News from ٺƵ Health
Gum Disease Germs Could Help Trigger Cancer. (HealthDay)
(9/26) A new study has found that bacteria causing gum disease can significantly increase the risk of head and neck cancers by 50%, with co-senior author Richard B. Hayes, DDS, MPH, PhD, professor, Department of Population Health, stating, “Our results offer yet another reason to keep up good oral hygiene habits,” and lead researcher Soyoung Kwak, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, adding, “These bacteria may serve as biomarkers for experts to flag those at high risk.”
Also reporting are the (9/27), (9/30), (9/26), (10/1), and (9/30).
Methotrexate Plus Biologic More Effective In RA : Federal Report On Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapies Praised As A Good Summation Of Years Of Literature. (MDEdge)
(9/30) A federal report by the RTI International-University of North Carolina Evidence-Based Practice Center evaluates rheumatoid arthritis therapies, finding that combining the synthetic DMARD methotrexate with a biologic DMARD is more effective in reducing joint damage than using either alone, while Dr. Steven B. Abramson, the Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, professor, Department of Pathology, chair, Department of Medicine, executive vice president and vice dean for education, faculty, and academic affairs, chief academic officer, called the report “very comprehensive and useful” and “reflective of what I think is our common practice.”
Spine And Orthopedic Research: 12 Studies To Know. (Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review)
(9/30) A retrospective study conducted by ٺƵ Health found that endoscopic spine surgery is associated with a 21% reduction in opioid use and a 24% reduction in overall non-opioid pain medication compared to other minimally invasive techniques, based on an analysis of 102 patients.
Shared Reading Should Start In Infancy, AAP Says. (MedPage Today)
(9/30) The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its statement on literacy promotion, recommending pediatricians encourage parents and caregivers to read aloud with their children starting in infancy, even in the neonatal intensive care unit, and continuing through at least kindergarten; Perri Klass, MD, professor, Department of Pediatrics, remarked, “The research shows this is anticipatory guidance that parents and caregivers want,” during the AAP annual meeting, emphasizing the importance of shared reading for children’s development.
Amivantamab Presents An Exciting Treatment Opportunity In NSCLC. (American Journal of Managed Care)
The (9/30) Joshua K. Sabari, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, discussed the FDA approval of amivantamab plus lazertinib as a chemotherapy-free first-line regimen for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with specific EGFR mutations, citing data from the MARIPOSA study; he mentioned that “the addition of amivantamab to lazertinib seems to benefit all of these high-risk subsets,” and emphasized the importance of patient discussions to align therapeutic options with individual goals.
180+ People Sick With Gastrointestinal Illness On Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship. (USA Today)
(9/30) More than 180 people, including three crew members, experienced gastrointestinal illness during a Royal Caribbean International cruise on Radiance of the Seas, which ended its Alaska voyage, although Sarah E. Hochman, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, section chief, Infectious Diseases, explained that it was spread simply due to large groups in close proximity, noting, “There’s not something special or unique about cruise ships.”
The #1 Mistake To Avoid When Taking A Cholesterol Medication. (Parade Magazine)
(9/30) High HDL cholesterol significantly increases the risk of stroke or heart attack, and while lifestyle changes can help manage cholesterol, statin medications are often necessary and typically prescribed for life to maintain lower LDL levels; cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, advises that “short-acting statins are best taken in the evening, while long-acting statins, such as rosuvastatin, can be taken at any time of day,” and emphasizes the importance of avoiding grapefruit juice and Paxlovid due to potential harmful interactions.
The Fraught History Of Pelvic Exams. (STAT)
Paywalled* (9/30)* In an opinion piece published in STAT, Barron H. Lerner, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine & Clinical Innovation Faculty, and Department of Population Health, writes that the history of the pelvic exam is complex, involving both significant medical advancements and ethical controversies, such as the non-consensual exams on anesthetized women, and includes the Department of Health and Human Services’ recent guidelines mandating explicit patient consent, with implications for healthcare providers, insurers, and medical institutions in New York and Florida, including those offering abortion rights and gender-affirming care.
ٺƵ Health Physician Discusses Changes In US “Drinking Culture.” (WNBC-NY (NBC)-2)
(9/30) Natalie E. Azar, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, discussed the changing drinking culture in the U.S., especially among Gen Z, with 61 percent trying to cut back on alcohol; she explained that intermittent sobriety involves temporary periods of abstaining from alcohol, unlike mindful sobriety, which focuses on reducing the amount consumed, and clarified that current research shows no amount of alcohol is beneficial for health, debunking past claims of moderate drinking reducing cardiovascular risk.
Also reporting is (9/30).
The Health Concerns For Residents Impacted By Hurricane Helene. (Fox News)
(9/30) “Fox News senior medical analyst Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine & Clinical Innovation discussed “the public health concerns following Hurricane Helene and how the massive chemical plant fire near Atlanta is affecting air quality.”
In a separate embedded video, (9/30) “Fox News senior medical analyst Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine & Clinical Innovation discussed “the major health risks of mold following Hurricane Helene and health care workers struggling with PTSD.”
News from ٺƵ Hospital—Brooklyn
Why Your Period Is Stopping And Starting, According To OB-GYNs. (PopSugar)
(9/30) Menstrual irregularities can be concerning but are often normal, with potential causes including stress, weight changes, high levels of exercise, breastfeeding, certain birth control methods, and underlying health conditions like PCOS and endometriosis; Meleen Chuang, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, chief, Obstetrics and Gynecology, ٺƵ Hospital—Brooklyn, advises, “While occasional irregularities are normal, persistent irregular periods may be a sign of an underlying issue that should be addressed.”
News from ٺƵ Hospital—Long Island
Eyelid Imaging Could Aid Early Diagnosis Of Sjögren Disease. (Medscape)
Paywalled* (9/30)* A pilot study published in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease suggests a noninvasive eye test using infrared imaging to detect meibomian gland atrophy could expedite diagnosis for patients with Sjögren disease, with Steven E. Carsons, MD, professor, Departments of Medicine, Foundations of Medicine, chief, Division of Rheumatology, vice dean, ٺƵ Hospital—Long Island, commenting on the potential benefits of such noninvasive alternatives, stating, “I think it’s everybody’s goal to have a noninvasive test be able, at some point, to replace biopsy.”
Also reporting is (9/30)*.
