Articles tagged with Conflicts Of Interest
A recent study observed a surge in private equity-backed acquisitions of dermatology practices in the United States, resulting in substantial financial returns for investors. The findings highlight the growing trend of consolidation in the healthcare sector, particularly in specialized fields like dermatology.
A large UK Biobank study found an association between elevated systolic blood pressure and increased risk of major valvular heart disease. The study included over 329,000 individuals with genetic data and blood pressure measurements.
A study analyzing cancer deaths in the US found that premature mortality resulted in substantial economic losses, with $94.4 billion estimated lost earnings in 2015. The analysis also highlighted large variations in lost productivity across states.
A substantial proportion of US adults reported recently having an eye exam, with 82% getting one in the past two years. Reasons for not getting an exam included lack of insurance or cost, while vision impairment may have limited survey participation.
A Pennsylvania study found that 1 in 3 pharmacies carry naloxone nasal spray, but many require a physician's prescription. Chain stores were more likely to have naloxone available without a prescription than independent ones.
A study comparing nearly 42,000 patients who had weight-loss surgery found that those who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass had an increased risk of nonvertebral fractures compared to adjustable gastric banding patients. Over a 3.5-year follow-up, there were 658 nonvertebral fractures reported among RYGB patients.
A study analyzing Philadelphia's implementation of a 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages found it led to increased prices and significant declines in sales. The tax also prompted increases in purchases from neighboring areas.
A study examining national survey data found that approximately 10.9 million Americans have alcoholic fatty liver disease, highlighting the need for awareness and prevention efforts. The study's findings also suggest a significant association between heavy drinking and the development of this condition.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that approximately 5 percent of adults living in households with children use e-cigarettes. This prevalence highlights the need for parental awareness and education to prevent youth exposure to e-cigarette products.
The study examined the privacy practices of popular apps for depression and smoking cessation, assessing both policy disclosures and actual data sharing. Researchers found that 36 apps shared user data with commercial third parties despite inadequate privacy policies.
A nationwide survey analysis found that more Americans view e-cigarettes as harmful as, or more so than, traditional cigarettes. The shift in perception may have led to fewer smokers switching to e-cigarettes, highlighting the need for accurate risk communication.
This analysis of US outpatient prescribing records reveals a two-to-three-fold variation in opioid prescribing metrics among states, with significant implications for policy and public health. Researchers suggest that this data can inform state-specific laws, policies, and interventions to address opioid-related problems.
Researchers analyzed data from a statewide clinical registry to examine the association of race on weight-loss surgery outcomes. The study found significant racial disparities in results, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to address health inequities.
A large study found an association between whole grain and high dietary fiber intake with a lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings suggest that incorporating more whole grains into the diet may help reduce liver cancer risk.
About half of women and men who experienced dissatisfaction with their sex life before bariatric surgery improved in five years. Fewer depressive symptoms before and after surgery were associated with better improvements in sexual satisfaction for both men and women.
Highly active individuals, such as marathon runners, exhibit elevated levels of coronary artery calcification (CAC). Despite this, CAC is not significantly linked to increased mortality in these highly active people after a decade of follow-up.
A study of 2,400 Canadian children found that higher screen time at ages 2 and 3 was associated with poorer performance on developmental screening measures by age 5. The opposite association wasn't observed, suggesting potential drawbacks to excessive screen time in young children.
A study of 1,500 women found that cesarean delivery was associated with lower risk of stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery. Operative vaginal deliveries, such as those using forceps or vacuum-assisted, were linked to higher risk of anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
A study of over 25,000 participants found that white women had a lower risk of stroke than white men and black women had a lower risk than black men between 45-64 years old. The findings suggest earlier management of risk factors may be necessary for certain demographic groups to prevent stroke
A BMJ investigation reveals how vaginal mesh implant manufacturers aggressively marketed their products, with regulators approving them on flimsy evidence. The study also exposes financial ties between clinicians and industry, compromising the integrity of clinical practice.
A study by the University of Zurich found that even small gifts can significantly increase sales, particularly when given to the boss. In a controlled experiment, sales representatives gave customers six tubes of toothpaste worth around 10 francs, leading to orders almost twice as high.
