Medical Bulletin 4/January/2021

Here are to Top Medical stories of the day

Gum disease increases risk of other illness such as mental health and heart conditions

A University of Birmingham-led study shows an increased risk of patients developing illnesses including mental ill-health and heart conditions if they have a GP-inputted medical history of periodontal (gum) disease

Experts carried out a first of its kind study of the GP records of 64,379 patients who had a GP-inputted recorded history of periodontal disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis (the condition that occurs if gum disease is left untreated and can lead to tooth loss). Of these, 60,995 had gingivitis and 3,384 had periodontitis. These patients' records were compared to those of 251,161 patients who had no record of periodontal disease. Across the cohorts, the average age was 44 years and 43% were male, while 30% were smokers. Body Mass Index (BMI), ethnicity and deprivation levels were also similar across the groups.

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Gum disease increases risk of other illness such as mental health and heart conditions, study finds

Wrong diet may worsen Cardiovacular Disease risk even in normal weight individuals 

Diet quality is a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) development given its substantial influence on important downstream CVD mediators such as weight. But if an individual has normal body weight, is he/she safe from the impact of unhealthy diet?

A recent study published in American Journal of Preventive Cardiology explored the impact of diet across various BMI (body mass index) categories and has found that higher diet quality is significantly associated with lower risk of incident CVD among individuals with normal weight. Infact the inverse relationship between diet quality and CVD risk is not maintained for individuals belonging to obese category, probably since a healthy diet alone cannot mitigate the magnitude of CVD risk present in these individuals.

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Wrong diet may worsen CVD risk even in normal weight individuals, AJPC study 

Psychostimulant Adrafinil: is it safe as a dietary supplement?

Adrafinil is a psychostimulant prodrug of modafinil marketed as a dietary supplement with purported effects on concentration, productivity, cognition, and wakefulness, leading many individuals to take adrafinil without physician supervision. But what is the background medical evidence for this drug? Is it safe yet for over-the counter use?

A recent review article from the American Journal of Psychiatry has reviewed the scientific evidence about this "cognition-enhancing" supplement and has cautioned against its use as a dietary supplement.

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Psychostimulant Adrafinil: is it safe as a dietary supplement? AJP explores the scientific background

Cochlear implant in deaf children with autism can improve language skills and social engagement

Restoring hearing through cochlear implantation for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can help them understand spoken language and enhance social interactions, according to a study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. The study reported long-term outcomes of the largest number of children with ASD who received a cochlear implant, with mean follow-up of 10.5 years. Findings were published in the journal Otology & Neurotology.

"Our results add to the growing body of evidence that cochlear implantation clearly benefits deaf children with autism spectrum disorder," said senior author Nancy Young, MD, Medical Director of Audiology and Cochlear Implant Programs at Lurie Children's and a Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Improved hearing provides access to spoken language that may enhance their cognitive and communication potential, as well as help these children engage more with their families."

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Cochlear Implant in Deaf Children with Autism Can Improve Language Skills and Social Engagement

Men athletes more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than female counterparts

A recent study in the European Heart Journal has reported that sports-related sudden cardiac death (SrSCD) is less likely to occur in women than in men. Overall, sports-related SCD incidence was found to be 0.66 per million athlete-years in females versus 5.01 events per million athlete-years in males.

In the review, the researchers noted that in general sudden cardiac death (SCD) is rough twice as common in males versus females. This could be due to the differences in the sports performed and/or exercise intensity.

For more details, check out the full story on the link below:

Men athletes more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than female counterparts: Study