A new study published in Pediatrics found that Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid promotes significantly higher weight, length, and head circumference growth in preterm infants compared to powdered fortifiers. The ultra-concentrated liquid fortifier is well-tolerated and safe for use in neonatal care settings.
A BRNI study reveals underlying causes of Alzheimer's degeneration and identifies promising pharmaceutical solutions by normalizing the Alzheimer's brain. Treatments that target synapse growth and preservation have shown to prevent disease progression, shifting focus from amyloid plaques.
Researchers found a 26% decreased risk of dementia for women taking hormone therapy only at midlife, while late-life use increased risk by 48%. Midlife and late-life use had similar dementia risks for women not on hormone therapy.
A Kaiser Permanente study shows that electronic alerts can significantly reduce unnecessary D-dimer tests for elderly patients, resulting in a 69.7% decrease in orders. The alerts, which explain the test's inaccuracy in older adults, were implemented in eight primary care clinics and maintained throughout the study period.
A five-year study found that workers with high urine BPA levels had decreased sperm concentration, total sperm count, and vitality. The association between BPA exposure and poor semen quality strengthens evidence that BPA may have detrimental effects on the male reproductive system.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that heavy smoking in midlife is associated with a 157% increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 172% increased risk of vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is caused by conditions affecting the blood supply to the brain.
A new survey of psychiatric nurses highlights their crucial role in providing care for patients with mental illness. The study found that 94% of psychiatric nurses feel involved in patient care, and they believe their work affects patient satisfaction.
Research suggests that women who develop cardio-metabolic risk factors before pregnancy are more likely to have a subsequent pregnancy with gestational diabetes. The study recommends pre-conception screening for metabolic abnormalities to prevent this condition and its lasting health effects on children.
A Web-based tool extracted from the electronic medical record helps primary care physicians manage care for individual patients, groups of patients or their entire panel. The Panel Support Tool (PST) improves care for patients with diabetes and/or heart disease, and provides better preventive care for healthy patients.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women who developed gestational diabetes during their first and second pregnancies have a higher risk of developing it again. Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander women are particularly at risk compared to white counterparts.
A Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research study found that simple, automated telephone reminders can increase colon cancer screening rates by 30 percent. The study, which involved nearly 6,000 members in Oregon and Washington, showed that people were more likely to get screened after receiving automated reminders.
A study found that community interventions and in-home visits can slow excess weight gain in American Indian children, increasing breastfeeding rates to 74% and reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. The interventions also boosted confidence levels for families to drink more water and limit sugary drinks.
A study of 10,514 children found that 6.6% were infected with the fungus Trichophyton tonsurans, which can lead to permanent hair loss and worsen asthma and allergic rhinitis. Infection rates varied by age and race, with African American kids at highest risk.
A new survey by Donate Life America shows an increase in willingness to donate organs, but the US is still not keeping pace with the demand for transplants. The survey highlights pervasive myths about organ donation and encourages Americans to register as donors.
A 12-week self-guided program helps binge eaters stop binging for up to a year, saving an average of $447 per person per year. The program reduces costs on weight loss programs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
A recent study published in Diabetes Care found that starting metformin treatment within three months of diabetes diagnosis significantly increases its effectiveness. This is the first real-world comparison of metformin failure rates and has important implications for newly diagnosed patients worldwide.
A study found that women who gained excessive weight during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes. Women who exceeded recommended weight gain had a 50% increase in the risk of developing gestational diabetes compared to those within or below guidelines.
A recent study found that refusing immunizations increases the risk of varicella illness in children, with unvaccinated kids nine times more at risk. The study analyzed electronic health records of over 86,000 children and confirmed that vaccine refusal significantly raises the risk of infection.
New surgical instruments include a disposable multi-instrument access port, curved hand instruments, and laparoscopic videoscope. These devices help advance single-incision surgical procedures with increased maneuverability and reduced risk.
Kaiser Permanente and UCSF to conduct genome-wide analysis of DNA from 100,000 Kaiser members, linking genetic info to decades of health data. The resource will facilitate studies on gene-environment interaction and aging.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Kaiser Permanente over $54 million to conduct health research in various critical areas. The grants will utilize Kaiser Permanente's vast electronic health record database, doubling the number of individuals available for genome-wide association studies.
