Month: May 2015

Doctors often find it hard to talk with patients about end-of-life care, a new study shows. And differences in culture, ethnic group and language make things even more difficult, they told researchers. The study was based on a survey. In all, 1,040 doctors in training (residents) answered the questions. They were asked if they had difficulty talking about end-of-life care with seriously ill patients and their families. Almost everyone said yes. They also were asked about the top 3 problems that came up when they had these talks with someone from a different ethnic group. They named language differences, the patient’s or family’s spiritual beliefs about death and dying, and the doctor’s ignorance of the patient’s cultural values and practices. Other problems listed were the patient’s or family’s limited understanding of medical information and mistrust of the health-care system.

Women with breast cancer who carry a high-risk gene can lower their risk of death from the disease 62% by having their ovaries removed, a new study finds. They can reduce their risk even more by not delaying that surgery for more than a year or two, researchers said. The study included  676 women who had early-stage breast cancer. All of them were carriers of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. Women with these genes have a much higher than average risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. About half of the women in the study decided to have their ovaries removed. Those with a BRCA1 gene who had their ovaries removed were 62% less likely to die of breast cancer in the next 20 years. Death rates were up to 73% lower for women who had the surgery within 2 years of their breast cancer diagnosis.

Heart-failure patients who have problems understanding medical instructions may die sooner than those with a firmer grasp of what they need to do, a study finds. Heart failure means that the heart’s pumping action is weak. Treatment is complicated. People have to keep track of their weight. They often take many medicines. Heart failure can lead to repeat hospital stays and even death. The study included more than 1,300 people who had a recent hospital stay for heart failure. Before leaving, they filled out questionnaires on health literacy. They were asked about how well they could read and understand medical information. They also said how confident they felt about filling out medical forms. Researchers kept track of people for an average of 21 months.

Loud snorers and people with sleep apnea may develop memory problems much earlier than those with normal breathing during sleep, a new study suggests. But getting treatment for sleep apnea may restore normal risk levels. The study was based on a review of medical records for about 2,500 people. They ranged in age from 55 to 90. Researchers divided people into 3 groups. One group had normal brain function. One group had mild memory and thinking problems (mild cognitive impairment). The third group had Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers also looked at when people developed these problems. Diagnosis with mild memory problems occurred about 10 years earlier for people who had sleep-disordered breathing (sleep apnea or heavy snoring) than for those without sleep issues. Alzheimer’s disease was diagnosed about 5 years earlier.