April 2020 Briefing - Internal Medicine

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for April 2020. 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.

Symptomatic Health Care Staff in U.K. Screened for COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Screening symptomatic health care workers for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is feasible during the pandemic, according to a research letter published online April 22 in The Lancet.

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Study Explores Outcomes Valued by Glomerular Disease Patients

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with glomerular disease and their caregivers give highest priority to outcomes of kidney function, mortality, and need for dialysis or transplant, but they also prioritize life participation and fatigue, according to a study published online April 30 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

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Remdesivir May Accelerate Recovery From Severe COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Remdesivir may speed time to clinical improvement for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, although results are conflicting, according to a study published online April 29 in The Lancet and press releases issued regarding a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored study.

Abstract/Full Text - Wang (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Press Release

Pandemic Disrupting Health Care for 55 Percent of Older Adults

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- At least half of older adults report experiencing a disruption to their medical care at one month into social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey released April 27 by NORC at University of Chicago.

Press Release

Psoriasis Tied to Higher Alzheimer Disease Risk

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD) is significantly higher in patients with psoriasis versus individuals without psoriasis, according to a Korean study published online April 15 in Scientific Reports.

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Food Insecurity Rates High Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Food insecurity in the United States is high as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey released April 23 by the University of Arkansas Community and Family Institute.

Press Release

NT-proBNP Does Not Improve Evaluation of Syncope in the ED

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For adult emergency department (ED) patients with syncope, serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) does not improve prognostication above the Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS), according to a study published online April 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Rate, Timing of Altered Smell, Taste in Mild COVID-19 Examined

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Mildly symptomatic patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection often have alterations in smell or taste, according to a research letter published online April 22 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Mental Disorders May Up Risk for Subsequent Medical Conditions

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The presence of a mental disorder is associated with an increased risk for many subsequent medical conditions, according to a study on a Danish population cohort published online April 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Large-Vessel Stroke Described in Young Adults With COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Cases of large-vessel stroke in individuals younger than 50 years are described in patients with COVID-19 in a case report published online April 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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NIH Launches $500 Million Contest to Produce Best COVID-19 Test

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A competition between researchers is part of a $1.5 billion program that seeks to speed development of accurate, quick, and easy-to-use COVID-19 tests, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Wednesday.

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Men Have More Serious Disease, Higher Death Rate From COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with COVID-19, male gender is associated with worse outcomes, independent of age, according to a study published online April 29 in Frontiers in Public Health.

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Medicaid Expansion Tied to Higher Mammography Rates

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Total insurance coverage, Medicaid coverage, and mammogram rates are higher among lower-income women living in Medicaid expansion states versus nonexpansion states, according to a study published online April 6 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

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14.9 Percent of U.S. Adults Had Ever Used an E-Cigarette in 2018

THURSDAY, April 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In 2018, 14.9 percent of U.S. adults had ever used an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) and 3.2 percent were current users, according to an April data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

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Smoking Tied to Inferior Survival in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking status is an important patient-related prognostic factor for outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with intensive chemotherapy, according to a study published online April 21 in the British Journal of Haematology.

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Almost All COVID-19 Patients Have Diminished Sense of Smell

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Quantitative smell testing shows that decreased smell function is a major marker for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, according to a study published online April 17 in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.

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Guidelines Recommended for ECMO Use in Setting of Pandemic

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Hospitals should have a formal plan to respond to the increasing need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the setting of a pandemic such as COVID-19, according to a study published online April 15 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

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Pediatric Brain Cancer Outcomes Worse for Black, Hispanic Patients

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment disparities may explain worse outcomes for pediatric black and Hispanic brain cancer patients, according to a study recently published in Scientific Reports.

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Many Health Care Workers Face Risk for Poor Outcomes With COVID-19

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- More than one-quarter of health care workers with patient contact are at risk for poor outcomes from COVID-19, according to a study published online April 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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David Shulkin, M.D., on COVID-19 Financial Consequences for Health Care System

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Health care organizations are facing hard financial decisions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but an end is in sight as some are beginning to slowly open back up around the country, according to David Shulkin, M.D. Shulkin, who served as ninth secretary for Veterans Affairs and is former president and CEO of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, spoke with HealthDay during a live stream on the HealthDay YouTube channel and live blog.

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KIMT3 Article

USPSTF: Behavioral Interventions Likely Prevent Tobacco Use

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that primary care-feasible behavioral interventions have a moderate net benefit for preventing tobacco use in children. These findings form the basis of a final recommendation statement, published online April 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Evidence Report (subscription or payment may be required)
Recommendations (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Primary PCI Remains Standard of Care for STEMI During COVID-19

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains the standard of care for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a consensus statement published online April 20 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Remain Unaware of CV Risk

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have low awareness about associated cardiovascular (CV) risk, according to a study published online April 20 in ACR Open Rheumatology.

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GI Manifestations Seen for Nearly One in Three With SARS-CoV-2

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A considerable proportion of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have gastrointestinal manifestations, according to a study involving patients at a U.S. hospital published online April 10 in Gastroenterology.

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Low Vitamin D, Smoking Predict Worse Cognitive Function in MS

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with clinically isolated syndrome, lower vitamin D and smoking predict worse long-term cognitive function and neuronal integrity, according to a study published online April 16 in Neurology.

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Major Depression Reduced for Those Reared in Adoptive Homes

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals at high risk for major depression reared in adoptive homes have a significantly reduced risk for major depression compared with those raised in their home environment, according to a study published online April 28 in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

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Multicancer Blood Test, PET-CT Combo Feasible for Cancer Screen

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Multicancer blood testing combined with positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging can detect cancers, according to a study published online April 28 in Science to coincide with the virtual annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.

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Thromboembolic Complications in COVID-19 Discussed

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 are discussed in a report published online April 23 in Radiology.

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Reviews Assess Tools to Identify, Diagnose, Treat Alzheimer Dementia

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Limited tools are available for identifying, diagnosing, and treating cognitive dysfunction from Alzheimer disease, according to three studies published online April 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text -- Hemmy (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text -- Fink Study 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text -- Fink Study 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Nearly Half of U.S. Population Breathes Unhealthy Air

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Climate change continues to make air pollution worse, with 45.8 percent of the U.S. population living in counties with unhealthy ozone or particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association (ALA) 21st annual State of the Air report.