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that women with diabetes are 26% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation than non-diabetic women. The study involved nearly 35,000 patients over seven years and isolated the effect of diabetes as an independent risk factor for women.
A randomized study found that a program combining electronic health records and proactive patient outreach kept lipid and blood pressure levels at controlled, healthy levels for two years after discharge. The study's results suggest that using technology can help support patients in maintaining treatment goals and medication adherence.
A four-decade study of 9,844 participants found that high cholesterol levels in midlife significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia later in life. Borderline elevated cholesterol levels also raise risk for late-life vascular dementia.
A study by Kaiser Permanente researchers found no racial disparities in the risk of AIDS and death among HIV-infected patients, with Hispanics experiencing better outcomes. Despite lower adherence rates, Hispanics had a statistically significant survival benefit compared to whites and blacks.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that a reminder program using electronic health records and personalized outreach increased mammography rates among women aged 50-69. Mammography rates jumped from 63% to over 80%, with 75% of women completing their screenings within 10 months.
A Kaiser Permanente project demonstrated that specialists can improve the health of high-risk patients with chronic illness by using electronic health records to coordinate care. The project found that proactive e-consults reduced late nephrology referrals by two-thirds.
A new study found that underweight people have the highest risk of dying, followed by extremely obese individuals. In contrast, overweight people had a lower risk of dying compared to their normal-weight counterparts.
The X-Suit NIR stent provides flexible construction to fit any biliary duct and is constructed of Nitinol for durability. It has a proprietary NIRflex cell design that offers superior radial support and reduces stress on the tissue, making it ideal for re-establishing biliary flow.
A new clinical discussion tool, GAIN, has been developed to help physicians discuss potential reasons for using long-acting injectable antipsychotic therapies with patients. The tool addresses barriers such as needle phobia and stigma, aiming to increase patient acceptance and adherence.
New studies demonstrate RISPERDAL CONSTA (risperidone) Long-Acting Treatment significantly improves clinical and functional outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. The treatment reduced rates of rehospitalization among patients, especially those with complex medical histories.
A randomized study found that RISPERDAL CONSTA significantly delayed time to relapse compared to placebo in patients with Bipolar I Disorder. The median duration of treatment was nine months for the RISPERDAL CONSTA group, which had a lower rate of relapse during the double-blind phase.
RISPERDAL CONSTA has been approved as both monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in the maintenance treatment of Bipolar I Disorder. The medication offers a convenient and effective choice to delay relapse, with studies demonstrating significant delays in mood episode recurrence.
A new study analyzed dialogue between neurologists and epilepsy patients, revealing significant gaps in communication. Discussions of mood- and behavior-related topics occurred in only 22% of visits, while 57% of patients reported issues post-visit that physicians were not aware of.
Studies found that employees with epilepsy cost third-party payors nearly three times more on average per year compared to those without the condition. Comorbidities accounted for 80% of insurers' total annual costs for epilepsy patients.
The Olympus platform enables surgeons to perform gallbladder removal, hernia repair, appendectomy, and urological or gynecological surgery through a single incision in the belly button. The TriPort access system and EndoEYE technology provide high-quality images and flexibility for minimal trauma.
The report proposes detailed medical history, neurological examination, and diagnostic tests as essential steps in diagnosing and treating epilepsy. The consensus also outlines the need for weight seizure control, side effects, and long-term safety when making treatment decisions.
A new technique using flexible gastrointestinal endoscope with miniature ultrasound transducer can directly inject cancer fighting agents into tumors, avoiding normal tissue damage. This approach, combined with systemic chemotherapy, shows promise in treating certain cancers.
Epilepsy patients face challenges in communicating with healthcare professionals about medication-related side effects. Advocates propose strategies to improve patient-physician communication and individualized treatment plans.
The FDA has approved LIALDA (mesalamine), the first oral once-daily mesalamine for patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Clinical trials found LIALDA effective in inducing remission compared to placebo after eight weeks of treatment.
A CCFA survey reveals that 65% of ulcerative colitis patients are less than fully compliant with first-line therapies, resulting in a significant impact on their quality of life. The most common reasons for non-compliance were dosing frequency, number of pills, and medication inconvenience.
The TRUST 2002 study found high resistance rates to penicillin (18.4%) and azithromycin (27.5%), but low levofloxacin resistance (<1%). Levofloxacin's minimal inhibitory concentrations did not correlate with those of other antibiotics.