Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Geriatrics for January 2011. 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.
Prostate Cancer in Men Over 70 More Aggressive
MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- As men age, parameters that are consistent with more aggressive prostate cancer become prevalent, according to research published in the January issue of The Journal of Urology.
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Nocturia Is a Predictive Factor of Mortality
MONDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Nocturia is a strong predictive factor of mortality in men and women younger than 65, with a dose-response pattern of increased mortality risk with increasing number of nightly voiding episodes, according to a study in the February issue of The Journal of Urology.
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Tocilizumab Reduces Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis is reduced by tocilizumab treatment, regardless of the measure by which it is evaluated, according to a study published in the January issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
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Adult ADHD Linked to Lewy Body Dementia
FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Adults with symptoms of attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be at increased risk of developing dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), according to a study published in the January issue of the European Journal of Neurology.
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Deep Brain Stimulation Stalls Parkinson's Progression
FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who are effectively treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS), the natural progression of the disease's motor symptoms appears to stabilize over time, according to a study published in the November issue of the International Journal of Neuroscience.
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Cancer Patients Unlikely to Seek Help to Quit Smoking
FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Although most patients diagnosed with cancer report receiving advice to quit smoking, less than half of them actually express an interest in joining a smoking cessation program, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in Cancer.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy May Reduce Heart Disease
FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may decrease the risk of recurrent acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the Jan. 24 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Few Older Adults Receive Herpes Zoster Vaccination
THURSDAY, Jan. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Although the herpes zoster vaccine (HZV) was approved for prevention of shingles by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 and recommended for adults aged 60 and older, uptake for the preventive vaccine remains well under 10 percent, according to research published in the February issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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Heart Failure Patients in General Wards Have Worse Prognosis
THURSDAY, Jan. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with heart failure who are admitted to general hospital wards are at an increased risk of mortality compared to those admitted to cardiology wards, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in Heart.
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Community-Based Exercise Alleviates Arthritis Pain
THURSDAY, Jan. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Community-deliverable exercise improves pain and physical function in adults with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases (AORD), according to a meta-analysis published in the January issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
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Trospium Treatment Effective for Overactive Bladder
THURSDAY, Jan. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment with trospium chloride extended-release (XR) in men with an overactive bladder (OAB) is effective and safe, according to a study published in the January issue of Urology.
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Traffic Noise Tied to Increased Stroke Risk in Elderly
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to residential road traffic noise is associated with an increased risk of stroke in people older than 64.5 years of age, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the European Heart Journal.
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Parental History Independently Predicts Myocardial Infarction
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Parental history (PH) of myocardial infarction (MI) is an independent predictor of future MI, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Electronic Health Records May Not Improve Care Quality
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision support (CDS) do not appear to improve the quality of clinical care, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Contrast-Stress Echocardiography Predicts Coronary Syndromes
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise-electrocardiogram testing may not accurately predict the risk of a cardiovascular event in patients with nondiagnostic electrocardiographic findings and normal 12-hour cardiac troponin levels, as compared to contrast-stress echocardiograms, according to a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Behavioral Treatment Reduces Insomnia in Older Adults
TUESDAY, Jan. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTI) is an effective and durable intervention for older adults with chronic insomnia, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Extra Implanted Defibrillator Shocks Raise Mortality
TUESDAY, Jan. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Inappropriate shocks by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Projected Heart Disease Care Costs to Triple by 2030
TUESDAY, Jan. 25 (HealthDay News) -- If current rates continue, the cost of treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) is likely to increase three-fold within the next two decades, according to a policy statement published online Jan. 24 in Circulation.
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Using Biologic Agents in Older Patients With IBD Poses Risk
MONDAY, Jan. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment of patients older than 65 years of age with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors is associated with a high rate of severe infections and mortality, according to a study published in the January issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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Suicide Risk, Accidental Death Increased in Fibromyalgia
FRIDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Patients suffering from fibromyalgia do not appear to be at increased risk for mortality, but the risk of death as a result of suicide and accidents is increased, according to a study in the January issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
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Physical Exam Helps Diagnose Source of Lumbar Pain
FRIDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) Physical examination tests can help diagnose the presence of nerve root impingement in the low lumbar and midlumbar regions as well as pinpoint level specific impingement in the low lumbar region, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 issue of Spine.
