SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy May Reduce Risk of Atrial Arrhythmias in T2D
A recent meta-analysis suggests some sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor agents may protect against atrial and ventricular arrhythmias as well as sudden cardiac death in type 2 diabetes patients.
FDA Warns Lamotrigine May Cause Arrhythmias in Persons with Heart Disease
Healthcare providers are advised to weigh carefully the risks vs benefits of continuing lamotrigine therapy and not to substitute with another drug from the class.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID Vaccine Efficacy High at 6 Months, Companies Report
The COVID-19 vaccine partners announced an efficacy rate of >90% for BNT162b2 among 12 000 trial participants at up to 6 months after the second dose.
Dapagliflozin Found Effective for HFrEF in Men and Women
In a subanalysis of the landmark DAPA-HF trial, dapagliflozin benefits were observed in both men and women, an important finding given variable response to cardiovascular drugs among women.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Found 100% Effective in Younger Teens
Pfizer-BioNTech announced today the complete protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2 among youth aged 12 to 15 years.
SARS-CoV-2 Variants: How Many and How Dangerous?
The CDC defines 3 classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants: Variants of interest, of concern, and of high consequence. Find out more about the 8 variants now being closely observed.
In Adults with NAFLD and Severe Obesity, Bariatric Surgery Significantly Reduces Cancer Risk
Study authors looked for the first time at the impact of bariatric surgery on incidence of all-cause and obesity-related cancer in patients with severe obesity and fatty liver disease.
COVID-19 Vaccination Stats: Frontline Health Care Workers
Survey: Slightly more than one-half of US frontline healthcare workers have received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. But some still plan not to get vaccinated at all.
Survey: Americans are Emerging, Vaccinated or Not
COVID-19 vaccination numbers are climbing and US adults feel better about eating out, visiting friends, etc. A new survey suggests it may not be vaccinated individuals leading the way.
Flu Shot May Protect Against COVID-19, Reduce Severity, Study Finds
Individuals vaccinated against influenza were 24% less likely to be infected with COVID-19 than those who did not get the flu shot, according to Michigan Medicine researchers.
Asthma of Obesity: Investigator Explains the Phenotypes
Asthma of obesity affects more than 10% of men and 14% of women with obesity. Our interview with researcher Anne Dixon, MD, sheds light on this poorly appreciated asthma phenotype.
MMWR: Majority of COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients Complete 2-dose Series
Nearly 90% of vaccine recipients who received a first dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine got the booster shot within the prescribed interval, according to new research from the CDC.
Study: Black Women with PCOS Have Greater Cardiometabolic Risk vs White Women
ENDO 2021: A meta-analysis found increased cardiometabolic risk among Black women with PCOS vs White counterparts even though fasting glucose levels were comparable and triglyceride levels lower.
Obese Patients with COVID-19 at Higher Risk for ICU Admission, Longer Stay
ENDO 2021: Patients with severe obesity hospitalized for COVID-19 were twice as likely to require ICU admission vs those with normal BMI, according to new findings.
UPDATE: AstraZenca-Oxford Vaccine 79% Effective in US Phase 3 Interim Analysis
Updated: The vaccine, AZD1222, showed 100% efficacy against severe disease/hospitalization and, notably, 80% efficacy in trial participants aged ≥65 years, the company reports.
Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Linked with Worse Outcomes
COVID-19 patients with hyperglycemia on hospital admission, with and without diabetes, had increased odds of intubation, ICU admission, and mortality, according to research presented at ENDO 2021.
Novel Once-weekly Insulin as Effective as Once-daily in Type 2 Diabetes with Less Hypoglycemia, Weight Gain
ENDO 2021: An investigational once-weekly insulin formulation was found as effective as daily basal insulin injection for glucose control with lower rates of hypoglycemia and less weight gain.
Semaglutide 2.4 mg Reduces Visceral Adiposity, Improves Lean Body Mass-to-Fat Mass Ratio
ENDO 2021: Obese individuals treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg vs placebo demonstrated improvements in body composition paralleling weight loss that may reduce risk for cardiometabolic disease.
Guideline-directed Osteoporosis Treatment Found in Decline
ENDO 2021: Fewer than 1-in-10 older adults with a hip fracture had been prescribed bone-directed treatment in the 6 months prior to the incident, according to research on trends in treatment.
Asthma Guidelines in Practice: Clinicians Rate their Adherence
How do clinicians who treat asthma rate their own adherence to tenets of evidence-based guidelines? Lead authors on analyses of a national survey respond.
Top 10 States: Percentage of Population Fully Vaccinated
In percentage of population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Alaska currently leads and Utah brings up the rear. Find out which states are in between.
Expert Interview: The Challenge of Asthma Management in Primary Care
Primary care clinicians provide ~60% of asthma care in the US. The challenge is real and we discussed details with experts Drs Michelle Cloutier and Lara Akinbami.
Anosmia, Other Neurologic Symptoms Seen in Half of COVID-19 Patients at ED Presentation
Study: Anosmia, myalgias, and headache were the most common extrapulmonary symptoms seen in COVID-19 patients at first presentation, say investigators.
ACS Diagnosis Missed in Women More Frequently than in Men, Study Finds
Suspicion for ACS in women was lower than that for men even in the presence of significant risk factors for heart attack, study authors report.
COVID-19 Vaccines: 8 Myths and the Facts to Refute Them
We compiled the top trending Myths about the COVID-19 vaccine in wide circulation and added the Facts to help you educate your patients.
Chronic Diseases in Multimorbidity May Share Origins, Study Finds
Using metabolomic profiling from more than 11 000 individuals, researchers identified common pathways linking seemingly unrelated diseases that often co-occur.
COPD Outcomes Improve with Triple Therapy, Regardless of Exacerbation History
Post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 KRONOS study concluded that the benefits in COPD exacerbation seen were not driven by the small subgroup with a prior history of exacerbations.
The Migraine Research Renaissance and Where it is Headed: A PI Interview
New and highly specific migraine drugs have significantly changed the clinical landscape for patients. We talked with Peter McAllister, MD, about where the research goes next.
CDC Lifts Masking, Distancing Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
The CDC on March 8, 2021, lifted some COVID-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated Americans, including the need for a mask and social distancing in certain situations.
Patients with PAH-COPD May be at Higher Risk than those with Idiopathic PAH
Transplant-free survival was found lower among patients with pulmonary hypertension-COPD than among those with IPAH in a new study published in CHEST.