A survey conducted by Michigan Medicine found that nearly two-thirds of respondents experienced difficulty with pet care during hospitalization or knew someone who did. This stress can impact a patient's decision about staying in the hospital. Researchers aim to develop better resources and formalized services to address this need.
A new study from the University of Michigan finds that Medicaid expansion in Michigan has significantly improved access to regular healthcare services for low-income adults across various racial and ethnic groups. By 2018, 83% of Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees reported having a regular doctor's office, with notable increases seen amon...
A study of nearly 179,000 veterans aged 65+ found that maximizing the dosage of an existing medication can lead to better adherence and lower blood pressure. Adding a new medication shows a slim advantage in some cases, but with risks associated with polypharmacy.
New studies show that patients with abnormal screening results may face significant out-of-pocket costs for follow-up tests, potentially delaying care. For women, colposcopy costs rose sharply over 13 years, with some facing bills of nearly $1,000. Lung cancer screening CT scans also led to high costs for invasive procedures.
Dual-eligible cancer patients receive higher-quality end-of-life care at cancer centers with prioritized communication and decision planning. These facilities experience a significant jump in patients choosing hospice and dying outside of hospitals.
Researchers visualize key proteins in Drosophila brains, revealing their daily oscillations and spatial organization. The study highlights the importance of clock proteins in regulating circadian rhythms, which control sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, and cancer risk.
A new study found that the survival rate of COVID-19 patients on ECMO has decreased over time, with those treated later in the pandemic having lower chances of survival. Careful patient selection and resource management are essential for hospitals offering ECMO to maximize survival rates.
Researchers have identified a common mutation in gliomas that sensitizes them to immunotherapy, which can lead to improved survival rates and tumor-free periods. The discovery may have broader therapeutic implications for all glioma patients, offering new hope for treatment.
A study found that 73% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed delirium, leading to lasting cognitive impairment and increased need for skilled nursing care. The disease itself, sedatives, and inflammation can contribute to this outcome.
A study found that oxcarbazepine, a commonly prescribed anti-seizure medication, is associated with a higher risk of fractures in children with epilepsy. The research team examined the effects of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine on bone fragility in children between the ages of four and 13.
A Michigan Medicine study found that most patients with mild COVID-19 infections produce antibodies that persist and protect them from reinfection for up to six months. Nearly 90% of participants produced spike and nucleocapsid antibody responses, and all but one had persistent antibody levels at follow-up.
A new study suggests that lowering the age when older adults can enroll in Medicare might save them a significant amount of money. The study found that average out-of-pocket healthcare costs dropped by 27% for those turning 66, while nearly 9% of 64-year-olds were considered 'catastrophic' due to high health expenses.
A new poll shows strong support among older Americans for requiring health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The survey found that 61% of people aged 50 to 80 believe the vaccine should definitely be required, while an additional 19% think it should probably be required.
A new poll suggests that older adults are not using tax-advantaged savings accounts to save for future health expenses, with those who do more likely to have high incomes and education levels. The findings highlight the need for better understanding and support for low-income and vulnerable populations.
A new study highlights significant disparities in dementia care availability by gender, race, ethnicity, education level, and family structure. The findings emphasize the importance of family caregivers, with those having available spouse or adult child support being less likely to move into nursing homes.
A study from Michigan Medicine found that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop a cytokine storm during coronavirus infection due to the enzyme SETDB2. Administering interferon beta increased SETDB2 and decreased inflammatory cytokines in diabetic mice, offering potential therapy for severe COVID-19.
A recent Michigan Medicine study found that people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis experience a myriad of significant symptoms that often cluster together. Nearly two-thirds of MS patients reported fatigue, half experienced pain in the first year after diagnosis. The research team collected questionnaires from MS patients at si...
A national study suggests that half of pediatric opioid prescriptions are considered high-risk, increasing the risk of overdose and addiction. A small group of prescribers in the top 5% account for half of these high-risk prescriptions, particularly dentists or surgeons who practice mainly in the South.
Researchers have identified several drug contenders that can block or reduce SARS-CoV2 infection in cells, including lactoferrin and MEK-inhibitors. These findings suggest potential efficacy against COVID-19 variants, with ongoing clinical trials to examine their ability to reduce viral loads and inflammation.
A US nationwide cohort study found that nearly 85% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were not back to their pre-COVID lives one month later. The study also revealed significant factors driving people's inability to recover, including a lack of follow-up healthcare services and new disabilities preventing daily activities.
A Michigan Medicine study found that altering interferon kappa levels in mice with psoriasis-like lesions reduced disease severity. The research suggests using therapies to modulate interferon states may limit inflammation in psoriasis patients.
Researchers have discovered that inhibiting the GOT1 enzyme can promote ferroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, in pancreatic cancer cells by conserving nutrients and releasing iron stores. This study provides a new potential therapeutic target for treating pancreatic cancer.
Researchers discovered a protein called CTRP9 associated with pulmonary function in scleroderma patients with interstitial lung disease. Patients with higher CTRP9 levels developed more severe lung disease, while low levels were linked to preserved function. The study suggests CTRP9 could help predict treatment needs for these patients.
Researchers have found a way to harness the power of immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer by targeting a protein called PIKfyve. Blocking PIKfyve with the inhibitor ESK981 has been shown to increase tumor death and recruit immune T cells, offering new hope for patients with this challenging form of cancer.
The COVID-19 pandemic has likely led to an increase in falls among older adults due to decreased physical activity, worsened physical conditioning, and heightened fear of falling. This is a pressing concern as falls can result in significant injuries, particularly among this age group.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 10% of households with high school-age teens reported buying a firearm, and 3% of U.S. households became first-time gun owners. One in seven households that purchased a gun during this time also had a teen experiencing depression symptoms.
A new study suggests that older adults, particularly women and those in fair or poor health, are more likely to experience worsened mental health symptoms during the pandemic. The study recommends screening for depression, anxiety, and sleep problems and connecting participants to treatment resources.
A new genomic test may help identify patients at high risk of prostate cancer progression. The Decipher Biopsy test showed that men with high scores needed active treatment sooner, and those who underwent surgery had shorter time until PSA levels increased or they were put on anti-androgen therapy.
A new study reveals that the TCF7L2 gene plays a key role in smooth muscle cell death and replenishment, potentially reducing aortic aneurysm risk. Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 1,300 individuals with aortic aneurysms and found a significant genetic link to the disease.
The study found that medications prescribed for children dropped by more than a quarter, with steep declines in infection-related medicines like antibiotics and cough-and-cold drugs. Chronic disease drug prescriptions also declined, but no change was observed in antidepressant prescriptions.
A new study published by the University of Michigan found that genetic predisposition significantly affects people's reaction to the Spring forward time change. Early birds with a certain genomic profile can adjust their sleep schedule within days, while night owls may take over a week to get back on track.
A growing body of studies suggests COVID-19 emulates systemic autoimmune disorders. Researchers analyzed serum from over 300 hospitalized patients, discovering a novel autoantibody that shields toxic NETs from destruction. Those with higher levels were more likely to develop severe symptoms.
A study by Michigan Medicine found that women were 20-30% less likely to receive preventive care services like mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and birth control in 2020 compared to 2019. Disparities in care worsened for women from lower-income areas and those with limited English proficiency.
Research found that adult patients under 65 had less trouble paying for medications, dental care, and delayed treatment due to cost. The ACA's key features, including the Health Insurance Marketplace, led to a significant decrease in financial burdens.
A new study suggests a significant increase in hospitalizations for eating disorders among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, with admissions more than doubling at one center. The study attributes this surge to disruptions in daily routines and social isolation, which may have triggered or worsened symptoms.
Researchers discovered 47 lipids significantly different between rapid and slow kidney function decliners, providing a platform for risk stratification. The study's findings also suggest the underlying mechanism of progressive kidney disease, which could be a future target for therapeutic intervention.
A new study found that over 70% of people with fibromyalgia who use CBD substitute it for opioids or other pain medications, reporting improved symptom relief. CBD is being used as a harm reduction strategy due to its non-intoxicating properties and lower potential for abuse.
Researchers developed a blood test that analyzes circulating tumor DNA to predict treatment response in metastatic HPV-positive throat cancer. The test showed promise in identifying non-responding patients months earlier than standard imaging scans.
A recent study found that a widely used sepsis prediction model performs poorly, correctly identifying patients at risk of sepsis only 63% of the time. The tool was developed based on billing codes, which can be inaccurate, and sent alerts to nearly 1 in 5 patients without actual sepsis.
Researchers identify lineage plasticity as a deadly identity switch in castration-resistant prostate cancers, which can behave like small cell lung cancer. BET bromodomain inhibitors show promise in blocking this switch and overcoming treatment-emergent neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
A decade-long study found that personalized medicine, considering patient needs and environment, is more effective than one-size-fits-all approaches. The research team recommended a tailored approach for distal radius fractures, taking into account the patient's social environment and risk tolerance.
A new study found that 1 in 6 privately insured families spent more than $5,000 on maternal and newborn hospitalizations, with some exceeding $10,000 if neonatal intensive care was required. Researchers analyzed data from 12 million enrollees and identified significant cost-sharing driven by deductibles and co-insurance.
Researchers found that online mental health intervention improved anxiety and depression in people with scleroderma, a disease causing skin and connective tissue tightening. The four-week program offered group mental health intervention from trained peer support leaders, resulting in significant improvements six weeks later.
New studies suggest that treating post-surgery pain with non-opioid medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can lead to equal short-term outcomes and patient satisfaction as opioids. Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 patients who had one of seven common operations at 70 hospitals.
Researchers found that middle-aged men with cerebral palsy are up to 5.6 times more likely to suffer fractures than men without the disorder. The study also revealed that critical periods of bone health vary across the lifespan for individuals with cerebral palsy, particularly affecting females and males at different times.
Researchers developed Seq-Scope technology to visualize all gene expression from a tissue sample, offering ultra-high-resolution imaging. The method, using high-throughput sequencing and barcode-based spatial coordinates, enables diagnosis of diseases at the microscopic scale.
A new statewide study in Michigan found that smokers needed their blocked arteries fixed nearly a decade earlier than non-smokers, with patients with obesity undergoing procedures four years earlier than non-obese patients. The study suggests that preventing smoking and obesity could delay the onset of heart disease.
A national panel of experts recommends recognizing seven major modifiable risk factors for dementia and taking steps to lower risk through medication, lifestyle changes, and interventions. By controlling vascular risk factors, people can preserve cognitive function and reduce heart attack and stroke risk.
Researchers have found that leptin can help mobilize extra fat in the liver, reversing conditions like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with partial lipodystrophy and/or low leptin levels. Leptin therapy showed promise in improving insulin sensitivity and body weight.
Researchers have identified specific cell types and tumor pathways that can predict which kidney cancers respond to immunotherapy, offering new insights into treatment strategies. The study's findings could lead to the development of biomarkers to guide kidney cancer treatment.