Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Active Psoriasis Risk, finds study

Recent findings from a new study have revealed that heavy ultraprocessed foods intakes, such as that by sodas and frozen pizzas, have been correlated to risk of active psoriasis. This study was conducted by Penso L. and colleagues which was then published in JAMA Dermatology.

Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin which has long been considered to be related to systemic inflammation. Other lifestyle-related risk factors, including obesity and alcohol intake, have also been reported; however, the specific role of ultraprocessed food intake in the activity of psoriasis remains to be ascertained. Data from this investigation were drawn from the NutriNet-Santé cohort, a very large observational study in France that controlled for age, BMI, alcohol intake, and comorbidities.

The study had 18,528 participants between November 2021 and June 2022. Comprehensive questionnaires on diet, sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, and health status were completed by the participants. Foods were classified as either processed or ultraprocessed based on their composition, and dietary records were used to calculate the proportion of ultraprocessed foods consumed by weight relative to the total intake of food and beverages. Psoriasis status was self-reported as “never-had,” “nonactive,” or “active.”

Key Findings

Ultraprocessed Food Intake and Psoriasis Activity:

  • The highest tertile of ultraprocessed food intake was significantly more likely among individuals with active psoriasis compared to those without (adjusted OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14-1.63, P<0.001).

Comorbidities:

  • Compared to participants without psoriasis, those with active psoriasis had higher rates of cardiovascular disease (7% vs 5%), diabetes (6% vs 4%), inflammatory bowel disease (2% vs 1%), and inflammatory rheumatism (9% vs 3%).

Demographic Trends:

  • The active psoriasis group had fewer women (68%) than the “never-had” and “nonactive” groups (74% and 75%, respectively).

  • A higher prevalence of BMI >30 was observed in the active psoriasis group (16%) compared to “never-had” (9%) and “nonactive” (11%) groups.

Validation by Dermatologists:

  • When psoriasis cases were limited to those validated by dermatologists, the link between ultraprocessed food intake and active psoriasis was not statistically significant (adjusted OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.06-1.64, P=0.13).

Significant consumption of ultraprocessed foods is associated with active psoriasis, suggesting a proinflammatory effect. These data suggest that dietary interventions might assume an important role in chronic inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis. These findings set the stage for dietary counseling to be considered in both the prevention and management of psoriasis.

Reference:

Penso, L., Touvier, M., Srour, B., Ezzedine, K., & Sbidian, E. (2024). Ultraprocessed food intake and psoriasis. JAMA Dermatology (Chicago, Ill.). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.4832

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Yet another ragging allegation surfaces from MKCG Medical College

Odisha- Recently, a junior student of Odisha’s prestigious MKCG Medical College and Hospital has accused his seniors of ragging. Complaining to the anti-ragging cell, the medico claimed that he was mentally and physically tortured when he refused to follow the orders of the seniors.

Junior medico of MKCG Medical College and Hospital complained to the anti-ragging cell that they were being ragged by their seniors and made to do non-academic tasks. 

Also Read: UGC Receives 55 ragging Complaints within Weeks of Commencement of MBBS Academic Session: Report

Based on the complaint, the Anti-Ragging Cell of MKCG Medical College and Hospital has called an immediate meeting to investigate the matter thoroughly.

As per Odisha TV report, a day earlier, the father of a second-year MBBS student had also complained to the anti-ragging cell about the seniors ragging at the prestigious institute. He had reportedly appealed to the medical college authorities not to allow boys into the girls’ hostel.

In this regard, speaking to the OdishaTV, Suchitra Dash, dean-principal of the medical college informed,“We had received a complaint from a student’s father that seniors had forced juniors to write their records. However, the student claimed that the person was not her father. Moreover, the juniors have also declined any such record writing. The anti-ragging cell is very active and keeps a strict vigil. Strict action will be taken against the seniors if their records are found in any room of juniors”.

“We had also conducted a surprise raid and we have not recovered any record of any kind. We have a meeting in the evening, the next course of action will be decided there”, the dean further added.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that based on the recommendation of the anti-ragging committee, the state-run MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Odisha’s Ganjam district suspended five fourth-year MBBS students from the hostel for six months for allegedly ragging second-year students.

Also Read:MKCG Medical College ragging case: 5 MBBS students suspended for 6 months

Also Read: Violation of Anti-ragging protocols! 7 MBBS students of BRD Medical College suspended

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Lung cancer screening with computed tomography finds coronary artery disease in 83% of cases

Lung cancer screening with low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) may detect more than just lung cancer. As research in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows, these CTs can identify coronary artery calcium, a strong risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), in patients without cardiac symptoms.

