Obesity May Be Associated with Abnormal Bowel Habits
A recent study found that obese or severely obese patients have a 60% higher risk of chronic diarrhea vs those who are within a normal weight range.
Higher Nut Consumption Linked to Lower Obesity Risk
Eating just half a serving more a day of nuts can help ward off weight gain and lower the risk of obesity, according to a recent study.
3 New Diabetes Studies, in Brief
Findings: a heart-healthy lifestyle reduces DM risk; 1 egg a day may protect against T2DM; and a new genetic risk score may improve DM diagnosis.
Hep C Can Be Eliminated by 2030, Worldwide
A new study models the impact of 4 key public health interventions on global HCV burden to see if WHO elimination targets are realistic.
HCV/HIV-coinfected Patients Recover Liver Function with All-oral DAA Therapy
A first-of-its-kind study found that among cirrhosis patients with and without HIV-coinfection, liver function improved >50% in each cohort.
E-cigarette Flavorings May Become Toxic, Trigger Inflammation
Fanciful flavors added to e-cigarettes react with vaping solvents (eg, polypropylene glycol) to create compounds that may persist and harm.
Obesity Increases Asthma Risk By Altering Airway Muscle Function
Authors speculate that this alteration of smooth airway muscle may imprint a unique signature that could help lead to highly targeted new asthma therapies.
Lifestyle Factors, Not Air Pollution, Exacerbate Asthma in Women
Authors of a new study found that lifestyle factors, not a major air pollutant, play a more significant role in women developing asthma COPD overlap syndrome.
Inhaled Steroids Increase Risk of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Lung Infections
When using inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of asthma, COPD, and other airways disease, authors of a new study warn to proceed with caution.
Osteoporosis Rx Poor Within 6 Months of Hip Fracture
A new study found that post-hip fracture, less than 5% of elderly patients were started on osteoporosis medication despite high risk for recurrent fracture.
Diabetes and Mentall Illness: 3 New Studies
Results include: The metabolic dangers of neuroleptic Rx in youth; prevalence of T2DM in minorities with severe mental illness; and gaps in care for mentally ill with T2DM.
Dupilumab Reduces Asthma Symptoms, Improves Lung Function
Dupilumab is shown to alleviate asthma symptoms and improve a patient's ability to breathe better than standard therapy, according to a new study.
Gene Signatures Show Why Boys are Predisposed to Asthma
New study highlights why males are more prone to respiratory disorders than females, especially during early life.
Severe Cholesterol Levels Poorly Treated
Treatment rates for dangerously high cholesterol levels remain low, according to a new study.
New Cholesterol Test Eliminates Need for Fasting
Routine fasting for cholesterol tests could be eliminated by adopting a newer method for determining LDL cholesterol, according to a new study.
Prevalence of Childhood Asthma Trending Downward
The prevalence of asthma in children is on the decline, but researchers still stress the importance of asthma education to not only children, but to parents and others involved in their care.
Hepatitis C Infection Rates Relate to Opioid Epidemic
A new study finds cases of acute HCV infection increasing on pace with the rise in numbers of opioid abusers who inject drugs.
Novel School-based Asthma Program Cuts ER Visits in Half
In a new study, the combination of hands-on in school asthma therapy and telemedicine visits proved a successful model that could be scalable.
Can FENO Help You Diagnose Asthma?
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration is a helpful tool that aids in asthma diagnosis. But it's not the only piece of the diagnostic puzzle.
Sofosbuvir/ribavirin vs HCV Genotype 2: Clinical Success Story
Read a concise review of a new real-world study that shows high efficacy for this all-oral combination against HCV GT2.
Top 3 Hep C Studies for Primary Care
Highlights of 3 studies from 2017 that support the role of PCPs in HCV infection treatment, including prescribing direct-acting antiviral agents.
Lung Microbiome Mediates Asthmatics’ Pulmonary Function
The lung microbiome may have a profound effect on many respiratory conditions and it plays a significant role in asthma severity and response to treatment.
Asthma and Food Allergies Predictable at Age One
This study sheds light on the interactive effects of atopic dermatitis and early allergic sensitization, and may help you predict which children may develop asthma and food allergies.
HIV, Cannabis, and Cognition
When it comes to cannabis use, one issue is when.
Obesity a Risk Factor for Rehospitalization in Youth with Asthma
Children with comorbid asthma and obesity showed a 26% higher 30-day hospital readmission rate vs normal weight peers with asthma.
Diet and Exercise Improve Asthma Symptoms in Non-Obese Patients
Even asthma patients without extra body weight may see as much as a 50% reduction in asthma symptom scores. It's really that simple.
Montelukast Adds Little For Elderly Asthma Patients
A new study’s lead author notes, however, that lack of significant effect may have been secondary to important study limitations.
Childhood Respiratory Tract Infections Linked to Later Asthma
Lower respiratory infections in children seem to predispose to poor adult lung function, but causation and directionality have yet to be determined.
Previous Asthma Exacerbations Predict Future Events in Mild, Moderate Disease
Study authors propose a new asthma patient “phenotype” in which a previous severe event is the sole predictor of another one.
Lipid Levels Linked to Inflammation in Atopic Asthma
Results of a recent study into the role of lipids in atopic asthma could help identify new targets for therapy.
