The first randomised controlled trial to compare two different lung volume reduction procedures for people with emphysema has found that both lead to similar improvements in lung function, breathlessness and exercise capacity. Continue reading →

The release of a revolutionary new health app is making it easier than ever for multiple sclerosis patients to reclaim their lives through the food they eat. LINCOLN, Neb., Sept Continue reading →

Monday, 12 September 2022, 2:12 pm Press Release: Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner Health and Disability Commissioner Morag McDowell has found Te Whatu Ora - Te Toka Tumai Auckland (TTTA), formerly Auckland District Health Board, in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers Rights (the Code), for failing to adequately investigate the cause of a six year old girls illness. The girl was later diagnosed with influenza and atypical pneumonia and, tragically, died some weeks later Continue reading →

Researchers expect to file for FDA approval within the year following the successful phase 3 trial. Olokizumab, a new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, may be as effective as current gold standard treatments, according to results from a phase 3 clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine.1,2 The current gold standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis combines a monoclonal antibody and TNF (tumor necrosis factor) inhibitor called adalimumab with a folic acid antagonist called methotrexate. Continue reading →

One week after most people in Jackson lost access to reliable running water, they now have it back. Continue reading →

Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mainly divided between Crohns disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Continue reading →

Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) arises from numerous causes including infections (e.g. herpes zoster and Lyme disease), vaccines adverse events and autoimmune diseases.1,2 Optic neuritis is, for example, the presenting symptom in about 20% of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases.1,3 Acute optic neuritis also characterises neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a rare but severe autoimmune disease.4 In at least 7080% of NMOSD cases, immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies to the water channel protein aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are detectable in the serum and play a relevant role in disease pathogenesis.4,5 Many of the remaining cases arise from autoantibodies targeting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). As the name suggests, oligodendrocytes as well as myelin sheaths express MOG.4 These cases should now be diagnosed as a separate disease entity, MOGAD (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated diseases).6 Although NMOSD is rare, ophthalmologists and optometrists need to remain aware of it as a potential differential diagnosis. Continue reading →

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a severe and potentially life threatening condition caused by the poliovirus. If you had a polio infection as a child and have since recovered, its still possible to develop a complication called post-polio syndrome (PPS) Continue reading →