Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for May 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.
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Effect From Tocilizumab Described
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a case report published online May 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a severe adverse cutaneous reaction to tocilizumab in a 55-year-old patient is described.
Restarting Anticoagulation in Certain VTE Cases Cost-Effective
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Restarting anticoagulation therapy may be cost-effective for patients with a predicted one-year venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk of 17.5 percent or higher, according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
~4 Percent of U.S. Population Has Food Allergy, Intolerance
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Approximately 4 percent of Americans have a food allergy, with women and Asians the most affected, according to a report published online May 31 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
High Costs for Myeloma Patients Not Getting Low-Income Subsidy
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is a substantial financial burden for Medicare beneficiaries with myeloma who do not receive a low-income subsidy (LIS) for orally-administered anticancer therapy, according to a study published online May 25 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Modified Vancomycin May Help Fight Bacterial Resistance
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Vancomycin can be modified to make it much more potent against resistant bacterial infections, according to a study published online May 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Distinct Maternal, Fetal Risks for Anticoagulants in Pregnancy
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Anticoagulation for mechanical heart valves during pregnancy is associated with distinct maternal and fetal risks, according to a review published in the June 6 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
CDC: Prevalence of Arthritis 31.8% in Most Rural Areas of U.S.
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of arthritis is 31.8 percent in the most rural areas and 20.5 percent in the most urban areas of the United States, according to research published in the May 26 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Evacetrapib Appears Futile in High-Risk Vascular Disease
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with high-risk vascular disease, evacetrapib does not affect the primary efficacy end point of first occurrence of any component of a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina, according to a study published in the May 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Few Emergency Clinicians Know Costs of ER Tests, Treatment
TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most emergency medicine health care professionals lack accurate knowledge of the costs of tests and treatments that are ordered in the emergency department, according to a study published online May 30 in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Cessation of Meth Abuse Linked to Reversal of Heart Damage
TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — With proper medical treatment, it may be possible to reverse heart damage in methamphetamine users who stop using the drug, according to a study published in the June 1 issue of JACC: Heart Failure.
Little Benefit for Etanercept-MTX Before Triple Therapy in RA
TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, first-line etanercept-methotrexate is associated with increased costs compared with triple therapy, while providing minimal benefit, according to a cost-effectiveness analysis published online May 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Ixekizumab Improves Symptoms in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis
TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Ixekizumab (Taltz) appears beneficial in reducing the pain and disability of psoriatic arthritis, according to research published online May 24 in The Lancet.
Sleeping Sickness Medication May Help Lessen ASD Symptoms
TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Suramin, a drug first used in the early 1900s to treat sleeping sickness, has shown promise in an early trial as a potential treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to research published online May 26 in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology.
High-Risk Pools May Represent Step Back for U.S. Health Care
TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Proposed legislation as part of the American Health Care Act, which includes the option of high-risk pools, is not likely to reduce costs, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online May 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Daily Texting Effectively Monitors Rx Adherence, Side Effects
TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with breast cancer receiving endocrine therapy, daily bidirectional text messaging can monitor adherence and adverse events (AEs), according to a study published online May 23 in JCO: Clinical Cancer Informatics.
Quality of Life May Drop for Some During Oral Immunotherapy
TUESDAY, May 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with food allergy, quality of life (QOL) following oral immunotherapy (OIT) improves for some but deteriorates in others, according to a study published online May 22 in Allergy.
New Health Care Act Could Result in 23 Million Losing Insurance
FRIDAY, May 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The Republican-led bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that passed the House this month would result in 23 million Americans losing their health insurance coverage, according to a report issued by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Targeting ANGPTL3 Can Significantly Lower Cholesterol
FRIDAY, May 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Two separate research groups say they’ve successfully reduced cholesterol in humans by using different methods to block the angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) gene. The findings were published online May 24 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Some Benefit for Curcuminoids in Knee Osteoarthritis
FRIDAY, May 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Curcuminoids seem beneficial for knee osteoarthritis (OA), although they are less effective for pain relief than ibuprofen, according to a review and meta-analysis published online May 4 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
Riboflavin Shows Positive Effect for Migraine in Adults
FRIDAY, May 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Riboflavin is well tolerated and has a positive therapeutic effect in prophylactic treatment of migraine headache in adults, according to a review published online May 8 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Remission Up for Mepolizumab in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis
THURSDAY, May 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Mepolizumab is associated with significantly more weeks in remission than placebo among patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, according to a study published in the May 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Cannabidiol Promising for Seizures in Dravet Syndrome
THURSDAY, May 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Cannabidiol can reduce seizure frequency in patients with Dravet Syndrome, according to a study published in the May 25 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Two-Dose HPV Vaccine Effective Against Genital Warts
THURSDAY, May 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — New research supports the recent U.S. recommendation for two, rather than three, doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to protect against genital warts in preteens and teens. The report was published in the June issue of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Knee Pain Relief Seen With Fiber, Chondroitin in Osteoarthritis
THURSDAY, May 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Fiber and/or the dietary supplement chondroitin may help reduce knee pain from arthritis, according to two studies published online May 23 in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
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Induction With Concurrent Oxytocin, Foley Speeds Delivery
THURSDAY, May 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The rate of delivery within 24 hours is increased with induction with concurrent oxytocin infusion added to preinduction cervical ripening with a Foley catheter versus Foley followed by oxytocin, according to a study published in the June issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
FDA Approves Keytruda for All Cancers With Genetic Biomarker
WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Keytruda (pembrolizumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat any cancer that has a certain genetic biomarker, regardless of where in the body the cancer originated.
Doctors Urged to Check Patient Drug History Before Opioid Rx
WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Prescription databases can help combat drug abuse when doctors are required by law to check them before writing opioid prescriptions, according to a study to be published in a future issue of the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy.
Opioid Use Before TKA May Lead to Worse Pain After Surgery
WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking opioids before total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may have greater pain after the procedure, according to a study published in the May 17 issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Normal Meal Tolerance Test Is Practical, Reliable in T2DM
WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A normal meal tolerance test (NMTT) — a simplified version of the mixed meal tolerance test — is valuable as an insulin secretion test in patients with type 2 diabetes, with exception of those in a hyperglycemic state, according to a study published online May 11 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Enhanced Atypical Lymphocytes in Natalizumab-Treated MS
TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), natalizumab treatment is associated with enhancement of atypical lymphocytes, especially binucleated and plasmacytoid lymphocytes, according to a study published online May 8 in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.
Patients With Polyneuropathy More Often Receive Opioids
TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Polyneuropathy is associated with increased likelihood of receiving long-term opioids, although long-term opioids do not improve functional status markers, according to a study published online May 22 in JAMA Neurology.
APA: Americans Believe Tx Not Punishment Best for Opioid Crisis
TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than a quarter of Americans — and one in three millennials — say they know someone addicted to opioids, according to a new survey released May 22 by the American Psychiatric Association.
Statin Therapy Found to Be of Little Benefit in Older Adults
TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The benefit of pravastatin for primary prevention in older adults with moderate hyperlipidemia and hypertension is questionable, according to a study published online May 22 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Risk Up for Triple Tx Versus DAPT in DES Implantation With A-Fib
TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES), atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risks, with no benefit and higher risk seen for triple therapy compared to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), according to a study published online May 17 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
FDA Approves Actemra to Treat Giant Cell Arteritis
MONDAY, May 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The injected drug Actemra (tocilizumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with giant cell arteritis.
Patients Often Prescribed Futile Drugs in Last Months of Life
MONDAY, May 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with life-limiting illness often receive medications of questionable benefit given their remaining life span, according to a report published online May 15 in The American Journal of Medicine.
KIT Inhibition by Imatinib Helps Severe Refractory Asthma
MONDAY, May 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Imatinib (Gleevec) may effectively treat severe refractory asthma, according to research published in the May 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
No Link to Cognition in Diabetes Prevention Program Study
MONDAY, May 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Outcomes Study (DPPOS), exposure to metformin or lifestyle intervention is not associated with cognition, according to research published online May 12 in Diabetes Care.
Researchers Say PDE5 Inhibitors Don’t Cause Melanoma
FRIDAY, May 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors does not appear to increase the risk of melanoma, according to the conclusions of a meta-analysis published online May 19 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Similar Outcomes for Bivalirudin, Heparin in STEMI With PCI
FRIDAY, May 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Similar outcomes are seen for use of bivalirudin and heparin as anticoagulant agents in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with radial primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a study published online May 17 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
Beetroot Juice Can Reduce Central Sympathetic Outflow
FRIDAY, May 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Acute dietary nitrate supplementation using beetroot (BR) juice can decrease central sympathetic outflow at rest and during exercise, according to a study published online May 5 in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
FDA OKs Kalydeco for Additional Mutations in Cystic Fibrosis
THURSDAY, May 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has expanded approval for the cystic fibrosis medication Kalydeco (ivacaftor) to include 33 mutations of the disease, up from the previous 10 mutations.
Promising Start for National Diabetes Prevention Program
THURSDAY, May 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) has achieved widespread implementation of the lifestyle change portion to help prevent type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online May 12 in Diabetes Care.
