September 2016 Briefing - Geriatrics

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Geriatrics for September 2016. 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.

CDC: Too Many Health Care Workers Not Getting Flu Vaccine

FRIDAY, Sept. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Roughly one in every five American health care workers do not receive the annual influenza vaccination, and in some facilities that number exceeds half, according to research published in the Sept. 30 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Risk of Frailty Associated With Changes in Oral Function

FRIDAY, Sept. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Aging is tied to changes in oral function, according to a study published online Sept. 22 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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One in Five With Non-Valvular A-Fib Receiving Digoxin

FRIDAY, Sept. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- About one in five patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) receives digoxin, with the indication for use considered inappropriate in nearly 60 percent, according to a study published online Sept. 27 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

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Meditation Recommended for Helping Attendings 'Attend'

FRIDAY, Sept. 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Meditation can allow attending physicians to be "in attendance" in order to heal and maintain personal well-being, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.

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Prescribed NSAIDs Tied to Higher Heart Failure Risk

THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Use of prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be tied to a higher risk of heart failure, according to research published online Sept. 28 in The BMJ.

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Systolic Blood Pressure Variability Linked to Mortality, Morbidity

THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) is associated with mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), according to a study published in the Sept. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Capping Copays Will Raise Premiums, Up Drug Prices

THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The proposed capping of copays will raise premiums and is likely to increase drug prices, according to a report from the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA).

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Resistance Interval Training Improves Endothelial Function

THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Resistance interval training (R-INT) is associated with improved endothelial function, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published online Sept. 16 in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.

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Constitutional Symptoms Often Trigger Antibiotic Rx in Elderly

THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Constitutional symptoms, including mentation, often lead to diagnostic testing and potentially inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in older patients suspected of having a urinary tract infection (UTI) or pneumonia, according to a study published online Sept. 22 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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Considerable Number of Doctors Attend Patient Funerals

THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A considerable proportion of doctors attend patient funerals, including 71 percent of general practitioners (GPs), according to a study published online Sept. 9 in Death Studies.

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Many Doctors Reluctant to Reveal Mental Health Issues

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Wary of the stigma of a mental health diagnosis and its toll on their careers, physicians often avoid getting help for depression and other mental illnesses, according to a report published online Sept. 15 in General Hospital Psychiatry.

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T2DM Predicts Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with heart failure, the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) predicts mortality, regardless of the presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD), according to a study published in the Sept. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Hatha Yoga Shows Promise in Treating Anxiety

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Hatha yoga is a promising method for treating anxiety, but additional research is needed, according to a review published in the August issue of the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine.

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Readmission Reduction Program Successful in Safety-Net Hospitals

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) has reduced 30-day readmissions at safety-net hospitals, according to a study published in the September issue of Health Affairs.

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Number of COPD Cases Expected to Increase Through 2030

TUESDAY, Sept. 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The number of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases is expected to increase through 2030, with the greatest increase anticipated for those aged 75 years and older, according to research published online Sept. 4 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

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Little to No Benefit Found for Colonoscopy After Age 75

TUESDAY, Sept. 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A colonoscopy may not provide much colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention benefit after the age of 75, according to a study published online Sept. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Disabling Injury, Illness Less Likely for Elderly Who Exercise

TUESDAY, Sept. 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Elderly adults who regularly exercise are less likely to suffer a disabling injury or illness, and recover more quickly if they do, according to a study published online Sept. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Gliptin Treatment Tied to Higher Risk of Acute Pancreatitis

TUESDAY, Sept. 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Gliptin treatment is associated with increased acute pancreatitis risk, according to research published online Sept. 22 in Diabetes Care.

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AMA: Practicing Empathy May Lead to More Joy in Medicine

MONDAY, Sept. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Empathetic listening can help physicians navigate difficult situations and forge deeper connections with patients, leading to greater professional satisfaction and joy, according to the American Medical Association.

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Orthogeriatric Model of Care Cost-Effective in Elderly With Hip Fx

MONDAY, Sept. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For 83-year-old patients with hip fracture, an orthogeriatric (OG) model of care is effective and cost-effective, according to research published online Sept. 16 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

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Promising Results for Laughter-Based Exercise Program

FRIDAY, Sept. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For older adults, combining simulated laughter exercises with a moderate-intensity strength, balance, and flexibility physical activity program is associated with improvements in health, physical performance, and self-efficacy for exercise, according to a study published online Aug. 4 in The Gerontologist.

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Drug-Resistant Bacteria Live in America's Water Systems

FRIDAY, Sept. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The thousands of miles of aging, corroding pipes that bring water to Americans each day may be home to drug-resistant bacteria, according to a report published online Sept. 12 in the Journal of Public Health Policy.

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Pregabalin Benefits Not Linked to Prior Gabapentin Use

FRIDAY, Sept. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Pregabalin is beneficial for neuropathic pain, regardless of previous gabapentin use, according to research published online Sept. 9 in Pain Practice.

