Having good breakfast reduces cardiovascular risk, reports research

Having a quality breakfast that provides the right amount of energy to face the day, around a quarter of daily intake, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is highlighted by a study conducted by the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. The study followed the progress of 383 participants in the PREDIMED-Plus project, a randomized clinical trial comparing the effects of a Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity versus dietary recommendations alone on cardiovascular disease. No previous study had analyzed the impact of energy intake and the nutritional quality of breakfast on these risk factors.

This new work considered two factors. First, the energy intake from breakfast relative to the total daily intake, distinguishing between an adequate calorie intake (20–30% of the daily total) and other levels. Second, the researchers analyzed the effects of consuming a high-quality breakfast with a proper balance of proteins, fats, fiber, and other nutrients. They found that consuming an adequate amount of energy in the morning and doing so with high-quality food contributed to reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

A Good Breakfast Reduces Obesity

The study followed participants for three years. All were aged between 55 and 75 and had overweight or obesity. Various cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated, including weight, waist circumference an indicator of abdominal obesity, lipid profile cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and diabetes markers.

The results indicate that participants who consumed 20–30% of daily energy intake in the morning had better outcomes for several risk factors. Their body weight evolved more favorably compared to participants who consumed more or less energy at breakfast. By the end of the study, these participants had a 2–3.5% lower body mass index and a 2–4% smaller waist circumference. Adequate energy intake at breakfast was also linked to significantly lower triglyceride levels (9–18% reduction) and higher HDL cholesterol levels (4–8.5% increase). Other markers showed less significant changes.

In terms of breakfast quality, the results were also positive. Participants who had a high-quality breakfast had 1.5% smaller waist circumference, 4% lower triglycerides, and 3% higher HDL cholesterol. A high-quality breakfast includes the right amounts of protein, high-value fats, fiber, and minerals such as potassium and iron, while avoiding excessive added sugars and saturated fats.

According to Álvaro Hernáez, researcher at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, CIBER for Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV), and professor at the Blanquerna Faculty of Health Sciences at Ramon Llull University, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what and how you eat it matters. Eating controlled amounts—not too much or too little-and ensuring good nutritional composition is crucial. Our data show that quality is associated with better cardiovascular risk factor outcomes. It’s as important to have breakfast as it is to have a quality one.”

Dr. Montse Fitó, coordinator of the Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and CIBER for Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), emphasizes that both energy adequacy and quality are key to preventing cardiovascular risk. “We have confirmed that dietary recommendations about food quality have been effective in improving risk factor evolution over time in adults at high cardiovascular risk,” she says.

The study’s results were adjusted to ensure they are attributable to breakfast energy intake and food quality rather than other factors. This leads Karla-Alejandra Pérez-Vega, a researcher at Hospital del Mar and CIBEROBN, to conclude, “Promoting healthy breakfast habits can contribute to healthy aging by reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome and associated chronic diseases, thereby improving quality of life.”

Reference:

Karla-Alejandra Pérez-Vega, Camille Lassale, María-Dolores Zomeño, Olga Castañer, Jordi Salas-Salvadó, F. Javier Basterra-Gortari, Dolores Corella, Ramón Estruch, Emilio Ros, Francisco J. Tinahones, Gemma Blanchart, Mireia Malcampo, Daniel Muñoz-Aguayo, Helmut Schröder, Montserrat Fitó, Álvaro Hernáez, Breakfast energy intake and dietary quality and trajectories of cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults, The Journal of nutrition, health and aging, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100406.

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Maternal and Neonatal Health Risks Elevated in Pregnancies with Gout: Study Reveals

Canada: Gout during pregnancy or a history of gout is associated with a higher likelihood of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, according to recent findings. Pregnancies affected by gout are linked to an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pulmonary embolism, and a range of neonatal anomalies.

The findings, published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, highlight the importance of close monitoring and early intervention for expectant mothers with gout to minimize risks.

Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by elevated uric acid levels, can complicate pregnancy and lead to a variety of health concerns. The outcomes of pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal health in pregnancies affected by gout have not yet been assessed in a population-based study. Therefore, Sam Amar, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and colleagues aimed to assess obstetric and neonatal outcomes in pregnant individuals with gout using a national population database.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). The study included all women in the USA who either delivered or experienced a maternal death between 2004 and 2014. Pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes were compared between women with an ICD-9 diagnosis of gout and those without.

The study led to the following findings:

  • A total of 9,096,788 women met the study’s inclusion criteria.
  • Of these, 168 women (1.8 per 100,000) had a diagnosis of gout.
  • Women with gout were more likely to be older, obese, and have chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes mellitus, and thyroid disease compared to those without gout.
  • Pregnant women with gout had a higher likelihood of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.78).
  • These women were more likely to require operative vaginal delivery (aOR 3.26) than those without gout.
  • Women with gout had an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (aOR 8.47) compared to non-gout counterparts.
  • Gout was associated with a higher likelihood of delivering neonates with congenital anomalies (aOR 3.38).

“To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date on the effects of gout on pregnancy outcomes. However, its retrospective design limited direct data collection and excluded certain maternal factors like thrombophilia, autoimmune disease, and congenital heart disease. Additionally, uric acid levels and the timing of gout attacks during pregnancy were not assessed,” the researchers wrote.

“The findings suggest that gout during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including gestational diabetes, pulmonary embolism, and an increased likelihood of operative vaginal delivery,” the researchers concluded. “It is also linked to a higher risk of congenital anomalies in neonates.” They emphasized that pregnant individuals with a history of gout or those experiencing gout flares should receive appropriate counseling and targeted diagnostic screening.

Reference:

Amar, S., Badeghiesh, A., Baghlaf, H., & Dahan, M. H. Gout in pregnancy: Obstetric and neonatal outcomes. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.16025

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Prurigo Nodularis Linked to Sleep Disorders and Increased CV Risk: Study Finds

USA: Recent research published in the Archives of Dermatological Research indicates that individuals with prurigo nodularis (PN) are at a significantly higher risk of developing sleep disorders, which are associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

“Patients with sleep disorders are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, myocardial infarction, and venous thromboembolism, along with a higher mortality risk (HR 1.47),” the researchers reported.

Prurigo nodularis is a chronic skin condition characterized by intensely itchy, nodular lesions that significantly impact quality of life. Recent studies have increasingly linked PN with systemic complications, particularly sleep disturbances and cardiovascular risk factors. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, are often associated with cardiovascular disease. Understanding the connection between sleep disturbances in PN patients, CRP levels, and cardiovascular risk is critical for early intervention and treatment.

Against the above background, Shawn G. Kwatra, Maryland Itch Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA, and colleagues aimed to assess the risk of sleep disorders in prurigo nodularis patients and explore their connection to systemic inflammation and negative cardiovascular outcomes.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a retrospective population-level cohort study using a global health records database to evaluate the development of sleep disorders, CRP levels, and the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with PN compared to control groups.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • PN patients had an increased risk of general sleep disorders (RR 1.47).
  • They also showed higher risks of specific sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (RR 1.61), insomnia (RR 1.37), hypersomnia (RR 1.47), and restless legs syndrome (RR 1.45).
  • PN patients with sleep disorders had higher CRP levels compared to those without sleep disorders (16.2 mg/L vs. 10.6 mg/L).
  • PN patients with sleep disorders were at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (RR 2.45), metabolic syndrome (RR 4.16), myocardial infarction (RR 2.87), and venous thromboembolism (RR 2.93).
  • They also exhibited a higher risk of mortality (HR 1.47) compared to PN patients without sleep disorders.

Our findings indicate that prurigo nodularis patients have an increased risk of developing multiple sleep disorders, which are linked to negative cardiovascular outcomes.

“The multi-center study offers critical insights into the link between sleep disturbances, elevated CRP levels, and cardiovascular risk among prurigo nodularis patients. With targeted interventions, clinicians may reduce systemic complications and improve patient outcomes, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary care strategies,” the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Ma, E.Z., Parthasarathy, V., Lee, K.K. et al. Elevated C-reactive protein levels and cardiovascular risk in prurigo nodularis patients with sleep disturbance: a multi-center cohort study. Arch Dermatol Res 317, 87 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-024-03566-0

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CRP point-of-care test reduces antibiotic use in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD, reveals research

A new study found that the C-reactive protein point-of-care test (CRP-POCT) is a low-cost technique for safely lowering antibiotic use in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). The findings were published in the British Journal of Medicine.

