Author: Staff Reporter

Recent research from Hong Kong suggests that nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, commonly used for osteoporosis, may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 16% among older adults.

A large-scale study conducted in Hong Kong has found a significant link between the use of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (NBPs) for osteoporosis and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The research involved 121,492 adults aged 60 and older, revealing that those who used these medications had a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those who did not take osteoporosis drugs. Furthermore, the risk was found to be 24% lower when compared to individuals using other types of osteoporosis medications.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates are a class of drugs designed to slow bone loss and decrease the risk of fractures, particularly in individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis. Common examples of these medications include alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, and zoledronate. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weakened bones, making them more susceptible to fractures, and is particularly prevalent among older adults, as noted by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

All participants in the Hong Kong study had either recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis or had experienced a serious fracture in the spine, humerus, wrist, or hip. Importantly, none of the participants had previously received treatment for osteoporosis.

Ching-Lung Cheung, an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at the University of Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, emphasized the emerging evidence of a connection between bone health and brain health. “Emerging evidence points to a bone-brain axis, suggesting a close link between bone and brain health,” Cheung stated. “Our previous studies and those of others have found that people with low bone mass or osteoporosis are more likely to develop dementia later in life. This highlights the importance of maintaining good bone health, which may also help reduce the risk of dementia.”

The findings of this observational study were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia. However, Cheung cautioned that the results do not establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between bisphosphonate use and reduced dementia risk. “Our findings therefore do not prove that bisphosphonate use reduces dementia risk; this needs confirmation in a clinical trial,” he noted.

Another important consideration raised by the researchers is the generalizability of the study’s findings, as the research was conducted solely within a Chinese population. This raises questions about whether the results can be applied to other demographic groups. Additionally, the study lacked baseline cognitive testing, which means that participants who may have already had cognitive impairments might have been less likely to receive osteoporosis treatment.

The researchers also acknowledged limitations regarding the severity of osteoporosis and bone fractures among participants, as well as the absence of data on their use of over-the-counter calcium and vitamin D supplements. External factors such as education level, social isolation, air pollution, and vision loss could also influence dementia risk, further complicating the findings.

While the study indicates that older patients receiving NBPs for osteoporosis or fragility fractures had lower rates of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, the authors caution against prescribing bisphosphonates specifically for dementia prevention or treatment at this stage.

Cheung and his team called for further research to include a more diverse population and to explore whether gender might play a role in the observed reduced risk. “The next step is to confirm our observational findings in a clinical trial,” Cheung stated. “If the benefit is demonstrated, it could have important implications for dementia management.” The researchers hope that their findings will encourage both patients and healthcare professionals to consider the overall benefits and risks associated with osteoporosis treatment.

According to Fox News Digital, the implications of this study could pave the way for new approaches in managing dementia risk among older adults.

A recent study has linked the antibiotic cefepime to a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality in adults compared to other beta-lactam antibiotics, raising concerns about its safety.

A new study has raised alarms regarding the antibiotic cefepime, commonly used to treat various bacterial infections. The research indicates that cefepime may be associated with a 94.4% higher probability of all-cause mortality compared to other beta-lactam drugs.

Cefepime is typically administered via injection in clinical settings to treat conditions such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and skin infections. While it is effective against a wide range of bacteria, severe side effects can occur, particularly in older patients and those with kidney issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, these side effects may include confusion, decreased consciousness, and seizures.

The global study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from 110 randomized clinical trials involving over 22,000 patients who received cefepime or another beta-lactam antibiotic. The patient population included both adults and children treated for febrile neutropenia, a serious medical condition characterized by fever and critically low levels of infection-fighting white blood cells, as well as pneumonia, severe bacterial infections, UTIs, and meningitis.

Across all trials, 778 deaths were recorded among 11,726 patients (6.6%) who received cefepime, compared to 6.2% of those treated with alternative antibiotics. Researchers focused on deaths from any cause occurring approximately 30 days after treatment.

Using a Bayesian meta-analysis, the researchers determined a 94.4% probability that cefepime was linked to higher all-cause mortality compared to other beta-lactam antibiotics. When the analysis was narrowed to 73 peer-reviewed published trials, this probability increased to 98.6%. The association appeared to be stronger in adults than in children, particularly among patients treated for febrile neutropenia.

Despite these findings, cefepime remains a widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic for serious bacterial infections in hospitalized patients due to its effectiveness against a variety of bacteria. The researchers did not recommend discontinuing its use but emphasized the need for further research and guidance to better understand its safety profile.

Several factors may explain the observed association between cefepime and increased mortality, although the researchers did not pinpoint a single cause. Potential explanations include inadequate drug levels that fail to effectively treat infections and neurotoxicity, which can occur when drug levels are excessively high.

Finding the appropriate dosage of cefepime can be challenging. Higher doses may enhance its ability to combat bacteria but also raise the risk of toxic side effects. The study did have limitations, including the combination of clinical trials with varying designs, patient populations, dosing strategies, and comparison antibiotics, some of which date back several decades. Importantly, the analysis identified an association rather than proving that cefepime itself caused higher mortality rates.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst at Fox News, highlighted the significance of re-evaluating older studies in light of these findings. He noted that febrile neutropenia itself is a major cause of death in this patient population, complicating the determination of whether cefepime treatment decreases or potentially increases this risk. Dr. Siegel, who was not involved in the research, suggested that both underdosing and overdosing may be more closely linked to poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates, indicating that appropriate dosing could be crucial.

He also proposed that artificial intelligence could play a role in determining the optimal dosage of cefepime and assessing patient outcomes more effectively.

As the medical community continues to evaluate the safety of cefepime, these findings underscore the importance of careful monitoring and dosage adjustments for patients receiving this antibiotic.

For more information, refer to the study published in JAMA Network Open.

A recent study has linked popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to a rare brain disorder, raising concerns about vitamin B1 deficiency among users.

Researchers are sounding the alarm over a rare but potentially life-threatening brain condition associated with popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications. A new study published in Clinical Nutrition has identified 15 reported cases of Wernicke encephalopathy, a neurological disorder stemming from severe vitamin B1 deficiency, in individuals taking GLP-1 receptor agonists.

The majority of these reported cases involved semaglutide, marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound. The researchers uncovered these cases through the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), published medical literature, and their own medical center.

Patients in the study commonly reported gastrointestinal symptoms or nutritional issues, including weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite, or malnutrition. Notably, the incidence of Wernicke encephalopathy appeared more frequently among those using GLP-1 medications compared to individuals taking other drugs. However, the researchers stressed that the study does not establish a direct causal link between the medications and the condition.

Vitamin B1 plays a crucial role in brain function, and severe deficiencies can lead to confusion, difficulty walking, balance issues, and changes in vision. If left untreated, Wernicke encephalopathy can result in permanent neurological damage or even death.

Karthik Achari, a clinician based in Chicago and founder of PepMD, emphasized the need to view the findings in context. “Researchers went through adverse event reports and the medical literature and found a small number of cases—15—of Wernicke encephalopathy in people taking GLP-1 drugs,” Achari told Fox News Digital. “That’s out of millions of people on these medications. So this is rare.”

However, he acknowledged the seriousness of the findings. “It’s real, it’s serious, and the mechanism makes sense,” he added. Achari explained that GLP-1 medications can suppress appetite while also causing nausea and vomiting, which may lead some individuals to become deficient in vitamin B1.

“The drug shrinks your appetite. It doesn’t shrink your body’s requirements,” he noted. “You can now eat very little without feeling it, which is the point of the medication, but your need for protein, vitamins, and fluids didn’t go anywhere.” Individuals experiencing persistent nausea and vomiting, rapid weight loss while consuming minimal food, those with a history of bariatric surgery, and heavy alcohol users may be at a heightened risk for vitamin B1 deficiency.

Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based nutritionist and author of The Sleepdemic Solution, stressed the importance of proper nutrition and hydration as part of the treatment plan for those taking GLP-1 medications. “GLP-1 medications can dramatically reduce appetite, but that also means people may unintentionally under-eat the very things their bodies need most, especially protein, fiber, and fluids,” she told Fox News Digital.

