Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Geriatrics for July 2016. 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.
QOL Not Affected by Active Surveillance of Prostate Cancer
FRIDAY, July 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Men with low-risk prostate cancer report a good quality of life after choosing active surveillance as a treatment for their disease, according to research published in the August issue of The Journal of Urology.
Esophageal Cancer Risk Raised by Alcohol Intake, Obesity
FRIDAY, July 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that in the United States, a third of esophageal cancer cases — about 5,600 per year — could be prevented if people maintained a healthy weight and didn’t drink.
Exercising One Hour/Day May Eliminate Sitting’s Toll on Health
FRIDAY, July 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Just one hour of physical activity a day — something as simple as a brisk walk or a bicycle ride — may undo the increased mortality risk that comes with sitting eight hours or more on a daily basis, according to research published online July 27 in The Lancet.
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Deep Brain Stimulation Appears Safe in Patients With Alzheimer’s
THURSDAY, July 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Deep brain stimulation (DBS) appears safe for patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) — and might even slow down memory loss in some, according to a preliminary study published online July 18 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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Even Midrange Vision Impairment Can Negatively Affect QOL
THURSDAY, July 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients with even moderately impaired vision may face a higher risk of unemployment, poverty, and mental health problems, according to research published online July 28 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity Can Predict Mortality
THURSDAY, July 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) can predict all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes after first non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA), according to a study published online July 16 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Fitness Almost As Important As Not Smoking for Longevity
WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Poor physical fitness ranks right behind smoking as leading risk factors for early mortality, according to a study published online July 26 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Flu Vaccine Protective Against Hospitalization, Death in T2DM
WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The seasonal influenza vaccine may significantly reduce mortality for patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as hospitalizations for stroke and cardiovascular and pulmonary issues, according to a study published online July 25 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
FDA Strengthens Safety Warnings for Fluoroquinolones
WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it’s strengthening label warnings on fluoroquinolones because the drugs can lead to disabling side effects, including long-term nerve damage and ruptured tendons.
USPSTF: Evidence Lacking to Recommend Skin Cancer Screens
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is insufficient evidence to recommend regular full-body exams for skin cancer as a means of preventing deaths from these cancers, according to a new review and recommendation statement published in the July 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Primary Stroke Centers Have Slight Survival Edge
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The odds of surviving a stroke are slightly better for patients treated at hospitals with primary stroke centers (PSCs), but only if stroke patients get to the center in less than 90 minutes, according to research published online July 25 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
American Red Cross Says Blood Donations Needed Urgently
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The American Red Cross says it has an urgent need for blood donations, with less than a five-day supply of blood on hand to help those who need it.
Medical Students Often Track Progress of Former Patients
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many U.S. medical students use electronic health records to track the progress of their former patients and confirm the accuracy of their diagnoses, according to research letter published online July 25 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Guidelines Developed for Pain Management in Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for chronic pain management in adult cancer survivors. The American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline was published online July 25 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Delirium Often Seen in Cancer Patients in the ER
MONDAY, July 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Delirium is fairly common, yet often missed, in advanced cancer patients who visit emergency departments, according to a study published online July 25 in Cancer.
Total Drug Expenditures Projected to Increase in 2016
MONDAY, July 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Total drug expenditures are expected to increase by 11 to 13 percent in 2016, according to a study published online in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.
‘Walking Meetings’ Feasible Strategy for Employee Wellness
MONDAY, July 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Converting a single weekly meeting to a walking meeting can help raise work-related physical activity levels of white-collar workers, according to a report published online June 23 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventing Chronic Disease.
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Meds Up Hospitalization for Dehydration, Heat-Linked Illness
MONDAY, July 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Among veterans, initiation of many commonly-used medications is associated with increased risk of hospitalization for dehydration or heat-related illness, according to research published online July 4 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Another Non-Travel Related Case of Zika in Florida
FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Florida health officials say they’re investigating a second possible case of locally transmitted Zika infection.
Program Can Help Patient-Centered Practice Transition
FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A new study describes a scalable solution for transforming health care delivery in primary care into the patient-centered medical home model. The report was published online July 15 in the Journal of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making.
Intake of Marine ω-3 PUFAs Tied to Colorectal Cancer Survival
FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who consume higher amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), mainly from oily fish, may have better odds of survival, according to a study published online July 19 in Gut.
Persistent Use Higher With New Generation Beta-Blockers
FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Persistent use of antihypertensive treatments is greater with the new generation of beta-blockers, compared to atenolol, according to a study published in the August issue of Cardiovascular Therapeutics.
Health Expenditures Rising for Middle Class, Wealthy
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — While overall U.S. medical spending growth slowed between 2004 and 2013, expenditures rose for middle- and high-income Americans, according to research published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
Walking Briskly May Outperform Jogging in Prediabetes
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Brisk walking may be more effective than jogging in controlling blood glucose levels in patients with prediabetes, according to a study published online July 15 in Diabetologia.
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Buprenorphine-Naloxone Use in Medicare Patients Low
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Doctors aren’t using one of the most effective weapons at their disposal in battling opioid addiction — buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone), according to a research letter published online July 20 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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Buprenorphine May Be Helpful in Peripheral Neuropathic Pain
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with moderate to severe diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP), transdermal buprenorphine is effective for reducing pain, but is associated with adverse events, according to a study published online June 16 in Diabetes Care.
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Structured Pretravel Advice Should Be Provided to Patients
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Structured advice should be provided to individuals planning to travel internationally, according to a review article published in the July 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Higher Education Linked to Reduced Post-MI Heart Failure
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors with higher levels of education are less likely to develop heart failure, according to a study published online July 20 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Medicare Spending Up for Decedents Versus Survivors
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Medicare per capita spending was much higher for beneficiaries who died during 2014 than for those who survived the entire year, according to a report published by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Osteoporosis Treatment-Linked Changes in BMD ID Fracture Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women initiating osteoporosis treatment, treatment-related changes in total hip bone mineral density (BMD) are associated with fracture risk, according to a study published online July 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Diabetes Confers Worse Prognosis for Patients With ACS
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), diabetes confers a worse prognosis, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Diabetes Meds Deemed Equal, but Metformin Still First-Line
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There are no significant differences in the associations between available glucose-lowering drugs (alone or in combination) and the risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality, according to a review published in the July 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
High-Fat Mediterranean Diet Can Still Be Healthy
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Even a high-fat Mediterranean diet may protect against breast cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, according to a review published online July 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Nasal Irrigation Offers Some Relief for Sinusitis Patients
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Nasal irrigation appears beneficial in symptom improvement for patients with chronic sinusitis, according to a study published online July 18 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Can Signal Hematologic Cancer
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Among women presenting with a chief complaint of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), there is an estimated incidence of hematologic cancer of 3.6 cases per 1,000 women, according to research published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Labor Compensation, Purchased Goods, Service Biggest Spends
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Labor compensation remains the single largest contributor to costs among physicians’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers, according to a report published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
Burnout Can Have Acute Personal, Professional Consequences
MONDAY, July 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Stress and burnout are increasingly prevalent among physicians, with serious personal and professional consequences, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Facial Fracture Risk Up for Older Women With Facial Injury
MONDAY, July 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The risk of facial fracture varies with age, sex, and race, with increased risk among white and Asian older women, according to research published online July 14 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Stellate Ganglion Block Beneficial in Postherpetic Neuralgia
MONDAY, July 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The therapeutic benefit of stellate ganglion block for debilitating photophobia secondary to trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia has been described in a case report published online July 5 in Pain Practice.
