Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for December 2018. 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.

Long-Term Reduction in CRC Risk After Negative Colonoscopy

MONDAY, Dec. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For average-risk patients, a negative colonoscopy result is associated with a long-term reduction in the risk for colorectal cancer and related deaths, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Incidence of End-Stage Kidney Disease Up in Australia

MONDAY, Dec. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For nonindigenous people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Australia, the age-standardized incidence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) increased from 2002 to 2013, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.

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Catheter Ablation Tops Drug Therapy for A-Fib in Heart Failure

MONDAY, Dec. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Catheter ablation is better than drug therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure, according to a review published online Dec. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Nurse-Led Program in Primary Care Can Up Detection of Liver Dz

MONDAY, Dec. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A nurse-led primary care intervention can increase the number of new diagnoses of liver disease, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in PLOS ONE.

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Effect Sizes Uncertain for Meds Versus Placebo in Knee OA

FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis and at least 12 months of follow-up, there is uncertainty around estimates of effect size for the change in pain in association with medications versus placebo, according to a meta-analysis published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Second-Line Antidiabetic Meds May Impact Cardiovascular Risk

FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For adults with type 2 diabetes initiating second-line antidiabetic medications (ADM), cardiovascular risk is increased with use of sulfonylureas or basal insulin versus newer ADM classes, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.

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Editorial

High Sodium Intake Associated With New Atrial Fibrillation

FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Sodium intake is associated with the long-term risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study recently published in the Annals of Medicine.

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Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Linked to Chronic Kidney Disease Risk

FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A pattern of higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased odds of chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published online Dec. 27 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

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Toll on Health From Depression, Anxiety Akin to Smoking, Obesity

FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Anxiety and depression predict poor future physical health as strongly as obesity and smoking in older adults, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Health Psychology.

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30-Day Postdischarge Mortality Up With HRRP Implementation

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Announcement and implementation of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) were associated with increased 30-day postdischarge mortality following hospitalization for heart failure and pneumonia, but not acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to a study published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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More Than Two-Thirds of Drug OD Deaths in 2017 Involved Opioids

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid, with increases in overdose deaths from all opioids and synthetic opioids seen from 2016 to 2017, according to research published in the Dec. 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Dancing Tied to Lower Odds of Disability in Activities of Daily Living

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older women, participation in dancing is associated with a reduced likelihood of incident disability in activities of daily living (ADL), according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.

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Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.

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More Americans Reporting Less Than Six Hours Sleep Per Night

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The percentage of American adults reporting six hours of sleep or less per night increased from 29 to 33 percent from 2013 to 2017, according to a study recently published in Sleep.

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Low Vitamin D Tied to Risk for Renal Hyperfiltration in Healthy Adults

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk for renal hyperfiltration (RHF) in relatively healthy adults, according to a study published in the December issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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New BP Treatment Cutoffs May Not Yield Survival Benefit

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — New blood pressure treatment recommendations may not improve survival from cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study recently published in the European Heart Journal.

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ASH Develops Practice Guidelines for Venous Thromboembolism

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has developed new guidelines for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE); the clinical practice guidelines were recently published in Blood Advances.

Prophylaxis for Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Medical Patients
Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Treatment of Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism in the Context of Pregnancy
Optimal Management of Anticoagulation Therapy

Health Care Screening Practices Impact Skin Cancer Diagnosis

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Undergoing health care screening practices is associated with an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with skin cancer, according to a study published online Dec. 26 in JAMA Dermatology.

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Updated Guidelines Developed for Diagnosing, Treating Influenza

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Infectious Diseases Society of America has updated their recommendations for the care of patients with suspected or diagnosed influenza; the clinical practice guidelines were published online Dec. 19 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

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Initiative Can Cut Gender Gap in Medical School Faculty Salaries

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An institutional gender equity initiative (GEI) can reduce gender-based salary gaps among medical school faculty, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.

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Risk of Arterial Thromboembolic Events Up Prior to Cancer Diagnosis

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In older adults, the risk of arterial thromboembolic events begins to increase 150 days before the date of cancer diagnosis and peaks 30 days before, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Blood.

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Most Nurses Unsatisfied With Hospitals’ End-of-Life Care

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The majority of nurses have an unfavorable opinion of their hospital’s end-of-life care, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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Appalachia, Western States Have Highest Hep C Prevalence

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — States in the West and in Appalachia have a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection than other states, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.

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Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis Up 2007 to 2017

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2017 there was an increase in drug-use associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE) hospitalizations and valve surgeries, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Fecal Occult Blood Test May Improve CRC Outcomes in Some

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with several improved outcomes in men but not women, according to a study recently published in the British Journal of Surgery.

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ACOG: Interpregnancy Period Should Maximize Women’s Health

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Providers should maximize women’s health during the interpregnancy period, continuing care beyond the immediate postpartum period, according to a consensus report published online Dec. 20 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

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FDA Announces Safety Monitoring Measures for the Essure Device

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is implementing a number of steps for long-term safety monitoring of the permanent birth control device Essure, which will no longer be sold or distributed in the United States after Dec. 31, 2018.

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FDA Warns Companies on Unsafe, Unapproved Stem Cell Treatments

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After infections tied to unapproved stem cell treatments sent 12 people to the hospital this past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a stern warning about the products.

FDA News Release
MMWR Report

FDA: Fluoroquinolones Tied to Heart Vessel Ruptures, Tears

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking fluoroquinolones may be at higher risk for ruptures or tears in the aorta, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

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CDC: Weight, Waist Size, BMI Increased for Many U.S. Adults

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 1999-2000 to 2015-2016, there was an increase in mean weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) for many U.S. adults, according to the Dec. 20 issue of the National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Number of People With Dementia Rose Twofold From 1990 to 2016

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of people living with dementia worldwide more than doubled from 1990 to 2016, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in The Lancet Neurology.

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Endurance Exercise Tied to Anti-Aging at Cellular Level

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Endurance exercise has anti-aging effects visible at the cellular level, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in the European Heart Journal.

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A-Fib Risk Up for Antidepressant Users, but Higher Before Tx

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased among antidepressant users, particularly before treatment initiation, according to a study recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

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Growth in Use of Telemedicine Seen From 2005 to 2017

THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in telemedicine use, although use was still uncommon in 2017, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Higher Than Expected

THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite numerous difficulties, early figures show that sign-ups for health coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act are higher than expected.

AP News Article

Hospitalization for Upper GI Bleed Highest With Rivaroxaban

THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients initiating oral anticoagulant therapy, the incidence of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding is highest and lowest with rivaroxaban and apixaban, respectively, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Restrictive, Obstructive Lung Disease Linked to Dementia Risk

THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Both restrictive and obstructive lung disease are associated with an increased risk for incident dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

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ADA 2019 Standards of Care Emphasize Patient-Centered Care

THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient-centered care is emphasized in updated clinical practice recommendations from the American Diabetes Association 2019 Standards of Care, published as a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care.

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Global Lifetime Risk for Stroke About 25 Percent in 2016

THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The global lifetime risk for stroke was 24.9 percent among adults aged 25 years and older in 2016, according to a study published in the Dec. 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Exercise Promotes Executive Functioning in Sedentary Adults

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For sedentary adults at risk for cognitive decline, aerobic exercise (AE) is associated with significant improvement in executive functioning, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Neurology.

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Residential Greenness Linked to Cardiovascular Disease Risk

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The density of greenness near residences is associated with lower urinary levels of epinephrine and F2-isoprostane, according to a study published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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FDA Advisory Panels: Prescribe Naloxone With Opioid Painkillers

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The labels of prescription opioid painkillers should advise doctors to consider simultaneously prescribing the opioid overdose antidote naloxone, two U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panels recommend.

Washington Post Article

Failure of Timely Stop to Certain Prescription Drugs Is Common

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Legacy prescribing of certain drugs, such as antidepressants and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), is common, according to a study published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

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Edentulism Tied to Greater Risk for High BP After Menopause

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Postmenopausal women with edentulism are at an increased risk for developing hypertension, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the American Journal of Hypertension.

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High Sodium May Contribute to CVD Deaths in Shandong, China

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in Shandong Province, China, may be attributable to high sodium intake, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Opioids Offer Small Improvement in Pain, Physical Function

TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Opioid use is associated with small improvements in pain and physical functioning in patients with chronic noncancer pain, according to research published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Hospitalizations Up for Homeless From 2007 to 2013

TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2013, hospitalizations among homeless individuals increased and were most frequently for mental illness and substance use disorder, according to a study published in the January issue of Medical Care.

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Palliative Care in MS Inpatients Rises From 2005 to 2014

TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2014, trends in palliative care use increased substantially among multiple sclerosis (MS) inpatients, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

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Exclusion of Doctors From Public Health Insurance Up 2007 to 2017

TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2017, the number of physicians excluded from Medicare and state public insurance programs increased, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.

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EHR Data ID Differences in HTN Control Across Health Systems

TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An analysis of electronic health record data reveals considerable differences in hypertension control across health systems, according to a study published in the November-December issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

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Routine Supplements to Prevent Chronic Disease Not Advised

TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Routine use of vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent chronic disease is not recommended, according to an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position paper published in the November issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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Follow-Up Within Seven Days of Heart Failure Discharge Beneficial

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with heart failure, follow-up care within seven days of discharge from the emergency department is associated with lower rates of long-term mortality and subsequent admissions, according to a study published in the Dec. 17 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

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Type 2 Diabetes Risk Lower in Women With Active Migraine

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Women with active migraine have a lower risk for type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in JAMA Neurology.

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Buprenorphine-Naloxone Cost-Effective for Opioid Use Disorder

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Buprenorphine-naloxone is cost-effective compared with extended-release naltrexone for treating opioid use disorder, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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2010 to 2014 Saw Increase in Anemia After Hospitalization

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Moderate anemia after hospitalization increased from 2010 to 2014 in parallel with reduced red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, although this increase was not associated with increased subsequent RBC use, rehospitalization, or mortality within six months, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Barbershop Intervention Leads to Reduced BP in Black Men

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A barbershop-based intervention can lead to significantly reduced blood pressure and sustained improvements over one year in black men, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Circulation.

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Adherence and Intensity of Lipid-Lowering Tx Influence CV Risk

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adherent patients receiving high-intensity statin and/or ezetimibe therapy have the lowest cardiovascular risk, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open.

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Some With Type 2 Diabetes Inappropriately Monitoring Blood Glucose

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes may be self-monitoring blood glucose inappropriately, according to a research letter published online Dec. 10 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Solriamfetol Feasible for Sleep Apnea-Related Tiredness

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Solriamfetol therapy, compared with placebo, results in improvements in wakefulness and sleepiness measures in patients with excessive sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published online Dec. 6 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

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Prevalence of Metabolically Healthy Adults in U.S. Very Low

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Very few U.S. adults are metabolically healthy, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders.

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Phone-Based Intervention Aids Rheumatoid Arthritis Care

FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A nurse-based phone education intervention can promote shared decision making in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published online Dec. 5 in Musculoskeletal Care.

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Emotional Stress of Holidays Can Trigger Heart Attacks

FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The highest risk for myocardial infarction occurs around 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.

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Early PT Linked to Less Opioid Use in Musculoskeletal Pain

FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with musculoskeletal pain, early physical therapy is associated with reduced subsequent opioid use, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.

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Dementia Often Misclassified With Brief Cognitive Assessments

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — When using brief cognitive assessments, dementia is often misclassified, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in Neurology Clinical Practice.

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Persistent Discrimination ID’d Among Physician Mothers

FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physician mothers experience discrimination in a range of ways, which can impact the medical profession, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.

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BMI May Mediate Inverse Link Between Fiber Intake, Knee OA

FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The inverse association between fiber intake and the risk for incident symptomatic knee osteoarthritis may be partially mediated by body mass index, according to a study published in the December issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

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T2DM Linked to Decline in Verbal Memory, Fluency in Older Adults

FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Type 2 diabetes is associated with declines in verbal memory and fluency among older community-dwelling adults, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in Diabetologia.

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CDC: More Cases in Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Beef

THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of illnesses in a Salmonella outbreak linked to beef products from Arizona-based JBS Tolleson Inc. now stands at 333 in 28 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC Food Safety Alert

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures May Aid Communication

THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) can be useful for measuring symptoms in primary care clinics if clinicians use these measures to improve care, according to patient interview data published in the December issue of Quality of Life Research.

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Risk for Hospitalization for Heart Failure Greater With Diabetes

THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite declining incidence, heart failure hospitalization is increased among individuals with diabetes, according to a study published in the Dec. 11 issue of Circulation.

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Influenza Hospitalization More Likely in Underweight, Obese

THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adults with influenza are more likely to be hospitalized if they are obese or underweight than if they are normal weight, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.

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Negative Attitudes Reported Toward Weight-Loss Surgery

THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A large proportion of the U.S. population seems to have negative attitudes toward weight-loss surgery, according to a research letter published online Dec. 12 in JAMA Surgery.

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Medication Errors Resulting in Death Most Common in Elderly

THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medication errors in acute care that result in death occur most often in patients older than 75 years, with the most common error category being omitted medicine or ingredient, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.

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Pregnancy Losses Linked to Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Both pregnancy losses and a history of at least five live births are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of Women’s Health.

