The American Journal of Managed Care (11/24, Jeremias) reported a study “clarified the interconnected relationship between functional impairment, quality of life (QOL), and depressive symptoms in patients with psoriasis and PsA [psoriatic arthritis], highlighting the need for…more patient-centered approaches to address the residual burden of disease and improve patient satisfaction with health.”

The study “suggested that depression is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with psoriatic disease, emphasizing the need for improved screening and access to mental health services.”

The findings were published in Rheumatology and Therapy.

Related Links:

— “Study Finds Link Between Depression, Functional Impairment in Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis,” Skylar Jeremias, American Journal of Managed Care, November 24, 2023

RevCycle Intelligence (11/21, LaPointe) reports, “A new analysis of data from over 1,300 hospitals and health systems by Syntellis Performance Solutions and the American Hospital Association…found a nearly 56% increase in Medicare Advantage denials from January 2022 to July 2023.” In “that period, commercial denials also increased for hospitals nationwide.” These denials increased “by about 20%.”

Related Links:

— “Medicare Advantage Denials Jump 56%, Commercial Denials 20%,”Jacqueline LaPointe , RevCycle Intelligence , November 21, 2023

HealthDay (11/21, Miller) says that a study indicated that “teen boys who reported two or more concussions in the past year were two times more likely to report a suicide attempt than those who had one concussion.” Meanwhile, “girls’ odds for suicidal behaviors were similar regardless of concussion history.” The researchwas published in the Journal of Athletic Training.

Related Links:

— “Teens With Multiple Concussions Face Higher Risk of Suicidal Thoughts,”Carole Tanzer Miller, HealthDay, November 21, 2023

HealthDay (11/21, Thompson, Miller) says, “Genetics could explain why some people can’t stop smoking weed, a…study reports. Analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people has revealed dozens of genetic variants linked to cannabis use disorder, according to the Yale-led research team.” These “variants also are associated with a variety of behavioral and health issues linked to cannabis use disorder – and possibly even an elevated risk of lung cancer.” Prior studies have “shown that about a third of people who use marijuana develop cannabis use disorder, which is defined as a pattern of cannabis use that impairs a person’s daily life.” The study was published in Nature Genetics.

Related Links:

— “Genome Study Explains Marijuana’s Habit-Forming Potential,”Dennis Thompson, Carole Tanzer Miller, HealthDay , November 21, 2023

MedPage Today (11/20, Monaco) reports, “Children of parents with infertility had a slightly higher rate of autism spectrum disorder, a population-based cohort study of over 1.3 million children found.” Investigators found that “compared with children born from unassisted conception, parents who experienced subfertility but didn’t undergo fertility treatment had children with a 20% higher risk of autism.” The findingswere published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)