Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
CIDRAP:
Eye Symptoms May Signal Higher-Severity Long COVID
New-onset eye-related symptoms in people diagnosed as having long COVID may be an indicator of more-severe disease, according to a cross-sectional study published in Clinical Ophthalmology. For the study, researchers led by a team at Yale School of Medicine analyzed survey data from 595 adults who self-reported having long COVID in surveys conducted from May 2022 to October 2023. Participants’ median age was 46 years, and 73% were women. Overall, 57% reported new-onset ocular symptoms—which were defined as blurred or lost vision, dry eyes, or floaters or flashes—after their initial COVID-19 infection. (Bergeson, 4/8)
Stat:
Experimental Smart Contact Lens Might Improve Glaucoma Therapy
Device monitors ocular pressure without need for electronics or a battery, and delivers pulses of glaucoma drug as needed. (Merelli, 4/8)
MedPage Today:
Anti-CD38 Antibody Safe, Effective In Immune Thrombocytopenia
Treatment with the investigational anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody mezagitamab was safe and significantly increased platelet counts in patients with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a phase II randomized trial showed. (Bassett, 4/8)
MedPage Today:
Six Gut Markers May Identify Early Cognitive Decline
Six blood metabolites produced by or associated with gut microbiota identified early cognitive impairment in a small study. (George, 4/2)
Stat:
To Get People To Lower Blood Pressure, Study Suggests Team Approach
A study is called 'really, really important' in showing how teams can induce patients to get their blood pressure under control. (Cooney, 4/8)
