Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Geriatrics for October 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.
Culprit-Lesion-Only PCI Tied to Improved 30-Day Outcomes
TUESDAY, Oct. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the culprit lesion is associated with better 30-day outcomes than immediate multivessel PCI among patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the Cardiovascular Research Foundation Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting, being held Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 in Denver.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Mortality Down Since 1968
TUESDAY, Oct. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Rates of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mortality have decreased since 1968 but are still higher than non-SLE mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Depressive Symptoms Increase During Internship Year
TUESDAY, Oct. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Depressive symptoms increase during the internship year for training physicians, with a greater increase among women, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Retinal Sensitivity Linked to Cognitive Status in T2DM
TUESDAY, Oct. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In patients with type 2 diabetes, retinal sensitivity is associated with cognitive status, according to a study published in the September issue of Diabetes.
PFA-100-Measured Aspirin Resistance Linked to CV Events
TUESDAY, Oct. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Aspirin resistance, measured using the Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA)-100 system, is associated with cardiovascular events in aspirin-treated patients, according to a study published online Oct. 21 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Rate of Approval for PCSK9i Therapy 47 Percent
MONDAY, Oct. 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A combination of clinical factors and payer type increase the likelihood of approval for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) treatment, and rates of approval are low overall, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in Circulation.
ERs Contribute Large Portion of Medical Care Delivery
FRIDAY, Oct. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Emergency departments are increasingly a major source of medical care in the United States, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in the International Journal of Health Services.
Incretin Tied to Better Outcomes in NOCS-Diabetes
FRIDAY, Oct. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Incretin treatment appears to improve non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and non-obstructive coronary artery stenosis (NOCS), according to a study published online Sept. 26 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Treatment for Stage I NSCLC Patients Up From 2000 to 2010
FRIDAY, Oct. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the odds of receiving radiation therapy (RT) or surgery increased from 2000 to 2010, with improved survival during the same period, according to a study published online Oct. 26 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Afternoon Heart Surgery Linked to Better Patient Outcomes
FRIDAY, Oct. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, perioperative myocardial injury occurs more with morning surgery than with afternoon surgery, according to a study published online Oct. 26 in The Lancet.
XEN-45 Implant Effective in Uncontrolled Uveitic Glaucoma
FRIDAY, Oct. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For medically uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma, the XEN-45 implant is effective, reducing the need for further surgery, according to a study published online Oct. 20 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Cataract Surgery Associated With Reduced Mortality in Women
THURSDAY, Oct. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For older women with cataract, cataract surgery is associated with lower all-cause and cause-specific mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 26 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Panel Recommends New Zoster Vaccine as First-Line Treatment
THURSDAY, Oct. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a close 8-7 vote, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that Shingrix be chosen over Zostavax as the herpes zoster vaccine of choice in adults aged 50 and older, the Washington Post reported.
Gifts From Pharma Companies Influence Prescribing Behavior
THURSDAY, Oct. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Receipt of gifts from pharmaceutical companies is associated with more prescriptions per patient and more costly prescriptions, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in PLOS One.
Borderline Pulmonary HTN Linked to Increased Mortality Risk
THURSDAY, Oct. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing right heart catheterization (RHC), borderline pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with increased risk of mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in JAMA Cardiology.
Chewing Ticagrelor Loading Dose May Be Beneficial in STEMI
THURSDAY, Oct. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), chewing a loading dose (LD) of ticagrelor facilitates better early platelet inhibition, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in JAMA Cardiology.
Detectable Levels of Roundup Ingredient Rising in Older Adults
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Detectable levels of glyphosate, the primary ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, have significantly increased in older adults over time, according to a research letter published online Oct. 24 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Most Patients Satisfied With Relationship With Physician
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Results of the Physicians Foundation 2017 Patient Survey show that most patients are satisfied with their overall relationship with their physician, according to an article published by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Module Developed to Improve Adult Vaccination Rates
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A module has been developed to help health care professionals improve vaccination rates among adults, according to an article published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Undiagnosed Diabetes Accounts for Small Portion of Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Undiagnosed diabetes accounts for a relatively small proportion of the total diabetes population in the United States, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
New Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of T2DM
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Management of type 2 diabetes should include shared decision making, and patients should be offered individualized diabetes self-management education and glycemic management plans, according to a summary of a clinical practice guideline published online Oct. 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Diabetes Tied to Worse Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with acute heart failure (HF), long-term prognosis is worse in those who have diabetes than in those who do not, though prognosis has improved in both groups, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in Diabetes Care.
Vitamin D Supplements Improve Markers of Bone Turnover in CKD
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), cholecalciferol supplementation can correct vitamin D deficiency and improve markers of bone turnover, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Secondary Prevention Meds Often Not Started Post-AMI in Seniors
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Thirty-seven percent of older nursing home (NH) residents do not initiate secondary prevention medications after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to a study published online Oct. 17 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Swedish Massage May Reduce Cancer-Related Fatigue
TUESDAY, Oct. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Swedish massage therapy (SMT) is associated with clinically significant relief from cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in breast cancer survivors, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in Cancer.
DEA Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs on Oct. 28
TUESDAY, Oct. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The public is being given its 14th opportunity to safely dispose of pills and patches at collection points operated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and its partners.
High Dietary Fiber Protects Against Femoral Neck Bone Loss
TUESDAY, Oct. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Higher dietary total fiber and fruit fiber is protective against bone loss at the femoral neck in men, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Inverse Association Seen for Coffee Drinking, Markers of CVD
TUESDAY, Oct. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There appears to be an inverse association between coffee intake and protein markers linked to cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Statins May Raise Odds of T2DM in Those at High Risk
TUESDAY, Oct. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For populations at high-risk for diabetes, statin use is associated with increased risk of developing diabetes, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.
Design Thinking Enables Med Students to Solve Challenges
MONDAY, Oct. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A joint effort between students at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is training future physicians in design thinking to help identify and repair health system issues that contribute to physician burnout, according to an article by the American Medical Association.
Sudden Death Most Common CV Death in T2DM/ASCVD
MONDAY, Oct. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), sudden death is the most common category of cardiovascular (CV) mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 6 in Diabetes Care.
Psychosocial Intervention May Boost Hospitalization Satisfaction
MONDAY, Oct. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A brief psychosocial intervention in which physicians ask inpatients about their current situation and respond empathetically appears to improve the hospitalization experience, according to a study published in the October issue of Family Medicine.
Alcoholic Cirrhosis Linked to Increased Admissions, Costs
FRIDAY, Oct. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Compared with patients who have non-alcoholic cirrhosis, those with alcoholic cirrhosis are sicker at presentation, have more admissions and readmissions, and have nearly double the health care costs, according to a study scheduled for presentation at The Liver Meeting, being held by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases from Oct. 20 to 24 in Washington, D.C.
Herbal and Dietary Supplements Are Commonly Mislabeled
FRIDAY, Oct. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Mislabeling of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) is common, occurring in more than half of products tested, according to a study scheduled for presentation at The Liver Meeting, being held by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases from Oct. 20 to 24 in Washington, D.C.
Clinician Job Satisfaction Linked to Improved Burnout Scores
FRIDAY, Oct. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Clinicians’ job satisfaction is associated with improved burnout scores and reduced intention to leave their practices, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
Independent Pharmacies Adding Patient Care Services, Products
FRIDAY, Oct. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Independent pharmacies are expanding the scope of services they offer, partly to absorb lower reimbursements for dispensing prescription medications, according to the 2017 National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Digest.
H7N9 Avian Influenza May Be Capable of Pandemic
FRIDAY, Oct. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza variant has evolved and now has the potential to cause a pandemic, according to a study published online Oct. 19 in Cell Host & Microbe.
Conditions Tied to Clinician Dissatisfaction Are Modifiable
THURSDAY, Oct. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Modifiable conditions, like chaos, incohesiveness, and lack of communication, contribute to unsatisfying workplaces for clinicians, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
Diabetes Ups Risk of MACE in Acute Coronary Syndromes
THURSDAY, Oct. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), diabetes mellitus (DM), but not pre-DM, is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), according to a study published online Oct. 18 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
MACE Risk Similar for White Men, Women, Minorities After PCI
THURSDAY, Oct. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Women and minorities undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with everolimus-eluting stents have a risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) that is similar to that of white men, according to a study published online Oct. 18 in JAMA Cardiology.
More Penalties With Hospital-Wide Readmission Measure
THURSDAY, Oct. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Transition from a condition-specific to a hospital-wide readmission measure would result in a modest increase in the number of hospitals eligible for readmission penalties and would substantially increase penalties for safety-net hospitals, according to a study published online Oct. 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
MRI Findings Prognostic for Long-Term Recovery in Cardiac Arrest
THURSDAY, Oct. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Measures of cerebral functional network connectivity measured within four weeks of cardiac arrest (CA) are associated with a favorable outcome (FO) at one year, according to a study published online Oct. 18 in Radiology.
Key Stakeholders Discuss How to Make EHRs More Usable
THURSDAY, Oct. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Key stakeholders and physicians discussed electronic health record (EHR) usability and optimization in the American Medical Association Running Your Practice Community.
Sharing Passwords Is Widespread Among Medical Staff
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Sharing of passwords to access electronic medical records is common among medical staff members, according to a study published in the July issue of Healthcare Informatics Research.
PPI Use Linked to Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke, MI
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use is associated with increased risk of first-time ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI), according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Clinical Evidence Synopsis Published for T2DM
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adding a sulfonylurea or metformin to insulin is associated with approximately a 1 percent reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and addition of a sulfonylurea (but not metformin) is associated with more hypoglycemic events, according a clinical evidence synopsis published online Oct. 17 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Men Now Comprise ~10 Percent of RN Workforce
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The increasing participation of men in registered nursing can be attributed to multiple factors, including increasing educational attainment, rising labor demand in health care, and liberalizing gender role attitudes, according to a working paper published by the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.
No Increased Risks for DOAC Use Versus Warfarin in VTE
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with venous thromboembolism, direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use is not associated with increased risk of major bleeding or mortality within the first 90 days compared with warfarin use, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in the BMJ.
Tau May Predict Neurological Outcome After Cardiac Arrest
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Serum tau is a promising novel biomarker for prediction of neurological outcome in patients with cardiac arrest, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in the Annals of Neurology.
Doctors Urged to Speak With Patients About Firearms
TUESDAY, Oct. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should make a public commitment to speak with their patients about firearms, according to an opinion piece published online Oct. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Potentially Preventable Spending Concentrated in Frail Elderly
TUESDAY, Oct. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Much of the total potentially preventable spending for Medicare beneficiaries is concentrated among frail elderly individuals, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Female Physicians May Be Especially at Risk of Burnout
TUESDAY, Oct. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Female physicians are more burned out than their male colleagues, but there are steps they can take to reduce the stress associated with burnout, according to a blog post published in Medical Economics.
Screening Tools Identify Potentially Inappropriate Meds
TUESDAY, Oct. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Internal medicine patients are frequently prescribed potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), but screening tools can detect clinically relevant PIMs, according to a study published online Oct. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Gastric Acid Suppression May Promote Liver Injury
TUESDAY, Oct. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Based on data from mouse models and humans, a decrease in gastric acid secretion due to use of gastric acid suppressive medications seems to promote overgrowth of intestinal Enterococcus, which promotes liver disease, according to a study published online Oct. 10 in Nature Communications.
Kneeling Posture Impacts Chest Compressions’ Effectiveness
MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by males, self-adjusted and nearest kneeling postures are more effective for chest compression, with lower perceived exertion, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
U.S. M.D. Graduates Make Up Half of New Family Medicine Residents
MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — U.S. M.D. graduates make up half the entering first-year class of family medicine residencies, and the increase in postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) family medicine and primary care positions is lagging behind that of non-primary care specialties, according to two studies published in the October issue of Family Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text — Study 1
Abstract/Full Text — Study 2
Online Ratings Not Aligned With Objective Quality Measures
MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Online consumer ratings of specialist physicians do not predict objective measures of quality of care or peer assessment of clinical performance, according to a study published online Sept. 8 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
Most Female Physicians Have Faced Sexist Patient Comments
MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most female physicians have been sexually harassed by patients at some point in their careers, according to a blog post published in Medical Economics.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption Tied to Lower Heart Failure Risk
MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced risk of heart failure but not atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Oct. 11 in JACC: Heart Failure.
New Screening Tool Can Identify Diabetic Retinopathy
MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A new screening tool can adequately detect risk of diabetic retinopathy in adults with diabetes in low-income communities in Mexico, according to a study published in the October issue of Preventing Chronic Disease.
Serious Suffering Affects Almost Half of Those Who Die Yearly
FRIDAY, Oct. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In 2015, more than 25.5 million people who died worldwide experienced serious health-related suffering (SHS), and the vast majority lacked access to palliative care and pain relief, according to a report published online Oct. 12 in The Lancet.
Disparity Seen in Nephrology Follow-Up Care
FRIDAY, Oct. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is a large disparity between the reported clinical opinions of nephrologists and real-world care for nephrology evaluation of patients after hospitalization with severe acute kidney injury (AKI), according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Better Patient Communication Needed After Urgent Care
FRIDAY, Oct. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients and primary care physicians (PCPs) need to communicate better after urgent care visits, and patients value their relationships with their PCPs, according to research conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Mental Health Issues Impact Retirement Saving Behavior
FRIDAY, Oct. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Mental health, as assessed by psychological distress, is associated with retirement saving behavior, according to a report published online Aug. 29 in Health Economics.
Pre-Retirement Morbidity Higher in Later Birth Cohorts
FRIDAY, Oct. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Americans who must work longer to reach Social Security retirement age have worse measures of health in the years leading up to retirement, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
Quality Issues for Both Paper-, Electronic-Based Health Records
FRIDAY, Oct. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Both paper-based and electronic health records (EHRs) have shortcomings in terms of quality of content, process, and structure, with poor quality of nursing documentation seen for both methods, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Guidelines Needed for 6MWT in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
FRIDAY, Oct. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is increasingly being used for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and guidelines are needed for its implementation in this population, according to a report published online Sept. 21 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
Court Considering Fate of Noneconomic Damages Cap
THURSDAY, Oct. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering whether it will hear a case that will determine the fate of the state’s $750,000 cap on noneconomic damages, according to an article published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
New System Streamlines CME Credit Approval Process
THURSDAY, Oct. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) have launched a new performance improvement activity credit reporting process called the AAFP Credit System, according to an article published by the AAFP.
Six-Month Tai Chi Program Improves Physical Activity in CHD
THURSDAY, Oct. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A six-month tai chi program is safe and improves physical activity (PA), weight, and quality of life for patients with coronary heart disease who decline to enroll in cardiac rehabilitation, according to a study published online Oct. 11 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Risk Conferred by T2D Modified by HbA1c in Heart Failure
THURSDAY, Oct. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with heart failure, the risks conferred by type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be stratified by glycemic control and drug treatments, according to a study published online Oct. 11 in JACC: Heart Failure.
Primary, Pulmonary Providers Endorse Lung CA Screening
THURSDAY, Oct. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Primary care clinicians and pulmonologists endorse lung cancer screening (LCS), but there are limitations in their knowledge of screening components, according to a study published online Sept. 21 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
2004 to 2014 Saw Increases in Risk Factors in Ischemic Stroke
THURSDAY, Oct. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 2004 to 2014 there were increases in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), according to a study published online Oct. 11 in Neurology.
Low-Cost Services a Major Player in Unnecessary Health Spending
THURSDAY, Oct. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The costs associated with low-cost, low-value health services are nearly twice as high as those of high-cost, low-value services, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
Medical License Questions Sway Doctors’ Mental Health Help
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medical licensure application questions (MLAQs) regarding mental health contribute to physicians’ reluctance to seek help for mental health, according to a study published in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Physician Salaries Appear to Be Flat or Declining
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Anecdotally, physician career coaches report that physician salaries are flat at best, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Educational Intervention in Hospital Can Cut Catheter Use
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A simple multimodal educational intervention targeting nurses and physicians can reduce mean catheter days per patient (CDPP) and the proportion of patients catheterized, according to a study published online Sept. 23 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Guide Offers Doctors Tips for Choosing a Health System
TUESDAY, Oct. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A guide has been developed to assist physicians considering joining a physician-led integrated health system, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Medicare Coverage Restrictions for Opioids Rose From ’06 to ’15
TUESDAY, Oct. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In an effort to restrict daily allowable prescribed dosing of prescription opioids, Medicare Part D formularies increasingly used quantity limits and prior authorization from 2006 to 2015, according to a research report published online Oct. 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Novel Metrics Suggested for Assessing EHR Use
TUESDAY, Oct. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Novel metrics have been developed to assess electronic health record (EHR) use and are described in an opinion article published online Oct. 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
3MR Intervention Effective for Discontinuing Inappropriate Meds
TUESDAY, Oct. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The Multidisciplinary Multistep Medication Review (3MR) is effective for discontinuation of inappropriate medication among elderly nursing home residents without a decline in their well-being, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Adding Albumin to Risk Score Improves Mortality Prediction
MONDAY, Oct. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Serum albumin, as a marker of frailty, can significantly improve the ability of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE-2) scores to predict transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)-related mortality, according to a study published online Sept. 23 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
2016 Physician Quality Reporting System Reports Available
MONDAY, Oct. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The 2016 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and the 2016 annual Quality and Resource Use reports have been released for individuals and group practices, according to a report published by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Injured Patients Want More Info on Safety Improvement Efforts
MONDAY, Oct. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Communication-and-resolution program (CRP) experiences are positive overall for a small majority of patients and families, but they report that hospitals rarely share information about preventing recurrences, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Rate of Adverse Effects for Dapagliflozin Similar to Placebo
MONDAY, Oct. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The overall incidence of adverse effects (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs) is similar in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus taking dapagliflozin or placebo, according to a study published online Sept. 26 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Short-Lived Benefits for Abusive Supervisory Behavior
FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Engaging in abusive supervisory behavior may be associated with short-term beneficial effects, but over longer periods of time, abusive supervisory behavior is negatively related to supervisors’ recovery level and engagement, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in the Academy of Management Journal.
Pay for Performance Cuts Mortality in Diabetes Patients
FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Diabetes disease management through a pay-for-performance (P4P) program cuts diabetes-related, cancer-related, and all-cause mortality, according to a Taiwanese study published online Oct. 5 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventing Chronic Disease.
Electrolyte Issues With Chronic Alcohol Use Span Social Spectrum
FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Electrolyte disturbances and acid-base disorders are common occurrences in patients with chronic alcohol-use disorder regardless of social circumstances, according to a review published online Oct. 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Stronger Nocebo Effect When Inert Rx Labeled As Expensive
FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Nocebo hyperalgesia is stronger when an inert treatment is labeled as being an expensive medication rather than a cheap one, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in Science.
21 Percent of Americans Report Experiencing a Medical Error
THURSDAY, Oct. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than one in five patients report having experienced a medical error, according to a survey released Sept. 28 by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)/National Patient Safety Foundation Lucian Leape Institute and NORC at the University of Chicago.
Medicare Paid $1.5 Billion to Replace Faulty Heart Devices
THURSDAY, Oct. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medicare paid at least $1.5 billion over a decade to replace seven types of defective heart devices that apparently failed for thousands of patients, according to an article published Oct. 2 in The New York Times.
Reasons Physicians Are Delaying Retirement Vary
THURSDAY, Oct. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physicians are delaying retirement, often because they feel they are providing a useful service to patients or because of concerns about social interaction in retirement, according to an article published online Sept. 25 in Medical Economics.
Mid-Adulthood HTN Tied to Higher Dementia Risk in Women
THURSDAY, Oct. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Mid-adulthood hypertension is associated with increased risk of dementia among women but not men, according to a study published online Oct. 4 in Neurology.
Pay Inequality, Work-Life Balance Top Concerns for Female Docs
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many female physicians report feeling disadvantaged when negotiating contracts and feel that they are assessed for promotion using different criteria than those used for men, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Patient Factors Differ for Surgical, All-Cause Readmission
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), factors associated with 30-day readmission resulting in return to theater (RTT) include comorbidities likely to affect patient behavior, according to a study published online Oct. 4 in JAMA Surgery.
Rate of Obesity-, Overweight-Related Cancers High in the U.S.
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The burden of overweight- and obesity-related cancer is high in the United States, and incidence has increased in some states and age groups, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
LAMA Plus LABA Tied to Fewer Exacerbations in Stable COPD
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) plus long-acting β-agonists (LABA) is associated with fewer exacerbation events in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a clinical evidence synopsis published online Oct. 3 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Anticoagulants With Other Drugs Raise Bleeding Risk in AF
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who take non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) along with certain other medications are at increased risk for major bleeding, and antithrombotic medications are significantly associated with increased rates of hematuria-related complications in older adults, according to two studies published online Oct. 3 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract/Full Text — Chang (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text — Wallis (subscription or payment may be required)
Scientists Support Genome Editing to Prevent Disease
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many basic scientists and clinical researchers support somatic genome editing in adults for prevention of serious disease but not for human enhancement; they also believe the public should be consulted before any clinical application of germline gene editing proceeds, according to survey results published online Oct. 3 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics.
