FORT BRAGG, NC—Immunization rates of human papilloma virus (HPV) have risen among active duty forces, but many fail to complete the full vaccine series, despite recommendations from the Defense Health Agency. "DHA fully endorses CDC guidance regarding the HPV...
History of Abuse, PTSD Worsen Menopausal Symptoms
SAN FRANCISCO—Emotional abuse from a partner or spouse can increase the risk of heightened menopause symptoms, as can post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a VA-led study. Little is known about the prevalence of traumatic exposures among midlife and older women...
Military Women Face Barriers to Getting, Using Contraception
CAMBRIDGE, MA—Past studies have shown that the unintended pregnancy rate is higher among U.S. servicewomen than the general population and that servicewomen sometimes face barriers to contraceptive use. Yet, according to a study in Military Medicine, little research...
How Does Breast Density Affect Cancer Risk, Tumor Type?
GAINESVILLE, FL—What is the association of mammographic breast density with breast cancer risk by tumor aggressiveness and by menopausal status and current postmenopausal hormone therapy? That question was addressed in an article in Breast Cancer Research and...
Surgery Delay Does Not Explain Racial Differences in Breast Cancer Survival
BETHESDA, MD—Black women die from breast cancer at a higher rate than white women, but exactly why remains unclear. A new study from the Military Health System just shot down one of the leading explanations for the disparity. One suggested reason for differences in...
Greatest VA Weight Gains in Women Veterans Without Diabetes
ATLANTA—How does a diagnosis of diabetes affect weight management among U.S. veterans? A study in the journal Obesity (Silver Spring) sought to assess weight trends and diabetes prevalence among U.S. veterans.1 Atlanta VAMC researchers and colleagues used Information...
Diabetes Patients Do Well in Military Healthcare-to-VA Transition
SAN DIEGO—When service members leave active duty and receive healthcare in a different setting, care for conditions such as diabetes can suffer. A study in Military Medicine pointed out that changes in healthcare have been shown to decrease diabetes care compliance...
Effectiveness of Topical Pain Creams Questioned in Military Study
BALTIMORE, MD – Extremely high payouts from federal health insurance plans for prescription topical pain creams or gels led Congress to mandate a study on the effectiveness of the products. The new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine reports that no...
NPs, PAs Have as Good Diabetes Outcomes as Physicians
DURHAM, NC—So-called physician extenders do as good a job as physicians at the VA in helping to achieve good outcomes in diabetes patients, according to a new study. The report in Annals of Internal Medicine focused on primary care provided by nurse practitioners and...
Veterans on Standard Diabetes Care Face Dangers from Hypoglycemia Subhead: Post-hoc VADT Analysis Links Low Blood Sugar to CV Events
BALTIMORE, MD—A post-hoc analysis of the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT) once again shines a spotlight on the dangers of hypoglycemia in veterans treated for Type 2 diabetes. The study published in Diabetes Care found that severe hypoglycemic episodes within...
New Antibiotic Provides Powerful Option for Resistant Pneumonia, Skin Infections
A next-generation tetracycline, omadacycline could improve care for veterans with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).
Physical Fitness Associated With Lower Parkinson’s Rates
While exercise is important physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease, it might be more than that.
Surgical Staging Often Inadequate for Gallbladder Cancer
Guidelines frequently aren’t followed when it comes to radical cholecystectomy with regional lymphadenectomy for patients with T1b gallbladder cancer.
Prescribed Opioids Increase Risk of Pneumonia in Veterans
A study looking at whether taking prescribed opioids increased pneumonia risk in veterans with HIV vs. those without came to a disturbing conclusion: The likelihood is increased in both.
Antibiotics Overprescribed After Common Urological Procedures at VHA
Antibiotics appear to be routinely overprescribed for routine urological procedures within the VHA, according to a new study.
Use of Hospice During Treatment Has Limited VA Use
Unlike in most private sector settings, veterans with advanced cancer can receive hospice care concurrently with treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy.
VA Seeks to Resolve Questions about Prazosin for PTSD Nightmares
For years, prazosin has appeared to be one of the most effective medications for treating the nightmares associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, but that treatment is being called into questions by findings from two recent studies that patients with PTSD who received a placebo did as well or better than those who received prazosin.
Most Veterans Receiving VA Mental Healthcare Support Some Gun Restrictions
A survey of veterans receiving mental healthcare through VA found that the vast majority would favor at least one option to restrict firearm access with the goal of reducing dangers of self-harm.
VA Research Demonstrates Importance of Personalization in DLBCL Treatment
Diffuse large b-cell lymphoma accounts for approximately one-third of all cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is classified by the VA as a presumptive disease for veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.
Target Lung Disease to Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis Survival
A recent VA study emphasized the importance of targeting comorbid lung disease to improve long-term outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Army Research Challenges Long-Standing Platelet Storage Recommendations
For nearly 50 years, platelets have been stored at room temperature. Research conducted by investigators at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Center in San Antonio very well could change that.
Combat Prehospital Analgesia Agents Have Changed in Last Decade
Over time, Tactical Combat Casualty Care) guidelines regarding prehospital analgesia agents have changed, according to a new review.
Hypertension, MGUS Associated with Herbicide Exposure in Vietnam Veterans
Based on a new review, two conditions–one extremely common and the other rare–appear to be related to herbicide exposure during the Vietnam War era.
Detailed Medical History Crucial for Lung Disease Diagnosis
Both general medicine physicians and specialists can find interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary fibrosis confusing, according to a recent study.
Melanomas Associated With Internal Malignancy Risk
Genetic and environmental risk factors have been associated with the development of multiple primary melanomas (MPM) but a new study questioned whether those patients might have increased predisposition to developing internal malignancies.
Some RCC Risk Factors Can Be Modified
Obesity, hypertension and smoking are the three modifiable risk factors that could aggressively be targeted to reduce renal cell carcinoma, according to a new study.
With Advancing Age, Veterans with HIV Face Novel Challenges
Thirty years ago, veterans with human immunodeficiency virus and their physicians focused on survival.
DHA Releases Interim Guidance for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has released interim guidance designed to optimize clinical use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis and reduce variability in access to prophylactic medication.
Military Study: Early Antibiotics, Acid-Suppressants Raise Obesity Risk
Early exposure to antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications is linked with the development of obesity, with an even stronger association after prolonged courses or with prescriptions for multiple antibiotic classes, according to a new military study.
After 40 Years, VA Study Finds Antipsychotics No Help for Delirium
For more than 40 years, haloperidol and ziprasidone have been given to critically ill patients who develop delirium in hospital intensive care units.
