GLP-1 Agonists Tied to Slightly Increased Risk of New-Onset Diabetic Retinopathy: JAMA

USA: A large retrospective cohort study has revealed that the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with a 7% higher risk of developing new-onset diabetic retinopathy, although it did not increase the progression to proliferative retinopathy or diabetic macular edema. Regular eye screening is recommended for all patients taking these medications. 

The research, published in JAMA Network Open by David J. Ramsey, MD, PhD, MPH, from the Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, and colleagues, examined whether glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are associated with sight-threatening eye complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). While GLP-1 RAs are increasingly used for glycemic control and weight loss, concerns remain regarding their ocular safety profile.

Using data from the TriNetX database, the investigators analysed records from 185,066 adults with T2D and a hemoglobin A1c of at least 6.5%. Participants were matched through propensity score methods based on whether they had received at least two GLP-1 RA prescriptions, spaced six months apart. The follow-up period spanned two years, with outcomes assessed using Cox proportional hazard models.

Key Findings

  • GLP-1 RA use was linked to a modest but statistically significant increase in the incidence of diabetic retinopathy (HR, 1.07).
  • There was no significant increase in cases of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (HR, 1.26).
  • In patients with preexisting diabetic retinopathy, GLP-1 RAs did not associate with progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (HR, 1.06) or diabetic macular edema (HR, 0.98).
  • Treatment was associated with reduced rates of vitreous hemorrhage (HR, 0.74), neovascular glaucoma (HR, 0.78), and new-onset blindness (HR, 0.77).

The findings suggest that while GLP-1 RAs may slightly raise the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, they do not accelerate its advancement to more severe stages and may even reduce the occurrence of serious vision-threatening complications.

The authors noted several limitations, including reliance on electronic health records, which may vary in coding practices and completeness, and the absence of consistent HbA1c measurements to assess the role of rapid glucose lowering. Additionally, the study could not account for all social determinants of health or differences in access to ophthalmic care, which might influence detection and treatment rates. The lack of eye examination data, reliance on administrative coding for blindness, and the inability to distinguish among specific GLP-1 agents also constrain the interpretation.

Despite these limitations, the researchers emphasize the importance of regular ophthalmologic monitoring for all T2D patients prescribed GLP-1 RAs, regardless of their baseline retinal status. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the protective association with certain complications translates into long-term reductions in vision loss.

Reference:

Ramsey DJ, Makwana B, Dani SS, et al. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Sight-Threatening Ophthalmic Complications in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(8):e2526321. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.26321

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Chitinase-3-like protein 1: a novel biomarker for liver disease diagnosis and management, finds study

The identification of Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) as a crucial biomarker in liver disease is revolutionizing how clinicians approach the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of various liver conditions. As a member of the glycoside hydrolase family 18, CHI3L1 is recognized for its unique ability to bind to ligands and influence multiple pathophysiological processes, despite lacking enzymatic activity. This distinctive protein plays a key role in mediating cell proliferation, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis.

Liver diseases, including hepatitis-related fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), represent significant global health challenges. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical to managing these conditions effectively, but traditional methods such as liver biopsy are invasive and not ideal for frequent monitoring. Serum biomarkers offer a non-invasive alternative, and CHI3L1 has emerged as a reliable marker, especially for diagnosing and staging hepatic fibrosis. Elevated levels of CHI3L1 correlate with fibrosis severity, particularly in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC), where it demonstrates superior diagnostic efficacy compared to conventional markers like hyaluronic acid (HA) and FIB-4.

In addition to its diagnostic capabilities, CHI3L1 plays a significant role in evaluating fibrosis progression and monitoring the efficacy of antiviral therapies. The protein’s levels increase proportionally with the advancement of liver fibrosis, making it a practical tool for assessing treatment response. Furthermore, CHI3L1 has shown promise in distinguishing between simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is vital for identifying patients at higher risk of progressing to cirrhosis or HCC. Combining CHI3L1 with other markers, such as alpha-fetal protein (AFP) and platelet count, enhances diagnostic accuracy, particularly in detecting significant fibrosis and advanced stages of liver disease.

One of the most promising applications of CHI3L1 is its potential to predict the prognosis of HCC. Studies indicate that elevated CHI3L1 levels correlate with poor survival rates, especially after curative resection. When combined with AFP, CHI3L1 significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy for HCC, offering clinicians a more reliable method for early detection and risk assessment. The integration of CHI3L1 measurements with routine clinical practice could transform patient management by enabling more precise risk stratification and tailored therapies.

The growing body of evidence supports the use of CHI3L1 not only as a biomarker for liver fibrosis but also as a potential therapeutic target. As a key regulator of fibrosis and inflammation, targeting CHI3L1 could mitigate disease progression and improve outcomes for patients suffering from chronic liver diseases. Further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying CHI3L1’s actions will enhance our understanding of liver pathology and pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies.

Reference:

Chao Tian, Shizhou Deng, Ming Yang, Baochen Bai, Lai Wei, Role of chitinase-3-like protein 1 in liver diseases: A comprehensive review, Genes & Diseases,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2025.101653.

