Journal
Watch: March 2020
COVID-19
Covid-19
Prevention
Can You Catch Omicron Twice? What We Know Now: A
recent study suggests we can experience reinfections with BA.2,
but the risk is slight, and BA.2 likely won’t lead to another pandemic surge.
'Immune distraction' from previous colds leads to worse
COVID infections: At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, we were hopeful
that pre-existing immunity to the common cold could protect you from COVID, but
new evidence suggests that sometimes the opposite can happen. A new University
of Rochester Medical Center study shows that prior infection and immunity to
one of the common cold coronaviruses may have put people at risk of more severe
COVID illness and death. Journal
of Infectious Diseases
Mask Mandate for Planes, Public Transportation Extended
to April 18: This will require travelers to continue wearing face masks
while on airplanes, trains, and other types of public transportation as well as
while in transit hubs. Airline and some government officials think this may be
the last nationwide extension of the public transit mask requirements.
Omicron Infections Are Contagious for at Least 6 Days:
Patients infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 remain contagious for
just as long as patients infected with earlier variants, according to a small
study.Reuters
COVID-19:
Vaccines/Boosters
COVID-19 Vaccines Offer Strong Protection Against
Reinfection: COVID-19 vaccination offers durable protection against
reinfection, according to two studies published Wednesday in the New
England Journal of Medicine. In one study,
getting at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine after recovering from COVID-19
was associated with a significantly lower risk of reinfection. Vaccine
effectiveness was 82% for ages 16-64 and 60% for ages 65 and older. In the other study,
researchers at the U.K. Health Security Agency evaluated the effectiveness and
duration of COVID-19 vaccination among health care workers in the United
Kingdom, including some who previously had an infection.
How Effective Are COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids 5–11?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine still offers strong protection against severe
disease and hospitalization among younger school aged children. But studies
also show that the vaccines are not as effective at stopping children from
developing COVID-19 from the Omicron variant. A third shot may help add more protection
against infection.
2 New COVID-19 Vaccines Nearing Approval: How They’re
Different: Novavax has asked federal regulators for emergency use
authorization for its new COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, Sanofi and
GlaxoSmithKline are requesting full approval for their COVID-19 vaccine. Both
vaccines use older technology than the mRNA vaccines currently in use. Experts
say the new vaccines could help convince hesitant people to get vaccinated. They
also note the new vaccines could help worldwide since they don’t need to be
stored at extremely low temperatures. Healthline
CDC Says Most People Can Now Wait 8 Weeks Between First
and Second COVID-19 Shots: Growing
evidence suggests spacing out COVID-19 doses further could boost the shot’s
efficacy against infection and hospitalization. It may also reduce the risk of
the rare side effect, myocarditis. The CDC updated guidanceTrusted Source to recommend that people
over age 12 and especially males between the ages of 12 to 39 wait 8 weeks
between their first and second COVID-19 doses.
Moderna seeks US approval of second COVID booster: Moderna
announced it had asked the United States drug regulator for emergency
authorization for a second booster shot of the company's COVID-19 vaccine for
all adults. It would "allow for a fourth dose of our #COVID19 vaccine in adults 18 years
of age and older who have received an initial booster" of any approved
COVID jab. The request comes days after Pfizer-BioNTech, makers of the other
COVID mRNA vaccine, also requested emergency approval for a second booster
shot, but their request was limited to adults aged 65 and older.
COVID-19:
Treatment
Baricitinib Significantly Reduces Death in Severe
COVID-19: Baricitinib (Olumiant, Eli Lilly), an oral immunomodulatory agent
usually used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), reduces mortality in
hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19, according to latest results from
the landmark RECOVERY trial. The results are published
as a preprint.
Elective Surgery Should Be Delayed 7 Weeks After COVID-19
Infection for Unvaccinated Patients, Statement Recommends: Elective
surgical procedures should be delayed at least 7 weeks after COVID-19 infection
in unvaccinated patients, according to new joint statement issued by the
American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Anesthesia
Patient Safety Foundation (APSF).
COVID-19:
Long-Covid
Almost a Third of People Report Lingering Symptom 6-12
Months After COVID-19: Almost a third of people report at least one ongoing
symptom between 6 and 12 months after their coronavirus infection, a survey of
152,000 people in Denmark has found. Just over half (53.1%) of those with
positive tests said they had experienced either mental or physical exhaustion,
sleep problems or cognitive problems within the 6 to 12 months after infection.
That compared to 11.5% in the control group. New diagnoses of anxiety and
depression were also more common among those with a history of SARS-CoV-2
infection. The study
was published as a preprint on the medRxiv website
COVID-Related Diabetes May Be Temporary: Patients
with severe COVID-19 who develop diabetes while hospitalized may have only a
temporary form of the disease and their blood sugar levels may return to normal
afterward, according to new findings. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications
Brain changes may fuel 'long COVID' anxiety, confusion:
Coronavirus infection may cause a greater loss of gray matter and structural
changes in certain parts of the brain than what occurs naturally due to aging
and other factors, a large new
studyTrusted
Source found. Brain inflammation—was associated with symptoms
of anxiety in people with long COVID. Neurology, Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
COVID-19 and Cognitive Issues: What We Know About the
Risk for Older Adults: New researchTrusted Source from China finds seniors
who survived COVID-19 demonstrated significant cognitive decline 1 year after
infection — and those with more severe symptoms experienced greater declines.
Exercise may treat long COVID-induced diabetes,
depression: While no medically recognized treatment exists for Long COVID,
exercise may break the vicious cycle of inflammation that can lead to
developing diabetes and depression months after a person recovers from the
virus. “Exercise as a
Moderator of Persistent Neuroendocrine Symptoms of COVID-19,” published in
the journal Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews.
Licensing deals struck for cheaper Pfizer COVID pill:
The global Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) signed agreements with three dozen
manufacturers to produce the oral COVID-19 treatment nirmatrelvir for supply in
95 low- and middle income countries.
Severe COVID Associated With Long-Term Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety:
People who have been bedridden for seven days or more with COVID-19 are at
increased risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, a new study
of data from several countries shows. However, those with a mild infection
appear to be at lower risk of the mental-health problems compared with people
not diagnosed with the virus, researchers report in The Lancet Public Health.
COVID-19:
Other
Pandemic Takes Its Toll; 23% of HCWs Likely to Leave Industry:
American health care workers have remained resilient during the pandemic but
are feeling the ongoing strain, with 23% saying they are likely to leave the
field in the near future, according to a new
poll. About half of the respondents to the poll from USA Today/Ipsos
reported feeling "burned out," 43% said they were
"anxious," and 21% said they were "angry" about politics
and abuse from patients and families.
Studies Indicate COVID Pandemic Began in Wuhan Market
Two preprint studies released on Saturday offer additional evidence that the
coronavirus pandemic started at a market in Wuhan, China. By analyzing data
from several sources, scientists concluded that the virus came from animals and
spread to humans in late 2019 at the Huanan Seafood Market. They added that no
evidence supported a theory that the virus came from a laboratory in Wuhan.
Medscape
Global COVID-19 Death Toll Surpasses 6 Million: The
official global COVID-19 death toll passed 6 million on March 7, marking
another grim milestone as the pandemic enters its third year. The U.S. has
reported the highest number of deaths by far, with more than 958,000 total
deaths, according to the latest
data from Johns Hopkins University. Brazil has recorded more than 650,000
deaths, followed by India with 515,000 and Russia with almost 350,000.
COVID-19 Will Likely Become a Seasonal Disease: The Centers for Disease and Control and
Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said she
expects COVID-19 to become a seasonal illness that ebbs and flows with the
weather. Epidemiologists say stricter measures — like lockdowns and capacity
limitations at certain venues — are unlikely to return. But masking and
physical distancing may continue to be recommended during future surges. there
does appear to be some degree of seasonality to COVID-19 already. As observed
over the past two years, COVID-19 cases have increased during the winter months.
What to Know About Biden’s ‘Test to Treat’ Plan for COVID-19
President Biden announced a plan for the next phase of pandemic response at his State
of the Union Address in March, which focuses on several goals including a ‘test
to treat’ program that makes it easier for people with COVID-19 to get
treatment. The program will be established at locations that include
pharmacy-based clinics, community health centers, long-term care facilities,
and Department of Veterans Affairs facilities across the country. “One-stop”
sites will open soon that allow anyone who’s tested positive for COVID-19 to be
treated with FDA-approvedTrusted Source antiviral pills almost
immediately and at no cost. These sites may be up and running “by March,”
according to the White House.
COVID Surge in Western Europe Puts US Health Experts on Alert: A new
surge in COVID-19 cases across Western Europe has led U.S. health officials to
consider whether another pandemic wave will arrive soon, even as states and
cities continue to lift restrictions amid low case numbers. Infectious disease
experts are watching BA.2, the Omicron subvariant that appears to be more
transmissible than the original strain. BA.2 is fueling outbreaks across Europe
and is growing in dominance across the U.S. Medscape
PAIN
How Nostalgia Can Sometimes Help Ease Pain:
Researchers in China say nostalgic thoughts can help ease some types of
physical pain. However, some experts questioned this new study and say more
research is needed. They do acknowledge that there appears to be some
connection between memories and pain, but it’s uncertain exactly what it might
be. They add that mindfulness and imagery can be used in some instances to
treat chronic pain. study from Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Younger age at first menstrual period linked to chronic pain
in women: Strong associations exist between age at menarche (before 13) and
chronic pain outcomes in adult women. PAIN®,
Sleep apnea may lead to increased joint pain in
postmenopausal women: The menopause transition is associated with several
health issues. The incidence of both sleep apnea and joint pain, for example,
are higher in postmenopausal women. A new study aimed to investigate the
association between various physical and psychological symptoms common during
the menopause transition with sleep apnea. Menopause
Mindfulness therapy reduces opioid misuse and chronic
pain in primary care, according to new research: Results from a new
clinical trial demonstrate that an eight-week mindfulness-based
therapy—Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE)—decreased opioid use
and misuse while reducing chronic pain symptoms, with effects lasting as long
as nine months. This is the first large-scale clinical trial to demonstrate
that a psychological intervention can simultaneously reduce opioid misuse and
chronic pain among people who were prescribed opioid pain relievers. The
study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, followed 250 adults
with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy who met the criteria of misusing
opioids.
Is migraine tied to complications in pregnancy? Women
with migraine may have a higher risk of pregnancy complications like preterm
delivery, gestational high blood pressure and preeclampsia, according to a
preliminary study that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 74th Annual Meeting
Anti–CGRPs Effective for Medication Overuse Headache,
Regardless of Detox Strategy: “[C]urrently, the abrupt discontinuation of
the overused painkiller(s), accompanied by the start of a pharmacological
preventive therapy, is the most recommended strategy [for medication overuse
headache],” the investigators wrote in Cephalalgia. “While painkiller(s) withdrawal could be
accomplished on an outpatient basis in most cases, an in-hospital setting may
be required to achieve successful discontinuation in a subgroup of patients
with medication overuse headache, further weighing on individual and hospital
costs. Additionally hampering this approach, the abrupt discontinuation of the
overused painkiller(s) invariably results in disabling withdrawal symptoms for
up to 2 weeks, including a transitory worsening of headache, the so-called ‘rebound
headache.’” Three months after starting anti-CGRP therapy, 59% of patients had
resolution of medication overuse headache, including 57% in the inpatient detox
group and 64% in the outpatient group.
Nutritional Approaches for Musculoskeletal Pain and Inflammation:What the Science Says: Many nutritional approaches such as dietary
supplements have purported anti-inflammatory properties, and some have a long
history of use for treating inflammation and the pain that is associated with
musculoskeletal inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, and tendinitis. Although there is some limited evidence that a few
natural products may provide modest benefits, in general, there is insufficient
evidence to support the use of many of these approaches for inflammatory
conditions. This issue of the digest provides a current summary of the evidence
of several natural products marketed for improving these conditions. NCCIH
Clinical Digest
15 medical societies develop best practices to manage
acute pain in complex surgical patients: The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
and 14 leading medical specialty organizations established seven guiding
principles to better address the perioperative treatment of acute pain in
complex surgical patients. The principles were established during a
second-of-its-kind landmark pain summit hosted by ASA. The participating
organizations reached consensus on seven foundational principles for the
perioperative treatment of acute pain, published
in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.
COMPLEMENTARY
& ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
From Pillows to Music: How Sensory Therapies May Help
Ease Anxiety: Sensory therapy techniques may be beneficial for people
experiencing feelings of anxiety. That’s the conclusion of two new studies that
explore the benefits of therapies that use the senses to help manage feelings
of anxiety. One study involved music, and the other involved a huggable pillow
that simulates breathing. “In the realm of psychology, sensory therapy involves
the use of visual and kinesthetic components to treat mental health issues such
as stress, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.” Healthline
Effect of medical marijuana card ownership on pain, insomnia, anxiety,
depression: This randomized clinical trial that involved 186 participants
found that compared to waiting 12 weeks, immediate acquisition of a medical
marijuana card led to a higher incidence and severity of cannabis use disorder
and no significant improvement in symptoms of pain, anxiety or depression but
improvements in sleep. Jamanetwork
FDA ACTION
• Approves First generic version of Restasis for Dry Eye
• Approves New CAR T cancer therapy for form of
multiple myeloma
• Approves One Male Condom, the first such product
designed specifically for anal intercourse
• Approves the first generic of Symbicort (budesonide
and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol
• Approves Jardiance (empagliflozin) to reduce the risk
of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults
PREVENTION:
Exercise
How Resistance Training Can Help You Sleep Better:
Researchers say resistance training such as using free weights and stretching
cables may be better for getting quality sleep than aerobic exercise. Experts
say resistance training results in post-workout fatigue and muscle recovery
that can promote better sleep. They add that aerobic exercise can also improve
sleep. A combination of the two types of exercise may be the best course for
some people. new studyTrusted Source presented at Epidemiology
and Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2022Trusted Source
Less Than an Hour of Strength Training a Week Can Lower
Your Risk of Death: Doing just 30 to 60 minutes of strength training during
the week can help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of death, according to
a new study. Strength training includes
activities like squats, pushups, and weight training. Exercise in all forms can help with overall
health including cardiovascular health. New research published in the British Journal of Sports
Medicine finds that even 30 minutes of strength training reduce the risk of
many health issues.
Why You May Want to Give Running ‘Naked’ a Try (No, Not
That Kind of Naked): Exercising without a smartphone or other
fitness-tracking device may help you better focus on the physical activity
itself and get more out of it. Experts
say running “naked” can help you become more attuned to how your own body
responds to exercise in the moment. It can also help avoid overexertion and
injuries that may occur when people push too hard to hit a specific number on
their device rather than listening to signals from their body during a workout.
Additionally, running “naked” can help
declutter your mind from noise and numbers, creating a sense of calm while
simplifying your relationship to your chosen physical activity. Healthline
Work, sex, swimming and fit bands: All safe for dialysis
patients: New international guidelines have been released on the eve of
Kidney Health Week showing how important it is for dialysis patients to
incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. The best practice
guidelines developed by global clinicians, patients and researchers,
outline activities that are safe for people receiving peritoneal dialysis to maintain
and improve their quality of life.
PREVENTION:
Diet/Nutrition
How a Glass of Wine With Dinner May Help Lower Your Risk
of Type 2 Diabetes: Drinking wine with dinner may help prevent type 2
diabetes, according to preliminary researchTrusted Source presented at the
American Heart Association’s Epidemiology
and Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2022Trusted Source.
Even Moderate Drinking Can Shrink Brain Over Time: The researchers’ reportTrusted Source,
based on an analysis of data about drinking and brain health among more than
36,000 people, likened the changes in brain volume among drinkers to
aging. For example, a 50-year-old who on
average drinks a pint of beer or a glass of wine once a day effectively ages
their brain by two years, according to findings published in the journal Nature
Communications. And those who consume an average of 4 drinks daily had brains
that were 10 years “older” than those who did not drink.
Keto Diet May Help Ease Fatigue and Depression for People
with Multiple Sclerosis: The ketogenic, or keto diet, is one that focuses
on meats, fats, and non-starchy vegetables. Researchers say the low carb diet
may help ease depression and fatigue for people with multiple sclerosis. Other
experts say the diet can possibly help with symptoms of an inflammatory disease
such as multiple sclerosis, but they say more research is needed. They also
note the keto diet is difficult to maintain long-term. new research American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting
Challenges with a novel approach to managing over weight and obesity: Managing overweight and obesity is challenging, and a new
randomized controlled trial found that, contrary to earlier evidence, making
small changes to caloric intake and physical activity levels did not prevent
long-term weight gain better than monitoring alone. The research is published
in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
Which promote greater metabolic health, almonds or
potatoes? Rigorous, randomized trial weighs in No short-term, statistically
significant difference between calorie-matched fries and almonds on key health
metrics. “Our results show two food items identified previously for opposite
associations with health outcomes had no differences in effects on the health
outcomes we measured.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
A new study relates liquid fructose intake to fatty liver
disease: A high-fat diet is not enough to cause short-term fatty liver
disease. However, if this diet is combined with the intake of beverages
sweetened with liquid fructose, the accumulation of fats in the liver
accelerates and hypertriglyceridemia —a cardiovascular risk factor— can appear.
Molecular Nutrition and Food Research
Study finds that Nordic diet lowers cholesterol and blood
sugar, even if you don't lose weight: in a new study, University of
Copenhagen researchers and their Nordic colleagues found clear evidence that a
Nordic diet can lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels even without weight
loss. In particular, they point to the composition of dietary fats as a
possible explanation for the diet's positive effects. Berries, veggies, fish,
whole grains and rapeseed oil: These are the main ingredients of the Nordic
diet concept that for the past decade, has been recognized as extremely
healthy, tasty and sustainable. The diet can prevent obesity and reduce the
risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high
cholesterol. Clinical
Nutrition
Eating Protein From a Variety of Sources May Lower Risk
of High Blood Pressure: According to a new studyTrusted Source, people who get their
protein from a variety of sources (four or more versus two or less) have a 66
percent lower chance of experiencing high blood pressure, also known as
hypertension. The study drew data from the China Health and
Nutrition Survey, which from 1997 to 2015 gathered nutrition information
from 12,200 adults in China. Experts recommend putting seafood and legumes into
your diet in addition to traditional protein sources of beef and chicken.
Dietary Fiber Tied to Lower Dementia Risk: Eating a
high-fiber diet, especially one rich in soluble fiber, is linked to a lower risk
of incident disabling dementia, new research shows. Investigators administered
a dietary survey to 3700 healthy adults at midlife and then followed them for
up to 20 years. They found that participants who consumed the most fiber had
approximately a 25% lower risk of developing dementia in later life. The study
was published
online February 6 in Nutritional Neuroscience.
Research team provides guidelines, recommendations for
intermittent fasting: A University of Illinois Chicago team has summarized
research on intermittent fasting to provide insights into its effects on the
body and to provide advice for incorporating these diets in everyday life. They
have also presented recommendations for future research into these popular diet
methods. “Clinical application of intermittent fasting for weight loss:
progress and future directions,”
PREVENTION:
Vitamins/Supplements
Researchers Say Vitamin D3 Bolsters Immune System Better
Than Vitamin D2: Vitamin D is an essential nutrient but not all forms of the
vitamin are created equal, new research suggests. Researchers say vitamin D3 bolsters
the immune system better than vitamin D2. This goes against previous research
that rated both forms of vitamin D about the same. Experts say you can obtain a
sufficient amount of vitamin D by being out in the sun for up to 30 minutes. Certain
foods, such as milk, cheese, and breakfast cereals, are fortified with vitamin
D.
PREVENTION:
Other
Owning a Pet May Help Keep Your Mind Sharp as You Get
Older: A new study has found that owning a pet may help delay cognitive
decline as we grow older. The greatest effects of pet ownership were seen after
5 years. Study authors say it is too early to recommend pet ownership to
protect cognitive health. However, they do advocate for programs that help
older adults keep their current pets. Other ways to keep your brain healthy
include physical exercise, socialization, and playing games. study to be presented in April at the American Academy of
Neurology’s 74th Annual Meeting.
Sexual Harassment, Assault Increases Odds of High Blood Pressure
in Women: Women who’ve experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment have
a higher risk for high blood pressure. This type of trauma can increase stress
within the body, resulting in a rise in blood pressure. Increased stress can
also be heightened if a woman’s charges of sexual misconduct are not believed.
That’s according to researchTrusted Source
published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Optimism may promote emotional well-being by limiting how
often one experiences stressful situations: When it comes to dealing with
day-to-day stressors, such as household chores or arguments with others, a new
study has found that being more or less optimistic did not make a difference in
how older men emotionally reacted to or recovered from these stressors.
However, optimism appeared to promote emotional well-being by limiting how
often older men experience stressful situations or changing the way they interpret
situations as stressful. The Journal of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological
Sciences and Social Sciences.
These three risk factors may have the biggest impact on
dementia cases: Nearly half of all dementia cases in the U.S. may be linked
to a dozen modifiable risk factors—most notably high blood pressure, obesity
and physical inactivity, according to new research. The findings suggest a
large portion of dementia cases could be prevented, especially among Black and
Hispanic adults, who had the highest percentage of combined risk factors. American
Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic
Health conference
Optimists Tend to Live Longer Than Pessimists: Researchers from
Boston University came to that conclusion after following 233 men over 22
years. They reported that the study participants who had a more optimistic
attitude had higher levels of emotional well-being and experienced stress
differently and less frequently than those who were more pessimistic. The study also showed that the optimistic participants reported
more frequent positive moods and lower negative moods.
If blood pressure rises upon standing, so may risk for
heart attack: Among young and middle-aged adults with high blood pressure,
a substantial rise in blood pressure upon standing may identify those with a
higher risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke,
according to new research published in the American Heart Association’s
peer-reviewed journal Hypertension.
Close the blinds during sleep to protect your health:
Exposure to even moderate ambient lighting during nighttime sleep, compared to
sleeping in a dimly lit room, harms your cardiovascular function during sleep
and increases your insulin resistance the following morning, reports a new
study. Just a single night of exposure to moderate room lighting during sleep
can impair glucose and cardiovascular regulation, which are risk factors for
heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences
Why People With Chronic Conditions Such as Diabetes Are Living Longer
Without Disability: On average, the number of healthy years we live is
growing. This includes people living
with some common chronic health conditions, according to new research published in PLOS Medicine. Researchers reported
that between 1991 and 2011, men gained 4.6 years of life expectancy while women
gained 2.1. When it comes to
disability-free life expectancy, men gained 3.7 years, and women gained 2
years. Data for the research comes from
two large population-based studies involving people ages 65 and older living in
England. The researchers wrote that
further gains could be made through earlier diagnosis and greater access to
beneficial treatments.
Why Ditching Daylight Saving Time Would Be Healthier for
Everyone: While daylight saving time has been going on for decades now,
scientists have begun to realize that any benefits that it provides may be
outweighed by its negative effects on human health and safety. The time changes
associated with daylight saving time typically cause us to lose sleep for about
1 week until we adapt to the change. While we are going through this adjustment
period, however, it can put our health and safety at risk. “In addition, DST
has been linked to an increase in heart-related issues such as the acute
occurrence of heart attacks, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.” Healthline
Researchers identified brain wounds in IDF veterans with
PTSD and relieved their symptoms using hyperbaric oxygen therapy Researchers
from Tel Aviv University and the Shamir Medical Center relieved the PTSD
symptoms of IDF veterans using new protocols of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
(HBOT). The veterans, who suffered from treatment-resistant PTSD, demonstrated
significant improvement in all classes of symptoms following a controlled
clinical trial. Following a protocol of 60 treatments improvement was
demonstrated in all PTSD symptoms, including hyper-arousal, avoidance, and
depression. Moreover, both functional and structural improvement was observed
in the non-healing brain wounds that characterize PTSD. Plos One
Changing the standard of care for stage III melanoma
surgery: For years, surgery for patients with stage III melanoma --
melanoma that has spread to the lymph nodes -- involved removing those lymph
nodes along with the primary tumor. Known as completion lymph node dissection
(CLND), the surgery was meant to ensure that no cancer remained after surgery.
More recently, however, cancer surgeons have discovered that CLND has the
potential to cause more problems than it solves. In most cases, patients do
better on immunotherapy alone than they do when their surgery involves removal
of the lymph nodes, due to potential complications from lymph node surgery. Annals
of Surgical Oncology
New Kawasaki disease guideline for physicians released:
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), in partnership with the Vasculitis
Foundation (VF), released a new guideline for the management of Kawasaki disease
that addresses diagnostic issues relating to Kawasaki disease, the treatment of
high-risk patients, and the management of convalescent patients. Arthritis
& Rheumatology
Antiseptic Drug May Be as Effective as Antibiotics at Preventing
Recurring UTIs: A non-antibiotic treatment, methenamine hippurate, could
benefit women who live with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). In a new
studyTrusted Source,
researchers say the antiseptic treatment acts as prophylaxis without
contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic
resistance. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, looked at
240 women over the age of 18 with recurrent UTIs. The participants randomly
received either methenamine hippurate or a low dose antibiotic.
Link between high cholesterol and heart disease
'inconsistent', new study finds: New research from RCSI University of
Medicine and Health Sciences has revealed that the link between 'bad'
cholesterol (LDL-C) and poor health outcomes, such as heart attack and stroke,
may not be as strong as previously thought. the research questions the efficacy
of statins when prescribed with the aim of lowering LDL-C and therefore
reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous research has
suggested that using statins to lower LDL-C positively affects health outcomes,
and this is reflected in the various iterations of expert guidelines for the
prevention of CVD. Statins are now commonly prescribed by doctors, with one
third of Irish adults over the age of 50 taking statins, according to previous
research. The new findings contradict this theory, finding that this
relationship was not as strong as previously thought. Instead, the research
demonstrates that lowering LDL-C using statins had an inconsistent and
inconclusive impact on CVD outcomes such as myocardial infarction (MI), stoke,
and all-cause mortality. In addition, it indicates that the overall
benefit of taking statins may be small and will vary depending on an
individual's personal risk factors. JAMA
Internal Medicine
A virtual way to rehab from a stroke: Study finds
video game-based therapy helps stroke patients improve their motor skills while
also reducing therapist time, cost of treatment. The researchers found the
game-based therapy led to improved outcomes similar to a highly regarded form
of in-person therapy, known as constraint-induced therapy, while only requiring
one-fifth of the therapist hours. EClinicalMedicine
Sleep apnea accelerates aging, but treatment may reverse
it: Untreated OSA also accelerates the biological aging process and that
appropriate treatment can slow or possibly reverse the trend. “Our results
found that OSA-induced sleep disruptions and lower oxygen levels during sleep
promoted faster biological age acceleration compared to the control group.”
“However, the OSA patients who adhered to CPAP showed a deceleration of the
epigenetic age, while the age acceleration trends did not change for the
control group. Our results suggest that biological age acceleration is at least
partially reversible when effective treatment of OSA is implemented.” “Epigenetic Age Accelration in Obstructive Sleep Apnea is
Reversible with Adherent Treatment,” was recently published in the European
Respiratory Journal.
OTHER
Symptom persistence during first year following traumatic
brain injury: More than 70% of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI)
reported at least one problematic symptom at one year of follow-up that was new
or worse than before injury. Half of patients reported three or more such
symptoms after a year, according to a study published in the Journal of
Neurotrauma
Black adults may be at higher risk of diabetes due togenetic variations and social health determinants: In a recent study
published in Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine, University of
Alabama at Birmingham researchers found that, while many African Americans,
especially those with a higher African ancestry proportion, have a favorable
lipid profile, they are at a higher risk of developing diabetes than those of
white/European ancestry. A favorable lipid profile indicates there are fewer
components of body fat that can lead to cardiovascular and metabolic disease.
Researchers believe this may be driven by genetic factors associated with
geographic ancestry.
Communities with higher levels of racial prejudice have
worse health outcomes: People who live in communities with higher levels of
racial prejudice have worse health outcomes, including more heart disease and
mental health problems and higher overall mortality rates, according to
research published by the American Psychological Association. Health
Psychology
