Dr. Rachna T. Shroff discussed the CIRCULATE and COBRA studies at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. These studies evaluated the role of circulating tumor DNA in guiding treatment decisions for patients with colon cancer. Dr. Shroff emphasized that these studies show advancements in integrating novel technologies, therapies, and multidisciplinary techniques to bring about the best…
A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that a telehealth consultation and mail delivery of abortion pills is safe and effective, with a 97.7% success rate in completing abortions. The study involved over 6,000 patients and also compared the safety and effectiveness of telehealth abortion with in-person prescriptions. The results are comparable with previous…
Alaska health officials have reported the first human death from a new virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The deceased was an elderly man with a history of cancer treatment. He developed symptoms in September, including a tender red swelling in his right armpit, and sought medical help multiple times over the…
Hospitals are fighting to maintain higher Medicare payments for their services, including at hospital-owned physician practices. This unequal arrangement is seen as driving up costs for patients and taxpayers and incentivizing hospital consolidation. The House passed a bill that included a provision for site-neutral payment for medical infusions, which would save Medicare an estimated $3.7…
In a recent study, researchers investigated the effects of a diet of selenium- and/or zinc-enriched eggs (SZE) on oxidative stress, cognitive impairment, and intestinal flora in aging mice. The study found that the SZE diet reduced organ damage and improved cognitive function in mice models by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota. The study…
Prescription drugs help with medical conditions, but can also have unwelcome side effects. It’s important to communicate with your doctor and pharmacist about these side effects. New drugs may have unknown side effects, so you may ask about switching to an older, more established drug. Some side effects can be temporary and tolerable, but others…
In a large observational study of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), researchers found that one third of patients had inflammatory arthritis (IA), which was associated with poor quality of life and physical function. The study included 1717 adults with SSc, and IA was defined as the presence of synovitis in one or more joints. Patients…
Post-infectious cough affects 11-25% of adults after a respiratory illness, lasting 3-8 weeks. It can arise due to inflammatory reaction, mucous production, and bronchial sensitivity. Medications like inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators have little evidence supporting their effectiveness. In most cases, the cough resolves on its own without medication. Coughs lasting over 8 weeks may require…
Home insulin pump use has been found to be safe for hospitalized children with diabetes who do not have active ketoacidosis. A study conducted by researchers supports the continued use of insulin pumps for these patients, as it was found to be effective and did not increase the risk of adverse events. The study aimed…
In the first episode of Debunked: Slaughtering Myths, Bad Practices and Sacred Cows in Healthcare, co-hosts Arundhati Parmar and Samir Batra discuss bad billing practices in healthcare, with a focus on Arundhati’s foot fracture. They also address the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, drug pricing, and a healthcare transaction between General Catalyst and Summa Health….