Around 4.5% of UK individuals over the age of 45 have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and almost half of these have one or more acute exacerbations of COPD that require medical treatment each year. Antibiotics are prescribed to around 80% of these patients, the majority of whom receive them in primary care.

While some patients benefit from these medications, many AECOPD episodes are caused by non-bacterial factors. Point-of-care testing (POCTs) for acute infections are being advocated in an effort to decrease unnecessary antibiotic administration, combat antimicrobial resistance, and enhance patient outcomes. Thus, Bernadette Sewell and team present the results of a health economic evaluation to determine whether CRP-POCT is a cost-effective alternative to routine clinical assessment to guide antibiotic use and prescribing in patients with AECOPD in primary care.

This multicenter, parallel-arm, open, individually randomized, controlled PACE trial included participants in primary care. PACE included 324 and 325 consenting patients with AECOPD in the usual-care and CRP-guided groups, respectively. This research evaluated the cost-effectiveness (CE) of using a C-reactive protein point-of-care test in conjunction with standard clinical assessments to guide antibiotic treatment for AECOPD in primary care.

Although both groups had identical clinical results, the CRP-guided group consumed 20% fewer antibiotics. The £11.31 cost of CRP-POCT per test was significantly compensated by COPD-related healthcare resource savings. The average incremental CE ratios for CRP-POCT were £120 for 1% absolute decrease in antibiotic usage at 4 weeks and £1054 each quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained at 6 months.

Sensitivity analysis revealed that changes in healthcare prices had the greatest impact on CEA findings, whereas marginal variations in costs and outcomes influenced CUA. CRP-POCT is 73% cost-effective at a WTP of ≤£20,000 per QALY gained.

Overall, this data gives strong evidence that CRP-POCT is a cost-effective strategy for reducing antibiotic prescribing in primary care for patients with AECOPD without compromising health outcomes or healthcare expenditures. CRP testing has been suggested by NICE as a primary care predictor of pneumonia.

Source:

Sewell, B., Francis, N., Harris, S., Gillespie, D., Bates, J., White, P., Alam, M. F., Hood, K., Butler, C. C., & Fitzsimmons, D. (2024). Cost-effectiveness of C-reactive protein point of care testing for safely reducing antibiotic consumption for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as part of the multicentre, parallel-arm, open, individually randomised, controlled PACE trial. In BMJ Open (Vol. 14, Issue 11, p. e084144). BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084144

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MP Medical Council to Renew Doctors’ License Every 5 Years

Bhopal: To keep the medical registry updated, the Madhya Pradesh Medical Council is going to introduce a system for renewing the doctors’ registration every five years, ETV Bharat has reported.

Even though the Council has 63,423 doctors registered to date, the records are outdated due to a lack of verification at regular intervals. Therefore, neither the State Government nor the Medical Council has much information on how many registered doctors are working in the State and how many left the State, retired, or passed away.

For more information, click on the link below:

MP Medical Council to Renew Doctors’ License Every 5 Years

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National poll suggests many parents rely on threats to manage misbehavior—from no dessert to no Santa

When young children’s behavior becomes challenging, many parents resort to threats—from taking away toys to threatening that Santa will skip their house, a national poll suggests.

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Study finds federal needle exchange programs reduce health care costs and blood-borne infections

The World Health Organization has set a target of reducing hepatitis C infections to fewer than two per 100 people who inject drugs per year as part of an elimination strategy for hepatitis C. In 2024, Canada unveiled its 2024–2030 Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infection Action Plan that emphasized support for harm reduction programs and expanding the PNEP.

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Been drinking and your heart’s fluttering? You may have ‘holiday heart’

It’s the time of year for workplace Christmas parties, and gatherings with family and friends. Maybe you’ll drink a lot in one go.

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From bells to choirs, different ‘timbres’ ring in the Christmas holiday season

Concerts and radio stations at this time of year are filled with both Christmas and winter holiday music.

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Opioid abuse can change the brain

“This is your brain on drugs,” the old anti-drug admonition says, and now a new study has found there’s something to that chestnut.

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