State of the Air Report

Low Vitamin D May Reduce Survival for Some With Multiple Myeloma

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D deficiency is associated with reduced overall survival for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), with a differential effect across race, according to a study published online April 21 in Blood Advances.

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Most SARS-CoV-2-Positive Pregnant Women Asymptomatic at Screening

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Universal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing of pregnant women presenting for delivery in New York City revealed that most positive patients were asymptomatic, according to a research letter published online April 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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National Coronavirus Testing Strategy Announced as U.S. Cases Top 1 Million

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- While health experts continued to call for a national strategy to test more Americans for coronavirus, President Donald Trump on Monday announced a "blueprint" for boosting testing capacity as some states began reopening their economies.

Washington Post Article
CBS News Article
New York Times Article

Rare, Serious Illness May Occur in Children With COVID-19

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Abdominal pain, gastrointestinal complaints, and heart inflammation are among the symptoms in children with a rare syndrome that may be linked to COVID-19, British health officials say.

CNN Article

Upward Income Mobility Tied to Worse Cardiometabolic Health

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Upward income mobility is associated with lower perceived stress and fewer depressive symptoms but with higher rates of metabolic syndrome, according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Job Strain Linked to Increase in Risk for PAD Hospitalization

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Job strain is associated with a 1.41-fold increase in the average risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD) hospitalization, according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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45.4 Percent of U.S. Adults at Risk for Complications With COVID-19

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- An estimated 45.4 percent of U.S. adults may have an increased risk for COVID-19 complications due to chronic conditions, according to a study published in the August issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

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High Rate of Pulmonary Embolism Found for Patients With COVID-19

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- COVID-19 is associated with a high rate of pulmonary embolism, according to two research letters published online April 23 in Radiology.

Abstract/Full Text -- Leonard-Lorant (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text -- Grillet (subscription or payment may be required)

Adding High-Dose Chloroquine Not Advised for Severe COVID-19

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- High-dosage chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) has potential safety hazards when used as adjunctive therapy for patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, according to a study published online April 24 in JAMA Network Open.

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Editorial

Social Inequality May Contribute to Poor Metabolic, Bone Health

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Social factors might be significant contributors to coexisting metabolic syndrome (MetS) and osteoporosis (OP) in postmenopausal women, according to a study published online April 20 in Menopause.

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Diabetes Medication Prescribing Increased 2003 to 2016

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Pharmacologic treatment for type 2 diabetes increased from 2003 to 2016, according to a study published online March 31 in Diabetes Care.

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Patients Aged 60 to 69 Most Often Hospitalized With COVID-19

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Persons aged 60 to 69 years with COVID-19 are the most commonly hospitalized, according to a research letter published online April 24 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Neurologic Features Tied to ARDS in Severe COVID-19 Described

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 is associated with neurologic features, including encephalopathy, agitation, and confusion, according to a letter to the editor published online April 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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FDA Warns of Bogus Claims by Makers of Hand Sanitizer

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Some companies are selling hand sanitizers with unproven claims that they will protect against COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

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Hearing Loss Linked to Postural Instability in Older Adults

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The odds of postural instability are increased in older adults with moderate or worse hearing loss, even when hearing loss is present on only one side, according to a study published online April 23 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

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Pulse Oximetry May Be Overused in Infants With Bronchiolitis

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Use of monitoring with continuous pulse oximetry for infants with bronchiolitis who do not require supplemental oxygen varies widely by hospital, according to a study published in the April 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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SARS-CoV-2 Not Detected in Semen After COVID-19 Recovery

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is not detected in the semen of patients one month after COVID-19 diagnosis, according to a study published online April 17 in Fertility and Sterility.

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Direct Medical Costs of COVID-19 Infection Are Considerable

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A single symptomatic COVID-19 infection results in direct medical costs of $3,045 in the United States, according to a study published online April 23 in Health Affairs.

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Former Footballers Report Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Symptoms

MONDAY, April 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A number of former American-style football (ASF) players report clinician-diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and they have significantly more comorbidities and cognitive impairment symptoms, according to a study published online April 13 in the Annals of Neurology.

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Mobile BP Monitoring Does Not Change Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction

MONDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The use of smartphone-enabled health monitoring devices after myocardial infarction yields similar blood pressure control when compared with regular follow-up visits, according to a study published online April 16 in JAMA Network Open.

Abstract/Full Text
Editorial

Physician's Briefing Weekly Coronavirus Roundup

Here is what the editors at Physician's Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of April 20 to 24, 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.

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HTN, Obesity, Diabetes Common in U.S. COVID-19 Patients

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The most common comorbidities among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the New York City area are hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, according to a study published online April 22 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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FDA Warns About Treating COVID-19 With Unproven Drugs

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Malaria drugs touted by some as potential "game changers" against COVID-19 are actually too dangerous for general use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Americans on Friday.

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Premature Posting of Remdesivir Findings Were 'Inconclusive'

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Inconclusive findings from a study investigating the antiviral drug remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19 were posted to the World Health Organization website "prematurely," drug maker Gilead Sciences said Thursday.

CNN Article

COVID-19 Pandemic Delays FDA Review of Vaping Products

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A review of vaping products has been delayed by the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.

AP News Article

Americans Report Concerns Over Their Mental Health During Pandemic

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Mental health concerns top economic worries during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of a survey released by the University of Phoenix.

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Infection Rate Up Prior to Detection of Malignant Cancer

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The rate of infection with influenza, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and pneumonia is increased before detection of malignant cancer, according to a study published online April 17 in Cancer Immunology Research.

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Prevalence of Hypertension in U.S. 45.4 Percent in 2017 to 2018

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In 2017 to 2018, 45.4 percent of adults had hypertension, with prevalence higher among men than women, according to an April data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

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COVID-19 Outcomes Worse With Diabetes, Hyperglycemia

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Diabetes and/or uncontrolled hyperglycemia occur frequently among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and are associated with worse outcomes, according to a study accepted for publication in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.

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COVID-19-Linked Changes Reported in Rheumatic Disease Patient Care

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Changes to health care have been reported among patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online April 20 in ACR: Open Rheumatology.

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SARS-CoV-2 Stays in Respiratory Samples Longer in Severely Ill

FRIDAY, April 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The median duration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA is significantly longer in the respiratory samples of patients with severe versus mild disease, according to a study published online April 21 in The BMJ.

