Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for March 2019. 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.

Patients With Worse RA Symptoms More Likely to Cut Alcohol Intake

FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Higher disease activity, disability, comorbidity, and poor quality of life contribute to reductions in alcohol use among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published online March 20 in Arthritis Care & Research.

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Perception of E-Cigarettes as More Harmful Than Cigarettes Increased

FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2012 to 2017, the proportion of U.S. adults who perceived electronic-cigarettes to be as harmful as or more harmful than cigarettes increased, according to a study published online March 29 in JAMA Network Open.

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CDC: 2017 to 2018 Saw Increase in Enterovirus D68 Detection

FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Based on active surveillance data of acute respiratory illness (ARI), enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) was detected in 0.8 percent of patients in 2017 and in 13.9 percent in 2018, according to research published in the March 29 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Long-Term Phentermine Use Safe, Effective for Weight Loss

FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking phentermine for weight loss for more than three months experience greater weight loss without an increased risk for incident cardiovascular disease or death, according to a study published online March 21 in Obesity.

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Starting Colorectal Cancer Screening at Age 45 Years Is Cost-Effective

FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Starting colorectal cancer (CRC) screening at age 45 instead of 50 years seems cost-effective, but greater benefits could be achieved by increasing participation rates for unscreened older individuals, according to a study published online March 28 in Gastroenterology.

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Lifetime HTN Risk High for Black Men and Women, White Men

THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Lifetime risks of hypertension under the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2017 threshold exceed 75 percent for white men and African-American men and women, according to a study published online March 27 in JAMA Cardiology.

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Cimzia Injection Approved for New Inflammatory Arthritis Indication

THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) injection has been approved to treat adults with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced.

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FDA Grants Approval for Hypogonadism Treatment

THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate), an oral testosterone capsule, has been approved to treat men with certain forms of hypogonadism, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday.

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Frailty May Up Fracture Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with type 2 diabetes are frailer than participants without diabetes, and frailty increases the risk for fragility fractures, according to a study published in the April issue of Diabetes Care.

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Doctors With Malpractice Claims More Likely to Leave Medicine

THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians with one or more paid malpractice claims are more likely to leave practice or shift into smaller practice settings, according to a study published in the March 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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User Data From Medicine-Related Apps Routinely Shared

WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — User data from medicine-related apps are routinely shared, according to a study published online March 20 in The BMJ.

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Tx Adherence for Inflammatory Bowel Dz Lower in the Educated

WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nonadherence to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment is more common among wealthier, more educated patients, according to a study published online March 18 in JGH Open.

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Hearing Loss Before Age 50 Tied to Higher Substance Use

WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Hearing loss is independently associated with substance use disorders among those aged 49 years and younger, according to a study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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Many Eligible Patients Report Not Being Offered Statins

WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than half of patients eligible for statin therapy but not being treated report never being offered a statin, according to a study published online March 27 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Maltreatment in Childhood May Affect Course of Adult Depression

WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Early life stress caused by childhood maltreatment can alter brain structure, which may increase the risk for adverse disease courses in patients with major depression, according to a study published in the April issue of The Lancet Psychiatry.

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Adding Transition Services Does Not Aid Heart Failure Outcomes

WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Additional transitional care services do not improve outcomes for heart failure patients discharged from the hospital, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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U.S. Measles Cases Hit 314 This Year

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There have been at least 314 reported cases of measles in the United States so far this year, according to new government data.

CNN Article
The New York Times Article
More Information: CDC

Douglas County, Colorado, Ranked as Healthiest Community

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 2019 healthiest community in America is Douglas County, Colorado, according to a report published online March 26 by U.S. News & World Report, in conjunction with the Aetna Foundation.

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$775 Million Settlement Reached in Xarelto Lawsuits

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A settlement of $775 million will be paid to settle lawsuits involving the blood thinner Xarelto, Johnson & Johnson and Bayer said Monday.

