Healio (12/3, Schaffer ) says, “Survivors of an acute MI reported fear of a recurrence up to 8 months later, along with high levels of perceived stress that were distinct from depression and anxiety symptoms, researchers reported.” The investigators “noted that the fear of recurrence and the relationships with illness perceptions and perceived stress suggest psychological sequelae may interfere with adaptive coping.” The findings were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

Related Links:

— “Fear of recurrence consistent source of stress for heart attack survivors,”Regina Schaffer, Healio, December 3, 2024

Healio (12/3, Southall ) reports, “Sexual and gender minority physicians and trainees had a higher likelihood for burnout and lack of professional fulfillment compared with their straight, cisgender colleagues, according to study results.” In addition, “sexual and gender minority attendings expressed a higher intent to leave the profession compared with their non-sexual and gender minority peers.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Sexual, gender minority physicians, trainees report high rates of burnout,”Jennifer R. Southall , Healio, December 3, 2024

The AP (12/3, Murphy ) reports, “Nearly three out of 10 U.S. drugstores that were open during the previous decade had closed by 2021, new research shows.” The AP adds, “Black and Latino neighborhoods were most vulnerable to the retail pharmacy closures, which can chip away at already-limited care options in those communities, researchers said in a study.” In addition, “the trend has potentially gained momentum since the study’s timeframe, because many drugstores are still struggling.” The study was published in Health Affairs.

Related Links:

— “Nearly 30% of US drugstores closed in one decade, study shows,”Tom Murphy, AP, December , 2024

Modern Healthcare (12/2, Kacik , Subscription Publication) reports, “Health systems are boosting investment in outpatient expansion as some convert acute care hospitals to meet the growing demand for mental health, long-term care and other ambulatory services.” According to Modern Healthcare, “Health systems are pumping billions of dollars into outpatient construction, which executives say their organizations will need as the population ages and as patients spend less time in the hospital.” Meanwhile, “some health systems are downsizing their acute care network to make space for an increasing number of patients managing anxiety, depression and other mental health issues and recovering from major procedures.”

Related Links:

— “Why systems are pumping billions of dollars into outpatient care,”Alex Kacik , Modern Healthcare , December 2, 2024

Diagnostic Imaging (12/2, Hall ) reports, “Visceral fat reduction may have a significant impact in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in…patients” with obesity, “according to emerging findings from positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research.” Investigators “reviewed brain PET, abdominal MRI and metabolic assessment data for 80 people with an average age of 49.4 and body mass index (BMI) of 32.31.” The investigators “found higher Centiloid scores in” patients with obesity “and higher visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accounted for 77 percent of the correlation between high BMI and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.” Meanwhile, “a mediation analysis revealed that VAT plays a prevailing role in mediating the impact of BMI on Centiloid scoring, according to the study authors.” The findings were presented at the Radiological Society of North America conference.

Related Links:

— “New PET and MRI Research Suggests that Visceral Fat Reduction May Prevent or Delay Alzheimer’s Disease,”Jeff Hall , Diagnostic Imaging , December 2, 2024