Saturday, January 19, 2019

Journal Watch January 2019



CHRONIC PAIN
Opioids Offer Small Improvement in Pain, Physical Function: Opioid use is associated with small improvements in pain and physical functioning in patients with chronic noncancer pain, according to research published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Massage Offers Short Term Relief of Knee Pain in Arthritis Patients: Weekly massage sessions may provide short-term symptom relief for knee osteoarthritis patients, but the benefit is not maintained over one year of follow-up, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Hormone therapy may be best defense against knee osteoarthritis: There is an ongoing debate regarding the relationship between knee osteoarthritis and hormone therapy (HT), with small-scale studies providing mixed results. A new large-scale study from Korea shows that women receiving HT had a significantly lower prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis compared with women who did not take hormones. Menopause 

Effect Sizes Uncertain for Meds Versus Placebo in Knee OA: For patients with knee osteoarthritis and at least 12 months of follow-up, there is uncertainty around estimates of effect size for the change in pain in association with medications versus placebo, according to a meta-analysis published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

 

One in Five Back Pain Patients Experience Persistent Pain: Significant differences seen in patterns of medication, health care use across back pain trajectories. Eighteen percent of patients with back pain experience a persistent trajectory, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in Arthritis Care & Research.


Meta-Analysis: Botulinum A Tops Placebo for Chronic Migraine: For chronic migraine, botulinum type A injections are superior to placebo after three months of therapy, according to a meta-analysis published in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.



 COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
CBD in marijuana may worsen glaucoma, raise eye pressure: A study has found that CBD -- a major chemical component in marijuana -- appears to increase pressure inside the eye of mice, suggesting the use of the substance in the treatment of glaucoma may actually worsen the condition. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science

Acupressure relieves long-term symptoms of breast cancer treatment, study finds: Breast cancer survivors reported improvements in depression, pain, anxiety and sleep after self-administered acupressure. A new study finds acupressure could be a low-cost, at-home solution to a suite of persistent side effects that linger after breast cancer treatment ends. JNCI Cancer Spectrum

Many Medical Cannabis Users Drive While Under the Influence: More than half of adults using medical cannabis for chronic pain reported DUIC within two hours of use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence


FDA ACTION
• Warned that patients taking fluoroquinolones may be at hither risk for ruptures or tears in the aorta. Those at risk include those with hypertension, the elderly and certain genetic disorders.
• Issued safety monitoring measures for the permanent birth control device Essure
• Warned companies on unsafe, unapproved stem cell treatments

Approves first generic version of Sabril to help treat seizures in adults and pediatric patients with epilepsy

Approved Ultomiris (ravulizumab) injection for the treatment of adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare and life-threatening blood disease.


PREVENTION
New epigenetic cervical cancer test has 100 percent detection rate: A new test for cervical cancer was found to detect all of the cancers in a trial of 15,744 women, outperforming both the current Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) test at a reduced cost, according to a new study. International Journal of Cancer

Endurance Exercise Tied to Anti-Aging at Cellular Level: Endurance exercise has anti-aging effects visible at the cellular level, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in the European Heart Journal.  The effect seen with aerobic endurance and high-intensity training but not resistance training.

Exercise Promotes Executive Functioning in Sedentary Adults: For sedentary adults at risk for cognitive decline, aerobic exercise (AE) is associated with significant improvement in executive functioning, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Neurology.

Replacing Sitting Time With Activity Lowers Mortality Risk: Replacing prolonged sedentary bouts with physical activity reduces mortality risk, but no benefit is seen for replacement with short sedentary bouts, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.


Short bouts of stair climbing throughout the day can boost health: A few minutes of stair climbing, at short intervals throughout the day, can improve cardiovascular health, according to new research. The findings, published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, suggest that virtually anyone can improve their fitness, anywhere, any time.


Patients with Sleep Apnea Have Increased Gout Risk: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at higher risk for developing gout than patients without OSA for more than a year after diagnosis, according to a study published in the January issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Body-painting protects against bloodsucking insects: A study by researchers from Sweden and Hungary shows that white, painted stripes on the body protect skin from insect bites. It is the first time researchers have successfully shown that body-painting has this effect. Among indigenous peoples who wear body-paint, the markings thus provide a certain protection against insect-borne diseases. Royal Society Open Science

'Happiness' exercises can boost mood in those recovering from substance use disorder:  Brief, text-based, self-administered exercises can significantly increase in-the-moment happiness for adults recovering from substance use disorders, report researchers. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment

Five Brands of Dental Floss May Expose People to Harmful Chemicals: People may absorbe PFAS perfluorohexane sulfonic acid when they floss. The following products tested positive for PFAS compounds CVS Health EaseBetween SuperSlip Dental Floss Waxed, Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Mint and Glide Pro-Health Original, Crest Glide Deep Clean Cool Mint Floss, Safeway Signature Care Mint Waxed Comfort Floss, and Colgate Total Dental Floss Mint. Buzzfeed

Exercise Can Halve Heart Attack Risk in Healthy People: New research, appearing in the European Heart Journal, suggests that lack of physical activity can drastically increase the risk of a heart attack in the long-term, even if there are no symptoms at present. Higher fitness levels can halve the risk of heart attack.

Stress May Raise the Risk of Alzheimer’s: Vital exhaustion, a marker of psychological distress, may raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. Vital exhaustion describes "a mental state of psychological distress" that manifests as irritability, fatigue and a feling of demoralization. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 

Binge eating and smoking linked to bullying and sexual abuse: People who ever suffered bullying or sexual abuse have a lower quality of life similar to those living with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, depression or severe anxiety, a new study from the University of Adelaide has found. They are also far more likely to display harmful behaviours like smoking dependence and binge eating. BMC Public Health

 


NUTRITION/SUPPLEMENTS/VITAMINS
Routine Supplements to Prevent Chronic Disease Not Advised: Routine use of vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent chronic disease is not recommended, according to an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position paper published in the November issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Citing a lack of available scientific evidence, the academy recommends against the routine use of micronutrient supplements for prevention of chronic disease. However, micronutrient supplementation may be beneficial for requirements secondary to growth, specific chronic disease states, medication use, malabsorption, pregnancy and lactation, and aging. The academy is concerned that consumers may not be well informed about the safety and use of micronutrient supplement products and some may have difficulty interpreting product labels.

Health Benefits of Nonsugar Sweeteners Uncertain: There is no compelling evidence to indicate health benefits of nonsugar sweetener (NSS) use on a range of health outcomes, according to a review published online Jan. 2 in The BMJ.

Moderate Drinking Not Harmful for Seniors with Heart Failure: For older adults with heart failure, limited alcohol consumption after diagnosis is associated with survival benefit versus long-term abstinence, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in JAMA Network Open.

Genetics may influence the effects of vitamin E on cancer risk: A new study has investigated whether taking vitamin E supplements could affect risk of cancer and found that genetic variations in the gene COMT influenced whether vitamin E decreased or increased risk of developing cancer during and after the study periods. JNCI

 

B-group vitamins can improve concentration among people with first episode psychosis: A new study explored the impact of increasing a person's intake of vitamins B12, B6, and folic acid [vitamin B9] after studies in people with schizophrenia revealed that increased intake of these vitamins could decrease patients' levels of an amino acid called homocysteine and improve their symptoms. Science Daily


High-Dose Vitamin D No Better Than Low-Dose: Low blood levels of vitamin D are tied to bone loss that can lead to falls and fractures. But taking vitamin D supplements in high doses showed no benefits over low-dose vitamin D, a randomized trial found. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 


Magnesium optimizes vitamin D status, study shows: A randomized trial by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center researchers indicates that magnesium optimizes vitamin D status, raising it in people with deficient levels and lowering it in people with high levels. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition


Intermittent Fasts Plus Energy Restriction Best for Weight Loss: Intermittent fasting with restricted energy intake may provide better outcomes than daily continuous diet restriction for health and weight loss in obese women, according to a study published in the January issue of Obesity.


Moderate Drinking Linked to Electro anatomic Changes in A-Fib: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower atrial voltage and conduction slowing in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Jan. 9 in Heart Rhythm.


High Fiber Intake Tied to Lower Risk for Noncommunicable Disease: High intake of fiber is associated with a reduced risk for several noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), according to research published online Jan. 10 in the The Lancet. With a daily intake of dietary fiber of 25 to 29 g, the risk reduction associated with a range of critical outcomes was greatest. Higher intakes of dietary fiber could confer even greater benefit to protect against cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal and breast cancer, according to the researchers. The findings for whole grain intake were similar.


Metabolic syndrome patients need more vitamin C to break cycle of antioxidant depletion: A higher intake of vitamin C is crucial for metabolic syndrome patients trying to halt a potentially deadly cycle of antioxidant disruption and health-related problems. Estimated 35 percent of the U.S. adult population that suffers from the syndrome. Eat five to 10 servings a day and then you'll get the fiber, you'll get the vitamin C, and you'll really protect your gut with all of those good things." Redox Biology



TREATMENT
A-Fib Risk Up for Antidepressant Users, but Higher Before Treatment: The risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased among antidepressant users, particularly before treatment initiation, according to a study recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology

Age, BMI Predict Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Success: Among patients with obstructive sleep apnea, older age and reduced body mass index (BMI) are predictors of upper airway stimulation (UAS) treatment response, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in the European Respiratory Journal.

Antidepressant Use in Seniors Linked to Risk for HipFracture: Among older adults, antidepressant users sustain more hip fractures than nonusers both before and after therapy initiation, according to a study published online Jan. 2 in JAMA Psychiatry.

Trained Alert Dogs Can Detect Impending T1DM-Related Events: In study, individual dogs' performance varied for detecting hypoglycemic episodes, hyperglycemia. Plos One


USPSTF Recommends Risk-Reducing Meds for Breast Cancer: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends risk-reducing medications for women at high risk for breast cancer who are at low risk for adverse events, but medications are not recommended for routine use. These recommendations form the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Jan. 15 by the task force.


Guideline Issued for Treatment of Mild/Moderate Ulcerative Colitis:A new clinical guideline from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) published Dec. 18 in Gastroenterology focuses on the medical management of patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).


Stem Cell transplant slows down MS Progression: A preliminary clinical trial shows that stem cell transplantation, along with a tolerable dose of chemotherapy, is safe and more effective at slowing down multiple sclerosis than other existing therapies. JAMA

 OTHER
Many in their 50s and early 60s worried about Health Insurance: Many adults aged 50 to 64 years are concerned about being unable to afford the cost of health insurance, according to the results of the National Poll on Healthy Aging published on Jan. 3.

Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages: The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.



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