Bloomberg News (6/25, Ostrow) reported, "Vitamin D may help prevent those at risk for diabetes from developing the disease, giving doctors and patients a potential tool against the condition," according to research presented at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting. In a study involving "2,039 people with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, a condition called prediabetes," researchers found that "patients with the highest amounts of vitamin D in their body were about 25 percent less likely than those with the lowest amounts to develop type 2 diabetes." The study's lead author theorized that "vitamin D might play a role in diabetes by improving insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity," Medscape (6/25, Hitt) reported. Vitamin D May Be Linked To Reduced Heart Risks In Men. Reuters (6/25, Norton) reported that, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, males who take in recommended amounts of vitamin D may have a lower risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke compared to those who take in little vitamin D. Investigators looked at data on approximately 119,000 adults for about 20 years. They found that males who took in 600 IU or more daily were 16 percent less likely to experience stroke or heart problems compared to males who took in less than 100 IU daily.
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MedWire (6/24, Davenport) reported, "Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis have high rates of alcohol misuse," according to a study published in the June issue of the British Journal of Dermatology. In a study involving 135 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe psoriasis, the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test and the CAGE questionnaire "scales identified 21% of the patients as having difficulties with alcohol, while" the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test "score indicated that 32% of individuals had current hazardous drinking habits."
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The Minneapolis Star Tribune (6/27, Friedmann) "The Whistleblower" blog reported that, the Nature Relief Instant Wart and Mole Remover, "a product marketed as a treatment for warts and moles, is being recalled after the product burned the skin of at least one customer, the US Food and Drug Administration announced last week." According to the FDA, "the active ingredient, calcium oxide, can cause severe burns, especially if applied to thin or sensitive skin, and customers should put the product in a plastic bag and throw it away." The product "was only sold online directly to consumers by Nature Relief." MedPage Today (6/27, Gever) reported, "Nature Relief had sold the product exclusively through direct sales to consumers via the internet. It was sold as a kit including containers labeled 'removal cream,' 'repair cream,' 'antiseptic wash,' and 'triple antibiotic ointment,' along with toothpicks and other implements." What's more, the FDA advised that "consumers are recommended to have moles reviewed by licensed medical professionals and ensure they are not cancerous."
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Medscape (7/5, Mulcahy) reported that although Vitamin D and calcium do not reduce the overall rate of melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in post-menopausal women, a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that, in women with "history of NMSC, calcium plus vitamin D supplementation reduced subsequent melanoma risk, suggesting a potential role for the supplements in this high-risk subgroup." The authors note that 176 cases of melanoma developed in the participants, and conclude that larger studies are necessary for similarly rare cancers. Medscape notes that the study "used 400 IU of Vitamin D, which is lower than the daily recommended amount of 600 IU. The next trial may use up to 4000 IU, which is the limit suggested by the Institute of Medicine."
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The Time (6/10, Rochman) "Healthland" blog reported, "Too much time in the sun may be especially harmful for Baby, according to a review of new insights by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) into the importance of protecting young skin." Sunscreen may be applied to "babies six months and older," AAP guidelines say, but parents "should also practice sun avoidance, especially for kids under six months old, which means staying out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.," and dressing the little ones in "protective clothing."
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MedWire (6/10, Guy) reported that, according to a study published online in the British Journal of Dermatology, "patients with cancer have a worse prognosis -- indicated by a greater cancer-specific and overall mortality excess -- if they have previously had psoriasis, compared with those who have not had the skin condition." After comparing "cancer-specific and overall mortality rates in a cohort of 1,746 previously psoriatic cancer patients and 1,011,757 cancer patients without psoriasis," researchers found "for all cancers, there was a significant survival disparity between those with previous psoriasis and those without, with a 1.27- and 1.26- fold increased risk among the former group for overall and cancer-specific mortality, respectively, during the study period."
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MedPage Today (6/7) reported that women with a malignant melanoma are "less likely to die or to have the cancer progress," according to findings presented at a medical conference. The analysis of "outcomes data from seven European clinical trials," which included more than "6,700 patients," showed that compared with men, women with localized disease had a "hazard ratio of 0.70 for death, compared with 0.81 and 0.83, respectively, for those with stage III and IV disease." Similarly, women with localized disease had a "hazard ratio for progression of 0.69, while those with stage III and IV disease had hazard ratios of 0.86 and 0.79," respectively; and women with localized and stage III disease had "hazard ratios for the time to distant metastasis of 0.69 and 0.87," respectively. The researchers suggest the "observed discrepancy has been behavior. 'Men wait too long to see their doctors, so they come in with thicker tumors and a worse prognosis.'"