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Sleep Length, Quality Linked to Risk for Falls, Fractures

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Both short and long sleep duration and poor sleep quality are associated with increased odds of recurrent falls in women, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

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FDA: Some E-Cigarette Liquids Contain Erectile Dysfunction Meds

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Consumers should not use two electronic cigarette liquids that contain erectile dysfunction drugs because they may pose health risks, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Recalled Kotex Tampons Can Unravel Inside Body

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Certain Kotex tampons are being recalled by Kimberly-Clark because they can unravel and leave pieces inside women’s bodies.

CBS News Article
FDA Safety Alert

Enrollment Under the Affordable Care Act Down From Last Year

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is down with just days left to sign up, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

AP News Article

CDC Identifies Drugs Frequently Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The drugs most commonly involved in drug overdose deaths during 2011 to 2016 include fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and cocaine, according to the Dec. 12 issue of the National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Prostate Cancer Linked

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Men with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk for prostate cancer (PCa), according to a study published online Dec. 4 in European Urology.

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2017 Saw Slowing in National Health Care Spending

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National health care spending slowed in 2017, according to a report published online Dec. 6 in Health Affairs.

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Continuity of Care Tied to Lower Expenditures, Hospitalization

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Continuity of care scores are significantly associated with lower expenditures and hospitalization rates, according to a study published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

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Fasting-Evoked Hypoglycemia in Diabetes Is Prevalent

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — About 17 percent of patients with diabetes report experiencing hypoglycemia when fasting for lab tests, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Endocrinology.

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Paid Childbearing Policies Lacking for Residents

TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Policies for paid childbearing or family leave for residents are lacking at top-ranking medical schools and may be exacerbated by lack of direction from specialty boards, according to two research letters published in the Dec. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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U.S. Medical Schools See Increase in Diversity

TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After implementation of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) diversity accreditation standards, U.S. medical schools saw increasing percentages of female, black, and Hispanic matriculants, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Mail-Based HPV Testing May Increase Access

TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A mail-based human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing program appears to be a promising approach to screening women in Appalachia, according to a pilot study published online Nov. 19 in Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

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Consensus Decision Pathway Developed for Tobacco Cessation

TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An expert consensus decision pathway has been developed for tobacco cessation treatment; the report was published online Dec. 5 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Flu Vaccine Linked to Reduced Risk for Death in Heart Failure

TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After extensive adjustment for confounders, influenza vaccination is associated with a reduced risk for all-cause and cardiovascular death among patients with heart failure, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Circulation.

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Reference Infliximab, Biosimilar Equivalent for Crohn’s Disease

TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — CT-P13, which is a biosimilar of the reference product (RP) infliximab, has equivalent effectiveness for infliximab-naive patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), according to a study published online Dec. 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Veterans Health Administration Hospitals Outperform Non-VHAs

MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals outperform non-VHA hospitals for 14 of 15 outcome measures in 121 regions, according to a research letter published online Dec. 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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HIT-Related Stress Linked to Burnout Among Physicians

MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Stress related to use of health information technology (HIT) is common and predictive of burnout among physicians, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

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Tap Water in Neti Pot Linked to Death From Brain-Eating Amoeba

MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The use of tap water in a nasal-flushing Neti pot likely led to a Seattle woman’s death from a Balamuthia mandrillaris brain infection, doctors write in a case study.

CBS News Article
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AHA Scientific Statement: Low Risk of Side Effects for Statins

MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Statins are associated with a low risk for side effects, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) published online Dec. 10 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

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Women Face Less Kidney Disease Morbidity and Mortality Than Men

MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Women may have a lower risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and death compared with men, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

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PM2.5 Exposure Linked to Asthma Rescue Medication Use

MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For individuals with asthma, increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is associated with increased weekly rescue inhaler use, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Less Than One Hour of Resistance Training Weekly Tied to Lower CVD Risk

MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Less than an hour a week of resistance exercise (RE) is associated with decreased risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related events and all-cause mortality, independent of aerobic exercise, according to a study recently published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

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Most Insured Patients Not Using Online Portals

FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Nearly two-thirds of insured adults with a previous health care visit did not use an online patient portal in 2017, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.

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Fear Impacts Quality of Life for Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Fear of complications and frustration at the amount of time required to manage type 1 diabetes impact the quality of life of young adults with the disease, according to a study published in the December issue of The Diabetes Educator.

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Chronic Kidney Disease Burden Increasing in the United States

FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increased in the United States between 2002 and 2016, although there was variability by state, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Network Open.

