A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury have a 44% higher relative risk of heart failure within one year of discharge compared to those without acute kidney injury. This increased risk highlights the importance of monitoring for signs of heart failure in these patients.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that patients with intermittently recurring atrial fibrillation who experience longer periods of abnormal heart rhythms are three times more likely to have strokes or blood clots. Continuous heart monitoring may help physicians identify high-risk patients and tailor treatments.
A new study published in Diabetes Care found that a tailored letter with personalized weight-gain recommendations improved pregnancy weight gain among women with gestational diabetes. The intervention, delivered via electronic health record data, resulted in a higher proportion of women meeting national weight-gain guidelines.
A large cohort study found that nearly all mental health diagnoses were more common for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth than for cisgender youth, with depression and ADHD prevalence rates 4-7 times higher. The study aimed to raise awareness about the pressure young people may feel due to gender dysphoria and prejudice.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 15,000 girls and their mothers found that maternal overweight and hyperglycemia are associated with earlier onset of puberty. The study suggests that the in utero environment may affect pubertal development, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers found that children with autism spectrum disorders and their younger siblings are less likely to receive full vaccinations. The study analyzed data from over 3,700 children with ASD and nearly 500,000 children without ASD, as well as their siblings born between 1995 and 2014.
A Kaiser Permanente study found no association between multiple vaccines and non-vaccine targeted infections in infants. The research examined 193 children with non-vaccine targeted infections and 751 control group children, concluding that vaccination does not damage the immune system.
The study found significant racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension prevalence, with African-American and Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander populations having the highest rates. Maintaining a lower weight was key to preventing hypertension across all racial groups, but other factors contribute to disparities.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that only one-third of patients diagnosed with depression start treatment, with racial and ethnic minorities and the elderly facing significant disparities. The study's findings highlight the need for improved detection and treatment strategies to address these disparities.
A study by Kaiser Permanente and University of Washington found that patients with chronic kidney disease who receive implantable cardioverter defibrillators experience a significantly increased risk of subsequent hospitalization. The use of ICDs was associated with a 49% increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure and a 25% in...
A Kaiser Permanente study found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a cost-effective treatment option for adolescents with depression who decline or stop using antidepressants. The CBT program was shown to reduce depression-related health care costs by $5,000 on average over a two-year period.
A 30-year study by Kaiser Permanente found that breastfeeding duration is associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women who breastfed for six months or more had a 47 percent reduction in their risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not breastfeed at all.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente found that nearly a quarter of children and teens screened for blood pressure showed elevated readings, but less than half were correctly classified. The research emphasizes the need for a second reading when the first result is high to accurately diagnose hypertension in pediatric care.
Stroke patients receive treatment within 60 minutes or less at 87% of Kaiser Permanente's Northern California hospitals, with an average 'door-to-needle' time of just 34 minutes. The regionwide adoption of standardized protocols and telemedicine has significantly reduced the time to start critical treatment.
A Kaiser Permanente study found a significantly higher rate of miscarriage among pregnant women exposed to high levels of non-ionizing radiation from magnetic fields. The study, which measured exposure levels over 24 hours, reported a nearly three times higher relative risk for miscarriage.
Researchers found nearly 1 in 7 adult patients reported using marijuana at least once a year, with young adults more likely to use daily. Daily cannabis use was linked to higher risks of addiction and complications, particularly among young men with depression.
Physicians at Kaiser Permanente reduced antibiotic prescriptions for sinusitis by 22% using computer alerts, finding a substantial decrease in acute sinusitis diagnoses while no increase in prescribing for other upper respiratory diagnoses was observed. The intervention's effect was not sustained over time.
A Kaiser Permanente-led study found that dabigatran and warfarin have similar ischemic stroke rates, but dabigatran reduces the risk of brain bleeds. The research analyzed data from over 50,000 adults with atrial fibrillation and provides reassurance on dabigatran's effectiveness in usual clinical care.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that pregnant women who used an interactive website monitored by a clinical expert were more likely to vaccinate their children than those without access. The study suggests websites with interactive components can complement face-to-face clinical interactions and combat misinformation.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder received similar or higher rates of preventive health screenings compared to those without mental illnesses. The study examined over 800,000 patients in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest health system and foun...
A Kaiser Permanente study found that live phone calls are significantly more effective at reminding patients to complete and return at-home fecal screening tests for colon cancer. Phone calls outperformed other reminder strategies, including text messages and letters, especially among Spanish-speaking patients.
A new tool developed by Kaiser Permanente researchers can identify diabetes patients at high risk of severe hypoglycemia-related emergency department or hospital visits. The tool categorizes patients into three risk levels based on six variables, and has been validated with data from over 1.3 million members.
A Kaiser Permanente study implemented a decision support tool to reduce unnecessary CT scans for minor head injuries, resulting in a 5.3% decrease in CT use and an increase in identified injuries. Nearly all emergency departments participating in the intervention reduced head CT scans.
The program resulted in a one-third relative reduction in postoperative complication rates and a 21 percent reduction in opioid prescribing rates. ERAS patients demonstrated significant gains, including increased early ambulation and use of early nutrition.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that patients with positive fecal screening tests should undergo colonoscopy within several months to reduce colorectal cancer risk. The study reviewed 70,124 members and found no significant differences in risk for colonoscopy follow-up times of two to nine months.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that mobilizing parent advocates through the Immunity Community program significantly improved vaccine-related attitudes, including increased confidence and knowledge about vaccination rates. The program empowered parents to communicate positively about vaccines without being confrontational.
A study published in Pediatrics found that maternal Tdap vaccination during pregnancy reduced pertussis risk for infants by an estimated 91% within the first two months, and 69% for the entire first year. This research supports current recommendations to administer Tdap vaccine to pregnant women during each pregnancy.
Men treated with testosterone replacement therapy had a 33% lower risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to those who didn't receive hormone therapy. Androgen deficiency is characterized by low testosterone levels, which can cause symptoms like erectile dysfunction and hot flashes.
A risk prediction model developed by Kaiser Permanente has safely reduced antibiotic use in newborns by nearly 50%. The calculator uses data from over 600,000 babies to calculate the risk of early-onset sepsis and targets infants who are at highest risk for infection.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that children exposed to complications before or during birth were at a higher risk of developing autism spectrum disorder. Children with birth asphyxia and preeclampsia had a significantly increased risk, with a 10-44% greater risk compared to those without perinatal complications.
Kaiser Permanente's telephone wellness coaching program has been shown to help members lose a significant amount of weight, changing their weight trajectories from upward to downward. The study found that participants lost clinically significant amounts of weight, which is important because even small amounts of weight loss can lead to...
A new breast cancer model developed by Kaiser Permanente researcher Matthew P. Banegas accurately predicts breast cancer risk in Hispanic patients based on data from Hispanic women. The model, added to the National Cancer Institute's online tool, corrects underestimation of breast cancer risk in Hispanic women.
A large Kaiser Permanente study found that socially integrated women had lower breast cancer death rates and disease recurrence compared to socially isolated women. The study suggests that specific types of social ties, such as friendships and family members, are beneficial for different sociodemographic groups.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that tailored post-hospital visits, also known as POSH visits, can lower the risk of hospital readmission for Medicare Advantage patients. These visits are scheduled while the patient is still in the hospital and focus on following up with treatment plans after discharge.
Researchers will investigate how in-womb exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals affects normal growth and development. The seven-year study will explore the health impacts of early environmental exposures on children's metabolism, thyroid hormones, and brain development.
Women with higher vitamin D levels after a breast cancer diagnosis had significantly better long-term outcomes, including lower mortality and recurrence rates. The study found stronger associations among premenopausal women for breast-cancer-specific survival.
A study of over 260,000 infants found that untreated infections during infancy increased the risk of childhood obesity by 25%. The research suggests that reducing infant infections may be a key strategy for preventing childhood obesity.
A Kaiser Permanente study found an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese among normal-weight 18-year-olds living in neighborhoods with lower education or income levels. Over four years, 25% of these young adults became overweight or obese.
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that the risk of younger siblings developing an autism spectrum disorder is significantly higher if an older sibling has ASD. The study also found a gender difference in autism diagnosis rates among younger siblings, with boys being more likely to be affected.
A 15-year decline in heart attacks was reported among Kaiser Permanente members in Northern California, with a notable reduction in severe heart attacks. The decline was consistent across demographics and risk groups, driven by reductions in less severe heart attacks.
A Kaiser Permanente telestroke program implemented in Southern California hospitals increased tPA administration rates to nearly 11% after implementing the program. The use of telehealth technology linked neurologists and emergency physicians, resulting in improved time-to-diagnosis and reduced bleeding complications.
A study published in Menopause found that women who began menopause before age 46 or after 55 were at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study also revealed that the length of a woman's lifetime reproductive cycle was associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
A new $13 million study will revisit patients first screened between the 1960s and 1980s to evaluate how early life risk factors affected brain health and dementia risk. Researchers aim to explore racial and ethnic differences in dementia rates and risk factors.
A new study shows that removing fallopian tubes during hysterectomies can help prevent ovarian cancer without compromising surgical outcomes. The procedure has been widely adopted in Kaiser Permanente's Northern California system, with no increase in complications or length of stay.
A Kaiser Permanente study found national heart disease and stroke mortality rates slowing down since 2011, with some experts attributing the decline to increases in obesity and diabetes, which may be driving a recent slowdown.
The study found that patients who received the LINKAGE intervention had greater involvement in managing their health and healthcare than those receiving standard care. Participants showed significant increases in patient portal use and rates of abstinence from alcohol and drugs.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that girls whose mothers were overweight before pregnancy and had gestational diabetes are more likely to experience earlier pubic hair development. The study also suggests that metabolic programming may be affected in the daughters, manifesting in early onset of puberty.
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that overweight colorectal cancer patients had a significantly lower risk of death from their cancer compared to normal-weight patients. The study analyzed data from over 3,400 patients and found that those who were in the high-overweight category at diagnosis had a 55% lower risk of mortality.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 24,000 mothers and their children found that excess pregnancy weight gain and elevated blood sugar increase the risk of childhood obesity, even in normal-weight babies. Children whose mothers had gestational diabetes were at highest risk, with a 30% increased likelihood of being overweight or obese.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that a widely recommended cardiovascular risk calculator overestimates the actual five-year risk of heart attacks and ischemic strokes. The study suggests that individuals may be over-treated due to the inaccuracies.