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Melanoma surgery delays are common for Medicare patients

A Yale study found that one in five Medicare patients with melanoma experience significant delays in getting surgery, affecting their psychological well-being and healthcare quality. The study analyzed data from over 32,000 Medicare patients and revealed that 22% waited longer than 1.5 months for treatment.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateApr 8, 2015

A call for more research on brain damage in American football

Experts say research is needed to develop strategies to protect athletes from brain injury, citing a lack of long-term studies and unclear causes. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been linked to repeated blows to the head, but diagnosis requires autopsy and more research is needed to understand its development.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 24, 2015

Mobile app with evidence-based decision support diagnoses more obesity, smoking, and depression, Columbia Nursing study finds

A mobile app with decision support features significantly increased diagnosis rates for tobacco use, adult and pediatric depression, and obesity among registered nurses. The app prompted clinicians to follow evidence-based guidelines and encouraged detailed conversations with patients about their health.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalThe Journal for Nurse Practitioners·DateFeb 19, 2015

Major cause of blindness linked to calcium deposits in the eye

A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found microscopic spheres of calcium phosphate in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. The discovery opens up new avenues for diagnosis and treatment, potentially allowing early detection and prevention of the disease.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2015

Stick out your tongue

A neural network-based system combines symptom descriptions with digital tongue images for diagnosis, identifying signs of illness such as discoloration and texture changes. The system can detect a range of conditions including common colds, flu, and digestive issues, with potential expansion to include eye images.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateDec 5, 2014

Many patients are discharged without a diagnosis

New research reveals that one out of four acutely admitted medical patients leave the hospital without a diagnosis. The study found that many patients were not adequately examined during their hospitalization, increasing the risk of deterioration and re-hospitalization.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEuropean Journal of Internal Medicine·DateAug 22, 2014

The Lancet Psychiatry: reclassification of PTSD diagnosis potentially excludes soldiers diagnosed under previous criteria

A new study found that the reclassification of PTSD diagnosis in DSM-5 potentially excludes soldiers who were previously diagnosed under previous criteria. The authors surveyed 1822 US soldiers and found that just under a third were excluded when using DSM-5 criteria, highlighting concerns for treatment and benefits.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateAug 13, 2014

Depressed men with prostate cancer are diagnosed later stage, get less effective therapies

A UCLA study found that depressed men with localized prostate cancer were more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive cancer, received less effective treatments, and had shorter survival times. The study identified demographic factors that contributed to the disparity in treatment and outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 9, 2014

Hyperthyroidism patients more likely to take extended sick leave than healthy peers

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that hyperthyroidism patients are more likely to take extended sick leave, particularly in the first year after diagnosis. People with eye complications from Graves' disease were the most likely to require extended sick leave.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJun 17, 2014

Most breast cancer patients may not be getting enough exercise

Breast cancer patients often do not meet national physical activity guidelines after diagnosis, with African-American women being less likely to do so. A study found that only 35% of survivors met guidelines post-diagnosis, with a significant decrease in activity six months after diagnosis.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJun 9, 2014

Study debunks common myth that urine is sterile

Researchers from Loyola University Chicago found bacteria in the bladders of healthy women, challenging the common belief that normal urine is sterile. The study also revealed differences in bladder bacteria between healthy women and those with overactive bladder (OAB), which may contribute to OAB symptoms.