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UP DGME Releases NEET MDS Stray Vacancy Revised Schedule 2025

Lucknow: The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME), Uttar Pradesh, has released the revised time schedule for the Stray Vacancy Round of Online Counseling for UP NEET MDS-2025.

In continuation of the revised time-table issued by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), New Delhi for counseling of NEET MDS course, the revised time-table of Stray Vacancy Round of online counseling for admission of state quota seats of MDS course in Government/Private Dental Colleges/Universities of the State is as follows:-

S.No. Description Dates Total Days
1 Date of online registration 26th
August 2025 (From 11:00 AM) to 29th August 2025 (Till 11:00 AM)		 03 days
2 Date of depositing registration fee and security Fee 26th
August 2025 (From 11:00 AM)
to 29th
August 2025 (Till 02:00 PM )		 04 days
3 Date of declaration of merit list 29th
August 2025		 01 days
4 Date of online choice filling 29th
August 2025 (From 05:00 PM) to 02nd September 2025 (Till 02:00 PM )		 04 days
5 Date of declaration of result of seat allotment 03rd September 2025 01 days
6 Date for downloading allotment letters and admission process 04th
September 2025 to 06th September 2025 & 08th September 2025		 04 days

To participate in the stray vacancy round, it is mandatory for all eligible candidates to get fresh registration done by paying Rs. 3000/- (Rs. Three Thousand only) as online registration fee separately.

To view the official notice click here: https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/1919-and-1921-298454.pdf

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the National Eligibility and Entrance Test-Master of Dental Surgery (NEET-MDS) Stray vacancy Round Counselling schedule for the academic year 2025 for the All India Quota and State Quota seats.

As per the new schedule, the NEET-MDS Stray vacancy Round counselling for the students who qualified the UG medical entrance test will now commence on 26th July for the All India Quota/Deemed/Central Universities seats. Whereas, the academic session for the UG courses shall commence from 8th September 2025.

Also Read:MCC Extends NEET MDS 2025 Stray Vacancy Round Counselling, Registration Begins August 26

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MBBS, BDS 2025: Adhere to Court orders, NMC guidelines- TN private medical colleges warned

Tamil Nadu- The Tamil Nadu private medical colleges have been warned to adhere to Supreme Court, High Court orders and the National Medical Commission guidelines with respect to the MBBS and BDS admissions 2025.

The Tamil Nadu (TN Health) has issued a notification for all the Deans and Principals of Self-Financing Medical Institutions regarding the admission into the MBBS & BDS counselling for the academic year 2025-2026.

Through the notification, all the Deans and Principals of Self-Financing Medical Institutions are advised to strictly adhere to the Directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and High Court orders and National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines without fail.

Also Read: TN NEET Round 1 Counselling Seat Allotment Result OUT, Candidates Must Report by August 24

However, if any Self Financing Institutions refuse to admit the candidate in any round of MBBS & BDS counselling for the academic year 2025-2026 and demand a Higher fee other than the fee prescribed by the Fee Fixation Committee, strict action will be initiated against the institutions by the Government.

On receipt of any specific complaints from the candidates, action will be taken against the respective institution, including the withdrawal of approval or cancellation of affiliation of the college through the appropriate authorities.

The Tamil Nadu National Eligibility and Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET UG) Counselling 2025 Round 1 Seat Allotment Result on August 18, 2025. 

On this, Medical Dialogues has reported that candidates who have secured their seats in MBBS and BDS courses must download their allotment letter and report to their allotted colleges/institutions with their official personal and academic documents to proceed with the admission procedures to confirm their seats by August 24, 2025. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of the seat.

However, those who are not allotted any seat in Round 1 will get a second chance in Round 2 counselling, for which the schedule is likely to be released soon. Those who want to upgrade the seat can also apply for the second round.

To view the notification, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/tn-health-warns-self-financing-medical-colleges-for-mbbs-bds-admission-2025-26-298491.pdf

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Mandatory Excipients Disclosure on Drug Labels from March 2026: Health Ministry

New Delhi: All drug labels will now be required to clearly disclose the qualitative details of excipients along with the date of expiry, as the Union Health Ministry has notified the Drugs (Second Amendment) Rules, 2025 through a Gazette notification. The amended rules will come into force from March 1, 2026.

According to the Gazette notification, Rule 96 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, has been revised to strengthen transparency in drug labelling. “The qualitative details of the excipients used in the drug along with the date of expiry of potency, wherever applicable, shall be printed on the label of the innermost container of the drug,” the amendment states.

Rule 96 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, governs the labelling requirements for all pharmaceutical products sold in India. It specifies the information that must appear on drug packaging, including the name and quantity of active ingredients, manufacturing and expiry dates, storage conditions, batch number, and directions for use. The recent amendment now mandates that the qualitative details of excipients—the inactive substances used in drug formulation—be printed on the label of the innermost container, ensuring greater transparency for healthcare professionals and patients.

The move follows recommendations of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which had earlier emphasized the importance of including excipient details on labels to enhance patient safety and prescribing decisions.

The Health Ministry also noted that the changes were introduced after due consultation and are aimed at ensuring better compliance and safety standards for consumers as well as healthcare professionals.

