Researchers analyzed data from 556 health systems nationwide to find common forms of low-value care, such as unnecessary tests and treatments. Systems with smaller primary care physician shares, no teaching hospitals, and more minority patients were more likely to use these services.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers found that higher-rated dialysis centers have a 47% higher likelihood of patients being listed for kidney transplantation. The integration of waitlisting rates into quality metrics aims to incentivize greater referral rates and improve facility quality.
The mRNA-1273 vaccine has demonstrated sustained efficacy in preventing COVID-19 and severe disease, with consistent high levels of protection observed across various subgroups. Researchers have also found a marginal improvement in reduced cases among those vaccinated more recently during the Delta variant surge.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital identifies asthma, history of smoking, and chronic sinusitis as key risk factors for early COPD among US Hispanics/Latinos. The prevalence of early COPD was found to be 7.6 percent in this population, suggesting younger individuals are also susceptible to the disease.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found significant racial-ethnic differences in sleep health, with white adults having the best sleep outcomes and Black adults facing the worst. The research used data from over 1,700 adults and identified factors such as irregular timing and duration, insufficient sleep duration, and high ...
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a convection-enhanced macroencapsulation device that offers improved cell loading capacity, increased cell survival, glucose sensitivity, and timely insulin secretion. The device has the potential to be an autonomous system for minimally invasive treatment of type 1 diabetes.
Researchers investigate how the internal circadian clock affects asthma severity. The study found that people with worse asthma experience greater drops in pulmonary function at night, and exhibit more symptoms-driven bronchodilator use during nighttime hours. This understanding could lead to new treatments for asthma.
A new brain model developed by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital has identified specific forms of amyloid beta-protein and tau protein associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. The model uses induced pluripotent stem cell lines from over 50 individuals, providing a powerful experimental system for understandi...
Researchers found that prior MMR or Tdap vaccination was associated with decreased disease severity in COVID-19 patients. The study suggests that these commonly given vaccines may protect against severe COVID-19 disease, emphasizing the importance of routine vaccination for children and adults.
Researchers developed a liquid-injecting self-orienting millimeter-scale applicator (L-SOMA) that administers typically injected liquid medications orally. In large animal preclinical models, the technology delivered four commonly injected medications with comparable results to injections.
The VANISH trial found that valsartan improved cardiac structure, function, and remodeling in patients with early-stage sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study suggests that this strategy may help prevent disease progression among those who have received a genetic diagnosis of HCM.
A research team from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that delivering acute care at home for non-COVID patients freed up substantial inpatient capacity during the COVID-19 surge. The Home Hospital program provided care for 65 acutely ill patients, amounting to 419 bed-days, over a 3-month period.
A study of 692 female surgeons found that nearly half experienced major pregnancy complications, including miscarriages and preterm birth. The researchers call for policy changes to support pregnant surgeons and change the culture surrounding childbearing.
Researchers have created an 'atlas' charting how antibodies attack the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, identifying broadly responsive neutralizers and regions resistant to attack. The study highlights the importance of studying antibody responses for developing effective COVID-19 booster vaccines.
A large-scale study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of sedentary behavior are associated with a lower risk of obstructive sleep apnea. The study suggests that promoting an active lifestyle may have substantial benefits for both prevention and treatment of OSA.
Researchers found that general internal medicine and family medicine clinicians spent an average of two hours actively using the EHR each day, while pediatricians spent around one hour and a half. The study suggests improvements in messaging and placing orders could reduce burnout among primary care clinicians.
Researchers developed a new approach that integrates brain lesion datasets with data on deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation to identify promising therapeutic targets. This method may help clarify the cause of neuropsychiatric conditions and relieve symptoms.
A new study maps spirituality and religiosity to a specific brain circuit centered in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a brainstem region implicated in fear conditioning, pain modulation, altruistic behaviors, and unconditional love. The findings suggest that spiritual acceptance can be localized to this circuit.
A longitudinal study of healthy adults found that upward or downward changes in wealth were associated with respective lower or higher levels of cardiovascular events. Positive wealth changes were linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, while negative wealth mobility was linked to an increased risk.
Researchers found a 4.3% decrease in ED visits and an 11.3% decrease in hospitalizations for chest pain under high-deductible health plans. Low-income patients with HDHPs were more likely to be hospitalized with serious heart conditions, highlighting the need for clinicians to account for potential delays in care.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a probiotic yeast that can target inflammation, tissue scarring, and balance issues in the gut. The 'Y-bots' probiotic successfully suppressed intestinal inflammation and restored a balanced gut microbiome in mice.
Researchers discovered that consuming concentrated chocolate in the morning can aid in burning fat and decreasing blood sugar levels. The study also found that eating chocolate at different times of day can influence hunger, appetite, microbiota composition, sleep, and metabolism.
Researchers detected changes in fractal motor activity regulation (FMAR) patterns in cognitively healthy adults, particularly among women, which were associated with preclinical Alzheimer's disease pathology. FMAR may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for testing and screening AD.
The NIH ACTIV-4B trial found that not treating certain symptomatic but stable outpatients with anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy may be the best course of action, suggesting a very low rate of thrombotic complications. This recommendation has immediate implications for prophylactic treatment and management of mild COVID-19 symptoms.