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USA Today (5/31, Kennedy) reports, "In 2007, about 4.5 million people had high-deductible plans, but by 2010, 10 million people had signed up for the plans, according to an America's Health Insurance Plans survey of its members. In exchange for a high deductible -- a maximum $3,000 deductible for individuals and a $6,000 deductible for families, for instance -- people can save about $85 to $100 a month on premiums. 'People are choosing higher deductibles for lower premiums,' said Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans." A Rand Corporation study "found that even as health care costs continued to rise, people on high-deductible plans paid substantially less than did those on traditional plans."
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In continuing coverage, the San Francisco Chronicle (A1, Fimrite) reports on its front page, "More than half of the sunscreens on the market do not provide adequate UVA protection, and many of them actually contain hazardous ingredients, according to an analysis of 292 national brands and 1,700 products by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG)." Researchers from EWG said "the problem...is that the sunscreen industry has taken advantage of lax federal regulations and allowed a marketing Wild West to develop. Many products with high sun-protection factor, or SPF, ratings contain bad ingredients, and companies use unsubstantiated claims about their effectiveness to market them, the group said." "Since the Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate sunscreen, the EWG says, it's up to the consumer to suss out what's safe," the Time (Melnick) "Healthland" blog reported. And, according to the EWG, "60% of sunscreens on the American market wouldn't pass Europe's more stringent regulations." Consumer Reports Magazine Evaluates Sunscreens. WebMD ( Doheny) reported, "Nine of 22 sunscreens tested by Consumer Reports Health earned a 'recommended' or 'Best Buy' rating in the organization's latest evaluation," which was released yesterday and will appear in the July issue of Consumer Reports magazine. "All nine got excellent marks for protection from UVB rays (which cause sunburn) even after water immersion. All provided very good protection against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper and are linked with aging and tanning." Sunscreens receiving the "Best Buy" rating were Up & Up Sport SPF 30, No-Ad with Aloe and Vitamin E SPF 45, and Equate Baby SPF 50.
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Medscape (5/16, Barclay) reported, "Among suspicious skin lesions referred to dermatologists, only one-fifth are cancerous, but dermatologists have identified other incidental lesions, approximately half of which are malignant, according to the results of a" study published in the May issue of the Archives of Dermatology. In a retrospective study involving 400 patients, the investigators concluded, "The use of teledermatology to assess a specific lesion of concern may be associated with underdiagnosis of clinically significant lesions that are not appreciated by the referring physician." They added, "Therefore, teledermatology must not be used as a substitute for a total body skin examination." HealthDay (5/16, Salamon) also covered the story.
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The AP (5/13) reported, "A vaccine exists to reduce the risk of shingles in certain age groups, but there are many obstacles to obtaining the shot." The "Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine Zostavax in 2006 for use in people 60 and older, and earlier this year the agency OK'd the shot for ages 50 and up." However, "some medical facilities are waiting until action by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before agreeing to provide the vaccine to people 50 to 59." The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which makes vaccine recommendations to the agency, will discuss the topic next month. Also, physicians' offices often do not carry the vaccine because "the vaccine is covered under Medicare Part D (with some exceptions) but not Medicare Part B." Other obstacles include the high cost of the vaccine and supply shortages.
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MedWire (5/13, Albert) reported that, according to a study published in the June issue of the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, "recently developed sunscreens containing nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles are likely to have better efficacy than older creams containing micron-sized TiO2 particles, with no increase in toxicity." Researchers from the Food and Drug Administration came to this conclusion after evaluating "the effects of the two types of TiO2 particles in sunscreen in terms of ultraviolet (UV) light attenuation, product stability, and possible skin barrier damage." Specifically, "they tested uncoated TiO2 with a primary particle size of 21 nm (nanoscale), coated TiO2 with a primary particle size of 50 nm (nanoscale), and submicron, coated TiO2 with a primary particle size of 250 nm (microscale)."
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MedPage Today (5/9, Bankhead) reported, "Calcium and vitamin D supplementation did not reduce the overall incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in women, although those with a history of NMSC did see a 57% risk reduction for melanoma," according to research presented at an investigative dermatology meeting. Overall, in the study of some "36,282 postmenopausal women, who were randomized to 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily and followed for seven years," researchers found that "the supplements afforded no protection against nonmelanoma skin cancer or melanoma."
