CO₂ Laser Tonsillotomy Offers Effective, Cost-Efficient Relief for Tonsil Issues: JAMA

Netherlands: In a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, researchers found that CO₂ laser tonsillotomy (TO) and tonsillectomy (TE) under general anesthesia effectively reduced long-term symptoms, with TE showing slightly greater symptom reduction. However, TO had lower costs and similar patient satisfaction, making it a safe, effective, and cost-efficient option for tonsil-related conditions.

The findings were published online in JAMA Network Open on April 29, 2025.

Tonsillectomy, the standard treatment for adult tonsil disease, involves complete removal of the tonsils and is effective, though often associated with significant postoperative pain, extended recovery, and higher costs. In contrast, carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser tonsillotomy, which entails partial removal of tonsillar tissue, offers a less invasive alternative that may lead to a smoother recovery.

Recognizing these differences, Justin Emile Raoul Edouard Wong Chung, Department of Ophthalmology, Maasziekenhuis Pantein, Boxmeer, the Netherlands, and colleagues conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial to compare the 1- and 2-year efficacy and cost-effectiveness of TO versus TE.

The researchers conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial conducted across five Dutch hospitals and compared tonsillectomy under general anesthesia with CO₂ laser tonsillotomy under local anesthesia in adults with persistent tonsil-related symptoms. The study assessed outcomes at 1 and 2 years, including symptom presence, severity, patient satisfaction, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and cost-effectiveness. Data were analyzed from January to April 2025 to evaluate their long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness.

The key findings were as follows:

  • Ninety-eight patients were assigned to TO and 101 to TE, with 98 analyzed per group.
  • Both groups were similar in terms of gender (70% female in TO vs 68% in TE) and mean age (29 years in TO vs 30 years in TE).
  • The most common symptom was sore throat with fever (34% in both groups), with similar baseline severity scores (57 mm in TO vs 59 mm in TE).
  • At 1 year, 51.8% of TO patients had persistent symptoms, compared to 25.2% of TE patients. At 2 years, 45.2% of TO patients vs 19.7% of TE patients had persistent symptoms.
  • Symptom severity decreased significantly in both groups, but TE had a lower severity at 1 year (14.8 mm vs 23.0 mm) and 2 years (10.8 mm vs 19.6 mm).
  • Patient satisfaction was similar for both groups at 1 year (VAS scores of 79.0 mm for TE vs 69.3 mm for TO) and 2 years (64.1 mm for TE vs 64.4 mm for TO).
  • Similar proportions of participants would recommend the procedure at 1 year (79% TE vs 76% TO) and 2 years (71% for both).
  • Both groups showed high cumulative QALYs at 2 years, with no significant difference (EuroQol 5 Dimension and Visual Analogue Scale scores).
  • Tonsillotomy had lower overall costs ($869 versus $2363 for TE), with societal cost savings of $1925 and a 71% probability of cost-effectiveness at $25,907 per QALY.

This trial highlights that tonsillectomy and CO₂ laser tonsillotomy effectively reduce long-term tonsil-related symptoms, with TE offering slightly greater symptom relief. However, the authors note that CO₂ laser TO stands out as a safe, less invasive, and cost-effective alternative, offering shorter recovery, lower healthcare costs, and comparable patient satisfaction.

While TE may be preferable for those seeking complete symptom resolution and aiming to avoid a potential secondary procedure, the authors suggest that TO is better suited for patients prioritizing quicker recovery, minimal disruption to daily life, or those unfit for general anesthesia. With proper patient selection and counseling, they concluded, that CO₂ laser TO remains a valuable option in managing adult tonsil disease.

Reference:

Wong Chung JERE, van den Hout WB, van Helmond N, van Benthem PPG, Blom HM. Long-Term Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Laser Tonsillotomy vs Tonsillectomy: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e254858. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.4858

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TNF Inhibitor linked to Remission in Early axSpA regardless of Gut Inflammation: Study

A new study published in the journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology showed that early treatment with a TNF inhibitor led to remission in most patients with active axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), regardless of baseline gut inflammation. Intestinal inflammation did not impact sustained remission rates, and about 75% of patients relapsed after stopping treatment.

The patients with spondyloarthritis experience pauci-articular peripheral arthritis or enthesitis, as well as inflammatory back discomfort. Long-term osteoproliferation and ankylosis of the spine and sacroiliac joint can result from persistent inflammation of the axial skeleton. Remarkably, those with persistent intestinal inflammation were more likely to begin anti-TNFα treatment and had a greater chance of developing ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Thus, to assess the effectiveness of tight-control, quick escalation to TNF suppression in early axial spondyloarthritis in connection to gut inflammation, this study was carried out.

The GO-GUT trial was conducted in treatment-naïve axSpA patients with high disease activity and symptom duration of less than a year. The patients had ileocolonoscopies at baseline, and the gut mucosa was examined histopathologically. After that, each patient got two separate NSAIDs at the recommended dosage for four weeks. Monotherapy with 50 mg golimumab every 4 weeks was started if inactive disease (defined as Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-CRP <1.3) or clinically significant improvement (ΔASDAS-CRP score > 1.1 resulting in low disease activity (ASDAS-CRP <2.1)) could not be obtained.

The patients were monitored until the completion of the experiment or maintained clinical remission (ASDAS-CRP <1.3 at two consecutive visits spaced 12 weeks apart). All medication was stopped after a prolonged clinical remission was achieved, and the prospect of a drug-free remission was assessed.

The trial involved a total of 58 patients. In 28.6% of patients, there was microscopic intestinal inflammation, primarily acute inflammation. It was necessary to escalate treatment to golimumab for 72.7% of patients. Regardless of gut inflammation, 61.8% of patients achieved the primary trial objective of prolonged clinical remission. 78.1% of patients experienced a disease recurrence within a year after stopping treatment.

Overall, regardless of whether microscopic gut inflammation is present or not, a treat-to-target strategy can elicit high percentages of durable clinical remission in treatment-naïve early axSpA.

Reference:

Łukasik, Z., De Craemer, A.-S., Renson, T., Deroo, L., Varkas, G., de Hooge, M., Lenaerts, J., Hoorens, A., Cuvelier, C., Ortega, T. L., Carron, P., Van den Bosch, F., & Elewaut, D. (2025). Efficacy of golimumab in early axial spondyloarthritis in relation to gut inflammation (GO-GUT), an early remission induction study. Arthritis & Rheumatology. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.43283

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Novel brain imaging platform combines upright PET and AR eye tracking to advance cognitive disorder research

A cutting-edge brain imaging platform that integrates upright PET scanning, an augmented reality (AR) headset, and motion tracking enables researchers to study brain function in a more natural and dynamic way. Presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025 Annual Meeting, the new system-called Motion-tracked Immersive functional PET (MIf-PET)-allows participants to sit upright and interact with immersive tasks during scans. This approach offers a more realistic view of brain activity and holds promise for earlier and more accurate detection of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Humans naturally interact with and perceive the world in an upright position, which is linked to increased sympathetic nervous system activity-an advantage when performing tasks. Despite this, most neuroscience research relies on functional neuroimaging conducted while participants lie motionless in a supine position, limiting the ecological validity of brain activity measurements.

“To overcome this limitation, my colleagues and I developed MIf-PET-a system designed to assess brain behavior and function in an upright position, allowing task-based neuroimaging to be conducted in a more natural posture without the constraints of head immobilization,” said Zipai Wang, a research associate at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, New York.

The study tested two types of tasks to measure brain activity: an anti-saccade task, which evaluates eye movement control, and a “face oddball” task, designed to observe how the brain reacts to familiar versus unexpected faces. Participants viewed a mix of standard, target, and novel faces through an AR headset which collected eye-tracking data, At the same time, functional PET imaging was performed to capture detailed brain activity.

Analysis of pupil size and blinking patterns over time showed clear changes related to the tasks. Both novel and target faces triggered pupil dilation, with the most pronounced response occurring during target face presentations. This heightened response reflects increased cognitive load and attentional engagement elicited by novel face presentations.

“This new approach is especially useful for studying how the brain supports thinking, attention, and memory,” said Wang. “It focuses on a small but critical region deep in the brainstem called the locus coeruleus (LC), which is essential for maintaining alertness but is difficult to visualize using traditional imaging methods. Because the LC regulates pupil size, its activity can be inferred through eye movement tracking.”

“By combining high-resolution brain imaging with eye tracking and immersive, upright cognitive tasks, the MIf-PET system provides a more direct and dynamic view of this key brain region and its role in cognitive disorders,” added Amirhossein Goldan, PhD, associate professor of electrical engineering in radiology and principal investigator of the project at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, NY.

This technology is currently being developed under a grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health. Researchers are currently constructing the upright PET scanner and testing the system with healthy volunteers and early-stage Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients. The first prototype is expected to be ready for imaging human subjects in 2027.

Reference:

Zipai Wang, Wanbin Tan, Gloria Chiang and Amirhossein Goldan, Integrating fPET Imaging with AR-Based Eye Tracking: A Novel Platform for Brain Function Assessment, Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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Adjunctive Hemodialysis may improve Biochemical biomarkers in Adults with DKD Without increasing Short-Term Risks: Study

Researchers have found in a new research that among adults with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), adjunctive hemodialysis improved markers of renal function, inflammation, and glycemic control without raising short-term complication risks. However the researchers emphasized the need for large, multicenter randomized trials to confirm patient-centered outcomes.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progresses inexorably to kidney failure; whether initiating hemodialysis earlier than usual confers additional clinical benefit remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of hemodialysis, compared with conventional medical care, on glycemic control, renal function, inflammatory markers, and treatment-related complications in adults with Diabetic kidney disease. They searched eight databases (Chinese Biomedical Database, Wanfang, CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library and VIP) and conference proceedings from January 2010 to 30 March 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing hemodialysis plus standard therapy with standard therapy were eligible for inclusion in adult Diabetic kidney disease patients. Two reviewers independently screened records extracted data and assessed risk of bias with the Cochrane Handbook 5.3 tool. Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled with random-effects models. Results: Eight studies (645 participants) met the criteria. Compared with controls, hemodialysis significantly reduced parathyroid hormone (MD =  − 37.30, 95% CI − 43.16 to − 31.43; I2 = 0%), tumour necrosis factor-α (MD =  − 15.29, 95% CI − 25.05 to − 5.53; I2 = 89%), interleukin-4 (MD =  − 20.42, 95% CI − 25.89 to − 14.94; I2 = 42%), and interleukin-8 (MD =  − 13.56, 95% CI − 20.85 to − 6.27; I2 = 76%). Glycemic indices improved (fasting glucose MD =  − 0.80, 95% CI − 1.59 to − 0.02; HbA₁c MD =  − 0.63, 95% CI − 1.34 to 0.08). Serum creatinine (MD =  − 1.03, 95% CI − 1.69 to − 0.36) and blood urea nitrogen (MD =  − 0.94, 95% CI − 1.49 to − 0.39) also fell, despite high heterogeneity (I2 ≥ 99%). Four studies reported complications; pooled analysis showed no significant difference in overall adverse events (risk ratio = 0.91, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.34). Evidence is based on small, single-center studies with unclear allocation concealment, substantial heterogeneity for several outcomes, and no assessment of long-term clinical endpoints. In adults with Diabetic kidney disease, adjunctive hemodialysis improves biochemical surrogates of renal function, inflammation, and glycemic control without increasing short-term complications. Robust multicentre randomised trials powered for patient-important outcomes are warranted.

Reference:

Liu, X., Zhou, J., Liu, C. et al. Efficacy and incidence of complications of hemodialysis in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 14, 129 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02872-6

Keywords:

Adjunctive , Hemodialysis, improve, Biochemical, biomarkers, Adults DKD, Without, increasing, Short-Term Risks, Study , Liu, X., Zhou, J., Liu, C, Hemodialysis, Diabetic nephropathy, Therapeutic effect

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Moderate Increase in Dementia Risk Linked to Tiotropium Use in Older COPD Patients: JAMA

A recent population-based study published in the Journal of American Medical Association identified a modest increase in dementia risk associated with the use of the inhaled bronchodilator tiotropium in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These findings raise questions about possible central nervous system effects of long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), experts emphasize that the clinical impact remains minimal when balanced against the drug’s respiratory benefits.

This study examined whether initiating tiotropium is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia when compared to initiating a combination therapy of long-acting β2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids (LABA-ICS).

