Health Report

The TGA says 8 out of 12 medical scribe products being used by doctors in Australia may be affecting diagnostic and clinical decisions. These products must now go through the registration process as medical devices.Despite data showing younger people are drinking less, rates of hospitalisation for alcohol related liver diseases in that cohort are still higher than they were before the pandemic. A comparison of twenty-one different anti-depressant medications showed they were more effective than placebo in adults with major depressive disorder. But some medications were found to be slightly more beneficial than others. How does that affect prescribing?ReferencesTGA - Digital Scribe review outcomesAlcohol-related liver disease epidemiology in VictoriaABC News: Severe alcohol-related liver disease common in younger AustraliansComparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis - The LancetFDA Requires Safety Labeling Changes for Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Due to Potential Increased Risk of Rare But Serious Eye ConditionTGA Medicine Safety Update: GLP-1 RAs and rare vision disorderHealth Report: Heart disease prevention drug fails at final hurdleInterleukin-6 Inhibition with Ziltivekimab for Atherosclerotic DiseasePelacarsen and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with High Lipoprotein(a)Calvary Health Care purchase of Newcastle Private Hospital and Hunter Valley Private Hospital

Using NHS data, researchers compared full and partial knee replacements done with and without robotics to see if the outcomes were better for patients in the period following the procedures.A new study compares a less invasive method, called intrauterine insemination (IUI) as a first line treatment, against IVF alone.A white paper from the International Menopause Society seeks to clarify the understanding and impacts of musculoskeletal pain, migraine and pelvic pain during mid-life.ReferencesDaily weight-loss tablet Wegovy cleared by TGA for use in AustraliaNew Medicare health check for 3-year-old childrenAustralian Journal of General Practice: A guide to the 3-year-old health check for general practiceEarly national comparison of robotic versus conventional knee replacements for arthritis using National Joint Registry data: target trial emulation studyNEJM: In Vitro Fertilization or Intrauterine Insemination in Unexplained InfertilityInternational Menopause Society: Chronic pain at midlife

A study using data from the UK Biobank indicates following the Mediterranean diet as a way to prevent acne. Researchers say avoiding entire food groups like dairy is not recommended.A new drug to treat pancreatic cancer can extend survival times significantly, but there are some major barriers to access.A plan to reform study pathways for registered psychologists faces opposition from some within the industry. They say it could result in graduates without enough practical experience, which may affect the quality of care you get.ReferencesVictorian Coroners Court: finding into death without inquest - Richard John NortonABC News: Coroner recommends TGA review peptide restrictions after Australian actor's deathWHO: Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and NigeriaAssociations between diet quality and adult acne: A cross sectional study in the UK BiobankRedesigning the higher education pathway

The first national report on e-scooters and e-devices from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare quantifies the impact of these devices on our community. So what should be done to prevent injuries and deaths?A new study shows people who survive cancer have a build up of plaque in their arteries, and a higher risk of heart disease. But are they being monitored for these risks?In hospital regular medications are sometimes paused while the patient recovers from other illnesses and procedures, but that can mean people are missing these vital medications for much longer than they should.ReferencesE-scooter and e-bike injuries and deaths in Australia: national trends and data limitationsCoronary Plaque Burden and Plaque Composition in Long-Term Cancer Survivors: A Comparative CCTA StudyHospitalisation Is a Strong Risk Factor for Discontinuation of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors for Type 2 DiabetesThe Lancet: 21st century global threats to health are not what you thinkTGA: MS-2 Step (mifepristone and misoprostol)Testosterone Screening Thresholds in Active-Duty US Male Service Members

New guidelines for clinicians will clarify when to use menopausal hormone therapy over other medicines, and what options are available for those with a history of breast cancer.The author of a study investigating what goes on in the gut microbiome of people who have and are being treated for cancer, says there are some surprising results. Research shows pre-teens who began using a smart phone at age 12 showed a greater risk of eating disorder symptoms at age 14.If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder: Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673National Eating Disorder CollaborationLifeline on 131 114  ReferencesRANZCOG Management of vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms of menopause clinical guidelineCell: Microbiome signatures linked to cancer and treatment adverse events in a real-world cohortJAMA Network Open: Smartphone Ownership and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Early AdolescenceHealth Report: What age is best for a child's first smartphone?Journal of the Royal Society Interface: Quantifying the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 vaccination: evidence from Victoria, AustraliaAIHW: Health Expenditure Australia 2024-2025Australian College of Emergency Medicine: State of EmergencyJAMA Neurology: Global Incidence of All-Cause Dementia, A Meta-Analysis