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Patient Education Can Improve Chronic Disease Management

FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An educational intervention can improve patients’ ability to self-manage their chronic diseases, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

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Secondhand Smoke Exposure Saw Big Drop From 1988 to 2014

FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Secondhand smoke exposure declined substantially among U.S. nonsmokers from 1988 through 2014, according to research published in the Dec. 7 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Meds Taken Do Not Vary With ADL Impairment in Heart Failure

FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For individuals with heart failure, those with impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) take as many medications as those without ADL impairment, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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Smartphone App Uses Fingernail Bed Images to Detect Anemia

THURSDAY, Dec. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An app that detects color and metadata from fingernails can identify hemoglobin levels in the blood, according to research published online Dec. 4 in Nature Communications.

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Recommendations Developed for Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment

THURSDAY, Dec. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA); the evidence-based guideline was published online Nov. 30 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

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Pictorial Presentation of Silent Atherosclerosis Helps Cut CV Risk

THURSDAY, Dec. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pictorial presentation of silent atherosclerosis contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in The Lancet.

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COPD Tied to Obesity in Male, Female Never-Smokers

THURSDAY, Dec. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Obesity is strongly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in never-smokers, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in the Journal of Obesity.

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Projected Distribution of Common Ragweed Modeled in U.S.

THURSDAY, Dec. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Common ragweed is expected to expand at the northern margins of its current distribution, according to a study recently published in PLOS ONE.

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J-Shaped Association for Sleep Duration, CV Events and Death

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is a J-shaped association for total daily sleep duration with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in the European Heart Journal.

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FDA Warns of Rare Stroke Risk With Multiple Sclerosis Drug

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new warning has been added to the multiple sclerosis drug Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) after rare reports of patients suffering strokes and tears in the lining of the arteries in the head and neck, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

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History of Partner Violence Tied to Menopause Symptoms

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A history of intimate partner violence (IPV) or sexual assault and current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with an increased risk for menopause symptoms, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Migraine With Aura Linked to Increase in Incident A-Fib

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Migraine with aura is associated with an elevated risk for incident atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Nov. 14 in Neurology.

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Machine Learning Models May Predict Emergency Admissions

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Machine learning models incorporated into electronic health records (EHRs) may predict the risk for emergency hospital admissions, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in PLOS Medicine.

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Skin Autofluorescence Predicts T2DM, Heart Disease, Mortality

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Skin autofluorescence predicts incident type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality in the general population, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in Diabetologia.

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Few Physicians Work in Practices That Use Telemedicine

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Only 15.4 percent of physicians work in practices that use telemedicine for a wide spectrum of patient interactions, with larger practice size being an important correlate of telemedicine use, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.

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HHS Issues Draft Strategy for Reducing Health IT Burden

TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a draft strategy to reduce the health information technology (IT) burden, and the strategy is open for public comment through Jan. 28, 2019.

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Many Patients Withhold Information From Clinicians

TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many patients intentionally withhold information from clinicians, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Network Open.

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Mean Cumulative Lifetime Prevalence of Eczema 9.9 Percent

TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The mean cumulative lifetime prevalence of atopic eczema is 9.9 percent, according to a research letter published online Dec. 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Progress Made Toward Global Measles Milestones

TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 to 2017, progress was made toward global measles control milestones, but the milestones set to be achieved by 2015 have not been met, according to research published in the Nov. 30 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Cost-Related Insulin Underuse May Affect One in Four Patients

MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — About one in four patients report cost-related insulin underuse, which is associated with poor glycemic control, according to a research letter published online Dec. 3 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Joint Mobilization Plus Exercise Beneficial for Knee Osteoarthritis

MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patellar mobilization therapy (PMT) plus exercise has the potential to reduce pain and improve function and quality of life for patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to a phase 2 study published Nov. 12 in the Annals of Family Medicine.

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Shifting Pattern Seen for Primary Care Office Visits

MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with employer-sponsored insurance, there was a decline in visits to primary care physicians (PCPs) from 2012 to 2016, according to a brief released Nov. 15 by the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI).

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Targeted Hep C Testing Misses High Number of Cases in Prisons

MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Targeted hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing misses a substantial number of cases among individuals in correctional facilities, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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New BP Goals Could Prevent 3 Million CVD Events Over 10 Years

MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Achieving and maintaining 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) blood pressure (BP) goals could prevent a greater number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events than achieving prior U.S. guideline goals, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in Circulation.

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More People Worldwide Now Know Their HIV Status

MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Three-quarters of patients living with HIV worldwide know their infection status, according to Knowledge Is Power, a new report released Nov. 22 by UNAIDS.

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Impact of Fructose Varies With Energy Control, Food Source

MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Energy control and food source appear to mediate the effect of fructose-containing sugars on glycemic control, according to a review published online Nov. 21 in The BMJ.

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