A new study analyzes the benefits and harms of prior authorization policies in Medicare Advantage, highlighting their impact on patients and clinicians. The researchers propose several measures to improve the use of PA in Medicare, including electronic-based processes and enhanced transparency.
A new research study by Danielle Abbitt, MD, shows that telehealth follow-up appointments are just as effective as in-clinic visits for detecting and addressing postoperative complications. The study found no significant difference in complication rates or emergency department utilization between telehealth and in-person follow-ups.
Researchers found no significant difference in pain levels between children who received ibuprofen and those who received a placebo before stent removal. Only 7% of pediatric patients reported severe pain following the procedure, compared to 55% of adults.
Researchers identified critical period plasticity in the amygdala that can be treated with therapeutic intervention at key developmental time points. Early pharmacological intervention was shown effective in reducing fear-learning in the mouse model.
Research finds that liver transplant recipients with a BMI of 30 or higher and those who drank heavily have a high risk of needing a second surgery within 48 hours. Coagulopathy, or decreased blood clotting, is also linked to this risk. The study aims to reduce the number of return-to-operating-room cases by mitigating these factors.
A University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus faculty member has received a DOD grant to study noninvasive biomarkers for vascularized composite allograft rejection. The goal is to develop a simple saliva test to monitor patients for signs of graft rejection, reducing the need for frequent biopsies.
Analyzing patient plasma is less risky than traditional tissue biopsies, providing similar molecular information for treatment decisions. The study found high-resolution gene profiles and estrogen receptor binding patterns in cfDNA, paving the way for new therapies and predictive models.
A study found that sexual and gender minority patients face challenges in advance care planning discussions due to fear of disclosure and stigma. The researchers suggest that more SGM-specific patient-centered care and clinician sensitivity training may improve these conversations.
A new study presents the first data-driven sex-specific model of pediatric cranial bone development, providing a quantitative normative reference for local cranial bone development during the first ten years of life. The model improves current understanding and clinical diagnoses of cranial development disorders.
Patients struggle to understand key terms like 'metastatic' and 'carcinoma' found in breast pathology reports. A survey of 527 participants found that only 73% correctly defined 'benign', highlighting the need for educational tools to support patient comprehension.
A new study by CU Anschutz researchers found that over 70% of breast cancer patients experience changes in their sexual health during and after treatment. Patients desire early education and counseling from medical teams to address these issues, which are often overlooked.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus have shown a direct connection between vagus nerve stimulation and learning centers in the brain. This discovery may lead to new treatments that can improve cognitive retention in both healthy and injured nervous systems.
Researchers used Guardant NGS to analyze nearly 17,000 lung cancer samples and found MET amplification in 1.2% of cases, with 20.8% having overlapping oncogenic drivers. The study suggests that high gene copy numbers and smaller amplified regions can be used to enrich for the true MET-sensitive population.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus investigated SARS-CoV-2 variant interactions with diverse interferons, finding the virus has adapted to evade this key front-line defense. The study suggests COVID-19 clinical trials on interferons may need to be reinterpreted based on circulating variants.
Researchers discovered that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) reduces the stiffness of the gating spring, decreasing channel sensitivity. This provides an opportunity to develop new drugs preserving auditory sensitivity from damage.
A team of scientists has discovered a key link between the protein αSyn and Parkinson's disease, finding that it interacts with immune responses in neurons. This interaction may play a critical role in the development of the disease, suggesting a potential new approach for treatments by targeting inflammatory pathways.
Researchers analyze delta variant's biophysical characteristics, revealing unique traits that evade neutralizing antibodies and contribute to severe symptoms. The study sheds light on why vaccinated individuals can still contract the virus and why delta variant hospitalizations are higher than other variants.
A phone call two days after discharge significantly reduces the likelihood of patients returning to the emergency room. The study found that nearly 4,000 patients who received an automated telephone call had lower return rates compared to those without calls.
A study of Emergency Department leaders found they are motivated to provide high-quality care but disagree on the best approach. Researchers emphasize the importance of early recognition and treatment, highlighting the need for actionable guidelines and education in pediatric sepsis care.
A recent study by Elizabeth Kessler, MD, found that older patients with advanced bladder cancer prioritize open communication with their care providers about treatment expectations and quality of life changes. The research also highlights the importance of involving families in care planning and aligning care with patients' core priori...
CU Cancer Center member Ryan Layer developed a method to scan thousands of DNA samples using big data, identifying common benign mutations. This approach helps reduce false negatives in detecting complex DNA mutations associated with cancers.
A study published by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that psychiatric drugs imipramine and olanzapine can improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, including boosting cognition and reversing clinical diagnoses.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that lung transplant recipients have a standardized mortality rate approximately five times higher than nonhospitalized adults. The main causes of death include rejection of the new organ, pneumonia, and infections.
Gliomas, a common brain and spinal cord tumor, undergo genetic evolution that alters their behavior at recurrence, leading to increased invasiveness and poorer prognosis. The study identified distinct phenotypes and cellular features associated with treatment resistance.
A new study found that patients with long COVID have virus-specific T cell levels over 100 times higher than those who recovered from the disease. The research team's findings suggest hidden viral reservoirs may be causing long-term symptoms, guiding future treatments towards vaccines and antiviral medications.
A new study by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus explores the effects of multiple mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants. The findings suggest that certain mutations work together to improve virus fitness, making it challenging for antibody treatments to neutralize new variants.
The INCLUDE Data Hub provides centralized access to large-scale research resources, including biospecimen libraries and clinical datasets, for the study of Down syndrome. With over 8,000 study participants and 30,000 biospecimens, researchers can accelerate discoveries that benefit people with Down syndrome.
Researchers aim to determine if high-dose exercise can reduce symptoms and secondary effects of concussions. A five-year study will enroll 220 teen athletes with concussions to test the effectiveness of an individualized exercise prescription.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Surgery analyzes data from almost 35,000 surgical patients to evaluate the accuracy of a risk assessment system called SURPAS. The researchers found that the eight-variable SURPAS model accurately predicted post-operative ICU use across nine surgical specialties.
A recent survey of over 6,500 physicians found that nearly 30% experienced discrimination and mistreatment from patients or family members. The study highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach to improving physician burnout and its consequences on patient care.
A recent study found that previous therapy interventions, including ACT, did not spare cancer survivors from increased anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found that anxiety symptoms worsened over time, with participants who received ACT intervention performing worse than those who received usual care.
Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have found that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) regulates heart stiffness by acting on titin protein. This discovery could lead to novel treatments for heart failure, a condition affecting millions worldwide.
A study published in the Journal of Surgical Research found that e-cigarette explosions caused 15 traumatic injuries in children between 2016 and 2019. The devices' use of inferior quality batteries prone to explosion puts users at risk of severe injuries, including burn wounds, jaw fractures, and eye damage.
A new study found that states with higher funding for public health programs reported more foodborne illnesses and were better equipped to investigate them. The researchers hope their findings will lead to increased investment in public health programs nationwide.
Researchers investigate the role of gut bacteria in pneumonia infection in the elderly, finding that a leaky gut can lead to inflamed lungs. The study suggests that aging compromises immune system control over bacteria, allowing them to migrate to other parts of the body and cause poor outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a key role for mitochondrial proteins in controlling tumor cell growth and survival. By targeting these proteins, scientists hope to develop new therapies that can prevent or treat metastatic prostate cancer. The study's findings offer promising insights into the complex biology of cancer cells.
A six-month coaching program for female resident physicians significantly reduced emotional exhaustion and imposter syndrome, while increasing self-compassion. The program addressed toxic physician culture and provided tools to manage thoughts, feelings, and actions.
A study by University of Colorado Cancer Center member Jennifer Raybin found that creative arts therapy significantly improves quality of life for children and adolescents with cancer. The therapy, conducted by a trained clinician, helps patients express and process emotions through activities like dance, yoga, and art-making.
A CU study finds that COVID-19 hospital visitation limits may have contributed to a significant increase in stress-related disorders among family members of ICU patients. Nearly two-thirds of those restricted from visiting suffered from stress-related disorders three months after their family member was hospitalized.
A recent study by Cathy Bradley found that Medicaid patients with continuous coverage have better cancer survival rates compared to those without. Conversely, screening programs for low-income women may not be as effective as general insurance coverage.
Current guidelines for treating women's obesity, hypertension and diabetes are based on men's studies. Researchers call for sex-specific guidelines to accurately treat these conditions in women, as they have different risk factors and manifestations.
Researchers at CU Cancer Center have developed a lead drug that inhibits the oncogene CHD1L, a chromatin remodeling enzyme that aids tumor progression and metastasis in many cancer types. The drug, called 6.11, has shown promising biological activity against CHD1L.
A new study reveals that firearm retailers and law enforcement agencies in Colorado and Washington support providing temporary, voluntary firearm storage options. The concept aims to increase safety by limiting access to firearms during times of crisis, such as suicidal thoughts or Alzheimer's disease. However, concerns about civil lia...
A new study reveals that adolescents with severe obesity are reluctant to undergo metabolic bariatric surgery due to limited access to care and social stigma. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to inform young patients about this effective treatment option.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discovered a reactivated protein, Hand2, in certain cases of mesothelioma, which may lead to new treatments. The study aims to investigate the cause and effect of this reactivation.
A new study shows that a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, sargramostim, improves cognitive function in people with Down syndrome and normal aging mice. The drug reverses learning and memory deficits, nerve cell loss, and brain abnormalities in mouse models of Down syndrome and aging.
The GlobalSurgBox has been shown to significantly improve residents' ability to practice essential surgical skills, overcoming barriers such as lack of convenient access and time. The tool's adaptability and user-friendliness have made it a useful resource for medical students and residents around the world.
A team of researchers led by Tejas Patil is investigating how the EGFR and MET signaling pathways contribute to treatment resistance in RET-positive lung cancer. The study aims to determine whether combining a RET-targeted therapy with amivantamab, a bi-specific antibody blocking both pathways, can improve patient outcomes.
Research led by Adam Green, MD, shows that the youngest patients with brain tumors (ages 0-3 months) have about half the five-year survival rate as children ages 1-19. The study analyzed population-based data for almost 14,500 children and found significantly poorer outcomes among the youngest patients.
Researchers found that chronic lactate exposure can lead to cellular disruptions, decreased fatty acid transport, and alterations of mitochondrial membranes, which may contribute to the development of heart failure and type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that lactate accumulation could be a major player in disease progression.