Medical Bulletin 30/September/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Atopic Dermatitis linked to increased risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, study finds

In a recent cohort study, researchers have uncovered a significant association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study, which analyzed data from The Health Improvement Network, a UK electronic medical record database, provides valuabl e insights into the link between these seemingly unrelated conditions.

Atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, has long been associated with various comorbidities. However, its relationship with IBD, which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), has remained inconsistent and poorly understood. This study aimed to clarify this connection by examining the risk of new-onset IBD, UC, and CD in both children and adults with AD.

Reference: Chiesa Fuxench ZC, Wan J, Wang S, et al. Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis. JAMA Dermatol. Published online August 30, 2023. DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.2875

A song that can reduce Anxiety by 60%

Music is a viable alternative to sedative medications in reducing patient anxiety prior to an anesthesia procedure, according to a Penn Medicine study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

A peripheral nerve block procedure is a type of regional anesthesia – done in the preoperative area under ultrasound guidance – that blocks sensations of pain from a specific area of the body. The procedure is routinely performed for a variety of outpatient orthopedic surgeries, such as hip and knee arthroscopies and elbow or hand surgeries.

Reference: Penn Medicine study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

Study links cannabis use disorder to 60% higher risk of heart disease

A recent population-based retrospective cohort study conducted in Alberta, Canada, has revealed a concerning connection between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes.

The study aimed to measure the association between CUD and adverse CVD outcomes using linked administrative health databases. Participants with CUD diagnosis codes were meticulously matched with those without such codes based on gender, year of birth, and time of presentation to the health system, resulting in a total of 29,764 pairs.

Reference: Cannabis use disorder and adverse cardiovascular outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort analysis of adults from Alberta, Canada, Anees Bahji et al, First published: 27 September 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16337