The New York Times Article

Risk for Miscarriage Increased With Night Work During Pregnancy

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Night work during pregnancy seems to confer an increased risk for miscarriage, with the risk increased for two or more night shifts the previous week, according to a study published online March 25 in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

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Smoking Seems Not to Be Linked to Increased Dementia Risk

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — After adjusting for the competing risk of death without dementia, smoking is not associated with an increased risk for dementia, according to a study published online March 26 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

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Mild Congenital Heart Defects Tied to CVD Events

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with lower-complexity adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) have a higher burden of adverse cardiovascular events than the general population, independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors, according to a study published Feb. 28 in Circulation.

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Statins Cut Risk for Major Vascular Events in Older Patients

TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Statins reduce the rate of vascular events regardless of patient age, according to a meta-analysis recently published in The Lancet.

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Avocados Recalled by California Company

MONDAY, March 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Possible listeria contamination has led to a recall of avocados by Henry Avocado, a grower and distributor based near San Diego.

AP News Article

More Information: FDA

Mumps Outbreak at Temple University Reaches 74 Cases

MONDAY, March 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A mumps outbreak that began last month at Temple University in Philadelphia has reached 15 confirmed and 59 probable cases.

CNN Article
More Information: CDC

2019 Residency Match Day Was Largest in History

MONDAY, March 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 2019 Main Residency Match was the largest in history, with a record high of 38,376 applicants for 35,185 positions, according to 2019 Match Day results released by the National Resident Matching Program.

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Tyson Recalls 69,000 Pounds of Chicken Strip Products

FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 69,000 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products have been recalled by Tyson Foods because they may contain pieces of metal.

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Low, High Levels of Physical Activity Tied to Reduced Mortality

FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Both low and high levels of physical activity (PA) are associated with reduced all-cause mortality, according to a study published online March 19 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

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Many Patients Still Employ Strategies to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs

FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of adults reporting the use of strategies, such as requesting a lower-cost medication or not using medication as prescribed, to reduce prescription drug costs remained stable in 2015 to 2017, according to a March data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

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More Vascular Risk Factors Tied to Worse Brain Health

FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A higher number of vascular risk factors (VRFs) is associated with poorer brain health across gray and white matter macrostructure and microstructure, according to a study published online March 11 in the European Heart Journal.

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Cannabidiol Products Now Available at Hundreds of CVS Stores

THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Creams, sprays, and lotions infused with the nonintoxicating hemp component cannabidiol (CBD) are now being sold at more than 800 CVS stores in eight states.

Chicago Tribune Article
More Information: CDC

Certain Dietary Patterns Linked to Cognitive Performance

THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Higher Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and A Priori Diet Quality Score (APDQS) scores are associated with better cognitive performance in midlife, according to a study published online March 6 in Neurology.

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Three Factors Predict Psych Events With Drugs for Smoking Cessation

THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Three factors predict clinically significant neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPSAEs) in smokers with or without mental health conditions who use cessation pharmacotherapy, according to a study published online March 7 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

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Statins Tied to Insulin Resistance, Higher Serum Fasting Insulin

THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Individuals using statins may be at higher risk for hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and eventually type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online March 5 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

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Younger Female Blood Donors Vulnerable to Iron Deficiency

THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Blood donation is associated with iron deficiency among both adolescent girls and younger adult women in the United States, according to a study recently published in Transfusion.

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In Youth With ADHD, New-Onset Psychosis Up With Amphetamines

THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For adolescents and young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new-onset psychosis occurs more often with amphetamine use versus methylphenidate use, according to a study published in the March 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Sugary Drinks Tied to Cardiovascular Disease Mortality

WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with increased mortality, mainly cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, according to a study published online March 18 in Circulation.

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Patients With Diabetes at Increased Risk for Sleep Apnea

WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), independent of other factors, according to a study published online March 12 in Diabetes Care.

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Overall, Physicians Are Happy and Enjoy Their Lives

WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Overall, physicians are happy and enjoy their lives, according to the 2019 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)/CompHealth Physician Happiness Survey published online March 19.

2019 AAFP/CompHealth Physician Happiness Survey

Healthy Food Rx Could Be Cost-Effective for Medicare, Medicaid

WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Economic incentives for healthier foods through Medicare and Medicaid could generate substantial health gains and be highly cost-effective, according to a study published online March 19 in PLOS Medicine.

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Practices for Reducing COPD Hospital Readmissions Explored

WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Communication, implementation of guidelines, and improved identification of risk factors may help reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospital readmissions, according to a report published in the February issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

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CDC: New HIV Transmission Often From Those Unaware of Infection

TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most new HIV transmissions are from people who do not know they have HIV infection or are aware of infection but are not receiving care, according to research published in the March 18 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Novel Checklist Can Distinguish Anthrax Exposure From Other Illnesses

TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A newly developed checklist can rapidly identify anthrax cases after a suspected mass exposure, according to a study published online March 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Bluetooth Technology Enables Insulin Adherence Monitoring

TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adherence to timing and dosing of insulin injections can be objectively measured using Bluetooth-enabled pen caps, according to a study published online March 12 in Diabetes Care.

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Light Physical Activity Tied to Lower CHD, CVD Risk in Women

TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Light physical activity (PA) is associated with reductions in coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older women, according to a study published online March 15 in JAMA Network Open.

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Active Interventions Generally Helpful for Urinary Incontinence

MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most active interventions are more likely than no treatment to improve outcomes for women with either stress or urgency urinary incontinence (UI), according to a review published online March 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Average of 8.8 Inactive Ingredients Found in Oral Medications

MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Oral forms of medications contain an average of 8.8 inactive ingredients, many of which could cause adverse reactions, according to a perspective piece published in the March 13 issue of Science Translational Medicine.

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Physician Burnout Rate Increased From 2014 to 2017

FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2017, there was an increase in physician burnout, with early-career physicians being the most susceptible, according to a study published online March 15 in JAMA Network Open.

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Guidelines Developed for Polymyxin Antibiotic Use

FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for use of polymyxins, focusing on polymyxin B and polymyxin E (colistin); the guidelines were recently published in Pharmacotherapy.

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Testosterone Therapy in Hypogonadism Can Prevent Progression to T2DM

FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Testosterone therapy (TTh) can prevent progression to type 2 diabetes (T2D) in men with prediabetes and hypogonadism, according to a study published online March 12 in Diabetes Care.

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ASCO: Guidelines Released for Early Detection, Treatment of CRC

FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Expert guidance has been provided on the early detection of colorectal cancer and on treatment and posttreatment follow-up; the two guidelines were recently published online in the Journal of Global Oncology.

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Mental Health Issues Have Risen in Teens, Young Adults

FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There has been a steady rise in mood disorder and suicide-related outcomes among individuals born from the early 1980s to the late 1990s, according to a study published March 14 in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

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Opioid Prescriptions Dropped for New Users From 2012 to 2017

FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many providers stopped initiating opioid therapy from July 2012 to December 2017, according to a report published in the March 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Influences on New NIH Policy for Age Limits in Research Explored

FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Authors of a paper recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society describe factors that influenced the new National Institute of Health policy that requires funded scholars to eliminate arbitrary age limits in their work.

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E-Cigarettes May Threaten Goal of Achieving Tobacco Endgame

THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable concern regarding the potential negative impact that electronic cigarettes and other new products may have on ending all tobacco use and nicotine addiction, according to a presidential advisory issued by the American Heart Association and published online March 13 in Circulation.

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Knee Pain Not Tied to Activity Levels in Knee Osteoarthritis

THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Knee pain is not associated with daily walking levels in individuals with mild-to-moderate, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA), according to a study published online March 6 in Arthritis Care & Research.

