PAIN
App helps improve pain control and reduce opiate use after surgery: Patients who underwent total knee replacement and
used a smartphone app (PainCoach) at home after surgery consistently reduced
opiate painkiller use and improved pain control. The more the study
participants used the app, the more likely they were to lower pain scores and
decrease their use of opioids.Euroanaesthesia Congress
Smartphone relaxation app helps some manage migraine: Migraine sufferers who used a smartphone-based relaxation
technique at least twice a week experienced on average four fewer headache days
per month, a new study shows. Developed in part by researchers at NYU School of
Medicine, the app, called RELAXaHEAD, guides patients through progressive
muscle relaxation, or PMR. In this form of behavioral therapy, patients
alternately relax and tense different muscle groups to reduce stress. The study
authors say their work, publishing in the journal Nature Digital Medicine
online June 4, is the first to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of an app
for treating migraine, and adding an app to standard therapies (such as oral
medications) under the supervision of a doctor.
Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain: Patients with chronic pain, especially primary or
centralized pain, have elevated rates of psychosocial trauma and intrapersonal
or intrapsychic conflict. To address these risk factors and potentially reduce
pain, the authors developed emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET).
This article presents the rationale for EAET, describes its principles and
techniques, reviews its development and early testing as well as recent
clinical trials, and critically analyzes the evidence base. Four initial trials
(between 2006 and 2011) demonstrated the efficacy of earlier versions of EAET.
Four recent randomized, controlled trials of different EAET durations (1 to 8
sessions) and formats (individual or group) in patients with fibromyalgia,
irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic pain, or medically unexplained symptoms
support the earlier findings. EAET reliably reduces pain and interference,
although improvements in anxiety and depression are less reliably achieved and
may be delayed. The largest and best conducted trial found superiority of EAET
over cognitive-behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia. Patient retention in EAET
is high, and adverse events are rare. EAET merits inclusion as a treatment
option for primary pain conditions, and it may be the preferred treatment for
some patients. Research is needed on EAET with other pain conditions and
samples, using better controls and comparison conditions, and on additional
ways to motivate and help patients engage in successful emotional processing. Current
Rheumatology Reports
Vagus nerve stimulation study shows significant reduction in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: Initial pilot data support
the use of new neurostimulation treatment in a larger study in patients who
have failed current standard of care. Science Daily
COMPLEMENTARY &
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Growing up high:
Neurobiological consequences of adolescent cannabis use: Cannabis use was linked to
impairments in working memory and inhibitory control, which is required for
self-control. Cannabis use was also linked to deficits in memory recall and
perceptual reasoning. Alcohol use was not linked to impairments in these
cognitive functions, suggesting cannabis could have more long-term effects than
alcohol. Preliminary data indicates that cannabis use had a stronger effect on
the memory functions of male students than female students. Both sexes were
however, equally affected by cannabis on inhibitory control. Canadian Neuroscience
Meeting
FDA ACTION
•
Approved NovoTTF-100L, which uses electric fields to stop solid tumors from
mesothelioma from dividing.
• Seized more than 300,000 containers of dietary supplements,
including tablets, capsules, and teas from Life Rising Corporation due to poor
manufacturing practices
• Finalizes guidance for premarket tobacco product applications for electronic nicotine delivery systems as part of commitment to continuing a strong oversight of e-cigarettes
• Approves first chemoimmunotherapy regimen, Polivy, for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• Permits marketing of first medical device for relief of pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome in patients 11-18 years of age
• Approves first treatment, Emgality, for episodic cluster headache that reduces the frequency of attacks
• Approves new treatment, Zerbaxa, for hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia
• Issued warning for women of childbearing age about possible safety risks of dietary supplements containing vinpocetine
• Announces Project Facilitate to assist physicians seeking access to unapproved therapies for patients with cancer
• Puts R3 Stem Cell, LLC on notice for marketing unapproved stem cell products for treating serious conditions
• Approves first PI3K inhibitor for breast cancer
• Approves innovative gene therapy, Zolgensma, to treat pediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare disease and leading genetic cause of infant mortality
• Permits marketing of first diagnostic test, Synovasure, to aid in detecting prosthetic joint infections
• Clears first diagnostic tests for extragenital testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea
•
Warns of fecal transplants after one death
PREVENTION
Blood pressure and glucose control may prevent common arrhythmia: Blood-pressure and glucose control may be effective
in preventing heart block, a common form of arrhythmia, and the subsequent need
for a pacemaker. JAMA Network Open
High-intensity exercise may restore heart function in people with type 2 diabetes: The study found that three
months of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improved heart function in
adults with type 2 diabetes, without any change in medications or diet.
