Ketamine is a sedative first synthesized in 1962; its patents have long elapsed and it costspennies; it has many uses and is also sold illegally for use as a recreational drug, but in recent years it has been used with remarkable efficacy as a treatment for a variety of disorders, including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain (I have...
Post
Takeda’s Entyvio beats AbbVie’s Humira in head-to-head UC study
Dive Brief: Takeda’s Entyvio outperformed AbbVie’s Humira as an ulcerative colitis therapy, according a topline readout of a Phase 3b study by the Japanese pharma. The trial randomly assigned to each biologic 769 patients who had an inadequate response to previous treatment. After a year, the Entyvio arm posted a clinical remission rate of 31% compared to Humira’s 23%, hitting statistical significance on the trial’s primary goal. On two secondary endpoints, Entyvio showed a...
Post
Four-to-seven-day opioid Rx likely sufficient for acute pain treatment
(HealthDay)—An opioid supply for seven or fewer days might be sufficient for most patients seen in primary care settings for acute pain who appear to need opioid analgesics, according to research published in the Feb. 15 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Mallika L. Mundkur, M.D.,...
Post
What to know about lower right back pain
Mechanical problems with the spine, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are the most common causes of lower right back pain. Other causes may include infections, kidney stones, or appendicitis. The treatment for these issues varies depending on the cause, but it may involve physical therapy or surgery. The lower back carries a significant amount of weight...
Post
Researchers say education a major barrier to following heart healthy diet
People with a college education are nearly seven times more likely to adhere to a Mediterranean Diet than people with only a high school education, according to research in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. The study also found women are three times more likely than men to follow the Mediterranean diet and people...
Post
AAOS: supplement use low in patients with osteoporosis, hip fracture
(HealthDay)—Of patients diagnosed with osteoporosis who have a history of hip fracture, only 14 percent are receiving appropriate calcium and vitamin D supplementation, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, held from March 12 to 16 in Las Vegas. Evan D. Nigh, of the University of...
Post
FDA approves first Immunotherapy drug for breast cancer
The combination of immunotherapy (Tecentriq) and chemotherapy (Abraxane) was given accelerated approval for triple-negative breast cancer that is locally advanced or has metastasized, cannot be surgically removed, and is programmed death-ligand 1-postive, CNNreported. A study published last October in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed a median progression-free survival of 7.4 months among patients...
Post
A genetic component in some women breaks down contraceptive hormones
by David Kelly, CU Anschutz Medical Campus Women who get pregnant while using birth control may carry a gene that breaks down the hormones common in contraceptives, according to researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. “The findings mark the first time a genetic variant has been associated with birth control,” said the study’s lead author Aaron Lazorwitz, MD, assistant professor of Obstetrics...
Post
Mindfulness found to improve mental health of students
Mindfulness might offer more than relief from daily stress. Research now suggests it can boost recovery from addiction and trauma. Investigators at USC believe the contemplative practice could represent the next major breakthrough in the treatment of substance use and major mental health issues. “It’s a very different way of doing therapy and being in therapy,” said Jordan Davis,...
Post
How to train your robot (to feed you dinner)
About 1 million adults in the United States need someone to help them eat, according to census data from 2010. It’s a time-consuming and often awkward task, one largely done out of necessity rather than choice. Researchers at the University of Washington are working on a robotic system that can help make it easier. After...