A multidisciplinary team from Brigham and Women's Hospital has designed a stretchable stent based on the principles of kirigami that can support rapid deposition of drug depots. The researchers coated the design with budesonide-loaded polymeric micro-particles to support extended drug delivery, which was tested in the esophagi of pigs.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that patient-provider discussions about bariatric surgery result in patients with obesity losing more weight; however, such discussions occur in less than 10% of eligible cases. Patients who had these conversations were 10 times more likely to undergo weight loss surgery.
Researchers found a significant increase in mortality rates among rural residents aged 25-64, with a 12.1% rise in age-adjusted mortality rates. Death rates among Black individuals remained higher overall, but the gap with white individuals halved.
A recent study has revealed a wide range of cost variations and transparency levels in the treatment of thyroid cancer. The research, conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital, found that only half of the cancer centers studied reported payer-negotiated prices for services, with some costs varying by up to 70-fold across institutions.
Major points of progress in women's health since the 1970s include reproductive health advances, improvements in overall well-being throughout life, reduced mortality rates for cardiovascular and cancer diseases in women. Clinical research has improved understanding of conditions disproportionately affecting women, such as autoimmune d...
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital uses an ultrasensitive test to detect circulating antigen in vaccinated individuals, showing a strong immune response. The test found evidence of low viral protein levels followed by antibody production and clearance of proteins from the blood.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed data from nearly 144,000 women and found a 40% higher risk of moderate or worse hearing loss in those with osteoporosis or low bone density. Bisphosphonates did not alter this risk, suggesting that other factors may contribute to the development of age-related hearing loss.
A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology found that socioeconomic disadvantage is linked to a 57% higher rate of cardiovascular mortality among young individuals after experiencing a heart attack. The researchers analyzed the health records of over 2,000 patients who experienced an MI at or before age 50.
Researchers used genetic methods to examine 12 coagulation measures, uncovering four factors associated with migraine susceptibility in individuals with aura. The study suggests a potential causal role of hemostatic factors in migraines with aura.
Brigham cardiologists presented findings on IL-6 inhibitors, SGLT1/2 inhibitors and statin drugs in COVID-19 patients, highlighting potential benefits and limitations. The studies suggest new therapeutic options for preventing future cardiovascular events and improving outcomes for patients with heart failure and kidney disease.
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Africa can be controlled through increased coverage of interventions like early detection and cardiac surgery, saving around 70,000 lives by 2030. The PEN-Plus package of integrated disease management offers a high return on investment.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that Medicaid expansion did not significantly improve receipt of definitive treatment and timeliness of care for cancer patients treated at minority-serving hospitals. Despite increased access to insurance, these hospitals continued to face significant disparities in care.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital has uncovered five genetic locations associated with progression in Parkinson's disease, identifying potential new targets for treatment. The research also developed a risk score to predict progression to dementia, a key factor in quality of life.
Researchers developed an AI system, TOAD, that accurately predicts the origin of tumors in cancer cases with unknown primary sites. The model, trained on gigapixel pathology images, correctly identified cancer types and listed diagnoses as top predictions 96% of the time.
A new study by Dr. Benjamin Rome and colleagues found that over half of patients experience increases in out-of-pocket costs when drug prices increase, with some patients facing 15% hikes. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed 79 brand-name drugs and found average out-of-pocket costs rose 3.5% from 2015 to 2017.
Researchers developed a 3D 'lung-on-a-chip' model to study COVID-19's effects on cells and develop new treatments. The model replicates human alveolar lung tissue, allowing scientists to investigate how various therapies impact viral spread and test potential treatments.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed personalized, 3D-printed shields to shield patients undergoing radiation therapy. The device can reduce tissue injury by up to 15% in the gastrointestinal tract for prostate cancer patients, and by up to 30% in the mouth for head and neck cancer patients.
Recent advances in understanding atherosclerosis have shifted traditional views on who is at risk for heart attacks and strokes, highlighting the importance of HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammation. This review paper explores these changes and their implications for treatment and prevention.
According to a new study published in Pain, nearly one-fifth of American adults (20.5%) suffer from chronic pain, with significant impacts on workdays missed, social activities, and daily living. The total economic burden is estimated at nearly $300 billion annually, including lost wages and productivity.
The authors argue that a structural change to national Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) guidelines is needed to ensure inclusion of an Equity Officer and health equity specialists. This change could help mitigate inequities in hospital responses during disasters, particularly for historically marginalized populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for a public goods approach to essential medical services, as widespread vaccine nationalism threatens global herd immunity and equitable access. The US government is urged to invest in multilateral partnerships and global allocation strategies to increase vaccine supply and manufacturing.
Researchers pinpointed cysteine leukotriene receptor 2 (CysLT2R) as a new target for treating chronic itch. The study found that activating this receptor induces itching in mouse models of atopic dermatitis, highlighting its potential role in contributing to the condition.
A study of 5,000 participants found that patients made modest improvements in diagnostic accuracy and experienced no change in anxiety after using the Internet to research symptoms. Participants showed improved ability to triage conditions without a change in anxiety levels.
Researchers found that total knee replacement is a cost-effective treatment option for patients with severe knee osteoarthritis and extreme obesity. The procedure leads to substantial increases in quality-adjusted life expectancy for these patients.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 diverts building blocks from glucose production and hyperactivates the 1-carbon pathway to supply carbon groups for viral RNA. Drugs inhibiting folate metabolism, such as methotrexate, show promise in reducing viral replication.
Researchers found that drinking pomegranate juice daily during pregnancy reduced the risk of brain injury in infants with intrauterine growth restriction. The study suggests that polyphenols in pomegranate juice may provide neuroprotection, and further studies are planned to confirm these findings.