Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for December 2017. 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.
Atopic Dermatitis Associated With Higher Risk of Skin Cancer
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), according to a study published online Dec. 15 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Tips Offered for Patient-Provider Opioid Tapering Talks
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Helping patients understand individualized reasons for opioid tapering and encouraging them to provide input into the process are key for patient-provider communications, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Pain.
More Daily Steps Associated With Thicker Brain Sub-Regions
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In older adults with memory complaints but no dementia, higher physical activity (PA) levels are associated with thicker medial temporal lobe (MTL) sub-regions and better cognitive skills, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Guidelines Developed for Optimizing Treatment of HFrEF
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed to help optimize treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), according to an Expert Consensus Decision Pathway published online Dec. 22 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Correlate With Receipt of Cancer Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Across cancers, higher out-of-pocket (OOP) costs are associated with higher rates of oral prescription abandonment and delayed initiation, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Variation Seen in Hospice Use for Malignant Glioma
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There are noticeable differences in hospice utilization among patients with malignant glioma (MG), with older age, female sex, and urban residence predicting longer length of stay, according to a study published recently in Neuro-Oncology.
Three-Quarters Receiving ‘End of Life Option Act’ Drugs Take Them
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About three-quarters of patients in California who receive End of Life Option Act (EOLOA) drugs ingest them and die, according to a research letter published online Dec. 26 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Robot Training Improves Gait Stability in Parkinson’s
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Training with a cable-driven robot is associated with improved response to perturbations and increased gait stability among patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Scientific Reports.
MRI Seems Safe for Patients With Legacy Pacemaker, ICD System
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with a legacy pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator system, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted at a strength of 1.5 Tesla is safe, according to a study published in the Dec. 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Smoking Cessation Drug Tied to Increased Cardiovascular Risk
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Individuals taking varenicline for smoking cessation appear to be at increased risk of cardiovascular but not neuropsychiatric events, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Dermatologists Often Undervalue Depression, Anxiety in Patients
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Dermatologists across Europe tend to underestimate mood disorders in their patients, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Exposure to PM2.5, Ozone at Low Levels Linked to Mortality
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and warm-season ozone at levels below current national air quality standards is associated with increased risk of mortality in the U.S. Medicare population, according to a study published in the Dec. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Calcium, Vitamin D Don’t Seem to Reduce Fracture Risk in Seniors
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For community-dwelling older adults, supplementation with calcium, vitamin D, or both does not reduce the incidence of fractures, according to a review published in the Dec. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Risk of ESRD in T1DM Patients Has Fallen Markedly in Finland
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The cumulative risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among patients with type 1 diabetes has declined over time in Finland, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in Diabetes Care.
Intensive Lifestyle Intervention Linked to Cerebral Blood Flow
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A long-term intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with greater cerebral blood flow (CBF), according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Both Narrowband UVB, Psoralen UVA Helpful for Hand Eczema
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Both psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) improve the severity of chronic palmar hand eczema, according to a pilot study published online Dec. 13 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Early Menarche May Affect Mental Health in Adulthood
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Girls with menarche at earlier ages may be at elevated risk for mental health issues in adolescence that carry into adult years, according to a study published online Dec. 26 in Pediatrics.
Hepatitis B Vaccination Often Missed Among HIV Patients
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than one-third of adult U.S. HIV patients miss opportunities to initiate hepatitis B vaccination, according to a study published online Dec. 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Multicomponent Strategies Most Effective for BP Control
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with hypertension, multilevel, multicomponent strategies, followed by patient-level strategies, are the most effective for blood pressure (BP) control, according to a review published online Dec. 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
FDA Removes Boxed Warning From Certain Asthma Medications
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — New evidence regarding safety is spurring the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to remove a Boxed Warning from certain inhaled medications used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Text Message Interventions May Help With Weight Management
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Extended-contact, text-message-delivered interventions appear to be effective for weight management, according to a review published online Dec. 15 in Obesity Reviews.
Gene Polymorphisms Linked to Risk of Chronic Post-Op Pain
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Genetics may be a factor in the experience of chronic pain post surgery, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in Anesthesiology.
Higher ω-3 Fatty Acid Intake Tied to Lower Glaucoma Risk
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Increased daily intake of ω-3 fatty acids is associated with lower odds of glaucoma, but higher levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake are associated with higher odds of developing glaucoma, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Normalized Post-Op CEA May Help Predict Colon Cancer Prognosis
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Colon cancer patients with elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels that normalize after resection are not at increased risk for poor prognosis, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Oncology.
GERD Linked to Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with a higher risk of cancer in the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) among the elderly population in the United States, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Exercise Reduces Sleep Problems in Breast Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A physical activity intervention reduces perceived sleep dysfunction at three and six months for post-primary treatment breast cancer survivors, according to a study published recently in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Survival Down With Ventricular Arrhythmia Early Post CF-LVAD
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients post contemporary continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation, early ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are associated with significantly reduced survival, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
Plasma Volume Changes May Mediate Effects of Empagliflozin
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The reduction in risk of cardiovascular (CV) death with empagliflozin is most mediated by changes in hematocrit and hemoglobin, according to research published online Dec. 4 in Diabetes Care.
Gender Differences Seen in Mental Stress-Induced Ischemia
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Men and women have different cardiovascular reactivity mechanisms for mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI), according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Dietary Factors May Play Role in Preserving Lung Function
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Intake of fruits and tomatoes may delay decline in lung function, especially in former smokers, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of the European Respiratory Journal.
Early-Stage Cancer Diagnoses Up With ACA’s Medicaid Expansions
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In their first year, the 2014 Medicaid expansions, facilitated by the Affordable Care Act, were associated with an increase in cancer diagnoses, particularly at the early stage, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in the American Journal of Public Health.
CDC: 2015 to 2016 Saw Drop in Life Expectancy in United States
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 2015 to 2016, life expectancy decreased by one-tenth of a year, and there was an increase in the rate of age-adjusted drug overdose deaths, according to two December data briefs published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Abstract/Full Text – Kochanek
Abstract/Full Text – Hedegaard
Cancer Probability Documentation Lacking for Some at High Risk
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with high-risk indeterminate pulmonary nodes (IPNs), physicians rarely provide quantitative documentation of cancer probability, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in JAMA Surgery.
Varenicline Linked to Reduction in Heavy Drinking in Men
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Varenicline is associated with reduced heavy drinking among men and with increased smoking abstinence, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Wearing Amber Lenses Before Bed May Help With Insomnia
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For individuals with insomnia symptoms, wearing amber versus clear lenses for two hours before bedtime is associated with improved sleep, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
Findings Support Comprehensive Approach for Seniors With Cancer
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Addressing persistent symptoms, managing comorbidities, promoting leisure-time physical activity, and addressing financial challenges are key in optimizing health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults with cancer, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Cancer.
Interruption of Apixaban Doesn’t Impact Bleeding in A-Fib
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing catheter ablation for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), both uninterrupted and minimally interrupted apixaban are associated with a very low rate of thromboembolic events, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
Methotrexate, Azathioprine Seem Safe Long-Term for Dermatitis
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Methotrexate and azathioprine appear to be effective and safe as maintenance treatments in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis for up to five years, according to research published online Dec. 13 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Pioglitazone Associated With Lower Blood Leptin in Diabetes
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Compared to placebo, pioglitazone is associated with significantly lower blood leptin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a meta-analysis published online Dec. 1 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Financial Strain, Stress High Among Colorectal CA Survivors
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Four in 10 colorectal cancer survivors report cancer-related financial stress or strain, which is significantly associated with low health-related quality of life, according to a study published in the January issue of Diseases of the Colon & Rectum.