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SARS-CoV-2 Can Spread Rapidly in Homeless Shelters

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can spread rapidly in homeless shelters, according to two studies published in the April 22 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Abstract/Full Text - Tobolowsky
Abstract/Full Text - Mosites

CDC: More Chemical Exposures Reported in January to March 2020

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In January to March 2020, there were more chemical exposures reported to the National Poison Data System than in the corresponding months of 2019 and 2018, according to research published in the April 20 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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White House Announces Payment Plan for Uninsured COVID-19 Patients

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A plan to begin paying hospitals and doctors who treat uninsured COVID-19 patients was announced by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Wednesday.

AP News Article

'Health Force' to Combat Pandemic Proposed by U.S. Senators

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A bill to create a "Health Force" to help combat the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak has been announced by two Democratic senators.

NBC News Article

ACEIs/ARBs Not Linked to Severity or Mortality of COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with hypertension hospitalized with COVID-19 infections, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are not associated with the severity or mortality of COVID-19, according to a brief report published online April 23 in JAMA Cardiology.

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Visual Impairment May Up Risk for Dementia in Older Women

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In older women, objectively measured visual impairment is associated with a twofold to more than fivefold increased risk for dementia, according to a study published online April 16 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

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Yoga Cuts Testosterone in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A mindful yoga intervention reduces testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to a study published online April 14 in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

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Clascoterone Cream Safe, Effective for Acne Treatment

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Clascoterone cream, 1 percent, appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of acne, according to a study published online April 22 in JAMA Dermatology.

Abstract/Full Text
Editorial

Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Umifenovir Ineffective for Mild COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For patients hospitalized with mild/moderate COVID-19, lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) or umifenovir (Arbidol) monotherapy offers little benefit, according to a study published online April 17 in Med.

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AAD Establishes Registry for Skin Manifestations of COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A registry has been created for reporting skin manifestations of COVID-19 following reports of patients presenting with skin conditions, including findings outlined in a letter to the editor published online March 26 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Registry
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Chronic Conditions, Obesity Common in Fatal Cases of EVALI

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Chronic conditions, including asthma, mental health conditions, and obesity, are common among fatal cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), according to a study published in the April 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Higher Manganese Intake May Be Tied to Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Higher intake of manganese is associated with a lower type 2 diabetes risk among postmenopausal women, independent of known risk factors, according to a study published online April 15 in Diabetes Care.

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Housing Insecurity May Increase Risk for Incident Kidney Disease

THURSDAY, April 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Housing insecurity is tied to an increased risk for developing albuminuria, according to a study published March 31 in Kidney360.

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Firework-Related ED Visits Peak Around Independence Day

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Most emergency department admissions for firework-related injuries occur near Independence Day and New Year's Day, involve men and people younger than 18, and are caused by firecrackers and bottle rockets, according to a study published online April 9 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

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Hydroxychloroquine Seems Not to Cut Ventilator Use in COVID-19

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There is no evidence that use of hydroxychloroquine alone (HC) or with azithromycin (HC+AZ) reduces the risks for mechanical ventilation or death from any cause in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to a study that has not yet been peer reviewed and was posted online April 21 at medRxiv.org.

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Processed Meat, Unhealthy Snack Food Networks Tied to Dementia

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Focused eating habits with high processed meats and unhealthy snacking may be associated with increased dementia risk, according to a study published online April 22 in Neurology.

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Expert Panel: There Are No Proven Drug Treatments for COVID-19

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There is no proven drug treatment for COVID-19 patients, according to a panel of experts convened by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The New York Times Article

Rapid COVID-19 Test Can Produce False Negatives

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A widely used rapid COVID-19 test can produce false negatives if a certain solution is used to move or store patients' samples, the test's maker said.

CNN Article

Premature Mortality Rates Up for CAD in Women From Rural U.S.

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- According to the findings of two studies published online April 20 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, coronary artery disease (CAD) mortality rates have increased among women from rural areas, while social determinants of health (SDOH) increase the risk for 90-day mortality after heart failure hospitalization.

Abstract/Full Text - Bossard (subscription or payment may be required)
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ST-Segment Elevation Described in Patients With COVID-19

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with COVID-19 who have ST-segment elevation, indicating potential acute myocardial infarction, there is considerable variability in presentation, and prognosis is poor, according to a letter to the editor published online April 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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2015 to 2018 Saw High Total Cholesterol for 11.4 Percent of U.S. Adults

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Overall, 11.4 percent of adults had high total cholesterol during 2015 to 2018, according to an April data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

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Clinical, Genetic, Biomarker Model IDs Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A model that includes data on clinical and genetic factors and circulating biomarkers may improve risk discrimination for pancreatic cancer, according to a study published online April 22 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

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Heart Rate Variability Related to Risk for Incident Diabetes

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Altered heart rate variability (HRV) may be related to risk for incident diabetes in young Asian adults, according to a study published online April 16 in Diabetes Care.

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Living Alone Ups Admission Risk for Respiratory Disease in Seniors

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For older adults, the risk for hospital admission due to respiratory disease (RD) is increased in association with living alone and social disengagement, according to a study published online April 21 in Thorax.

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Obesity Ups Risk for COVID-19 Severity

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There is a high frequency of obesity among patients admitted to intensive care for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), according to a study published online April 9 in Obesity.

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Scoring System Helps Guide Surgical Care During COVID-19

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A scoring system for medically necessary time-sensitive (MeNTS) procedures can facilitate decision making and triage in the setting of COVID-19, according to a study published online April 9 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

Abstract/Full Text

Alone, Low Vitamin D Does Not Cause Osteoporotic Fractures

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- While low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with osteoporotic fractures, the link is not causative, according to the results of an analysis published online April 7 in Clinical Chemistry.

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IBD Symptoms in Pregnancy Tied to Higher C-Section Rate, IUGR

WEDNESDAY, April 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have lower pregnancy rates, and those with uncontrolled disease are at increased risk for adverse outcomes, according to a study published online April 7 in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

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COVID-19 Tied to Unique Nasal Symptoms

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- COVID-19 is not associated with the symptoms typically associated with a viral cold or allergies, such as nasal blockage or mucus production, according to a review published online April 10 in Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology.

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Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic Explored

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A new position paper, published online April 15 in The Lancet Psychiatry, highlights the mental health consequences of COVID-19 management.

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FDA Authorizes COVID-19 Test That Uses Samples Collected at Home

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved emergency use of the first COVID-19 test that enables patients to take samples at home.

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LA County COVID-19 Infections Far Exceed Number of Confirmed Cases

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- An early analysis of antibody testing from Los Angeles County reveals a COVID-19 infection rate that is up to 55 times the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

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Expanding Symptom Screening Criteria Can Up COVID-19 Detection

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Expanding COVID-19 symptom screening criteria to include myalgias and chills could identify more health care personnel (HCP) with the illness, according to a research letter published online April 17 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Most Older Adults With New Dementia Die Within Five Years

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Most community-dwelling older adults with newly identified dementia die or are admitted to a long-term care home within five years, according to a study published online April 20 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

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Heightened Surveillance IDs More Thyroid Cancer in 9/11 Responders

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Excess asymptomatic thyroid cancer in Fire Department World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed rescue/recovery workers is apparently attributable to the identification of occult lesions during medical surveillance, according to a study published online April 20 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Physicians Report Low Interest in Opioid Use Disorder Meds

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Few primary care physicians report interest in treating patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), according to a research letter published online April 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Coinfection With SARS-CoV-2, Other Respiratory Pathogens ID'd

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- About 20 percent of specimens positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are positive for other respiratory pathogens, according to a research letter published online April 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Cardiac Cath Lab STEMI Activations Drop During Pandemic

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a 38 percent reduction in U.S. cardiac catheterization laboratory ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) activations, according to a research letter published online April 10 in the Journal of the American College of Cariology.

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Bundled Rapid HIV/Hep C Testing May Improve Infection Awareness

TUESDAY, April 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For people with substance use disorders, combining HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and providing immediate test results may increase the number of people who are aware of their infection status, according to a study published in the May issue of Medical Care.

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Cervical Cancer Screening Rates May Be Impacted by Disasters

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Cervical cancer screening rates (CCS-Rs) in Japan were significantly lower in the years following the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, according to a study recently published online in PLOS ONE.

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Reduced Power Plant Emissions Tied to Better Asthma Measures

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Retirement of coal-fired power plants or installation of stricter emissions controls is associated with better asthma-related outcomes, according to a study published online April 13 in Nature Energy.

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Lab Protocol Failures Led to Ineffective COVID-19 Tests From CDC

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The first COVID-19 tests in the United States were ineffective due to poor laboratory practices at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The New York Times Article

Public Health Measures Cut COVID-19 Transmission in Hong Kong

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Public health measures implemented to suppress local transmission of COVID-19 in Hong Kong were associated with reduced transmission of COVID-19 and influenza, according to a study published online April 17 in The Lancet Public Health.

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Family History-Based Early Screen Could ID More Young-Onset CRC

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- About one in four cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients aged 40 to 49 years meet family history-based criteria for early screening, according to a study published online April 20 in Cancer.

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Diabetes Increases Risk for Poorer Prognosis in COVID-19

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Diabetes may contribute to more severe symptoms, rapid progression, and poorer prognosis in patients infected with COVID-19, according to a study published online March 31 in Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews.

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Benefit of Social Distancing Outweighs Economic Impact

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The economic benefits of lives saved through social distancing substantially outweigh the value of the projected losses to the U.S. economy, according to a study to be published in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis.

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Child Obesity Linked to Higher Mortality Risk in Young Adulthood

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity in children is associated with an increased risk for premature mortality in young adulthood and with an increased risk for anxiety and depression, according to two studies published online in March in PLOS Medicine and BMC Medicine.

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ADHD Rates Up in Veterans

MONDAY, April 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The number of veterans being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing, according to a study published in the March issue of Medical Care.

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Physician's Briefing Weekly Coronavirus Roundup

Here is what the editors at Physician's Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of April 13 to 17, 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.

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Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Stable in Iceland

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In Iceland, the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was stable through 20 days of screening, according to a study published online April 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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CDC Looks at Transmission of COVID-19 to Health Care Workers

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to health care personnel (HCP) is explored in two studies published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Asthma Not Common in COVID-19 Patients Who Have Died

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Asthma is not among the top 10 chronic health problems in people who have died from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in New York state, even though many health experts have warned that people with asthma are at increased risk for severe illness if they get COVID-19.

The New York Times Article

Chest X-Ray Findings Normal for Many Confirmed COVID-19 Cases

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Most patients presenting to urgent care centers with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have normal or mildly abnormal findings on chest X-rays (CXRs), according to a study published online April 14 in the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine.

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IDSA Issues Rapid Guidelines for Treatment of COVID-19

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In rapid guidelines issued by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), recommendations are presented for the treatment and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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Removal of Flavored E-Cigarette Products Likely Ineffective

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Juul sales recovered within weeks following a dip after the company withdrew some flavored products from stores, even surpassing sales before the withdraw, according to a study published online April 16 in the American Journal of Public Health.

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Higher Nighttime Blood Pressure Tied to Worse Vascular Disease

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Higher nighttime blood pressure may exacerbate the detrimental effects of hypertension on cerebrovascular health and cognitive abilities among middle-aged individuals, according to a study published online April 15 in Neurology.

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Ovarian Insufficiency Not Tied to Higher Risks for Obesity, Diabetes

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Women with lower ovarian reserve do not experience differences in adiposity and glucose metabolism during their reproductive life span compared with women with high ovarian reserve, according to a study published online April 13 in Menopause.

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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction May Cut IBS Symptoms

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Mindfulness-based stress reduction training is associated with robust improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a study published online April 7 in Neurogastroenterology & Motility.

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Probiotics May Help Reduce Mild-to-Moderate Acne Symptoms

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The use of probiotics as an adjunct therapy may help in the management of acne vulgaris, according to a review published online April 7 in Dermatologic Therapy.

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Higher Vitamin D From Food May Protect Against Heart Disease

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Consuming foods high in vitamin D may have heart-protective effects, according to a Greek study published online April 7 in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

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CDC: 2009 to 2017 Saw Increase in Oral Cavity, Pharynx Cancers

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- From 2007 to 2016, the incidence of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx combined increased, according to research published in the April 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Risk for Severe COVID-19 May Be Up in People With COPD, Smokers

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Active cigarette smokers and individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have up-regulation of angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE-2) expression in the lower airways, which could explain the increased risk for severe COVID-19 in these subpopulations, according to a study published online April 8 in the European Respiratory Journal.

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CRISPR-Based Test Can Diagnose COVID-19 in Under 60 Minutes

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say they have developed a low-cost swab test that can diagnose coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in about 45 minutes.

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FDA Urges COVID-19 Survivors to Donate Plasma

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking Americans who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to donate their blood plasma to help fight the pandemic.

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Sharp Drop in Demand Seen for COVID-19 Tests at Private Labs

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There has been such a drop in demand for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests at private labs in the United States that they have "considerable" unused capacity and can test more patients with less severe symptoms, the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) says.

NBC News Article

Recurrent Winter Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 Projected

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Recurrent winter outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) are projected to occur after the initial pandemic wave, according to a study published online April 14 in Science.

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BP Levels Influence Racial Differences in Cognitive Decline

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Black individuals' higher cumulative blood pressure (BP) levels may influence racial differences in cognitive decline, according to a study published online April 13 in JAMA Neurology.

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Guidance Developed for Treating Cardiac Arrest During COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In a document entitled "Interim Guidance for Basic and Advanced Life Support in Adults, Children, and Neonates With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19," published online April 9 in Circulation, recommendations are presented for treating victims of cardiac arrest during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

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Regardless of Genetics, Obesity Ups Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Having normal body weight is crucial in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic predisposition, according to a study published online April 15 in Diabetologia.

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Telehealth Usage Was Growing Among Internists Prior to COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There is wide variation in the use of telehealth among internal medicine physicians and subspecialists, according the "2020 American College of Physicians (ACP) Member Survey About Telehealth Implementation."

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Quality Improvement Effort Cuts Blood Clots in Brain Injury Patients

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Implementation of an anticoagulation protocol reduces blood clots in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to a study published in the April 1 issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.

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Prevalence of Autoimmunity May Be on the Rise

THURSDAY, April 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the United States has increased considerably between 1988 and 2012, according to a study published online April 7 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

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Heavy Wildfire Smoke Tied to Higher Risk for Cardiac Arrest

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest increases by 70 percent with exposure to heavy wildfire smoke, according to a study published online April 15 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Compliance With Self-Isolation Influenced by Compensation

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), compliance with self-isolation is influenced by compensation, with very high compliance seen when compensation for lost wages is assured, according to a report published online April 9 in Health Affairs.

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Post-Detox Treatment Lowers Mortality in Opioid Use Disorder

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- People who receive additional treatment following medically managed opioid withdrawal have reduced mortality compared with those who do not receive treatment, according to a study recently published in Addiction.

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Obesity Is Risk Factor for COVID-19 Hospital Admission in <60s

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity is associated with admission to the hospital for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, according to a study published online April 9 in Clinical Infectious Diseases and a study not yet peer reviewed and posted on medRxiv.org.

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Survey Shows Lack of COVID-19 Concern Even Among Those at Risk

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Many individuals at greater risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications did not believe the virus would affect them at the beginning of Chicago's outbreak, according to a study published online April 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Air, Surfaces Examined in ICU, Wards

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Considerable severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) contamination of air and object surfaces is reported in intensive care units (ICUs) and general coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wards (GW), according to a study published online April 10 in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Public Health Interventions Improved COVID-19 Control in Wuhan

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Multifaceted public health interventions improved control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China, according to a study published online April 10 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Risk for Cognitive Decline Reduced With Adherence to aMED Diet

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Closer adherence to the alternative Mediterranean diet (aMED) is associated with a reduced risk for cognitive decline, but not with slower decline in cognitive function, according to a study published online April 13 in Alzheimer's & Dementia.

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CDC: Overall Prevalence of Self-Reported Hypertension 32.4 Percent

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The overall prevalence of self-reported hypertension is 32.4 percent, with prevalence higher among men than women and among blacks, according to research published in the April 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Common Coronaviruses Are Highly Seasonal

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Common coronaviruses circulate seasonally, according to a study published online April 4 in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

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Kidney Injury Up During Pregnancy-Related Hospitalizations

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The rates of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (AKI) hospitalizations increased during the last decade, according to a study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Nephrology.

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Smell, Taste Impairment Linked to COVID-19 Positivity

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Smell and taste impairment are strongly associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positivity, according to a study published online April 12 in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.

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Review: Quarantine Effective for Reducing Infection, Death

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Quarantine is effective for reducing the number of people infected and deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a review published online April 8 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

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U.S. Government Says COVID-19 Antibody Tests Must Be Free

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Health insurers and Medicaid must provide free coverage for tests to detect coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) antibodies in people who have been infected, the federal government says.

CBS News Article
Johns Hopkins University

CDC: Public Policy Measures Important for Social Distancing

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Community mobility in four metropolitan areas decreased with the introduction of public policy measures supporting social distancing, which could help slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to research published in the April 13 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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First Saliva Test for COVID-19 Approved by FDA

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The first saliva test for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) was approved Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

AP News Article
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Hep C Screening Recommended for Adults, Pregnant Women

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Hepatitis C screening is recommended for all adults and for all pregnant women, except where the prevalence is below 0.1 percent; meanwhile, the annual rate of reported acute hepatitis C cases increased to 1.2 per 100,000 population in 2018, according to recommendations and a report published in the April 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Being Born Via C-Section May Up Risk for T2DM in Adulthood

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Women born by cesarean delivery may have a higher risk for being obese and developing type 2 diabetes during adult life than women born by vaginal delivery, according to a study published online April 13 in JAMA Network Open.

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Medical Masks May Be Sufficient During COVID-19 Routine Care

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Use of medical masks, such as surgical or procedural masks, does not increase the risk for viral infection or respiratory illness, and their use may serve as a protective measure in instances of N95 respirator shortages, according to the results of a meta-analysis published online April 4 in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.

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COVID-19 RNA Detectable in Patient Fecal Matter

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA is detectable in the feces of COVID-19 patients and remains even after negative conversion in pharyngeal swabs, according to a study published online April 3 in the Journal of Medical Virology.

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First Wave of COVID-19 Abated With Control Measures in China

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Interventions implemented in China interrupted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in all areas outside of Hubei, and low transmissibility can be maintained by monitoring the instantaneous effective reproduction number (Rt), according to a study published online April 8 in The Lancet.

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Model Forecasts When COVID-19 Demand Will Exceed Capacity

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The COVID-19 Hospital Impact Model (CHIME), a publicly available tool, can help hospitals predict the timing of saturated capacity, according to a report published online April 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Physicians Report Expanding Use of Off-Label COVID-19 Treatments

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Hydroxychloroquine usage is expanding globally to treat coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), although plasma from recovered patients is perceived as more effective than hydroxychloroquine, according to a report released by Sermo.

