A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that patients with new statin prescriptions obtained through mail-order pharmacies showed improved cholesterol control in the first 3-15 months. This is compared to those who only used their local pharmacy, where 74.2% achieved target cholesterol levels.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in early pregnancy may modestly increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders. Researchers reported a two-fold increased risk of ASD associated with maternal treatment with SSRI anti-depressants during the year before delivery.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women's risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be identified up to seven years before pregnancy based on routine measures of blood sugar and body weight. The study revealed a strong correlation between adverse cardio-metabolic risk factors, including high blood sugar, hypertension, and bein...
Women who gained 2-3 BMI units between the first and second pregnancy were more likely to develop GDM in the second pregnancy. Conversely, women who lost over 6 pounds between pregnancies reduced their risk of developing GDM by approximately 50%. The association was strongest in women who were overweight or obese in their first pregnancy.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 711,000 children found that obese kids are almost 40% more likely to have psoriasis than normal-weight peers. Teens with psoriasis also had higher cholesterol levels, regardless of weight status.
A Kaiser Permanente study found no evidence that receiving the zoster vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine on the same day compromises the immune response necessary to protect against herpes zoster, also known as shingles. The study's findings challenge previous information in the zoster vaccine manufacturer's package insert.
A study published in Reproductive Toxicology found that maternal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy is associated with decreased birth weight of offspring. Researchers also discovered that the magnitude of decrease in birth weight was greater in children whose mothers were directly exposed to high BPA levels in the workplace.
Children with inborn errors of metabolism received vaccines on the same schedule as healthy infants without significant increases in ER visits or hospitalizations. However, smaller subsets of children may be at increased risk for adverse events during the immediate post-vaccination period.
Breast cancer survivors who experience large weight gain (10% or more over pre-diagnosis weight) are 14% more likely to experience a cancer recurrence compared to women whose weight remains stable. Researchers found that moderate weight gain does not affect breast cancer outcomes.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that people who slept 6-8 hours a night and reported lower stress levels lost more weight. The study involved nearly 500 participants who were trying to lose at least 10 pounds, and those with the lowest stress levels and adequate sleep were most likely to succeed.
Men taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) three times a day are 2.4 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction compared to non-users, according to a Kaiser Permanente study. Regular NSAID use is associated with a modest risk of ED, consistent across all age groups.
A commonly prescribed osteoporosis drug is associated with a slightly elevated risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, but the risk remains extremely low. Patients taking oral bisphosphonates were nine times more likely to develop the condition than those who didn't.
A study by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research found that obese women are more likely to report pain with mammograms, while women under 60 may avoid the test due to being too busy. The study also identified other barriers to breast cancer screening, including lower household income and shorter health insurance coverage.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that receiving the herpes zoster vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by 55% in adults 60 years and older. The vaccine also showed effectiveness in preventing shingles in adults over 75, supporting CDC recommendations to offer it to all eligible patients.
A recent study found that nearly half of youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are current smokers, increasing their risk for heart disease. Aggressive smoking prevention and cessation programs are needed to prevent or delay heart disease in this population.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that medical device registries enhance patient safety and quality of care by tracking implant effectiveness and patient risk factors. The study analyzed over 85,000 joint surgeries and identified key reasons for re-operations and outcomes for patients.
A work group led by a Kaiser Permanente researcher developed and adopted 17 national measures to assess HIV care quality, including screening, prevention, and antiretroviral therapy. These measures have been endorsed by several organizations and are being pilot-tested to improve patient outcomes.
A Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research study found that participants who logged on to an interactive weight management website consistently maintained the most weight loss. Those who used the site at least once a month for two-and-a-half years kept off an average of nine pounds of their original weight loss.
Children who are extremely obese have a 40 percent higher risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), while those who are moderately obese have a 30 percent higher risk. Researchers used electronic health records to conduct the study, which established an association between obesity and GERD in children.
A Kaiser Permanente study found the MMRV vaccine doubles the risk of febrile seizures in 1- to 2-year-old children compared to separate MMR and varicella vaccines. The study analyzed 459,000 children and recommended that families without a preference for MMRV receive separate vaccinations.
A study of 46,000 patients found that the age- and sex-adjusted incidence of heart attack increased from 274 per 100,000 in 1999 to 208 per 100,000 in 2008, then declined. The relative incidence of serious heart attacks that do permanent damage also decreased by 62%.
A Kaiser Permanente study associates increasing BPA levels in urine with decreased sexual desire, difficulty having an erection, and lower overall satisfaction with sex life. The five-year study of 427 Chinese factory workers found a dose-response association between higher BPA exposure and male sexual dysfunction.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that pneumococcal vaccination has no association with reduced risk of heart attacks or strokes. Researchers used electronic health records to follow 84,170 ethnically diverse California men for an average of five years.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that risky drinkers report poorer health-related practices, including stress relief with alcohol and cigarettes, unhealthy eating, and not regularly seeing doctors. Moderate drinking was associated with better health and more likely medical care seeking.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that 7.3% of boys and 5.5% of girls were extremely obese, with the heaviest children being black teenage girls and Hispanic boys. The percentage of extreme obesity peaked at 10 years in boys and 12 years in girls.
