Our weekly roundup of the latest news in the world of health. This week we learn that non-oral hormones may be safer for the heart, that patients with heart problems should be screened for depression, and that computers may help radiologists read mammogram results. We also look at a new genetic tests that will help doctors identify flu strains more quickly.
Stay well.
This Issue:
Hormone Patches, Gels Safer Than Pills Heart Problems and Depression Computers Help With Mammograms Genetic Flu Test In the News:
Hormone Patches, Gels Safer Than Pills Patches, gels or other non-oral hormones may be safer for women than estrogen or estrogen-progestin pills. That's the finding of a Danish study published in the European Heart Journal. The study looked at nearly 700,000 women ages 51-69. Although overall the researchers found no increased effect from hormone use on heart attack risk, according to a USA Today report. However, specifically the researchers found that women who took estrogen-progestin pills had a 35% higher risk for heart attack. The findings also suggest that taking estrogen every day but progestin only some days of the month, may be better for the heart than taking both every day. USA Today quotes other experts who say patches and gels may be safer because they don't appear to have the same effect on clotting or inflammation as pills.
Heart Problems and Depression
The American Heart Association is recommending that all heart patients be screened for signs of depression. The recommendations, published in the journal Circulation, note that depression is about three times more common in heart attack survivors and other patients hospitalized with heart problems than the general population. They urge cardiologists, nurses and primary care doctors to be involved in identifying people who are depressed, the Associated Press reports. Depression can lead to poorer outcomes for patients, a heart association panel said.
Computers Help With Mammograms
Computers may be an effective aid for radiologists in detecting breast cancer on a mammogram. A British study published in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at 31,000 women. The researchers found that computer-aided detection identified almost the same number of cancers as "double reading" -- having a second radiologist interpret the mammogram results, the Associated Press reports. The AP quotes experts who say the findings could be beneficial in areas where a double reading is not practical.
Genetic Flu Test
Labs now can identify particular strains of influenza much more quickly, thanks to a new genetic test for the flus virus approved this week. The new Applied Biosystems test can identify flu strains within four hours instead of four days, which could be key if a deadly strain emerges, the Associated Press reports. It also could help doctors make better treatment decisions, the AP said.
Used with the permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. The above summaries are not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor are they intended to be a substitute for consultation with a physician.
