Medical Bulletin 26/September/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Study finds PMS linked to Early Menopause and Vasomotor Symptoms

A recent population-based cohort study published in JAMA Netw Open. found that those with premenstrual disorders (PMDs) had a significantly higher risk of experiencing early menopause (before age 45) and moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (such as hot flashes and night sweats) during menopause compared to women without PMDs.

The study, which collected data from June 1991 to June 2017, aimed to investigate whether women with PMDs have a higher risk of early menopause and vasomotor symptoms (VMS) during menopause.

Reference: Yang Y, Valdimarsdóttir UA, Manson JE, et al. Premenstrual Disorders, Timing of Menopause, and Severity of Vasomotor Symptoms. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2334545. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.34545

Inhaled Fluticasone fails to speed recovery in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases

In a recent trial published in the NEJM, it was found that the use of inhaled fluticasone furoate, a glucocorticoid, did not significantly shorten the time to recovery or prevent hospitalization or death among outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment in COVID-19 patients and whether it could alleviate symptoms or reduce the need for hospitalization.

The trial involved non-hospitalized adults aged 30 or older who exhibited at least two COVID-19 symptoms, with symptom duration not exceeding seven days before enrollment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive inhaled fluticasone furoate at a daily dose of 200 μg for 14 days or a placebo.

Reference: September 21, 2023, N Engl J Med 2023; 389:1085-1095, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2209421

Early convalescent plasma treatment linked to reduced risk of long COVID: Study

A recent study conducted on individuals recovering from COVID-19 found that those receiving early treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) had significantly lower odds of developing post-COVID conditions (PCC).

Post-COVID conditions (PCCs) have emerged as a common concern among individuals recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infections. The study involving 882 individuals who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections sought to explore the association between early treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP), cytokine levels, and the development of PCC. The participants were part of a randomized trial comparing CCP treatment to control plasma, with available biospecimens and symptom data. Cytokine and chemokine levels were assessed at baseline, day 14, and day 90 using a multiplexed sandwich immunoassay.

Reference: Kelly A. Gebo et al, ASM Journals, Early antibody treatment, inflammation, and risk of post-COVID conditions, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00618-23