more_vert
Psoriasis a diabetes risk
PSORIASIS has emerged as an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes in a study published in the Archives of Dermatology. The researchers found that that the risk of developing diabetes increased with the rate of severity of psoriasis. Patients with severe psoriasis were more likely to develop diabetes that would be treated pharmacologically compared with patients with type 2 diabetes but without psoriasis.
Untreated kidney failure high in elderly
THE incidence of advanced kidney disease in elderly people may be more substantial than previously thought, according to a Canadian study. The research, published in JAMA, studied a community-based cohort of more than 1.8 million people and found the rate of progression to treated and untreated kidney failure differed substantially by age. Both the absolute and relative risks of treated kidney failure were highest among younger participants, while the rate of progression to kidney disease without dialysis or kidney transplantation (untreated kidney failure) was considerably higher among older people. The authors said future studies were needed to better understand dialysis initiation practices in older adults with advanced kidney disease.
Liver cancer risk low in alcoholic cirrhosis
HEPATOCELLULAR carcinoma (HCC) contributes little to the high mortality rate among patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, according to a Danish study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The researchers said the data, based on more than 8400 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, suggest that patients with cirrhosis benefit only marginally from routine HCC surveillance and that benefit should be weighed against the costs and the risk for harm, which was greater in populations with low HCC risk because of the chances of false-positive screening results.
BRCA affects ovarian cancer survival
BRCA mutation status has a major influence on survival in ovarian cancer patients, according to research from the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The authors found that treatment outcomes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers challenged conventional definitions of platin resistance, and mutation status might contribute to decision making and systemic therapy selection in relapsing patients. They recommended germ-line BRCA1/2 testing be offered to all women diagnosed with non-mucinous, ovarian carcinoma, regardless of family history.
Bariatric surgery increases alcohol use
PATIENTS who underwent bariatric surgery — and in particular a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass — have a higher prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) in the second year after surgery compared to the year prior to surgery and the first postoperative year, according to a study published in JAMA. The researchers found that several factors associated with AUD in the general population, including history of AUD and regular alcohol consumption, also increased the likelihood of postoperative AUD, as well as male sex and younger age. They said the study had important implications for the care of patients undergoing bariatric surgery, who should be educated about the potential for the surgery, in particular RYGB, to increase the risk of AUD.
Australians healthier
OLDER Australians are healthy and living longer without disability according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The 13th biennial report on Australia’s health found that a boy born today could expect to live to 80 years and a girl to 84. Australia ranked sixth for male and female life expectancy at birth among similar, developed countries in 2009, according to the report. The report said the physical health of older Australians was improving. For example, for people currently aged 65 years, life expectancy increased by about 2 years between 1998 and 2009, and more than half of this gain were years lived in good health.
TB vaccine recalled
BATCHES of the tuberculosis (BCG) vaccine manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis have been recalled because the product’s sterility cannot be assured. The urgent medicine recall was made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The TGA said manufacturing of the BCG vaccine had been halted and supply would only restart when it was satisfied that corrective actions to the manufacturing site had been successfully implemented. It warned there might be a shortage of the vaccine in Australia. Possible alternative suppliers were being investigated.
Posted 25 June 2012