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CDC: 2000 to 2017 Saw Increase in Mortality Due to Dementia

THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Mortality attributed to dementia increased from 2000 to 2017, with variation by age, race, and sex, according to a study published online March 14 in National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Troponin Assay Confusion May Cause Misdiagnosis of Acute MI

THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 99th centile of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentration is substantially higher in a hospital population than the manufacturer’s recommended upper limit of normal (ULN), according to a study published online March 13 in The BMJ.

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One-Month Regimen Noninferior for Preventing HIV-Related TB

THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For HIV-infected patients, a one-month regimen of rifapentine and isoniazid is noninferior to nine months of isoniazid alone for preventing tuberculosis, according to a study published in the March 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Having Affected Relatives Linked to Increased Alzheimer Risk

THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Having affected first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree relatives (FDRs, SDRs, and TDRs) is associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer disease (AD), according to a study published online March 13 in Neurology.

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Short Regimen Noninferior for Rifampin-Resistant Tuberculosis

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A short regimen is noninferior to a long regimen for patients with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis that is susceptible to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides, according to a study published online March 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Mumps Causes Quarantine of Over 2,200 Immigrant Detainees

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 2,200 people exposed to a mumps outbreak in two U.S. immigrant detention facilities have been quarantined, federal officials say.

AP News Article
More Information: CDC

FDA Approves New Generic Valsartan to Ease Shortage

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a new generic version of the high blood pressure/heart failure drug valsartan, saying the move might help ease the current medication shortage.

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Head of National Cancer Institute Named Acting FDA Commissioner

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will temporarily be overseen by the head of the National Cancer Institute when FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., leaves the post next month.

AP News Article

Adding Bempedoic Acid to Statin Therapy Reduces LDL Cholesterol

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Bempedoic acid, an inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), added to maximally tolerated statin therapy, significantly reduces levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and/or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, according to a study published in the March 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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CDC: Most Americans Report Excellent, Good Health

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most Americans report having excellent or good health and have a usual place to go for medical care, according to a report published March 13 for the National Health Interview Survey Early Release Program.

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Active Bathing in Non-ICU Setting Does Not Cut Infections

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Daily bathing with chlorhexidine plus nasal mupirocin in carriers for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) does not cut rates of hospital-acquired bacterial infections overall in non-critical care units, but benefit is observed in patients with medical devices, according to a study published online March 5 in The Lancet.

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Resistance Training May Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Progression

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Resistance training (RT) may be a viable option for patients with prediabetes seeking to prevent or delay progression to type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published online Feb. 15 in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews.

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Elderly Men Undertreated for Osteoporosis

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Elderly men are significantly undertreated for osteoporosis, according to a study published online March 5 in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research.

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Homes With High Ventilation Rates Tied to Respiratory Issues

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — People living in homes with high average air exchange rates (AAERs) are more likely to report chronic cough, asthma, or asthma-like symptoms, according to a study published in the February issue of Environmental Research.

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Tramadol May Up Mortality Risk in Osteoarthritis Patients

TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The initial prescription of tramadol compared with commonly prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be associated with increased all-cause mortality among patients with osteoarthritis, according to a study published in the March 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Diet Quality in Midlife Not Linked to Later Risk for Dementia

TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Diet quality in midlife is not associated with subsequent dementia risk, according to a study published in the March 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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CDC: 228 Measles Cases Already in 2019

TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of measles cases in the United States increased by 22 since last week and now stands at 228, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says in an update.

CNN Article
More Information: CDC

Waiting Room Tool Aids Patient-Physician Communication

TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients who use a simple waiting room tool are more prepared and more likely to begin heir primary care visit by communicating their top priorities, according to a study published in the March/April issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

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Stress Test-Based Physiological Age May Be Superior Mortality Predictor

TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Estimated age based on exercise stress testing performance may be a better predictor of mortality than chronological age, according to a study published online Feb. 13 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

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Four-to-Seven-Day Opioid Rx Likely Sufficient for Acute Pain Treatment

TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An opioid supply for seven or fewer days might be sufficient for most patients seen in primary care settings for acute pain who appear to need opioid analgesics, according to research published in the Feb. 15 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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CDC: Flu Season May Have Peaked

MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It looks like the flu season has peaked in the United States, though there has been a recent rise in the number of cases involving a more severe flu strain.

AP News Article
More Information: CDC

Dual Receipt of Opioids Tied to Increased Risk for OD Death

MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For veterans enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Medicare Part D, receipt of opioids from both VA and Part D is associated with an increased likelihood of death from prescription opioid overdose, according to a study published online March 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Moderate Muscle Strength Linked to Lower Risk for T2DM

MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A moderate level of muscular strength is associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, independent of estimated cardiorespiratory fitness, according to a study published online March 11 in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

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Anxiety, Depression More Likely for Adults With Atopic Dermatitis

MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with increased depression and anxiety, according to a study published online March 5 in the British Journal of Dermatology.

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Cardiorespiratory Fitness Tied to Coronary Heart Disease Risk

MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Poor cardiorespiratory fitness is strongly associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) in a low-risk population, according to a study recently published in the European Heart Journal.

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Becoming Active in Middle Age Still Offers Health Benefits

FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Becoming physically active in middle age may provide comparable health benefits to long-term participation in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), according to a study published online March 8 in JAMA Network Open.

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Mumps Outbreak Reported at Temple University

FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ten confirmed cases of mumps, six probable cases, and a case under investigation have been reported at Temple University in Philadelphia.

CNN Article
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Water Pipe Tobacco Smoking Addictive, Harmful to the Heart

FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Smoking a water pipe is addictive and can increase the risk for initiating cigarette smoking, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association published online March 8 in Circulation.

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Home Health Clinicians Frequently Lack Access to Hospital Records

FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Communication between hospitals and home health care (HHC) is suboptimal, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.

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Raspberries May Aid Glucose Control With Prediabetes

THURSDAY, March 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Eating red raspberries may help with glucose control in people with prediabetes, according to a small study published online Feb. 14 in Obesity.

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Endogenous Testosterone Linked to Cardiovascular Disease

THURSDAY, March 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In men, endogenous testosterone may have a causal role in thromboembolism, heart failure, and myocardial infarction, according to a study published online March 6 in The BMJ.

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Preoperative Frailty Linked to Surgical Outcomes, Costs

WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Preoperative frailty is associated with surgical outcomes and costs in patients undergoing elective surgery, according to a study published online March 1 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

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Flexible Schedules for Residents Do Not Affect Patient Mortality

WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A schedule of flexible duty hours within the 80-hour constraints is noninferior to standard work hours for the effects on 30-day patient mortality and average duration of sleep for residents, according to two studies published in the March 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Few Seniors Receive Regular Brief Cognitive Assessments

WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Only 16 percent of seniors receive regular cognitive assessments, according to the Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report published March 5.

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Electronic Order Set May Reduce Inappropriate ECG Monitoring

WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of electronic order sets is a safe and effective way to enhance appropriate electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring of hospitalized patients, according to a study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Critical Care.

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Behavioral Intervention Ups Physical Activity in T2DM

WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A behavioral intervention results in a sustained increase in physical activity and decrease in sedentary time among patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the March 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Mental Health Symptoms Common After Mild Brain Injury

WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Approximately one in five individuals may develop mental health symptoms up to six months after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), according to a study recently published in JAMA Psychiatry.

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Studies Look at Ways to Reduce Depressive Episodes in Obese

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For overweight adults with depression, daily multinutrient supplements and individual or group therapy sessions do not reduce major depressive disorder (MDD) episodes over one year, but an integrated intervention appears to be beneficial, according to two studies published in the March 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb Resigns

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In what probably came as a surprise to many, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., announced his resignation on Tuesday. Gottlieb is leaving the FDA because he wants to spend more time with his wife and three young daughters — twins aged 9 and a 5-year-old — one official said. He currently commutes each week from the family home in Connecticut to his Washington, D.C., office.

