Neurological Disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
Efforts to Reduce Ethnic and Racial Disparities - [09/29/08]
Summary: This article outlines current efforts are being made to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities. These include the Respira program, which focuses on providing asthma education and outreach to Hispanic communities. Another program is a lecture that seeks to improve knowledge of blood pressure management and diabetes. Other efforts involve grants to increase levels of minority students in medical programs, and campaigns to increase medical literacy in minority communities.
Comment: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in most areas of medical care including multiple sclerosis. These disparities can often be dangerous to the health of minority people. These programs are aiming to close the gaps in health care, which can result in better care for people with multiple sclerosis.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 29, 2008
Hepatitis B Vaccine Does Not Increase Risk of MS - [09/25/08]
Summary: New research confirms that most children who are vaccinated against hepatitis B are not put at an increased risk for Multiple Sclerosis. Yet, although it can now be said that the hepatitis B vaccine does not generally increase risk of MS, it was noted that children with MS were 1.74 times more likely to have received a specific type of hepatitis B vaccine called Engerix B. This was the only vaccine for which such a connection was found.
Comment: Researchers wish to note that the correlation between the Engerix B vaccine and MS should not be taken as an indication that Engerix B causes MS. More studies will be needed to fully understand the relationship between that specific vaccine and the development of Multiple Sclerosis.
Read article - American Academy of Neurology. September 25, 2008.
EndMS Pushes to Cure Multiple Sclerosis - [09/23/08]
Summary: The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada has a new 3 year goal national campaign of raising a certain amount of money to fund the research for Multiple Sclerosis. The target of endMS is to accelerate the research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis, overall putting an end to the condition.
Comment: Multiple sclerosis can be a terminal condition, and pushing to find a cure for it may benefit many patients. Working together with other countries, researchers are pushing harder than ever to find a cure for this condition.
Read article - Medical News Today September 23, 2008
Safety Gaps During Sign Out - [09/22/08]
Summary: Patients may experienced lower quality of care during sign outs, which is the transfer of a patients during a shift change. Researchers used oral sign-outs and written sign-outs to compare to reports of subsequent errors. It was found that doctors are often more confused about the patient information rather than factual details. Examples of such problems are doctors not fully understanding the clinical condition, or doctors not knowing the reasoning behind a test.
Comment: It is suggested that sign-out procedures become a part of medical school curriculum to raise the quality of patient care. Patients should also be aware that after and during a sign-out their doctors may not be fully informed about their conditions and test. Being able to close these safety gaps at sign-out can allow patients to receive the best care possible.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com September 22, 2008
Lifetime Achievement Award from National Multiple Sclerosis Society - [09/03/08]
Summary: Dr. Jeffery D. Kocsis, a graduate of Wayne State University, is to receive the Da Vinci Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Dr. Kocsis has a long history of research and many publications centered on transplant-based therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients.
Comment: The Da Vinci Lifetime Achievement Award is given to those who dedicate their careers to "resolving the issues faced by people with disabilities and disabling diseases like multiple sclerosis".
Read article - Medical News Today. September 3, 2008.
Crucial Breakthrough in Parkinson's Disease Prevention and Treatment - [08/27/08]
Summary: Researchers at The University of Nottingham have announced the genetic production of the first ever mouse model of the type of brain degeneration, nerve cell loss, often seen in Lewy body disease and Parkinson's disease. This model has the potential to lead to more targeted treatments for these diseases.
Comment: The number of people with dementia will likely double in the next decade, yet no treatments exist to combat the causes of the condition, only to relieve symptoms. This model will allow researchers to better understand the formation of Lewy bodies, and how best to prevent their role in the cause of Parkinson's disease.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com. August 27, 2008.
Increases in Hospital Costs Appear to Be Slowing - [08/27/08]
Summary: Between 1997 and 2005, the costs of patient care in United States hospitals rose an average of 5.3 percent a year. These cost increases mean that, since 1997, hospital costs have almost doubled. Yet, in a positive turn, during 2005 and 2006 the average rise in costs was only 1 percent.
Comment: Nearly half of the cost increases from the past 10 years was due to higher intensity of care (greater use of procedures, technologies, and other inventions). The significant slow of that increase over the period from 2005 to 2006, however, may be due to the adoption of managed care plans and rising use of outpatient care.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com. August 27, 2008.
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis Are Linked - [08/23/08]
Summary: In addition to regulating levels of calcium in the body, vitamin D may also play a part in preventing the formation of malignant cells (breast or prostate cancer cells) and protect against autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Research has shown that the incidence of MS decreases as levels of vitamin D, whether from sunlight or diet, increase.
Comment: While it is not yet known whether vitamin D alone, or in combination with other therapies, will be an effective treatment for those with MS, it may be a beneficial for those looking to prevent multiple sclerosis to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D.
Read article - Medical News Today. August 23, 2008.
More Americans Seeking Health Information - [08/22/08]
Summary: Recent statistics show that in 2007 56% of Americans adults, which is more than 122 million people, attempted to find information about a personal health concern from a source other than their physician. This statistic is up from 38% in 2001. Education levels were a key factor in determining whether a person sought medical information, 72% of those with a graduate degree compared to 42% of those with only a high school diploma. The number of Americans using the internet for medical information doubled from 16% in 2001 to 32% in 2007.
Comment: More than half of the people reported that the information changed their general approach to their health care, and 80% reported that the information helped them better understand treatments of their condition or illness. Doctors are always a good source of medical information, but it can often be hard to consult a doctor with every concern. Finding more information on medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, can help patients better understand their health.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com August 22, 2008
New Book Series Aimed at Patients and Caregivers - [08/22/08]
Summary: The American Academy of Neurology, to follow up the success of Neurology Now (an award-winning patient and caregiver magazine), is planning to release, next year, a series of Neurology Now Books. Currently there are titles planned to address multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and taste and smell disorders. In addition, a fourth publication is planned for later that year.
Comment: The magazine, Neurology Now, offers cutting-edge information on neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraines, and Parkinson's disease, among others. These books will offer the same kind of information to an even greater number of the one in six people now affected with a neurological disorder.
Read article - The American Academy of Neurology. August 22, 2008.