Quality of life Archives

Mitral valve replacement may be more effective than mitral valve repair

Study may impact guidelines for mitral valve surgery for severe ischemic mitral regurgitation — New findings showing mitral valve replacement may be more effective than mitral valve repair reported at AHA Scientific Sessions 2013 and in New England Journal of Medicine – The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN), whose Data and Clinical Coordinating Center is at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is reporting for the first time evidence on whether or not there is any significant difference between the two current surgical approaches to treat patients with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation — mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement.

Pazopanib better than sunitinib in advanced kidney cancer

Pazopanib shows better quality-of-life in advanced kidney cancer – Two oral targeted drugs — Pazopanib (Votrient) and sunitinib (Sutent) — approved for metastatic kidney cancer worked equally well, but one proved superior in tolerability, the safety profile and many measures of quality of life favored pazopanib.

Prostate cancer – active surveillance and watchful waiting better

Observation is safe, cost-saving in low-risk prostate cancer — Study suggests low-risk patients can forego immediate treatment – Many men with low-risk, localized prostate cancers can safely choose active surveillance or “watchful waiting” instead of undergoing immediate treatment and have better quality of life while reducing health care costs, according to a study by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Tonsil surgery improves behaviors in children with sleep apnea

Tonsil surgery improves some behaviors in children with sleep apnea syndrome — NIH-funded clinical study may help inform decisions about this common surgical procedure – Children with sleep apnea syndrome who have their tonsils and adenoids removed sleep better, are less restless and impulsive, and report a generally better quality of life.

Fun friends social relationships influence quality of life in breast cancer patients

Fun and friends help ease the pain of breast cancer — Kaiser Permanente study among the first to examine how social relationships influence quality of life in breast cancer patients – Breast cancer patients who say they have people with whom they have a good time, or have “positive social interactions” with, are better able to deal with pain and other physical symptoms. This study provides research-based evidence that social support helps with physical symptoms.

Affordable Care Act highlighted by Kathleen Sebelius on National Public Health Week

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Statement on National Public Health Week – As US celebrate the start of National Public Health Week, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius emphasised the benefits of the Affordable Care Act to advance the public’s health, which started 3 years ago in America under the leadership of US president Barack Obama.

Darbepoetin alfa does not improve health of anemic heart failure patients

Cleveland Clinic research shows anemia drug does not improve health of anemic heart failure patients — Phase 3 findings published in NEJM provide answers about treatment with darbepoetin alfa – Researchers from Cleveland Clinic and Sweden-based Sahlgrenska University Hospital have found that a commonly used drug to treat anemia in heart failure patients – darbepoetin alfa – does not improve patients’ health, nor does it reduce their risk of death from heart failure.

Weight loss may prevent and treat osteoarthritis in obese

Weight loss may prevent, treat osteoarthritis in obese patients — Obesity may trigger biomechanical changes, pathways that contribute to osteoarthritis – Weight loss may prevent and significantly alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis, a progressive disease of the joints known as “wear and tear” arthritis. Obesity actually may trigger the biomechanical and inflammatory changes that cause osteoarthritis, and the pain and loss of mobility associated with the condition.

1 in 3 children with food allergies experience bullying

Mount Sinai survey shows that nearly 1 in 3 children with food allergies experience bullying – Nearly a third of children diagnosed with food allergies who participated in a recent study are bullied. Almost eight percent of children in the U.S. are allergic to foods such as peanuts, tree-nuts, milk, eggs, and shellfish.

Fitness at 50 – free from chronic illness

Midlife fitness staves off chronic disease at end of life, UT Southwestern researchers report — Fitness at 50 – free from chronic illness – Being physically fit during your 30s, 40s, and 50s not only helps extend lifespan, but it also increases the chances of aging healthily, free from chronic illness. For decades, research has shown that higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels lessen the risk of death, but it previously had been unknown just how much fitness might affect the burden of chronic disease in the most senior years ? a concept known as morbidity compression.

Quality of life at end of life for patients with cancer

Study examines quality of life factors at end of life for patients with cancer – Better quality of life at the end of life for patients with advanced cancer was associated with avoiding hospitalizations and the intensive care unit, worrying less, praying or meditating, being visited by a pastor in a hospital or clinic, and having a therapeutic alliance with their physician.

Cholesterol lowering statin drugs may cause fatigue

Statins shown to cause fatigue-with-exertion or impaired energy – Researchers found that individuals taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are more likely than non-users to experience decreased energy, fatigue upon exertion, or both. The researchers suggest that these findings should be taken into account by doctors when weighing risk versus benefit in prescribing statins.