Medicine

Enhanced Recovery Program Aids Bariatric Surgery Outcomes

Implementation of a large-scale, enhanced recovery project for bariatric surgery is feasible and results in a decrease in extended length of stay (ELOS).

Considerable Proportion of ICU Admissions May Be Preventable

ICU hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions have decreased during a 10-year period.

Types of Data Compromised in Breaches of Protected Health Information Identified

In this study, 71% of the breaches compromised sensitive demographic orfinancial information that may be used for fraudulent purposes.

Laser Therapies for the Healing of Burn Scars: An Interview With Jill Waibel, MD

The innovative use of fractionation of laser beam technology in dermatology has led to significant improvements in the treatment of burn scars, regardless of how mature.

More Blood Pressure Drugs Recalled

Some lots of losartan have been found to be contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical N-methylnitrosobutyric acid.

Fighting a Silent Killer: Identifying Chronic Kidney Disease at Stage 1

The benefits of early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are significant, as patients in whom CKD is diagnosed in the early stages have the chance to make lifestyle changes, learn how to manage their disease, and extend their lives while avoiding or postponing the need for dialysis or transplant.

Should Aging Physicians Be Required to Undergo Cognitive Testing? Three Experts Weigh In

The issue of aging physicians poses serious challenges to the medical profession, with concerns that judgment or skills might decline with age.

How Gratitude Can Help Resolve Ethical Dilemmas

Gratitude may be a valuable tool that helps clinicians to develop “moral clarity” by improving the quality of their thought processes.

Increased Availability of Cooking Oil, Other Energy-Dense Products Promoted Weight Gain Among Tsimane’

The Tsimane’ Amazonian Panel Study sought to investigate the effect of modernization and market exposure on the health of Bolivia’s Tsimane’ forager-horticulturalists.

House Speaker Unveils Plan to Lower Drug Costs

The proposed plan would allow Medicare to negotiate prices for high-cost drugs.

Examining the Cognitive Factors Underlying the Pain Experience in Endometriosis

The pain experience of women with endometriosis may indirectly be influenced by worry traits and maladaptive thoughts.

Opioid Epidemic: Is Overdose More Likely if a Family Member Has a Prescription?

Investigators examined whether opioid overdose is more likely if a family member has a prescription. We review their findings.

Impact of Sustained Exposure to Poverty on Physical, Cognitive Abilities, Inflammatory Levels

Adult exposure to economic hardship (EH) results in worse aging outcomes in midlife, including reduced physical and cognitive capabilities and higher levels of certain inflammatory markers, according to a study published in the European Journal of Ageing. Investigators obtained yearly data on household income from Statistics Denmark from the period of 1987 through 2008. EH…

Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Linked With Previous Antibiotic Exposure

Researchers assessed the risk for rheumatoid arthritis in patients receiving antibiotics.

Comparing Pros, Cons of Antipsychotics for Multi-Episode Schizophrenia

Investigators compared the efficacy and tolerability of 32 oral antipsychotic agents for the acute treatment of multi-episode schizophrenia in adults.

Proximity to Measles Outbreaks May Affect Attitudes in Vaccine Doubters

Vaccine skeptics living close to sites of measles outbreaks may be more likely to harbor positive attitudes toward vaccination.

Incidence of Colorectal Cancer Increased in Younger Adults Worldwide

In most high-income countries with long-term data, uptick in early-onset colorectal cancer began in the mid-1990s.

Exploring Marital Status Bias in Cancer Treatment

Because unmarried patients are less likely to choose surgery or radiotherapy treatments over other interventions, researchers often speculate that those patients have less “fighting spirit” or that having a life partner would give them “more to live for.”

Consumption of Soft Drinks Tied to Greater Risk of Early Death

Higher risk of death was seen in participants drinking two or more regular or artificially sweetened soft drinks per day.

CBD and Other Cannabinoids in Pain Management

The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids to manage several clinical conditions, including pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, and epilepsy, is finding support through a growing body of evidence.