Medical Bulletin 22/December/2021

Here are Top Medical stories of the day

Novel way to prevent complication after pancreatic surgery

Pancreatic fistulae, or ducts that grow from the pancreas to nearby organs such as the colon, are a frequent complication after pancreatic surgery. Studies have shown that the risk of pancreatic fistulae after surgery is as high as 50%. These fistulae cause a leakage of pancreatic fluid, which can then accumulate near the pancreas and form an abscess, become severely infected, and—in severe cases—lead to death. Repairing these fistulae is also a prolonged and complex process.

They say prevention is better than cure, but despite multiple attempts, there are currently no effective prevention methods for pancreatic fistulae.

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Novel Way To Prevent Complication After Pancreatic Surgery, Shows New Study

lamotrigine monotherapy effective in post- stroke epilepsy

Patients with Poststroke Epilepsy receiving lamotrigine monotherapy had significantly lower mortality compared with those receiving carbamazepine, according to a recent study published in the JAMA Neurology.

There is little evidence to guide the choice of antiseizure medication (ASM) for patients with poststroke epilepsy. Theoretical concerns about the detrimental effects of ASMs on survival exist. Enzyme-inducing drugs could interfere with secondary stroke prevention. The US Food and Drug Administration recently issued a safety announcement about the potential proarrhythmic properties of lamotrigine. A group of researchers conducted a study to investigate whether mortality varies with specific ASMs among patients with poststroke epilepsy.

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Lamotrigine Monotherapy Better Than Carbamazepine In Poststroke Epilepsy: JAMA

Baked Beans Reduce ApoB-100 Levels

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) consumption is associated with multiple health benefits, including preventing and managing obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. A recent study suggests that daily intake of common bean baked snacks (CBBS) reduces the blood levels of apolipoprotein B-100. The study findings were published in the journal Nutrients on October 29, 2021.

Snack alternatives based on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have been developed to promote pulse consumption. However, snack's health benefits must be scientifically validated to proclaim them as functional foods. Therefore, Dr Alejandro Escobedo and his team conducted a study to evaluate the chemical composition, sensory acceptance and the effect of CBBS consumption on blood lipid levels in participants with overweight and altered blood lipid levels.

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Baked Beans Reduce ApoB-100 Levels, Finds Study

BMI , problems of mental well-being linked to dental fear

BMI in males and problems of mental well-being in females were positively associated with high dental fear, according to a recent study published in the BMC Oral Health.

Little is known about the association between eating disorders (ED) and dental fear. This study investigated the association between dental fear and EDs through body mass index (BMI), and SCOFF (sick, control, one stone, fat, food) questionnaire among Finnish university students. A group of researchers hypothesised that dental fear is associated with EDs and BMI.

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BMI And Problems Of Mental Well-Being Associated With High Dental Fear: Study

Blood Retinol Levels reduce risk of TIA/ Stroke in Adults

An inverse association exists between blood retinol and the risk of TIA or stroke, according to a recent study published in the Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Data on the existing evidence for the association between blood retinol and transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke risk are limited, and the results are inconclusive. This study aimed to further assess the associations between the blood retinol levels and the risk of TIA/stroke after controlling the lifestyle factors and age-related confounders. The cross-sectional data from 1,113 individuals (aged 34–84 years old) were obtained from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. The multivariable analyses were performed to investigate the association of blood retinol levels with ever and currently TIA/stroke.

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Increased Blood Retinol Levels May Reduce Risk Of TIA Or Stroke In Adults: Study