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HIV infections can be prevented—why some people act to protect themselves, and others don’t

The number of new HIV infections has fallen over the years—it declined by 39% from 2010 to 2023. But HIV’s devastating impact on global health persists. In 2023, 1.3 million people acquired HIV—three times more than the 370,000 target set by UNAids. In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV incidence among young women aged 15–24 is decreasing—but they accounted for 27% of all new infections in 2023, and were three times more likely to acquire HIV than male counterparts.

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Mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise—here’s how collecting mozzies in your backyard can help science

Warm weather is here and mosquitoes are on the rise in Australia. Unseasonably large swarms are causing problems in some parts of Sydney already.

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What is a Galleri blood test and how can it help diagnose multiple forms of cancer?

Tad Carper had no idea the technology to detect more than 50 cancers with one test existed. He does now, and the Dallas Cowboys senior vice president of communication wants to help spread the word.

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How to avoid eye infections—and what to do if you get one

Sir Elton John recently revealed on ABC’s Good Morning America that he lost the sight in his right eye after suffering from an eye infection. With poor vision in his left eye too, John said. “It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see.”

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Anti-Obesity Medications Linked to Reduced Alcohol Use: New Insights from Weight Loss Programs, Study Reveals

USA: A recent study, published in JAMA Network Open as a research letter, highlights a significant link between anti-obesity medications (AOMs) and changes in alcohol consumption among individuals participating in weight loss programs. The research observed that nearly half of the participants who consumed alcohol at the start of the program reduced their alcohol intake following the initiation of AOM treatment.

Anti-obesity medications, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), are recognized for their effectiveness in promoting weight loss. Moreover, the use of GLP-1 RAs has been linked to a reduced incidence and recurrence of alcohol use disorder. Investigating different AOMs alongside variations in alcohol consumption could provide valuable comparative insights into their broader potential effects.

Against the above background, Lisa R. Miller-Matero, Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, Michigan, and colleagues aimed to evaluate shifts in alcohol consumption among individuals participating in a telehealth weight management program following the start of an AOM.

This cohort study, approved by the Henry Ford Health Institutional Review Board, analyzed deidentified data from participants in the WeightWatchers (WW) Clinic telehealth weight management program. Eligible individuals initiated and refilled an AOM between January 2022 and November 2023. AOMs included metformin, bupropion/naltrexone, and first—and second-generation GLP-1 RAs. Participants completed baseline and refill surveys reporting demographics, BMI, and weekly alcohol use. Those with prior AOM use or bariatric surgery were excluded. Alcohol use changes were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression with covariates.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • The study included 14,053 participants (86.0% female, mean age 43.17 years, mean BMI 35.97).
  • Most participants (86.2%) were prescribed second-generation GLP-1 RAs.
  • At baseline, 53.3% (7,491) reported consuming alcohol.
  • Overall, 24.2% (3,395) reduced their alcohol use after AOM initiation.
  • Among baseline drinkers, 45.3% reduced use, 52.4% reported no change and 2.3% increased use.
  • Participants with higher obesity levels or heavier drinking habits were more likely to reduce alcohol use.
  • Bupropion and naltrexone users initially showed greater reductions in alcohol use compared to metformin, but this effect was not significant after adjusting for weight loss.

This study found that nearly half of participants consuming alcohol at baseline reduced their intake after starting AOMs. This effect may be linked to specific AOM properties, such as naltrexone’s ability to curb alcohol cravings and GLP-1 RAs’ reduction of alcohol’s rewarding effects.

“Unexpectedly, metformin users also reported decreased alcohol use, possibly due to behavioral changes encouraged in the weight management program. Further research, including randomized trials, is needed to explore these findings,” the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Miller-Matero LR, Yeh H, Ma L, et al. Alcohol Use and Antiobesity Medication Treatment. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(11):e2447644. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.47644

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JAMA: Clopidogrel monotherapy more Effective Than Aspirin in Reducing Risks Following complex PCI

A new analysis of the multicenter HOST-EXAM Extended study provided critical insights into the optimal antiplatelet therapy for patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) or the individuals undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The findings published in the  demonstrate that clopidogrel monotherapy consistently outperforms aspirin in reducing both thrombotic and bleeding events during the chronic maintenance period after PCI.

This study was conducted in South Korea and analyzed data from 3,974 patients who underwent PCI and remained event-free for 6 to 18 months while on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The participants were enrolled between 2014 and 2018 and were randomized to receive either clopidogrel or aspirin in a 1:1 ratio. This research focused on patients with HBR or complex PCI to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of the two therapies.

The patient population, with a mean age of 63.4 years and predominantly male (74.9%), included 866 individuals with HBR (21.8%) and 849 who underwent complex PCI (21.4%). The analysis found that clopidogrel provided superior protection against thrombotic events and bleeding when compared to aspirin, regardless of a patient’s HBR or PCI complexity status.

