Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Geriatrics for December 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Catheter Ablation Tops Drug Therapy for A-Fib in Heart Failure
MONDAY, Dec. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Catheter ablation is better than drug therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure, according to a review published online Dec. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Effect Sizes Uncertain for Meds Versus Placebo in Knee OA
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis and at least 12 months of follow-up, there is uncertainty around estimates of effect size for the change in pain in association with medications versus placebo, according to a meta-analysis published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Toll on Health From Depression, Anxiety Akin to Smoking, Obesity
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Anxiety and depression predict poor future physical health as strongly as obesity and smoking in older adults, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Health Psychology.
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30-Day Postdischarge Mortality Up With HRRP Implementation
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Announcement and implementation of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) were associated with increased 30-day postdischarge mortality following hospitalization for heart failure and pneumonia, but not acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to a study published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.
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Dancing Tied to Lower Odds of Disability in Activities of Daily Living
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older women, participation in dancing is associated with a reduced likelihood of incident disability in activities of daily living (ADL), according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
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ASH Develops Practice Guidelines for Venous Thromboembolism
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has developed new guidelines for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE); the clinical practice guidelines were recently published in Blood Advances.
Prophylaxis for Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Medical Patients
Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Treatment of Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism in the Context of Pregnancy
Optimal Management of Anticoagulation Therapy
Initiative Can Cut Gender Gap in Medical School Faculty Salaries
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An institutional gender equity initiative (GEI) can reduce gender-based salary gaps among medical school faculty, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Updated Guidelines Developed for Diagnosing, Treating Influenza
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Infectious Diseases Society of America has updated their recommendations for the care of patients with suspected or diagnosed influenza; the clinical practice guidelines were published online Dec. 19 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Most Nurses Unsatisfied With Hospitals’ End-of-Life Care
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The majority of nurses have an unfavorable opinion of their hospital’s end-of-life care, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Appalachia, Western States Have Highest Hep C Prevalence
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — States in the West and in Appalachia have a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection than other states, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Fecal Occult Blood Test May Improve CRC Outcomes in Some
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with several improved outcomes in men but not women, according to a study recently published in the British Journal of Surgery.
Massage Offers Short-Term Relief of Knee Pain in Arthritis Patients
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Weekly massage sessions may provide short-term symptom relief for knee osteoarthritis patients, but the benefit is not maintained over one year of follow-up, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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FDA Warns Companies on Unsafe, Unapproved Stem Cell Treatments
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After infections tied to unapproved stem cell treatments sent 12 people to the hospital this past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a stern warning about the products.
Infection Control Compliance Not Tied to Knowledge
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Home health care workers’ beliefs about infection prevention seem to have a greater influence on prevention protocol compliance than their absolute knowledge of infection control practices, according to a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Number of People With Dementia Rose Twofold From 1990 to 2016
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of people living with dementia worldwide more than doubled from 1990 to 2016, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in The Lancet Neurology.
Growth in Use of Telemedicine Seen From 2005 to 2017
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in telemedicine use, although use was still uncommon in 2017, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Higher Than Expected
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite numerous difficulties, early figures show that sign-ups for health coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act are higher than expected.
Restrictive, Obstructive Lung Disease Linked to Dementia Risk
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Both restrictive and obstructive lung disease are associated with an increased risk for incident dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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ADA 2019 Standards of Care Emphasize Patient-Centered Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient-centered care is emphasized in updated clinical practice recommendations from the American Diabetes Association 2019 Standards of Care, published as a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care.
FDA Advisory Panels: Prescribe Naloxone With Opioid Painkillers
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The labels of prescription opioid painkillers should advise doctors to consider simultaneously prescribing the opioid overdose antidote naloxone, two U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panels recommend.
Edentulism Tied to Greater Risk for High BP After Menopause
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Postmenopausal women with edentulism are at an increased risk for developing hypertension, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the American Journal of Hypertension.
