Tag

Observational Study

All articles tagged with #observational study

health14 days ago•5 min saved

Six Months of Breastfeeding May Lower Kids' ADHD Risk, Study Finds

A Norwegian study of about 37,600 families found that longer exclusive breastfeeding up to six months is linked to lower ADHD symptom levels at ages 3, 5 and 8, seen in both boys and girls and remaining after adjusting for genetics and sociodemographic factors; while the association persists, researchers caution that causality can't be proven and the sample isn't fully representative, so more research is needed, though findings echo guidelines that support exclusive breastfeeding for about six months.

via New York Post|

#adhd #breastfeeding #health

health15 days ago•4 min saved

VA data suggest COVID boosters curb heart risk in older veterans

A study using US Veterans Affairs records found the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine, given with the flu vaccine on the same day, was associated with lower risk of COVID-related major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in more than one million veterans, particularly those 75 and older and with underlying conditions. Within eight months, relative vaccine effectiveness was 37.7% for all MACE, including a 57.9% lower risk of cardiovascular death, 38.5% lower risk of heart attack, and 41.9% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure; stroke reduction was not statistically significant. The study is observational and cannot prove causation, and declines in COVID testing and infection severity may affect the links observed.

via New York Post|

#cardiovascular-events #covid-vaccine #health

health15 days ago•6 min saved

Anti-inflammatory Diet Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Alzheimer’s Pathology

In a 15-year observational study of 1,865 older adults, researchers found that diets with lower inflammatory potential were associated with a 21–29% reduced dementia risk among those with elevated Alzheimer’s biomarkers; the Mediterranean-style diet showed benefits mainly in people with lower biomarker levels. While the study cannot prove causation, it supports the idea that high‑quality, anti‑inflammatory eating patterns—rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats, with limited processed foods and sugary drinks—may promote brain health and delay dementia onset.

via Medical News Today|

#alzheimer-biomarkers #anti-inflammatory-diet #brain-health

health16 days ago•6 min saved

Switching to Vapes May Raise Eye Disease Risk, Major Study Finds

A large Korean study of 32,316 matched former smokers followed for about 4.6 years found that those who switched to electronic cigarettes or other smokeless nicotine products had a higher risk of major eye diseases than those who quit nicotine entirely. Specifically, switchers had a 24% higher risk of diabetic retinopathy and a 7% higher risk of refractive/accommodation disorders, with quitters showing 41.1 vs 44 cases per 1,000 person-years. The study observed 6,328 eye-disease events overall. Authors caution that the retrospective, self-reported data cannot prove causation, but the findings suggest substituting nicotine products may not eliminate eye-disease risk.

via Fox News|

#diabetic-retinopathy #eye-health #health

health17 days ago•6 min saved

VA study links 2024-25 COVID vaccine to fewer major heart events in veterans

Using VA health records of over 1 million veterans (average age ~70, 92% male), researchers found that the 2024–2025 COVID vaccine given with the flu shot was associated with a 37.7% lower risk of COVID-related major adverse cardiovascular events vs flu vaccine alone over about eight months. The vaccine was linked to 57.9% lower cardiovascular death, 38.5% lower heart attack risk, and 41.9% lower heart-failure hospitalization, while stroke reduction was not significant; benefits were greatest for those 75+ and with underlying conditions. Since the study is observational, it cannot prove causation, and milder illness or prior immunity may contribute to the findings.

via Fox News|

#cardiovascular-disease #covid-19 #health

health20 days ago•5 min saved

Shingrix May Cut Dementia Risk by 24% in Seniors, Study Finds

A real-world study of 509,926 nursing‑facility residents found that those who received the Shingrix shingles vaccine within 12 months of admission had a 24% lower risk of developing dementia over four years than unvaccinated peers, though the observational design cannot establish causation. Uptake was low (8,843 vaccinated), and researchers note potential neuroinflammatory mechanisms and confounders; the study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, and Shingrix’s real‑world cognitive benefits add to questions about why vaccines might protect brain health.

via ScienceAlert|

#dementia #elderly #health

health1 month ago•4 min saved

The 90–120 minute weekly strength sweet spot linked to longer life

An observational analysis of 147,000+ adults over up to 30 years finds that 90–119 minutes per week of strength training is associated with lower all-cause mortality (13%), cardiovascular mortality (19%), and neurological mortality (27%), with no extra benefit above 120 minutes; cancer deaths also drop at lower training levels; the strongest reductions occur when strength work is combined with high levels of aerobic exercise, though causality cannot be established due to self-reported data and study limitations.

via ScienceDaily|

#aerobic-exercise #dose-response #health

health1 month ago•10 min saved

Glucosamine Linked to Faster Dementia Progression, Study Finds

A UF Health study analyzing anonymized records of about 65,000 patients (24,000 with dementia, 41,000 with mild cognitive impairment) found glucosamine users were 25% more likely to die within five years and those with mild cognitive impairment were 25% more likely to progress to Alzheimer's; mouse experiments suggest a brain sugar–processing mechanism, but the results are associative, not causal. More clinical trials are needed, and glucosamine remains a widely used over‑the‑counter supplement.

