All articles tagged with #long term outcomes
A multicenter trial shows an implanted vagus nerve stimulator can produce durable improvements in mood, quality of life, and daily functioning for severe treatment-resistant depression, with most gains persisting at two years and over 20% of participants in remission; some patients improved only after extended treatment, highlighting potential but ongoing barriers like cost and coverage.
A recent study shows that bariatric surgery results in about five times more weight loss over two years compared to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, highlighting surgery's superior long-term effectiveness for obesity treatment.
Research from Australia shows that hope, defined as a strong sense of agency and determination to improve one's circumstances, is a crucial predictor of positive long-term economic, social, and health outcomes, surpassing other positive emotions like happiness or security. Moving from hopelessness to hope correlates with higher educational attainment, better health, and greater resilience, suggesting that fostering hope could be a key strategy for improving individual and societal wellbeing.
A study shows that knee creaking, or crepitus, does not predict long-term arthritis risk, even in young patients recovering from ACL surgery, and may only cause temporary discomfort without lasting damage.
A 10-year study tracked outcomes and treatment side effects for nearly 2,500 men diagnosed with prostate cancer, offering insights into contemporary treatment options. The study found that men with favorable prognosis who underwent radical prostate removal experienced worse sexual function and more urinary issues compared to those who chose other treatments. For men with unfavorable prognosis, no differences in sexual function were observed between prostatectomy and radiation therapy with hormone therapy. The findings emphasize the importance of counseling men differently based on their prognosis and suggest that active surveillance may be the best option for some men with favorable prognosis, avoiding adverse effects associated with other treatments.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in New York City is launching a multi-year research study to examine the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 among adults, aiming to recruit around 10,000 participants and follow up with them over several years. The study will produce city-specific data on how COVID-19 impacts individuals over time, informing policy makers and program planners on the needs and barriers to support services for those experiencing long-term physical and mental health problems. The Health Department will collaborate with community-based partners and organizations supporting Long COVID research and advocacy, and New Yorkers recovering from COVID-19 or Long COVID can access care through NYC Health + Hospitals AfterCare program and its COVID-19 Centers of Excellence. This initiative follows the Health Department's history of leading long-term research projects to track health impacts of emergencies, such as the World Trade Center Health Registry after 9/11.
A chapter from the Critical Psychiatry Textbook discusses the long-term outcomes of psychiatric drugs and their impact on conditions such as psychosis and depression. Studies have shown that psychiatric drugs can increase the chronicity of these disorders and lead to poorer outcomes compared to unmedicated patients. For example, research has found that patients with schizophrenia who discontinued their medication had significantly higher recovery rates compared to those who stayed on the drugs. Similarly, studies have shown that depression pills can lead to a more chronic course of the illness and increase the risk of suicide. A recent seminar published in The Lancet was criticized for providing misleading information about suicide and failing to acknowledge the risks associated with psychiatric drugs. The article highlights the need for honest information and a reevaluation of psychiatric care.
Treating postnatal depression with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) not only benefits mothers but also improves child behavior, according to a study analyzing data from over 61,000 mothers and their children. The study found that SSRI treatment led to reduced maternal depression, improved partner relationships, and fewer child behavioral difficulties such as ADHD symptoms up to five years after childbirth. These findings challenge concerns about the long-term impact of SSRIs and suggest that they offer a net positive effect for families affected by postnatal depression.
Women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) may face increased risks for relapse and other cardiovascular events in future pregnancies, regardless of whether their left ventricular (LV) function recovers. A study found that adverse maternal outcomes were significantly worse among those with persisting LV dysfunction compared to those with recovered LV function. The risk of relapsed PPCM persisted up to 8 years. The study highlights the need for long-term follow-up and multidisciplinary care for women with PPCM, as mortality rates remain high over time. The findings suggest that complete recovery of cardiac function after PPCM does not guarantee a favorable outcome in subsequent pregnancies, and caution should be exercised in considering future pregnancies for women with a history of PPCM.