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Atrial Fibrillation Risk Increased by Alcohol Intake
FRIDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Alcohol consumption increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a meta-analysis published in the Jan. 25 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Storytelling Intervention Helps Uncontrolled Hypertension
FRIDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Storytelling intervention may result in blood pressure reduction in black patients with uncontrolled hypertension, according to a study published in the Jan. 18 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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In Busy Hospitals, Congestive Heart Failure Outcomes Better
THURSDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Experience with treating congestive heart failure, as measured by hospital volume, is associated with decreased mortality and fewer readmissions; but the cost per patient is higher, according to a study published in the Jan. 18 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Measures Predicting Vision Post Cataract Surgery Validated
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Changes in visual acuity and function after cataract surgery may be predicted using visual acuity (VA) and the visual function index-14 (VF-14) test, according to a study published in the January issue of Ophthalmology.
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Updated Osteoporosis Screening Recommendations Issued
TUESDAY, Jan. 18 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued an updated statement recommending that women aged 65 years or older, and younger women with an increased risk of fractures, should be screened for osteoporosis; the statement has been published online Jan. 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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New Guidelines Released on Fall Prevention in the Elderly
TUESDAY, Jan. 18 (HealthDay News) -- The American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatric Society have issued new guidelines on the prevention of falls in older persons; a summary has been published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Macrolides Mixed With BP Drugs Can Lead to Hypotension
MONDAY, Jan. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Simultaneous use of calcium-channel blockers and some macrolide antibiotics may result in hypotension, which may require hospital admission, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Skeletal Composition of Face Changes With Age
MONDAY, Jan. 17 (HealthDay News) -- The skeletal morphology of the face changes with age, which may contribute to the appearance of the aging face, according to a study published in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
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Low Medication Adherence After Myocardial Infarction
FRIDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term adherence to medications following myocardial infarction (MI) in elderly patients is poor, and it is significantly worse among those with kidney dysfunction, according to a study published online Jan. 13 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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Nursing Home Closures More Likely in Minority, Poor Areas
FRIDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Nursing home closures appear to be concentrated in neighborhoods with higher minority populations and/or lower wealth, according to research published online Jan. 10 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Exercise Helps Patients With Heart Failure Fight Depression
FRIDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Structured exercise training (ET) may decrease depressive symptoms, resulting in improved long-term survival, in patients with heart failure, according to a study published in the January issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Effective in Elderly
FRIDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Surgical treatment does not need to be withheld on the basis of age because elderly patients can be treated successfully with minimally invasive surgical techniques, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of Spine.
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Atrial Fibrillation on the Rise in Hemodialysis Patients
FRIDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnosed in American patients who receive hemodialysis is rising and is associated with considerably increased mortality, according to research published online Jan. 13 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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CDC Report Highlights Important Health Disparities
THURSDAY, Jan. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Among Americans, disparities in income, race and ethnicity, gender, and other social attributes have an impact on whether an individual is healthy or ill or will die prematurely, according to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released as a supplement to the Jan. 14 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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FDA Limits Acetaminophen in Combo Prescription Products
THURSDAY, Jan. 13 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requesting that manufacturers of prescription combination products containing acetaminophen limit the amount of acetaminophen to a maximum of 325 mg in each tablet or capsule to reduce the risk of liver toxicity. In addition, the agency is directing manufacturers to update labels of all prescription combination products to warn consumers of the possible risk for severe liver injury.
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Anti-Epileptic Drugs Increase Risk of Fractures
THURSDAY, Jan. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) may increase the risk of nontraumatic fractures in patients aged 50 and older, according to a study published in the January issue of the Archives of Neurology.
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Cost of Cancer Care May Increase 39 Percent by 2020
THURSDAY, Jan. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Estimates and projections of the medical cost of cancer care in the United States through 2020 indicate that this cost may increase by at least 27 percent and potentially up to 39 percent, according to research published online Jan. 12 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Combination Therapy Bests Monotherapy for BP Control
THURSDAY, Jan. 13 (HealthDay News) -- In individuals with high blood pressure, a combination drug therapy given initially appears to result in better blood pressure control than monotherapy, and patients who undergo the two-drug treatment after taking the single-drug therapy also experience better blood pressure outcomes, though not at the same level as those who began with the combination treatment, according to research published online Jan. 13 in The Lancet.
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Advance Directives Less Likely for Mentally Ill Residents
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Among residents of U.S. nursing homes, those with serious mental illness are less likely to have written medical advance directives, according to research published in the January issue of Psychiatric Services.
