Browse Clinical Publication Articles by Topic

Sleeping Away Dementia

In this long-term observational study of sleep efficiency in the Framingham Heart Study population, researchers found a strong correlation between a decline in duration of slow-wave sleep during aging and the risk of incident dementia from all causes. However, a direct cause-and-effect relationship cannot be determined from this observational study.

Racing Against Depression and Anxiety: Measuring Running vs. Antidepressant Therapy

This prospective study blending randomization with preference compared a running program with antidepressant therapy in adults with depression or anxiety and showed an improvement in mental health in both arms. However, physical health parameters increased only in the running group.

Iptacopan Capsules (Fabhalta)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first oral drug to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Iptacopan is a first-in-class oral selective inhibitor of complement factor B (C3 pathway). It is distributed by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation as Fabhalta.

Metformin Use Is Associated with Decreased Diabetes-Associated Dementia

In two recent cohort studies, metformin use was found to decrease the risk of developing dementia in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation

A United Kingdom Biobank study of new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) has shown strong associations with hypertension and obesity at all ages and acute illnesses/surgery in older individuals. Genetics was less important, but in those at low genetic risk, obesity and hypertension were strong predictors of AF.

Do Patients with Heart Failure Feel Better on Dapagliflozin?

An analysis of the DETERMINE studies of dapagliflozin vs. placebo in patients with heart failure showed some improvement in self-reported symptoms in those with reduced ejection fraction on dapagliflozin but not in the six-minute walk test. No improvements in symptoms or physical activity levels were found in those with preserved ejection fraction on dapagliflozin.

H. pylori Infection – A Potential Modifiable Risk Factor of Alzheimer’s Dementia

A large nested case-control cohort study of subjects aged 50 years and older found that clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a moderately increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation

A United Kingdom Biobank study of new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) has shown strong associations with hypertension and obesity at all ages and acute illnesses/surgery in older individuals. Genetics was less important, but in those at low genetic risk, obesity and hypertension were strong predictors of AF.

To Stress Test or Not Post-PCI

A prespecified subgroup analysis of diabetic patients in the POST-PCI study, which randomized patients post-percutaneous coronary intervention to routine stress testing vs. standard care at one year and followed for two years, has shown that adverse cardiac outcomes and death rates were not improved by routine stress testing.

Long-Term Follow-Up Confirms Efficacy of Invasive Strategy in Very Old Patients with Non-ST Elevation ACS

In this long-term analysis of patients in the After Eighty Study, with a mean age of 85 years and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, an invasive strategy showed a reduction in a composite endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events and was associated with a significant improvement in event-free survival compared with a conservative approach.