The Week in Medicine is a round-up of all the latest happenings in Irish medicine, with a new issue released weekly. The latest issue, dated June 11, 2024, is filled with updates and news from the medical field. Stay informed with the latest developments by reading The Week in Medicine from Irish Medical Times. Source…
Oropouche virus (OROV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes a dengue-like illness called Oropouche fever, primarily in Central and South America and the Caribbean. It is transmitted by the Culicoides paraensis midge, with no known human-to-human transmission. Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, and more, sometimes leading to complications like meningitis. Diagnosing Oropouche virus…
Better Health, an online store for medical products and support, received $14 million in funding, totaling $27.5 million. Investors include UHealth, Samsung Next, and more. CEO Naama Stauber Breckler aims to expand services for payers and providers, enhancing patient care. The focus is on AI integration and easing processes for all stakeholders. The platform connects…
President Joe Biden’s campaign ad warns voters about the potential consequences of repealing the Affordable Care Act, particularly the loss of protections for preexisting conditions for over a hundred million Americans. Polls show Trump leading Biden in swing states, but voters trust Biden more on health care policy. The claim about 100 million Americans with…
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that one in three people who stop taking antidepressants experience discontinuation symptoms, while one in six people who discontinue a placebo also experience symptoms. The study included 79 studies with 21,002 patients who discontinued antidepressants or placebo. Certain medications, such as imipramine, paroxetine, and desvenlafaxine or venlafaxine,…
Seth Berkley, a global health leader, criticized the U.S. response to the avian influenza outbreak among dairy cattle, highlighting failures in surveillance, tracking infections, and vaccine readiness. Berkley’s concerns about the H5N1 bird flu outbreak revolve around the lack of preparedness to handle a potential pandemic. The limited information on infected herds and resistance from…
The research article by Kevin Schartz et al (BMJ 2024;385:e079329) has undergone changes in the order of author affiliations. This adjustment has been made to accurately reflect the contributions and affiliations of each author involved in the study. The revised order of author affiliations provides a more precise representation of the research team and their…
Massachusetts experienced a 10% drop in opioid-related overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023, the largest decline in two decades, with an expected continuation of this trend in 2024. However, the report highlighted concerning data on overdose deaths when broken down by race and ethnicity. While the rates decreased among white, non-Hispanic males, they increased among…
Diana Perez, a medical resident at the Family Health Center of Harlem, received a handwritten thank-you note from a patient, confirming she chose the right training path. She helps homeless patients get medications and care, focusing on whole-person care. The Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program trains residents in outpatients clinics to address community…
Adding abemaciclib, a CDK-4/6 inhibitor, to a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor improved overall survival in postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer, although the results did not reach statistical significance. The MONARCH 3 study involved 493 patients who had not received prior systemic therapy in the advanced setting. Patients receiving abemaciclib had a median overall survival…
A study published in Neurology found that women who give birth to low-weight babies are at a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. Researchers used data from the Nurses’ Health Study II and found that women who had low birth-weight deliveries had lower scores in cognitive assessment tests compared to those who delivered…
GLP-1 drugs are effective for weight loss but face shortages and high costs. Dr. Timothy Law believes doctors should make the call on which patients get access, not insurers. Dr. Melanie Jay disagrees, saying individual providers can’t ensure health equity. Law thinks the responsibility should be on pharmaceutical companies to increase supply and lower prices….
