Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Neurology for June 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Three Issues to Consider Before Selecting EHR
TUESDAY, June 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Work flow, features and functionality, and technical infrastructure should all be considered in advance of selecting an electronic heath record (EHR) system, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Patients Want Online Access to Physicians, Health Records
TUESDAY, June 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Internet-savvy Americans would like to add their doctors to their group of Facebook friends or e-mail contacts, according to a study published online June 24 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Hormone May Be Key to Sugar, Diet Sweetener Response
TUESDAY, June 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Artificial sweeteners don’t contain the calories or energy that evolution has trained the brain to expect from sweet-tasting foods, thereby failing to satisfy hunger, and a specific hormone may be the key to the process, according to an experimental study published online June 11 in Neuron.
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AHA/ASA: Guidelines Support Endovascular Tx in Stroke
TUESDAY, June 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Endovascular treatment should be used to treat certain stroke victims, according to new guidelines issued by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. The guidelines were published online June 29 in Stroke.
AMA Discusses Pre-Retirement Evaluation for Aging Doctors
MONDAY, June 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Issues relating to physician retirement and evaluation of aging physicians before retirement are discussed in a Council on Medical Education report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Surgery May Help Adolescents With Frequent Migraines
MONDAY, June 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Migraine surgery may be an effective choice for adolescents who haven’t gotten relief from standard treatment, a small study suggests. The findings were published in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Functional MRI of the Brain May Help Guide Treatment for OCD
FRIDAY, June 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help some patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and a new study suggests that brain scans can help spot those patients for whom the therapy will be most effective. The research was published online May 20 in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
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C-Section, Autism Spectrum Disorder Link Questioned
FRIDAY, June 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — While initial study results suggested children born by cesarean section are more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the association did not remain in additional analysis of sibling pairs, implying the increased risk was more likely due to unknown genetic or environmental factors. The findings were published online June 24 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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Intensive Therapy Helps Restore Arm Function Long After Stroke
FRIDAY, June 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Intensive physical therapy helps restore arm function in people who have survived a severe stroke, according to a new study published in the June issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
SCOTUS Upholds Subsidies for Affordable Care Act
FRIDAY, June 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Supreme Court upheld on Thursday the legality of tax subsidies for millions of Americans who signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Cognition Tests May Help ID Alzheimer’s Risk Decades Earlier
FRIDAY, June 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Changes in cognition and memory that precede obvious symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may begin decades prior to disease onset, according to a study published online June 24 in Neurology.
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy May Ease Fibromyalgia
THURSDAY, June 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In a small study, the majority of women with fibromyalgia who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) experienced relief from pain and other symptoms. The research was published online May 26 in PLOS ONE.
Atraumatic Needles Prevent Postdural Puncture Headache
THURSDAY, June 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Atraumatic needles appear to be effective for preventing postdural puncture headache (PDPH), according to a study published in the July 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
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Edible Cannabis Products Often Mislabeled
WEDNESDAY, June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Most edible cannabis products sampled in three major U.S. cities are mislabeled, often containing more or less active ingredient than indicated on the packaging, according to a report published in the June 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Moderate-Quality Evidence for Marijuana Rx for Pain, Spasticity
WEDNESDAY, June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical marijuana may be useful in treating chronic pain and spasticity, but less effective for other conditions, according to the results of a review published in the June 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Anxiety Independently Predicts Pain in Patients With MS
TUESDAY, June 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Pain is prevalent in more than half of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and is independently predicted by anxiety, according to a study published online June 18 in Pain Medicine.
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VA/DoD Release Guidelines for Dyslipidemia Management
TUESDAY, June 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A joint clinical practice guideline for the management of dyslipidemia for cardiovascular disease risk reduction in adults has been summarized and published online June 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Medical Identity Theft Incidents Increasing
MONDAY, June 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical identity theft is on the rise, costly to consumers, and challenging to resolve, according to the fifth annual report published by the Ponemon Institute.