University of Otago
Seniors who feel their life has purpose may live longer: Seniors who feel their life has purpose may be less likely
to die from heart, circulatory and digestive diseases and more likely to live
longer, new data suggest. In a study that followed nearly 7,000 people over age
50 for more than a decade, researchers determined that people were more likely
to die at a younger age if they felt their lives had little purpose, according
to the report published in JAMA Network Open.
Roundup Linked to Human
Liver Damage:
A group of patients suffering from liver disease had
elevated urine levels of glyphosate, the primary weed-killing ingredient in Roundup, according
to researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
Brush your teeth --postpone Alzheimer's: Researchers have determined that gum disease (gingivitis)
plays a decisive role in whether a person developes Alzheimer´s or not. the
bacteria is not causing Alzheimer´s alone, but the presence of these bacteria
raise the risk for developing the disease substantially and are also implicated
in a more rapid progression of the disease. However, the good news is that this
study shows that there are some things you can do yourself to slow down
Alzheimer´s. "Brush your teeth and use floss". Mydel adds that it is
important, if you have established gingivitis and have Alzheimer´s in your
family, to go to your dentist regularly and clean your teeth properly.
10,000 Steps A Day? How
Many You Really Need To Boost Longevity: A study of 17,000 older women (average age 72),
women who took 4,400 steps per day, on average, were about 40 percent less
likely to die during the follow-up period of about four years compared with
women who took 2,700 steps. The benefits of walking maxed out at about 7,500
steps. In other words, women who walked more than 7,500 steps per day saw no
additional boost in longevity. This study only
measures walking. It didn't measure things that many of us do that don't
require steps, things like gardening, swimming or biking. And it's safe to
assume some women in the study were doing these other things that can influence
health as well. JAMA
International Medicine
Two-Hour Weekly Dose of Nature May Aid Health, Well-Being: Spending at least two hours a week in nature may promote health and well-being, according to a study published online June 13 in Scientific Reports.
Irregular Sleep Patterns May Increase Risk for Metabolic Syndrome: Variability in sleep duration and timing is
associated with higher odds of metabolic syndrome, according to a study
published online June 5 in Diabetes Care.
Exercise, Therapy May Improve Depression, Diabetes Outcomes: Exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy can
improve depression outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care
NUTRITION/SUPPLEMENTS/VITAMINS
Intracranial Hemorrhage Risk Up With Low-Dose Aspirin: For individuals without symptomatic cardiovascular disease,
the use of low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events is
associated with an increased risk for intracranial hemorrhage, according to a
review and meta-analysis published online May 13 in JAMA Neurology.
Coffee not as bad for heart
and circulatory system as previously thought: The research from Queen Mary University of London
has shown that drinking coffee, including in people who drink up to 25 cups a
day, is not associated with having stiffer arteries. British Cardiovascular
Society (BCS) Conference
• Millions
of Cardiovascular Deaths Attributed to Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables.
• Do
Policies Targeting Sugary Drinks Pay Off? New research suggests that
taxes and health warnings could bring significant health and economic benefits
by cutting consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages
• Eating
More Vitamin K Found to Help, Not Harm, Patients on Warfarin: Contrary
to common wisdom, increasing vitamin K intake helps stabilize anticoagulation
• Sun-Exposed
Oyster Mushrooms Help Patients Fight Tuberculosis: Bread containing the
low-cost mushrooms increased vitamin D levels and boosted immune response of TB
patients
• In a study of 2,717 young adults in the U.S. with long-term
follow-up, people who increased the amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
nuts and vegetable oils in their diet over 20 years had a 60 percent lower risk
of type 2 diabetes compared to those with a small decrease in plant foods.
• Findings from a study examining
three large cohorts of U.S. health professionals suggest that people with
higher intakes of vitamins B2 and B6 from food or supplements have a lower risk
for type 2 diabetes. The study, which included more than 200,000 people, also
revealed that consuming higher levels of vitamin B12 from foods was associated
with a higher type 2 diabetes risk, which may be due to consumption of animal products.
• A new study reveals that changing
the order in which food is eaten could reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes. The
researchers found that eating rice first and then a vegetable and meat caused
significantly higher blood sugar levels after eating compared to other
sequences. The results point to a simple but effective way to lower blood sugar
levels after eating, which could prevent the transition from prediabetes to
diabetes.
• Fewer new type 2 diabetes (T2D)
cases are seen in adults who eat more plant-based foods, and intake of vitamins
B2 and B6 is also associated with a reduced risk for T2D, according to two
studies
Red and white meats are equally bad for cholesterol: Contrary to popular belief, consuming red meat and white
meat such as poultry, have equal effects on blood cholesterol levels, according
to a study published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Cholesterol in eggs tied to cardiac disease, death: Research that tracked the diets, health and lifestyle
habits of nearly 30,000 adults across the country for as long as 31 years has
found that cholesterol in eggs, when consumed in large quantities, is
associated with ill health effects. One large egg contains nearly 200
milligrams of cholesterol, roughly the same amount as an 8-ounce steak,
according to the USDA. Other foods that contain high levels of cholesterol
include processed meats, cheese and high-fat dairy products. While the new
research does not offer specific recommendations on egg or cholesterol
consumption, it found that each additional 300 milligrams of cholesterol
consumed beyond a baseline of 300 milligrams per day was associated with a 17
percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease and an 18 percent higher risk of
death. Journal of the American Medical
Association.
Mediterranean diet linked with improved cognition in people with diabetes: Analyzing two years’ worth of data from 913
participants in the Boston Puerto Rico Health Study, researchers found that
people with diabetes who followed a Mediterranean diet had bigger gains in
memory and other types of cognitive function than those who didn’t eat that
way. Reuters
Vitamin D does not prevent type 2 diabetes in people at high risk : Taking a daily vitamin D supplement does not prevent
type 2 diabetes according to a study of 2,423 adults. NEJM
Eating blueberries every day improves heart health: Eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces risk factors for
cardiovascular disease -- according to a new study. Eating 150g of blueberries
daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 15 per cent. The
research team say that blueberries and other berries should be included in
dietary strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease -- particularly
among at risk groups. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Vitamin D and estradiol help guard against heart disease, stroke, and diabetes: Vitamin D and estrogen
have already shown well-documented results in improving bone health in women. A
new study from China suggests that this same combination could help prevent
metabolic syndrome, a constellation of conditions that increases the risk of
heart disease, stroke, and diabetes in postmenopausal women. Menopause
Increases in Red Meat Intake Linked to Increased Mortality: Increases in red meat consumption over eight years
are associated with an increased mortality risk during the subsequent eight
years, according to a study published online June 12 in The BMJ.
Dietary Supplements May Up Risk for Severe Medical Events: Consumption of dietary supplements, specifically those
sold for muscle building, energy, and weight loss, is associated with an
increased risk for severe medical events among individuals aged 0 to 25 years,
according to a study published online June 5 in the Journal of Adolescent
Health.
Low vitamin K levels linked to mobility limitation and disability in older adults: Low levels of circulating
vitamin K are linked to increased risk of mobility limitation and disability in
older adults, identifying a new factor to consider for maintaining mobility and
independence in older age. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A
TREATMENT
Diuretic withdrawal is safe for stable heart failure patients: Drug therapy for patients with stable heart failure
can be simplified by stopping diuretics, according to late breaking results
from the ReBIC-1 trial. European Society of Cardiology
Nerve stimulation could provide new treatment option for most common type of stroke: A study of 1,000 patients
found evidence that the technique, called active nerve cell cluster
stimulation, reduced the patients' degree of disability three months after they
suffered an acute cortical ischemic stroke, which affects the surface of the
brain and is the most common type of stroke. UCLA
Statin Use With Colorectal Cancer Lowers Risk for Early Death: Use of statins before or after colorectal cancer
(CRC) diagnosis is linked to a lower risk for premature death, from either
cancer or other causes, according to a review published online May 8 in Cancer
Medicine.
