Category: news-perspectives

With a big ad campaign about “hands-only” CPR, Arizona greatly increased the number of bystanders who tried it, a new study found. And people were more likely to live than when rescuers used traditional CPR. Arizona used public service ads, YouTube videos, free classes and other means to spread the word about hands-only CPR. This form of CPR uses a series of rapid pushes on the chest to circulate blood. There is no pause for “rescue breaths,” as in traditional CPR. In 2005, when the campaign began, about 28% of bystanders tried to use CPR when someone nearby had a cardiac arrest. In 2009, after the campaign, 40% tried CPR. More people used the hands-only method as time went on. People who got hands-only CPR were more likely to survive — 13% compared with 8% for traditional CPR. The study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Taking a heartburn drug does not make the blood thinner Plavix less effective, a new study suggests. Some people take a heartburn drug to reduce their risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding from the blood thinner. Early studies suggested that adding the heartburn drug increased people’s risk of heart attacks or strokes. But the new study followed a design that is considered more accurate. It included 3,873 people who took clopidogrel (Plavix). They were randomly assigned to also receive the heartburn drug omeprazole (Prilosec) or a placebo. Everyone took aspirin. In the next 6 months, 109 people died, had a heart attack or stroke, or needed a heart procedure. The rate of these events was slightly lower for people who took Prilosec than for those who got the placebo. About 1.1% of people who took Prilosec developed stomach or intestinal bleeding.

Family therapy may be best for the long-term recovery of teens with anorexia nervosa, a study suggests. The study included 121 people, mostly girls. Their ages ranged from 12 to 18. Each was randomly assigned to one of two groups. People in one group received individual therapy. The other group got family therapy. Treatment continued for a year. At the end, similar numbers from both groups were in “full remission.” They had a normal weight. They also had an average score on an assessment of eating disorder symptoms. But a year after treatment ended, differences were clear. About 49% of those who had family therapy were in full remission, compared with 23% of those who had individual therapy. The study appeared in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. HealthDay News wrote about it October 4.

The painkiller codeine may need to be phased out. Even normal doses can be dangerous for some people. So say the editors of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The editorial appears in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Codeine is found some over-the-counter medicines, such as adult cough syrups. The body converts codeine into morphine, which relieves pain. But some people’s bodies process codeine much faster than others, the editors say. This is caused by differences in certain genes. Most people don’t know if they have these genes. For those who do, the result could be a swift, toxic dose. At least two deaths and one severe brain injury among children have been linked to this effect. The best course may be to stop using codeine, the editors say. Instead, morphine could be used because its effects are more predictable.

Preteen children who babysit are prepared to handle most emergencies, a study finds. But 40% revealed in a survey that they have left a child alone. About 20% said they have opened the door to a stranger. Researchers surveyed 727 preteen babysitters. Nearly all knew whom to contact in the case of an intruder or a fire and how to find first aid supplies. About 85% knew whom to contact in the case of a poisoning. About 64% knew where to find a fire extinguisher. About half of those surveyed had training in first aid, CPR or both. About 10% said they had needed to call 911 while babysitting. The emergencies included house fires and child falls, severe cuts and head injuries. The lead author said the study showed both the strengths and weaknesses of these young caregivers. Researchers presented the study October 3 at a conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

A combination of diabetes drugs can help to prevent the disease in people at high risk, a new study concludes. The 207 people in the study had above-normal blood sugar, but it was not high enough to diagnose diabetes. This is called pre-diabetes. It often leads to diabetes. Everyone in the study took part in a program to encourage exercise and weight loss. These changes can help to prevent diabetes. People also were randomly assigned into two groups. One group got low doses of metformin and rosiglitazone (Avandia). These drugs reduce blood sugar in different ways. The other group received placebo (fake) pills. Researchers kept track of people for an average of four years. In that time, 14% of those who received the real drugs and 39% of the placebo group developed diabetes. Blood sugar fell to normal levels in about 80% of the treated group and 53% of the placebo group.

Healthy habits and weight loss can delay diabetes for 10 years in high-risk people, a new study has found. The new study was a follow-up. The first study included 3,234 overweight people. Their blood sugar was above normal, but not as high as in diabetes. They were divided at random into groups. One group took the diabetes drug metformin. Another got placebo pills. The third group got coaching on diet, exercise and weight loss. The third group had the lowest diabetes rates after an average of three years. Then everyone was given access to coaching on diet, exercise and weight loss. The people in the study were followed for 10 years. In that time, differences between groups narrowed. But overall the group first assigned to diet and exercise had a 34% lower risk of diabetes. The metformin group had an 18% lower risk.

A new type of drug has shown promising results for pain relief in osteoarthritis. This is the most common type of arthritis. But other studies of the drug have been suspended because some people developed a serious side effect. The study included 450 people with osteoarthritis of the knee. They were randomly assigned to get either the new drug, tanezumab, or a placebo. They received 2 injections, 2 months apart. Researchers checked on how they were doing after 4 months. Those taking tanezumab reported improvements of 45% to 62% in their pain level. People who got the placebo reported an average 22% improvement. Joint function also improved more with the new drug. Later, however, arthritis got worse in 16 people who received the new drug. Some of their bone cells died, and they needed joint replacements. As a result, the U.S.

Levels of a blood protein linked to inflammation vary by race, a new study finds. The study looked at C-reactive protein (CRP). People with long-term high levels may be more likely to develop heart disease. Researchers reviewed 89 studies about CRP. They included more than 221,000 people. Researchers broke down CRP results for this large group by race. They found that blacks had the highest average level, 2.6 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of blood. Levels for Hispanics were nearly as high, 2.51. They were followed by South Asians (2.34) and whites (2.03). East Asians had the lowest levels, an average of 1.01. Some doctors look at CRP levels to help them decide when someone needs treatment with a statin drug. These drugs reduce LDL cholesterol and inflammation. They have been shown to reduce heart disease deaths.