Several Factors Tied to Early Readmission After Hip Fracture Sx
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Several comorbidities are associated with an increased risk for early readmission after hip fracture surgery, according to a study recently published in Injury.
Modifying Criteria for Amnestic MCI Dx Increases Prognostic Accuracy
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Modifying diagnostic criteria to require impairment on at least two memory tests for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis can improve prediction of medial temporal atrophy and conversion to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to a study published online Dec. 4 in Brain Imaging and Behavior.
High Sodium May Contribute to CVD Deaths in Shandong, China
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in Shandong Province, China, may be attributable to high sodium intake, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Cognitive Therapy Helps Reduce Anxiety in COPD Patients
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered by respiratory nurses is associated with reduced anxiety symptoms and is cost-effective for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study recently published in ERJ Open Research.
Failure of Timely Stop to Certain Prescription Drugs Is Common
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Legacy prescribing of certain drugs, such as antidepressants and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), is common, according to a study published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Opioids Offer Small Improvement in Pain, Physical Function
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Opioid use is associated with small improvements in pain and physical functioning in patients with chronic noncancer pain, according to research published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Cognitive Decline Similar After Cardiac Surgery, Catheterization
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, declines in memory after heart surgery and cardiac catheterization are similar, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
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Fall Risk Factors Vary by Gender in Older Adults
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Older men and women have different fall risk profiles, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Exclusion of Doctors From Public Health Insurance Up 2007 to 2017
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2017, the number of physicians excluded from Medicare and state public insurance programs increased, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
EHR Data ID Differences in HTN Control Across Health Systems
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An analysis of electronic health record data reveals considerable differences in hypertension control across health systems, according to a study published in the November-December issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Routine Supplements to Prevent Chronic Disease Not Advised
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Routine use of vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent chronic disease is not recommended, according to an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position paper published in the November issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Follow-Up Within Seven Days of Heart Failure Discharge Beneficial
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with heart failure, follow-up care within seven days of discharge from the emergency department is associated with lower rates of long-term mortality and subsequent admissions, according to a study published in the Dec. 17 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Adherence and Intensity of Lipid-Lowering Tx Influence CV Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adherent patients receiving high-intensity statin and/or ezetimibe therapy have the lowest cardiovascular risk, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
Dementia Often Misclassified With Brief Cognitive Assessments
THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — When using brief cognitive assessments, dementia is often misclassified, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in Neurology Clinical Practice.
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Persistent Discrimination ID’d Among Physician Mothers
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physician mothers experience discrimination in a range of ways, which can impact the medical profession, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.
BMI May Mediate Inverse Link Between Fiber Intake, Knee OA
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The inverse association between fiber intake and the risk for incident symptomatic knee osteoarthritis may be partially mediated by body mass index, according to a study published in the December issue of The Journal of Nutrition.
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Dementia Risk Up in Women With Military-Linked Risk Factors
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Women with military-related risk factors have an increased risk for developing dementia, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Neurology.
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Medication Errors Resulting in Death Most Common in Elderly
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medication errors in acute care that result in death occur most often in patients older than 75 years, with the most common error category being omitted medicine or ingredient, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
Sleep Length, Quality Linked to Risk for Falls, Fractures
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Both short and long sleep duration and poor sleep quality are associated with increased odds of recurrent falls in women, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Exercise Intervention Linked to Improved Attention, Memory in Breast Cancer 
Functional Decline Precedes Cardiovascular Disease Events by Many Years 
Midlife Employment Instability Linked to Later Cognitive Deficits 
Socioeconomic Inequalities Tied to Functional Aging 
Lower Cognitive Functioning During 60s Linked to Subsequent Stroke Risk 
Polypharmacy of Prescription Medications Increased for U.S. Older Adults 
Nearly 1 in 10 Older Adults Used Cannabis in the Past Year 
Lower Vertebral Bone Mineral Density Linked to Cognitive Decline 
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