Medicare Costs Associated With Mortality Rates in AMI Patients
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, Medicare expenditure growth is associated with reduced 180-day case fatality, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in JAMA Cardiology.
Herpes Zoster Risk Not Up in Systemically Treated Psoriasis
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with psoriasis, the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) is not significantly increased for systemically treated patients or for those receiving biologics versus nonbiologics, according to a research letter published online Dec. 20 in JAMA Dermatology.
Cognitive Benefits Seen With Leafy Green Vegetable Intake
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Intake of primary nutrients and bioactives in green leafy vegetables is associated with slower cognitive decline, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in Neurology.
Cisatracurium Ups Some ARDS Outcomes Versus Vecuronium
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cisatracurium does not improve mortality versus vecuronium but is associated with improvements in other outcomes, according to a study published online in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Rheumatic Diseases Associated With Increased Dementia Risk
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with various rheumatic diseases have an increased risk of dementia, according to a study published online Dec. 15 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
Self-Reported Symptoms in Elderly Predict Readmission
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Post-discharge symptoms self-reported by frail, elderly adults may predict 30-day hospital readmission and emergency department visits, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Microneedling Plus TCA Peel Performs Well in Acne Scarring
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Microneedling combined with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peeling is more effective than microneedling by dermaroller plus platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or microneedling alone for treatment of acne scarring, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Drug Combo Proves Effective for Pattern Hair Loss in Women
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Once-daily capsules containing a combination of minoxidil and spironolactone appear to be safe and effective for the treatment of female pattern hair loss (PHL), according to a case-series study published online Dec. 12 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Oral Care Guidelines Can Improve Quality of Oral Health Care
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Development and implementation of standardized oral care treatment and referral guidelines can improve the overall quality of oral health practice for older sub-acute patients, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
DPP-4 Inhibitor Has Dissociated Effects on β-Cell Function
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For healthy adults and individuals with well-controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D), a single dose of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin is associated with increased standardized insulin secretion, with no impact on β-cell glucose sensitivity, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Switching Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Beneficial After ACS
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Switching dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) from aspirin plus ticagrelor or prasugrel to aspirin plus clopidogrel after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) provides benefits regardless of initial platelet reactivity, according to a study published in the Dec. 26 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
Two Cases of Progressive Cutaneous Anthrax Described
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Two cases of cutaneous anthrax which started on the right forearm and progressed are described in a case report published online Dec. 12 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Special Precautions Not Advised for Flu Vaccine in Egg Allergic
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) are safe for individuals with egg allergy of any severity, according to a practice parameter update published online Dec. 19 in the Annals of Asthma, Allergy & and Immunology.
USPSTF Reviews Use of ECG for Preventing A-Fib, CVD Events
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has found that the current evidence is inadequate to assess the benefits and harms of screening with electrocardiogram (ECG) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in older adults; and for low-risk adults, screening with resting or exercise ECG is not recommended for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. These findings form the basis of two draft recommendation statements published online Dec. 19 by the USPSTF.
Evidence Review – A-FIB
Draft Recommendation Statement – A-FIB
Comment on Recommendation Statement – A-FIB
Evidence Review – CVD
Draft Recommendation Statement – CVD
Comment on Recommendation Statement – CVD
Intensive BP Goals Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Events
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Intensive blood pressure lowering may similarly decrease cardiovascular events in both patients with and patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in Diabetes Care.
STEMI Patient Perceptions Impact Emergency Medical Services Use
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patient perceptions, including those involving the speed of transport and concerns about resource misuse, are an important factor in determining emergency medical services (EMS) use, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
Rx Discrepancies Common in Hospital Discharge Summaries
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For older patients discharged from a regional hospital, there are frequently discrepancies between the electronic discharge summaries and the National Inpatient Medication Chart (NIMC) or discharge prescription, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
DBS Safe But Not Beneficial in Parkinson’s Dementia
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Low-frequency deep brain stimulation of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM DBS) can be safely conducted in patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia, but it does not result in significant improvements in primary cognitive outcomes, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Neurology.