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Survey IDs Those Most Affected by One-Month COVID-19 Lockdown

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Adults who stopped working during coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)-related lockdowns in China report worse mental and physical health, according to a study published online April 4 in Psychiatry Research.

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COVID-19 Antibody Tests Underway in California

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Large-scale studies of tests to check for antibodies to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) are underway in California. The findings from this research could help the United States develop strategies to get people back to work and restart the economy.

NBC News Article

Chloroquine COVID-19 Trial Stopped After Patient Deaths

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A study of chloroquine in coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients was halted due to potentially deadly side effects.

The New York Times Article

High Rates of Appropriate E-Consults Seen Across Specialties

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The rates of appropriate electronic consultations (e-consults) are high across specialties, according to a study published online April 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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CDC Report Details Geographic Variation in U.S. COVID-19 Cases, Deaths

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There is variation in the cumulative incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across jurisdictions in the United States, according to research published in the April 10 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Recommendations Issued for Use of Imaging in Adults With COVID-19

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In a multinational consensus statement from the Fleischner Society, published online April 7 in Radiology, recommendations are presented for use of imaging in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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Most Home BP Devices Available Online Are Not Validated

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Most home blood pressure (BP) devices available online are nonvalidated, and they are sold at a lower cost than validated ones, according to a study published online April 13 in Hypertension.

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Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Cuts Recall Rates

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is associated with an overall decrease in recall rate and an increase in cancer detection rate, according to a study published online March 30 in JAMA Network Open.

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Racial Disparity in Prostate Cancer Survival Tied to Region

MONDAY, April 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- National, race-based differences in prostate cancer survival are due to regional variation, even for low-risk prostate cancer, according to a study published online March 31 in JAMA Network Open.

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Physician's Briefing Weekly Coronavirus Roundup

Here is what the editors at Physician's Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of April 6 to 10, 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.

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Contact Tracing ID'd Large Multifamily COVID-19 Cluster in Chicago

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- One index patient with COVID-19 and only mild symptoms attended two family gatherings and likely triggered a chain of transmission that included 15 other confirmed and probable cases with three deaths, according to research published in the April 8 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Neurologic Effects Seen in a Third of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Neurologic manifestations are common among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, according to a study published online April 10 in JAMA Neurology.

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FDA Approves New Way to Decontaminate N95 Face Masks

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The second emergency use authorization to decontaminate N95 face masks and equivalents for reuse by hospital health care workers has been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Temperature, UV Radiation Not Linked to Incidence of COVID-19

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Ambient temperature and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are not associated with the cumulative incidence rate or basic reproduction number (R0) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a research letter published online April 8 in the European Respiratory Journal.

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Middle-Age Lifestyle Changes Can Cut Women's Stroke Risk

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Even in middle age, women can make lifestyle modifications that can substantially lower their stroke risk, according to a study published online April 9 in Stroke.

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Current Models for COVID-19 Diagnosis, Prognosis Unreliable

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)-related models that are published in the literature are poorly reported and at high risk for bias, raising concern that their predictions could be unreliable when applied in daily practice, according to a review published online April 7 in The BMJ.

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Face Masks Offer Slight Protective Effect From Flu-Like Illness

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Wearing face masks could be slightly protective against primary infection with influenza-like illness from casual community contact, according to a review that has not yet been peer reviewed and was posted online April 6 at medRxiv.org.

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Anxiety Up for Nonmedical Health Care Workers Versus Those on Front Lines

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Non-medically trained health care workers caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have an increased prevalence of anxiety compared with medically trained health care workers, according to a research letter published online April 6 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Nocturnal Supervision May Have Protective Effect in SUDEP

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There is limited, very low-certainty evidence of a protective effect for nocturnal supervision against sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), according to a report published online April 2 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

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Incident Depression Increases With Body Mass Index

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The risk for incident depression increases with body mass index (BMI) among overweight and obese patients, according to a study published online April 8 in Obesity.

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Sex, Gender Differences in Psoriasis May Have Clinical Implications

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There are sex- and gender-specific differences related to clinical characteristics and quality-of-life (QoL) measures in patients with psoriasis, according to a study published online March 14 in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.

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Adult Smoking, Cessation Tied to Smoking Intensity in Adolescence

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence rates of smoking and cessation in adulthood are associated with levels of childhood smoking intensity, according to a study published in the April 9 issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Younger Onset of T2DM Tied to Poorer Initial Glycemic Control

FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between the ages of 21 and 44 years have higher initial hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and a lower likelihood of achieving glycemic control within one year of diagnosis versus patients diagnosed in middle age, according to a study recently published in Diabetes Care.

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Clinical Trial Underway to Test Nitric Oxide in COVID-19 Patients

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are enrolling patients in an international clinical trial to find out if inhaled nitric oxide benefits those with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) who have severely damaged lungs.

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NIH Launches Clinical Trial of Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A clinical trial to assess the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for adults with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is now underway, the U.S. National Institutes of Health said Thursday.

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COVID-19 Came to New York City From Europe, Not Asia

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been circulating in New York City for longer than previously believed and most cases can be traced back to Europe, new research reveals.

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FDA Warns of False Claims That Chlorine Dioxide Can Treat COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A warning letter has been sent to a company marketing fraudulent and dangerous chlorine dioxide products for the prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

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Another COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Begins in the United States

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Another clinical trial of an experimental vaccine for the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been launched by U.S. researchers.

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ATS Provides Interim Guidance for Management of COVID-19

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In a guidance document issued by the American Thoracic Society, interim recommendations are presented for management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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Parents' Mental Illness Tied to Higher Injury Rate in Offspring

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Parental mental illness is associated with an increased risk for injuries among offspring, especially during the first year of the child's life, according to a study published online April 8 in The BMJ.

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Racial Differences Seen for Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, Survival

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival differ by race and ethnicity for patients with one of the nine leading cancers, according to a study published online April 8 in JAMA Network Open.

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Older Adults, Men, Preexisting Conditions Tied to COVID-19 Death

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have identified the most common clinical characteristics among 109 patients out of 1,017 with confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia who died of COVID-19-related pneumonia in Wuhan, China; their findings were published online April 7 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

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'Dead' Probiotic Treatment May Help Reduce Irritable Bowel Symptoms

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Probiotic treatment with dead bacteria is better than placebo at alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a study published online April 8 in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

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Air Pollution May Hasten Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

THURSDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to air pollution may have adverse effects on cognitive aging and brain health in older adults, according to a study published online April 8 in Neurology.