Clinical Decision Rule Can Classify Risk of Chronic Back Pain
MONDAY, June 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A clinical decision rule (CDR) with eight items can classify patients with acute low back pain (LBP) by their risk for chronic pain, according to a study published in the July 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
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Caution in Social Media Age: Self-Promotion Can Backfire
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In a series of experiments, researchers found that people who self-promote often offend others. The study was published in the June issue of Psychological Science.
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Aggressive Malpractice Environment Ups Hospital LOS
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An aggressive malpractice environment is associated with increased hospitalization charges and length of stay for patients undergoing spine surgery, according to a study published in the July 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
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Medications Can Increase Risk of Heat-Related Illness
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Commonly used medications may increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related illness during hot weather, according to an article published online June 13 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
FDA Cracks Down on Online Sale of Illegal Medical Products
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with international partners, moved this week against more than 1,050 websites that sell potentially dangerous counterfeit medicines and medical devices, the agency said Thursday.
Hundreds Arrested Nationwide for Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Hundreds of people have been charged after health care fraud sweeps were made across the United States, the federal government said Thursday.
Health Highlights: June 19, 2015
Risk of Copper Deficiency Linked to Zinc Supplements
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Zinc deficiency is often misdiagnosed based on low plasma zinc concentrations, and those prescribed high doses of zinc are at risk for copper deficiency, according to a study published online June 17 in the Journal of Clinical Pathology.
White Matter Abnormalities in Female Interstitial Cystitis
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome have white matter abnormalities, according to a study published in the July issue of The Journal of Urology.
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Cosmetic Lip Augmentation May Help Ease Facial Paralysis
THURSDAY, June 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with facial paralysis may benefit from cosmetic lip augmentation, according to research published online June 18 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Virtual Credit Card Fees Amount to 3 to 5 Percent of Payments
THURSDAY, June 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Payment with virtual credit cards (VCCs) is associated with considerable fees, although physicians are often unaware of these charges, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Consumption of Trans Fats Linked to Worse Memory
WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Consumption of trans fats may negatively affect memory, according to research findings published online June 17 in PLOS ONE.
Maternal Stress-Linked Changes in Vaginal Microbiota Explored
WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Maternal stress-induced changes in the vaginal microbiota impact vaginal immunity and metabolic processes, according to an experimental study published online June 16 in Endocrinology.
Unique White Matter Injuries for Anxiety, Depression Post TBI
WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Unique white matter injury patterns are seen for anxiety and depression after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but not for irritability, according to a study published online June 16 in Radiology.
Direct Messaging Not Yet Widely Adopted by Physicians
TUESDAY, June 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Direct secure messaging (Direct), which is a standardized protocol for exchanging clinical messages and attachments, has not been widely adopted by physicians, despite its potential for improving care coordination, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Review Examines Inappropriate Prescribing of IV Fluids
TUESDAY, June 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Inappropriate prescribing of intravenous (IV) fluids most often involves incorrect volumes and types of IV fluids prescribed, according to a review published online June 11 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Article Weighs Paying Off Student Loans Versus Investment
MONDAY, June 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Newly-minted physicians should consider the issues relating to paying off their loans versus investing for retirement, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
FDA: Brain Stimulation Device Approved for Parkinson’s
MONDAY, June 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Brio Neurostimulation System has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat tremors, difficulty walking, and other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.
Mental, Physical Activities Don’t Ward Off Alzheimer’s Biomarkers
FRIDAY, June 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physical and cognitive activity don’t appear to prevent the brain from developing the biomarkers that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. The report was published online June 10 in Neurology.
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Some Graduating Seniors Not Matching to Residency Positions
THURSDAY, June 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than 250 of this year’s graduating seniors from U.S. medical schools did not match to a residency position, according to the American Medical Association.