Baseline ALT, AST Frequently Assessed With Statin Initiation
MONDAY, July 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Most Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with dyslipidemia who initiate statins undergo baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) testing, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Growth in U.S. Health Spending Set to Average 5.8 Percent
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Growth in U.S. health spending is expected to average 5.8 percent for 2015 to 2025, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
Cancer Patients, Oncologists Have Discordant Opinions on Prognosis
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Cancer patients and their oncologists often hold different opinions about the patient’s chances for survival and how long they might live, according to a study published online July 14 in JAMA Oncology.
CMS Proposes Changes to Physician Fee Schedule
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Changes have been proposed to the Physician Fee Schedule to transform how Medicare pays for primary care, focusing on improvements in pay for care coordination and planning, according to a new payment rule published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Patient Satisfaction High for Mohs Micrographic Surgery
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is safe and well tolerated, with high levels of patient satisfaction, according to a research letter published online July 5 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Red Meat Intake Linked to Increased Risk of ESRD
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Red meat intake is associated with increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), according to a study published online July 14 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Review: Plant-Based Diets Tied to Improved Inflammatory Profiles
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Plant-based diets are associated with improvement in obesity-related inflammatory biomarker profiles, including decreases in C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels, according to a review published online July 13 in Obesity Reviews.
Pre-Op Patterns Can Predict Post-Cardiac Surgery Constipation
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing cardiac surgery, preoperative constipation patterns are associated with postoperative constipation patterns, according to a study published online July 12 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Three-Year Delays Seen in First Referral for Diabetic Retinopathy
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — An average delay of 3.1 years for an initial diabetes eye exam was found in a recent Australian study. The findings were published online in a letter to the editor June 27 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Considerable Functional Impairment for Seniors With CKD
THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a considerable burden of functional impairment, according to research published online July 5 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Supreme Court Ruling Could Impact Med School Admissions
THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the University of Texas at Austin’s consideration of race and ethnicity in college admissions has implications for medical schools, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Review Links Daytime Napping With Hypertension
THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Daytime napping appears to be associated with increased risk of hypertension, according to a review and meta-analysis published online July 4 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine.
Differences in Salary for Male, Female Faculty Physicians
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For physicians with faculty appointments at 24 U.S. public medical schools there are significant salary differences between men and women, even after adjustment for confounding variables, according to a study published online July 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Appendicitis Should Be Considered Among Elderly
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Appendicitis should be considered for older adults presenting with abdominal pain or nonspecific symptoms, according to a letter to the editor published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Greater Numbers of U.S. Seniors Are Being Cared for at Home
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — More older Americans with chronic health problems are opting to live at home, relying on help from family, paid caregivers, or friends, according to a research letter published in the July 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Post-MI Heart Failure Linked to Increased Cancer Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients who develop heart failure after myocardial infarction may also face a higher risk of cancer, according to a study published in the July 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Depression Linked to CKD in Patients With Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with diabetes, the presence of depression is associated with increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published online June 16 in Diabetes Care.
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Follow-Up of Colorectal CA Screens Lacking in Older Patients
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of older patients are not up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening and do not receive timely follow-up of abnormal fecal blood tests, according to a study published online June 22 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Review: Yoga Benefits Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
TUESDAY, July 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Yoga benefits adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a review published online July 1 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Second U.S. Case of Bacteria Resistant to Colistin
TUESDAY, July 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Scientists have identified a second patient in the United States who was infected with a bacteria that is resistant to an antibiotic of last resort. The findings were published online July 11 in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
Many Adults ‘Hoarding,’ Self-Prescribing Antibiotics
TUESDAY, July 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — One in every 20 adults have used antibiotics without a doctor’s guidance, according to a study published online July 11 in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
Exercise Can Improve Memory in Breast Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, July 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Excessive stress can lead to memory problems among breast cancer survivors, but exercise can help, according to a study published online July 8 in Psycho-Oncology.
Medication Organization Devices Tied to Adverse Effects
MONDAY, July 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Medication organization devices (MODs) may cause medication-related adverse events in unintentionally nonadherent older people, according to a study published online July 5 in Health Technology Assessment.
