Gabapentinoids in COPD Patients May Raise Risk for Severe Exacerbations
Gabapentinoid use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was associated with a higher risk for severe exacerbations, a population-based cohort study from Canada indicated. Among more than 27,000 COPD patients, those who started therapy with the anticonvulsant for either epilepsy, neuropathic pain, or some other form of chronic pain had a 39% greater […]
Increasing BMI in Kids Tied to 100% Fruit Juice Consumption
Daily consumption of 100% fruit juice was associated with a small increase in body mass index (BMI) in children, while an association between consumption and weight gain among adults appeared mixed, a systematic review and meta-analysis found. In prospective cohort studies involving kids, each 8-oz serving of 100% fruit juice was associated with a 0.03 […]
No Laughing Matter: Nitrous Oxide for Transrectal Prostate Biopsy
Patient-adjusted nitrous oxide (N2O), commonly called laughing gas, did not reduce anxiety associated with transrectal prostate biopsy but significantly reduced pain as compared with standard anesthesia, a small randomized study showed. Scores on a standardized anxiety questionnaire, the primary endpoint, did not differ significantly between patients randomized to N2O or standard care. However, patents in […]
FDA Approves New Agent for Nerve Pain From Rare Inherited Disease
Eplontersen (Wainua) was approved by the FDA to treat polyneuropathy associated with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR) in adults, Ionis Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca announced on Thursday. Hereditary ATTR is caused by a mutation in the TTR gene that results in the buildup of misfolded transthyretin protein, leading to amyloid deposits in the peripheral nerves (ATTR-PN) or […]
Iodine Linked With Men’s Testosterone Levels
Lower iodine concentrations in the urine was independently associated with higher testosterone levels, a cross-sectional study found. Looking at nearly 3,000 U.S. men, those with lower urinary iodine concentrations had significantly higher total testosterone levels than men with either normal or high iodine levels (β -0.028, 95% CI -0.049 to -0.006, P=0.01), Arcangelo Barbonetti, PhD, […]
Longer Use of ADHD Meds May Boost Heart Risk
Longer use of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension and arterial disease, a nested case-control study from Sweden showed. Risk of cardiovascular disease rose with longer cumulative exposure to the drugs, peaking at 3 to 5 years of use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.27, 95% […]
Longer Use of ADHD Meds May Boost Heart Risk
Longer use of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension and arterial disease, a nested case-control study from Sweden showed. Risk of cardiovascular disease rose with longer cumulative exposure to the drugs, peaking at 3 to 5 years of use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.27, 95% […]
Impaired Neurodevelopment in Preemies Screened for Retinopathy: Nature or Nurture?
Having public health insurance was associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment among infants screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a retrospective cohort study suggested. In a diverse cohort of 706 premature neonates, public heath insurance was associated with an increased risk of moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment in cognitive and language domains, and […]
Jet lag disorder associated with shift work can lead to brain changes increasing appetite
Scientists have uncovered why night shift work is associated with changes in appetite in a new University of Bristol-led study. The findings, published in Communications Biology, could help the millions of people that work through the night and struggle with weight gain. Scientists from Bristol and the University of Occupational and Environmental Health in Japan, […]
Depressive Symptoms Tied to Higher Mortality Risk in U.S. Adults
Depressive symptoms were associated with a higher risk for all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, according to a nationally representative prospective cohort study. Of nearly 23,700 U.S. adults, mild depressive symptoms were associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with no symptoms (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.07-1.72), as were moderate to severe […]