Journal Watch January 2020

PAIN

Depression May Worsen Quality of Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Patients with coexisting rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and depression tend to have higher disease activity and lower quality of life than patients without depression, according to a review published online Dec. 19 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

Fragmented sleep may trigger migraine 2 days later: A new study finds that people whose sleep is fragmented during the night are at higher risk of experiencing a migraine episode not the next day, but the day after that. Neurology.

MIV-711 No Better Than Placebo for Pain Relief in Knee OA: A novel cathepsin K inhibitor, MIV-711, is no more effective than placebo for reducing pain in patients with symptomatic, radiographic knee osteoarthritis, according to a study published online Dec. 31 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Acupuncture,Acupressure May Help Cancer Patients Control Pain: The use of acupuncture and/or acupressure is associated with reduced cancer pain and decreased use of analgesics, according to a review published online Dec. 19 in JAMA Oncology.

 

Four Weeks of Active TENS Beneficial for Fibromyalgia: Four weeks of active transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) results in significant improvement in movement-evoked pain and other clinical outcomes compared with placebo-TENS or no TENS, according to a study recently published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.  

Treatment Guidelines Updated for Hand, Hip, Knee Osteoarthritis: In the 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline, published online Jan. 6 in Arthritis Care & Research, updated recommendations are presented for the management of hand, hip, and knee osteoarthritis (OA). Strong recommendations are made for exercise, weight loss in overweight or obese patients with knee and/or hip OA, self-efficacy and self-management programs, tai chi, and cane use. In addition, there were strong recommendations for hand orthoses for first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint OA, tibiofemoral bracing for tibiofemoral knee OA, topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for knee OA, oral NSAIDs, and intraarticular glucocorticoid injections for knee OA. Recommendations were conditional for balance exercises, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, thermal modalities, kinesiotaping for first CMC OA, orthoses for hand joints other than the first CMC joint, patellofemoral bracing for patellofemoral knee OA, and radiofrequency ablation for knee OA. Conditional recommendations were also made for topical NSAIDs, intraarticular steroid injections and chondroitin sulfate for hand OA, topical capsaicin for knee OA, and for acetaminophen, duloxetine, and tramadol.

COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Transcendental Meditation prevents abnormal enlargement of the heart, reduces chronic heart failure: A randomized controlled study recently published in Ethnicity & Disease in their Autumn 2019 Hypertension issue found that the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique helps to prevent abnormal enlargement of the heart compared to health education (HE) controls. Also known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), it can lead to chronic heart failure and death, and is especially prevalent among African Americans.

 

Experts review evidence yoga is good for the brain; Scientists have known for decades that aerobic exercise strengthens the brain and contributes to the growth of new neurons, but few studies have examined how yoga affects the brain. A review of the science finds evidence that yoga enhances many of the same brain structures and functions that benefit from aerobic exercise. Brain Plasticity

Long After Your High Is Gone, Pot Use May Still Affect Your Driving: A new study found that frequent cannabis users who began using prior to the age of 16 appeared to drive differently than those who didn’t use marijuana or those who began using it later in life. During a driving simulator test, those who began using before the age of 16 hit more pedestrians, missed more stop signs and red lights, and spent more time speeding. The larger conclusion of their research is that the age at which an individual begins using cannabis is important and can have far-reaching effects on cognition. Drug and Alcohol Dependence

The surprising link between depression and the pursuit of happiness: People may think that valuing happiness leads to a happier life. However, new research has found that wanting to feel happy can also have a negative outcome. Journal of Happiness Studies

FDA ACTION

• Approved Ubrelvy tablets for acute treatment of migraine with or without aura.

• Approved the first generics of Eliquis (apixaban) tablets to reduce the risk for stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, and for treatment of and to prevent recurrence of DVT and pulmonary embolism.

• Accelerated approval of Enhertu for treatment of unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer

• Will take action to remove most unauthorized flavored e-cigarette cartridges from the market. It applies to mint, fruit and dessert flavors but not menthol or tobacco flavored products

• Approved kinase inhibitor Ayvakit to treat adults with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with a platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) exon 18 mutation

• Adding to a list of recalled lots of popular heartburn medications -- including generic forms of Zantac -- because the pills might contain small amounts of the suspected carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

PREVENTION: Exercise

Report links recommended physical activity levels to lower risk of seven cancers: A pooled analysis of nine prospective studies involving more than 750,000 adults finds that recommended amounts of leisure-time physical activity were linked to a lower risk for seven cancers, with several cancer types having a 'dose/response' relationship. Updated guidelines for activity now state that people should aim for 2.5 to 5 hours/week of moderate-intensity activity or 1.25 to 2.5 hours/week of vigorous activity. Physical activity was associated with a lower risk of colon cancer in men,  female breast cancer endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, myeloma, liver cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in women. J Clin Oncol

A Lifetime of Fitness Helps Women's Muscles in Old Age: Women who exercise throughout life may keep their muscle power as they age, a new study suggests. Journal of Applied Physiology

PREVENTION: Diet/Nutrition

Should we all be eating more protein?: A recent review and meta-analysis investigating protein intake conclude that consuming the recommended daily allowance is fine for most people, most of the time. However, more protein is not necessarily beneficial. Advances in Nutrition.

