with hereditary angioedema, according to results from a phase II randomized study presented at the recent American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) annual meeting. In this exclusive MedPage Today video, study […]
Is Low Disease Activity Good Enough in RA?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/is-low-disease-activity-good-enough-in-ra/ WASHINGTON — Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who achieved sustained remission had better long-term outcomes than those with lingering low-level symptoms, a single-center study found — casting doubt on current guidelines that say low disease activity (LDA) is an acceptable target for management. Patient-reported outcomes tracked for 2 years all pointed to […]
The Dual Role of Illusion in Patient Care
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/the-dual-role-of-illusion-in-patient-care/ Lazarus is an adjunct professor of psychiatry. “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry, published in 1907 in his collection The Trimmed Lamp and Other Stories of the Four Million, follows the story of “Johnsy” (Joanna), a young, impoverished artist who is seriously ill with pneumonia. Feeling hopeless, she believes she will […]
Topical Ivermectin Among Rx Options for Ocular Rosacea
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/topical-ivermectin-among-rx-options-for-ocular-rosacea/ LAS VEGAS — In the clinical experience of Julie C. Harper, MD, patients with ocular rosacea don’t always present with telltale signs like red or bloodshot eyes. “Sometimes they just have a dry, gritty feel to their eye and only the lid margin is red,” Harper, who practices dermatology in Birmingham, […]
Study: Statins Mitigate Heart Risks From JAK Inhibitors
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/study-statins-mitigate-heart-risks-from-jak-inhibitors/ WASHINGTON — Patients taking Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may not have to worry so much about increased cardiovascular risk — if they’re taking statins, research presented here suggested. Among participants in the landmark ORAL Surveillance study assigned to the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and also using statins, […]
Gene Therapy Promising for Rare Genetic Cardiomyopathy
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/gene-therapy-promising-for-rare-genetic-cardiomyopathy/ CHICAGO — Gene therapy for Danon disease, a rare inherited cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, appeared to improve or stabilize the structure and function of the heart over a period of 24 to 54 months without major safety concerns in the first seven patients treated. Phase I and interim long-term follow-up study […]
We’re starting to understand why some people regain weight they lost
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/were-starting-to-understand-why-some-people-regain-weight-they-lost/ It can be hard to keep weight off Tero Vesalainen/Getty Images People with obesity who lose weight often put it back on, which may partly be driven by lasting changes to the DNA within their fat cells, a discovery that could one day lead to new treatments. Around 85 per cent […]
ALD and AUD on the Rise in Older Adults
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/ald-and-aud-on-the-rise-in-older-adults/ SAN DIEGO — The prevalence of and number of deaths from alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are growing among people age 70 and older in the United States, according to the results of a new study. Even as mortality rates decline globally, AUD deaths rose in the […]
Fecal Therapy Shows Survival Benefit in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/fecal-therapy-shows-survival-benefit-in-severe-alcoholic-hepatitis/ Adding fecal microbiota therapy to standard care for steroid-ineligible severe alcoholic-associated hepatitis appeared safe and effective in a small randomized trial from India. Survival at 90 days reached 73% with fecal transplant delivered via a nasoduodenal tube compared with 40% with standard care alone (P=0.02), with more than twice as many […]
Electronic Nudges Improved Flu Shot Uptake in Patients With Acute MI History
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/electronic-nudges-improved-flu-shot-uptake-in-patients-with-acute-mi-history/ CHICAGO — Electronic nudges increased uptake of flu vaccines among patients with a history of acute myocardial infarction (MI), results from three Danish randomized trials showed. Among over 2 million patients, a letter explaining the cardiovascular benefits of influenza vaccination led to larger improvements in vaccine uptake among patients with a […]
New Trial Result Pushes Past Antiarrhythmic Therapy After MI
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/new-trial-result-pushes-past-antiarrhythmic-therapy-after-mi/ Upfront catheter ablation is a better first-line strategy for patients who develop ventricular tachycardia (VT) after a myocardial infarction (MI) than waiting until antiarrhythmic drugs fail, a multicenter randomized trial shows. At the end of follow up in the VANISH2 trial, upfront catheter ablation reduced the hazard ratio for a primary […]
Left Atrial Appendage Closure Reduced Bleeding After Afib Ablation
