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  • Myopathy with Elevated Aldolase and Normal CK: Differential Diagnosis

    Elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) is considered the hallmark of myopathy, yet some patients with biopsy-proven myopathy have normal CK with elevated aldolase, a less-specific marker of muscle disease. Most of those cases ultimately prove to be dermatomyositis.

  • A Comparison of Acute Migraine Therapies Using Big Data

    In a big data-driven observational study that compared 3 million treated migraine attacks captured from a migraine diary smartphone app, triptans were found to be the most efficacious treatment class. Among the triptans, eletriptan had the highest rate of success. Consistent with clinical practice and recent consensus statements, the success of triptans was followed by ergots and antiemetics.

  • Can Young-Onset Dementia Be Prevented?

    In this large, population-based prospective cohort study, the investigators identified 15 risk factors that have strong associations with young-onset dementia. Modifications of these risk factors might delay the onset of, or prevent the development of, young-onset dementia.

  • 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.

  • An Update on What Is New During the 2023-2024 Flu Season

    As the fall and winter months descend in the Northern Hemisphere, it is time for healthcare providers to focus on preventing and treating the influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates from the current flu season (Oct. 1, 2023, to present) suggest 1 million cases of flu illness and between 5,000 to 12,000 hospitalizations. Healthcare practitioners on the frontline must have current knowledge of prevention and treatment strategies.

  • 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.