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Suppressing Stomach Acid May Up Intestinal Growth of MDROs

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Stomach acid suppression medications increase the odds of intestinal colonization with multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDROs), according to a review and meta-analysis recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Outcomes Better at One Year With Physical Therapy for Knee OA

THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, those undergoing physical therapy have less pain and functional disability at one year compared with those who receive an intraarticular glucocorticoid injection, according to a study published in the April 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Physical Activity Tied to Mental Well-Being in Menopause

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Physical activity is linked to fewer depressive symptoms, higher satisfaction with life, and higher positive affectivity in menopausal women, according to a study published in the April issue of Menopause.

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COVID-19 Killing Two Times More Men Than Women in NYC

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) death rate in New York City is two times higher among men than among women, and men also have higher rates of infection and hospitalization, new data show.

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CDC Removes Prescribing Guidelines for Antimalarial Drugs

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Guidelines for doctors on how to prescribe two antimalarial drugs that some believe may treat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are no longer available on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

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CDC: 1999 to 2018 Saw 35 Percent Increase in Suicide Rates

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Suicide rates increased 35 percent from 1999 through 2018, according to an April data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

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Celiac Disease May Slightly Increase Mortality Risk

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with celiac disease have a small but statistically significantly increased mortality risk compared with controls, according to a study published in the April 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Surgical, Cotton Masks Not Effective for Filtering SARS-CoV-2

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), neither surgical nor cotton masks effectively filter SARS-CoV-2 during coughs, according to a research letter published online April 6 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Review Explores Use of Menstruation, Fertility Apps

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Women mainly use fertility apps for fertility and reproductive health tracking, pregnancy planning, and pregnancy prevention, according to a review published online April 6 in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health.

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Heavy Drinking Tied to Larger Waist Lines, Higher Stroke Risk

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Heavy drinkers who continue drinking into old age have significantly larger waistlines and increased stroke risk, according to a study published online March 31 in Addiction.

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Some Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections Down in U.S.

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- From 2012 to 2017, there were decreases in the incidence of some multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections in hospitalized patients in the United States, according to a study published in the April 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Claims-Based Frailty Index Can Improve Cost Prediction

WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A claims-based frailty index can improve current Medicare cost prediction for patients with different levels of frailty, according to a study published online April 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Serious Concerns Associated With COVID-19 Pandemic Reported

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Serious concerns are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and many individuals are preparing by washing hands and self-isolating, according to a research letter published online April 7 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Side Effects Seen With Use of Chloroquine Against COVID-19

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The use of the antimalarial drug chloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients has been halted at several Swedish hospitals due to reported side effects such as cramps and loss of peripheral vision. Sahlgrenska University Hospital is one of those facilities. It stopped the use of chloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 about two weeks ago.

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Johns Hopkins University

Compliance Higher if Stay-at-Home Extensions Are Shorter Than Thought

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- When hypothetical stay-at-home orders in response to COVID-19 are extended longer than expected, people become less willing to increase self-isolation efforts, according to a working paper released by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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Most COVID-19 Fatalities Are Men Over 50 With Chronic Disease

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Most fatal cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occur in men aged older than 50 years with noncommunicable chronic diseases, according to a study published online April 3 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

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School Closures Could Further Complicate COVID-19 Effort

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Potential contagion prevention from school closures needs to be weighed against the potential loss of health care workers due to child care obligations during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a study published online April 3 in The Lancet Public Health.

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Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer Adjusted During COVID-19

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In a special article published online April 1 in Advances in Radiation Oncology, a framework is laid out for the management of radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

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Adding Social Workers to Care Teams Can Cut Hospital Admissions for Veterans

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- An initiative to add social workers to rural primary care teams increases social work encounters among veterans and reduces hospital admissions and emergency department visits among high-risk patients, according to a report published in the April issue of Health Affairs.

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'Mod' E-Cigarette Users Smoke More Cigarettes One Year Later

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Baseline modifiable (mod) electronic cigarette device users smoke more cigarettes at one-year follow-up than vape pen users, according to a study published online April 6 in Pediatrics.

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Genetic Testing Does Not Enhance Heart Disease Risk Prediction

TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Genetic testing is not better at predicting coronary heart disease risk compared with conventional risk factors, according to a study published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Initial Invasive Strategy No Better in Stable Coronary Disease

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with stable coronary disease and moderate-to-severe ischemia, an initial invasive strategy does not improve outcomes, but it may improve angina-related health status, according to two studies published online March 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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FDA Authorizes Use of Chinese-Approved Masks in United States

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Emergency use authorization of protective masks that do not meet American standards has been announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Majority of Physicians Report Serious Concerns About COVID-19

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- According to a national survey conducted by Harvard Medical School, the RAND Corporation, and Doximity, practicing physicians currently report substantial concerns about supplies, the government response, and availability of testing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Sentinel Surveillance Can Help Monitor Epidemiology of COVID-19

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Rapid sentinel surveillance can help monitor the epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to research published in the April 3 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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High Fiber Consumption Linked to Reduced Risk for Breast Cancer

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- High total fiber consumption is associated with a reduced risk for breast cancer, according to a review and meta-analysis published online April 6 in Cancer.

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Hydroxychloroquine Can Shorten Time to Recovery in COVID-19

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) can shorten time to clinical recovery and promote pneumonia absorption among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a study that has not yet been peer reviewed and was posted online March 31 at medRxiv.org.

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Comorbidity, Age, Time to Treatment Linked to COVID-19 Progression

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) progression include comorbidity, age, and time from illness onset to antiviral treatment, according to a study published online March 27 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

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Bacteremia Risk Higher in Older Patients Hospitalized With IBD

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Older age is associated with an increased risk for bacteremia in hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a study published in the March issue of the United European Gastroenterology Journal.

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Recent Decline in Heart Attacks Greater in Men Than Women

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The incidence of heart attacks is decreasing, but the trend seems to have slowed in women, according to a study recently published in Circulation.

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Physician's Briefing Weekly Coronavirus Roundup

Here is what the editors at Physician's Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of March 30 to April 3, 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.