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/left-atrial-appendage-closure-reduced-bleeding-after-afib-ablation/ CHICAGO — For patients at high risk of stroke who underwent catheter-based atrial fibrillation ablation, left atrial appendage closure led to less bleeding compared with oral anticoagulation, the randomized OPTION trial showed. Non-procedure-related major bleeding or clinically relevant non-major bleeding at 36 months occurred in 8.5% of patients who had left […]
Is It the Therapy or the Therapist Who Helps With Knee Pain?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/is-it-the-therapy-or-the-therapist-who-helps-with-knee-pain/ WASHINGTON — Patients with meniscal tears undergoing physical therapy (PT) had no more improvement in a randomized trial than those receiving sham PT, raising — and perhaps answering — the question of how real-world patients actually derive benefit from PT. In the study, called TeMPO, which also tested home-based exercise with […]
Davina McCall makes ‘enormous leap forward’ as she leaves ICU after surgery
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/davina-mccall-makes-enormous-leap-forward-as-she-leaves-icu-after-surgery/ TV presenter Davina McCall is out of intensive care and has made an “enormous leap forward” in the last 24 hours, following her surgery to remove a rare brain tumour. In an update on her Instagram account her partner Michael Douglas said: “Thanks so much to all the well wishers. She […]
CDC’s Carrot Warning; New Mpox Strain in the U.S.; DEA Extends Telehealth Rules
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/cdcs-carrot-warning-new-mpox-strain-in-the-u-s-dea-extends-telehealth-rules/ Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Organic carrots sold at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and other stores have been linked to 39 cases of E. coli across 18 states, according to the CDC; 15 people have been hospitalized and one person is dead. California health officials announced the […]
Making Life Better at the Bottom of the Healthcare Pyramid
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/making-life-better-at-the-bottom-of-the-healthcare-pyramid/ Fred Pelzman is an associate professor of medicine at Weill Cornell, and has been a practicing internist for nearly 30 years. He is medical director of Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates. Every day, we all get calls, emails, texts, and chats, from patients, friends, and colleagues. It seems like everyone is […]
Vulvar Dermatoses: Ob.Gyn Collaboration With Dermatologists
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/vulvar-dermatoses-ob-gyn-collaboration-with-dermatologists/ Sarah Cigna, MD, sees patients every week with vulvovaginal pain and vulvar dermatoses. She’s an ob.gyn. with a focus on sexual health — often the first physician seen by patients with vulvar pain or itch — and she believes collaboration with dermatologists is essential, especially for complex cases in what she […]
Test Gives Mixed Results for Preeclampsia Risk in SLE
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/test-gives-mixed-results-for-preeclampsia-risk-in-sle/ WASHINGTON — A diagnostic test to predict preeclampsia does not effectively rule in or out this pregnancy complication in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and proteinuria, according to new research presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2024 Annual Meeting. “If you have a patient who has proteinuria during […]
Which Therapies Improve Survival Most in Esophageal Cancer?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/which-therapies-improve-survival-most-in-esophageal-cancer/ TOPLINE: Perioperative chemotherapy as well as neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery (trimodality therapy) are associated with improved overall survival in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer compared with chemoradiation and radiotherapy alone, according to a retrospective study. Despite the benefits, perioperative chemotherapy is the least used approach. METHODOLOGY: Studies have […]
How Will Trump’s Govt Impact Health Policy Abroad?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/how-will-trumps-govt-impact-health-policy-abroad/ It’s been 2 weeks since election day, and US President-Elect Donald Trump’s transition team is nominating candidates for crucial cabinet and White House positions, including the role of secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Health policy experts in Europe told Medscape Medical News that the Trump administration’s healthcare […]
Any Hypertension Drug Combo Can Work in Underserved Groups
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/any-hypertension-drug-combo-can-work-in-underserved-groups/ Three combination therapies for hypertension are equally effective in reducing blood pressure, according to a new global study conducted in India, where this significant health burden affects nearly 300 million people. Control rates in the country are “abysmal”; just 10%-20% of people with hypertension have their condition under control, Dorairaj Prabhakaran, […]
Revumenib Approved for KMT2A Translocation Leukemia
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/revumenib-approved-for-kmt2a-translocation-leukemia/ The US Food and Drug Administration has approved revumenib (Revuforj — Syndax Pharmaceuticals) for relapsed or refractory acute leukemia with a KMT2A gene translocation in adult and pediatric patients 1 year or older. The approval makes the oral small-molecule menin inhibitor the first pharmaceutical to carry the indication. It blocks the […]
