Medical Bulletin 28/September/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Study links carbohydrate quality to midlife weight gain: Refined carbs and sugary drinks pose risk

A recent study published in The BMJ sheds light on the relationship between carbohydrate consumption and weight gain, suggesting that increased consumption of carbohydrates from refined grains, starchy vegetables, and sugary drinks is associated with greater weight gain throughout midlife, while opting for carbohydrates from whole grains, fruit, and non-starchy vegetables may help mitigate weight gain.

Reference: Association between changes in carbohydrate intake and long term weight changes: prospective cohort study, DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-073939

Journal: The BMJ

Nasal Spray medication may offer self-treatment option for Rapid Heartbeat

A novel fast-acting medication delivered through a nasal spray could potentially empower individuals experiencing intermittent rapid heartbeats to treat themselves as soon as symptoms arise, potentially reducing emergency room visits and medical interventions, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The medication is awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Reference: Etripamil Nasal Spray for Conversion of Repeated Spontaneous Episodes of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia During Long-Term Follow-Up: Results From the NODE-302 Study,Journal of the American Heart Association, DOI 10.1161/JAHA.122.028227 

Hot Flashes linked to increased Cardiovascular Risk

Emerging data now suggests a direct link between hot flashes and cardiovascular disease, with a new study being the first to associate physiologically assessed hot flashes with elevated systemic inflammation—a known risk factor for heart disease. Approximately 70% of women going through midlife experience vasomotor symptoms, commonly referred to as hot flashes.

Previous research linking hot flashes to increased systemic inflammation relied on self-reported data regarding the frequency and severity of these episodes. However, self-reports have limitations, such as relying on memory and the potential for reporting biases. This new study, involving 276 participants from the MsHeart study, employed sternal skin conductance for a physiological assessment of hot flashes to investigate if more frequent physiologically assessed hot flashes were indeed linked to heightened systemic inflammation.

Reference: The Menopause Society

Meeting: 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society

Catheter Ablation Shows Promise in Improving Mental Health in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

A recent study published in JAMA has revealed that catheter ablation significantly improves the psychological distress of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) when compared to medical therapy alone.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder that not only affects physical health but can also take a toll on mental well-being. A new study, the Randomized Evaluation of the Impact of Catheter Ablation on Psychological Distress in Atrial Fibrillation (REMEDIAL), sheds light on a potential breakthrough in addressing this issue.

Reference: Al-Kaisey AM, Parameswaran R, Bryant C, et al. Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation vs Medical Therapy and Psychological Distress: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2023;330(10):925–933. DOI:10.1001/jama.2023.14685