Harvard Health Content API

Two new drugs show promise in treating psoriasis, a long-term skin condition that can cause itching, flaking and pain. About 3 of every 100 people in the United States have psoriasis. Both studies used molecules that block a protein called IL-17. This protein helps to cause skin inflammation. It is found at high levels in the blood of people with psoriasis. One study involved 198 people. All had moderate to severe psoriasis. They were randomly divided into groups. Some groups got injections of a drug called brodalumab, which blocks the action of IL-17. Others got placebo injections. After 16 weeks, the drug dramatically reduced symptoms. In some cases, no signs of psoriasis existed. The second study involved 142 people with moderate to severe psoriasis. They received either six injections of a drug called ixekizumab, or placebo injections.

The drug warfarin can reduce the risk of stroke in people with a heart rhythm problem, says a review of eight studies. In people with atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart don’t pump properly. Blood collects in them, and can clot. The drug warfarin helps to prevent these clots, which can get stuck in blood vessels and lead to a stroke. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic looked at information from more than 32,000 people. Some took warfarin (also known as Coumadin) and others took newer anti-clotting drugs. Warfarin is effective, but the dose must be adjusted to balance the risk of clotting and the risk of bleeding. Warfarin dose adjustments have gotten easier and the new drugs are quite expensive, said the study authors, so warfarin will likely remain the drug of choice for some time.

People who sit for more than 11 hours a day have a 40% increased risk of dying over the next 3 years, compared with people who sit for fewer than 4 hours a day. This holds true even for people who exercise regularly, a study has found. An Australian group did the study. It included self-reported information from more than 220,000 adults ages 45 and older. Mortality rates were 40% higher for people who sat for more than 11 hours a day, and 15% higher for people who sat for 8 to 11 hours a day. Researchers took exercise, weight and general health into account. They note that the study does not prove that sitting causes the risk. People who sit for long periods may be less healthy or have other issues that make it difficult for them to stand or walk. The study followed people for only 3 years. It also used information that the people reported themselves.

The Back to Sleep campaign reduced deaths from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but other risk factors also exist. A study collected information on risk factors from 568 infants who died from SIDS between 1991 and 2008. They found that 99% of the infants with SIDS had at least one of seven risk factors. About 57% had three risk factors. The risk factors were male gender, African-American race, having a mother who smoked or drank while pregnant, sleeping on the stomach or side, sleeping in an adult bed or sharing a bed, overheating, having the head covered by bedding and having an upper respiratory infection. The study was published in Pediatrics.

Programs to prevent type 2 diabetes can lower people’s health care costs over time, a new study finds. The new analysis took a close look at data from the Diabetes Prevention Program. That study explored ways to prevent type 2 diabetes. Everyone in the study had a high risk of developing the disease. One group made changes in diet and exercised more. They aimed for a 7% weight loss. People in this group lowered their risk of type 2 diabetes 58%. Another group took the drug metformin. Their chance of developing diabetes was 31% lower than for those who got placebo (fake) pills. The new study looked at 10-year health care costs for all 3 groups. This included the costs of the program and medicine, plus other health care. Costs averaged $27,915 per person for the metformin group and $28,236 for the placebo group.

A new, injectable drug appears to safely reduce LDL cholesterol, even in people already taking statins, researchers report. The new study was an early test for a type of drug known as a monoclonal antibody. It has to enter the bloodstream through an injection or an intravenous (IV) infusion. The new drug, called REGN727, interferes with an enzyme that keeps the liver from removing LDL from the bloodstream. The study had two parts. The first part, using 72 healthy volunteers, found no safety problems. The second part included 51 people who took a statin but still had high LDL cholesterol. Of these, 21 people had an inherited form and 30 had the usual form. Another 10 people had high LDL but were trying to lower it with diet and exercise only. Everyone received 3 injections within 6 weeks. They received either REGN727 or a placebo.

Taking a daily low dose of aspirin for several years may reduce cancer risk. It also may slow the growth of cancer and reduce the risk of dying from the disease. The results came from three British studies. Two of them analyzed the data from 51 clinical trials. The clinical trials were testing whether aspirin helped to prevent heart attack and stroke. People were randomly assigned to take aspirin or a placebo (fake pill). One of the British studies found that those who took aspirin for at least 5 years had a 37% drop in the risk of dying from cancer. Another showed that people taking aspirin who were later diagnosed with cancer had a lower risk of the cancer spreading to distant sites. They also had half the risk of dying from cancer, compared with people who did not take aspirin.