Medical News: FDA Approves Once-Daily Liraglutide – in Primary Care, Diabetes from MedPage Today
BNP and NT-proBNP Predicts HF in Older Patients
The researchers identified 190 pg/mL as the NT-proBNP threshold for increased risk. Among study participants with baseline levels less than 190 pg/mL, an increase greater than 25% to a level above 190 pg/mL had a twofold increased risk of heart failure (HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.68 to 2.71) and cardiovascular death (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.53) compared with participants whose NT-proBNP levels remained below 190 pg/mL.
Among study participants with elevated baseline NT-proBNP levels, an increase greater than 25% also doubled the risk of heart failure (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.72) and cardiovascular disease (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.57).
Fatty Liver Matters
Please tell me you already knew this.
People with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that often accompanies obesity and type 2 diabetes, have higher mortality rates than the general population, a new Swedish study found.
Patients with NAFLD were 69% percent more likely to die than the general Swedish population (standardized mortality ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.25), according to a report in the February issue of Hepatology.
Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition where fat buildup causes liver inflammation, were at 86% higher risk (95% CI 1.19 to 2.76; P=0.007).
Scary Chart of the Day #2 – 1/28/10
Scary Chart of the Day – 1/28/10
Meridia (sibutramine hydrochloride) – Update
Oops.
Sibutramine is not to be used in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, including:
* History of coronary artery disease (e.g., heart attack, angina)
* History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
* History of heart arrhythmias
* History of congestive heart failure
* History of peripheral arterial disease
* Uncontrolled hypertension (e.g., > 145/90 mmHg)
Model Life Settlement Disclosures – NY
The article contains multiple links to original documents at the NY DOI.
Personal Financial Security – Skimmers
Would You Have Spotted the Fraud? — Krebs on Security
I realize this is a website/blog on underwriting and most of the time I do stay on point. But this little article about skimmers is just too good not to pass along.
Lifestyle Underwriting – Exercise Habits Matter
Greetings From NYC
While it is true I don’t get out much, I do get out now and then. The MUD meeting was awesome. If you get the opportunity to attend this underwriting meeting, don’t pass it up.
But do take a pass on room service.
I stayed in a midtown hotel of reasonably good quality. The room service breakfast menu had a Build Your Own Omelete for $24.95. Thankfully, coffee was included. Juice? Add another $7.00. Once you add an 18% service charge, tax, and delivery fee it starts looking real expensive.
I’ve never had a omelete, coffee, and juice that cost over $40.00.
I’m going back to Oklahoma.
lifeunderwriter.net 
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