Primary Care Crucial for Preventing New HIV Infections
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Primary care providers will play an important role in preventing the next wave of HIV infections, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Gingko Biloba Extract Found Effective in Acute Ischemic Stroke
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For acute ischemic stroke, Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in combination with aspirin alleviates cognitive and neurological deficits, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Stroke and Vascular Neurology.
Subcutaneous Galcanezumab May Help Prevent Episodic Migraines
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Monthly subcutaneous injections of galcanezumab are efficacious in prevention of episodic migraine headaches, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Neurology.
No Magic Bullet for Preventing Late-Life Dementia
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The evidence of benefit for different types of interventions to prevent late-life dementia is limited, according to four reviews published online Dec. 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text – Review 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Review 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Review 3 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Review 4 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Emergency-Only Hemodialysis Linked to Worse Outcomes
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Emergency-only hemodialysis treatment is associated with increased mortality compared with standard hemodialysis for undocumented immigrants with end-stage renal disease, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Abstract /Full Text
Male U.S. Doctors Receive Higher Values of Industry Payments
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Male physicians in the United States received higher values of general payments from industry than females in 2015, according to a research letter published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Probiotics, Chewing Gum Found Ineffective for Pharyngitis
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Neither probiotics nor xylitol-based chewing gum cuts the severity of symptoms associated with pharyngitis, according to a study published in the Dec. 18 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Payment for Laboratory Tests Set to Reduce Starting Jan. 1, 2018
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, which is set to reduce payments for testing services conducted in physician office-based laboratories, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Microbiome Intervention With Niacin Aids Insulin Sensitivity
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A targeted microbiome intervention, accomplished through microencapsulated delayed-release niacin, beneficially affects insulin sensitivity in humans, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in Diabetes Care.
PCPs Perform Ultrasound for DVT Similarly to Vascular Experts
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Compared to vascular experts, general practitioners perform compression ultrasonography for diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the leg similarly well, according to a study published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Yogurt, But Not Milk, May Lower Hip Fracture Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — High intake of fermented milk products, like yogurt, in combination with a high intake of fruits and vegetables, is associated with lower hip fracture rates in women, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Long-Term Macrolide Use Linked to Resistant P. Acnes
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Long-term oral macrolide administration may increase macrolide-resistant Propionibacterium acnes, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in the Journal of Dermatology.
High Fatty Liver Index Tied to Colorectal Adenomas
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The fatty liver index may be an accurate predictor of colorectal adenomas among an average-risk population, according to a study published in the January issue of Diseases of the Colon & Rectum.
Year One Results Out for Value-Based Payment Modifier Program
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Almost 30 percent of eligible practices failed to register and report data in the first year of the Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier program, according to a report published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Lab + Companion Tests Perform Similarly for Oncology Analytes
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved companion diagnostics (FDA-CDs) have similar, excellent accuracy for diagnosing variants in three oncology-related genes, according to a brief report published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Oncology.
Doctors Must Report on at Least 1 Patient, 1 Measure for MACRA
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In order to meet the 2017 Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) participation reporting deadline and avoid a Medicare payment penalty in 2019, physicians must report on at least one patient and one measure by Dec. 31, and submit to Medicare no later than Feb. 28, 2018, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
H. Pylori Infection Found to Be Related to Gallbladder Diseases
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Gallstones are less common with Helicobacter pylori infection among a Chinese population, according to a study published Nov. 27 in the Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
Expanded TIMI Risk Score Deemed Practical in Diabetes
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) Risk Score for Secondary Prevention (TRS 2°P) is an accurate predictor of atherothrombotic disease among patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in Diabetes Care.
Recent Decrease in Excess Risk of All-Cause Mortality in ESRD
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Among individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), there was a decrease in the excess risk of all-cause mortality from 1995 to 2013, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Pharmacist Participation in Medical Homes Aids Outcomes
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A program that integrates clinical pharmacists into established primary care medical home practices helps patients achieve better disease management for high blood pressure (HBP) and diabetes mellitus (DM), compared to usual care, according to a study published recently in the Journal of International Medical Research.
Flu Vaccine Expected to Protect Against Most U.S. H3N2 Viruses
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A novel bioinformatics approach can predict vaccine effectiveness for the influenza season, and indicates that the current vaccines are likely to be effective against H3N2 flu viruses in the U.S. 2017/2018 flu season, according to research published online Nov. 29 in F1000 Research.
Functional Limitations Ongoing With Congenital Zika
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Severe functional limitations are reported among children with microcephaly and laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection in infancy, according to research published in the Dec. 15 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Prevalence of Diabetes Tops 20 Percent Among U.S. Veterans
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The overall prevalence of diabetes among U.S. veterans was 20.5 percent in 2013 to 2014, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventing Chronic Disease.
Making Insurers Participate in Marketplace Could Cut Volatility
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Requiring insurers that participate in Medicare or Medicaid to also participate in Marketplaces in the same geographic area could improve access to insurance, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Can Cut Ventricular Tachycardia
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Noninvasive mapping of cardiac arrhythmias with electrocardiographic imaging and noninvasive delivery of precise ablative radiation with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) can reduce the burden of ventricular tachycardia, according to a study published in the Dec. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Breathing Retraining Beneficial in Patients With Asthma
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A breathing retraining intervention, delivered digitally or via face-to-face sessions, can improve quality of life in patients with asthma, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
Recent Change in Spectrum of HIV-Linked Kidney Disease
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The spectrum of HIV-associated kidney disease has changed with the improvement of therapy for HIV infection, according to a review article published in the Dec. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Bivalent Meningococcal B Vaccine Safe, Immunogenic
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A bivalent meningococcal B vaccine targeting factor H-binding protein (MenB-FHbp) elicits bactericidal responses against diverse meningococcal B strains after two and three doses in adolescents and young adults, according to a study published in the Dec. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Stricter Short-Term Glycemic Control May Increase Remission
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Stricter glycemic control during short-term intensive insulin therapy for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients is associated with a higher likelihood of remission at one year, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Telemedicine Facilitates Diabetes Foot Ulcer Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Telemedicine follow-up enables more comprehensive diabetes foot ulcer care, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Findings Could Help Reduce Risk of Calciphylaxis in Renal Disease
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with late-stage renal disease, the presence of lupus anticoagulant and combined thrombophilias are risk factors for the development of calciphylaxis, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in JAMA Dermatology.
Serial hsTnT Level IDs Risk of 30-Day Adverse Cardiac Event
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — High-sensitivity troponin (hsTnT) assay can identify patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome at very low risk for 30-day adverse cardiac events (ACE), according to a study published online Dec. 13 in JAMA Cardiology.
Observation Care Cost Saving in Commercially-Insured Patients
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Among commercially-insured patients, the cost of observation care has increased, but it is still lower than spending for short-stay hospitalizations, according to a report published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Paramedic-PCP Protocol Can Cut ER Visits for Assisted Living Falls
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A protocol involving collaboration between paramedics and primary care physicians could help prevent transport to the emergency department for residents of assisted living facilities who have fallen, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Amount of Opioids Prescribed After Hospital Discharge Varies
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For postoperative patients there is considerable variation in the amount of opioids prescribed at hospital discharge, according to research published online Dec. 13 in JAMA Surgery.
Measuring Quality of Life Important With Diabetes Tx
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with diabetes report worse quality of life (QoL) with more intensified treatment, according to a study published in online Nov. 28 in Diabetes Care.
C. Difficile + Kidney Injury Admissions Are Up
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Hospital admissions of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and accompanying acute kidney injury (AKI) are increasing, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Findings Support Individualized Glycemic Control in T2DM
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An individualized approach to glycemic control in type 2 diabetes is likely to reduce costs and improve quality of life, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
FDA OKs Nucala for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Nucala (mepolizumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first drug to treat adults with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a rare autoimmune disease that leads to vasculitis.
Atherosclerosis ID’d in Many Without CV Risk Factors
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many individuals without cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) have atherosclerosis, with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) independently associated with the presence and extent of atherosclerosis, according to a study published in the Dec. 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Artificial Intelligence Promising for CA, Retinopathy Diagnoses
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A deep learning algorithm can detect metastases in sections of lymph nodes from women with breast cancer; and a deep learning system (DLS) has high sensitivity and specificity for identifying diabetic retinopathy, according to two studies published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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USPSTF Recommends Against Hormone Tx Post Menopause
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against use of hormone therapy for preventing chronic conditions in postmenopausal women. These findings form the basis of a final recommendation statement published in the Dec. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Cognitive Status Doesn’t Impact Cortical Aβ, Tau in Parkinson’s
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patterns of cortical β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau are not different for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who are cognitively normal (PD-CN) or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and for healthy adults, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in JAMA Neurology.
DNA Sequencing Identifies Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — SERPINA1 DNA sequencing can identify alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), according to research published online Nov. 28 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
CABG May Be Best Method to Revascularize in Diabetes
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary artery disease (MV-CAD), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be the preferred method of revascularization, with lower rates of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE), according to a study published in the Dec. 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Allopurinol Rx More Likely With Eligibility at Diagnosis
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Allopurinol prescribing is more likely if patients meet eligibility criteria at diagnosis, according to a research brief published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
NAFLD Not Independently Tied to Risk of Reflux Esophagitis
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not associated with increased risk of incident reflux esophagitis after adjustment for variables, including body mass index (BMI), according to a study published online Nov. 12 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
High-Intensity Treadmill Exercise Feasible in Parkinson’s Disease
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Parkinson’s disease, high-intensity treadmill exercise seems feasible and safe, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in JAMA Neurology.
In-Hospital Deaths in A-Fib Patients Higher in Rural Areas
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In-hospital mortality among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is higher in rural hospitals than in urban hospitals, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Heart Rhythm.
FDA Approves Admelog for Diabetes
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Admelog (insulin lispro), a short-acting form of insulin, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat patients aged 3 years and older with either type of diabetes.
Few Patients, Providers Discuss Costs of Glaucoma Medications
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Few patients have conversations with providers about the cost of glaucoma medications, according to research published in the December issue of Optometry and Vision Science.
Deceleration in Health Care Spending Growth in 2016
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health care spending growth slowed in 2016 following faster growth in 2014 and 2015, according to research published online Dec. 6 in Health Affairs.
β-Cell Sensitivity to Glucose Impaired After Gastric Bypass
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GB) have blunted β-cell sensitivity to changes in glycemia, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Dopamine Receptor Antagonist Antipsychotic Tx Can Affect BP
FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Use of dopaminergic antagonists and agonists can affect blood pressure (BP), according to a review published online Nov. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Telomere Fusions Predict Dysplasia, Invasive Pancreatic CA
FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Telomere fusions predict the presence of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and/or invasive pancreatic cancer, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
Influenza Picking Up in U.S., Predominantly A(H3N2)
FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Influenza activity was low during October 2017 but started increasing in November, with influenza A, predominantly A(H3N2), most commonly identified, according to research published in the Dec. 8 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
ORBIT Bleeding Risk Score Performs Best in A-Fib
FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Four contemporary clinical bleeding risk scores are able to identify atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at risk for major bleeding and life-threatening bleeding, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Bariatric Surgery Alters Liver Fatty Acid Metabolism
FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Bariatric surgery seems to change fatty acid metabolism in the liver, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in Diabetes Care.
Novel Subcutaneous Furosemide May Be Option in Heart Failure
FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A novel, pH-neutral furosemide formulation administered subcutaneously (SC) in outpatients with worsening heart failure appears to be safe and effective, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in JACC: Heart Failure.
