Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Geriatrics for January 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Premature Natural Menopause May Up Risk for Multimorbidity
FRIDAY, Jan. 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Premature menopause is associated with development of multimorbidity, according to a study published online Jan. 20 in Human Reproduction.
Rate of Recovery, LOS Tied to Outcomes After Hip Fracture Surgery
FRIDAY, Jan. 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation services following hip fracture surgery, the rate of recovery and length of stay (LOS) are associated with mobility and self-care after discharge, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in JAMA Network Open.
2017 to 2018 Saw Increase in Life Expectancy in the United States
THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2017 to 2018, there was an increase in life expectancy in the United States and a decrease in age-adjusted death rates, according to a January data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
U.S. Spends More on Health Care, but Has Worse Life Expectancy
THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The United States spends substantially more than any other wealthy nation on health care, yet it has a lower life expectancy and a higher suicide rate than other wealthy nations, according to a January data brief released by the Commonwealth Fund.
Social Support Linked to Mortality in Older Women With CRC
THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For postmenopausal women with colorectal cancer (CRC), low social support is associated with elevated overall and CRC-specific mortality, according to a study published online Jan. 23 in Cancer.
Dietary Flavonols May Reduce Risk for Alzheimer Dementia
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Higher dietary intake of flavonols seems to be associated with a reduced risk for incident Alzheimer dementia, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in Neurology.
Suvorexant May Improve Insomnia With Alzheimer Disease
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Suvorexant improves total sleep time (TST) in patients with probable Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia and insomnia, according to a study published online Jan. 15 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Gender Gap Persists in Starting Salary for Physicians
TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The gender gap in starting salary for physicians persists, although it is unclear which factors account for this gap, according to a report published online Jan. 22 in Health Affairs.
Racial Disparities Noted in Quality of Care for Dementia
TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Black and Asian patients with dementia seem not to be receiving the same quality of care as white patients, according to a study published online Jan. 20 in Clinical Epidemiology.
Model Shows Transitional Care Cost-Effective in Heart Failure
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Transitional care services are cost-effective for the postdischarge management of older patients with heart failure, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Wealthy Pay Most to Finance U.S. Health Care
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Health care payments in the United States are more regressive than previously thought, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in Health Services Research.
Many Family Caregivers Never Speak to Health Care Workers
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many family or unpaid caregivers report never speaking with older adults’ health care workers, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in JAMA Network Open.
Many U.S. Adults Misinformed About the Flu, Vaccination
FRIDAY, Jan. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many U.S. adults are misinformed about the influenza virus and the importance of flu vaccination, according to the results of a survey released by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
Health Care Utilization Up for Seniors With Untreated Apnea
FRIDAY, Jan. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Older adult Medicare beneficiaries with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have increased health care utilization (HCU) and costs, according to a study published online Jan. 15 in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Major Insurers Offer $55 Million to Lower Generic Drug Costs
THURSDAY, Jan. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A nonprofit that develops and sells cheaper drugs will receive a $55 million investment from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and associated organizations to create cheaper versions of expensive generic drugs.
The New York Times Article
Fewer Than Half of Clinical Trials Comply With Reporting Laws
THURSDAY, Jan. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 is low, with only 40.9 percent of trials reporting results within one year, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in The Lancet.
High-Fat Milk Consumption Tied to Faster Biological Aging
THURSDAY, Jan. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — People who drink low-fat milk experience less biological aging than those who drink high-fat milk, according to a study recently published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.
Fast-Track Review of ACA Lawsuit Rejected by U.S. Supreme Court
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A fast-track review of a lawsuit that threatens the Affordable Care Act was rejected Tuesday by the U.S. Supreme Court.
AP News Article
ACP: Medicare for All Needed to Fix ‘Ill’ U.S. Health Care System
TUESDAY, Jan. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Physicians (ACP) says the U.S. health care system “is ill and needs a bold new prescription” that includes coverage for all Americans and lower costs.
AP News Article
American College of Physicians
Primary Care Screening for Dementia Not Harmful
TUESDAY, Jan. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — No harms come from screening for Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRDs) in primary care, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Troponin Testing May Be Overused in Geriatric Patients
TUESDAY, Jan. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Routine troponin testing for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may not be warranted in elderly patients with nonspecific complaints (NSCs) presenting to the emergency department, according to a study published in the January issue of Academic Emergency Medicine.
Food Insecurity May Increase Risk for Premature Death
TUESDAY, Jan. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Adults with food insecurity are more likely to die prematurely than food-secure people, according to a study published online Jan. 20 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Single-Payer System Would Likely Save Money
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is near consensus across 30 years of economic analysis of single-payer plans that a single-payer system would reduce health expenditures in the United States, according to a review published online Jan. 15 in PLOS Medicine.
History of Falls Predicts Future Fractures in Postmenopausal Women
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A history of falls, especially injurious falls, predicts subsequent fractures in postmenopausal women, according to a study recently published in Osteoporosis International.
ACA Tied to Narrowing of Disparities in Access to Care
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The Affordable Care Act has reduced disparities in access to health care among black, Hispanic, and white adults, according to a January data brief released by the Commonwealth Fund.
Ageism Predicts Significantly Worse Health Outcomes
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Ageism predicts significantly worse health outcomes, according to a review published online Jan. 15 in PLOS ONE.
Evolution of Approval, Regulation Processes for Drugs Explored
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. approval and regulation processes for pharmaceutical agents have evolved during the last four decades, according to a study published in the Jan. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Doctor Replacement Ratios Higher in Largest, Hospital-Owned Practices
TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2009 to 2016, more physicians entering the Medicare program worked at large group or hospital-owned practices than small group or independent practices, according to a research letter published online Jan. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Most Eligible Knees Not Being Replaced in Timely Manner
TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many patients who are eligible for total knee replacement do not have the procedure within two years, according to research published online Jan. 13 in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Physicians Spend >16 Minutes Per Encounter on EHR Use
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Physicians spend a considerable amount of time using electronic health records (EHRs) to support care delivery, with wide variation seen in the distribution of time within specialty, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Behavioral Therapy First Step for Overactive Bladder in Men
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Among men with overactive bladder, combined behavioral and drug therapy is superior to drug therapy alone, but not behavioral therapy alone, for symptomatic improvement, according to a study published online Jan. 13 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Incidental Lymphopenia Linked to Increased Risk for Mortality
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Incidental lymphopenia is associated with an increased risk for all-cause and cause-specific mortality, according to a study published in the Jan. 13 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Intensive Systolic BP Control May Not Benefit All Older Adults
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — 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.
Burnout in Med Students Tied to Perceived Stress, Phone Behavior
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Higher levels of perceived stress, poorer sleep quality, and smartphone addiction contribute to burnout in osteopathic medical students, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
California May Start Producing Its Own Medicines
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A proposal for California to contract generic drug companies to make medications would make the state the first in the country to produce its own medications.
AP News Article
Many With History of Anxiety Report Complete Mental Health
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For persons with a previous diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), factors associated with being in complete mental health (CMH) include female gender, older age, being married, and reporting good to excellent physical health, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Recruitment Satisfactory for Foreign-Educated Health Providers
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Foreign-educated health professionals (FEHPs) in the United States are overall satisfied with their recruitment experience, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Nursing.
Neighborhood Disadvantage Impacts Hospital Quality Ratings
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Hospitals caring for neighborhoods with high levels of disadvantage may have lower hospital ratings due to social risk factors (SRFs) in the community, according to a study published online Dec. 30 in Medical Care.
CDC Warns of Tough Flu Season Ahead
THURSDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Flu cases and flu-related hospitalizations have risen sharply since October, with at least 6.4 million reported cases and 55,000 hospitalizations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 2,900 Americans have died from the flu, the CDC reported late last week.
Life Expectancy Free of Chronic Disease Up With Healthy Lifestyle
THURSDAY, Jan. 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Adherence to a healthy lifestyle at midlife is associated with increased life expectancy free of major chronic diseases, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in The BMJ.
Antipsychotic Initiation Ups Risk for Head Injury, TBI in Alzheimer Disease
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) initiating antipsychotics have an increased risk for head injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to a study published online Jan. 7 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Large Gap Found in Health Administrative Spending for U.S., Canada
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is a large and widening gap in health administrative spending between the United States and Canada, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Training for, Running First Marathon May Reduce Aortic Age
TUESDAY, Jan. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Training for and completing a first marathon is associated with reduced central blood pressure and aortic stiffness, according to a study published in the Jan. 7 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Price Hikes for Hundreds of Medications
MONDAY, Jan. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — U.S. drug companies have started the new year by raising the prices of hundreds of medications.
CBS News Article
Poll: Older Adults Frequently Use Online Physician Ratings
MONDAY, Jan. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Older adults commonly use online ratings to choose a doctor, according to a report published online Jan. 6 based on the results of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.
National Poll on Healthy Aging
Frailty Index Score Helps to Predict Outcomes in Elderly
MONDAY, Jan. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A frailty index score based on the results of routine admission laboratory investigations (FI-Laboratory) may predict the risk for adverse outcomes among older patients, according to a study published in the Jan. 6 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Severe Hypoglycemia in Seniors With T1DM May Worsen Cognition
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Both recent severe hypoglycemia (SH) and lifetime SH are associated with worse cognition among older adults with type 1 diabetes, according to a study published online Dec. 27 in Diabetes Care.
Individualized PT Can Reduce Incontinence After Prostatectomy
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — 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.
Patient Experiences Modestly Worse After Hospital Acquisition
THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Modestly worse patient experiences are seen following hospital acquisition by another hospital, according to a study published in the Jan. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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