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Second, Unrelated Malignancies Strike 1 in 12 Cancer Patients
FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A new study indicates that 8 percent of patients — or one in 12 — already diagnosed with one form of cancer will develop a second unrelated malignancy. The findings were published online July 5 in Cancer.
VA Appealing to Physicians to Join Agency
FRIDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is appealing to physicians to join the agency as part of its recovery from a 2014 scandal linked to excessive wait times, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
Medical Marijuana Laws Affect Medicare Part D Spending
FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Legalization of medical marijuana and its associated availability have affected prescribing patterns and spending in Medicare Part D, according to a study published online July 6 in Health Affairs.
Patient Variables Not Linked to Hemoglobin A1c Targets
FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patient variables seem not to be associated with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets, according to a study published online June 22 in Diabetes Care.
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Arthritis, Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitations Likely to Rise
THURSDAY, July 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation is projected to increase in U.S. adults by 2040, according to a study published online June 24 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
U.S. Medical Schools to Expand Training on Opioid Abuse
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — U.S. medical schools are expanding training to address the increasing number of overdose deaths, according to a report published by The Associated Press.
Euthanasia, Doc-Assisted Suicide Increasingly Being Legalized
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are increasingly being legalized, but their use remains rare, according to a special communication published online July 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Gadolinium Exposure From MRI Not Linked to Parkinsonism
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Gadolinium exposure seems not to be associated with parkinsonism, according to a research letter published online July 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Many Clinical Trials Are Not Listed in Data-Sharing Repository
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Only about half of trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov are listed in the largest data-sharing repository, according to a research letter published online June 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Diabetes Impacts QOL Outcome After Lumbar Decompression
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Diabetes predicts diminished quality of life (QOL) improvements after lumbar decompression surgery, according to a study published in the June issue of The Spine Journal.
Considerable Increase in Chiropractic Service Use in VA
TUESDAY, July 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In the past decade there has been a substantial increase in the use of chiropractic services among the Veterans Affairs’ (VA) service, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Few Elderly Patients Discuss Driving With Primary Physicians
TUESDAY, July 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A minority of older adults who visit primary care providers have documented discussions about driving, according to research published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Mindful Self-Compassion Program Beneficial in Diabetes
TUESDAY, July 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A mindful self-compassion (MSC) program can reduce depression, diabetes-specific distress, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with diabetes, according to a study published online June 22 in Diabetes Care.
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Anti-Anxiety Medication May Limit Empathetic Behavior
TUESDAY, July 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In an experimental study, rats given midazolam were less likely to free trapped companions, presumably due to decreased empathy. The study findings were published online June 8 in Frontiers in Psychology.
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Communication Skills Training Beneficial for Surgery Residents
TUESDAY, July 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A communication skills training program has beneficial effects on orthopedic surgery residents’ interactions with older adults, according to a report published by the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
U.S. Cancer Survivors Aging, Battling Other Chronic Disease
FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In 2016, nearly 62 percent of almost 16 million cancer survivors are aged 65 or older; and, by 2040, an estimated 73 percent of 26 million cancer survivors will be 65 or older, according to a report published in the July 1 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Knowledge of CT Risks Varies Among Health Care Providers
FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Radiologists and technologists have better knowledge about the risks associated with medical imaging examinations than referring physicians, according to a study published online June 22 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences.
Hundreds of U.S. Clinics Sell Unapproved Stem Cell ‘Therapies’
FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Hundreds of clinics across the United States are marketing unapproved stem cell treatments for conditions ranging from aging skin to spinal cord injuries, according to a study published online June 30 in Cell Stem Cell.
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Fludrocortisone Linked to Reduction in Vasovagal Syncope
FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Fludrocortisone is associated with a reduction in the risk of vasovagal syncope, according to a study published in the July 5 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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