Most Routine Coagulation Tests Reliable Up to Eight Hours
THURSDAY, May 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most routine coagulation tests can be reliably evaluated after storage at room temperature for up to eight hours after blood collection, according to a study published online May 8 in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.
Findings Support Lower Doses of Atropine in Pediatric Myopia Rx
THURSDAY, May 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adverse effects are less frequent at lower doses of atropine, and higher doses are not more effective in reducing progression of myopia in children, according to a meta-analysis published online May 11 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
AIDS Epidemic Could End in U.S. by 2025
WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — If certain targets are met, the rate of new HIV infections may be down to 12,000 a year by 2025, which would mark a transition toward the end of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, according to research published online May 15 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
FDA Warns of Amputation Risk Associated With Canagliflozin
WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The type 2 diabetes medication canagliflozin (brand names Invokana, Invokamet, Invokamet XR) appears to increase the risk of leg and foot amputations, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
HRT Not Advised for Disease Prevention Post Menopause
WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Using hormone therapy to prevent chronic health issues, such as cardiovascular disease and bone loss, in postmenopausal women may do more harm than good, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says.
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CDC: Slowing of Decline in Number of Uninsured Adults
WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The decline in the number of Americans without health insurance stalled in 2016 after five years of progress, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Tuesday.
Telemedical Lifestyle Intervention Ups T2DM Glycemic Control
WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A Telemedical Lifestyle Intervention Program (TeLiPro) can improve glycemic control in advanced-stage type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online May 12 in Diabetes Care.
Review Supports Early Multimodal Tx for Infantile Hemangioma
WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Early multimodality treatment seems to achieve best results for children with infantile hemangiomas of the nose, according to research published online May 11 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Pharmacist Program Can Improve IFN-β Adherence in MS
TUESDAY, May 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A pharmacist medication adherence program can improve adherence to interferon-beta (IFN-β) among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to a letter to the editor published online May 2 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
Plan Suggested for Reducing Health Care Costs
TUESDAY, May 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health care costs can be reduced, with a nine-step plan suggested as a starting place, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Iron Rx Doesn’t Improve Exercise Capacity in Iron-Deficient HFrEF
TUESDAY, May 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Oral iron supplementation doesn’t improve the exercise capacity of iron-deficient patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF), according to a study published in the May 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
No Evidence Steroids Benefit Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis
TUESDAY, May 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Regular use of corticosteroid injections for degenerative knee disease is ineffective and may even result in cartilage loss, according to a study published in the May 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Few Eligible U.S. Travelers Getting Pre-Trip Measles Vaccine
TUESDAY, May 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than half of eligible Americans traveling abroad don’t get a measles vaccine, and a key reason is lack of concern about the disease, according to a study published online May 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
HRT May Increase Risk of Postmenopausal Hearing Loss
MONDAY, May 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Hearing loss is linked to several factors associated with menopause, according to research published online May 8 in Menopause.
Warning Against Domperidone Use for Lactating Women
MONDAY, May 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The dopamine receptor antagonist domperidone, which may increase milk production in lactating women, is associated with serious cardiac risks, and should not be used for lactation enhancement, according to a commentary published in the June issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Pharmacist-Involved Collaborative Care Benefits T2DM
MONDAY, May 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Multidisciplinary collaborative care with pharmacist follow-up is beneficial for Asian patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online April 27 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Quinine Exposure Linked to All-Cause Mortality
MONDAY, May 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Long-term quinine exposure is associated with increased mortality, according to a research letter published in the May 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Many Seniors With Nonbacterial Acute URI Prescribed Antibiotics
MONDAY, May 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of elderly patients with a nonbacterial acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURI) are prescribed antibiotics, according to research published online May 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Transplanting HCV+ Kidneys Into HCV− Recipients Feasible
FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a research letter published online April 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine, Philadelphia doctors write that they have cleared hepatitis C infections in 10 patients who received kidneys from deceased donors who had the virus.
Hospitals Need to Be Prepared for Ransomware Attacks
FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Hackers are increasingly targeting hospitals, using viruses to lock their computer systems and hold sensitive medical data and other files hostage, according to an observation piece published online May 11 in The BMJ.
Activation of Estrogen Receptor α-AF1 May Target Adiposity
FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Selective activation of estrogen receptor α (ERα) activation function-1 (AF1) prevents obesity, steatosis, and insulin resistance in a mouse model, according to an experimental study published online May 11 in The American Journal of Pathology.
ACP: Recommendations Updated for Low Bone Density Treatment
FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a clinical practice guideline update published online May 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recommendations are presented for the treatment of low bone density and osteoporosis to prevent fractures.
