In a nutshell This study explored whether gastric bypass surgery (where the stomach is made smaller to reduce food intake and aid weight loss) had a better outcome on diabetes control compared with strict lifestyle changes. The study concluded that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (a type of gastric bypass surgery) had a better outcome than lifestyle...
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In a nutshell This study assessed the effects of reducing and withdrawing treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had achieved remission using etanercept (Enbrel) plus methotrexate (Trexall). The results showed that etanercept and methotrexate (MTX) combined led to better disease control than MTX alone, or a placebo (a substance...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effect of combination treatment of nivolumab (Opdivo) and a type of radiation therapy for the treatment of melanoma spread to the brain. The authors found out that this radiation therapy was well tolerated and produced better survival in melanoma patients who also received nivolumab. Some background In...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effectiveness of combination therapy with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) on health-related quality of life in advanced melanoma patients. The authors found out that the combination therapy prolonged survival and decreased treatment-related adverse events. Some background...
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In a nutshell This paper studied whether adding perindopril (Aceon) to beta-blocker therapy could improve outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease. This study found that adding perindopril to beta-blocker therapy improved outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Some background Coronary artery disease occurs when...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to see if internal or external focus affects dual performance in unilateral (one side of the body was affected) stroke patients. The study found no significant difference between which type of focus was used. Some background Performing two tasks at once – such as walking and texting – can be difficult for...
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In a nutshell This review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the new anticancer drug dacomitinib in comparison to current drug erlotinib. Both drugs are used to treat advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. The study found that dacomitinib was marginally more effective than erlotinib in specific EGFR-mutant-NSCLC. Some...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine overall mortality (patients who died after treatment) and prostate-specific mortality (patients who died from prostate cancer after treatment) in patients who underwent prostate surgery or radiation to treat localized (confined to the prostate) prostate cancer. The authors...
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In a nutshell This study examined abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) as a treatment option for older men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Researchers concluded that abiraterone acetate improves overall survival in younger as well as older men with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. Some background...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in predicting cancer progression during active surveillance. Researchers concluded that mpMRI adds value to biopsy results in identifying the risk of cancer progressing. Some background Active surveillance is common in low-risk...
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In a nutshell This paper studied the outcome of adding cilostazol (Pletal) to aspirin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The authors found that this reduced rates of heart attack, stroke or revascularization. Some background Percutaneous coronary intervention is a procedure done to improve blood flow in blocked blood...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated long-term survival in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The study concluded that patients with type 1 diabetes had more than double the long-term risk of death after CABG compared with patients without diabetes. The long-term risk of death in patients...
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