Lysosomal Proteins May Benefit Alzheimer’s Diagnosis, Treatment
THURSDAY, June 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Lysosomal proteins may offer a way to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease earlier, a new study suggests. The findings were published online June 10 in Neurology.
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Geographic Location Most Important for Residents
WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For residents, the most important element in a future practice is geographic location, with lifestyle, adequate call hours and personal time, and a good financial package also cited as being important, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Report Offers Guidance on Medical Ethics Education
WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An analysis of the current state of medical ethics education in the United States has been published in the June issue of Academic Medicine. The article, the Romanell Report, also offers guidance to assist medial ethics educators in meeting expectations.
Extra Time During MCAT Linked to Less Success in Med School
WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical school applicants with Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores obtained with extra test administration time have lower rates of success in medical schools, according to a study published in the June 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Progress Toward Intuitive Motorized Prosthetic Lower Leg
WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Scientists say they’re making progress toward developing a motorized artificial lower leg that automatically adjusts to changes in movement, such as from walking to using stairs, according to research published in the June 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Parental Age Factors Linked to Autism Risk
TUESDAY, June 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Parents’ ages may play a role in a child’s risk of developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to new research published online June 9 in Molecular Psychiatry.
Analysis Targets U.S. Hospitals With Highest Markups
TUESDAY, June 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The 50 U.S. hospitals with the highest charge-to-cost ratio have markups approximately 10 times the Medicare-allowable costs, and most of these hospitals are for profit, according to a study published in the June issue of Health Affairs.
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Anticoagulation Appears Safe for Patients With Brain Mets
WEDNESDAY, June 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Therapeutic anticoagulation is safe for treating venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer that has metastasized to the brain, according to new research. The study was published online May 18 in Blood.
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AMA Offers Guidance for Physician-Hospital Relationships
MONDAY, June 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New guidelines can enable successful physician hospital relationships and integrated leadership, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Pediatric Anesthesia Prior to Age 4 May Affect IQ Testing
MONDAY, June 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Children who receive general anesthesia during surgery before they turn 4 years of age may later score slightly lower on listening comprehension and performance IQ, compared to children who had never had general anesthesia; however, overall IQ scores appear to remain within the normal range. These findings were published online June 8 in Pediatrics.
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Arthritis, Other Chronic Disease Takes Toll on Work Force
FRIDAY, June 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among adults with one or more chronic conditions, those with arthritis appear much more likely than those without arthritis to have work disability, according to research published in the June 5 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Formed
THURSDAY, June 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nine states have enacted the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact law, with the seventh state’s enactment triggering formation of a commission to administer a process for physicians seeking licensure in multiple states, according to a report published by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Morbidity, Mortality Up for Patients With Delirium in ICU
THURSDAY, June 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Intensive care unit patients who develop delirium have a higher mortality risk, longer hospital stays, and are more likely to have cognitive impairment after hospital discharge, according to a review published online June 3 in The BMJ.
Hyperhomocysteinemia Linked to Worse Cognitive Status
THURSDAY, June 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with worse cognitive status, even after accounting for B group vitamin (BGV) status, according to a study published online June 1 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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CMS: Hospital Charges for Common Procedures Up
WEDNESDAY, June 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The prices hospitals charge patients for a number of common procedures rose more than 10 percent between 2011 and 2013, more than twice the rate of inflation, according to data released by the federal government Monday.
24-Hour Diastolic BP Linked to Cognitive Performance in T2DM
WEDNESDAY, June 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among individuals with type 2 diabetes there is a quadratic association for 24-hour diastolic blood pressure (BP) with information processing speed and memory, according to a study published online May 27 in Diabetes Care.
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T2DM May Help Protect Against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
TUESDAY, June 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new report published online June 1 in JAMA Neurology.
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TBI Linked to Parkinson’s Risk in Patients Aged ≥55 Years
TUESDAY, June 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients aged 55 years and older presenting to an inpatient/emergency department setting with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a study published in the June issue of the Annals of Neurology.
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