FDA OKs Another Injectable for Rare Kidney Disorder
Nedosiran (Rivfloza), a once-monthly RNA interference (RNAi) injection, gained FDA approval for certain patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced Monday. The lactate dehydrogenase A-directed small interfering RNA is indicated to lower urinary oxalate levels in patients ages 9 years and older with relatively preserved kidney function, defined as an eGFR […]
How Far Would the GOP Presidential Candidates Go to End Abortion?
Discussion on abortion is certain to capture voters’ attention at the first Republican primary debate for the 2024 presidential election, to be held in Milwaukee on Wednesday. After the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last summer, the decision over the legality of abortion was left to states to decide, and conservative-led states rapidly […]
Anti-Androgens Can Be Used for PCOS When Oral Contraceptives Can’t
Anti-androgens may be beneficial for managing certain hyperandrogenism-related symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in cases where combined oral contraceptive pills are contraindicated, poorly tolerated, or ineffective, according to the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the subject. Using data from 13 studies including a total of 961 patients, combination treatment with antiandrogens, metformin, and […]
Some Health Workers See Double the Risk for Fatal Drug Overdoses
Certain healthcare workers including registered nurses (RNs) were at increased risk for fatal drug overdoses, a longitudinal study from 2008 to 2019 found. After adjustment for various factors, the risk for overdose death was more than twofold higher for RNs (HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.57-3.13) and social or behavioral health workers (HR 2.55, 95% CI […]
Omega-3 fatty acids linked to slower decline in ALS
People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who eat more foods high in certain omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseed oil, walnuts, canola oil and pumpkin seeds may have a slower physical decline from the disease and may have a slightly extended survival. The study, which looked at the survival of people with ALS over the course […]
Breast Cancer Drugs May Weaken Effects of Weight-Loss Drugs
CHICAGO — Anti-obesity medications may not work quite as well in women taking certain breast cancer drugs, a researcher reported here. Among 99 breast cancer survivors, those taking aromatase inhibitors (AI) lost 42% less weight after a year of taking an anti-obesity medication than women not on AIs, said Sima Fansa, MD, of the Mayo […]
Breathing Support Type Matters for Preventing Extubation Failure in the PICU
Postextubation use of certain modes of noninvasive respiratory support was associated with fewer incidents of extubation failure in critically ill children, a meta-analysis found. Compared with conventional oxygen therapy, both continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP; OR 0.43, 95% credible interval [CrI] 0.17-1.0) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC; OR 0.64, 95% CrI 0.24-1.0) appeared more effective […]
ECMO Therapy Out of Reach for Multiple Socioeconomic Groups
Socioeconomic disparities made certain groups on mechanical ventilation less likely to receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment in the years before the pandemic, a Nationwide Readmissions Database study found. Women were a relative 27% less likely to receive ECMO than their male counterparts (adjusted OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.70-0.75), while patients on Medicaid were nearly […]
6 Common Phrases You May Not Realize Are Actually Fat-Shaming
Carol Yepes via Getty Images Referring to certain foods as “bad” or saying that you “feel fat” are just two examples of common fat-shaming words in our society. As a general rule, phrases that offend groups of people are off limits in any respectful and caring group of people. Words that bring down folks in […]
Is Pain Treated Effectively With Antidepressants?
While some antidepressant drugs were effective for certain pain conditions, most were either ineffective or evidence was inconclusive, a review found. Evidence of efficacy of antidepressants for pain emerged in 11 of 42 comparisons included in an overview of systematic reviews, reported Giovanni Ferreira, PhD, of the University of Sydney, and colleagues. In four of […]