via The Conversation|

#alzheimers-disease #dementia #glucosamine

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Add-on calcium-channel blockers linked to faster kidney decline in type 2 diabetes

An observational study presented at a European Renal Association congress suggests dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers (DCCBs) used as add-on therapy to standard hypertension treatment in people with type 2 diabetes may be associated with a 33% higher risk of major adverse kidney events, hinting at faster progression of diabetic kidney disease. The findings are not yet peer-reviewed and could be affected by confounding, so replication is needed before changing guidelines. Clinicians should individualize blood‑pressure management and consider alternatives like thiazide diuretics, while patients should consult their doctors for personalized therapy.

via Medical News Today|

#calcium-channel-blockers #diabetes #health

health1 month ago•10 min saved

GLP-1 Diabetes Drugs Hint at Slowing Cancer Spread, Early Observational Findings

New findings from the Cleveland Clinic, presented at the ASCO meeting, suggest GLP-1 medications may be linked to reduced metastatic progression in several obesity-related cancers (notably non-small cell lung, breast, colorectal, and liver cancers) when compared with DPP-4 inhibitors. The study is observational and not peer‑reviewed, and it does not prove GLP-1s kill cancer cells or should be used for cancer prevention. Researchers caution that more rigorous, randomized trials are needed before changing cancer treatment guidelines.

via HuffPost|

#asco #cancer-progression #glp-1

health1 month ago•4 min saved

GLP-1 diabetes drugs linked to slower cancer progression in early study

An observational analysis of over 10,000 cancer patients who started GLP-1 drugs after diagnosis found slower progression in four of seven cancers, with the strongest effects in lung and breast cancer, compared with a matched group on DPP-4 inhibitors. The study is not peer‑reviewed and cannot prove causation; randomized trials are needed to confirm any anti‑cancer effects. Researchers discuss possible mechanisms, including tumor GLP-1 receptor interactions, interference with glycolysis, and immune modulation, and conclude GLP-1 drugs appear safe for patients with cancer using them for diabetes or obesity, though they are not a cancer therapy.

via NBC News|

#asco #cancer-progression #diabetes-drugs

health2 months ago•7 min saved

Eggs Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk in Large Population Study

An observational study from Loma Linda University analyzed data from about 40,000 U.S. adults over 65 linked to Medicare, following them for 15 years, and found that higher egg consumption was associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease; those who ate eggs five or more times per week had a 27% lower risk, while moderate intake (one to three times per month or once weekly) correlated with about a 17% reduction; researchers caution that causation cannot be established, but eggs are rich in brain-supporting nutrients like choline and B12 and can fit into a heart-healthy diet when paired with vegetables, whole grains, and fish.

via Fox News|

#alzheimers-disease #brain-health #diet

science2 months ago•4 min saved

Omega-3 Supplements Could Accelerate Cognitive Decline in APOE ε4 Carriers, Study Suggests

An observational analysis of the ADNI cohort (800+ older adults, about half APOE ε4 carriers) found that those taking omega-3 supplements showed faster cognitive decline on MMSE and related tests than non-users, with no clear link to Alzheimer's brain biomarkers; the researchers caution that this is not causal and the sample isn’t representative, highlighting a need for nuanced, dose- and context-dependent research. While some reviews hint at low-dose benefits, high doses might be harmful, suggesting omega-3 should be approached with care and preferably sourced from whole foods until more evidence clarifies its brain effects.

via ScienceAlert|

#alzheimers-disease #apoe-e4 #cognitive-decline

health2 months ago•4 min saved

Meat and APOE4: Possible Dementia Risk Reduction Found in Carriers

An observational study following 2,157 people over up to 15 years found that eating more meat was linked to a lower dementia risk only among APOE4 carriers; for non-carriers, meat intake showed no overall cognitive benefit. However, a higher ratio of unprocessed to total meat was associated with lower dementia risk in all participants, and higher processed meat intake tended to raise risk. The study does not prove causation and clinicians caution that more research, including trials, is needed before genotype-tailored dietary recommendations can be made.

via ScienceAlert|

#apoe4 #dementia #diet

health3 months ago•5 min saved

Shingles vaccine linked to fewer heart complications in people with heart disease

A large observational study of more than 246,000 U.S. adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease found that receiving at least one shingles vaccine dose (Shingrix or Zostavax) was associated with substantially lower risks of major cardiovascular events within a year, including a 46% drop in major adverse cardiovascular events, 27% fewer heart attacks, 27% fewer strokes, 33% fewer heart failures, and a 61% reduction in death from any cause, compared with unvaccinated peers. The researchers caution that causality cannot be proven from observational data and longer follow-up is needed, but the findings add to evidence that the shingles vaccine may offer broader health benefits and support vaccination guidelines for adults 50 and older, especially those with cardiovascular disease.

via Medical News Today|

#cardiovascular-disease #health #heart-attack