A large-scale study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research found that moderate coffee drinkers had a lower risk of hospitalization for heart rhythm disturbances. The researchers followed 130,054 men and women and discovered an 18% lower risk among those who consumed four or more cups of coffee daily.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 16,000 women in Hawaii found that Korean-American and Chinese-American women are at one-third higher risk for gestational diabetes. Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and Puerto Ricans also face a higher risk compared to Caucasian and African-American women.
A new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research found that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a 30% increased risk of breast cancer recurrence. Post-menopausal and overweight women may be most susceptible, regardless of type of alcohol consumed.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that the chicken pox vaccine significantly reduces the risk of shingles among children. The study followed over 170,000 vaccinated children for an average of two and a half years, resulting in only 122 cases of herpes zoster.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that breastfeeding may lower the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 39-86 percent for women without gestational diabetes and 44-86 percent for those with gestational diabetes. This protective association is attributed to favorable blood levels of glucose and lipids after delivery.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that workers exposed to high levels of Bisphenol-A (BPA) in their jobs had a quadruple the risk of erectile dysfunction and seven times more risk of ejaculation difficulty. This is the first human study to measure the effects of BPA on the male reproductive system.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that aggressively managing patients at risk for osteoporosis can reduce the hip fracture rate by 25%. The study, which followed 650,000 men and women over 50 years old, found a 38% drop in hip fractures and prevented 970 hip fractures in 2007.
The study, funded by a $2.2 million grant, will enroll 180 obese pregnant women and test a weight maintenance program with weekly support groups. Preliminary results are expected in three years, aiming to show that obese women who maintain their weight will have better outcomes.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 1,656 obese women found that nearly three-quarters gained too much weight during pregnancy and retained an average of 40% of the weight one year after delivery. Younger women and first-time mothers were most likely to gain excessive weight.
A Kaiser Permanente program bundled two generic, low-cost drugs and gave daily doses to 68,560 people with diabetes or heart disease for two years, preventing 1,271 heart attacks and strokes. The study found a 60% reduction in hospitalization rates for heart attack or stroke among those taking the bundled drugs.
A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that unvaccinated children are significantly more likely to contract pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The research used electronic health records to analyze the risk of vaccine refusal and its impact on pertussis infections.
A randomized controlled trial of an e-mail intervention program found that employees who received tailored messages were more physically active, eating more fruits and vegetables, and reducing saturated fats and trans fats. The changes had a lasting effect four months after the intervention ended.
Studies found that even mildly premature infants have a higher risk of medically attended RSV infection, especially those exposed to supplemental oxygen. Researchers detected an increased risk even in babies born at 37 weeks.
Research suggests that women with actively managed asthma are as likely to have healthy pregnancies and babies as those without asthma. The study recommends comprehensive approach to management and treatment of asthma during pregnancy, including assessment, medication management, and patient education.
A brief intervention program boosted the number of women performing breast self-exams by tenfold, with 59% participating in adequate exams after one year. The program's success highlights the potential for simple interventions to improve health behaviors.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers found that chronic kidney disease independently increases the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Kidney function may provide an additional clue about how to best assess stroke risk and decide upon the best prevention strategy for patients with AF.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that drinking one glass of wine a day may lower the risk of Barrett's Esophagus by 56%. The study also suggests that antioxidants in wine may neutralize oxidative damage caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a risk factor for Barrett's Esophagus.
A new study compares cholesterol treatment in HIV patients and those without HIV, finding that lipid-lowering therapies are effective but not as effective as in non-HIV patients. The study suggests using fibrates with NNRTIs to manage triglyceride levels in HIV patients.
A five-year study tracked over 625,000 patients in Southern California to find that a healthy bones program reduced hip fracture rates by an average of 37.2%, with some reductions reaching as high as 50%. Implementing initiatives such as bone density tests and anti-osteoporosis medications led to significant improvements.
A new study published in Human Reproduction found that depressed pregnant women have twice the risk of preterm delivery as those with no symptoms of depression. The severity of depressive symptoms also increases the risk, with severe symptoms more than doubling it.
A new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research found that using a fan to improve room ventilation reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by 72 percent. The study also found that opening a window in an infant's room reduces SIDS risk by 36 percent.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that obese adults with asthma are nearly five times more likely to be hospitalized for their condition. The study controlled for various risk factors and found that obese people with asthma have significantly worse asthma control and lower quality of life.
A recent study published in Diabetes Care found that losing weight soon after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis can lead to better blood pressure and blood sugar control. The study followed over 2,500 adults with type 2 diabetes for four years and showed that those who lost weight were up to twice as likely to achieve their targets.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that keeping a food diary can double weight loss, with 69% of participants losing at least nine pounds. The study recruited a large percentage of African Americans and used a heart-healthy diet to achieve significant weight loss.
A Kaiser Permanente study published online in the Journal of Perinatology found that integrating substance abuse screening and treatment into routine prenatal care improved health outcomes for pregnant women. The study, which examined nearly 50,000 women, found that treating pregnant women with substance abuse early in their pregnancy ...