Category: news-perspectives

Gestational diabetes may increase the risk of heart disease, even for women who don’t develop type 2 diabetes later. That’s the conclusion of a new study that included nearly 900 women. They did not have heart disease or diabetes when the study began. About 13% developed gestational diabetes. This form of diabetes occurs during pregnancy. It usually goes away afterward. But it does increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. After 20 years of follow-up, researchers measured the women’s carotid arteries. Thick arteries may indicate atherosclerosis, a buildup of deposits inside arteries. This condition can lead to heart disease or stroke. Carotid arteries were thicker in women who had gestational diabetes in the past than in other women.

A new study finds that glucosamine does not slow damage to knee joints in people with long-term (chronic) pain. Glucosamine is a dietary supplement. It is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Many people take it as a treatment for osteoarthritis, but its benefit is uncertain. Prior studies have had conflicting results. The new study included 201 adults with chronic knee pain. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group received a daily drink (diet lemonade) that contained glucosamine. The other group received a placebo drink that did not contain the supplement. The study lasted 24 weeks. MRI images were taken of people’s knees before and after the study. The images showed no difference between groups in the degree of cartilage loss during the study. Breakdown of cartilage is a major source of osteoarthritis pain.

Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets go with us everywhere. Even when we’re dining out with family and friends. A new study in the journal Pediatrics looked at how adults used mobile devices when they were with their kids. Researchers focused on meal time. They conducted 55 anonymous observations in fast food restaurants, in Boston from July to August 2013. They took detailed notes about how and how much parents interacted with their mobile devices and their kids. Forty parents actually used their smartphone during the meal. Some were totally absorbed in their phones the entire time. Some shared photos or videos with their kids. Researchers also noted how parents dealt with kids acting up while they were on the phone. Some parents gave their kids a look or a nudge. Some provided a mobile device for their child to play on. The study was published in Pediatrics online.

People who lose their hearing are more likely than others to become depressed, a new study suggests. Researchers looked at data from a U.S. government health survey of 18,000 adults. Those who were 70 and older received hearing tests. The others were asked about their hearing and any problems with it. Everyone also filled out a questionnaire designed to show if they were depressed. About 5% of those with no hearing problems and 11% of those with some degree of hearing loss were depressed. Depression with hearing loss was most common among those under age 70. Women had higher rates of depression than men. Depression was also more likely as hearing loss grew worse. But those who were totally deaf were not more likely to be depressed. Researchers said they may have become used to coping with a lack of hearing.

Men with prostate cancer may live longer if they have surgery rather than “watchful waiting,” a long-term study suggests. The benefit was strongest for younger men and those with medium-risk tumors. At the time the study began, the PSA test was not widely used. Most men were diagnosed because they had symptoms or a lump in the prostate. The study included nearly 700 Swedish men with prostate cancer. They were randomly assigned to receive prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) or no immediate treatment. In the next 23 years, 56% of the men in the surgery group and 69% in the watchful-waiting group died. Prostate cancer was the cause of death for 18% of the surgery group and 29% of the other group. Men in the surgery group also were less likely to have their cancer spread or to need anti-hormone treatments. The most benefit occurred among men who were under age 65 when diagnosed.

Eating more meat in middle age may increase people’s risk of death, particularly from cancer, a new study finds. But older adults who ate more protein lived longer than those who ate less. The study was based on diet surveys from more than 6,800 adults. Researchers kept track of deaths during the next 18 years. People were divided into 2 groups: middle aged (50-65) or older (over 65). Diets with at least 20% of calories from protein were classified as high-protein. Middle-aged people with high-protein diets were 75% more likely to die during the study period than those with low-protein diets (less than 10% of calories). They were 4 times as likely to die of cancer. Cancer-death risk was 3 times as high in the moderate-protein group (10% to 19% of calories). Most protein came from meat and dairy products.

A standard healthy diet may help prevent kidney stones as well as a special diet, a small study suggests. People who have had kidney stones often are advised to eat a diet low in “oxalate.” This chemical binds to calcium to form the most common type of stone. But the diet also prohibits many healthy foods. Researchers randomly divided 51 people into 2 groups. One group followed a low-oxalate diet. The other followed the DASH diet, which helps prevent high blood pressure. This diet is high in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains. It is low in fat, salt, sugar and meat. In all, 41 people completed the 8-week study. People on the DASH diet had more oxalates in their urine than those on the low-oxalate diet. But the DASH group was less likely to have oxalates bound to calcium in the urine. These are the compounds that form stones.

Childhood vaccines save about $10 in total costs to society for every $1 spent, a new study finds. But another study finds that messages about the value and safety of vaccines may backfire. The first study found that vaccines led to nearly $69 billion in medical and economic savings for U.S. babies born in 2009. In the other study, more than 1,700 parents answered questions about their attitudes toward vaccines. Then they were randomly divided into groups that received different messages. One message explained that there’s no evidence that the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism. Another discussed the dangers of the diseases that MMR prevents. A third message featured a mother talking about her baby’s severe illness with measles. The fourth message included photographs of children with illnesses that vaccines can prevent.

More than 40 medical and consumer groups are seeking to revoke the recent approval of a new narcotic pill. The drug is Zohydro, a long-acting version of the narcotic hydrocodone. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug in October. The decision went against the advice of the FDA’s own advisory committee. These experts had voted 11-2 against allowing sale of Zohydro. The FDA usually follows the advice of its advisory panels. The groups that filed the petition with the FDA said this new painkiller is too dangerous. The dose is high, and so is the potential for abuse, they said. The petition also said there’s no need for another high-dose prescription narcotic. Public Citizen, one of the groups, said in a news release that a single dose of Zohydro could kill a child. The petitioners also include addiction treatment and other consumer watchdog groups.

A public health campaign that appealed to emotions as well as facts was able to boost hand washing in India, a new study reports. The campaign was called SuperAmma (SuperMom). The purpose was to help reduce severe diarrhea caused by germs. Fourteen villages were randomly assigned to receive the campaign or not. Public health workers conducted events in schools and the community. They included animated films and comic skits. At some events, women pledged to wash their hands before preparing food, after using the toilet and after cleaning up a child. They also promised to get their children to wash, too. The campaign appealed to feelings of disgust at contaminated hands and the desire to have healthier children and higher social status. At the beginning of the study, very few people washed their hands. After 6 months, 37% in the participating villages washed hands.