Life Expectancy for HIV+ Patients Up Since Introduction of ART
THURSDAY, May 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Young adults with HIV who get treatment are living longer in North America and Europe, according to a study published online May 10 in The Lancet HIV.
ADHD Meds Associated With Reduced Risk for Car Crashes
THURSDAY, May 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Taking medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is tied to lower odds of car accidents involving patients with ADHD, according to a study published online May 10 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Leukotriene B4 Is Promising Drug Target for Tx of Lymphedema
THURSDAY, May 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An underlying mechanism has been identified that could eventually lead to the first drug therapy for lymphedema, according to a study published online May 10 in Science Translational Medicine.
Initiation of NSAID Use Associated With Risk of Acute MI
WEDNESDAY, May 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) by 20 to 50 percent, with elevated risk as early as the first week of use, according to a report published online May 9 in The BMJ.
Vitamin D Doesn’t Impact Insulin Sensitivity, Secretion in T2DM
WEDNESDAY, May 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation has no impact on insulin sensitivity or secretion, according to a study published online May 3 in Diabetes Care.
Postmarket Safety Events for 32 Percent of Novel Therapeutics
WEDNESDAY, May 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 2001 to 2010, 32 percent of novel therapeutics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had a postmarket safety event, according to a study published in the May 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Adding Selumetinib to Docetaxel Doesn’t Up PFS in NSCLC
WEDNESDAY, May 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The addition of selumetinib to docetaxel does not improve progression-free survival among patients with previously treated advanced KRAS-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a study published in the May 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
EpiPens Found to Still Be Viable Long After Expiration Date
TUESDAY, May 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — EpiPens can remain effective years after their expiration date, according to a research letter published online May 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Voriconazole Exposure May Affect SCC After Lung Transplant
TUESDAY, May 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For lung transplant (LTx) recipients, prolonged exposure to voriconazole may be associated with the development or recurrence of skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), according to a study published online May 2 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
Low-Dose Aspirin No Aid Against Cognitive Decline
TUESDAY, May 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Low-dose aspirin does not protect against cognitive decline, according to a review published April 20 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
FDA Approves Radicava for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
MONDAY, May 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The first new drug to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in more than 20 years has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Systemic Therapy Improves Visual Acuity in Uveitis
MONDAY, May 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Systemic therapy is associated with improved visual acuity compared with intravitreous fluocinolone acetonide implants for patients with uveitis, according to a study published online May 6 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Osteoporosis Tx Ups Survival in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
MONDAY, May 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For postmenopausal breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitors, oral osteoporosis therapy (OPT) is associated with improved survival, according to a study published online May 2 in Cancer.
Linear Association for Weight Loss, HbA1c Reduction in T2DM
MONDAY, May 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), weight loss is associated with a reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in a dose-dependent manner, according to a review published online April 18 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Research Supports Pulmonary Benefits for ACEIs, ARBs
MONDAY, May 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) might play an important role in the prevention and treatment of emphysema, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
Open-Label Placebos Seem to Have Positive Clinical Effect
MONDAY, May 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Compared with no treatment, open-label placebos seem to have a positive clinical effect, according to a review published online April 27 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine.
Eradication of H. pylori Beneficial for Concurrent Rosacea
MONDAY, May 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with concurrent rosacea and Helicobacter pylori infection, use of standard H. pylori eradication therapy is associated with improvement in rosacea, according to a study published online April 27 in the Journal of Dermatology.
E-Health-Based Management of Oral Anticoagulation Tx Beneficial
FRIDAY, May 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Electronic-health-based management of oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy is associated with fewer adverse events, according to a study published online April 29 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
More Side Effects With CRT Plus Metformin in Head, Neck Cancer
FRIDAY, May 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with advanced head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and receiving metformin experience more side effects than patients not on metformin, according to research published online April 27 in Head & Neck.
Nocebo Effect Reported for Statin Therapy Use
FRIDAY, May 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The rate of muscle-related adverse event (AE) reports is increased when patients and their doctors are aware that statins are being used, according to a study published online May 2 in The Lancet.
Case Report Describes Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome
FRIDAY, May 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a case report published online May 1 in Diabetes Care, resolution of hypoglycemia and cardiovascular dysfunction after rituximab treatment of insulin autoimmune syndrome is described.
Poll: Many Americans Concerned About ACA Repeal
THURSDAY, May 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Only one in five Americans support a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a new HealthDay/Harris Poll reveals.
Stair Walking Combats Fatigue Better Than Caffeine
THURSDAY, May 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Easy stair walking may boost energy more effectively than drinking caffeine, according to research published online recently in Physiology & Behavior.
Obesity, Sex Predict Remission for Antidepressant Medications
THURSDAY, May 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Obesity and sex are differential predictors of acute remission for commonly used antidepressant medications, according to a study published in the March-April issue of Personalized Medicine in Psychiatry.
Zinc Effective in Pediatric Presymptomatic Wilson Disease
THURSDAY, May 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For young children with presymptomatic Wilson disease, zinc monotherapy is safe and effective, according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Teprotumumab More Effective Than Placebo for Ophthalmopathy
THURSDAY, May 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A human monoclonal antibody inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor I receptor, teprotumumab, is more effective than placebo for patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, according to a study published in the May 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Ischemic Outcomes Don’t Vary With Gender in ACS Patients
THURSDAY, May 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and receiving clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor, ischemic outcome does not differ by gender, according to a study published online April 29 in Cardiovascular Therapeutics.
Cardiometabolic Disease Staging Score Quantifies Diabetes Risk
THURSDAY, May 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For overweight and obese individuals, the Cardiometabolic Disease Staging (CMDS) score can quantify the risk of diabetes and predict the effectiveness of weight-loss therapy for preventing diabetes, according to research published online April 28 in Diabetes Care.
Tofacitinib Found to Relieve Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
THURSDAY, May 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis who haven’t done well on other treatments may have success with tofacitinib (Xeljanz), according to a study published in the May 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
New Rx for Sleeping Pills Can Up Risk of Hip Fracture
WEDNESDAY, May 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Older patients are at greater risk for hip fractures for two weeks after they start taking prescription sleeping pills, according to a review published online April 27 in PLOS ONE.
Low Use of Medications, Lifestyle Counseling in PAD Patients
WEDNESDAY, May 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have low use of medication therapy and lifestyle counseling, according to a study published in the May 9 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Half of U.S. Doctors Receive Payments From Industry
WEDNESDAY, May 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About half of U.S. doctors received payments from the pharmaceutical and medical device industries in 2015, amounting to $2.4 billion, and any form or amount of compensation can influence prescribing behavior, according to research published in the May 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on conflict of interest.
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H2 Injection Aids Diabetes Outcomes in Animal Model
WEDNESDAY, May 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Subcutaneous injection of H2 significantly improves type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-related outcomes in a mouse model, according to a study published online April 8 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
Oral B. Pandurata Extract Improves Skin Appearance
WEDNESDAY, May 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Oral intake of Boesenbergia pandurata (B. pandurata) extract improves skin hydration, gloss, and wrinkling, according to a study published online April 18 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Too Few Americans Know the Warning Signs of Stroke
TUESDAY, May 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About 35 percent of Americans experience symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), yet only 3 percent get immediate medical attention, according to findings from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Low-Dose Aspirin Linked to Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer
TUESDAY, May 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Regularly taking low-dose aspirin appears to protect women from hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer, according to a study published online May 1 in Breast Cancer Research.
Social Outcomes Good for Uncomplicated Childhood Epilepsy
TUESDAY, May 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Young adults with uncomplicated epilepsy who remain seizure-free do as well as siblings without the disorder in education, employment, driving, and independent living, according to a study published online April 4 in Epilepsia.
Aging Substantially Ups Risk for Needing Help With Money, Meds
TUESDAY, May 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many seniors over age 85 need help with finances and/or managing their medications, according to research published online April 5 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Combo of Exercise, Vitamin D May Boost Effects on Heart Health
TUESDAY, May 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physical activity and vitamin D appear to have synergistic beneficial effects on the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the April 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Intense Interval Training Cuts Hypoglycemia Awareness in T1DM
TUESDAY, May 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 1 diabetes and normal awareness of hypoglycemia (NAH), high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is associated with reduced awareness of subsequent hypoglycemia, according to a study published online April 18 in Diabetes.
Common Antibiotics May Increase Risk of Miscarriage
MONDAY, May 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Use of macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and metronidazole during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Spending on Topical Steroids Up From 2011 to 2015
MONDAY, May 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 2011 to 2015 there was an increase in annual spending and out-of-pocket spending on topical steroids, according to a study published online April 28 in JAMA Dermatology.
Topical Timolol Not Efficacious for Cutaneous Telangiectasias
MONDAY, May 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Topical timolol has no effect on cutaneous telangiectasias among patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), according to a letter to the editor published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Decreased Cortical Thickness Seen in Type 2 Diabetes
MONDAY, May 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) — particularly those who are overweight or obese — have decreased cortical thickness in several areas of the brain, according to research published online April 27 in Diabetologia.
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