Category: news-perspectives

Eating more fish might not help to prevent heart disease among women with type 1 diabetes, new research suggests. The long-term study began in 1986. It included 601 men and women with type 1 diabetes. During the next 18 years, more than one-quarter of them were diagnosed with heart disease. Men who took in the most omega-3 fatty acids were least likely to develop heart disease. These oils are found in fish and some plant foods. But women who consumed a lot of omega-3’s did not have a lower heart disease risk. The study was presented at a conference. HealthDay News wrote about it June 26.

Younger, unmarried men are the least likely group in the world to be aware if they have high blood pressure, a new study finds. They’re also least likely to get treatment. Rural residents of low-income countries also were less likely to know they had high blood pressure or to get treated. The study included 150,000 people. They were from 17 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. People were given blood pressure tests. Just over half of those from high-income countries who had high blood pressure were aware of it. Awareness was similar in rural and urban areas. But in low-income countries, rural residents were less aware. Fewer than half of those who had high blood pressure realized it. In high-income countries, just under half of those who had high blood pressure got treatment. In rural areas of low-income countries, only one-fourth got treatment.

An experimental drug helps to reduce blood sugar in a different way for people with type 2 diabetes, researchers report. The drug is called dapagliflozin. Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca are developing it together. The drug causes the kidneys to remove more glucose (sugar) from the body through urine. It is intended to be used along with current drugs. The study included 534 adults who were already taking metformin. They were randomly assigned to receive either the new drug or a placebo. After 24 weeks, researchers measured hemoglobin A1C levels in the blood. This is a measurement of blood sugar control over time. Compared with the people taking only metformin, those who took both drugs had better blood sugar control. They also lost about 4 more pounds, on average, than those who took metformin only. The study was presented at a conference.

Three tests combined offer a good way to predict which people with Parkinson’s disease are most likely to fall, a study finds. The study included 101 people with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers gave them tests related to symptoms, balance and movement. In the next 6 months, nearly half of the people in the study fell. Half of those who fell did so more than once. Most of those who fell had three things in common. They tended to have more severe Parkinson’s symptoms. They said they often “froze” while walking. They also did not do well in balance tests. Researchers said these three tests combined would correctly predict a strong risk of falls about 80% of the time. The study was published online by the journal Neurology. HealthDay News wrote about it June 23.

Delirium affects about 1 out of 3 hospital patients over age 70. It’s even higher for those who are in intensive care or recovering from surgery. And hospitals increasingly are trying to treat or prevent it, the New York Times reported June 20. People with delirum often have hallucinations. They may become violent or act in ways that cause them to get hurt. Nobody is sure of the causes, the Times reported. Infections, surgery or insertion of a catheter may make frail patients anxious. Some medicines also may be triggers. Changes in routine and location can be a factor, the Times said. People have their sleep interrupted for tests. They may not have their eyeglasses or dentures. Delirium can slow down recovery. About 35% to 40% of older adults with hospital dementia die within a year, a study found. Those who survive may have an increased risk of dementia.

A panel of experts has endorsed approval of a new “morning-after pill” that works longer than the ones now on the market. The panel voted June 17 to recommend approval of ellaOne, made by HRA Pharma. Canadian Press wrote about the vote. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is not required to follow its expert panels’ advice. However, it often does. Studies done by the drug maker showed that ellaOne prevents pregnancy when taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Plan B, an older brand, can be taken up to 3 days after sex. It is made by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Generic versions also are sold. In a study, 1,700 women received either ellaOne or Plan B between 3 and 5 days after sex. The risk of becoming pregnant was 1.8% of women who took ellaOne. It was 2.6% for those who took Plan B. Abortion opponents have criticized the makers of ellaOne.

Both diabetes and high insulin levels may increase the risk of some cancers, experts say. This finding is part of a new report. It was sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes. The two groups recruited a panel of experts who looked at previous research. The panel found that people with diabetes have an increased risk of liver, pancreas, endometrial, colon/rectal, breast and bladder cancers. Prostate cancer risk may be below average. The reasons for all of these links are unclear. But there are potential reasons that would make biological sense, the lead author told HealthDay News. For example, insulin and similar proteins in the body can promote some cancers. Many people with type 2 diabetes have high levels of insulin in their bodies. Obesity and some other factors also increase the risk for both diabetes and cancer.

Only about 2% of men over 40 develop symptoms related to low testosterone levels, a new study finds. This condition is called late-onset hypogonadism. Some people refer to it as “male menopause.” But there has been debate about whether male menopause even exists. This study is the first to link concrete symptoms with testosterone levels. The authors concluded that the syndrome is less common than people had thought. Researchers measured testosterone levels in 3,369 men, aged 40 to 79. They also asked them about symptoms. Three sexual symptoms were most likely to be linked to low testosterone. The symptoms were a reduction in morning erections, lower sex drive and impotence (erectile dysfunction). The authors said men should have all three of these symptoms and low testosterone to be diagnosed with late-onset hypogonadism. It is treated with hormone supplements.

Americans get more radiation from medical tests than people of any other country, the Associated Press (AP) reported June 14. The average person’s medical radiation dose has increased sixfold in the last two decades. And an increased amount of research shows that it’s too much, AP said. The biggest source is computed tomography (CT) scans — X-rays that give very detailed images. Just a few CT scans can deliver enough radiation to possibly increase cancer risk. No one keeps track of how much radiation each patient gets over time. But that may change. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is pushing industry and doctors to use standard radiation doses. It also may require record-keeping on dosage for each person. CT scans may be given too often for several reasons, AP said. They are a quick and accurate diagnosis tool.

A Mediterranean-type diet may improve heart function by one important measure, a study suggests. Researchers looked at data from a study of twins and heart disease. Men in the study answered questions about what they ate. They also wore portable electrocardiogram machines to measure heart rate variability. This is how much the time between beats varies in everyday life. A more varied heartbeat shows better heart function. Men who ate diets closer to the Mediterranean style had greater heart rate variability. Some of the 276 men in the study were identical twins, who have all the same genes. The other twins were fraternal, with fewer of the same genes. By comparing twins, researchers were able to tie heart rate differences to diet, not just genes. The journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it June 15.