Underwriting Solutions LLC

Management and Technical Stuff For the Life Underwriting Professional

Going Officeless

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February 9, 2010 at 9:49 pm

ASA May Reduce CVD and All-Cause Mortality in T2DM

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Aspirin Is Associated With Reduced Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes in a Primary Prevention Setting — Diabetes Care

RESULTS There were 160 deaths (24.6%) during follow-up, with 70 (43.8%) due to CVD. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, there was no difference in either CVD or all-cause mortality in aspirin users versus nonusers (P = 0.52 and 0.94, respectively, by log-rank test). After adjustment for significant variables in the most parsimonious Cox models, regular aspirin use at baseline independently predicted reduced CVD and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.30 [95% CI 0.09–0.95] and 0.53 [0.28–0.98[, respectively; P ≤ 0.044). In subgroup analyses, aspirin use was independently associated with reduced all-cause mortality in those aged ≥65 years and men.

CONCLUSIONS Regular low-dose aspirin may reduce all-cause and CVD mortality in a primary prevention setting in type 2 diabetes. All-cause mortality reductions are greatest in men and in those aged ≥65 years. The present observational data support recommendations that aspirin should be used in primary CVD prevention in all but the lowest risk patients.

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February 7, 2010 at 9:16 pm

Increased CIMT in T2DM = Abnormal Myocardial Perfusion

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Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness as a Predictor of the Presence and Extent of Abnormal Myocardial Perfusion in Type 2 Diabetes — Diabetes Care

CONCLUSIONS Increased CIMT was significantly related to the presence and extent of abnormal myocardial perfusion. Assessment of CIMT may be useful to identify asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes at higher risk for CAD.

RESULTS Increased CIMT was an independent predictor of the extent of abnormal perfusion (P < 0.001). In patients with increased CIMT as compared with patients with normal CIMT, abnormal perfusion (75 vs. 9%) and severely abnormal perfusion (28 vs. 3%) were observed more frequently.

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February 7, 2010 at 8:45 pm

ADP Raises CHD Risk

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Medical News: ADT for Prostate Cancer Raises Heart Risks – in Urology, Prostate Cancer from MedPage Today

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer can exacerbate cardiac risk factors and may increase the risk of heart attack and cardiac death, according to an advisory supported by four medical organizations.

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February 6, 2010 at 10:35 pm

Proteinuria Matters

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Medical News: Protein in Urine Presages More Severe Problems – in Nephrology, ESRD from MedPage Today

The three-year risk of death, heart attack, and kidney failure was markedly increased in patients with baseline proteinuria, regardless of their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), researchers said.

In a population-based study of nearly 1 million people, mortality was approximately doubled with heavy proteinuria among individuals stratified according to their eGFR, reported Brenda R. Hemmelgarn, MD, PhD, of the University of Calgary in Canada, and colleagues.

Rates of myocardial infarction were increased by about 50% with heavy proteinuria, and end-stage renal disease and doubled levels of serum creatinine were as much as 30 times more common, the researchers reported in the Feb. 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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February 6, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Tysabri (Natalizumab) and PML – Update

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Medical News: FDA Adds PML Risk to MS Drug Label – in Product Alert, Prescriptions from MedPage Today

A warning of a risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy has been added to the label for the multiple sclerosis drug natalizumab (Tysabri), the FDA announced. The labeling change was prompted by continuing reports of PML in MS patients. The current number of confirmed cases stands at 31 — 10 in the U.S. — up from 13 as recently as last September.

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February 6, 2010 at 10:04 pm

Severe OSA = Brain Damage

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Brain Damage Seen in People With Severe Sleep Apnea – BusinessWeek

Hey, it’s only the cerebral cortex where your information processing occurs.

It’s only your CPU that loses gray matter.

Small sample,  just 36 men.  Yeah, go ahead and skip the CPAP tonight.

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February 6, 2010 at 4:29 pm

You’re in Good Hands (or not)

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February 5, 2010 at 4:43 pm

Scary Chart of the Day – 2/5/10

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Chart courtesy of:

Recovery?

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February 5, 2010 at 4:13 pm

NAFLD = Higher Mortality Rate

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February 3, 2010 at 10:33 pm