Alzheimers Research

Research provides more clues about Alzheimer's.
The CNN (12/10, Young) "The Chart" blog reported, "Preliminary research on Alzheimer's disease suggests a protein that accumulates in the brain at very high levels in Alzheimer's patients is not being overproduced; it's just not being cleared efficiently from the brain." The research, "published in Science, measured beta-amyloid levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of twelve 74-year old patients with late-onset Alzheimer's and twelve without. Researchers looked at how fast beta-amyloid was produced and how quickly it cleared the brain." Roderick Corriveau, of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, said, "Abnormal protein deposits within the brain are a hallmark not only of Alzheimer's disease, but of many neurological disorders." He added, "With knowledge about how these proteins accumulate, we may be able to slow that process and reduce the damage to the brain."

CBT for Depression

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as effective as ongoing antidepressant use in warding off return of depression.
The Los Angeles Times (12/10, Healy) "Booster Shots" blog reported that, according to a 26-patient study published in the December issue of the Archives of Psychiatry, an "eight-week course of 'mindfulness-based cognitive therapy' works just about as well as ongoing antidepressant use...in warding off repeat flares of depression. And both work better than a placebo (or, presumably, no treatment at all)." The blog entry explained that "mindfulness therapy...consisted of eight weekly group sessions of two hours, a full day retreat late in the study period, and optional one-hour meditation classes." Patients "learned how to reflect upon their feelings and thinking patterns with 'non-judgmental awareness' and 'self-compassion,' and to break the cycle of rumination and emotional paralysis that often afflicts the depressed."

Obese Patient Treatment

Physician urges healthcare professionals to treat overweight patients compassionately.
In "The MD" column in the Los Angeles Times (12/13), Valerie Ulene, MD, a board-certified specialist in preventive medicine practicing in Los Angeles, discusses the bias many healthcare professionals have against overweight and obese patients. Some healthcare professionals "believe that obesity is caused almost exclusively by an unhealthful diet and a lack of exercise. In their minds, it's a problem that people inflict upon themselves that could be solved if patients were motivated enough." Unfortunately, "humiliating interactions with healthcare providers make many overweight patients reluctant to seek out medical care." Ulene reminds her fellow healthcare professionals that "a patient who's overweight deserves to be treated compassionately and effectively. It's not just the right thing to do, it's the best approach for successful treatment."

Mammogram Statistic Update

Many US women still do not get recommended annual mammograms.
The CBS Evening News (12/9, story 6, 2:00, Couric) reported, "Annual mammograms have long been a key to early detection, but a study out shows only half of women 40 and older are actually getting them."
The Los Angeles Times (12/9, Roan) "Booster Shots" blog reported, "Mammography guidelines are still not well followed, despite many years of public-health campaigns to bring the issue into prominence." New survey data has revealed that "only about half of eligible US women are getting annual mammograms -- even if they have insurance to pay for the exam." According to "a study presented Thursday at the annual meeting of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, researchers examined insurance claims from a database of 12 million people, all of whom had employer-provided insurance or Medicare. Fifty percent of eligible women had a mammogram in any given year, and only 60% had two or more mammograms over four years."
Bloomberg News (12/10, Wechsler, Cortez, et al.) reports, "The study, sponsored by Medco Health Solutions Inc., reviewed records for 1.56 million patients from January 2006 through December 2009." The article notes that "sixty-five percent of the study's 708,290 women ages 50 to 64 -- considered the 'must-do group' -- had a mammogram at least twice during the four-year period." But, "that still leaves 35 percent not getting mammograms even every other year."
The AP (12/10, Marchione) reports, "Many people disagreed when a government task force said that most women don't need annual mammograms. But new research shows that only half of women over 40 had been getting them that often to start with." A "review of insurance claims on more than 1.5 million women finds that among those 40 to 85 years old, only 50 percent were getting annual mammograms and only 60 percent had one every two years." HealthDay (12/9, Preidt) and WebMD (12/9, Laino) also covered the story.

Antacid Recall

J&J recalls antacids due to metal, wood particles.
ABC World News (12/9, story 4, 0:30, Sawyer) reported, "Johnson & Johnson is pulling 13 million packages of Rolaids off the store shelves, several different kinds of Rolaids soft chews."
The CBS Evening News (12/9, story 8, 0:20, Couric) reported, "The makers of Rolaids announced a recall today involving 13 million packages of the antacid. ... Customers reported finding bits of wood or metal in the tablets."
NBC Nightly News (12/9, story 6, 0:20, Williams) reported, "The company said the problem may have stemmed from a third party manufacturer." In fact, the AP (12/10) reports that "the materials were potentially introduced into the products during the manufacturing process at" this "outside manufacturer." Accordingly, the company "is suspending production of the Rolaids products in question."
Bloomberg News (12/10, Peterson, Olmos) reports, "While the risk of serious health effects is 'remote,' consumers who have purchased Rolaids Extra Strength Softchews, Rolaids Extra Strength plus Gas Softchews, or Rolaids Multi- Symptom plus Anti-Gas Softchews should stop using the products."
The New York Times (12/10, B1, Singer) reports on the front page of its Business Day section, the affected J&J unit, "McNeil Consumer Healthcare, has been troubled by manufacturing deficiencies over the last year, which has led to a series of recalls of some of the country's most popular over-the-counter brands. A recall in April alone involved about 136 million bottles of liquid children's Tylenol and other pediatric products." WebMD (12/10), the Wall Street Journal (12/10, Loftus, subscription required), and the Wall Street Journal "Health Blog" (12/9, Hobson, subscription required) also report the story.

J&J recalls antacids due to metal, wood particles.
ABC World News (12/9, story 4, 0:30, Sawyer) reported, "Johnson & Johnson is pulling 13 million packages of Rolaids off the store shelves, several different kinds of Rolaids soft chews."
The CBS Evening News (12/9, story 8, 0:20, Couric) reported, "The makers of Rolaids announced a recall today involving 13 million packages of the antacid. ... Customers reported finding bits of wood or metal in the tablets."
NBC Nightly News (12/9, story 6, 0:20, Williams) reported, "The company said the problem may have stemmed from a third party manufacturer." In fact, the AP (12/10) reports that "the materials were potentially introduced into the products during the manufacturing process at" this "outside manufacturer." Accordingly, the company "is suspending production of the Rolaids products in question."
Bloomberg News (12/10, Peterson, Olmos) reports, "While the risk of serious health effects is 'remote,' consumers who have purchased Rolaids Extra Strength Softchews, Rolaids Extra Strength plus Gas Softchews, or Rolaids Multi- Symptom plus Anti-Gas Softchews should stop using the products."
The New York Times (12/10, B1, Singer) reports on the front page of its Business Day section, the affected J&J unit, "McNeil Consumer Healthcare, has been troubled by manufacturing deficiencies over the last year, which has led to a series of recalls of some of the country's most popular over-the-counter brands. A recall in April alone involved about 136 million bottles of liquid children's Tylenol and other pediatric products." WebMD (12/10), the Wall Street Journal (12/10, Loftus, subscription required), and the Wall Street Journal "Health Blog" (12/9, Hobson, subscription required) also report the story.

Red Hair Question

Study finds no additional surgical risks for people with red hair.
The Chicago Tribune (12/9, Deardorff) "Julie's Health Club" blog reported that four Welsh researchers have determined that even "though redheads have a bizarre medical reputation for excessive bleeding and greater pain sensitivity, they pose no greater risk during surgery than those sporting blonde, brown, or black tresses." The study, which appears in the Dec. 9 issue of BMJ, suggested that red-haired people "are sensitive to ultraviolet light and have an increased risk of skin cancer," but that there is "no evidence" supporting claims that they bleed more or are more susceptible to developing hernias.
WebMD (12/9, DeNoon) reported that the researchers "searched the medical and anecdotal literature for evidence to support the belief" and came up empty-handed. "Despite sporadic reports to the contrary, the clinical implications of red hair...remain questionable," they concluded.