Adjusting Thyroid Ranges for Age Cuts Hypothyroidism Rates
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/adjusting-thyroid-ranges-for-age-cuts-hypothyroidism-rates/ The reference ranges of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4), known to vary in children compared with adults, also shift considerably in older age, to the degree that the use of standard ranges in older patients without age adjustment results in significant overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment for subclinical or overt […]
Key Updates in Resuscitation Procedure After Drowning
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/key-updates-in-resuscitation-procedure-after-drowning/ New recommendations on rescuing adults and children who have drowned include an important update for healthcare professionals, trained rescuers, and untrained lay rescuers. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have issued recommendations that highlight delivering rescue breaths as well as calling 911 and performing chest […]
Telehealth Promotes STI-PEP in Cisgender African American Men
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/telehealth-promotes-sti-pep-in-cisgender-african-american-men/ African American cisgender men who had sex with men (MSM) were significantly more likely to continue HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care after a telehealth initiation of prophylactic doxycycline than those who did not receive this intervention, based on data from a new study of 712 individuals. African American cisgender MSM are […]
Group Interventions Ease Loneliness in Older Adults With HIV
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/group-interventions-ease-loneliness-in-older-adults-with-hiv/ Tailoring existing evidence-based loneliness intervention according to urban or rural settings may more effectively reduce loneliness in adults living with HIV, based on a comparison of programs in urban and rural settings. The comparison was presented in a poster at the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care 2024 Annual Meeting. “Loneliness […]
Gut Microbiome Has Potential to Counter Gout
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/gut-microbiome-has-potential-to-counter-gout/ Efforts to combat hyperuricemia may find help from gut microbes, according to Dylan Dodd, MD, PhD, who spoke at the annual research symposium of the Gout, Hyperuricemia, and Crystal-Associated Disease Network. Dodd is an assistant professor of pathology and microbiology and immunology at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, where he studies […]
Vitamin D May Lower Blood Pressure in Overweight Seniors
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/vitamin-d-may-lower-blood-pressure-in-overweight-seniors/ TOPLINE: Supplementation with vitamin D and calcium can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in older individuals with overweight, particularly in those with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 and those diagnosed with hypertension. METHODOLOGY: Large cohort data have provided epidemiologic evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to a higher risk […]
Do Statins Improve Nasopharyngeal Cancer Outcomes?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/do-statins-improve-nasopharyngeal-cancer-outcomes/ TOPLINE: Statin use during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is associated with a 52% reduction in all-cause mortality. Higher cumulative defined daily doses of statins correlate with improved survival outcomes, particularly with rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. METHODOLOGY: Statins have demonstrated potential anticancer effects in various malignancies, including the ability […]
New Strategy Led to Modest Decline in Antibiotic Misuse
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/new-strategy-led-to-modest-decline-in-antibiotic-misuse/ TOPLINE: Multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship interventions show varying effectiveness and modest reductions in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, particularly in general practice. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted this study to assess the impact of an intervention on antibiotic prescribing and dispensing for common infections. Healthcare professionals from general practice, out-of-hours services, nursing homes, and community pharmacies […]
Water Fluoridation: Where Does Canada Stand?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/water-fluoridation-where-does-canada-stand/ Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, who has been nominated to head the US Department of Health and Human Services, has called for the removal of fluoride from public water. Canada, meanwhile, appears to be on the fence. In Alberta, Calgary’s plans to reintroduce fluoride into the water have been delayed for 3 years […]