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Presymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 ID'd in Singapore

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Presymptomatic transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been observed in epidemiological clusters in Singapore, with transmission occurring one to three days before symptom onset, according to research published in the April 1 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Enrollment Begins in NIH-Sponsored Trial of Remdesivir for COVID-19 Patients

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A number of institutions this week announced their participation in an international clinical drug trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

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Test Vaccine Elicits Strong Ab Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Mice

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Microneedle array (MNA) delivery of trimeric coronavirus spike (S) protein subunit vaccines seems promising for immunization against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, according to research published online April 2 in EBioMedicine.

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Model Projects COVID-19 Deaths in Italy Through Mid-April

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Modeling suggests that in Italy, the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit (ICU) patients will continue increasing into April, according to a report published April 1 by the European Society of Anaesthesiology.

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Rivaroxaban Prevents VTE After Lower-Limb Surgery

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Following nonmajor orthopedic surgery of the lower limb, rivaroxaban is superior to enoxaparin for prevention of major venous thromboembolism, according to a study published online March 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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COPD Independent Risk Factor for Lung Cancer

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an independent risk factor for lung cancer incidence, regardless of smoking status, according to a study published online April 2 in Thorax.

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Early Deep Remission of Crohn Disease Tied to Better Outcomes

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Deep early remission of Crohn disease is associated with a significant decrease in long-term adverse effects, according to a study published online March 26 in Gastroenterology.

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Many Legal Marijuana Products Too Strong for Treating Pain

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Legally dispensed marijuana products have stronger concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) than needed for chronic pain relief, according to a study published online March 26 in PLOS ONE.

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Higher Alcohol Intake May Harm Bone Health in HIV Patients

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Greater alcohol consumption is associated with lower serum levels of bone formation markers among patients living with HIV and substance use disorder, according to a study published online March 2 in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

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Amid COVID-19 Crisis, Blood Donor Restrictions Eased

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- America is in urgent need of blood donations during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it will relax donor restrictions placed on gay and bisexual men and others.

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Gastrointestinal Symptoms Common in COVID-19 Patients

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with increased prevalence seen in the later stages of the epidemic in China, according to a review published online March 29 in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

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Hospitalizations for Chronic Liver Disease on the Rise

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Hospitalizations for chronic liver disease (CLD) increased from 2012 to 2016, reaching a total estimated national cost of $81.1 billion, according to a study published online April 2 in JAMA Network Open.

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35.1 Percent of Workers Report Work-Related Health Problems

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- More than one-third of employed individuals report work-related health problems, according to research published in the April 3 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Unemployed Workers Less Likely to Be Uninsured Post-ACA

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Following implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), unemployed workers were less likely to be uninsured, and uninsurance rates decreased more in states with Medicaid expansion, according to a report from the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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COVID-19 Outbreak Described in Long-Term Care Facility

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can have a considerable impact on long-term care facilities, according to a report published online March 27 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Rural Doctors Can Be Trained to Treat Advanced Heart Failure

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) who live remotely can be successfully managed with specialized training and cooperation between local physicians and specialty medical centers, according to a study published in the April issue of JACC: Heart Failure.

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CT Scores Higher With Longer Time to COVID-19 Diagnosis

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with longer time from symptom onset to diagnosis have higher computed tomography (CT) scores and longer time to disease resolution, according to a study published online March 30 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

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Transmission Control Measures Tied to Delay in COVID-19 Growth

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Transmission control measures implemented in Wuhan were associated with a delay in epidemic growth during the first 50 days of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in China, according to a study published online March 31 in Science.

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Endoscopy Within Six Hours Does Not Lower Mortality in GI Bleed

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Endoscopy within six hours versus six to 24 hours after consultation is not associated with lower 30-day mortality in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding who are at high risk for further bleeding or death, according to a study published in the April 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Weight Loss Modest for Most Macronutrient Diets

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Most macronutrient diets result in modest weight loss and improvements in cardiovascular risk factors over six months, according to a review and meta-analysis published online April 1 in The BMJ.

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Burden of Clostridioides difficile Infection Down in the U.S.

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- From 2011 to 2017, there was a decrease in the estimated national burden of Clostridium difficile infection, according to a study published in the April 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Risk Factors for Missed Appendicitis Diagnosis Identified

THURSDAY, April 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Certain patient and presentation factors increase the likelihood of a missed appendicitis diagnosis in the emergency department, according to a study published online March 9 in JAMA Network Open.

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Phone-Based Therapy Beneficial for Depression in Parkinson Disease

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Telephone-based cognitive behavioral therapy (T-CBT) seems to be an effective intervention for depression in Parkinson disease (PD), outperforming treatment-as-usual (TAU) on all depression, anxiety, and quality-of-life measures, according to a study published online April 1 in Neurology.

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Severe COVID-19 Risk Up With Existing Health Conditions in U.S.

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- In the United States, individuals with underlying health conditions have an increased risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to research published in the March 31 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Half of People With COVID-19 Do Not Have Symptoms, Iceland Testing Shows

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Up to half of people who test positive for the new coronavirus do not have symptoms, results from Iceland show.

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FDA Pulls Heartburn Drug Zantac From Market

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- All versions of the heartburn drug Zantac (ranitidine) have been pulled from the U.S. market due to possible contamination with a probable human carcinogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

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Imported Masks, Other Medical Supplies Arriving in U.S.

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- For the first time since February, imported N95 medical masks are arriving in the United States, but they are not nearly enough to meet demand as COVID-19 cases climb.

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U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Could Reach 240,000, Task Force Warns

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The White House coronavirus task force delivered a tough statistic to Americans late Tuesday, warning that the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 could climb to 240,000, even with social distancing policies in place.

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Ocular Abnormalities Seen in One-Third of COVID-19 Patients

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- About one-third of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have ocular abnormalities, according to a brief report published online March 31 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

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Low Vitamin D May Reduce Mobility After Hip Fracture Surgery

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D deficiencies are associated with a lower likelihood of older patients regaining independent walking ability following hip fracture surgery, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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Polypharmacy Ups Postchemo Hospitalization Risk in Seniors

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Older patients taking five or more medications in the six months before intravenous (IV) chemotherapy are at higher risk for postchemotherapy inpatient hospitalizations, according to a study published online March 18 in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology.

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Persistent Positive SARS-CoV-2 Found in Sputum, Feces Samples

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Some patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in sputum or feces after pharyngeal samples become negative, according to a research letter published online March 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Patients With Mild COVID-19 May Present With Digestive Symptoms

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with digestive symptoms, sometimes without concurrent fever, according to a study published online March 30 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

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