News &amp; Updates

A UK study provides new insights on the independent associations between certain types of food and psychological health, with nutrient-rich foods (unprocessed food such as fruits and vegetables) apparently being more beneficial for brain health than nutrient-poor foods (processed food such as energy-dense sweet and savoury snacks).

Nutrition may play a role in mental health

Wearable device as good as polysomnography in estimating oxygen saturation during sleep

A wrist-worn reflectance-based pulse oximeter can measure oxygen saturation during sleep with reasonable accuracy and small error, according to a recent study.

Wearable device as good as polysomnography in estimating oxygen saturation during sleep

Sleeve gastrectomy more beneficial than intensive lifestyle modification in class 1 obesity

Patients with class 1 obesity may fare better with sleeve gastrectomy than intensive lifestyle modification, with a recent study showing that surgery facilitates greater weight loss and more effective diabetes prevention and remission with a caveat, according to a study. Sleeve gastrectomy is associated with a higher incidence of substance use disorder and self-harm.

Sleeve gastrectomy more beneficial than intensive lifestyle modification in class 1 obesity

Vedolizumab infusion to jab switch feasible in maintenance treatment of IBD

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can switch from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab treatment in the maintenance setting, with the clinical and biochemical disease activity remaining stable after the change, as shown in a study. However, some patients switch back to intravenous treatment due to adverse events or fear of needles.

Vedolizumab infusion to jab switch feasible in maintenance treatment of IBD

HK’s first territory-wide long COVID study to inform follow-up care

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have rolled out the city’s first territory-wide study of long COVID to inform multidisciplinary follow-up care for thousands of COVID-19 survivors. Participants are also invited to a second-phase 3-year prospective study of the impact of gut dysbiosis on long COVID symptoms and the potential role of gut microbiome modulation in treatment of long COVID.

HK’s first territory-wide long COVID study to inform follow-up care

01 Aug 2022

Timing of liquid LT4 intake doesn’t impact bioavailability

Bioavailability studies presented at ENDO 2022 showed that patients with hypothyroidism can safely take the liquid formulations of levothyroxine (LT4) 15 or 30 minutes before meals, without having to worry about food effect on bioavailability.

Timing of liquid LT4 intake doesn’t impact bioavailability

01 Aug 2022

Patient-controlled analgesia an attractive pain management option during abortion

Oxycodone delivery via intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) allows women to self-administer analgesics when experiencing pain during medical abortion, helping reduce pain to mild or tolerable levels, according to a study.

Patient-controlled analgesia an attractive pain management option during abortion

Females tend to eat out when stressed, says study

Women who are stressed have a habit of eating away from home, but the effects tend to be very minimal, according to a China study.

Females tend to eat out when stressed, says study

Men with untreated hypogonadism at risk of long-term morbidity, death

Untreated hypogonadism in men appears to elevate the risk of morbidity in the long term and early mortality based on time-related measures of risk only, according to a study.

Men with untreated hypogonadism at risk of long-term morbidity, death

31 Jul 2022

Online intervention shows promise in psych support for partners of cancer patients

PartnerCARE, an online intervention designed to address mental health needs of caregiving partners of cancer patients, appears to be feasible and acceptable, a recent study has found. PartnerCARE also appears to be effective, inducing substantial improvements in psychological distress and anxiety.

Online intervention shows promise in psych support for partners of cancer patients