Does Repeated Anesthesia Affect IQ in Children?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/does-repeated-anesthesia-affect-iq-in-children/ TOPLINE: Multiple exposures to general anesthesia before age 5 years are linked to lower IQ, decreased verbal and perceptual skills, and increased behavioral issues in children. METHODOLOGY: An international group of researchers conducted an observational study using data from the GAS trial carried out across seven countries, which compared infants who […]
Oral Drug Safe, Effective in Kids With Achondroplasia
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/oral-drug-safe-effective-in-kids-with-achondroplasia/ The oral FGFR1-3 selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor infigratinib was found to be safe and effective at the highest studied dose among children with achondroplasia in a phase II dose-finding study. During treatment, all 72 participants had at least one adverse event, though most were mild (54%) or moderate (39%) in severity, […]
Health Security Scores Low on Europeans’ Health Agendas
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/health-security-scores-low-on-europeans-health-agendas/ LISBON, Portugal — Aging populations, climate change, and addressing the determinants of health through health for all and health in all policies are of the highest priority for future health in Europe, according to results of a public debate. Results showed support for stronger cross-sectoral action. Also, digital solutions and artificial […]
Providers’ ‘exploitative’ profits to be curbed
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/providers-exploitative-profits-to-be-curbed/ Getty Images Plans aimed at preventing companies that run children’s homes in England from making excessive profits will be set out by the government on Monday. It says it will bring forward new measures that will require large providers to disclose their finances. If they do not limit their profits voluntarily, […]
Prostate Cancer Overtreatment Persists
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/prostate-cancer-overtreatment-persists/ Overtreatment of men with prostate cancer and limited life expectancy (LE) has persisted in the era of active surveillance and worsened in some instances, according to a new study. “Overtreatment of men with limited longevity for intermediate- and high-risk tumors has not only failed to improve but has actually worsened over […]
Blood Pressure Variability Linked to Glaucoma Progression
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/blood-pressure-variability-linked-to-glaucoma-progression/ TOPLINE: Fluctuations in blood pressure over an extended period, along with their interaction with mean blood pressure or intraocular pressure, are associated with a more rapid visual field progression in patients with suspected or confirmed glaucoma. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between blood pressure parameters […]
Evidence is growing that microbes in your mouth contribute to cancer
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/evidence-is-growing-that-microbes-in-your-mouth-contribute-to-cancer/ Scientists may have found another reason to prioritise dental hygiene skynesher/Getty Images Mounting evidence suggests that the microbes in our mouths could be putting us at risk of certain cancers, as well as affecting our prognosis if we do develop them, but the relationship isn’t straightforward. Second only to the gut, […]
What’s Exposome Data and Can It Lead to Healthier Kids?
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/whats-exposome-data-and-can-it-lead-to-healthier-kids/ LISBON, Portugal — Europe needs a Child Health Exposome Mission to better understand how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases over the life course, protecting the health and well-being of future generations, said Peter van den Hazel, MD, PhD, vice president of the European Public Health Association’s environment and health section. […]
Novel CRISPR-Cas9-Based Promising in ATTR Cardiomyopathy
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/novel-crispr-cas9-based-promising-in-attr-cardiomyopathy/ CHICAGO – A CRISPR-Cas9-based investigational therapy was linked with a drop in serum transthyretin (TTR) levels in patients with transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), according to phase I data. A single IV infusion of nexiguran ziclumeran (nex-z), a therapy that targets production of TTR in the liver, was delivered to patients […]
Big Blow to Anticoagulation Strategy Against Afib-Related Cognition Problems
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/big-blow-to-anticoagulation-strategy-against-afib-related-cognition-problems/ CHICAGO — Researchers failed to prevent cognitive impairment in people with existing atrial fibrillation (Afib) by going the route of anticoagulation to mitigate subclinical brain infarcts, according to the BRAIN-AF trial. Stopped early for futility, BRAIN-AF suggested a similar risk of cognitive decline, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) whether Afib […]
Gynaecology waiting lists in UK double, leaving women in pain
Source link : https://www.newshealth.biz/health-news/gynaecology-waiting-lists-in-uk-double-leaving-women-in-pain/ BBC Anna Cooper has had 17 operations and is in constant pain Waiting lists for gynaecology appointments across the UK have more than doubled since February 2020, BBC research reveals. Records show around three-quarters of a million (755,046) women’s health appointments are waiting to happen – up from 360,400 just before […]