Osteoporotic fracture risk is undermanaged in older adults

By Heidi Splete

Study of Medicare database shows decline in treatment of patients who have an increased risk of fracture.

Appeals court rules ACA’s individual mandate is unconstitutionalThe Trump administration chose not to defend the ACA, but it does not seem entirely prepared for what might happen if the law is overturned.

Vaping marijuana gaining traction among U.S. teensOne in five 10th- and 12th-grade students in the United States report vaping marijuana in the past year.

Navigators improve medication adherence in HFrEFHeart failure patients in a remote navigator-led program had greater adherence to guideline-directed therapy at 3 months than usual care.

Editor's note: This is the final episode of the Daily Medical News. But you can still reach us at [email protected]. And you can find all the latest news in clinical medicine on our website, www.mdedge.com, and by following us on Twitter at @MDedgeTweets. For all of us at MDedge, thank you for supporting the Daily Medical News.

HHS drug importation proposals aim to address high costs

By Gregory Twachtman

Trump administration drops key health care proposal on day of impeachment vote.

Other news:

End ‘therapeutic nihilism’ in care of older diabetic patients, says expert
‘It’s not hyperglycemia that’s killing people; it’s heart disease and renal disease.’

Well-tolerated topical capsaicin formulation reduces knee OA pain
A new vehicle formulation improves tolerability of capsaicin treatment.

Identifying bacterial infections in setting of atopic dermatitis
Overlapping clinical features of atopic dermatitis and bacterial skin infections highlight the importance of differential diagnosis.

You can contact the Daily Medical News by emailing us at podcasts@mdedge, or follow us on Twitter at @MDedgeTweets.

ENGAGE AF-TIMI: Insulin linked to greater risk for stroke, CV death, bleeding

By Doug Brunk

Use of novel oral anticoagulants may be preferred over vitamin K antagonists in patients with diabetes and AFib.

Other news:

Signs of COPD detected among smokers under 50 years
A Danish population survey finds a 15% incidence of COPD symptoms in smokers under age 50 years who were exposed to 10 or more pack-years.

Atopic dermatitis in egg-, milk-allergic kids may up anaphylaxis risk
Egg- and milk- allergic patients with atopic dermatitis had more incidents of anaphylaxis; no impact seen in cases of peanut allergies.

Supreme Court weighs ACA back pay case
Does the federal government owe insurers billions based on an Affordable Care Act provision?

You can contact the Daily Medical News via email at [email protected], or follow us on Twitter at @MDedgeTweets.

Heart rate changes during sleep may be diagnostic tool for depression

By Lucas Franki

A heart rate–profiling algorithm shows promise at distinguishing differences in heart rate patterns during sleep in people with depression.

Other news:

FDA clears first fully disposable duodenoscope
Boston Scientific anticipates early 2020 launch.

Flu activity dropped in early December
Unusual early spike related to increased influenza B activity, CDC says.

SZC passes extension test for hyperkalemia
After 11 months, treatment with sodium zirconium cyclosilicate successfully controlled serum potassium.

You can contact the Daily Medical News via email at [email protected], or by following us on Twitter at @MDedgeTweets.

Could preventing dementia be as simple as following your mom’s advice?
By Michele Sullivan
Emerging evidence agrees: Lots of exercise, a good diet, and social interaction are good for both body and mind.

Other news:

Do women with diabetes need more CVD risk reduction than men?
Two experts came to different conclusions on this question during a heated, but jovial, debate.

Emergency physicians not yet embracing buprenorphine for opioid users
Recommendations support a new ED protocol, and addiction psychiatrists can play an important role.

Could liraglutide stall the onset of type 2 diabetes in children?
Why the GLP-1 receptor agonist could offer benefits beyond metformin.

You can contact the Daily Medical News via email at [email protected] or following us on Twitter at @MDedgeTweets.

FDA investigates NDMA contamination in metformin
By Lucas Franki

Officials at the Food and Drug Administration are investigating possible contamination in the United States, following reports in other countries.

Other news:

Reduced kidney function linked to fractures in older women

Women aged 75 years with intermediate kidney function have a significantly greater risk of fracture.

New ASH guideline: VTE prophylaxis after major surgery

Pharmacologic prophylaxis is not recommended for patients experiencing major trauma who are at high risk of bleeding.

Some with mild Crohn’s disease need no treatment

Patients must have mild disease without risk of progression to be considered for no treatment.

Study: More pediatricians participating in global health opportunities

A new survey shows more pediatricians than ever are performing global health work.

Docs push back on surprise billing compromise
By Gregory Twachtman

But doctors’ groups say the bipartisan legislation’s proposed solution is not a good one.

Other news:

New evidence further supports starting CRC screening at age 45
An American Cancer Society recommendation to lower starting age for colorectal cancer screening receives new support from a U.S. population–based study.

Bariatric surgery tied to fewer cerebrovascular events
Obese people who underwent the procedure had a two-thirds lower rate.

Many Americans planning to avoid flu vaccination
Less than half of adults had received the influenza vaccine by early November.

You can contact the MDedge Daily Medical News by emailing us at [email protected] or following us on Twitter at @MDedgeTweets.

In addiction, abusive partners can wreak havoc
By Randy Dotinga

Strategies of abusive partners include sabotaging and discrediting their partners’ attempts at recovery.

Other news:

Updated gout guidelines: Don’t let kidney function dictate allopurinol dosing
Inadequate allopurinol dosing has been the bête noire of rheumatology for years.

Women have fewer cardiovascular events after non–ST-segment elevation ACS
But they also remain undertreated with guideline-directed therapies.

Contacts with health care professionals increased among adults
Americans aged 18-64 years were more likely to see or talk with a provider in 2017-2018 than they were in 2012-2013.

EVALI outbreak ongoing, but new cases decline
Since the week of Sept. 15, 2019, hospitalized cases of EVALI have steadily declined.

Is strict glycemic control meaningless for older adults?
By Miriam Tucker

Less stringency for high-risk adults does not always mean broader allowance range in glycemic profiles.

Other news:

A triple-antibiotic cure for Crohn's disease?
An oral fixed-dose, triple-antibiotic combination offers a promising new approach to the treatment of Crohn's disease.

More states pushing plans to pay for telehealth care
Fair payment remains a challenge for providers.

Bilateral mastectomy reduces second breast cancer risk, but not deaths
The risk of second contralateral breast cancer is low regardless of primary breast cancer therapy.

Social anxiety more likely with inattentive ADHD, psychiatric comorbidities
Learning and communication disorders, and anxiety disorders were the most common among patients.

You can contact the MDedge Daily Medical News by emailing us at [email protected] or following us on Twitter at @MDedgeTweets.

Intensive BP control reduced dementia but increased brain atrophy and hurt cognition

By Michele Sullivan

The small but significant ill effects worried some researchers at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease conference.

Other News:

Extent of insulin rationing in the U.S. is ‘shameful,’ say experts

Cost-driven rationing by people with type 1 diabetes is considerably more common in the United States than in other high-income countries.

Health care: More uninsured as insurance costs grow faster

More than 30 million people in the United States lacked health insurance in 2018.

Influenza already in midseason form

High levels of flu activity haven’t been seen this early since 2009-2010.

You can contact the MDedge Daily Medical News by emailing us at [email protected] or following us on Twitter at @MDedgeTweets.