Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Lewy Body Dementia; Osteoporosis; Kidney Stones; Covid
Researchers have identified gut bacteria that are associated with dementia with Lewy bodies. Changing the levels of three bacteria, Collinsella, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium, may delay the onset and progression of this neurodegenerative disease. (Nagoya University, 2/28)
Women over 50 are already at a higher risk of osteoporosis, but a new study from Columbia University鈥檚 Mailman School of Public Health in New York has determined that elevated levels of air pollutants can contribute to bone damage in postmenopausal women. The study found that the effects of air pollution were most evident in the lumbar spine, 鈥渨ith nitrous oxides twice as damaging to the area than seen with normal aging,鈥 according to a press release about the study. (Payton, 2/27)
Nephrolithiasis is one of the most common conditions affecting the kidney and is characterized by a high risk of recurrence. Thiazide diuretic agents are widely used for prevention of the recurrence of kidney stones, but data regarding the efficacy of such agents as compared with placebo are limited. Furthermore, dose鈥搑esponse data are also limited. (Dhayat et al, 3/1)
The vast majority鈥84.2%鈥攐f COVID-19 survivors in a Swedish cohort reported persistent symptoms affecting daily life 2 years after hospital release, according to a follow-up study聽published late last week in The Lancet Regional Health Europe. (Van Beusekom, 2/27)