For thrombotic outcomes, clopidogrel demonstrated a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.75 among patients with HBR and 0.62 among the patients without HBR. Also, among patients undergoing complex PCI, clopidogrel’s HR was 0.49, compared to 0.74 in non-complex PCI patients. These reductions in thrombotic events underline the consistent efficacy of clopidogrel across various patient profiles.

Bleeding outcomes also favored clopidogrel. The patients with HBR who received clopidogrel had an HR of 0.82, while the ones without HBR had an HR of 0.58. For complex PCI patients, the HR was 0.79, when compared to 0.68 in the non-complex PCI group. The HOST-EXAM Extended study confirms that clopidogrel monotherapy is a safer and more effective alternative to aspirin for patients who have stabilized after PCI, regardless of their bleeding risk or procedural complexity.

These evidence could prompt a reevaluation of current clinical practices and guidelines, particularly for high-risk groups. Overall, these findings solidify clopidogrel’s role as the preferred single-agent antiplatelet therapy, especially in patients seeking to minimize bleeding risks without compromising protection against thrombotic events.

Source:

Kang, J., Chung, J., Park, K. W., Bae, J.-W., Lee, H., Hwang, D., Yang, H.-M., Han, K.-R., Moon, K.-W., Kim, U., Rhee, M.-Y., Kim, D.-I., Kim, S.-Y., Lee, S.-Y., Lee, S. U., Kim, S.-W., Kim, S. Y., Han, J.-K., Shin, E.-S., … Kim, H.-S. (2024). Long-Term Aspirin vs Clopidogrel After Coronary Stenting by Bleeding Risk and Procedural Complexity. In JAMA Cardiology. American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamacardio.2024.4030

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Tricuspid Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair Plus Optimized Medical Therapy efficacious in Severe Symptomatic Tricuspid Regurgitation: Study

A new trial found that tricuspid
transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) and optimized medical therapy (OMT)
enhanced the composite clinical outcomes at 12 months in individuals with
symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation. The trial results were published in the
journal JAMA Network.

Individuals with tricuspid
regurgitation often experience reduced quality of life and poor survival rates
due to decreased cardiac output and frequent manifestations of heart failure.
Owing to the history of regurgitation, surgery is rarely performed, which
leaves the option of medical management. Previous research has shown that
Tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) has emerged as a safe and
effective therapy for reducing tricuspid regurgitation. As it has demonstrated
the benefits of lowering the regurgitation rates and improving quality of life,
researchers from France conducted a study to evaluate T-TEER combined with
optimized medical therapy (OMT) vs OMT alone in patients with severe,
symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation.

Also Read: Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement effective in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation: Study

An investigator-initiated
prospective, randomized clinical trial was carried out at 24 centers in France
and Belgium. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive T-TEER + OMT or OMT alone.
The primary outcome was a composite clinical endpoint at 1 year comprising a
change in New York Heart Association class (NYHA), change in patient global
assessment (PGA), or occurrence of major cardiovascular events. Tricuspid
regurgitation severity was the first of 6 secondary outcomes evaluated in a
hierarchical closed-testing procedure. This included the Kansas City
Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score, patient global assessment, and a
composite outcome of all-cause death, tricuspid valve surgery, KCCQ score
improvement, or time to hospitalization for heart failure.

Findings:

  • Of 300 enrolled patients (mean age, 78 [SD, 6]
    years, 63.7% women), 152 were allocated to T-TEER + OMT and 148 to OMT alone.
  • At 1 year, 109 patients (74.1%) in the
    T-TEER + OMT group had an improved composite score compared with 58 patients
    (40.6%) in the OMT-alone group.
  • Massive or torrential tricuspid regurgitation
    was found in 6.8% of patients in the T-TEER + OMT group and 53.5% of those in
    the OMT-alone group (P < .001).
  • Mean overall KCCQ summary score at 1 year was
    69.9 (SD, 25.5) for the T-TEER + OMT group and 55.4 (SD, 28.8) for the
    OMT-alone group (P < .001).
  • The win ratio for the composite secondary
    outcome was 2.06 (95% CI, 1.38-3.08) (P < .001).
Also Read: Tricuspid regurgitation velocity tied to kidney, cerebrovascular disease in children with sickle cell disease: Study

Thus, the study concluded that the
combination of T-TEER + OMT enhanced composite clinical outcomes like the NYHA
class, PGA, and major cardiovascular events in 1 year. This has significantly
reduced tricuspid regurgitation and hence can be used as an effective
intervention option for treating it.

Further reading: Donal E, Dreyfus
J, Leurent G, et al. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Severe Isolated
Tricuspid Regurgitation: The Tri.Fr Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. Published
online November 27, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.21189.

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