Also Read: CDSCO Panel Approves Phase IV Protocol Amendment for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Mavacamten Study

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CDSCO Cancels Import Licence of Mediderma Salipeel Products

New Delhi: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has cancelled the import registration of two cosmetic products of Satnam and Company after finding them in violation of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, due to excessive concentration of salicylic acid beyond permissible limits.

According to the order issued by the Licensing Authority, a show cause notice had been served to the firm on April 7, 2025, for violation of Rule 39 of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 and condition number 03 of the Registration Certificate. The notice was issued after scrutiny revealed that “the cosmetic product MEDIDERMA – SALIPEEL PLUS was found to contain salicylic acid in concentration at 25% as per the label claim and another product MEDIDERMA – SALIPEEL LIC was found to contain salicylic acid in concentration of 15% as per the list of ingredients.”

As per regulatory provisions, Salicylic acid (CAS No. 69-72-7) is allowed as a cosmetic ingredient only at restricted levels—“3% and 2% concentration for rinse-off hair products and other products respectively”—under Serial Number 98 of Annex B of IS 4707 (Part 4:2017).

The CDSCO order notes that the firm admitted in response to the show cause notice that these products are no longer part of its import activities in India.

Taking into account the violations, Dr Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General (India) and Central Licensing Authority, stated in the cancellation order, “Keeping in view of the violation of Rule 39 of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 and condition number 03 of the Registration Certificate, thereby order to cancel the registration of the products containing salicylic acid, registered under RC/COS-003827 mentioned at serial Nos.76 and 81 from the date of issue of this order.”

The cancelled registration pertained to RC/COS-003827, originally granted to the firm on May 2, 2023, valid until May 1, 2028. The order has been circulated to all Zonal, Sub-Zonal and Port Offices of CDSCO, as well as State Drug Controllers, to ensure compliance.

Also Read: Sun Pharma’s Dapagliflozin, Glimepiride, Metformin FDC Fails to Secure CDSCO Panel Nod Over Safety, Utility Concerns

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Why losing weight or cutting alcohol isn’t always best after illness strikes

The health advice that keeps you from getting sick might actually harm you once you’re already ill. This counterintuitive medical reality has a new name: “Cuomo’s paradox”, coined by Professor Raphael Cuomo at UC San Diego School of Medicine after analyzing findings across numerous studies.

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Commodifying childhood: NZ children see marketing for unhealthy products 76 times a day

Media headlines, industry figures and research confirm what many parents suspect: marketing to children has not only grown in scale but also in sophistication.

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Is it too late to get a flu shot?

It’s almost spring. And while respiratory infections seem to have passed their peak many people are still getting sick.

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Bihar MBBS Interns on Strike Demanding Stipend Hike to Rs 40k

Patna: MBBS interns of the State-run Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) are on a protest demanding a hike in their monthly stipend.

HT has reported that the interns on Friday threatened to intensify their protest by disrupting the out-patient department (OPD) services if their monthly stipend was not increased.

Currently, the MBBS interns at PMCH are receiving approximately Rs 20,000 as a monthly stipend. They are demanding for a hike in the stipend amount from Rs 20,000 per month to Rs 40,000 per month.

The intern doctors have claimed that the State Government had last revised their monthly internship allowance back in 2022, with an assurance to revise it again after three years. However, it has allegedly not been done so far.

Also Read: Punjab Announces Stipend Hike: MBBS Interns to Get Rs 7,000 More, Resident Doctors Get Over Rs 10,000 Raise

As per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, around 200 medical students, who are undergoing MBBS internship at the institute, along with some doctors, who expressed solidarity with the protesting medicos, wore black armbands to work on Friday to protest the State Government’s alleged delay in the revision of the monthly stipend.

The Junior Doctors have warned to intensify their protest by closing OPD services across all medical colleges of Bihar from Tuesday if there is no hike in the stipend amount. However, the demonstration held by the students on Friday was reportedly peaceful.

Issuing a statement, the JDA said, “As a next step, we may intensify our protest and close OPD services across all medical colleges of Bihar from Tuesday, which could severely impact healthcare services in the state, if the Bihar government continues to ignore our demands.”

Commenting on the matter, the interns said, “Our fight is not just for money, but for respect and survival.”

The interns are urging the State to take immediate action to revise the stipend structure and bring Bihar at par with other States. They have claimed that the amount they received as stipend is less when compared to other States. Even there is disparity with the autonomous government institutes within the state like the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) and the Centre’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), both in Patna.

The MBBS interns at IGIMS get Rs 30,000 as a monthly stipend, while those at AIIMS get Rs 32,000. However, the MBBS interns across 10 other medical colleges under the Bihar government get a monthly stipend of around Rs 19,600. One of the protesting students pointed out that the intern doctors in West Bengal and Odisha get Rs 43,000 and Rs 40,000 per month respectively.

“We have not received any response despite repeated appeals, including formal letters to the health minister and the health secretariat,” said the JDA, which has been pursuing the matter.

Also Read: Imphal: JNIMS MBBS Interns Launch Indefinite Protest Demanding Stipend hike

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