News &amp; Updates

Higher sodium and lower potassium intake, measured through repeat 24-hour urine samples, are tied to an elevated risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, according to a study presented at AHA 2021.

Repurposing a broad-spectrum antiviral drug may help treat asymptomatic, mild COVID-19

The oral antiviral drug umifenovir, which is used to treat influenza, appears to be beneficial in COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, with a phase III study showing that the drug is well tolerated and can induce viral clearance within 5 days.

29 Nov 2021

Remnant cholesterol tied to CVD death in patients with T2D, CKD, diabetic nephropathy

Remnant cholesterol (C) appears predictive of mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 to 5, and incident diabetic nephropathy (DN), suggests a study.

29 Nov 2021

Exercise superior to usual care at reducing upper limb disability after breast cancer surgery

An early, structured, progressive exercise is safe and effective for women at high risk of developing shoulder and upper limb problems following nonreconstructive breast cancer surgery, evidence from the UK PROSPER study shows.

29 Nov 2021

Insulin secretion predicts response to therapy in new-onset diabetes

The increase in C-peptide (C-Pep) above fasting following glucose load is associated with response to antihyperglycaemic therapy in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a study. The plasma C-Pep concentration ratio (C-Pep120/C-Pep0) may be used for the individualization of such therapy in this population.

29 Nov 2021

Add-on ezetimibe helps reduce LDL-C in post-ACS patients

The addition of ezetimibe to a statin led to reductions in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients who have been stabilized after the presentation of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), according to data presented at AHA 2021.

29 Nov 2021

Smartphone apps deliver small benefits on weight loss

While smartphone apps have the potential to aid weight management in Singapore, their demonstrated effects have so far been small to moderate, according to a recent meta-analysis.

No causal link between COVID-19 and atrial fibrillation

Patients with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), even those genetically predisposed to the disease, are not at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, and vice versa, a study has found.

29 Nov 2021

Better sleep duration, quality improve trait emotional intelligence

Better sleep duration and sleep quality seem to be independently associated with improvements in trait emotional intelligence, a recent study has found. In contrast, sleep seems to have very limited impacts on a person’s understanding and knowledge about how to best manage emotions.

Milk intake exerts no immediate effect on heart health in postmenopausal women

For postmenopausal women, drinking milk appears to be neither harmful nor beneficial in terms of cardiovascular health, despite increased levels of ionized calcium, according to a study.