Palinski-Wade also warned that ongoing vomiting or diarrhea can increase the risk of dehydration and kidney problems. She advised patients to seek medical guidance if these symptoms persist for approximately 24 hours. “Don’t assume every side effect is just part of being on a GLP-1,” she cautioned. “Severe or persistent symptoms deserve attention.”

The researchers acknowledged that their study relied heavily on reports submitted to the FDA and cannot definitively prove that GLP-1 medications caused Wernicke encephalopathy. They called for further research to explore this potential link. Experts have advised that patients should not discontinue their prescribed GLP-1 medications based solely on these findings.

Fox News Digital reached out to Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and the researchers for comment regarding the study and its implications.

Regular consumption of very hot coffee and tea is associated with a significantly increased risk of esophageal cancer, according to a new study from the University of Oxford involving nearly 1 million adults.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford has revealed a concerning link between the consumption of very hot beverages and an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The study, which involved nearly 1 million adults, found that individuals who reported drinking tea or coffee at very high temperatures had approximately three times the risk of developing this type of cancer compared to those who preferred their drinks warm.

The research indicated that drinking six or more hot beverages daily was associated with a 71% higher risk of SCC. However, the same correlation was not observed for esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC), a different type of cancer that arises in the lower part of the esophagus.

Lead study author Keren Papier, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, emphasized the significance of the findings. The study is noted as the largest of its kind to date, with participants drawn from two major studies: the Million Women Study (MWS) and the UK Biobank (UKB). Participants in the MWS were followed for an average of 14 years, while those in the UKB were monitored for 11 years.

“Compared with people who reported drinking their beverages ‘warm,’ those who drank them ‘hot’ had around a 1.7 times higher risk of SCC, while those who drank them ‘very hot’ had around a three times higher risk,” Papier explained in an interview.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer, highlighting the potential public health implications of beverage temperature on cancer risk. The researchers estimated that if the observed association reflects a true cause-and-effect relationship, approximately 14% of SCC cases could potentially be prevented if individuals opted for beverages at a “hot” temperature rather than “very hot.”

However, the study does have limitations. The researchers noted that beverage temperatures were self-reported rather than directly measured, which could lead to variability in how participants classified the temperatures of their drinks. “A limitation of our study was that, although we examined associations by self-reported preferred drink temperature, we did not have data on directly measured drink temperatures,” Papier acknowledged. “Therefore, we cannot determine how self-reported drink temperature is likely to relate to absolute drink temperature.”

Despite the findings, Papier reassured coffee and tea lovers that there is no need to eliminate these beverages from their diets. “These findings don’t mean people need to stop drinking tea or coffee. Just let your drinks cool down a little before drinking them,” she advised.

Dr. Aaron Sasson, chief of surgical oncology and co-director of the gastrointestinal oncology team at Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York, echoed the study’s findings, noting that consuming hot liquids can irritate the esophagus and potentially contribute to the development of esophageal cancer. “The hotter the liquid, the higher the risk of a ‘thermal injury,'” Sasson explained. He likened the effect to sustaining a burn on the skin, which can increase the risk of skin cancer in the affected area.

Importantly, Dr. Sasson pointed out that the study specifically focused on the risk of squamous carcinomas, rather than adenocarcinomas. He noted that in the United States, about 85% of esophageal cancers are adenocarcinomas, making the incidence of squamous carcinomas relatively low. The lifetime risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in the U.S. is less than 1%.

While acknowledging the study’s limitations, Dr. Sasson advised caution for those who consume large quantities of hot beverages. “If you are a heavy consumer of hot tea or coffee, maybe you’d want to cool it down a little bit,” he suggested. However, he emphasized that for most people, drinking hot beverages is not the predominant risk factor for developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Other well-established risk factors for esophageal cancer include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, acid reflux, and obesity. Dr. Sasson concluded, “If you were to limit alcohol consumption and eliminate cigarette smoking, you will have done wonders for your esophagus.”

As research continues to explore the connections between lifestyle choices and cancer risk, this study serves as a reminder of the importance of moderation and awareness in our daily habits, particularly regarding the temperature of the beverages we consume.

According to Fox News, the findings underscore the need for further investigation into the health impacts of beverage temperatures.