Medical Bulletin 14/September/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Turmeric as good as PPI for treating acidity related indigestion: Study

A first-of-its-kind study published online in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine suggests that a natural compound curcumin, found in the culinary spice turmeric may be as effective as omeprazole—a drug used to curb excess stomach acid—for treating indigestion symptoms.

Reference: Curcumin and proton pump inhibitors for functional dyspepsia: a randomised, double-blind controlled trial, BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2022-112231 

New COVID-19 Vaccine gets FDA Approval

Recently, the FDA has granted emergency authorization for the latest COVID-19 vaccine, marking a significant departure from previous vaccines as it does not primarily target the original "ancestral" strain of the virus. Unlike last year's bivalent vaccine that aimed to cover both older and newer strains, this newly authorized vaccine is "monovalent," designed to specifically combat the health risks, hospitalizations, and fatalities associated with more recent variants such as the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant.

Additionally, it is anticipated to offer some degree of protection against closely related variants currently in circulation. It's important to note that the FDA's emergency authorization covers vaccines produced by both Pfizer and Moderna.

Mediterranean Diet Slashes Gastric Cancer Risk by 29%: Study

Findings from a recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, demonstrate that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a 29% reduced risk of gastric cancer. According to the latest estimates released by GLOBOCAN, in 2020, gastric cancer remains the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with >1 million new cases and an estimated 769,000 deaths.

Despite growing evidence for the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with gastric cancer risk, the results remain inconclusive. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence from previous observational studies and assess the potential association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of gastric cancer using a dose–response meta-analysis.

Reference: Front. Nutr., 08 September 2023 Sec. Clinical Nutrition

Volume 10 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1259453

European Medicines Agency Recommends New Restrictions on Topiramate in Pregnancy

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) in a recent press release, has recommended new measures designed to avoid topiramate use for pregnant women.

Topiramate‑containing medicines are used in the EU for the treatment of epilepsy and the prevention of migraine. In some EU countries, the medicine is also used in combination with phentermine for weight reduction. At present, topiramate must not be used to prevent migraines or manage body weight during pregnancy and patients who can become pregnant must use effective birth control when using topiramate.

For patients using topiramate for the treatment of epilepsy, the PRAC is now recommending that the medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless there is no other suitable treatment available.

In its review, the PRAC confirmed the known increased risk of birth defects and reduced growth of the unborn child when mothers receive topiramate during pregnancy.