After implementing a rule change to move kickoffs and touchbacks, the number of concussions decreased significantly. The study found that the average annual concussion rate per 1,000 kickoff plays dropped from 10.93 before the change to 2.04 after.
Between 2010 and 2017, there were 2,149 reported health data breaches compromising 176.4 million records, with healthcare providers accounting for 70% of breaches.
Investigative report finds 40 physician advisors took over $10,000 from drug makers after reviewing drugs, while 26 received more than $100,000 in post-hoc earnings. The FDA's honor system for disclosing financial interests may be ineffective in detecting conflicts of interest.
A recent commentary examines the ethical fit of mindfulness practices in corporate America, highlighting potential conflicts between prioritizing shareholder return and mindfulness' philosophical commitment to non-harm and wholesome living. The authors argue that infiltrating corporate culture with mindfulness can raise the ethical bar...
Many NHS trusts in England fail to log, track, or disclose conflicts of interest for their staff, potentially undermining public trust in health professionals. Researchers recommend a statutory body like the US model to ensure strong policies are in place, similar to the Physician Payment Sunshine Act.
Research finds Polish Agency for Health Technology Assessment has reached 'gold' transparency standard, but still lags behind in disclosing conflicts of interest and drug prices. The study suggests that increased transparency is crucial to protect public health from undue influence by big pharma.
Behavioral economists argue that straight salary-based compensation could reduce over-provision of medical services, benefiting patients. Several high-quality health systems already use this model, which may also improve physician job satisfaction.
New research shows that limiting pharmaceutical sales representatives' marketing tactics changes their drug prescribing behaviors, with a significant decrease in the market share of detailed drugs. The study found that restrictions on gifts and meals led to physicians switching to generic, significantly cheaper drugs.
A study found that nearly half of US physicians (48%) received industry payments, totaling $2.4 billion in 2015. Surgeons received significantly higher average payments ($6,879) compared to primary care physicians ($2,227).
A study reveals widespread conflicts of interest among US-based patient-advocacy organizations, including funding from industry makers and board members with ties to pharmaceutical companies. The findings highlight the need for laws forcing organizations to disclose these connections.
A Michigan State University scholar is warning about conflicts of interest in research, advising readers to apply everyday skepticism and check reputable scientific societies for guidance. Case studies show groups with financial interests have deliberately withheld or distorted information to achieve desired results.
The publication features original investigations, research letters and a commentary addressing financial conflicts of interest in various healthcare settings. The studies highlight the need for transparency and explicit adoption of COI frameworks to ensure trust in clinical guidelines.
A study found that only 1 in 6 news stories included quotes from independent commenters, and many lacked relevant clinical and academic expertise. The authors suggest developing strategies to improve the quality and independence of comments in health news stories.
A new report proposes severing NFL doctors' ties with clubs to resolve structural conflicts and promote singular loyalty to players. The authors recommend establishing a new group of medical professionals dedicated exclusively to player care.
Conflicts of interest between players and club doctors pose a threat to NFL players' health, according to a new special report. The report proposes changing the structure of medical care for football players to prioritize player-patient loyalty over dual obligations to clubs and players.
Former USPSTF chairs, Virginia A. Moyer, Michael LeFevre, and Ned Calonge, suggest that guidelines should only inform, not dictate, insurance coverage decisions. They cite Mylan's attempt to influence the panel as a flawed example of this issue.
A study found that 63% of organizations producing clinical practice guidelines received funds from biomedical companies, but these relationships were seldom disclosed. The study highlights the need for better policy management of conflicts of interest in clinical practice guidelines.
A systematic overview of randomized controlled surgical studies found awareness for conflicts of interest has grown, but more work is needed to improve transparency. Many studies still fail to disclose potential conflicts of interest, raising concerns about the reliability of evidence-based medicine.
A University of Illinois Chicago researcher found that scientists with financial ties to firms that make, use, or dispose of industrial and commercial products are less likely to find adverse health risks. In contrast, authors employed by the military reported negligible risks in 64% of studies.
A recent study found that two-thirds of studies on 'psychosocial' treatments list co-authors who financially benefit from the treatments, yet few declare a conflict of interest. This lack of transparency may lead to biased research and influenced policy decisions.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that being married is associated with improved survival and functional recovery after cardiac surgery. Married participants had a significantly lower risk of death or new disability compared to divorced, separated, or widowed individuals.
The Guidelines International Network has issued 9 principles to address financial, intellectual, and personal conflicts of interest in clinical practice guideline development. The principles emphasize the importance of disclosure and management of COI to ensure trustworthiness of guidelines.
A Pitt analysis reveals that nearly 1 in 10 U.S. for-profit health care company board positions are held by individuals with an academic affiliation. These board members receive significant compensation and often hold substantial company stock, potentially leading to conflicts of interest with their academic duties.
Women are less likely to hold full-professor appointments and receive start-up support for biomedical research compared to men. The studies found that women face challenges in finding effective mentors, receiving recognition, and accessing institutional resources.
A follow-up study of IRB members' industry relationships found improvements in disclosure and management, but persistent problems such as voting on protocols with conflicts of interest. The study also showed a decrease in problematic relationships, with increases in disclosed payments for attending meetings and conferences.
While some IRB members still feel pressure to approve protocols with biases, significant progress has been made in disclosing and managing conflicts of interest since 2005. The study suggests that formal written definitions of conflict of interests have improved, but more work is needed.
A study found that a small group of authors, including those employed by pharmaceutical companies, dominated diabetes research with an over-reliance on commercially sponsored studies. This raises concerns about the balance of power and conflict of interest in the field.
A group of former senior editors from The BMJ criticize NEJM's backtracking on conflict of interest policies, arguing that financial ties can compromise objectivity. They commend The BMJ's zero-tolerance policy on industry-funded articles and urge NEJM to retain rigorous standards.
A study found that data breaches of protected health information (PHI) reported by HIPAA-covered entities increased from 214 in 2010 to 265 in 2013, affecting 29.1 million records. Most breaches occurred via electronic media or theft.
A study by AIBS found that 35% of conflicts were self-reported by review panel members, while 65% were identified by panel managers. The researchers suggest improving COI reporting and detection methods to maintain high ethical standards.
A new study by University of Vermont neurologist Andrew Solomon and colleagues reports that MS patients want to know the details of their physicians' financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies. The study found that disclosure of these relationships can influence patients' decisions to participate in clinical trials.
A new policy paper by Professor Jim McCambridge argues that the concept of harm reduction has been co-opted by industry interests and proposes a redefinition to include full range of evidence-based measures. This shift aims to protect public health and society from alcohol damage.
The new federal Open Payments Program database is incomplete, with issues including limited data, vetting, de-identification, and context. Despite these flaws, experts like Dr. Eli Y. Adashi urge patience, as improvements are underway and the site's potential for transparency and oversight is still significant.
A study of over 1 million trauma patients found that younger white patients had better outcomes than younger black patients, while older black patients fared better than similarly injured older white patients. This paradoxical finding may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms causing disparities in trauma outcomes.
New research from Carnegie Mellon University's George Loewenstein and Georgetown University's Sunita Sah found that when COIs can be avoided, disclosure successfully deters advisers from accepting them. In experiments, advisers were more likely to give unbiased advice when they could avoid conflicts of interest.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings reveals that most guidelines are based on lower-quality evidence and fail to disclose authors' conflicts of interest. The study highlights the need for more concise and transparent guideline development processes.
The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH) has proposed a method for assessing the knowledge, skills, and practice of clinical ethicists. A two-step process evaluates candidates based on their portfolio and oral examination.
A new analysis by researchers at George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services suggests that removing conflict-of-interest restrictions for FDA advisory panels could weaken the agency's review system. The 2012 law loosened these restrictions, allowing more industry-affiliated experts to serve on panels.
The study found that Medicaid drug selection committees' conflicts of interest (COI) policies are not transparent and vary widely. Current policies often rely on disclosure and self-recusal, but only a small percentage ban certain industry relationships.