PAIN
Head gets in the way of recovery – new research: “Previous research has well established that the degree to which a joint degenerates is not directly related to the amount of pain a person with arthritis will experience. In fact, the stronger your muscles are, the more protected your joint is, and the less pain you will experience. “Our research has shown that people with hip osteoarthritis were unable to activate their muscles as efficiently, irrespective of strength.” As part of this research, Dr Murphy and his team studied the brain function of people with hip arthritis, finding that the mind played an enormous part in this equation. “Basically, people with hip arthritis are unable to activate their muscles properly because the brain is actively putting on the brake to stop them from using the muscle. We don’t know why that is, yet. But the brain seems to really be hampering the progress of rehabilitation and the muscles to protect the joint,” Dr Murphy said. Sports Medicine and Health Science
Researchers seek to improve advanced pain management using AI for drug discovery: An estimated one in five Americans live with chronic pain and current treatment options leave much to be desired. Feixiong Cheng, PhD, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Genome Center, and IBM are using artificial intelligence (AI) for drug discovery in advanced pain management. The team’s deep-learning framework identified multiple gut microbiome-derived metabolites and FDA-approved drugs that can be repurposed to select non-addictive, non-opioid options to treat chronic pain. The findings, published in Cell Press, represent one of many ways the organizations' Discovery Accelerator partnership is helping to advance research in healthcare and life sciences.
Reducing daily sitting may prevent back pain: A new study from the University of Turku in Finland showed that reducing daily sitting prevented back pain from worsening over six months. The result strengthens the current understanding of the link between activity and back pain as well as the mechanisms related to back pain. “If you have a tendency for back pain or excessive sitting and are concerned for your back health, you can try to figure out ways for reducing sitting at work or during leisure time. However, it is important to note that physical activity, such as walking or more brisk exercise, is better than simply standing up.” The researchers wish to remind that switching between postures is more important than only looking for the perfect posture. BMJ Open
AI chatbots rival doctors in accuracy for back pain advice, study finds: A new study reveals that artificial intelligence chatbots, such as ChatGPT, may be almost as effective as consulting a doctor for advice on low back pain. Conducted by an international team, the research sheds light on the potential of AI in addressing one of the world's leading causes of disability. The study, Assessing the performance of AI chatbots in answering patients’ common questions about low back pain, was recently published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
New study shows durability of minimally invasive procedure to combat knee pain: A new study shows that a minimally invasive treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) in the knees may have a lasting benefit of at least 2 years.
Published today in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology during Pain Awareness Month, the study of genicular artery embolization (GAE) followed 40 patients with moderate-to-severe symptomatic knee OA after their GAE treatment and measured pain scores throughout the 24-month study period. The patients were not candidates for total knee replacement.
Men and women process pain differently, study finds: According to new research, men and women rely on different biological systems for pain relief, which could help explain why our most powerful pain medications are often less effective in women. While men relieve pain by releasing endogenous opioids, the body's natural painkillers, women rely instead on other, non-opioid based pathways. PNAS Nexus
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINEPsilocybin More Effective In Treating Depression Than SSRIs, Study Finds: A new study, published on September 21 in eClinicalMedicineTrusted Source compares the antidepressant effects of psilocybin with escitalopram, a common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression. The research is a 6-month follow-up to a previous study published in 2021. In that study, researchers found that two doses of psilocybin plus psychological support had a similar antidepressant effect as escitalopram taken daily for 6 weeks. At the 6-month mark, the researchers noted that psilocybin had other psychological benefits compared with escitalopram. Namely, those in the psilocybin group were more likely to: function well at work and in society; feel more psychologically connected ; and find more meaning in life. This research is among the first to directly compare psilocybin on depression symptoms to standard treatment.
Dealing With Hot Flashes? Try Hypnosis: There's an unexpected treatment for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms that's getting more popular: Clinical hypnosis. A new review presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Menopause Society in Chicago last week analyzed 23 studies from 1996 to 2022 and compared how well clinical hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy worked as treatments for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Researchers found that clinical hypnosis is better at helping make hot flashes less frequent and less intense, even reducing symptoms by 60%. Findings on cognitive behavioral therapy, on the other hand, showed only slight hot flash reduction, though it helped reduce daily stress linked with hot flashes.
Cannabis use tied to head and neck cancer: A large, multicenter study published in JAMA Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery revealed that adults with cannabis dependence, known as cannabis use disorder, are 3.5 to 5 times more likely to develop head and neck cancer than those who do not use the substance."This is one of the first studies -- and the largest that we know of to date -- to associate head and neck cancer with cannabis use."
Tai Chi reduces risk of inflammatory disease, treats insomnia among breast cancer survivors: New research confirms that both Tai Chi and cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce insomnia in breast cancer survivors but also may provide additional health benefits by reducing inflammation and bolstering anti-viral defenses. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
FDA ACTION• Approved Cobenfy (Bristol Myers Squibb), a first-in-class antipsychotic approved for schizophrenia.
• Approved Exact Sciences' next-generation multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test, Cologuard Plus, for use in adults 45 or older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer (CRC).
• Approved Vyloy (zolbetuximab-clzb,), a claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2)-directed cytolytic antibody, with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of adults with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumors are CLDN18.2 positive, as determined by an FDA-approved test.
• Approved for marketing Novocure GmbH’s Optune Lua, a portable, battery-powered device that produces alternating electrical fields, called tumor treating fields (TTFields), within a patient’s body to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer along with concurrent drug treatments in adults who have progressed on or after a platinum-based chemotherapy.
• Approved Itovebi (inavolisibwith) palbociclib and fulvestrant for adults with endocrine-resistant, PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth-factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, as detected by an FDA-approved test, following recurrence on or after completing adjuvant endocrine therapy.
• Approved Hympavzi (marstacimab-hncq) for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with hemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors or hemophilia B without factor IX inhibitors (neutralizing antibodies).
• Granted marketing authorization for the Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test. The test, authorized for use without a prescription, is for use by individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms and uses a nasal swab sample to deliver at-home results in approximately 15 minutes for COVID-19 and influenza (flu). The test detects proteins from both SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and influenza A and B (the viruses that causes flu).
• Approved Opdivo (nivolumab) with platinum-doublet chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by single-agent nivolumab after surgery as adjuvant treatment, for adults with resectable (tumors ≥ 4 cm and/or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and no known epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements.
• Approved for marketing Motiva USA, LLC’s SmoothSilk Round and Round Ergonomix Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants, indicated for breast augmentation for patients of at least 22 years of age.
• Approved Tagrisso (osimertinib) for adult patients with locally advanced, unresectable (stage III) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has not progressed during or following concurrent or sequential platinum-based chemoradiation therapy and whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test.
• Approved Aqneursa (levacetylleucine) for the treatment of neurological symptoms associated with Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 15 kilograms.
• Approved satuximab-irfc (Sarclisa) with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).
PREVENTION
Exercise‘Brain endurance training’ promotes healthy aging: According to a new study by researchers at the Universities of Birmingham, UK, and Extremadura, Spain, brain endurance training (BET) can improve attention and executive function (cognition), as well as physical endurance and resistance exercise performance. BET is a combined exercise and cognitive training method that was originally developed to increase endurance among elite athletes. The research has implications for healthy aging. Previous studies have shown that mental fatigue can impair both cognitive and physical performance, including poorer balance control, leading to increased risk of falls and accidents. This study, published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, is the first to examine the benefits of BET for both cognitive and physical performance in older adults.
Maternal exercise during pregnancy may protect the child against asthma: The risk of asthma in the child can be reduced by nearly half if the mother engages in active physical exercise at least three times a week during pregnancy, compared to a child of a mother who is less active, a new study by the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Kuopio University Hospital (KUH) and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) shows. MED
Aerobic physical activity and depression among patients with cancer: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, aerobic physical activity was associated with modest short-term and long-term reductions of depression among adults with cancer. Future studies should discern the effectiveness of aerobic physical activity in combination with other strategies for managing depression across various populations of patients with cancer. JAMA Network Open
‘Weekend warrior’ physical activity may help protect against more than 200 diseases: Researchers from Mass General have found that engaging in recommended weekly amounts of physical activity—either concentrated in one to two days or spread throughout the week—may reduce the risk of a broad range of conditions. The “weekend warrior” pattern of exercise is associated with lower risk of developing 264 future diseases and was just as effective at decreasing risk as more evenly distributed exercise activity. Results are published in Circulation. Associations were strongest for cardiometabolic conditions such as hypertension (23% and 28% lower risks over a median of 6 years with weekend warrior and regular exercise, respectively) and diabetes (43% and 46% lower risks, respectively). However, associations also spanned all disease categories tested.
Diet/NutritionReplacing Some Ultra-Processed Foods in Your Diet May Significantly Lower Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk: The studyTrusted Source, published in The Lancet Regional Health: Europe in collaboration with experts at the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London, investigated the relationship between the degree of food processing and type 2 diabetes risk, including which kinds of UPFs were highest risk. The researchers found that every 10% increase in the amount of ultra-processed foods in a person’s diet is linked with a 17% increase in type 2 diabetes risk, but this risk can be lowered by consuming less processed foods instead. The highest risk UPF groups were savory snacks, animal-based products such as processed meats, ready meals, and sugar-sweetened and artificially-sweetened beverages.
Excessive Alcohol Use Linked with Higher Risk for 6 Types of Cancer: The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) published its 2024 Cancer Progress Report on Sept. 18, highlighting a strong link between alcohol use and six types of cancer (certain types of head and neck; breast; colorectal; esophageal squamous cell; liver and stomach). This comes as the rates for some of these cancers are increasing among younger adults. However, in many cases, people can take steps to greatly reduce their risk of developing certain types of cancer. According to the AACR, 40% of all cancers in the United States are associated with modifiable risk factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet.
How Time-Restricted Eating May Lower Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Risk: A new study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, examined the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE), a form of intermittent fasting (IF) in people with metabolic syndrome. The researchers found that eating within an 8–10-hour window may help improve blood sugar control in people with the condition. Although the study has some limitations, its findings align with previous, similar research.
Too Much Coffee, Soda May Raise Your Risk of Stroke, but Tea May Lower It: New research has linked drinking more than four cups of coffee a day with a 37% higher risk of stroke. Frequent consumption of carbonated beverages was also linked with increased stroke risk by 22% and fruit juice and drinks by 37%. However, consuming three to four cups of tea a day lowered the overall risk of stroke by 27% to 29%, though adding milk may offset these benefits. Journal of StrokeTrusted Source and the International Journal of Stroke.
Replacing Some Ultra-Processed Foods in Your Diet May Significantly Lower Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk: Reducing your intake of ultra-processed food may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that every 10% increase in the amount of ultra-processed foods in a person’s diet is linked with a 17% increase in type 2 diabetes risk. The highest-risk foods include processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, savory snacks, and ready meals. To limit your intake of ultra-processed foods, experts advise cooking more of your meals from scratch. The studyTrusted Source, is in The Lancet Regional Health: Europe
Cutting out sugar and starch is as effective for IBS as current recommendations: Symptoms for patients with the gastrointestinal disease IBS improved as much by eating less sugar and starch as for those who followed FODMAP -- the diet currently recommended to patients. The results also show that weight loss is greater and sugar cravings are reduced among those who follow the starch and sucrose-reduced diet. Nutrients
Pervasiveness of inflammation-inducing foods in American diet: Almost six in 10 Americans have pro-inflammatory diets, increasing the risk of health problems including heart disease and cancer, according to a new study that used a tool designed to examine inflammation in the diet. The study also found that certain populations -- including Black Americans, men and people with lower incomes -- were more likely to eat a diet high in pro-inflammatory foods. Public Health Nutrition
Breakfast Foods Affect Weight Loss, Metabolism Differently for Men vs Women: An October 2024 study published in Computers in Biology and Medicine suggests what males and females eat for breakfast can affect them in very different ways. The researchers found that males do best with carb-rich breakfasts. Females, on the other hand, had a better metabolic response to a breakfast heavy in fat. The researchers suggested that these differences could be used to tailor people’s diets to their needs, helping to support weight loss and improve energy.
Study suggests a healthy diet may help keep low grade prostate cancer from progressing to more dangerous states during active surveillance: In a peer-reviewed study believed to be the first of its kind published, a research team led by Johns Hopkins Medicine provides scientific evidence that a healthy diet may reduce the chance of low risk prostate cancer progressing to a more aggressive state in men undergoing active surveillance — a clinical option in which men with lower risk cancer are carefully monitored for progression in lieu of treatments that could have undesired side effects or complications. The findings are reported today in the journal JAMA Oncology.
Vitamins/SupplementsHigh-Dose Vitamin D Linked to Lower Disease Activity in CIS: High-dose oral cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplementation significantly reduces evidence of disease activity in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), results of a randomized, controlled trial suggest. In addition, cholecalciferol had a favorable safety profile and was well tolerated. "These data support high-dose vitamin D supplementation in early MS and make vitamin D the best candidate for add-on therapy evaluation in the therapeutic strategy for MS.” Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2024.
Vitamin D Supplements May Help Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: According to a large meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, taking vitamin D supplements was linked with better cardiometabolic health. The study, published online on July 26, 2024, in the journal Engineering, found that a daily median dose of 3,320 International Units (IU) was necessary to achieve these benefits. Study participants consuming vitamin D had better blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic), total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin. However, the effect was stronger in non-Westerners, older adults, people with lower baseline vitamin D levels, those with lower body mass index (BMI), and those who took the supplement longer. This was especially true regarding glycemic-related measurements.
OtherFluMist At-Home Nasal Flu Vaccine: How Effective Is It Compared to Regular Shots?: On September 20, 2024, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announcedTrusted Source they had approved an at-home nasal spray influenza (flu) vaccine. The vaccine, FluMist, can be administered by either the recipient or their caregiver. It is sprayed into the nose. FluMist prevents cases of the flu caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B. It can be administered to people between the ages of 2 and 49. “Injectable vaccines consist of inactivated (dead) virus or viral particles, whereas FluMist is a live, attenuated (or weakened) influenza vaccine given by nasal spray,” he said. According to Handel, some studies show that FluMist is more protective against infections and severe illness than injectable vaccines. However, not all studies are consistent. Healthline
Healthy Diet, Lifestyle May Lower Breast Cancer Risk as Cases Rise in Younger Women: While breast cancer deaths have decreased by 44% in the past 30 years, the biennial update from the American Cancer SocietyTrusted Source warns of an uptick in breast cancer diagnoses in females under 50. Moreover, disparities in mortality rates among women of color persist compared to white women. Black women face higher risks of triple-negative breast cancers and have the lowest survival rates for nearly every breast cancer subtype and stage, the report shows. Driving breast cancer rates in all females, aside from any genetic predisposition, are myriad factors, many of which are modifiable byproducts of modern-day living. Aside from a genetic component in some people, breast cancer is highly influenced by diet and lifestyle factors. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, following a healthy, balanced diet, and limiting exposure to environmental toxins are proven ways to reduce breast cancer risk.
The Flu Vaccine Might Be Less Effective This Year: The CDC says the influenza vaccine being used this flu season might be less effective than the one used last flu season, based on reports of how well the vaccine is working in five South American countries. The seasonal flu vaccine cut the risk of hospitalization for high-risk groups by 35% in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, the CDC said. Last flu season, the vaccine had a 51.9% effectiveness in those countries. Vaccine effectiveness "might be similar in the Northern Hemisphere" if similar flu viruses circulate, according to the federal health agency. How well the vaccine works in South America, where the flu season runs from April to September, provides an idea of how well the vaccine will work in North America, where the flu season usually runs from October to April. This year's flu vaccines for the United States, all trivalent (protecting against three viruses), will target the three strains expected to circulate — H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B (Victoria). Health officials say that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccination.
Light at the end of the tunnel for night shift workers: The use of circadian-informed lighting, where artificial lighting is synchronised to the natural biological rhythms or a person’s ‘body-clock’, significantly improves quality of sleep and work performance for night shift workers, a major new trial has found. Circadian-informed lighting improves vigilance, sleep, and subjective sleepiness during simulated night shift work.
TREATMENTDirect Brain A-Dopamine Infusion Promising for Parkinson's Disease: Continuous intracerebroventricular administration of an anaerobic dopamine formulation (A-dopamine) appears safe in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and may avoid complications associated with levodopa, results from a first in-human trial suggest. International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders (MDS) 2024.
Deep brain stimulation instantly improves arm and hand function post-brain injury: Deep brain stimulation may provide immediate improvement in arm and hand strength and function weakened by traumatic brain injury or stroke, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers report today in Nature Communications.
Elinzanetant Shows Significant Improvement in Menopausal Vasomotor and Sleep Symptoms: The nonhormonal investigational drug elinzanetant led to significant improvement in hot flashes as well as sleep disturbance and quality of life, according to data from three randomized controlled trials presented at The Menopause Society 2024 Annual Meeting on September 12 in Chicago. Two phase 3 trials, OASIS 1 and 2, were also published in JAMA, and the longer-term OASIS 3 trial was presented as a poster at the conference.
Can Antiseizure Drugs Increase Cardiovascular Risk?: Enzyme-inducing antiseizure medications (EIASMs) increase the risk for new-onset cardiovascular events among older adults with epilepsy, a new study suggests. In a prospective cohort study of more than 27,000 patients, the odds of a cardiovascular event were on average 2.2 times greater in patients with epilepsy compared with those without epilepsy. Almost one third of the association between epilepsy and cardiovascular events was mediated by the use of EIASMs. The findings were published on September 30 in JAMA Neurology
Real-World Results Show Sustainability, Safety of Faricimab: Early findings from a real-world study of the dual-action antibody faricimab have shown sustained improvement in visual acuity and key biomarkers of retinal anatomy, with no new safety concerns in people with two of the most prevalent retinal diseases- neovascular, or wet, age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME)- who had not had previous treatment for the conditions. European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) 2024
Metformin: An Unexpected Ally Against Long COVID?: Metformin use in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with a slightly lower incidence of long COVID and death within 180 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. published online in Diabetes Care.
Novel procedure combined with semaglutide may eliminate insulin dependency in type 2 diabetes:Groundbreaking research presented today at UEG Week 2024 reveals a promising new treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes (T2D) that could significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for insulin therapy. This innovative approach, which combines a novel procedure known as ReCET (Re-Cellularization via Electroporation Therapy) with semaglutide, resulted in the elimination of insulin therapy for 86% of patients.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptoms Eased by Semaglutide-Aided Weight Loss People with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) who have overweight or obesity may benefit from adjunctive treatment with the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide(Ozempic, Wegovy), suggests research presented at the annual meeting of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV).
Long-lasting immunotherapy response in stage IV lung cancer with brain metastasis: A new case report was published in Oncoscience (Volume 11) on October 8, 2024, entitled, “Complete and long-lasting response to immunotherapy in a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastasis.” As highlighted in the abstract of this report, approximately 20% of lung cancer patients have brain metastases at diagnosis, which is associated with a worse prognosis and negatively impacts quality of life. The emergence of new systemic treatment options, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and targeted therapies, has changed the prognosis for stage IV lung cancer patients. However, the impact of treatment sequencing—both local and systemic—in patients with stage IV lung cancer and brain metastases remains unclear.
Bariatric surgery is more cost effective than newer weight loss drugs alone: Two new studies shed light on the costs associated with newer weight loss drugs and their use before bariatric surgery. Long term, the cost effectiveness of bariatric surgery is greater than that of GLP-1 RA weight loss drugs alone, but a combination of the two treatments is more cost effective than surgery alone. Taking GLP-1 RA weight loss drugs in the year before bariatric surgery is not linked to worse health outcomes within one month after surgery, or significantly different weight loss one year after the operation.
Ozempic shows promise for treating alcohol and drug abuse, study finds: Researchers found that people addicted to alcohol who also had a prescription for Ozempic or similar medications had a 50% lower rate of binging on alcohol, compared to people who were not on the medications. And people with opioid use disorder who were taking the medications had a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose. Addiction
OTHER
Harris vs. Trump: A Side-by-Side Comparison on 7 Key Health Issues: Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have starkly different approaches to solving the nation’s biggest healthcare issues. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of where they stand. Many of Harris’s positions are listed on the issues page of her campaign website, while Trump’s can be found on his 20 Core Promises platform and Agenda 47 campaign sites. To help clarify where each candidate stands on seven key healthcare issues as voters head to the polls, Healthline provides a summary of their positions and analysis by experts on how their different approaches could shape the future of healthcare.
Certain Arm Positions During Blood Pressure Checks May Lead to Inaccurate Results: In a new study published in JAMA Internal MedicineTrusted Source, researchers say three different arm positions produced three different blood pressure readings with a difference of 4 to 7 points on the top and bottom numbers. The researchers found that blood pressure taken while a person’s arm is resting on a hard surface such as a desk or arm chair produced the most accurate readings. If a person’s actual top number on a blood pressure reading is 115, an incorrect arm position could increase that mark to more than 120, pushing them into the categoryTrusted Source of elevated blood pressure. If someone’s actual measurement is 126, a misreading could bump that number above 130 and into the category of stage 1 hypertension.
Novel research suggests quitting smoking may help alleviate opioid crisis: Smoking is recognized as a leading cause of preventable disability and death. New research shows that as smokers increase their daily number of cigarettes, they report higher rates of chronic pain, more prescription opioid use, severe work limitations due to pain, and poor mental health. A novel study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, details the results of an analysis of nationally representative data from the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), revealing a strong link between smoking and opioid use and emphasizing the need for integrated treatment programs.
Study of former NFL players finds 1 in 3 believe they have CTE: Though it is not possible to confirm yet whether a living person has CTE, a team that included Mass General Brigham researchers found that 35% of former NFL players thought they had the diagnosis. Those who thought they had CTE commonly reported cognitive symptoms, as well as low testosterone, depression, pain and other treatable conditions that can cause cognitive problems. Out of a cohort of nearly 2,000 former NFL players, 25% who believed they had CTE reported having frequent suicidal thoughts compared to 5% of players who did not have those beliefs. JAMA Neurology
COVID-19 infection appeared to increase risk of heart attack and stroke up to 3 years later: An analysis of data in the UK Biobank has found that COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and death from any cause for up to three years for people with and without cardiovascular disease, according to new research. The risk of heart attack and stroke was about 65% higher in adults with non-O blood types compared to those who had type O blood. Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB)
Patients Faced Long-Term Fatigue After COVID-19: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was linked to an overall 3% increase in self-reported fatigue and a twofold increase in malaise after minimal exertion up to 18 months after infection. Hospitalized patients experienced a 23% increase in fatigue scores. published online on October 7 in JAMA Network Open.
COVID Greatly Increases Diabetes Risk in Kids and Teens: The new findings were published Monday in the journal JAMA Network Open. Researchers analyzed data from electronic health records for 613,602 people ages 10-19 years old who had COVID or another respiratory infection documented during the years 2020, 2021, or 2022. Only people without a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were included in the analysis. Half of the people in the study had a COVID diagnosis, and the remaining half had a diagnosis of flu, pneumonia, or another acute respiratory infection.The risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes increased from the 1-month post-COVID mark up to the 6-month mark, at which point those diagnosed with COVID were more than 50% as likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, compared to those who had other respiratory illnesses.
Hearing Loss Tied to Cognitive Decline, Even With Hearing Aid Use: Mild or disabling hearing loss in middle-aged and older adults is associated with cognitive impairment, new findings show. However, unlike in previous studies, investigators found no cognitive benefit from wearing hearings aids, except in people with depression. The findings were published online on October 1 in JAMA Network Open.