Intermittent fasting can help ease metabolic syndrome: For the first time, a new study has looked into time-restricted eating, or intermittent fasting, as a means of losing weight and managing blood sugar and blood pressure for those with metabolic syndrome. This new study, which appears in the journal Cell Metabolism, allowed study participants to eat what they wanted when they wanted within a 10 hour window. They also had flexibility in adjusting their eating window by a couple [of] hours based on their schedule. Almost all the participants ate breakfast later (around 2 hours after waking) and dinner earlier (around 3 hours before bed). The study lasted for 3 months, during which time the participants showed a 3% weight and body mass index reduction, on average, and a 3% loss of abdominal, or visceral, fat.

Intermittent fasting: live 'fast,' live longer? : In a review article published in the Dec. 26 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine neuroscientist Mark Mattson PHD concludes that intermittent fasting does have scientific evidence to back it up. Mattson, who has studied the health impact of intermittent fasting for 25 years, and adopted it himself about 20 years ago, writes that "intermittent fasting could be part of a healthy lifestyle."

Could hydration levels influence cognitive function?: Dehydration can cause headaches and several physiological issues, and older adults are most at risk of experiencing it. Women appeared to display poorer cognitive performance when they were underhydrated. The same applied when they were overhydrated. European Journal of Nutrition.

Coffee Consumption Does Not Affect Insulin Sensitivity: Consumption of four cups of coffee daily does not impact insulin sensitivity, according to a study published online Dec. 31 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

 

Tea drinkers live longer: Drinking tea at least three times a week is linked with a longer and healthier life, according to a study published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. In a subanalysis by type of tea, drinking green tea was linked with approximately 25% lower risks for incident heart disease and stroke, fatal heart disease and stroke, and all-cause death. However, no significant associations were observed for black tea.

Trading Meat for a Plant-Based Patty Doesn’t Make Fast Food Healthier: Fast-food companies are pushing new plant-based “meat” items as healthy alternatives to their more traditional offerings. Experts warn that while plant-based meats are safe, they don’t improve the nutritional value of fast-food items like burgers or breakfast sandwiches. Experts also stress that the “healthy” label given to these kinds of items is dangerous, feeding misinformation about the kinds of foods we consume. Healthline

PREVENTION: Supplements

Could higher magnesium intake reduce fatal coronary heart disease risk in women? The researchers examined magnesium intake at baseline for more than 153,000 postmenopausal women and identified the development of fatal coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death over the subsequent 10.5 years of follow-up. The data revealed that higher magnesium intake was associated with statistically significant risk reduction in fatal coronary heart disease and a reduction in risk of sudden cardiac death.

Journal of Women's Health

Folic Acid, Zinc Supplements in Men No Benefit in Infertility: For couples seeking infertility treatment, folic acid and zinc supplementation compared with placebo for male partners does not significantly improve semen quality or live birth rates, according to a study published in the Jan. 7 issue of JAMA.

Supplement may help burn fat long after exercise: Adding inulin-propionate ester (IPE), an appetite-suppressing supplement to moderate exercise increases the likelihood of weight loss, even without a change of diet. Metabolism

PREVENTION: Other

Women with single dose of HPV vaccine gain similar protection as multiple doses: A new study revealed that one dose of the HPV vaccine may prevent infection from the potential cancer-causing virus. JAMA Network Open

 

An often-made claim that e-cigarettes are '95% safer' is not valid: The frequently cited claim that e-cigarettes are "95% less risky" or "95% less harmful" than combustible cigarettes is outdated, misleading and invalid -- and should no longer be made in discussions on the dangers of vaping, according to an editorial published today in the American Journal of Public Health by six leading experts on e-cigarettes and public health.

Social media use can be positive for mental health and well-being: Using a nationally representative sample, the association of two dimensions of social media use—how much it’s routinely used and how emotionally connected users are to the platforms—with three health-related outcomes: social well-being, positive mental health, and self-rated health-was assessed. routine social media use—for example, using social media as part of everyday routine and responding to content that others share—is positively associated with all three health outcomes. Emotional connection to social media—for example, checking apps excessively out of fear of missing out, being disappointed about or feeling disconnected from friends when not logged into social media—is negatively associated with all three outcomes. Health Education & Behavior

Does talc powder cause ovarian cancer?: A new data analysis of over 250,000 women found no link, but the authors urge caution as the study may not be large enough. JAMA.

5 healthful living factors extend disease-free life: According to a new study, a combination of healthful lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and regularly exercising, can significantly extend the number of years that an individual avoids disease. BMJ.

Does Smoking Cause Depression: Depression tends to be twice as likely among people who smoke than those who do not, but it is not yet clear which causes which. Some. Researchers, however, believe that smoking may lead to depression, not vice versa. PLOS ONE

Tongue Fat Increases Sleep Apnea: Losing fat in your tongue can alleviate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) according to MRI studies which studied how weight loss affected the upper airway. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

Women’s Blood Vessels Age More Quickly, Leading to Earlier Heart Disease: Researchers say a woman’s blood vessels age more quickly than a man’s blood vessels. They say this accelerated aging process may begin in some women as early as their 30s. Experts say the aging can cause a rise in blood pressure and lead to a number of cardiovascular diseases in women. JAMA Cardiology

TREATMENT

Ultrasound with MRI improves prostate treatment: MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) is a new tool for the highly accurate treatment of prostate cancer — without the usual side effects. Radiological Society of North America

Proton therapy as effective as standard radiation with fewer side effects: Cancer patients who receive high-tech proton therapy experience similar cure rates and fewer serious side effects compared with those who undergo traditional X-ray radiation therapy. The reduction in side effects -- particularly lower hospitalization rates and fewer emergency room visits -- could offset the higher initial cost of proton therapy, which often is not covered by private insurance because of its higher upfront expense and limited data on its effectiveness compared to X-ray radiation. JAMA Oncology

 

Liposuction Benefits Women With Lipedema: German researchers found that most of the participants noticed a first manifestation of the disease at the age of 16 years. Diagnosis took a mean of 15 years. The majority of patients reported that liposuction led to a significant reduction in pain, swelling, tenderness, and easy bruising. The prevalence of hypothyroidism (35.9 percent) and depression (23 percent) was higher than the average prevalence in the German population. The respondents had a low prevalence of both type 1 (1.4 percent) and type 2 (1 percent) diabetes. Nearly one-quarter of lipedema patients had a migraine diagnosis (22.5 percent), and two-thirds of these respondents (68.1 percent) said the frequency and/or intensity of migraine attacks markedly declined after liposuction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Individualized PT Can Reduce Incontinence After Prostatectomy: For men with postprostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (SUI), an individualized pelvic physical therapy (PT) program aimed at normalizing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is associated with a decrease in SUI and pelvic pain, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in International Urology and Nephrology

 

Half the amount of chemo prevents testicular cancer from coming back, new trial shows: Testicular cancer can be prevented from coming back using half the amount of chemotherapy that is currently used, a new clinical trial has shown. The new trial showed that giving men one cycle of chemotherapy was as effective at preventing men's testicular cancer from coming back as the two cycles used as standard. European Urology

New Testosterone Treatment Guidelines: The American College of Physicians has released new guidelines on when to prescribe the hormone. They advise it shouldn’t be used to improve energy or cognition, but it should be used to treat sexual dysfunction. American College of Physicians (ACP) released new clinical practice guidelines

Intensive Systolic BP Control May Not Benefit All Older Adults: Intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) control lowers the risk for major cardiovascular events, cognitive impairment, and death in older adults; however, these benefits may not extend to older adults with lower baseline cognitive function, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

 

Acid reflux drugs may have negative side effects for breast cancer survivors: Acid reflux drugs that are sometimes recommended to ease stomach problems during cancer treatment may have an unintended side effect: impairment of breast cancer survivors' memory and concentration. Journal of Cancer Survivorship

 

OTHER

Forget 98.6°F. Humans Are Cooling Off — Here’s Why: The “normal” body temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) is actually not so normal. New research finds the average human body temperature of Americans has dropped. The 98.6°F standard was established by a German doctor in 1851. Recent studies have indicated that’s too high; research on 35,000 British people found their average was 97.9°F. The body temperature of men born in the 2000s is 1.06°F degrees lower, on average, than men born in the early 1800s. Women have temps about 0.58°F lower than those born in the 1890s. That means body temperatures declined 0.05°F every decade. eLife

The Price of 500 Prescription Drugs Have Gone Up This Year: The prices of almost 500 prescription drugs have already risen since Jan. 1. The average price hike is about 5 percent. Among the drug prices that have increased are Cotempla XR, Eliquis, Truvada, and Humira. Experts say the price increases affect insurers more than consumers. Healthline

 

Sorry, You Might Get the Flu Twice This Year — Here’s Why: Two flu strains are overlapping each other this flu season. This means you can get sick twice from different flu strains. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)

Taking Multiple Separate Meds Costs Less Than 1 Combination Drug. Why? Combination drugs are typically new medications that are made by combining two or more generic drugs into one medication. Often, drug manufacturers are primarily motivated to combine these drugs in an effort to improve their bottom line. In a majority of cases, combination drugs don’t make any clinical difference for patients, yet pharmaceutical companies charge a significantly higher price for them. Healthline