Harvard Health Content API

Widespread testing for cystic fibrosis (CF) genes may lead to fewer babies born with the disease, a study suggests. The study looked at two regions of Italy. In one area, all younger adults were offered genetic tests. In the other region, tests were given only to people who had relatives with CF or had in vitro fertilization. The study lasted 15 years. In that time, about 10 out of every 40,000 babies born in the two regions had CF. The rate of CF births dropped in both areas. But the drop was much steeper in the area with widespread testing. There, the rate of CF births fell by 1 case out of 40,000 births. In the area with more limited testing, CF births fell by 0.16 cases out of 40,000. That drop is so small it could have occurred by chance. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the study. MedPage Today wrote about it December 15.

To address concerns about the safety of prescription drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now posts a list of drugs being investigated for safety problems. The goal is to keep doctors and patients better informed. The first list includes 20 drugs and the potential problem for each. But it says nothing about how widespread the problems might be or if patients should stop taking a drug. The Associated Press wrote about the new list on September 5.

Proteins in spinal fluid can predict Alzheimer’s disease in people at high risk, a study has found. The study included 750 people with mild cognitive impairment. This is a problem with thinking and memory. It can lead to Alzheimer’s. Researchers measured one form of amyloid and two forms of tau in spinal fluid. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, these proteins are found in the brain. People in the study who later developed Alzheimer’s had less amyloid and more tau than those who did not develop it. Taken together, the three proteins correctly identified 8 out of 10 people who eventually were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. They also identified 7 out of 10 who did not develop the disease. Reuters Health and HealthDay news services wrote about the study July 21. It appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Americans are living longer because of cleaner air, a new study finds. Researchers looked at the years 1978 through 2001. In that time, average lifespan rose by almost three years. Particulates in the air decreased by about one-third. Researchers looked at data from 51 cities. They adjusted the numbers for other things that could have increased lifespan. For example, smoking rates have decreased. They concluded that reduced pollution accounted for nearly five months of the longer lifespan. The study was in the New England Journal of Medicine. The Associated Press wrote about it January 22.

Most people with asthma don’t get flu shots, a U.S. government survey has found. Health officials advise flu vaccination for everyone with asthma. But in the 2005-06 flu season, only 36.2% of people with asthma got vaccinated. HealthDay News wrote about the survey June 20. It appeared in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Public health officials said they have found the source of a Texas outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) in 2004. It was a hospital worker who had whooping cough symptoms around that time. She worked in a newborn nursery. She cared for 11 newborns who developed whooping cough a few weeks later. Nine of the sick babies were admitted to hospitals. Children are vaccinated against whooping cough. But health care workers and adults in close contact with babies should get a booster, health officials said. The shot is called Tdap. Reuters Health news service wrote about the study June 5.

Many groups are urging routine screening tests for cancer. But most tests have not been proven to save lives, the New York Times reported July 17. A new advertising campaign promotes exams for thyroid cancer. But this cancer is rare and usually grows slowly. A member of Congress is seeking funding to promote breast cancer detection in young women. But mammograms don’t detect cancer as well in young women. Also, few young women get breast cancer. Screening tests also can cause harm, experts told the Times. People may get biopsies they don’t need. They may get surgery for cancers that would never harm them. They may get so tired of tests that they ignore real symptoms later on.

When it comes to weight loss, the type of diet a person follows is not as important as counting calories. Researchers assigned 811 people to one of four diets. Each diet had different levels of fat, protein, and carbohydrate. After two years, the people in each group had lost about the same amount of weight. The Associated Press reported on the study Feb. 26, the same day it appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.

A new report questions the cost-effectiveness of a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer when used in women in their 20s. The vaccine works against the human papilloma virus. It costs about $375. Because the virus spreads through sex, health officials say it works best when given to girls ages 11 to 12, before they begin having sex. Some doctors offer the shot to women in their 20s. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health conducted the study. The report was published August 21 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

A group of experts says most people over age 75 do not need routine tests for colon cancer. The advice is part of a report from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This independent group offers advice to doctors on preventive care and testing. The new report was published November 4 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. It also says there’s still not enough proof that two new tests for colon cancer are effective. The tests are CT colonoscopy, also called “virtual colonoscopy,” and DNA stool tests.