A new study by the University of Michigan Health System found that subtle non-verbal clues exert an influence on medical care, with patients relying on these cues to evaluate the doctor-patient relationship and doctors using them to inform their medical judgments. The study's method shows promise for improving medical decision making.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified 10 strategies to help patients understand their cancer treatment options and risks. By using plain language, visualizing risk, and considering frequency over percentages, patients can become more fluent in the language of cancer care and make informed decisions.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that false-positive newborn screening results do not lead to increased healthcare use, but preemies with false positives did have more outpatient visits. The study suggests that parental anxiety about false positives may be specific to certain groups.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that over 25% of women in the metro Detroit area have experienced ongoing vulvar pain, while only 2% sought treatment. The study sheds light on the demographics and characteristics of vulvodynia, a condition causing unexplained pain at the vagina's opening.
A recent U-M study highlights the need for a shared emphasis on both obesity prevention and treatment strategies to achieve the White House's goal of eliminating childhood obesity. The study concludes that prevention programs alone cannot effectively address the epidemic affecting minority children, who are disproportionately affected.
A new University of Michigan Health System study found that the degree and duration of obesity in adolescents and young adults significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study also revealed that black and Hispanic individuals are more susceptible to diabetes for a given amount of excess weight over time.
A U-M study found that decreased core muscle density is linked to increased cancer spread and poorer outcomes. Patients with lower muscle density had higher recurrence rates, regardless of tumor size or age.
A recent study by Dr. David C. Musch found that most eye care providers test visual acuity and peripheral vision but often fail to ask about other factors affecting driving ability, such as medical conditions or medications. Eye care providers identify a need for better guidelines and resources to assess driving capabilities.
A U-M study found that nearly 17% of oncology nurses in outpatient settings were unintentionally exposed to chemotherapy drugs on their skin or eyes. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing nurse safety measures and adhering to national guidelines for preventing these incidents.
Researchers found people with diabetes alone had a 35% higher risk and those with hypertension alone had a 17% higher risk. The study also showed hyperlipidemia reduced the risk by 5%. Regular eye exams are recommended for those at increased risk of glaucoma.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that thyroid cancer treatment varies greatly depending on where patients receive care. Radioactive iodine treatment is being used more frequently overall, but hospital factors play a significant role in its use, accounting for 29% of variation.
The study found that CT scan use grew 11 times faster than the rate of ED visits during the study period, increasing from 3.2% to 13.9% between 1996 and 2007.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center confirms that sentinel lymph node biopsy is a safe and effective way to determine the status of regional nodal basins for head and neck melanoma patients. The procedure was found to be accurate in identifying cancerous nodes, with only 4% false-negative results.
Research suggests that predictive genetic testing in children may have benefits, including identifying individual's inherited vulnerabilities to diseases and enabling early health interventions. However, existing guidelines warn of potential psychological harm, which critics argue is often based on speculation rather than evidence.
A new urine test can help identify men at high risk of clinically significant prostate cancer, potentially delaying or avoiding needle biopsies. The test supplements an elevated PSA screening result and combines genetic markers to predict cancer presence.
A study found that a 4-day non-denominational spiritual retreat significantly lowered depression in heart patients, while also raising hope. The retreat included meditation, guided imagery, and outdoor activities, leading to immediate improvements in tests measuring depression and hopefulness.
A recent study found that menopause has little to no impact on the risk of developing diabetes. Instead, lifestyle changes such as losing 7% of body weight and exercising for at least 150 minutes a week can significantly lower the risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women.
A large clinical trial in Latin America found a standard three-drug regimen for treating H. pylori more effective than four-drug regimens in Europe and Asia. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that geographic variations in H. pylori resistance to antibiotics may account for the discrepancy.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that mesenchymal stem cells, normally used for wound healing, are recruited by cancer stem cells to fuel ovarian cancer growth. By blocking this process with a protein called BMP2, researchers may have discovered a potential therapy for ovarian cancer.
Research from the University of Michigan Medical School found that children with public health insurance are 22% less likely to have a medical home, a model for pediatric primary care. Despite this, over 90% of publicly-insured children reported having a usual source of medical care.
A University of Michigan study found that breast cancer patients may be underreported for radiation treatment after breast-conserving surgery, with discrepancies in the SEER database affecting up to 1 in 5 cases. The study highlights the need for improved data accuracy to inform clinical decision-making and policy.
Researchers at U-M found that mutations caused by aging or disease can lead to a loss of cell identity, resulting in gene expression changes. This instability can have significant impacts on physiological functions, including arrhythmia in mice.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine observed key aspects of brain circuit development in living organisms, revealing two distinct types of competition between cells that shape memory circuits. The findings suggest that the brain eliminates inactive connections to maintain efficient neural networks, which is crucial for learning and memory.
A University of Michigan study reveals that black patients with heart attacks face longer waits for life-saving procedures, with elderly patients often receiving care in slow-performing hospitals. The researchers attribute these delays to poor hospital quality and lack of resources.
A University of Michigan study found that a heightened immune response to colds can exacerbate asthma symptoms. By tempering the immune response, asthma patients may experience reduced inflammation and bronchoconstriction following a cold infection.
Researchers emphasize the importance of educating the public about the value of research on newborn blood samples and obtaining parental consent for specimen use. The government guidelines published today fall short in addressing public concerns about privacy and misuse of samples.
U-M researchers found that attacking specific microRNA molecules can reduce deaths from sepsis. The approach also holds promise for other inflammatory diseases like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and graft-vs.-host disease.
Researchers recommend a national strategy for therapeutic cancer vaccines, focusing on cancers with poor treatment options. Vaccines targeting such cancers may offer better survival rates and fewer side effects than current treatments.
A multi-site study has shown that the new drug Cabozantinib is effective in treating prostate cancer that has spread to the bone, with three-quarters of patients experiencing partial or complete tumor shrinkage. Additionally, patients showed significant improvements in bone pain and reduced need for narcotic use.
A University of Michigan Health System study shows surgery mortality dropped substantially for eight different high-risk surgeries performed on 3.2 million Medicare patients from 1999 to 2008. High-volume hospitals and their expertise drove a significant decline in deaths, particularly in pancreatectomy and cystectomy.
Researchers found a two-fold higher risk for symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing and daytime sleepiness in urban schoolchildren with conduct problems like bullying. The study suggests that poor sleep may play into bullying or aggressive behaviors, highlighting the importance of good sleep for a healthy lifestyle.
A new tool, REMIT, has been developed to improve the measurement of primary care depression outcomes. The tool adds a patient's subjective sense of recovery to existing measurements, showing that about one-third of patients with mild depression were not in remission, as their PHQ score would indicate.
A new study found that children with complex chronic conditions requiring long-term mechanical ventilation have higher mortality rates, longer hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. Infants under one year old consume the majority of healthcare resources in this group.
A U-M study found that a curcumin-based compound, FLLL32, can improve the effectiveness of head and neck cancer treatment by sensitizing resistant cells to chemotherapy. The compound decreases activation levels of STAT3, making tumor cells more susceptible to cisplatin.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that half of prostate cancers have a genetic anomaly making them responsive to PARP inhibitors. These drugs are being tested in breast cancer patients and show promise in shrinking tumors and blocking cancer spread.
A new risk score can effectively identify patients with acute aortic dissection, which has a high mortality rate. The tool uses simple bedside screening to detect the condition's symptoms, including sudden, intense pain, and is backed by a large study involving over 2,500 patients.
A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that counties with higher median household incomes have a greater supply of hospice services. This suggests that wealthier communities are more likely to have access to these life-sustaining programs, which can improve pain control, maintain independence, and even ex...
Researchers found that DNA from Helicobacter pylori significantly ameliorates colitis severity in mice, reducing inflammation and bleeding. The study suggests that carrying H. pylori may be beneficial for those with colitis.
Researchers have identified a protein in blood serum that distinguishes pancreatic cancer from non-cancerous conditions. The discovery suggests a potential blood test to detect pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage.
A phase III clinical trial will recruit 4,000 women with low to intermediate Oncotype DX recurrence scores to determine whether a gene expression test can spare thousands of women from unnecessary chemotherapy. The RxPONDER trial aims to identify an optimal recurrence score cutpoint for these patients.
Researchers at U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center found that PARP inhibitors, currently used for breast and ovarian cancers, can also work against colorectal tumors with MRE11 gene mutations. The study suggests targeting these patients specifically could be a new therapeutic approach.
A Phase 3 clinical trial found that adding atrasentan to chemotherapy did not improve survival for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Patients who received the drug had similar progression-free survival as those given a placebo.
Overweight parents are more likely to view school-time physical activity as inadequate due to academic and budget pressures. Parents overwhelmingly support the importance of daily physical activity for children's health and development.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System has uncovered a link between genetic variations associated with alcoholism, impulsive behavior and a region of the brain involved in craving and anxiety. Variations in the GABRA2 gene contribute to the risk of alcoholism by influencing impulsive behaviors.
Researchers at University of Michigan have developed a novel gene therapy, NP2, that shows promise in providing substantial pain relief for patients with unrelenting cancer-induced pain. The study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of NP2 in reducing pain by up to 80% over four weeks.
A collaborative quality improvement program between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Health System has improved safety and quality in several clinical areas, resulting in significant cost savings. The program achieved measurable drops in surgical complications, with a reduction of $20 million annually.
Researchers developed small-molecule MDM2 inhibitors that activate p53 protein, killing cancer cells while avoiding DNA damage. These new drugs shrank tumors in animal models of human cancer without significant side effects.
U-M scientists identified a genetic anomaly in the KRAS gene, known for its role in numerous cancers, that may promote tumor progression in a rare subset of prostate cancers. This finding suggests different subtypes of prostate cancer will need targeted treatment strategies.
A national survey found that parents rely on their children's doctors for vaccine safety information, with 76% of respondents trusting their doctor 'a lot.' Celebrities were also trusted by some parents, particularly Hispanic parents who trust celebrities more than white or black parents.
Middle-aged adults with diabetes are more likely to develop age-related conditions like cognitive impairment, incontinence, and vision problems. The study found that those with diabetes developed these conditions nearly double the rate of those without diabetes.