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CDC: Falls Leading Cause of Injury, Death in U.S. Seniors

THURSDAY, Sept. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among older people in the United States, according to research published in the Sept. 23 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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CCTA Has Prognostic Value in Asymptomatic T2DM Patients

THURSDAY, Sept. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes, coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has prognostic value, with excellent long-term prognoses for those with normal coronary arteries and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a study published online Sept. 14 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

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Quality of Diet Linked to Risk of T2DM Regardless of BMI Change

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Changes in diet quality correlate with subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes, and the association between diet quality changes and diabetes risk is only partly explained by body weight changes, according to a study published online Sept. 15 in Diabetes Care.

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NIH: More Must Be Done to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a major public health threat, and only a multipronged attack can address the problem, according to a report published in the Sept. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Hospitals Increasingly Employing Doctors, Effects on Care Uncertain

TUESDAY, Sept. 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Hospitals are increasingly switching to an employment relationship with physicians, but switching has had no impact on primary composite quality metrics, according to a study published online Sept. 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Drop in Use of Digital Rectal Examination, PSA Testing

TUESDAY, Sept. 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Following U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations against routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, there has been a decrease in utilization of digital rectal examination and PSA testing, according to a study published in the October issue of The Journal of Urology.

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Average Premiums for Health Care Coverage Stable in 2016

MONDAY, Sept. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The average annual premiums for single and family coverage remained stable in 2016, according to a study published online Sept. 14 in Health Affairs.

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Tighter Systolic BP Control Could Save 100K U.S. Lives Annually

FRIDAY, Sept. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Engaging Americans at high risk for cardiovascular disease in aggressive efforts to lower their systolic blood pressure could save more than 100,000 lives a year, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Council on Hypertension 2016 Scientific Sessions, held from Sept. 14 to 17 in Orlando, Fla.

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Testosterone Seems Safe for Hypogonadal Prostate CA Patients

FRIDAY, Sept. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For hypogonadal men with prostate cancer, testosterone treatment seems oncologically safe, according to a study published in the October issue of The Journal of Urology.

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Nifedipine Not Superior to Placebo for Chronic Chilblains

FRIDAY, Sept. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with chronic chilblains, nifedipine is not superior to placebo, according to a study published in the September/October issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

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CDC: Many U.S. Adults Over 50 Do Not Exercise Regularly

THURSDAY, Sept. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- More than one-quarter of Americans over 50 don't exercise, increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, according to research published in the Sept. 16 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Hearing Aids Underused by the 'Older Old'

THURSDAY, Sept. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Although the rate of hearing loss in patients goes up significantly during the 10th decade of life, hearing aids remain underused in this population, according to research published online Sept. 15 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

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Outlook Good for Localized Prostate CA, Despite Tx Chosen

THURSDAY, Sept. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Mortality rates from localized prostate cancer are roughly the same over several years regardless of choosing watchful waiting or undergoing radiation or prostatectomy, according to research published online Sept. 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Experimental Zoster Vaccine Effective in Adults Aged 70+

THURSDAY, Sept. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- An experimental vaccine against herpes zoster may offer lasting protection for most older adults who receive it, according to a study published in the Sept. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Daily Alcohol Intake Linked to Enlarged Left Atrium, A-Fib

THURSDAY, Sept. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term drinking of even moderate amounts of alcohol may enlarge the left atrium and thereby contribute to atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Sept. 14 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Recommendations Developed for Cost-Effectiveness Analyses

THURSDAY, Sept. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A new set of recommendations has been developed for conduct and reporting of cost-effectiveness analyses, according to a report published in the Sept. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Importance of Drug As Assessed by Doctor Not Tied to Adherence

THURSDAY, Sept. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Physician-assessed drug importance is not associated with patient-reported drug adherence, according to a study published in the September/October issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

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Value-Driven Outcomes Tool Can Cut Health Care Costs

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A multifaceted value-driven outcomes tool that identifies variability in costs and outcomes can reduce health care costs, according to a study published in the Sept. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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'Super-Aging' Older Adults Have Younger Looking Brain Regions

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Key brain regions in mentally sharp "superagers" are similar to those of people much younger, according to a study published in the Sept. 14 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

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Many Medicare Patients Non-Adherent to Antihypertensives

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly five million Medicare prescription drug enrollees aren't taking their antihypertensive medication as directed, according to research published in the Sept. 13 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Pain and Itch Highly Prevalent Months After Herpes Zoster

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with herpes zoster (HZ), pain and itch are prevalent and pain is associated with quality of life and increased costs, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in Pain Practice.