International clinical trial of new drug for men with advanced prostate cancer yields strong result: The New England Journal of
Medicine published the first results of a phase III international clinical
study called TITAN (National Clinical Trials Number 02489318), which evaluated
the effectiveness and safety of a new drug, apalutamide, to treat advanced
prostate cancers. This publication accompanies a presentation today that
outlines the study results at the American Society for Clinical Oncology
(ASCO). Researchers found that treatment with apalutamide significantly
improved overall survival, with a 33% reduction in risk of death compared to
standard-of-care therapy. Additionally, this study showed apalutamide
significantly delayed disease progression and increased the amount of time
until a patient has to receive chemotherapy.
New Breast Cancer Drug
Boosts Patients’ Survival Rates by 30%: Researchers say a new form of drug improves survival
rates of patients with the most common form of breast cancer. The findings,
presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in
Chicago, showed that the addition of a drug known as a cyclin inhibitor
increased survival rates to 70 percent. The mortality rate was 29 percent less
than when patients were given a placebo.
Beta blockers reduce stress-induced irregular heart rhythm: Taking beta blockers -- medications that reduce
blood pressure and treat many heart conditions -- can blunt the negative
effects of stress and anger on people with a history of atrial fibrillation, or
irregular heart rhythm, said Yale researchers. This strategy could potentially
improve quality of life for many of the 2 million Americans with the condition,
according to a new study. HeartRhythm
Long-term islet transplant recipients show near-normal glucose control: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) evaluations in
islet transplant recipients who have been insulin independent for an average of
10 years show near-normal glycemic profiles and time-in-range metrics,
according to data presented by the Diabetes Research Institute at the
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The findings, which were
accepted as a late-breaking poster at the American Diabetes Association (ADA)
79th Scientific Sessions, June 7 - 11, 2019 in San Francisco, CA, demonstrate
that islet transplantation can be a successful long-term cell therapy for
select patients with type 1 diabetes.
Combo Injectable Controls Blood Glucose Longer in T2DM: Compared with insulin glargine, initial injectable therapy with a combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide aids achievement of blood glucose goals for a longer period of time in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes on oral antidiabetic drugs, according to a study published online June 9 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
Weight Loss Surgery May Not Relieve Acid Reflux: Reflux symptoms return in about half of patients who undergo gastric bypass, according to a study published online June 4 in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Hot Water Therapy Aids Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: Heat therapy can improve functional ability and also has potential to be an effective cardiovascular conditioning tool for people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), according to a small study published online June 5 in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis Before Dental Work Often Unnecessary: Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures is
unnecessary more than 80 percent of the time, according to a study published
online May 31 in JAMA Network Open.
Excess Cause-Specific Mortality Tied to Chronic Proton Pump Inhibitor Use: Taking proton pump
inhibitors (PPIs) is associated with an excess of cause-specific mortality,
according to a study published online May 30 in The BMJ.
OTHER
Women's Facial Moisturizers Cost More Per Ounce Than Men's: Facial moisturizers marketed to women are more than $3
more per ounce, despite similar ingredients. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
Industry uses non profit organizations to campaign against public Health policies: A new study shows how a non-profit research organization has
been deployed by its backers from major food and beverage corporations to push
industry-favourable positions to policy makers and international bodies under
the guise of neutral scientific endeavour.
Globalization and Health
Most Older Adults Would Have to Liquidate Assets for Home Care: Researchers found that 74 percent of adults (nationally representative sample of non-Medicaid,
community-dwelling adults age 65 years and older) could fund at least two years of a moderate amount
of paid home care if they liquidated all their assets, and 58 percent could
fund at least two years of an extensive amount of paid home care. However,
among older adults with significant disabilities, only 57 percent could fund at
least two years of moderate paid home care and 40 percent could fund at least
two years of extensive paid home care by liquidating all their assets.
"Home care is less affordable, however, for those most likely to need it,
including older adults with significant long-term services and support needs,
single adults, and those ages eighty-five and older," the authors write.
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