Medical Bulletin 20/October/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

A surprising new reason of Long COVID

In a recent discovery, researchers have unveiled a potential key to understanding the lingering effects of COVID-19, commonly referred to as 'Long COVID.'The study published in Journal Cell has found that Long COVID (PASC) is associated with serotonin reduction, possibly explaining neurocognitive symptoms, providing insights for future therapeutic interventions.

Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain Long Covid, including viral persistence, chronic inflammation, hypercoagulability, and autonomic dysfunction, but a unifying explanation has been lacking. This latest research, conducted by a team of experts, suggests a possible common link between these hypotheses that could pave the way for therapeutic interventions. The central element identified is the reduction of serotonin in individuals suffering from Long COVID.

Reference: Wong et al., Serotonin reduction in post-acute sequelae of viral infection, Cell (2023), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.09.013

Commonly prescribed statin increases risk of type 2 diabetes, finds BMJ study

Two widely used statins, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin, are equally effective at preventing heart attacks, strokes and death in people with coronary artery disease. But while rosuvastatin treatment is associated with lower cholesterol levels, it also carries a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than atorvastatin, finds a recent study published by The BMJ.

Few trials have directly compared the long term clinical effects of the two most potent statins—rosuvastatin and atorvastatin—in people with coronary artery disease.

Reference: Rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin treatment in adults with coronary artery disease: secondary analysis of the randomised LODESTAR trial, The BMJ, DOI 10.1136/bmj-2022-075837 

A diet that effectively reduces dangerous belly fat

A recent study published in JAMA has found that a weight-loss lifestyle intervention, featuring an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet and increased physical activity, significantly reduces total and visceral fat while boosting total lean mass in older adults with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The PREDIMED-Plus trial, conducted in 23 research centers across Spain, focuses on cardiovascular disease prevention and involves individuals aged 55 to 75 years with a body mass index (BMI) ranging from 27 to 40 and metabolic syndrome. In this interim analysis, conducted between February and November 2022, researchers zoomed in on body composition changes after a 3-year follow-up. Of the 6,874 total participants, 1,521 individuals, coming from centers equipped with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry devices, underwent detailed body composition assessments.

Reference: Konieczna J, Ruiz-Canela M, Galmes-Panades AM, et al. An Energy-Reduced Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity, and Body Composition: An Interim Subgroup Analysis of the PREDIMED-Plus Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2337994. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37994

Can adult ADHD increase their dementia risk in later life, Insights from JAMA study

Adults with ADHD have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia in later life, according to a large-scale cohort study published in JAMA.The study, which included over 109,000 participants, sheds light on a previously understudied connection, emphasizing the importance of addressing ADHD in older adults.

The study, conducted by a nonprofit Israeli health maintenance organization, followed individuals born between 1933 and 1952 who entered the cohort without prior diagnoses of ADHD or dementia. The participants, aged 51 to 70 years at the beginning of the study in 2003, were tracked until February 28, 2020.

Reference: Levine SZ, Rotstein A, Kodesh A, et al. Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and the Risk of Dementia. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2338088. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.38088