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HealthDay (5/4, Preidt) reported, "Low levels of vitamin D are common in obese adolescents," according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health. For the study, "researchers screened 68 obese adolescents and found low vitamin D levels in all of the girls (72 percent were deemed deficient and 28 percent insufficient) and in 91 percent of the boys (69 percent deficient and 22 percent insufficient)." The study authors "called for closer monitoring of vitamin D levels in obese adolescents and for more research to determine if restoring normal vitamin D levels could help reduce the health risks associated with obesity."
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In "Vital Signs," the New York Times (5/10, D6, Rabin, Subscription Publication) reports, "Nearly one in 10 babies are given supplements or plant-based teas to soothe colic or help with teething during the first year of life, even though the products are unproven and may contain contaminants or spur allergies," according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. To reach these conclusions, "the researchers drew data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a survey of women in late pregnancy and through their babies' first year of life. Conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2005 to 2007, the study included a nationwide sample of 2,653 healthy mothers and newborns." Rhinitis, Eczema In Childhood Associated With Adult Asthma. MedWire (5/9, Cowen) reports that, according to a study published online in the Journal of Allergy and Immunology, "a combination of eczema and rhinitis in childhood is associated with a significantly increased risk for new-onset atopic asthma in middle age and persistence of childhood asthma to adult atopic asthma." After examining "data on 1,383 individuals who were recruited at the age of 6-7 years in 1968 as part of the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study, and who were followed up at the age of 44 years," researchers estimated that "29.7% of persistent atopic asthma cases and 18.1% of new-onset atopic asthma cases in their study could be attributed to childhood eczema and rhinitis."
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Medscape (5/4, Mulcahy) reported, "In the past year, sunscreen was shown -- for the first time -- to prevent melanoma in one of the only randomized controlled trials ever conducted on this subject." However, "there is a caveat about the results that has important public health implications and was not highlighted in the original study, according to a letter published online April 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology." People who participated in the trial were middle-aged Australians whose sun exposure occurred during the course of their daily activities. In other words, their sun exposure was incidental, not intentional, as would be the sun exposure of dedicated beachgoers. Therefore, the authors of the letter say that "white people in other parts of the world should not interpret the study results as a 'green light' to tan on the beach."
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The AP (5/5) reported that Lyme disease "can affect different organ systems, including those of the heart or brain, but is usually associated with symptoms such as arthritis and the expanding red rash said to resemble a bull's-eye." Some physicians say the disease "might also spur certain cognitive and psychiatric symptoms in some patients, but others say there's no hard scientific evidence a link between Lyme disease and some of these problems." Dr. Brian Fallon, director of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center at Columbia University, said the illness has "been linked to certain psychiatric reactions, including depression, obsession compulsive disorder and anxiety." There were "29,959 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 2009," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lyme Disease Cases Increased 35% In Wisconsin Last Year. The Capital Times (5/5, Doherty) "Vital Signs" blog reported, "The number of people infected with Lyme disease in Wisconsin increased by 35 percent last year, more alarming evidence that this nasty tick-borne illness is on the march here and across the US." According to a statement released by Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer, "Lyme disease cases in the state totaled 3,495 in 2010 compared with 2,587 in 2009." The blog listed tips from Wisconsin officials to avoid tick bites, including: "Use effective tick repellants. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults use repellants with 20-30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing."
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The New York Times (4/28, E3, Zissu) reports in "Skin Deep" that product labels with "long chemical names can be hard to decipher"; and US labeling laws are "more relaxed than those in Europe and Canada, which mandate clearer warnings of potential allergens." However, most skincare and hair care is "filled with potential allergy triggers," and organic versions "are, to green parents' dismay, among the worst offenders." This could be worrisome for example, "in a lip balm. 'Allergy from ingested tree nuts is a Type I anaphylaxis-type allergy, which can be life threatening,'" said Dr. Maryann Mikhail from Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. More common is a "Type IV, contact allergy -- not 'life-threatening,' Dr. Mikhail said, though it can cause 'horrible eczema.'"
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MedWire (5/13, Albert) reported that, according to a two studies published online in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, "the acne medication isotretinoin does not adversely affect sleep or parameters of executive function." In two separate studies involving 12 and 63 patients with severe acne, respectively, who were treated with isotretinoin and who underwent neuropsychological testing, researchers found "no adverse effects of isotretinoin on mood or executive function."
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