The Washington Post Article

Second Man HIV-Free After Stem Cell Transplant

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In only the second known case worldwide, a man is free of HIV after a stem cell transplant, doctors say.

AP News Article
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Heat Alerts May Come Too Late in Northern States

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Hospital admissions for heat-related health problems increase in northern states long before heat alerts are issued, and these higher admission rates occur at lower temperatures than in the South, where people are more used to heat, the Associated Press reported.

AP News Article
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Problems Identified With Gaps in EHR Functionality in Morning Rounds

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is a considerable amount of variability in the ways in which electronic health records (EHRs) are used during morning rounds, resulting in extensive use of workarounds and problems with team communication, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in PLOS ONE.

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Recommendations Developed for Ulcerative Colitis Management

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for management of adults with ulcerative colitis (UC); the American College of Gastroenterology clinical guideline was published online Feb. 21 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

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Methanol Toxicity Can Result From Occupational Exposure

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Methanol toxicity can occur as a consequence of occupational exposure, according to a research letter published online March 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Breast Cancer Diagnosis Delays Seen With High-Deductible Health Plans

MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Both low- and high-income women who are switched to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) experience delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, according to a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs.

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Eli Lilly to Sell Cheaper Version of Insulin Drug

MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A cheaper version of Eli Lilly’s most popular insulin drug, Humalog, is being introduced by the drug maker.

The New York Times Article

Oscillometric Devices Offer More Accurate Way to Measure BP

MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Oscillometric devices allow accurate office blood pressure (BP) measurement while reducing human errors associated with the auscultatory approach, according to a scientific statement published online March 4 in Hypertension.

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Pneumococcal Vaccination at Age 50 Prevents the Most Disease

MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Recommending pneumococcal vaccination for all 50-year-olds prevents the most disease in underserved minorities and the general population, but the cost exceeds $250,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, according to a study published online March 4 in Vaccine.

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Readmission for Patients With Sepsis Common and Costly

MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Readmission after sepsis hospitalization is common and is associated with considerable costs, according to a study published in the March issue of CHEST.

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Poll: Many Older Adults Report Feeling Lonely, Isolated

MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many older adults, especially those with health issues, report feeling lonely and isolated, according to the results of the National Poll on Healthy Aging, published on March 4.

National Poll on Healthy Aging

Multidimensional Approach Cuts Unneeded Drug-Drug Interaction Alerts

MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An iterative, multidimensional quality improvement (QI) effort can reduce interruptive drug-drug interaction (DDI) alerts, according to a study published in the March issue of Pediatrics.

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FDA Warns Americans Not to Buy Drugs From Canadian Company

FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A large Canadian drug distributor sells unapproved and mislabeled medicines to Americans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday. The distributor disputes the claim, however.

The New York Times Article
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Electronic Decision Support Tool Can Aid Asthma Care

FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new electronic decision support tool can improve the quality of asthma care in primary care settings, according to a study published online Feb. 14 in the European Respiratory Journal.

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New York City Measles Outbreak Cases Reach 121

FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of measles cases in the New York City outbreak that began last October in the Orthodox Jewish community has reached 121, the city’s health department said Thursday.

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Antibiotic Delay Leads to Increased Risks in Seniors With UTI

FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Delaying or withholding antibiotics for older patients with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with an increase in bloodstream infection and all-cause mortality, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in The BMJ.

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Heavy Smoking Linked to Damaged Spatial, Color Vision

FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Heavy smoking is associated with damaged vision, according to a study published in the January issue of Psychiatry Research.

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Drivers’ Opioid Use Associated With Fatal Car Crashes

FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Drivers’ use of prescription opioids is associated with initiation of fatal two-vehicle crashes independent of alcohol use, according to a study published online Feb. 15 in JAMA Network Open.

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HPV Infection Unlikely to Spread From Hand Contact

FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The majority of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are likely to be caused by genital-to-genital sexual transmission, not hand-to-genital contact, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

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