Using health records from Ontario, Canada, this research followed 50,490 patients aged 66 and older who began treatment between 2004 and 2012. All participants were newly prescribed either tiotropium monotherapy (30,960 patients) or LABA-ICS therapy (19,530 patients) and had no prior diagnosis of dementia. The patients were monitored for up to 10 years, with a median follow-up time of approximately 7.6 years.

The primary analysis used an “intention-to-treat” approach where the participants were analyzed based on their initial treatment group regardless of any later changes. During the study, 29.6 cases of dementia occurred per 1,000 person-years among tiotropium users, compared to 27.4 per 1,000 person-years among those using LABA-ICS. This resulted in a weighted incidence rate difference (IRD) of 2.3 additional cases per 1,000 person-years. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 1.09, indicating a 9% relative increase in risk among tiotropium users, though still considered a small absolute difference.

A secondary “as-treated” analysis, which considered treatment changes over time, showed no statistically significant difference in dementia rates. In this analysis, the dementia incidence was 24.1 vs 21.4 cases per 1,000 person-years for tiotropium and LABA-ICS users, respectively, with an HR of 1.11. However, the confidence interval crossed unity (0.93–1.32), which suggested this result could be due to chance.

The strength of this study lies in its use of real-world data and a robust target trial emulation framework, which minimizes confounding by closely mimicking a randomized controlled trial. The research also applied a one-year lag in dementia diagnosis to reduce the potential for reverse causation and allow for disease latency.

Overall, the increase in dementia risk was small, and tiotropium remains a cornerstone in COPD management due to its well-documented benefits in reducing exacerbations and improving lung function. Further research is encouraged to explore whether cumulative anticholinergic burden plays a broader role in cognitive decline among older adults.

Source:

Wu, C.-Y., Kendzerska, T., Wang, C., Xiong, L. Y., Edwards, J. D., Liu, P. P., Saskin, R., & Swardfager, W. (2025). Tiotropium initiation and dementia risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. JAMA Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.1251

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Study finds addictive screen use, not total screen time, linked to youth suicide risk

New research found that youth who become increasingly addicted to social media, mobile phones or video games are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and emotional or behavioral issues. The study, published in JAMA, was led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University and University of California, Berkeley.

Unlike previous studies that focused on total screen time at one point in a child’s life, this study looked at how young people’s patterns of compulsive or “addictive” use changed over time. These patterns included feeling unable to stop using a device, experiencing distress when not using it or using it to escape from problems. In contrast, simply spending more time on screens at 10 years old wasn’t associated with worse suicide-related and mental health outcomes.

“For parents and educators, the discussion around mobile phones and social media has focused on limiting or banning use, but our results indicate more complex factors are involved,” said first author Dr. Yunyu Xiao, assistant professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Clinical trials have shown that limiting cell phone use, for instance during school hours, was not effective in reducing the risk of suicidal behavior or improving other aspects of mental health.”

This study could signal a paradigm shift in how the impact of screen time on youth mental health is addressed. “Testing interventions that work against other types of addiction may be one way to approach this type of social media and mobile phone use,” Dr. Xiao said.

Dr. John Mann, the Paul Janssen Professor of Translational Neuroscience in Psychiatry and Radiology at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, is senior author on this study.

Quantity Versus Quality

Over four years, the researchers tracked nearly 4,300 youths aged nine to ten when they first started the study. Participants identified themselves as Asian, Black, Hispanic, white or multiracial. Using machine learning and data from participant interviews, the researchers characterized three addictive use trajectories for social media and mobile phone usage and two for addictive use with video games. When graphed, these trajectories depicted relative levels of addictive behaviors.

By age 14, almost one in three participants had a high addictive use trajectory for social media and one in four for mobile phones. More than 40 percent of the youths had a high addictive use trajectory for video games. These adolescents were significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts or behaviors, as well as symptoms of anxiety, depression, aggression or rule-breaking.

The researchers also found that each type of digital activity showed unique patterns of association with suicide-related behaviors and mental health symptoms. For social media and mobile phones, the high and increasing addictive use trajectories were associated with a two to three times greater risk of suicidal behaviors and suicidal ideation compared with the low addictive use trajectory. The higher use trajectories were also associated with either internalizing symptoms such as anxiousness and depression, or externalizing symptoms, including aggressiveness or inattentiveness.

“Parents may want to pay more attention to how their kids are using their digital devices and consider having them evaluated for signs of addictive use, said co-first author Dr. Yuan Meng, postdoctoral associate in population health sciences at Weill Cornell. “If an addiction is identified, limiting use of mobile phones and social media for part of the day, may potentially reinforce addictive behaviors, so seeking professional advice is essential.”

Paradigm Shift

This study demonstrated that the total amount of time spent on social media, mobile phones and video games was not associated with future suicide-related or mental health outcomes. What mattered most was how youth were engaging with screens-especially whether their use showed signs of compulsion, distress or loss of control.

The findings suggest repeated assessment of social media and mobile phones in children entering adolescence for addictive use patterns could be valuable. “Children who initially display low or moderate trajectories are not typically considered at-risk, but follow-up can detect concerning trends such as development of more severe addictive use over time,” Dr. Xiao said.

Though the study does not prove addictive screen use causes mental health problems-higher addiction use trajectories are linked to roughly double the risk of suicidal behavior in the near future of these teens. “This calls for further study and evaluation of approaches that have worked for other addictions in children and adolescents for this issue,” Dr. Mann said.

Next, Dr. Xiao and her colleagues plan to extract profiles of children who comprise different trajectories with their demographic and socioeconomic information. The researchers are also developing interventions to address addictive use behaviors at their onset to reduce the likelihood of suicidal behaviors.

Reference:

Xiao Y, Meng Y, Brown TT, Keyes KM, Mann JJ. Addictive Screen Use Trajectories and Suicidal Behaviors, Suicidal Ideation, and Mental Health in US Youths. JAMA. Published online June 18, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7829

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Difficult childhood experiences may increase the risk of endometriosis: Study

A new study from Karolinska Institutet involving over a million women links difficult childhood experiences to the risk of being diagnosed with endometriosis later in life. The study shows a link between childhood exposure to violence and a twofold increase in the risk of developing this gynaecological disease.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These cells attach to the abdominal lining, uterus, ovaries or other organs and form endometriosis lesions. The lesions react to sex hormones and bleed during menstruation, leading to pain and inflammation that can cause adhesions between organs, which increases the pain.

Although endometriosis, which affects one in ten women, is a relatively common disease, its causes are still not fully understood. A new study published in the journal Human Reproduction has now identified a link between different types of difficult childhood experiences and an increased risk of developing endometriosis.

The study included more than 1.3 million women born in Sweden between 1974 and 2001. Of these, more than 24,000 were diagnosed with endometriosis. The researchers used data from several national registers to map the women’s childhood conditions. Factors such as having parents with mental illness, substance abuse, financial problems or intellectual disabilities, having a teenage parent, death in the family, and being exposed to or subjected to violence and sexual abuse were examined.

The results showed that all factors examined, except death in the family, were linked to an increased risk of endometriosis. Experiencing any of these risk factors was linked to a 20 per cent increased risk of endometriosis diagnosis compared to women who had not been exposed.

“We also saw that the more adverse experiences in childhood, the higher the risk. Among those who had five or more factors, the risk increased to 60 per cent,” says the study’s first author, Marika Rostvall, a physician and doctoral student at the Department of Global Public Health at Karolinska Institutet.

The strongest link was observed in children who had been exposed to violence. These children had more than twice the risk of developing endometriosis later in life compared to women who had not been exposed.

“The results suggest that early life experiences can affect the body’s health much later in life and highlight the importance of looking at the whole person, not just the symptoms. The findings are also in line with previous research showing that difficulties in childhood have profound consequences for future health,” says Marika Rostvall.

Research has not yet established the link between difficult childhood experiences and endometriosis, but Marika Rostvall highlights two possible explanations.

“One explanation is that stress during childhood can affect the immune system, which could prevent it from effectively eliminating endometriosis tissue.

Another explanation is that trauma during childhood could affect the body’s sensitivity to pain, which can lead to increased pain and thus a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with endometriosis,” says Marika Rostvall, continuing:

“I hope that the findings can be used to improve both preventive measures and treatment in healthcare.

Reference:

Marika Rostvall, Cecilia Magnusson, Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson, Kyriaki Kosidou, Johanna Sieurin, Adverse childhood experiences and the risk of endometriosis—a nationwide cohort study, Human Reproduction, 2025;, deaf101, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deaf101

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FDA Clears AI-Powered Wristband for Essential Tremor Relief

The FDA has approved the Felix™ NeuroAI™ Wristband, a wearable AI-driven neurostimulation device, for treating upper limb functional limitations in adults with essential tremor. The cloud-based system delivers personalized therapy, continuously adjusting stimulation throughout the day based on the patient’s needs.

“The Felix wristband represents a significant step forward in noninvasive, personalized treatment options for essential tremor,” said Rajesh Pahwa, M.D., Laverne and Joyce Rider Professor of Neurology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Director of the Movement Disorder Program at The University of Kansas Health System. “For many patients, current treatment options fall short-pharmaceutical treatments are helpful for less than 50% of the patients, and deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound, while effective, require surgical intervention. This new AI wearable wristband backed by clinical evidence is an effective treatment option in patients with essential tremor.”

Essential tremor is the most common type of tremor disorder, affecting approximately 7 million people in the U.S., and is about seven times more common than Parkinson’s disease. It causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking, most often in the hands, which can make simple and everyday activities like drinking from a glass or tying shoelaces difficult. Traditional treatment options are limited, with oral medications providing inconsistent relief and often accompanied by undesirable side effects.4 Surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), while effective, require invasive procedures, carry surgical risks, and may not be suitable or desirable for all patients, particularly older adults or those with coexisting health conditions.

Unlike surgical or pharmacologic interventions, Felix is a noninvasive, wearable device that effortlessly connects to Fasikl’s cloud-based AI platform, enabling continuous brain-AI co-adaptation and personalized therapy. Worn on the wrist, it uses the cloud to dynamically adjust stimulation, offering all-day symptom relief while seamlessly fitting into the wearer’s lifestyle.

The FDA clearance of Felix is supported by compelling data from the TRANQUIL study, a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial that met its primary endpoint. Results showed that the Felix wristband significantly reduced tremors and displayed statistically and clinically significant improvement in the users’ ability to perform daily activities compared to those using the sham device (“placebo effect”). Efficacy was consistent across demographics, with no serious device-related adverse events reported. Results were presented as Late-breaking Science at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in April 2025, reinforcing Felix’s safety and potential as a first-of-its-kind, noninvasive, AI-powered treatment.

“FDA clearance of Felix marks a defining moment for Fasikl and the millions of people living with essential tremor who have long been underserved by existing therapies,” said Zhi Yang, Ph.D., CEO of Fasikl. “This breakthrough in noninvasive, intelligent, and personalized neuromodulation marks the emergence of AI therapeutics in disease treatment. It offers a new option that is potentially more effective, safer, and more scalable. Our next step is to execute the commercialization plan to support Felix’s initial product launch.”

The Felix NeuroAI Wristband will be available by prescription through healthcare providers in select U.S. regions starting in 2025, with nationwide availability expected in 2026.

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Sleep and Testosterone: Dual Drivers of Psoriasis Risk in Men: Study

Men with low testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL are twice as likely to develop psoriasis (OR 2.97), while sleep less than 7 hours was associated with a 76% higher risk, according to NHANES data. Risk diminished at very low testosterone levels and beyond 8 hours of sleep, highlighting hormonal balance and sleep as modifiable risk factors in psoriasis prevention.

Psoriasis is a chronic, multisystemic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder with a complex etiology involving genetic, environmental, and systemic factors. Testosterone, a key androgen hormone, has immunomodulatory effects, and its deficiency is linked to increased inflammation. Sleep disturbances are also known to exacerbate systemic inflammation. This study investigates the associations between low testosterone levels, short sleep duration, and psoriasis risk using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011– 2014. This cross-sectional study included 4,060 male participants, after excluding individuals with missing data on psoriasis, testosterone, sleep duration, and relevant covariates. Psoriasis status was self-reported, testosterone levels were measured using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS), and sleep duration was assessed through a self-reported questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between testosterone levels, sleep duration, and psoriasis risk. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis explored potential non-linear relationships, and subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the findings. Results: Participants with testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL had a significantly higher risk of psoriasis (OR=2.97, 95% CI: 2.16– 4.09, P< 0.001) in the fully adjusted model. Short sleep duration (< 7 hours) was also associated with increased psoriasis risk (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.33– 2.35, P< 0.001). The RCS analysis revealed a non-linear association between both testosterone levels and sleep duration with psoriasis risk, with risk plateauing at extremely low testosterone levels and sleep durations longer than 8 hours. Sensitivity analysis excluding participants with testosterone levels > 1000 ng/dL confirmed the robustness of these associations. Low testosterone levels and short sleep duration are independently associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in a large, diverse male population. These findings highlight the importance of hormonal and lifestyle factors in the prevention and management of psoriasis, suggesting potential intervention points for improving patient outcomes.

Reference:

Zhuo Y, Lin L, Dong Q, Ye J. Testosterone Deficiency and Sleep Deprivation as Risk Factors for Psoriasis: Insights From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2025;18:1579-1591

https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S521594

Keywords:

Sleep, Testosterone, Dual Drivers, Psoriasis, Risk, Men, Zhuo Y, Lin L, Dong Q, Ye J, psoriasis, testosterone, sleep duration, inflammation, immune modulation

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Unhealthy Lifestyle, Chronic Illnesses, and Mental Health Issues Linked to Greater BPH Severity in Elderly Chinese Men: Study

China: A recent study published in Frontiers in Medicine highlights a significant relationship between the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) and lifestyle choices, the presence of multiple chronic conditions, and mental health status among older Chinese men. Conducted by Yifan Wu and colleagues from the Department of Urology, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China, the research emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to managing LUTS/BPH.  

The study examined how various lifestyle and health-related factors affect the intensity of LUTS/BPH symptoms in elderly individuals and provided evidence-based insights for developing integrated intervention strategies. A total of 806 men aged 60 years and above, all diagnosed with LUTS/BPH, were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and categorized into mild and moderate-to-severe groups.

Participants provided comprehensive data on demographics, clinical parameters, lifestyle habits, existing chronic diseases, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. A binary logistic regression model was used to evaluate how these variables influenced the severity of BPH symptoms.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • Individuals with moderate-to-severe LUTS/BPH symptoms were more likely to smoke, follow unhealthy diets, and lead sedentary lifestyles.
  • They were also more commonly affected by multiple chronic illnesses and mental health issues, such as depression and poor sleep quality.
  • After adjusting for factors like age, disease duration, prostate volume, PSA levels, and other lab markers, lifestyle and health variables still showed strong links to symptom severity.
  • Current smoking nearly doubled the risk of severe LUTS/BPH (OR = 1.995).
  • Lack of regular physical activity also nearly doubled the risk (OR = 1.996).
  • Unhealthy dietary habits were significantly associated with increased symptom severity (OR = 1.590).
  • The absence of heart disease was linked to a lower risk of severe symptoms (OR = 0.435).
  • A normal lipid profile was associated with reduced severity (OR = 0.587).
  • Not having diabetes was linked to a decreased risk (OR = 0.523).
  • The absence of depressive symptoms was associated with less severe LUTS/BPH (OR = 0.447).
  • Good sleep quality was also linked to a lower risk of severe symptoms (OR = 0.494).

The authors emphasized that while their study offers valuable insights, it also has limitations. It was conducted at a single urban hospital, which may limit the broader applicability of the findings. Additionally, being observational, the study does not establish direct cause-and-effect relationships. Some participants with severe psychiatric conditions were excluded to avoid confounding effects from medications like antidepressants, which can influence urinary function.

The authors concluded that the findings underscore the importance of addressing not only the physical symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia but also the associated lifestyle and mental health factors.

They emphasized the need for a collaborative approach involving hospitals and community-based care systems to encourage healthy behaviors, manage coexisting chronic conditions, and develop personalized treatment strategies. Additionally, they recommended conducting future multicenter studies across diverse populations to validate the results and support the development of more comprehensive and inclusive care models.

Reference:

Wu, Y., Zhang, Y., Liu, X., Huang, Y., Hua, Y., & Feng, N. (2025). Association between lifestyle, multiple chronic conditions, mental health status and the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia in Chinese elderly. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1545344. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1545344

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