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Behavioral Therapy Reduces Incontinence After Surgery
TUESDAY, Jan. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Behavioral therapy may help to significantly reduce persistent postprostatectomy incontinence, according to a study published in the Jan. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Vaccine Reduces Risk of Herpes Zoster
TUESDAY, Jan. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Receipt of the herpes zoster vaccine among immunocompetent community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older is associated with a reduced incidence of herpes zoster, ophthalmic herpes zoster, and hospitalizations for herpes zoster, according to a study published in the Jan. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Aspirin Use in High-Risk Individuals Is Suboptimal
TUESDAY, Jan. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Among individuals at increased or high risk for coronary heart disease, fewer blacks, Hispanics, and Chinese adhere to a regular aspirin regimen than do whites, and regular aspirin use overall is relatively low, according to a study published in the January issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Rate of Cognitive Decline
TUESDAY, Jan. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Following a Mediterranean diet may reduce the rate of cognitive decline in older adults, according to a study published online Dec. 22 the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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FDA Warns of Morphine Sulfate Oral Solution Overdose
TUESDAY, Jan. 11 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Roxane Laboratories have notified health care professionals of serious adverse events and deaths associated with accidental overdose of morphine sulfate oral solutions, especially with the high potency (100 mg per 5 mL) product. In most cases, solutions ordered in milligrams (mg) were mistakenly interchanged for milliliters (mL) of the product.
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Latent Tuberculosis Therapy May Be Risky in the Elderly
MONDAY, Jan. 10 (HealthDay News) -- People over the age of 65 appear to be at significantly increased risk for serious adverse events requiring admittance to a hospital when receiving therapy for latent tuberculosis, according to research published online Jan. 10 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Burnout Levels Particularly High in Residents
MONDAY, Jan. 10 (HealthDay News) -- The incidence of burnout and risk for burnout are high in physicians, particularly residents, and more than a quarter of anesthesiology chairs meet criteria for high burnout, according to two articles published in the January issue of Anesthesiology.
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Surgery Effective for Calcaneal Fractures in Older Patients
MONDAY, Jan. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Outcomes for older patients after internal fixation for intra-articular calcaneal fractures are at least equivalent to those of younger patients, despite the fact that operative intervention in older patients has traditionally been discouraged, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
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Physical Activity Lowers Risk of Colon Cancer Death
MONDAY, Jan. 10 (HealthDay News) -- People who participate in long-term physical activity have a decreased risk of death from colon cancer, according to a study published in the December issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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Clinicians Not Adhering to Arthritis Guidelines
MONDAY, Jan. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Clinicians are not following evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), despite the consistency among the numerous guidelines available, according to a review published in the January issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
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Bone Disease Common in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
FRIDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Osteoporosis appears to be common among patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), with older age, low body mass index (BMI), and long duration of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) potential predictors of bone disease, according to a study published in the January issue of Gastroenterology.
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Bright Light Treatment Improves Nonseasonal Depressive Disorder
THURSDAY, Jan. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Bright light treatment (BLT) may improve mood, sleep efficiency, and melatonin level in older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD), but adding a cholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil, to antidepressant treatment may have no benefit in preventing cognitive impairment, according to two studies published in the January issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
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Invasive Strategy Can Reduce Mortality in Elderly With MI
THURSDAY, Jan. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Applying the invasive strategy of coronary angiography to older patients with acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) complicated by cardiogenic shock reduces in-hospital and six-month mortality rates, according to research published in the January issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Exercise Linked to Lower Mortality in Prostate Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Among men with prostate cancer (PCa), physical activity appears to be associated with lower overall mortality risk and a lower risk of PCa mortality, according to a study published online Jan. 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Gait Speed Associated With Survival in Older Adults
TUESDAY, Jan. 4 (HealthDay News) -- In older adults, gait speed appears to be related to survival, according to research published in the Jan. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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α-Blockers/Antibiotics May Be Best for Prostatitis
TUESDAY, Jan. 4 (HealthDay News) -- A combination of α-blockers and antibiotics may result in the greatest relief in symptoms for people with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), according to a literature analysis published in the Jan. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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CPAP Reduces Fatigue in Sleep Apnea Patients
TUESDAY, Jan. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may reduce fatigue and increase energy in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to research published in the January issue of SLEEP.
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Colonoscopy Offers Strong Protection Against CRC
TUESDAY, Jan. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Colonoscopy may be associated with a strongly reduced risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), with risk reduction observed for both left-sided and right-sided CRC, according to research published in the Jan. 4 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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