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Narcolepsy management should be a combination of behavioral and pharmacologic strategies that are tailored to the patient with consideration of the impact of symptoms and how they may evolve, according to a recent review aiming to improve narcolepsy diagnosis and management.

Despite a 20% drop in mortality since 2009, colorectal cancer accounted for 9.8% (881,000) of deaths worldwide in 2018 and represents 10.2% of all cancer cases worldwide. It is No. 3 on the list of most prevalent cancers worldwide—1.8 million new cases in 2018—behind only lung cancer and breast cancer.

In cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), there is a greater risk of symptomatic heart failure in the first year following initiation of anthracycline treatment.

Patients with breast cancer who have government insurance face a higher risk of death, according to a retrospective study presented at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on December 13.

Caregivers of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) experiencing symptom recurrence after a period of symptom control, known as OFF periods, reported that PD had a greater impact on their paid employment through variables such as loss of earnings, loss of opportunities, or ability to maintain employment compared with caregivers for patients without OFF periods.

Newly released statistics published in JAMA illustrate a sharp increase in unintentional US opioid deaths.

Open enrollment for ACA health plans is extended after glitches on Healthcare.gov; EPA watchdog found that the agency's health monitoring during Hurricane Harvey was lacking; Purdue Pharma splits ties with the lobbying organization PhRMA.

Disease burden is substantial for patients with myelofibrosis, even those with intermediate risk, and a not insubstantial percentage of patients have low or intermediate adherence during treatment, according to 2 abstracts from an Italian clinical trial presented at the 61st American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition.

Researchers constructed a risk prediction model of hospitalizations due to heart failure (HHF) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a Clinical Cardiology study.

The company said that with the clearance, the FDA outlined standards for a new device category, the interoperable automated glycemic controller designation.

HIV-positive individuals face greater risks of kidney and liver diseases, cardiovascular events, osteoporosis, hepatitis C, and cancer. Clinical trials and research advances into the cause and development of the comorbid conditions are needed.

BMS and Gilead continue their fight over Yescarta patent infringement; Canadian researchers develop multidrug-resistant, bacteria-repelling plastic coating; Healthcare.gov floods with last-minute sign-ups on final day of enrollment for 2020 plans.

The essential role of pediatricians in identifying children who may be at risk for ASD cannot be overstated. This is the first update to the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2007, and it reflects changes in science, the law, and the rise of care coordination.

Findings from 2 studies presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium highlight the value of genomic profiling for women with breast cancer.

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) may be at a greater risk for a variety of chronic illnesses and may require additional care as the older PLWHA population increases, a recent study suggested.

Study results presented at AMCP Nexus 2019 in National Harbor, Maryland, showed that 65.4% of patients with parkinson disease reported experiencing symptom recurrence, known as OFF periods, which impedes work productivity and employment.

A study presented at the 61st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida, discussed the first report of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to test for minimal disease response (MRD) after the combination of ibrutinib plus fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (iFCR) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

More treatments are needed for the 100 million individuals worldwide affected by psoriasis. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have discovered a possible source of the skin thickening that may be triggered by dysregulated stem cells.

Ibrutinib, an FDA approved treatment with generally high response rates, can be resisted by some patients.

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of expiratory flow limitation in patients who require mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure.

A regular sleep schedule may decrease obesity risks, says an Italian study.

The agency said this was the first such approval, as the purified omega-3 fatty acid is now approved to be used alongside statins to treat elevated cholesterol levels and cut the risk of events such as heart attacks or strokes. The drug was first approved in 2012 for patients with elevated triglycerides.

Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, announced the waiver plan at an event in Greenville, South Carolina, with CMS Administrator Seema Verma by his side. Some observers see Verma’s promotion of Medicaid work rules in the face of court challenges as a key to her political survival in her feud with HHS Secretary Alex Azar.

Physician and nurse interventions are the most effective means of promoting influenza vaccinations among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the results of a pilot project.

The link connecting gut bacteria and psoriasis is inflammation, the authors said.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are lymphocytes genetically engineered to recognize and bind to specific proteins on cancer cells. Studies are currently underway for applications in other fields.

The December issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) included studies on out-of-network cost sharing, unhealthy alcohol use, patient health literacy, and more. Here are 5 findings from research published in the issue.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s, D-California, drug bill passes in the House; the FDA approves Vyondys 53, from Sarepta Therapeutics, to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy; San Francisco tackles homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse.

The results are sure to generate interest as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction lacks treatment options, but that could change as results are expected in outcomes trials that are studying sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in heart failure, both with preserved and reduced ejection fraction.

This week, the top managed care stories included the White House seeking a truce between CMS Administrator Seema Verma and HHS Secretary Alex Azar; Sanofi will shift its focus from diabetes to cancer drugs; results highlight real-world evidence of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies.