News &amp; Updates

A meta-analysis of randomized trials has revealed that influenza vaccination is effective at preventing all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, major acute cardiovascular events, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly in those with ACS.

Influenza vaccine wards off cardiovascular events, death in CAD patients

10 May 2023

Memantine therapy lessens hair pulling, skin picking in adults

Treatment with memantine significantly reduces hair pulling and skin-picking symptoms when compared with placebo, demonstrating relatively high efficacy and tolerability, reports a study.

Memantine therapy lessens hair pulling, skin picking in adults

Donanemab BLAZEs through Alzheimer’s treatment TRAIL in first active comparator trial

The first study to directly compare two disease-modifying agents for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the phase III TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 4 study shows promising efficacy and safety data on donanemab vs aducanumab for the treatment of early symptomatic AD.

Donanemab BLAZEs through Alzheimer’s treatment TRAIL in first active comparator trial

10 May 2023

Delaying treatment of glaucoma not necessarily harmful

Withholding treatment in individuals with glaucoma does not appear to lead to serious consequences in terms of visual function, according to a study.

Delaying treatment of glaucoma not necessarily harmful

10 May 2023

Intranasal zavegepant offers rapid pain relief in patients with migraine

Treatment with zavegepant nasal spray provides pain and symptom relief in patients with migraine, according to a recent US study presented at AAN 2023.

Intranasal zavegepant offers rapid pain relief in patients with migraine

10 May 2023

More evidence for remdesivir in severe COVID-19

Treatment with remdesivir reduced mortality in a large cohort of hospitalized patients requiring high-flow oxygen, according to a study presented at ECCMID 2023.

More evidence for remdesivir in severe COVID-19

No difference in post-COVID vaccination side effects for BRCA1/2 carriers in Singapore

09 May 2023 by

Individuals with germline genetic alterations, particularly the BRCA1/2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant (PV/LPV), do not appear to experience any significant increase in post-COVID vaccination side effects, as reported in a study from Singapore.

No difference in post-COVID vaccination side effects for BRCA1/2 carriers in Singapore

Which therapy is safer to use in patients with advanced cancers?

In the management of advanced cancers, physicians and their patients may prefer treatment with nivolumab 3 mg/kg biweekly, nivolumab 240 mg weekly, or nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg triweekly due to their relatively low risk of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), treatment discontinuation due to TRAEs (TDAE), and serious adverse events (SAEs), suggests a study.

Which therapy is safer to use in patients with advanced cancers?

Mid-dose beta-blocker therapy tied to highest mortality reduction after AMI

09 May 2023 by

Use of any beta-blocker dose results in a significant decrease in mortality following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) when compared with no treatment, reports a study. Doses >25 percent to 50 percent of the currently recommended target dose (RTD) are associated with highest mortality reduction within the first year after AMI, indicating that higher doses are not required.

Mid-dose beta-blocker therapy tied to highest mortality reduction after AMI

09 May 2023

Prior carbapenem use ups S. maltophilia bloodstream infection in children

Children with prior use of carbapenem are at increased risk of developing Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bloodstream infection (BSI), suggests a study. In addition, admission to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) due to BSI and prior glycopeptide use are significantly associated with the mortality rate in patients with S. maltophilia BSIs

Prior carbapenem use ups S. maltophilia bloodstream infection in children