Commercialization of Generics Impacts Adverse Event Rates
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Immediate or delayed differences in adverse event rates were seen after generic commercialization of three antihypertensive drugs, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
ER Risk Score Predicts 30-Day Mortality in Acute Heart Failure
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute heart failure (AHF) admitted to the emergency department (ED), a risk score based on 13 independent risk factors can predict 30-day mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Smoking Cessation Support Less Likely for Cancer Patients
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — General practitioners are less likely to support cessation of smoking in patients with cancer than in those with coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a study published online Sept. 11 in the Annals of Family Medicine.
Overall Breast Cancer Incidence Up for Some in 2005-2014
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall breast cancer incidence rates increased among specific racial/ethnic groups from 2005 to 2014, although the overall death rates decreased from 1989 to 2015, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Communication Program Doesn’t Raise Hospital Liability Costs
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A communication-and-resolution program, in which hospitals and liability insurers communicate with patients when adverse events occur, does not lead to higher liability costs, according to a study published online Oct. 2 in Health Affairs.
MI Incidence Down With CT Angiography in Suspected CAD
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is associated with reduced incidence of myocardial infarction but no reduction in death or cardiac hospitalization versus functional stress testing, according to a review published online Oct. 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors Not Cancer Risk Factor
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Over the short term there is not a significantly increased overall cancer risk among individuals with type 2 diabetes using sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, according to a study published in the October issue of Diabetologia.
Staff Training Intervention Doesn’t Impact Fall Prevention
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An intervention targeting gaps in staff communication and coordination (complexity science-based staff training intervention [CONNECT]) does not improve the impact of an evidence-based falls quality improvement program (FALLS), according to a study published online Oct. 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Subjective Cognitive Decline Linked to Global Tau Burden
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For clinically healthy older adults, subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is associated with increasing entorhinal cortical tau burden and β-amyloid (Aβ) burden, according to a study published online Oct. 2 in JAMA Neurology.
Hospital Discharges for Prescription Opioids Have Fallen
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Prescription opioid-related inpatient and emergency department (ED) discharges have decreased since 2010, while heroin-related discharges have increased sharply since 2008, according to a study published online Oct. 2 in Health Affairs.
Patient With CAS of 50 Percent Should Not Undergo Screening
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A vascular surgeon and primary care physician agree that an asymptomatic patient with cardiovascular risk and stenosis of 50 percent on screening carotid ultrasonography should not undergo carotid artery stenosis (CAS) screening, according to an article published online Oct. 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
High Epsom Salt Intake Can Lead to Severe Liver Injury
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Epsom salt intake can lead to severe liver injury in predisposed patients, according to a case study published online Oct. 2 in BMJ Case Reports.
Regular Leisure-Time Exercise May Cut Incidence of Depression
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Regular leisure-time exercise of any intensity is associated with reduced incidence of future depression, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Recent Immigrants to Canada More Likely to Die in ICU
MONDAY, Oct. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Recent immigrants to Canada are more likely to receive aggressive care and die in intensive care than long-standing residents, according to a study published online Oct. 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Opioid Manufacturers to Provide Doctor Training
MONDAY, Oct. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In an effort to halt the ongoing opioid addiction crisis, U.S. regulators are requiring manufacturers to provide extensive training to doctors, according to a report published by the Associated Press.
Skipping Breakfast Tied to Increased Odds of Atherosclerosis
MONDAY, Oct. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Habitual skipping of breakfast is associated with increased likelihood of atherosclerosis independent of traditional and dietary cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, according to a study published online Oct. 2 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
High Coffee Intake Tied to Lower Mortality in HIV/HCV
MONDAY, Oct. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Drinking three or more cups of coffee per day halves all-cause mortality risk in patients co-infected with HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to a study published online Sept. 21 in the Journal of Hepatology.
Legal Cannabis Use Common Among Cancer Patients
MONDAY, Oct. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In Washington state, where cannabis is legal, cancer patients have high rates of active use, and they report that legalization was an important factor in their decision to use, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in Cancer.
Electronic Triage System Risk-Stratifies ER Patients
MONDAY, Oct. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An electronic triage (e-triage) system based on machine learning can predict the likelihood of acute outcomes, enabling improved patient differentiation, according to a study published online Sept. 6 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Copyright © 2017 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
