COVID
We’re Nowhere Near Herd Immunity with COVID-19, Experts Say: Experts say we’re nowhere close to
achieving herd immunity against COVID-19 in the United States. In addition, a
new study suggests that antibodies developed during an infection may only last
for a few months. Experts say personal behaviors, such as wearing masks,
washing hands, and physical distancing, are the best ways to stop the spread of
COVID-19. Healthline
CDC Updated
List of Those with Higher Covid Risks:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its listTrusted
Source of underlying
conditions that may lead to more severe outcomes from a COVID-19 diagnosis. CDC
now warns that among adults, risk increases steadily as you age, and it’s not
just those over the age of 65 who are at increased risk for severe illness.
Other conditions include: Chronic kidney disease; COPD (chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease); Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher); Immunocompromised state
(weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant; Serious heart conditions,
such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies Sickle cell
disease Type 2 diabetes
Repurposing MMR vaccine for COVID-19 New research shows that the common vaccine that
protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) could help prevent
inflammation in COVID-19, which leads to severe symptoms. mBio
Common heartburn drugs may be tied to higher COVID risk: Popular heartburn medications such as
Prilosec (omeprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole) may inadvertently up your
chances of catching COVID-19, new research suggests. An online survey of more
than 53,000 Americans found that those taking a PPI once a day saw their risk
for contracting COVID double. Those taking a PPI twice a day saw their COVID
infection risk nearly quadruple. The American Journal of Gastroenterology
One in three
young adults may face severe COVID-19, study shows: As the number of young adults infected
with the coronavirus surges throughout the nation, a new study by researchers
at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals indicates that youth may not shield people
from serious disease. The impact of smoking surpassed other less common risks,
the UCSF researchers reported in their study, which publishes in the Journal of Adolescent Health
Asthma does not seem to increase the severity of COVID-19: “People with asthma -- even those with diminished lung
function who are being treated to manage asthmatic inflammation -- seem to be
no worse affected by SARS-CoV-2 than a non-asthmatic person. There is limited
data as to why this is the case -- if it is physiological or a result of the
treatment to manage the inflammation." Journal
of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Physical distancing interventions cut incidence of COVID-19: Physical distancing interventions are
associated with a reduced incidence of COVID-19 globally, according to a study
published online July 15 in The BMJ.
COVID-19: Considering meditation and yoga as adjunctive treatment: The anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects of meditation and yoga practices make them potential adjunctive treatments of COVID-19, according to the peer-reviewed journal JACM, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Click here to read the article.
Lopinavir/Ritonavir
COVID-19 Treatment Linked to Bradycardia: Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) treatment of COVID-19 is
associated with an increased risk for bradycardia. Patients with bradycardia
were older, had increased RTV concentration at 72 hours, lower lymphocytes.
July 9 in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.
Variety of
Symptoms Reported for COVID-19 Patients: Nearly all symptomatic COVID-19 patients experience fever,
cough, or shortness of breath, and a wide variety of other symptoms are
reported, according to research published July 17 in the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Gastrointestinal symptoms and other symptoms (such as chills, myalgia,
headache, and fatigue) were also commonly reported.
COVID-19-Related
Symptoms Persist After Recovery:
Most patients who have recovered from COVID-19 report persistence of at least one
symptom, according to a research letter published online July 9 in the Journal
of the American Medical Association.
Even People
With Lung Disease Should Wear Masks:
Experts: People with chronic lung disease may worry about being able to breathe
freely with face masks, but they should wear the coverings if possible, four
leading medical groups say. "Individuals with normal lungs and even many
individuals with underlying chronic lung disease should be able to wear a
non-N95 facial covering without affecting their oxygen or carbon dioxide
levels," the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Lung
Association, the American Thoracic Society and the COPD Foundation said in a
statement released Thursday. The groups acknowledged that some people with lung
diseases might not be able to tolerate breathing with a mask and will seek a
mask exemption from their doctor.
K-State
study first to show SARS-CoV-2 is not transmitted by mosquitoes: A new study by Kansas State University
researchers is the first to confirm that SARS-CoV-2 cannot be transmitted to
people by mosquitoes.
No Big Increase Seen in Loneliness During U.S. COVID-19 Outbreak: Social distancing during the COVID-19
pandemic has not led to an overall increase in loneliness among Americans,
according to a study published online June 22 in American Psychologist.
PAIN
New Drug
Combo May Help Ease Fatigue Caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis: In
a 2-year study, the drugs methotrexate and prednisone were effective in
reducing the fatigue of participants who took them. Experts say relieving the
unrelenting fatigue allows people with rheumatoid arthritis to live more
pain-free and productive lives. 2020 conference
of the European E-Congress of Rheumatology
Low Back
Pain Also May Resolve in Some After Hip Replacement: Symptomatic low back pain (LBP)
resolves in 82 percent of patients with hip and back pain who undergo total hip
arthroplasty (THA), according to a study presented at the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons 2020 Virtual Education Experience.
Physically
Demanding Jobs May Raise Risk for Knee Osteoarthritis: Occupational lifting, kneeling,
climbing, squatting, standing versus sedentary work linked to knee OA. Arthritis
Care & Research
Tanezumab Improves Pain, Function in Chronic Low Back Pain: Low back pain intensity at week 16 was
improved with tanezumab 10 mg versus placebo. PAIN
Significantly
less addictive opioid may slow progression of osteoarthritis while easing pain: A novel preclinical study by Keck
Medicine of USC researchers, published in Arthritis
& Rheumatology, reveals that a potential new opioid medication
may have the ability to slow the progression of osteoarthritis while being less
addictive than commonly prescribed opioid drugs.
A furrysocial robot can reduce pain and increase happiness: Researchers have discovered that a
single, 60-minute interaction with PARO actually improved mood as well as
reduced mild or severe pain. When participants touched PARO, they experienced
greater pain reduction than when it was simply present in their room. Scientific Reports
Medical pot mayhelp many battle insomnia, pain and stress: In a survey of nearly 1,300 people
with chronic
health conditions, researchers
found that those using "medicinal cannabis" reported less pain,
better sleep and reduced anxiety. They also tended to use fewer prescription
medications and were less likely to have been to the hospital recently. The
results do not prove, however, that medicinal cannabis is effective. It's also
unclear whether certain products were linked to particular benefits. Cannabis
and Cannabinoid Research
Factors maximize impact of yoga, physical therapy on back pain in underservedpopulation: New
research shows that people with chronic low back pain (cLBP) have better
results from yoga and physical therapy compared to reading evidence-based
self-help materials. While this finding was consistent across many patient
characteristics, a much larger effect was observed among those already taking
pain medication to treat their condition and those who did not fear that
exercise would make their back pain worse. Led by researchers at Boston Medical
Center and published in Pain Medicine, the findings also showed that
individuals who expected to do well with yoga were more likely to have a
meaningful improvement in their function if they received yoga compared to
receiving physical therapy.
Meditation linked to lower cardiovascular risk:
Meditation was linked to lower cardiovascular risk in a data analysis by
Veterans Affairs researchers and colleagues. American Journal of Cardiology.
Cannabis shows potential for mitigating sickle cell disease pain: Cannabis appears to be a safe and
potentially effective treatment for the chronic pain that afflicts people with
sickle cell disease, according to a new clinical trial. JAMA Network Open.
• Approved
Inqovi (decitabine and cedazuridine) tablets, an oral outpatient treatment
option for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myelomonocytic
leukemia
• Approved a
new type of antiretroviral medication, Rukobia (fostemsavir), for people with
HIV who have not had success with other therapies
• Approved
Phesgo to be given to a patient at home by a health care professional after
completing chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment
Stretching
your legs may help prevent diseases such as heart diseases and diabetes: New research in the Journal of
Physiology shows that 12 weeks of easy-to-administer passive stretching
helps improve blood flow by making it easier for your arteries to dilate and
decreasing their stiffness. Passive stretching differs from active stretching
in that the former involves an external force (another person or gravity)
stretching you, whereas active stretching is performed on your own.
Mortality risk down with meeting recommended exercise levels: The risk of all-cause and
cause-specific mortality is reduced for adults who engage in leisure time
aerobic and muscle strengthening activities at levels recommended by the 2018
physical activity guidelines, according to a study published online July 1 in The
BMJ.
Study links increased exercise with lower sleep apnea risk: A study published online as an accepted
paper in the Journal of
Clinical Sleep Medicine found that increased physical activity is
associated with a lower risk of obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep-related
breathing disorder. The study is the largest to date focused on the
relationship between sleep apnea and levels of physical activity in the general
community.
A Small
Amount of Fruits, Whole Grains Every Day Can Slash Type 2 Diabetes Risk:
Two studies show that a
modest increase in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce the risk of
developing type 2 diabetes. One studyTrusted Source, dealing with whole grains intake, was
conducted by researchers in the United States. The other studyTrusted Source, which analyzed fruits and vegetables,
was authored by a team of European researchers. That increase can be as simple
as consuming one or more servings a day of whole grain breakfast cereal or
slightly increasing fruit and vegetable intake. The whole grains study found
that those who consumed two or more servings of oatmeal per week had a 21
percent lower risk than those who had less than one serving per week.
Raw milk may
harbor antibiotic-resistant germs:
Analysis of raw milk samples bought in the United States found small numbers of
beneficial bacteria alongside potentially dangerous antibiotic-resistant
bacteria, which increased in number when left at room temperature. The
findings, published in the journal Microbiome, suggest that raw milk could lead to
the spread of antibiotic resistance, particularly if the product is not
appropriately chilled.
Not All Food
Sources of Fructose-Containing Sugars Raise Risk for MetS: The adverse association of
sugar-sweetened beverages and incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) does not
extend to other major food sources of fructose-containing sugars, and yogurt,
fruit, 100 percent fruit juice, and mixed fruit juice all have a protective
association with MetS, according to a review published online July 9 in JAMA
Network Open.
Plant Protein Intake Linked to Drop in Overall, CVD Mortality: Higher plant protein intake is associated with reductions in the risks for overall and cardiovascular disease mortality in men and women, according to a study published online July 13 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Soy and wheat proteins helpful for building aging muscles, but not as potent as animal protein: On a gram for
gram basis, animal proteins are more effective than plant proteins in
supporting the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass with advancing age, shows
research presented this week at The Physiological Society's virtual early
career conference Future Physiology 2020.
Probiotics
may reduce symptoms of depression:
A new review has found that probiotics, or a combination of prebiotics and
probiotics, may help reduce the symptoms of depression. However, the review
found that prebiotics and probiotics did not have a statistically significant
effect on anxiety. Also, prebiotics on their own did not significantly reduce
anxiety or depression symptoms.
BMJ Nutrition,
Prevention & Health
Supplements
with potential to prevent Alzheimer's affect blood, but less so the brain: In the first Alzheimer's prevention
study to compare levels of omega-3s in the blood with those in the central
nervous system, findings suggest that higher doses of omega-3 supplements may
be needed in order to make a difference, because dramatic increases in blood
levels of omega-3s are accompanied by far smaller increases within the brain.
Among participants who carry a specific mutation that heightens risk for
Alzheimer's, taking the supplements raised levels of a key fatty acid far less
compared to those without the mutation. EBioMedicine
Experts
strongly recommend varenicline over the patch for adult smokers hoping to quit: Smoking cessation initiatives
notwithstanding, along with provocative public health campaigns and clinical
guidance, quitting tobacco has remained elusive for many smokers. The American
Thoracic Society's new clinical practice guideline on treatment for tobacco
dependence in adults addresses how clinicians may deal with patients'
reluctance to quit, one of a number of issues not previously assessed in the
older guidelines. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care
Medicine.
Flu Vaccine Cuts Cardiovascular Mortality in Adults With Diabetes: Vaccination was significantly
associated with reduced risks for all-cause death, cardiovascular death and
death from AMI or stroke. Vaccination was also associated with a reduced risk
for being admitted to the hospital with acute complications associated with
diabetes, like diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, or coma. Diabetes Care
Medical
management alone better for brain AV malformations: Among patients with unruptured brain
arteriovenous malformation, medical management alone is superior to its
combination with interventional therapy for prevention of death or symptomatic
stroke in the long term, according to a study published in the July 1 issue of The
Lancet Neurology.
Risk for
Heart Failure Increased for Women Taking β-Blockers: Women taking β-blockers for
hypertension have an increased risk for developing heart failure when they
present to the hospital with acute coronary syndrome, according to a study
published online July 10 in Hypertension.
Baloxavir prevents spread of flu to household members: The antiviral drug baloxavir (Xofluza) prevented influenza in household contacts of infected patients, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine
Ticagrelor-aspirin
beneficial for mild-to-moderate stroke, TIA: Ticagrelor-aspirin is associated with a reduced risk for
the composite of stroke or death within 30 days of mild-to-moderate acute
noncardioembolic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), according
to a study published in the July 16 issue of the New England Journal of
Medicine.
Roflumilast
Cream Promising for Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: Roflumilast cream is superior to placebo vehicle cream for
reducing psoriasis severity, according to a study published in the July 16
issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
High-fatdiet with antibiotic use linked to gut inflammation: Combining Western diet and antibiotic
use is a pre- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) risk factor. Cell Host & Microbe
World-first
technology breathes new life into cystic fibrosis detection and treatment:
World-first research, led by Monash University, has developed radical
non-invasive X-ray technology aimed at helping diagnose, treat and manage
people with cystic fibrosis. The technology can pinpoint localised areas of
deficiency in a lung, offering potential for faster and more accurate
diagnoses. Researchers can track the movement of air through the lungs,
improving their capacity to assess lung function in both healthy and diseased
lungs. Scientific Reports
New
guideline: Don't routinely screen for EAC in patients with chronic GERD: A new guideline from the Canadian Task
Force on Preventive Health Care, based on a rigorous systematic review of the
latest evidence, found no benefit of routine screening for esophageal
adenocarcinoma (EAC) and precursor conditions (Barrett esophagus and dysplasia)
in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The guideline,
published in CMAJ (Canadian
Medical Association Journal), recommends physicians in Canada
continue current practice to not screen routinely
Medication Use Linked to Weight Gain in Postmenopausal Women: For postmenopausal women,
antidepressants, beta-blockers, and insulin are associated with weight gain
over three years, according to a study published online July 15 in Menopause.
OTHER
Surgery in older adults does not up risk for Alzheimer disease: Older adults who have surgery with
general anesthesia may experience a modest cortical thinning in the brain, but
it does not appear to be tied to Alzheimer disease, according to a study
recently published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia.
Electronic Health Records Fail to Detect Many Medication Errors: Though broadly used in U.S. hospitals,
EHRs fail to detect up to one-third of medication errors JAMA Network Open
Many OlderAmericans Face Ageism Every Day, Survey Finds: A new poll finds that most older adults
encounter at least one form of this "everyday ageism" in their
day-to-day lives and that more frequent encounters may affect their health and
well-being.
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