Tool Predicts PsA Progression From Psoriasis, No Fancy Biomarkers Needed
A risk-prediction algorithm was modestly accurate for identifying patients with psoriasis who are likely to progress to psoriatic arthritis (PsA), researchers reported. Based on patients’ demographics and clinical presentations routinely assessed during office visits, the model was about 72% effective in predicting 1-year risk of progression, and 75% effective (using slightly different input data) for […]
Agent Orange Exposure Tied to Bladder Cancer Risk in Veterans
Exposure to Agent Orange was associated with a modestly increased risk of bladder cancer among Vietnam War veterans, according to a retrospective cohort study. Among over 2.5 million male veterans, exposure to Agent Orange was associated with a relative 4% higher risk of bladder cancer (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001), reported Stephen Williams, MD, […]
Modest Survival Gain in Gastric/GEJ Cancer With Chemo Plus Pembrolizumab
Adding pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to chemotherapy modestly improved survival in unresectable/metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, a randomized trial showed. Median overall survival (OS) improved from 11.5 months with chemotherapy alone to 12.9 months with the addition of the immune checkpoint inhibitor. Median progression-free survival (PFS) improved from 5.6 months to 6.9 months. Landmark survival […]
Oral Drug Shows Benefit for Notalgia Paresthetica in Mid-Stage Trial
A selective kappa opioid receptor agonist in patients with notalgia paresthetica led to “modestly” greater improvements in itchiness over placebo, but was associated with adverse events, a randomized phase II trial showed. At 8 weeks, improvements in average itchiness was significantly greater with oral difelikefalin (Korsuva) versus placebo on the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale […]
Eating walnuts daily lowered ‘bad’ cholesterol and may reduce cardiovascular disease risk
Eating about ½ cup of walnuts every day for two years modestly lowered levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as “bad cholesterol,” and reduced the number of total LDL particles and small LDL particles in healthy, older adults, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation. Healthy older […]