Individuals who have served in the U.S. military have about three times the risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) as a similarly aged cohort in the Icelandic iStopMM study.
Mental Health Issues Increase Mortality in Some Veterans With AML
Venetoclax combinations are common treatments for individuals with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are unable to withstand the rigors of intensive induction chemotherapy.
BTK Inhibitors Provide Option for CLL Patients With Severe Renal Dysfunction
BTK inhibitors have proven to be a powerful tool in CLL treatment and have replaced chemoimmunotherapy as the preferred first-line treatment.
Evaluate Veterans With MGUS for Cardiovascular Disease
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is not considered a hematological condition of concern, yet it is associated with lower overall survival. VA researchers led by Lawrence Liu, MD, of the St. Louis VAMC, explored whether the reduced life expectancy arose from an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
Deployment Linked to Longer Survival in Servicemembers, Veterans With NHL
A study presented at the 2023 ASH Conference, provided additional evidence for the healthy deployer effect, this time in individuals with non-Hodkin lymphoma.
Which Veterans Should Undergo SPEP Testing for Plasma Cell Dyscrasia?
Plasma cell dyscrasia affects up to 5% of adults. While often asymptomatic, its characteristic clonal expansion of bone marrow plasma cells can also indicate the presence of several hematological malignancies including multiple myeloma.
GLP-1 Use Reduces Risk of MGUS Progression in Some Veterans
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have gained huge popularity as they have demonstrated the ability to substantially reduce both blood-glucose levels and weight. In addition, recent research suggests cardiovascular and renal benefits to their use in certain populations.
Agent Orange Increases CVD Risk in Veterans With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
As Vietnam-era veterans move into the age range in which most myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) develop, the VA has a keen interest in fully understanding the full impact of exposure to Agent Orange in veterans with these malignancies.
Million Veteran Program Study Pinpoints Concerns About Cannabis-Use Disorder
A study using data from the VA’s Million Veteran Program raised serious concerns about risks associated with cannabis use.
New Strategic Lab Director Fosters Disruptive Technologies, Seeks Growth
As the executive director of VA’s brand-new Strategic Initiatives Lab (Strat Lab), it is the mission of Anne Lord Bailey, PharmD, BCPS, to encourage VA to play the long shots.
Not Just a Bulging Belly: DRA Causes Problems for Military Women
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a common condition in pregnant and postpartum women, occurring when the rectus abdominis muscles, commonly called the six-pack ab muscles, separate from being stretched.
Uterine Cancer Mortality Increased Sharply in Some Groups
Since the beginning of the 21st century, uterine cancer mortality has increased, especially among Black and Hispanic women, according to a new study.
Daily Naltrexone Use Doesn’t Negatively Affect Performance in Soldiers
Daily use of naltrexone, a medication that blocks the effects of opioids with minimal side effects, doesn’t adversely affect the physical, cognitive or marksmanship performance of U.S. Army soldiers, according to a recent study.
Liver Cancer Risk Low for Veterans Who Clear HCV Without Treatment
The risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, is low for veterans who spontaneously clear hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Heat-Related Illness Among Veterans Showing Nationwide Rise
Environmental heat can adversely affect health, resulting in heightened healthcare demands, disability and even mortality. The combination of particular medical conditions with the ongoing global temperature increase may exacerbate susceptibility to heat-related ailments.
New Journal Article Decries Lack of Recognition for Military Medicine;
A new Special Communication in JAMA Network Open decried that military medicine’s contribution to healthcare advances often are overlooked and that not enough communication occurs between civilian and military clinicians.
Sarah Krein Researches Whatever Is Necessary to Improve Veterans’ Care
Most VA researchers begin their research career because of a fascination with a certain clinical subject–a niche area usually discovered early in their studies that starts them off on a long, relatively straight, journey. Not for Sarah Krein, PhD, RN, who is interested in many subjects but none so deeply as the methodology of research itself.
Thrombosis Risk With Cancer Treatment Varies With VA Patient Characteristics
PORTLAND, OR -- Has cancer-directed therapy changed patterns of the incidence and risk of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) at the VA? That was the question raised in a cohort study of 434,203 veterans with solid tumors and hematologic neoplasms within the VHA....
Significant Increase in Celiac Disease Found in Military Population
The incidence and prevalence of celiac disease increased significantly in the U.S.
Surprises in Patterns of Healthcare Use Among Urban AIAN Population
While healthcare access and use is a subject of national concern and considerable study, such studies often have failed to capture of subtleties of the healthcare experience of the American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) population.
Impaired Mitochondrial Function, Not Inflammation, Appears to Be Cause of GWI
Future clinical interventions for Gulf War Illness should focus on impaired mitochondrial function, not inflammation, according to a new study.
Statins Play a Role in Type 2 Diabetes Progression to Insulin Use
In patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) play a role in statin-related progression to insulin therapy, according to a recent study.
Dermatology Group Seeks Better Stevens-Johnson Severity Tool
Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (EN) is a severe adverse mucocutaneous drug reaction with life-threatening implications, usually caused by drug reactions.
How Lung Volumes Change During Progression of Spirometric COPD
Abnormal lung volumes representing air-trapping identify the subset of smokers with preserved spirometry who develop spirometric chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and adverse outcomes can be identified by abnormal lung volumes representing air-trapping.
VA Doctor-Turned-Inventor Works to Prevent Infectious Disease Spread
Part of the inspiration for Chetan Jinadatha, MD, MPH, to specialize in treating infectious disease comes from going to medical school in his native India, which has a high burden of such diseases. However, he also likes to say it’s partly for selfish reasons.
VA Researchers Find Biomarkers for Potentially Serious Parasitic Infections
Asymptomatic Leishmaniasis Infected Nearly 20% of Soldiers in Iraq BETHESDA, MD—New research has identified three chemokines as potential biomarkers for asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a chronic infection caused by Leishmania (L.) donovani or L. infantum....
Rural Residence Affects Clinical Trial Enrollment for Veterans With Blood Cancer
DURHAM, NC – Participation in clinical trials (CTs) remains low among cancer patients in general, but, in veterans, that issue is exacerbated because of the higher percentage of rural residents, according to a new study. “The barrier of rural residence is relevant to...
Decline in Cerebral Cortical Thickness Linked to PD Cognitive Decline
What effect does reduced cerebral cortical thickness have in Parkinson’s disease (PD)?
Fewer Parkinson’s Motor Issues 11 Years After Deep Brain Stimulation
More than a decade after deep brain stimulation (DBS), early-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients appeared to have fewer motor complications than those treated only with medications, according to a new study.
Cognitive Impairment Can Affect Parkinson’s Gait Rehab
What is the effect of baseline cognition on gait outcomes after a treadmill training program for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients?