Medical Bulletin 16/May/2023

Here are the top medical news for the day:

How both metabolically healthy and unhealthy ‘forms’ of obesity increase risk of various obesity-related cancers

New research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that both the metabolically healthy and unhealthy ‘forms’ of obesity are associated with an increased risk of various obesity-related cancers, with the relationship stronger in metabolically unhealthy obesity.

In this new research, the authors investigated body mass index jointly and in interaction with metabolic health status in relation to obesity-related cancer risk among 797,193 European individuals.

In women, compared to metabolically healthy women of normal weight, metabolically unhealthy women with obesity had a 21% increased risk of colon cancer, a 3-times increased risk of endometrial cancer, and a 2.5 times increased risk of kidney cancer. Metabolically healthy women with obesity had a 2.4 times increased risk of endometrial cancer and an 80% increased risk of kidney cancer - but the relationship with colon cancer was no longer statistically significant.

Reference:

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF OBESITY MEETING, European Congress on Obesity (ECO2023)

Clinically relevant deficiency of oxytocin hormone demonstrated

Researchers from the University of Basel and the University Hospital of Basel have succeeded in demonstrating a deficiency of oxytocin in patients with a deficiency of vasopressin caused by a disease of the pituitary gland.

The hormones oxytocin and vasopressin are produced in the same area of the brain and are also very similar in structure. Patients with a rare deficiency of vasopressin cannot concentrate their urine and lose liters of water as a result. In order to compensate for this loss, they are obliged to drink up to 10 liters or more per day.

Reference:

Dr. Cihan Atila et al,The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, DOI 10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00120-1

Cardiovascular disease risk factor management may help preserve physical function as we age

Managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may play a role in preserving physical function during the aging process, according to new research published by The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences.

“Approximately 10% of older adults have muscle weakness and diminished physical function that leads to adverse health outcomes and physical disability,” said lead author Dr. Shivani Sahni. “Since loss of physical function contributes to reduced mobility, disability, institutionalization, and mortality, management of CVD risk factors can help preserve physical function with age,” said Dr. Sahni.

Reference:

“Association of Vascular Health Measures and Physical Function: A Prospective Analysis in the Framingham Heart Study,” was written by lead author Dr. Sahni and coauthors Alyssa B. Dufour, PhD,1 Na Wang, PhD,2 Douglas P. Kiel, MD, MPH,1 Marian T. Hannan, DSc, MPH,1 Paul F. Jacques, DSc,3 Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM,4,5 Ramachandran S. Vasan, MD,4,5 Joanne M. Murabito, MD,4,5 Anne B. Newman, MD, MPH,6 Roger A. Fielding, PhD,3 Gary F. Mitchell, MD,7 Naomi M. Hamburg, MD4.