News &amp; Updates

Very early initiation of dialysis results in a modest reduction in mortality and cardiovascular events, but for most patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), this benefit may not outweigh the burden of a much longer period spent on dialysis, according to a study.

Early dialysis initiation slightly improves survival in advanced CKD

Extracorporeal CO2 removal safe, effective for acute exacerbation of COPD

Extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R) devices significantly improve pH and carbon dioxide arterial pressure (PaCO2) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ae-COPD) who had previously failed noninvasive ventilation (NIV), according to a recent study.

Extracorporeal CO2 removal safe, effective for acute exacerbation of COPD

20 Dec 2021

Shortened telomere length associated with ESKD and rapid eGFR decline in T2DM patients

Shortened relative leucocyte telomere length (rLTL) is associated with development of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and rapid decline of kidney function in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a 14-year study involving more than 4,000 individuals.

Shortened telomere length associated with ESKD and rapid eGFR decline in T2DM patients

20 Dec 2021

COVID-19 causes lighter heart damage during second vs first wave of infections

In fatal cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), cardiac inflammation, cardiomyocyte injury, and microvascular thrombogenicity are substantially lower in the second vs first wave of infections, a new study has found.

COVID-19 causes lighter heart damage during second vs first wave of infections

20 Dec 2021

Antithyroid drug therapy in pregnant women poses modest risk of congenital anomalies

Exposure to thionamide antithyroid drugs (ATDs) during pregnancy contributes to a small increase in the risk of congenital anomalies, according to the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Antithyroid drug therapy in pregnant women poses modest risk of congenital anomalies

Coffee good – or bad – for the heart

Daily coffee intake is tied to increased physical activity and incidence of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) but fewer episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and less nighttime sleep in the CRAVE* trial.

Coffee good – or bad – for the heart

Physical frailty prognostic of disability, mortality in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients frequently develop physical frailty, which provides prognostic information, a study has found.

Physical frailty prognostic of disability, mortality in COPD

19 Dec 2021

Original New Drug Application Approvals by US FDA (01-15 December 2021)

New drug applications approved by US FDA as of 01-15 December 2021 which includes New Molecular Entities (NMEs) and new biologics. It does not include Tentative Approvals. Supplemental approvals may have occurred since the original approval date.

Original New Drug Application Approvals by US FDA (01-15 December 2021)

Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral pills yield EPIC results for hospitalization, deaths

19 Dec 2021 by

A new oral COVID-19 antiviral therapy comprising nirmatrelvir and ritonavir substantially slashes the risk of hospitalization or death compared with placebo in nonhospitalized adults with COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing severe illness, according to final analysis of the EPIC-HR* study.

Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral pills yield EPIC results for hospitalization, deaths

Feeling tired, worn-out push workers to retire due to health reasons

Tiredness and feeling worn out seem to be reliable indicators of workers who are likely to retire soon due to health reasons, a recent study has found.

Feeling tired, worn-out push workers to retire due to health reasons