Medical Bulletin 10/November/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Do allergic conditions increase the risk of developing Long-COVID after SARS-CoV-2 infection?

In an analysis of published prospective studies of people of all ages with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who were followed for at least 12 months, pre-existing allergic conditions were linked to higher risks of experiencing long-term symptoms associated with COVID-19, or Long-COVID.

The analysis, which is published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy, identified 13 relevant studies (with a total of 9,967 participants) published between January 1, 2020 and January 19, 2023.

Reference: Clinical & Experimental Allergy, DOI: 10.1111/cea.14391, Allergic diseases as risk factors for Long-COVID symptoms: systematic review of prospective cohort studies

Does cannabis use affect empathy?

In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research, psychological assessments indicated that people who regularly use cannabis or marijuana, tend to have a greater understanding of the emotions of others. Brain imaging tests also revealed that cannabis users’ anterior cingulate—a region generally affected by cannabis use and related to empathy—had stronger connectivity with brain regions related to sensing the emotional states of others within one’s own body.

The study included 85 regular cannabis users and 51 non-consumers who completed psychometric tests and a subset of 46 users and 34 nonusers who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging exams.

Reference: Journal of Neuroscience Research, DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25252, Empathy related differences in the anterior cingulate functional connectivity of regular cannabis users when compared to controls

Study finds JAK inhibitors and tocilizumab effective in VEXAS syndrome

A recent study presented at ACR Convergence 2023 has offered newfound hope for individuals battling VEXAS syndrome, a rare and often lethal autoimmune disorder resulting from a UBA1 gene mutation. The research demonstrates the superior effectiveness of JAK inhibitors (JAKi) and tocilizumab in managing VEXAS syndrome, in stark comparison to other targeted therapies.

VEXAS syndrome is a debilitating condition characterized by extensive inflammation affecting the skin, lungs, blood vessels, and joints. Typically, high-dose corticosteroids are employed in its management, but these treatments come with severe side effects and limited supporting data. Alarmingly, the five-year survival rate for VEXAS patients is strikingly low.

Reference: AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY