Medical Bulletin 06/October/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Male pattern baldness linked to skin cancer risk: New research findings

Balding men may face a higher risk of skin cancer, according to recent research that has uncovered a surprising connection between male-pattern baldness (MPB) and skin malignancies. The study suggests that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun on the scalp, rather than hormones, is the primary factor behind this increased risk.

Researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis, using a method called Mendelian randomization, to explore the potential links between MPB, hormones, and skin cancer. The study involved genetic data from thousands of individuals, including those with cutaneous melanoma and keratinocyte cancers (KCs).

Reference: Ong, JS., Seviiri, M., Dusingize, J.C. et al. Uncovering the complex relationship between balding, testosterone and skin cancers in men. Nat Commun 14, 5962 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41231-8

ADHD in older adults linked to increased car crash risk, study shows

A recent prospective cohort study conducted across five US sites has uncovered a concerning association between ADHD and an elevated risk of vehicular crashes among older drivers.

This groundbreaking research, carried out between July 2015 and March 2019, marks a pivotal moment in recognizing the potential ramifications of ADHD on road safety in the aging population. .

The findings were derived from data collected through in-vehicle recording devices and annual assessments, involving 2,832 active older drivers. The study revealed that 2.6% of the participants had a lifetime history of ADHD. Older drivers with ADHD exhibited higher incidence rates of hard-braking events, self-reported traffic ticket events, and self-reported vehicular crashes compared to their counterparts without ADHD.

Reference: Liu Y, Chihuri S, Mielenz TJ, et al. Motor Vehicle Crash Risk in Older Adult Drivers With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2336960. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36960

Common medications raise sudden cardiac arrest risk in type 2 diabetes

New research unveiled at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Hamburg has pinpointed several key risk factors associated with an increased likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) that encompass widely prescribed antibiotics, antipsychotic drugs, prokinetics, and low fasting blood sugar.

The Study conducted with 3,919 T2D patients, including 689 SCA cases and 3,230 controls, this comprehensive investigation analyzed data spanning from 2010 to 2019 in the Dutch region of Noord-Holland. Each SCA case was meticulously matched by age, gender, and general practitioner practice with up to five non-SCA controls.

Reference: Diabetologia

Meeting: Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)