Unhealthy gut microbes a cause of hypertension, researchers find
Posted: 02 Feb 2017 12:00 PM PST
The microorganisms residing in the intestines (microbiota) play a role in the development of high blood pressure in rats, researchers have discovered.
Monitoring patients’ blood pressure over 30 minutes in a clinical setting reduced the number of patients who either needed treatment or a higher dose of drug from 150 to 50, a Dutch study has found. The researchers found that mean systolic pressure was 22.8 mm Hg lower after 30 minutes than that at a one-off reading, and the mean diastolic pressure was on average 11.6 mm Hg lower than the one-off mean diastolic pressure. The differences were greatest among patients aged 70 years or older. (doi:10.1136/bmj.j1302)
Widespread conflicts of interest among patient-advocacy organizations uncovered
Posted: 03 Mar 2017 03:03 PM PST
Over the past few decades, hundreds of patient-advocacy organizations have emerged in the United States, promoting disease research and influencing FDA and health insurer policies. Now, a new study reveals a large proportion of these organizations have funding or other connections with drug or medical device makers, yet do not adequately disclose the details of these connections or have publicly accessible policies in place describing how they manage them.