Global warming is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with rising temperatures putting immense stress on marine life. Despite public concerns, the Irish government supports agriculture practices that contribute to emissions. The focus on economic growth over climate targets is hindering progress in addressing climate change. The flawed measure of progress, GDP, fails to account for…
A 2017 study published in JAMA Pediatrics examined eye abnormalities in infants with potential Zika virus exposure to determine the need for screening eye examinations. Zika virus spread by mosquitoes, sexual contact, infected blood, and from mother to infant can cause microcephaly, among other abnormalities. The study found that 21.4% of infants born to mothers…
Uwill, a mental health platform for colleges and students, has partnered with digital mental health company Headspace to expand its Urise wellness offerings. Uwill offers on-demand virtual access to therapists and crisis counseling for students, along with online wellness events through their app. The partnership with Headspace will integrate meditation, yoga, and mindfulness offerings into…
G Kumar struggled with vaping addiction in college, going through 1,200 puffs a week and using it as a crutch. Many in their generation struggle to quit despite knowing the risks. Marketing by e-cigarette companies led teens to try vaping, leading to widespread addiction known as “Generation Vape.” Research shows nicotine is highly rewarding to…
A study published in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is lower in patients with idiopathic orbital inflammation compared to those with necrotizing fasciitis or orbital cellulitis. Researchers reviewed cases of adult patients with these conditions presenting acutely to the ED and found that an elevated NLR may indicate infectious…
In a Phase 3 trial, Pfizer’s gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy did not slow the disease’s progression, marking the second failed attempt in the field. The study, involving 99 boys aged 4-7, did not show any positive results on key secondary endpoints. This is similar to a previous trial of a Sarepta gene therapy…
Michael Mosley, a renowned doctor, writer, and broadcaster, passed away on 9 June while vacationing in Greece. He was well-known for his work in television, radio, and bestselling diet books. Mosley had a near-death experience as a baby in Calcutta due to the Asian flu outbreak in 1957. He was sent to England for schooling…
The number of individuals aged 65 and older with type 1 diabetes has increased significantly, with a decrease in death rates indicating longer life expectancy. However, there are global inequalities in diabetes care, with disparities in outcomes between high-income and low- and middle-income countries. Improved treatments and care have led to a growing number of…
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology examined the link between antenatal COVID-19 vaccination and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Pregnancy increases the risk of severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to complications like preterm birth and hypertensive disorders. While pregnant women were initially excluded from vaccine trials, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were found to reduce complications for…
Melasma is a complex skin condition influenced by genetics, hormones, and other factors. Common treatments include hydroquinone, retinoids, steroids, and triple combination cream. New treatments like azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, cysteamine, malassezin, methimazole, thiamidol, and 2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycine are proving effective. Laser treatments may be used for resistant cases. Education, skin exams, and pretreatment with tinted…
A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe found that consuming ultra-processed plant-based foods is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality, despite the health benefits typically associated with plant-based diets. Researchers analyzed data from over 118,000 participants and found that plant-based non-UPFs were associated with better health outcomes, while plant-based…
Moon Surgical, a robotics startup, aims to create an efficient, sustainable, and digitized operating room of the future. They recently received FDA clearance for the commercial version of their Maestro surgical robot system, designed to support soft tissue surgical procedures not currently supported by existing telerobotic systems. The compact system can hold and manipulate standard…
Dr. Ray O’Connor discusses the latest clinical studies on therapeutics, including the use of anabolic steroids which have serious adverse effects such as cardiovascular and psychiatric morbidity. A case-control study found an increase in mortality among AAS users compared to a control group. A trial on beta-blocker treatment post myocardial infarction with preserved ejection fraction…
Healthcare technology company Aktiia has received CE mark in Europe for its calibration-free technology CALFREE, which uses optical sensors in smartwatches and smartphone cameras to collect blood pressure data. This approval allows Aktiia to integrate its medical-grade optical blood pressure monitoring into third-party consumer devices, such as smartwatches and smartphones. Aktiia’s CEO believes this technology…
California is attempting to control healthcare costs by setting spending caps, aiming to reduce growth to 3% by 2029. The state’s Office of Health Care Affordability is tasked with making care more affordable, accessible, and improving health outcomes. However, healthcare organizations are pushing back, arguing that the targets do not account for factors like an…
A review of nearly 500 observational studies found that environmental stressors exacerbated by climate change are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The authors emphasized the urgent need for action to mitigate this trend. The studies analyzed the relationship between environmental exposures like extreme temperature, ground-level ozone, wildfire smoke, and extreme weather events…
The histology slide is analyzed by an open-source artificial intelligence model called LLaVA 1.5, which identifies the cells as being from the cheek. Another version of the model, LLaVA-Med, trained on medical data, correctly identifies the cells as being from breast tissue. The color and pattern of the cells on the slide are described in…
The Conservative Party plans to cut NHS management costs to finance health promises in their 2024 election manifesto. The manifesto includes £6.6bn for the NHS and £7.5bn for adult social care over the next three years. They aim to save money by reducing the number of managers by 5500, cutting £550m, and decreasing government consulting…
An outbreak of mpox in South Africa has resulted in one death and four more individuals becoming infected. The Health Minister is working to secure more treatment drugs as a precaution. Mpox, a viral illness transmitted through contact with infected individuals or animals, causes painful lesions and other symptoms. The recent cases in South Africa…
Instron has released a new Autoinjector Testing System for testing pen and autoinjectors to ISO 11608. This system, developed in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, measures essential performance requirements such as cap removal, dose accuracy, activation force, injection time, needle depth, and needle guard lockout. The system simplifies testing by allowing a complete sequence of tests…
A new drug called Survodutide, which is a dual glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucagon receptor agonist, has shown exceptional improvement in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) based on phase 2 trial results. Up to 83% of patients on Survodutide experienced significant improvement in MASH compared to those on a placebo. Additionally, 75% of…
Louisiana’s “cancer alley” has extremely high levels of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing toxic gas, with concentrations thousands of times higher than deemed safe. A study by Johns Hopkins University found 20 times higher levels of the toxic chemical in the air than expected, posing health risks for residents and workers, especially children. Ethylene oxide is…
A new FDA-approved therapy, Iqirvo, has been developed by Ipsen to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare liver disease that can lead to organ failure. PBC is an autoimmune condition that causes bile and toxins to build up in the liver, leading to inflammation and damage. Iqirvo, which activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), is…
Breakthrough Cancer Research has provided €1 million in funding for a new treatment targeting inflammation in Barrett’s patients. The funding is also supported by industry and other charities like the Oesophageal Cancer Fund and Cross. Prof Jacintha O’Sullivan and PhD student Lorraine Smith announced the treatment, which aims to accelerate discoveries in the oesophageal cancer…
Pennsylvania-based behavioral health company NeuroFlow has acquired Owl, a fellow behavioral digital health company, to expand its measurement-based offerings for providers. NeuroFlow offers a cloud-based platform for monitoring and connecting with patients, providing clinical decision support and personalized recommendations. Owl’s platform allows patients to report symptoms to providers before appointments, saving time and improving treatment…
Within the new Biden administration policy to lower drug costs for Medicare patients, independent pharmacists are struggling to keep some prescription drugs in stock due to financial difficulties. The policy changes prescription prices for Medicare beneficiaries, adjusting them at the pharmacy counter, resulting in reduced overall costs for patients. However, this system means less money…
Increased social media activity is linked to higher online ratings for shoulder and elbow surgeons, according to a study. However, social media use did not result in more reviews. The study included 385 fellowship-trained surgeons in the US and found that social media users had higher ratings on platforms like Healthgrades and Vitals. Surgeons with…
Republican leaders in the House Energy and Commerce Committee are proposing a new oversight panel to regulate viral pathogen research, specifically gain-of-function studies. These studies involve making a virus more transmissible or virulent in a lab and have been deemed risky. The recommendation comes after a monthslong investigation into gain-of-function research conducted by the National…
Adrian Drake-Lee, a retired ear, nose, and throat surgeon from Llanddona, UK, discusses the concept of laterality in medicine. He mentions that while medicine is often designed for right-handed people, there is more to consider beyond handedness. Drake-Lee personally experiences being right eye dominant despite having a strong left-handed preference. He also notes the importance…
A study conducted by Mass General Brigham showed a significant reduction in the mortality rates of intubated pediatric patients in El Salvador after the implementation of a low-cost quality improvement program. The study focused on improving clinical practices in pediatric intensive care units in low and middle-income countries to reduce child mortality rates, which are…
Proteins play a vital role in biological functions, constantly changing as we age or face various health conditions. Monitoring these changes through proteomics can aid in drug discovery, disease diagnosis, and precision medicine. Yanbao Yu at the University of Delaware developed a simple, affordable method for preparing protein samples for analysis, leading to a patent-pending…
The FDA approved sarilumab (Kevzara) for the treatment of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) for patients weighing ≥ 63 kg. It is estimated that nearly 300,000 children in the US have JIA, with 1 in 4 having pJIA. The drug, developed by Sanofi and Regeneron, is an interleukin 6 receptor blocker. Sarilumab was first approved…
Researchers have found that even if you have a sedentary day, exercising at the right time can help with weight loss and blood sugar control. A study published in the journal Obesity concluded that evening exercise is especially effective in lowering blood sugar levels for overweight adults. Time-restricted eating, also known as intermittent fasting, was…
A report conducted in 2021 by healthcare research firm ATI Advisory and commissioned by Better Medicare Alliance found that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries spent $2,541 less in out-of-pocket costs and premiums compared to fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries. The study used data from the 2019 to 2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. The report also showed that Medicare Advantage…
Consultants in Northern Ireland plan to strike on June 26 due to ongoing pay dispute, with 92% voting in favor of industrial action. Their take-home pay has dropped by over 30% since 2008, in contrast to consultants in England and Ireland. The strike, if it proceeds, will impact routine and elective services but emergency cover…
Migraine Canada is hosting its third annual Move for Migraine event in June to combat the stigma and support those affected by migraine in Canada. The event aims to raise awareness and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation among individuals with migraine. Participants are encouraged to participate by skating, biking, or running to show support…
Teladoc Health has appointed Charles “Chuck” Divita III as its new CEO, coming from his role as executive vice president at GuideWell. Divita brings experience in handling large revenue and overseeing various functions. He has also served on the boards of other organizations and is a Certified Public Accountant. The company is confident in his…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed regulations that would prevent medical debts from impacting Americans’ credit scores. This move aims to protect tens of millions burdened by medical bills they can’t afford and fulfill a promise by the Biden administration to address healthcare debt. The rules would bar future medical bills from credit reports…