Banning smoking in public places helps to reduce heart attacks. That's the conclusion of a report released this week. The report reviewed 11 previous studies. Other new research looked at nursing home residents with kidney failure. It found that many die or are less able to function within a year after starting dialysis treatment. Another study found that people with advanced dementia also often die within six months. This occurs even after aggressive care for illness. Researchers reported this week on two types of surgery for removing the prostate in cancer patients. Operating through a tiny incision helped patients in some ways, but not others, compared with surgery through a traditional "open" incision. More swine flu research also was released this week. It found that nearly half of the adults who spent time in a hospital with the disease were previously healthy.
Stay well.

This Issue:

In the News:

Report: Smoking Bans Curb Heart Attacks
Bans on smoking in public places reduce heart attack rates. That's the conclusion of a report this week from the Institute of Medicine, the Associated Press said. The institute is an independent group of experts that advises the U.S. government. The experts looked at 11 studies from the United States, Canada, Italy and Scotland. They found that heart attack rates dropped when smoking bans in restaurants and other public places took effect. The reduction ranged from 6% to 47%. Smoking and secondhand smoke release tiny particles of air pollution. Smoke can damage blood vessels and promote formation of blood clots that cause heart attacks.

Studies Question Aggressive Care in Elderly
Some frail elderly people may not benefit from dialysis and other aggressive care, two studies suggest. Both studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The Associated Press wrote about them this week. One study looked at health records of 3,702 nursing home residents who had dialysis for kidney failure. Within a year, 58% died. Another 29% became less able to walk, get dressed or do other daily activities. The other study focused on 323 nursing home residents. Their average age was 85, and they had advanced dementia. They could not recognize loved ones and were unable to talk or walk. About 25% died within 6 months and 54% within 18 months. Just over 40% ended up having a hospital stay, tube feeding or other aggressive care in their last 3 months of life.

Study Compares 2 Prostate Procedures
Prostate removal using small cuts in the body leads to better results in some ways but not in others, a new study finds. The new study is based on five years of Medicare claims. Researchers looked at medical records for 1,938 men who had surgery for prostate cancer. Their prostates were removed with instruments inserted through small incisions. Researchers compared these men with 6,899 who had an "open" procedure. This is an older type of surgery that uses a bigger incision. The small-incision group stayed one day less in the hospital than the other group. They had fewer problems with breathing after surgery. They were less likely to need a blood transfusion. But they also were more likely to have problems up to 18 months later with urine control and sexual function. The Associated Press wrote about the study. It was published online by the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Serious Swine Flu Cases Include Healthy Adults
New information emerged this week about the most serious cases of illness caused by the H1N1 (swine) flu virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released numbers on adults who had to stay in the hospital with swine flu. Almost half were healthy and did not have asthma or other long-term diseases before they got sick with flu. These numbers were based on 1,400 adults treated in 10 states. The cases occurred in the spring and summer. Serious cases in children have not been analyzed yet. But experts told the Associated Press that there are danger signs to look for in kids. They include fast or troubled breathing, bluish skin color, lack of thirst and failure to wake up easily or interact. The child also may not want to be held. Another warning sign is if symptoms get better, then return with a fever and a worse cough.

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