Endocrinology

For more than a decade, it has been an annual ritual to read headlines about a crisis brewing in Congress as it struggled to avert a looming Medicare disaster stemming from the imminent pay cut to Medicare physicians mandated by the "SGR". Like a broken record each time, spurred by warnings of physician groups of the dire consequences the slash in Medicare fees would have on medical practices and Medicare patients, Congress scrambled at the 12th hour to put off the mandated cuts for another year.

There have been demonstrated benefits to implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in medical facilities of all sizes. While they have become more popular, there are several factors that need to be considered before making that move.

When a patient goes to see their primary care physician they often do so with the hopes of getting the care they need with their doctor. Whether they need to be seen by a specialist is often a more subjective decision by their healthcare provider.

There is no shortage of treatments available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but a new medication could change the way some patients manage their disease and could have even further reaching effects in the future.

When doctors are considering medications to prescribe to patients there are several factors they need to consider, not the least of which is cost.

Hyperkalemia can be a significant diagnosis for patients and finding the right treatment can have a great impact on their quality of life. New medications could help in their daily care.

When patients are initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, clinicians usually recommend several lifestyle changes, including weight loss. Few studies have looked at weight changes in patients with type 2 diabetes around initial diagnosis, although it's clear that it is more difficult for patients with diabetes to lose weight than it is for others.

Chronic itch (itch last 6 weeks or longer) is a clinical challenge, and is associated with a number of dermatologic, systemic, neuropathic, and psychogenic causes. Transmission of the itch sensation is similar to that of pain, but distinct in several ways. Scientists have found itch-specific neuronal pathways that when activated, cause considerable discomfort for patients. Current available treatments, however, are still more trial-and-error than evidence-based.

Hair loss, whether it's partial or complete, is troubling to many people. By age 50, 35 to 50 percent of American men have significant hair loss, and hair thinning and loss increases with age. Many people associate hair loss with premature aging, making pharmaceuticals that arrest hair loss quite popular. However, they are not without certain side effects.

Researchers are investigating whether microbial therapy can be an effective treatment for several skin and allergic conditions.

The gut microbiota modulates immune development and is an important component of neuroendocrine system. These interactions interfere with neuroendocrine development and, consequently, the patient's immune function.

LDL-C was reduced in RA patients who took tocilizumab compared to placebo in a study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Stress is both a cause of and product of inequality, according to a study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but tofacitinib can reduce these issues, according to research published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

A study of men with borderline testosterone levels found that half of them suffered either depressive symptoms or overt depression.

Many studies have looked at the link between vitamin D deficiency and liver disease. A Korean team recently examined whether vitamin D deficiency played a pivotal role in abnormal liver enzymes.

The intracellar lipid deposition, mitrochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is likely regulated by microRNAs, particularly in obese patients.

An estimated 11,000 attendees from 105 countries are converging in Vienna, Austria for the 50th International Liver Congress, hosted by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (ILC/EASL). Some 200 journalists -- including a team from MD Magazine--are on hand to report the news. Eagerly awaited trials include those of two drugs that show promise for treating a common liver disease associated with obesity, known medically as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its precursor non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The Choosing Wisely project offers specific, evidence-based recommendations providers and patients should discuss to make determine each individual patient's most appropriate care.

Patients with diabetes may need prompting and encouragement to meet recommended levels of eye care. Having health insurance coverage doesn't seem to increase adherence to this recommendation.

The American Diabetes Association recommends eating fewer calories of better quality to prevent diabetes. Researchers looked at the available evidence from studies that examined a variety of diets and found that any healthy diet reduces the risk of diabetes by about 20%.

With more than 40 million Americans either diagnosed or at high risk for osteoporosis as they age, researchers are scrambling to find ideal preventive and curative agents. One target that strengthens bones is excessive osteoclast activity. A team of researchers recently found that one biologic that targets excessive osteoclast activity may positively influence another problem of later life: insulin sensitivity.

A new study found that in obese college students with significant visceral fat, specific brain regions became insulin-resistant.

A common concern of expectant parents is what can increase the likelihood of their children being diagnosed with autism. A recent study found a link between exposure to gestational diabetes and autism risk.

Albumin -- the most abundant protein in the human body -- has many roles. It transports hormones, fatty acids, and other compounds. It buffers serum pH, and maintains osmotic pressure. Now, it appears that albumin may be a tool that could be used in diabetes management.

Researchers from a number of leading academic facilities across the United States have published a study that details post-surgical MACE prevalence and risk factors in patients with Williams syndrome.

An advisory panel for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a hearing yesterday focusing on safety issues associated with two diabetes medications. Although the panel's recommendation did not include specific treatment changes, its decision highlighted the fact that more research is needed on cardiovascular risk associated with this class of diabetes medications.

One of the advantages of using electronic health records is the amount of information they place at doctors' fingertips, enabling them (in theory) to provide the highest level of care for their patients.

There has been considerable research regarding the unhealthy risks associated with being overweight later in life. A recent study has shown that being underweight can also have a negative effect on a person's life as they get older.

Lack of sleep and chronic kidney disease (CKD) independently lead to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lower quality of life, and shorter life expectancy. Severity of CKD and sleep disturbances may also worsen diabetes and hypertension synergistically.