What is the role of fungus in allergic airway diseases? VA researchers found that many conditions, including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis/aspergillosis, and cystic fibrosis (CF have a shared immunological signature. In some cases, nasal polyps can occur.
VA researchers solved a mystery involving younger veterans who developed unusual and deadly cancers. They determined that patients currently using certain drugs, thiopurines, had triple the risk of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on an adjusted basis compared to those never exposed. The risks resolved with discontinuation.
With a range of smoking cessation program, the VA is having some success reducing the percentage of veterans who use tobacco. Still, data show that veterans find it hard to quit, even when they have been diagnosed with lung cancer and continued smoking affects their overall survival.
Well-timed colonoscopy appears to improve overall survival in inflammatory bowel disease patients, but many VA patients aren’t getting screened regularly. A new study supported current VA practice guidelines that recommend colonoscopy intervals from one year to three years among patients with IBD who have extensive colitis or left-sided colitis.
Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma have undergone dramatic changesin recent years. Metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes, as well as associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, now sit at the top of the list. Alcohol use disorders also are on the increase, fueling alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic cirrhosis. At the same time, however, with more effective treatment and prevention, hepatitis C and hepatitis B infections have decreased in prevalence.