Letermovir Prophylaxis Cuts Risk of CMV Infection
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative patients undergoing hematopoietic-cell transplantation, letermovir prophylaxis is associated with a lower risk of CMV infection than placebo, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
MedDiet Adherence Doesn’t Affect Acute Heart Failure Mortality
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute heart failure, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) does not influence long-term mortality, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in JACC: Heart Failure.
15 Million Americans Expected to Have Alzheimer’s by 2060
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A total of 15.0 million Americans are expected to have clinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment by 2060, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Pharmacomechanical Thrombolysis No Benefit in DVT
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The addition of pharmacomechanical thrombolysis does not reduce the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome among patients with acute proximal deep vein thrombosis, according to a study published in the Dec. 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Breast CA Risk Up With Recent Hormonal Contraceptive Use
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Women who currently use or who have recently used contemporary hormonal contraceptives may have an increased risk of breast cancer, although the absolute increase is small, according to a study published in the Dec. 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Diet Quality Linked to Disability, Symptom Severity in MS
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), diet quality is associated with disability and symptom severity, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in Neurology.
Moving More May Match Focused Exercise in Prediabetes
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The accumulation of total physical activity (PA) over the day may be as important as achieving the intensity of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) for improved cardiometabolic health of adults with prediabetes, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in Diabetes Care.
Metabolic Risk Factors Linked to Severe Liver Disease
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Metabolic risk factors are associated with severe liver disease, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in Hepatology.
Evidence-Based Guidelines Cut Postoperative Opioid Use
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of evidence-based guidelines can reduce opioid prescribing after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, according to a research letter published online Dec. 6 in JAMA Surgery.
Different Weight Loss Patterns Observed Following Bariatric Sx
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Different weight loss patterns are observed following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), with much of the weight loss maintained over time, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in JAMA Surgery.
Doctors’ Personal Experience of Breast Cancer May Impact Care
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physicians who report a social network member with a poor breast cancer prognosis are more likely to recommend routine breast cancer screening for younger and older age groups, according to a research letter published online Dec. 4 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Traffic Pollution Prevents Cardiac Benefits of Walking
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The beneficial cardiopulmonary effects of walking are attenuated when walking in a traffic polluted area, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in The Lancet.
FDA Approves Ozempic for Type 2 Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A new once-weekly diabetes medication that lowers blood glucose and also helps patients lose weight has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Program Aids Quality of Life for Older Adults With T2DM
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A community-based program improves quality of life and self-management in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and comorbidities, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
In CAD With GI Bleeding, Higher Mortality With Triple Therapy
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) and coronary artery disease (CAD), triple therapy is associated with increased risk of mortality at 90 days after adjustment for confounding variables, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Polyethylene Glycol Deemed Less Effective for Colon Prep
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Pulsed irrigation evacuation (PIE) and sodium phosphate are superior to polyethylene glycol (PEG) for colon preparations prior to colonoscopy, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
CRP Levels Potentially Useful in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are frequently elevated in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and these elevations are relevant and potentially useful in management of the condition, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in Allergy.
30-Day Mortality No Different for Treatment by Locum Tenens
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall 30-day mortality does not differ for patients treated by locum tenens and non-locum tenens internal medicine physicians, according to a study published in the Dec. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Feasible for Primary Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Intensive weight management implemented in primary care practices can result in remission of type 2 diabetes for almost half of patients, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in The Lancet.
Shortest Development Time for Breakthrough Status Drugs
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Drugs with breakthrough status have the shortest median development time, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
CVS-Aetna Merger Has Implications for Doctors’ Offices
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — CVS Health’s planned purchase of insurance giant Aetna, a $69 billion deal, was announced Sunday.
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More Men Than Women With Parkinson’s Have Caregivers
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), more men than women have a caregiver, and greater strain is reported for caregivers of men, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in Neurology.
About One in Six Readmitted Post-Revascularization for PAD
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with peripheral arterial disease who are discharged following peripheral arterial revascularization, 17.6 percent have 30-day nonelective readmission, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Diagnostic Mutations ID’d in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About one-quarter of adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) of unknown cause or familial nephropathy or hypertension have diagnostic mutations, which can be identified with whole-exome sequencing (WES), according to a study published online Dec. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Lipid-Linked Genetic Risk Tied to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Lipid-associated genetic risk correlates with the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), according to a study published online Nov. 29 in JAMA Cardiology.
Link Between Diabetes, Antibiotic Use Called Into Question
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Previous findings that systemic use of antibiotics increases the risk of diabetes may actually be explained by clinical and lifestyle factors, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Spatial Variation in Psychosis Incidence in Rural Areas
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In rural areas, there is spatial variation in the incidence of nonaffective and affective psychotic disorders, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Ceruloplasmin ID’d As Marker of Kidney Disease in Sickle Cell
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA), urinary ceruloplasmin (CP) may complement urinary free hemoglobin as a noninvasive biomarker for chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to research published online Nov. 27 in the American Journal of Hematology.
Nivolumab May Induce Successful Depletion of HIV Reservoir
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Nivolumab treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer may induce successful depletion of HIV reservoir, according to a letter to the editor published online Dec. 1 in the Annals of Oncology.
Oral Microbiome Composition Linked to Esophageal Cancer Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Oral microbiome composition is associated with the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), according to a study published online Dec. 1 in Cancer Research.
Adherence to T2DM Treatment Varies Across Medication Classes
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in adherence across medication classes for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a review published online Nov. 14 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Specialty Care Tied to Reduced Mortality in New-Onset A-Fib
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Cardiologist care is associated with a lower rate of death in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published in the December issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
Memory Scores Limited As Alzheimer’s Screening Tool
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Low memory scores are an early marker of amyloid positivity, but have limited value as a screening measure for early Alzheimer’s disease among persons without dementia, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Relevant Health Care Price Info Hard to Find Online
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 17 percent of websites provide geographically relevant health care price estimates relating to specific interventions, according to a research letter published online Dec. 4 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
FDA Approves Biosimilar Ogivri for Breast, Stomach Cancers
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Ogivri (trastuzumab-dkst) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the nation’s first biosimilar drug to treat certain breast and stomach cancers, the agency said Friday in a news release.
Almonds With/Without Chocolate May Improve Lipid Profiles
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Eating raw almonds, dark chocolate, and cocoa can significantly improve lipid profiles of overweight and obese people, according to a small study published online Nov. 29 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
ACC Guides Treatment of Bleeding With Oral Anticoagulation
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A decision pathway has been developed to guide management of acute bleeding in patients treated with oral anticoagulants (OACs); the decision pathway was published online Dec. 1 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
FDA Approves Once-Monthly Injection for Opioid Addiction
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Sublocade, a once-monthly injection of buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Differences in Cancer Survival by Type of Insurance
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 1997 to 2014, improvements in cancer survival were mainly limited to patients with private or Medicare insurance, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Oncology.
>40% of Cancers, Cancer Deaths Due to Modifiable Risk Factors
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An estimated 42.0 percent of all incident cancers and 45.1 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are attributed to potentially modifiable risk factors, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Poor Agreement for Practitioners in Defining Myofascial Pain
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health care practitioner groups differ regarding the signs and symptoms that define myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), according to a study published online Nov. 1 in PAIN Practice.
Storage in Dose Administration Aids Doesn’t Affect Warfarin
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The chemical stability of warfarin sodium tablets is not affected by repackaging into dose administration aids (DAAs), according to a study published online Nov. 16 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
Fat Intake Influences HbA1c-Lowering Effect in DPP4i Therapy
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), fat intake may contribute to the deterioration of the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)-lowering effects in dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) monotherapy, according to a study published online Nov. 24 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
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