Biden executive order targets hearing aid access, affordability
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2021
The order calls for HHS rules that would allow over-the-counter sales of hearing aids. Most people must visit a specialist or doctor for access to the devices — a needless and costly barrier, according...
FDA calls for investigation into its approval of controversial Alzheimer’s drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2021
The acting chief of the Food and Drug Administration has called for an investigation into the events leading up to the approval of Biogen’s brain plaque-clearing dementia drug aducanumab (Aduhelm).
Clinical briefs for Monday, July 12
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2021
Judge rejects claim that Zostavax caused man’s shingles eight years later … Get blood sugar under control early in type 2 diabetes to cut odds of these poor outcomes: experts … Arthritis drug reduces...
FDA limits use of new dementia drug Aduhelm to mild cognitive impairment only
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 09, 2021
The FDA’s new label restricts Aduhelm’s use to Alzheimer’s patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, drugmaker Biogen announced Thursday.
Docs ignore EHR nudges to deprescribe dementia-linked drugs: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 09, 2021
An attempt to encourage reduced use of anticholinergics failed to win the attention of physicians and patients, according to a new study.
Hospital surges tied to lower COVID-19 survival rates; cases rising mostly in the unvaccinated
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 09, 2021
Surges accounted for about 1 in every 4 U.S. COVID-19 hospital deaths through Oct. 2020, analysts say. This trend continued even as more effective treatments became available.
Clinical briefs for Friday, July 9
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 09, 2021
LTC providers missing residents’ hearing problems due to masks, other PPE … U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented nearly 280,000 excess deaths … Tooth loss tied to cognitive decline, but timely...
Elder frailty a key predictor of survival following ICU admission, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
Severity of baseline frailty is a strong predictor of one-year survival in older adults facing critical illness. It also is key to informing treatment plans and goals of care for these individuals, researchers...
Survey of physicians supports recognition of PALTC medicine as a specialty practice
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
The results highlight the “unique and specific nature of medical care provided by attending physicians across a range of PALTC settings,” concluded a task force of industry experts.
Lonely seniors may have shorter life, fewer healthy years than their peers: analysis
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
At age 60, people who report being lonely can expect to live an average of three to five years less than their peers who say they are never lonely. Years of active daily life are shortened as well, investigators...