Press review
The essentials of recent medical publications, unpacked by our newsroom into a clear, sourced digest, specialty by specialty.
Dermatology and VenereologyAnnual dermatological follow-up in primary cutaneous melanoma
After primary cutaneous melanoma, annual dermatological follow-up is recommended. But what happens in practice? In this retrospective cohort study conducted in Canada between 2010 and 2013, compliance with annual dermatological follow-up was variable. Only 28% of patients consulted the dermatologist at least once a year during the median follow-up of 5 years. Factors predictive of compliance were
RhumatologyA biomarker of erectile dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis
In rheumatoid arthritis, the identification of blood biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, a precursor of atherosclerosis, would enable us to better assess risk and define appropriate prevention strategies. While ischemia-modified albumin is already used in the assessment of oxidative stress, ischemia and erectile dysfunction, this biomarker had not previously been evaluated in erectile dysfuncti
OphthalmologyThe link between myopia and vitamin D
Previous studies have suggested a possible link between myopia and vitamin D. Here, researchers have reviewed all the studies published over the last ten years on the link between vitamin D status and myopia. Several studies suggest that increasing vitamin D levels, notably by increasing time spent outdoors, could be a modifiable protective factor, capable of delaying the progression of myopia in
OncologyColorectal cancer and the fecal microbiome
Researchers have investigated the links between colorectal cancer and the gut microbiota. They analyzed the fecal microbiome and the genomic and transcriptomic profiles of matched tumor and normal tissues in 41 colorectal cancer patients. The researchers identified a set of 22 gut microbial species associated with colorectal cancer and analyzed their relative abundance. Four genes were found to be
SurgeryEnteral nutrition after major abdominal surgery
The effects of early enteral nutrition on the prognosis of patients after major abdominal surgery remain controversial. In this study of data from two clinical trials, 314 Chinese patients were included after major abdominal surgery. The aim was to compare the effect of early enteral nutrition and early complementary parenteral nutrition on the incidence of nosocomial infections between D3 and hos
Urology-nephrologyDapagliflozin in chronic renal failure
SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes. But how much of an effect does dapagliflozin have on blood pressure in patients with chronic renal failure? A study was conducted here on 4,304 adults with kidney failure, with or without type 2 diabetes. At week 2, dapagliflozin had reduced SAP by 3.6 mmHg, compared with placebo. This effect was maintained throughout the tria
Physical Medicine and RehabilitationStroke rehabilitation for women
Here, researchers conducted a systematic literature review to assess gender reporting and the percentage of female participants in randomized controlled trials of post-stroke rehabilitation interventions for upper limb motor disorders. A total of 1,276 randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 5.2% did not report the percentage of women in the trial, or 5.6% of participants.
Dermatology and VenereologyXeligekimab in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
In this study of 420 Chinese patients, researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of xeligekimab in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Xaligekimab is a selective IL-17 inhibitor. Patients were randomized to receive xeligekimab 200 mg every 2 weeks or placebo for an initial period of 12 weeks. Treatment was then continued every 4 weeks for a further 40 weeks. At week 12, PASI scores 75, 90 and
RhumatologyEpigenetic regulation in osteoporosis
With age, senescent cells accumulate in bone tissue, leading to imbalances in bone homeostasis, osteopenia, changes in trabecular bone structure and increased bone fragility. Mechanisms involved in the development of osteoporosis. These cellular senescence mechanisms involve osteoblasts, osteoclasts and bone marrow mesenchymal cells. The effects of these cells on bone homeostasis are regulated by
Cardiology and Vascular MedicineANCA-associated vasculitides
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides are a group of potentially fatal necrotizing vasculitides. The two main ANCA-associated vasculitides are granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. These autoimmune diseases affect the kidneys, lungs, upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes and peripheral nerves. In this review, we review the current state of knowle
GynecologyNaltrexone in pregnancy
In this prospective case study, 7 pregnant women addicted to opioids (4 women) or alcohol (3 women) were treated with extended-release naltrexone. They were followed throughout their pregnancy (mean gestational age at inclusion 21.7 weeks) and up to 12 months after delivery. None of the women in the study resumed opioid use, while two resumed alcohol use. All women gave birth vaginally at a mean g
GeriatricsACE inhibitors, ARB2 inhibitors and statins at risk of pneumonia
In this Italian study, researchers evaluated the effect of ACE inhibitors, ARB-2s and/or statins on the risk of pneumonia and on the risk of short-term in-hospital and outpatient mortality in patients with pneumonia. A total of 5,717 patients were included in the study, all at least 65 years of age. Of these, 18% had pneumonia and 51% were taking ACE inhibitors, ARB-2s and/or statins. An inverse a