ED Meds Linked to Higher Risk of Ocular Adverse Events
Regular users of common medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) are at a higher risk for ocular adverse events, according to a large cohort study. Among over 200,000 men using phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is), the adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for the composite endpoint of serous retinal detachment (SRD), retinal vascular occlusion (RVO), and ischemic […]
Disbelief in human evolution linked to greater prejudice and racism: UMass Amherst research findings consistent across countries, cultures, genders and religions
A disbelief in human evolution was associated with higher levels of prejudice, racist attitudes and support of discriminatory behavior against Blacks, immigrants and the LGBTQ community in the U.S., according to University of Massachusetts Amherst research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Similarly, across the globe — in 19 Eastern European countries, […]
Reassuring Data on Two-Dose Hep B Vaccine, Risk of Acute MI
There was no higher risk of heart attack for recipients of the two-dose hepatitis B cytosine phosphoguanine adjuvant vaccine (Heplisav-B) compared to the three-dose hepatitis B vaccine with an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (Engerix-B), a prospective study found. Among nearly 70,000 adults who received at least one hepatitis B vaccine dose, type 1 acute myocardial infarctions […]
Effectiveness of antibiotics significantly reduced when multiple bugs present
A study has found that much higher doses of antibiotics are needed to eliminate a bacterial infection of the airways when other microbes are present. It helps explain why respiratory infections often persist in people with lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis despite treatment. In the study, published today in The ISME Journal, researchers say […]
Depression May Follow Those Bedridden for COVID
Patients who had severe acute COVID-19 but avoided hospitalization saw higher risks for certain mental health conditions, according to an observational study. Among nearly 10,000 individuals, those diagnosed with COVID-19 had a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.36) and poorer sleep quality (PR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03-1.24) compared with […]
Peripheral Nerve Problems Tied to Later Dementia
Peripheral nerve impairments in older adults were tied to a higher risk of subsequent dementia, a study of longitudinal data showed. Combined sensory and motor impairments in the lower leg doubled the risk of subsequent dementia (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.29-2.88) compared with people who had no leg impairments, reported Willa Brenowitz, PhD, MPH, of […]
COVID’s Death Toll 3 Times Worse Than Official Counts
The global COVID-19 death toll may be three times higher than official tallies suggest, according to a systematic analysis of excess mortality during the pandemic. From Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021, global deaths directly attributed to COVID-19 reached 5.9 million, yet estimates put excess deaths during this period at a staggering 18.2 million […]
Communities with higher levels of racial prejudice have worse health outcomes: Area-level racial prejudice drives health inequities, research finds
People who live in communities with higher levels of racial prejudice have worse health outcomes, including more heart disease and mental health problems and higher overall mortality rates, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. The researchers conducted a systematic review of fourteen papers that used data gathered from Google, Twitter and other […]
Pregnancy-Related Deaths Climbed In Pandemic’s First Year
Pregnancy-related deaths for U.S. mothers climbed higher in the pandemic’s first year, continuing a decades-long trend that disproportionately affects Black people, according to a government report released Wednesday. Overall in 2020, there were almost 24 deaths per 100,000 births, or 861 deaths total — numbers that reflect mothers dying during pregnancy, childbirth or the year […]
Taking high-dose vitamin D supplements for five years did not affect the incidence of cardiovascular disease or cancer
A trial by the University of Eastern Finland found that taking a much higher dose of vitamin D than recommended for five years did not affect total mortality or the incidence of cardiovascular disease or cancer in older men and women. In population studies, low levels of vitamin D in the body have been linked […]