Editor of Patient Care Online.
COVID-19 Update: Global Confirmed Cases as of March 25, 2020
How many cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide? How many in the US? Find out in this quick update.
Increasing Daily Step Count Shown to Reduce All-Cause Mortality Risk
A new study found that walking approximately 8000 steps a day vs 4000 steps can reduce all-cause mortality by 51%.
Study: Frontline COVID-19 Health Care Workers in China Suffer Psychological Burden
Frontline medical workers dealing with COVID-19 in China have a high risk of developing symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress.
FDA Proves Flexible in Ventilator Manufacturing During COVID-19 Pandemic
The guidance allows non-medical device manufacturers to produce ventilator parts, hospitals to use ventilators intended for other environments, and more.
COVID-19 Fact vs Fiction: 9 Myth-busting Answers from the World Health Organization
Fact or fiction? Vaccines against pneumonia can protect against COVID-19. Plus 8 more questions and answers from the World Health Organization.
CDC: 20% of US COVID-19 Hospitalizations Occurred in Young Adults
A review of US patients with COVID-19 showed that 20% of hospitalizations occurred among adults aged 20-44 years.
COVID-19 Pop Quiz: 5 Questions on the Latest News from Patient Care
Refresh your memory of the week's top headlines on the COVID-19 pandemic with our 5-question pop quiz.
New Study Reveals Gastrointestinal Symptoms are Prominent in COVID-19
Digestive symptoms can be added to the list of primary complains associated with COVID-19, a new study from China suggests.
Leading Cardiology Organizations Advise Continuation of ACE Inhibitors, ARBs During COVID-19
A new joint statement from the AHA, HFSA, and ACC urge physicians to continue treatment with ACE-i or ARBs in patients with COVID-19.
Study: Undocumented COVID-19 Cases Fueled Rapid Disease Spread in China
New research from Columbia University showed undocumented cases of COVID-19 were responsible for over two-thirds of documented infections in China.
Mount Sinai Spinoff Creates Coronavirus Virtual Toolkit for Hospitals
Rx.Health is creating a digital toolkit for hospitals to aid in easier screening and virtual care for COVID-19.
Coronavirus Update: FDA Takes 2 Significant Actions in Aggressive Fight Against COVID-19
In a press release today, the FDA announced 2 significant actions it is taking to combat the widespread coronavirus outbreak.
Empagliflozin Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for Treatment of Kidney Disease
FDA Fast Track designation is to investigate whether the diabetes medication can also reduce kidney disease progression.
Coronavirus: Answers to Common Patient Questions
How many people have died from coronavirus? How is coronavirus spread? The CDC suggests answers to these and other common questions patients may be asking.
Childhood Obesity: 5 Key Research Updates for Primary Care
The strongest evidence to date found that fast food alone leads to childhood obesity, adolescent obesity linked to midlife cancer, and 3 more key updates.
USPSTF: Screen All Adults, Young and Old, for Hepatitis C
All adults starting at age 18 should be screened for hepatitis C, according to newly released recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force.
Best and Worst States for Vaccination in the US
From influenza to herpes zoster, which states ranked the best for vaccination? And which ones did not? Find out in this quick slideshow.
Sugary Beverage Consumption Linked to Abnormal Lipid Levels
Drinking 12 oz/day of sugary drinks a day can lower good cholesterol levels and increase triglyceride levels, according to a new prospective study.
NIH: First US Study of New COVID-19 Treatment Begins in Humans
The first clinical trial in the US to evaluate an experimental treatment for coronavirus disease in humans is now underway at the University of Nebraska.
First Oral Non-Statin LDL-C Lowering Drug Approved in 2 Decades
Bempedoic acid is the first oral, once-daily, non-statin cholesterol lowering medication to receive FDA approval since 2002.
Study: Improving Hand Hygiene in Airports May Slow Disease Spread
Increasing the prevalence of hand hygiene in all airports worldwide by just 10% could slow disease spread by nearly 24%, a recent study found.
AHA: Americans are Living Longer, But in Poor Health
Americans are living longer but not healthier, prompting the American Heart Association to release ambitious 2030 Impact Goals.
How to Avoid Exposure if Caring for a Patient with Coronavirus
Physicians may know how patients can reduce their risk of exposure to coronavirus, but what about their own risk? These CDC-recommended steps offer guidance.
7 Questions on US Benzodiazepine & Opioid Prescribing Trends
Sample: Approximately what percentage of physician office visits at which benzodiazepines were coprescribed with opioids were with a primary care provider?
Diabetes by the Numbers
Over 70% of US adults with diabetes have hypertension, 15.6% of these patients have an A1c value >9%, and more fast facts on diabetes risk factors and patient characteristics.
New Johns Hopkins Survey Finds Kratom May Have Low Abuse Potential
Of the 41% of kratom users who reported taking it for opioid withdrawal, 35% went >1 year without taking opioids or heroin.
Hypertension Prevalence Among Adults
From 2013-2016, about 46% of US adults had hypertension. Plus more highlights from the AHA's annual Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update.
FDA Approves First Drug for the Treatment of Peanut Allergy in Children
The first and only drug to treat peanut allergy recently received approval, giving the growing number of patients a new treatment option.
Opioid-Benzodiazepine Coprescribing Continues, Majority in Primary Care
Over half of coprescriptions were among general or family practice physicians and 40% among internal medicine physicians, a new CDC report suggests.
6 Questions on US Adult Obesity Prevalence
In 2018, 9 states reported an adult obesity prevalence of ≥35%. Find out more trends from the CDCs annual Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps.