Maggie is a senior editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and produces written, video, and podcast content covering several disease states. She joined AJMC® in 2019, and has been with AJMC®’s parent company, MJH Life Sciences®, since 2014, when she started as a copy editor.
She has a BA in English from Penn State University. You can connect with Maggie on LinkedIn.
Dr Rudolf de Boer on SGLT2 Inhibitor Success Across Disease States
Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to both lower blood pressure and promote weight loss, and they act rather subtly, stated Rudolf de Boer, MD, PhD, clinical cardiologist and professor of translational cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
STEP Trial Findings Build on SPRINT Results, With a Twist
STEP findings build on those from the SPRINT trial, seemingly confirming that intensive treatment for hypertension can reduce the risk of serious adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. However, there was no significant benefit toward risk for all-cause and CV-related mortality.
Dr Allison Agwu on the Health Effects of In Utero vs Later HIV Acquisition
Many young people develop resistance to antiretroviral treatment or they experience lipoatrophy; many also have metabolic complications or inflammation via immune activation, noted Allison Agwu, MD, ScM, FAAP, FIDSA, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Outreach, Engagement, Inclusion Infuse the Work of Georgia’s SisterLove Inc
In 1989, in Atlanta, Georgia, Dázon Dixon Diallo established SisterLove Inc to fill the information and education gap many women, especially Black women, were facing on how the emerging HIV/AIDS epidemic could affect them.
Dr Børge G. Nordestgaard on Unexplained Omega-3 Mysteries in REDUCE-IT vs STRENGTH
Both REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH recruited people with very high triglycerides and tested different formulations of omega-3 fatty acids, but the results were different. About 12% of the difference can be explained, noted Børge G. Nordestgaard, MD, DMSc, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, but 13% cannot be, given that REDUCE-IT had a 25% reduced risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Dr Rudolf de Boer Discusses Encouraging Trial Results on SGLT2 Use in HFpEF
Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor use in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has generated great enthusiasm, noted Rudolf de Boer, MD, PhD, clinical cardiologist and professor of translational cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
Dr Stefan Anker: Empagliflozin Improves HFpEF-Related Outcomes Regardless of Diabetes Status
The composite end point of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization was reduced by 21%, which is highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful, noted Stefan Anker, MD, PhD, FESC, principal investigator of EMPEROR-Preserved.
Better Screening Efforts Needed for Patients With T2MI, Heart Failure
Although there is an established link between type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) and elevated rates of cardiovascular events, less is known about the connection between T2MI and heart failure—which this new study investigated.
EMPEROR-Preserved, and the “Very Elegant” SGLT2 Inhibitors, to Highlight ESC Congress
The lack of approved treatments for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction has represented a significant unmet need for a condition that affects 50% of patients with heart failure, including large subgroups, such as older women.
Dr Anna Marzec-Bogusławska: At Poland’s National AIDS Center, Our Patients Are Most Important
Krajowe Centrum ds AIDS (National AIDS Center) in Warsaw, Poland, was founded in 1993 as part of the country’s Ministry of Health. Its chief area of advocacy and outreach is access to antiretroviral treatment, in addition to new areas of focus that include prevention of sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis C virus.
Using Ruxolitinib to Target JAK1/2 in T-LBL May Prevent Treatment Resistance
For pediatric patients with T-cell origin lymphoblastic leukemia (T-LBL) with disease progression following second-line treatment, investigators found that the JAK1/2 pathway may be a new actionable target through treatment with ruxolitinib.
Dr Todd Schlesinger: Morphology, Immunosuppression Affect Actinic Keratosis Outcomes
Actinic keratosis outcomes can be affected by several variables, and these lesions need to be treated to minimize progression risk, noted Todd Schlesinger, MD, FAAD, director, Dermatology and Laser Center of Charleston and Clinical Research Center of the Carolinas.
From a Humble Start, Romania’s ARAS Expands Beyond the HIV Space
Asociaţia Română Anti-SIDA (ARAS; Romanian Association Against AIDS) was founded on April 10, 1992, just 3 years after the fall of communism, making it the first such organization in the country following a time when HIV was not officially acknowledged nor prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections discussed.
HIV Thriver, Advocate Dawn Averitt on Overcoming HIV-Related Health Care Disparities
Dawn Averitt opened the session, “Refocus on HIV: How Innovation in HIV Will Address Individual Patient Needs,” on day 1 of IAS 2021, this year's virtual annual meeting of the International AIDS Society, which took place July 18-21.
Dr Todd Schlesinger: Treatment for Early-Stage Melanomas Can Be Safely Delayed During the Pandemic
We can safely delay excising in situ and early-stage melanomas while managing our patients’ care, noted Todd Schlesinger, MD, FAAD, director, Dermatology and Laser Center of Charleston and Clinical Research Center of the Carolinas.
Diagnose, Monitor, Treat: How AI’s 3-Pronged Approach Can Help to Propel Progress in MS
Using artificial intelligence (AI) effectively may help to revolutionize the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as optimizing understanding of the immune-mediated disease.
SisterLove Inc Founder Dázon Dixon Diallo on Why She Took on the Anti-AIDS Establishment
SisterLove Inc is a 32-year-old sexual reproductive health rights and justice organization with a core focus on HIV and sexually transmitted infections at the intersection of other challenges to women's sexual reproductive health and well-being.
Dr Mariana Garcia: We Cannot Overlook the Influence of Psychological Distress on Our Patients
The pandemic has exacerbated not only cardiovascular care, but also the mental health of patients, noted Mariana Garcia, MD, cardiology fellow in the Academic Clinical Investigator Pathway at Emory University and member of T32, Multidisciplinary Research Training to Reduce Inequalities in Cardiovascular Health (METRIC).
Neurocognitive Decline Seen Among Binge Drinkers Living With HIV
The cumulative effects of binge drinking and HIV on neurocognitive functioning were investigated among 4 groups of patients in this recent study from researchers at San Diego State University and the University of California San Diego.
Brain Inflammation May Result From Psychologic Stress in Persons Living With HIV
People living with HIV have known greater rates of stroke, but the reason for that risk was the focus of an abstract presented last week at IAS 2021, this year's virtual annual meeting of the International AIDS Society, which took place July 18 to 21.
Dr Clyde Yancy: We Must Continue to Explore Why SGLT2 Inhibitors Are Effective in HF
We do not yet know the exact mechanism of action of sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in heart failure (HF), but there are many exciting pssibilities, stated Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MSc, of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dr Helen Bygrave: Differentiated HIV Service Delivery Is a Client-Centered Approach
Providers need to put themselves in their patients' shoes and think about how they would like to receive services, emphasized Helen Bygrave, MD, chronic diseases advisor for the Médecins Sans Frontières’ (Doctors Without Borders) Access Campaign.