Medical Bulletin 30/December/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Low-carbohydrate diet macronutrient quality and weight change

In this study using data from three large prospective cohort studies among 123,000 individuals, low-carbohydrate diets that emphasized high-quality proteins, fats and carbohydrates from whole grains and other healthy plant-based foods were significantly associated with slower weight gain in the long term. In contrast, low-carbohydrate diets emphasizing animal-sourced proteins and fats or refined carbohydrates were associated with faster weight gain.

The associations of low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) with long-term weight management remains unclear, and the source and quality of macronutrients within LCDs are less explored.

Reference: Liu B, Hu Y, Rai SK, Wang M, Hu FB, Sun Q. Low-Carbohydrate Diet Macronutrient Quality and Weight Change. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(12):e2349552. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.49552

Hormone Therapy may lower risk of Allergic Rhinitis in Perimenopausal Women

In a recent study conducted between May 2020 and March 2021 at Shijitan Hospital, researchers explored the complex connections between hormone therapy (HT), obesity, and allergic rhinitis (AR) in perimenopausal women. The study found that HT was found to reduce the risk of AR in perimenopausal women and intriguingly an association was also found between HT, BMI, and AR as lean women on HT exhibited a higher risk for AR compared to overweight women on HT.

The study results were published in the journal Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology.

Reference: Liu J, Ma T, Wang X, Bai W, Wang X. Associations between HT, BMI, and allergic rhinitis in perimenopausal women. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2023;19(1):107. Published 2023 Dec 19. DOI: 10.1186/s13223-023-00839-7

Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and risk of miscarriage

In this case-time-control study, benzodiazepine use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, even after accounting for unmeasured confounders, including those related to genetics and the family environment. The study is published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy has raised significant concerns due to the potential harmful effects of this drug class on neonates. Studies on the association between benzodiazepine use and the risk of miscarriage are limited.

Reference: Meng L, Lin C, Chuang H, Chen L, Hsiao F. Benzodiazepine Use During Pregnancy and Risk of Miscarriage. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online December 27, 2023. DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.4912.