In 2010, there were 16.9 million people who had a first stroke, 33 million stroke survivors, and 5.9 million people who died from a stroke — increases of 68%, 84%, and 26% respectively since 1990, according to Valery Feigin, MD, of the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, and colleagues.
Stroke mortality rates fell significantly in both groups of countries: by 37% in high-income countries and by 20% in low- and middle-income countries.
Medical News
Sleep Apnea Severity Tied to Cardiac Marker
- Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly heart failure, a study found.
- The severity of obstructive sleep apnea was significantly associated with higher levels of high-sensitivity troponin, suggesting that subclinical myocardial injury may play a role in the association with risk of heart failure.
Red Meat Tied to Cancer Risk in Some People
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Red and processed meat consumption was significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk in patients who had a common gene mutation, researchers found.
- Note that, if replicated, the findings suggest selected individuals at higher risk of colorectal cancer based on genomic profiling could be targeted for screening, diet modification, and other prevention strategies.
BBC News – Madagascar Bubonic Plague Warning
Madagascar faces a bubonic plague epidemic unless it slows the spread of the disease, experts have warned.
Madagascar had 256 plague cases and 60 deaths last year, the world’s highest recorded number.
BBC News – Sleep ‘cleans’ the brain of toxins
Their findings build on last year’s discovery of the brain\’s own network of plumbing pipes – known as the glymphatic system – which carry waste material out of the brain.
via BBC News – Sleep ‘cleans’ the brain of toxins.
I sleep late a lot on weekends. The Boss complains, thinks I sleep too much. Now I can say my glymphatic system is working overtime. And your brain needs a good cleaning…
Acute Hepatitis and Liver Failure Following the Use of a Dietary Supplement Intended for Weight Loss or Muscle Building — May–October 2013
On September 9, 2013, the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) was notified of seven patients with severe acute hepatitis and fulminant liver failure of unknown etiology. Patients were previously healthy and sought medical care during May-September 2013. Clinicians reported that the seven patients had all used OxyELITE Pro, a dietary supplement marketed for weight loss and muscle gain, before illness onset.
Oops.
Life Stressors Increase Mortality Risk
When they looked at life stressors and mortality, they found that 510 persons said they experienced none of the 10 major life events, and over the course of the follow-up, 159 of them died. Of the 853 people who listed one major life event, 276 died — a crude nonsignificant 4% increased risk of all-cause mortality compared with those having no life stressors.
Of the 588 individuals who experienced two life stressors, 213 died, translating to a crude 21% increased risk that also failed to achieve statistical significance. The researchers identified 257 people who experienced three life stressors, and 101 of them died, a crude 50% increase in all-cause mortality that was significant. They also reported that 177 persons experienced four or more life events, and 78 of that group died, translating to a crude all-cause mortality increase was 60% higher than those with no life stressors, also significant.
When the researchers adjusted for age and sex, the significant findings held for those with three or more events. When the figures were also adjusted for glycemic parameters, type 2 diabetes prevalence, body mass index, hypertension and cardiovascular disease prevalence, significance remained for those with four or more life stressor events — a 38% increased risk (95% CI 1.0-1.8), Rutters said.
An Important Message from Cleveland Clinic
An Important Message from Cleveland Clinic.
To prepare for healthcare reform…
Metformin and Cognitive Impairment
In a retrospective study, diabetic patients who were taking metformin had worse cognitive performance than those not taking the drug (odds ratio 2.23, 95% CI 1.05-4.75), Eileen Moore, PhD, of the University of Melbourne in Australia, and colleagues reported online in Diabetes Care.
Additionally, patients with diabetes who had vitamin B12 levels less than 250 pmol/L also had worse cognitive performance (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.12-4.66), and the association between metformin and cognitive impairment was weakened after adjusting for vitamin B12 levels, they stated.
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