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Most Patients Taking Opioids Open to Receiving Naloxone Rx

TUESDAY, Sept. 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A new, small survey of patients taking opioids found that most were willing to also fill prescriptions for naloxone. The report was published in the September/October issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

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Electroacupuncture Helps Ease Chronic Severe Constipation

TUESDAY, Sept. 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Acupuncture may provide some relief to patients with chronic severe functional constipation, according to research published online Sept. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Objective Criteria ID Those With No Chance of Survival in OHCA

TUESDAY, Sept. 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), objective criteria enable early identification of those with no chance of survival, according to research published online Sept. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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U-Shaped Link for Fish Consumption, Mortality

TUESDAY, Sept. 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- There is a U-shaped correlation between fish consumption and all-cause mortality, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

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Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity Up Risk of Mortality in CRC

TUESDAY, Sept. 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC), the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and obesity is associated with increased risk of mortality, according to a study published online Sept. 6 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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Sleep Apnea Diagnoses Up Among Outpatients From 1993 to 2010

MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- From 1993 to 2010 there was an increase in the diagnosis of sleep apnea in U.S. ambulatory practice visits, according to a study published online Sept. 1 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

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One in Four Older Adults Report Breathlessness

MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Twenty-five percent of adults aged 70 years and older report breathlessness, which is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and severe fatigue, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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Reports of Fatal Anaphylaxis With IV Iron Products

MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Fatal anaphylaxis cases have been reported with administration of intravenous (IV) iron products, according to a letter to the editor published online Aug. 29 in the American Journal of Hematology.

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Pregabalin Significantly Improves Neuropathic Pain

FRIDAY, Sept. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Pregabalin significantly improves neuropathic pain, irrespective of the time since pain onset, according to a study published online Sept. 2 in Pain Practice.

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Lean Processes Can Cut Wait Times at VA Hospitals

FRIDAY, Sept. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For patients at Veterans Affairs hospitals, implementation of lean practices can reduce wait times and increase operative volume, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in JAMA Surgery.

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CDC: COPD-Related Mortality Mostly Down in the United States

FRIDAY, Sept. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Fewer Americans are dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but not black women and the middle-aged, according to a September data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

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Intensive T2DM Tx Extends Complication-Free Survival

THURSDAY, Sept. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Early, intensified intervention in type 2 diabetes patients with microalbuminuria increases life span, with patients more likely free from severe complications, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in Diabetologia.

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Study Explores Link Between Weight and Stroke Risk in Women

THURSDAY, Sept. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Excess weight may put women at increased risk for ischemic stroke, but at lower risk for hemorrhagic stroke, according to research published online Sept. 7 in Neurology.

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A-Fib Contributes to Wide Range of Other Health Conditions

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Atrial fibrillation is associated with a wider range of conditions than previously believed, according to a review and meta-analysis published online Sept. 6 in The BMJ.

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Free Thyroxine Hormone Levels Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Higher levels of free thyroxine (FT4) may indicate a greater risk of sudden cardiac death, even if those levels aren't abnormally high, according to a study published in the Sept. 6 issue of Circulation.

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Fan Use in Extreme Heat May Be Detrimental to Health in Elderly

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- When the temperature rises to 108 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, older adults should not use an electric fan, according to a research letter published in the Sept. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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AAFP Downgrades USPSTF CRC Screening Recommendation

TUESDAY, Sept. 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has graded the recommendation for colorectal cancer screening as a B recommendation, in contrast to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) grade A recommendation.

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Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol Cuts Exacerbations in COPD

TUESDAY, Sept. 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A combination of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol reduces the rate of moderate or severe exacerbations among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published online Sept. 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research was published to coincide with the annual European Respiratory Society International Congress, held from Sept. 3 to 7 in London.

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Warfarin Persistence Higher Than Previously Reported in A-Fib

TUESDAY, Sept. 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the proportion of warfarin persistence is 0.91 at one year and 0.73 at four years, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in Cardiovascular Therapeutics.

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Older Adults Employ High-Risk Methods to Obtain Opioids

TUESDAY, Sept. 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- About 15 percent of older adults use high-risk methods for obtaining prescription opioids, according to a study published online Aug. 26 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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Avoiding Dry-Cooked Foods May Help Protect Against T2DM

FRIDAY, Sept. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Dry-heat cooking that produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online July 29 in Diabetologia.

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Non-Drug Methods Effective for Treating Some Pain Conditions

FRIDAY, Sept. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Non-drug methods of managing pain from conditions such as headaches and arthritis appear to be effective, according to a review published in the September issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

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Risk of Injuries Up Around Period of Cancer Diagnosis

FRIDAY, Sept. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with cancer have increased risks of iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic injuries shortly before and after cancer diagnosis, according to a study published online Aug. 31 in The BMJ.

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Healthy Gut Microbiome Compromised in ICU Patients

THURSDAY, Sept. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Dysbiosis from unexpected environmental sources is seen within days after intensive care unit (ICU) admission, according to a study published online Aug. 31 in mSphere.

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ECP, Second Drainage Device Effective in Refractory Glaucoma

THURSDAY, Sept. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with refractory glaucoma with failed initial tube shunt, both endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) and implantation of a second glaucoma drainage device (GDD-2) are effective as second surgeries, according to a study published online Aug. 28 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.

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