News &amp; Updates

Lipid profile loses reliability as an indicator of mortality in older age, with total cholesterol (TC) levels exerting a protective effect against death, a recent study has found. On the other hand, apolipoprotein (Apo) B and A-I levels appear to be better correlates of mortality risk among elderly adults.

High cholesterol tied to better survival among older adults

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: Intracorporeal urinary diversion of benefit

Intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD) is associated with similar postoperative complication rates, reduced blood loss and shorter hospitalization vs extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD) in patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for localized bladder cancer, data from the Asian RARC Consortium registry have shown.

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: Intracorporeal urinary diversion of benefit

06 Jan 2022

Low crime rate among mentally ill patients in Hong Kong

Researchers at the Castle Peak Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital have shown in a 10-year retrospective review study that the estimated crime rate for mentally ill patients and estimated prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners are relatively low in Hong Kong.

Low crime rate among mentally ill patients in Hong Kong

Esmethadone a potential oral treatment for major depressive disorder

REL-1017 (esmethadone), a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) channel blocker, has demonstrated a favourable safety and tolerability profile when given as an adjunctive treatment to patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and may have a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect vs placebo.

Esmethadone a potential oral treatment for major depressive disorder

Original New Drug Application Approvals by US FDA (16 - 31 December 2021)

New drug applications approved by US FDA as of 16-31 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 (16 - 31 December 2021)

Stroke one of the strongest predictors of COVID-19 mortality

A territory-wide retrospective cohort study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has found that stroke is the third strongest predictor of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality, after advancing age and renal disease, while Parkinson’s disease (PD) was the second strongest predictor of death after advancing age during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic of 2003.

Stroke one of the strongest predictors of COVID-19 mortality

Does aspirin increase HF risk?

05 Jan 2022 by

Individuals with risk factors for heart failure (HF) may have an increased risk of developing the condition if they are aspirin users, results of the HOMAGE* study showed.

Does aspirin increase HF risk?

05 Jan 2022

Smoking ups risk of gastric intestinal metaplasia

Cigarette smoking may increase the risk of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM), and such risk remains significantly elevated among former smokers until 15 years post-cessation, reveals a recent study.

Smoking ups risk of gastric intestinal metaplasia

Prepregnancy adhrence to plant-based diets lowers risk of gestational diabetes mellitus

05 Jan 2022 by

Women with greater adherence to a healthful plant-based diet before pregnancy appear to have a reduced risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), suggests a recent study. On the other hand, adherence to an unhealthful plant-based diet is not associated with GDM risk.

Prepregnancy adhrence to plant-based diets lowers risk of gestational diabetes mellitus

05 Jan 2022

Geriatric patients admitted for IBD at greater risk of death

Old age (>65 years) is independently associated with a higher probability of death among ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) patients, a study has found.

Geriatric patients admitted for IBD at greater risk of death