Articles related to MEDICAL SOCIETIES

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have been found to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in men with both coronary artery disease (CAD) and erectile dysfunction (ED), with tadalafil showing greater cardiac benefits compared to sildenafil, according to a study presented at the American Urological Association’s annual meeting. The retrospective study analyzed over 41,000 men with CAD and ED and found that those who took tadalafil or sildenafil had significantly lower 5-year risks of heart failure, myocardial infarction, and overall mortality compared to those who received no PDE5i treatment. Tadalafil recipients had even lower risks than sildenafil recipients across all categories. The study suggests that understanding the specific differences among PDE5i medications is crucial for addressing cardiac outcomes in patients with ED and CAD, with tadalafil potentially offering superior benefits due to differences in pharmacokinetics and longer duration of efficacy. However, further research is needed before definitive conclusions can be made regarding preferential prescription of tadalafil over other PDE5i medications.

On April 25, 2023, the American Urological Association (AUA), in partnership with the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), released the 2023 clinical practice guideline amendment for the management of advanced prostate cancer. This guideline contains a total of 40 recommendations, and the revision includes updates to recommendations under these disease states:

At the 2023 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Annual Conference, a panel of experts discussed solutions to address staff shortages and retain workers in cancer care. The suggestions ranged from offering work-from-home opportunities to gifting small gestures like cookies and wine, with the aim of improving employee retention. The value of flexible working options and compensation were recurring themes, along with the importance of employee recognition programs and discussing career advancement opportunities. Exacerbated by the pandemic, burnout, and early retirements, the shortage of nurses and doctors in cancer centers has become more pressing as Americans grow older and require more oncology services. The panelists emphasized that having visible management, offering flexible working options, and providing employee recognition programs are important steps to retain staff in cancer care. They also discussed the significance of discussing career advancement opportunities and avoiding the use of temporary travel staff to retain employees.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines are continuously updated to reflect the latest advances in cancer treatment. New agents and combinations are introduced all the time, and NCCN guidelines are refreshed regularly to include new technologies, drugs, and approaches. The guidelines are developed and maintained by panels of experts who review the latest science, including new publications, FDA approvals, and information presented at scientific meetings. The goal is to include new information that has been sufficiently validated to provide clinical utility and benefit to patients. In-person interactions at the NCCN conference are essential to the exchange of ideas and the creation of relationships that lead to shared learning and collaboration. The NCCN plans to continue evolving and adapting to the changing landscape of cancer care by keeping up with the latest data and by focusing on inclusiveness, equity, and access. The organization aims to expand access to traditionally marginalized and underserved populations and to reach out to communities through their trusted sources. The NCCN is committed to learning from patients and communities to ensure that everyone benefits from advances in cancer treatment.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) has released a revised clinical practice guideline to help doctors of optometry provide comprehensive eye and vision exams for adults. The guideline was created due to the significant public and economic impact of increasing visual impairments, blindness, and an aging population in the United States. The guideline recommends annual comprehensive eye exams for adults aged 18-64 to optimize visual function, detect sight-threatening eye and systemic health conditions early, and prevent or reduce vision loss. The guideline emphasizes that early detection of eye and vision problems can improve a patient’s visual function and quality of life.

In total, 1,732 grants were included in the study. The grants were mostly given to researchers in the United States (93%), and the majority of recipients were men (61%). Researchers at four institutions received more than one-third of the grants: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and John Hopkins University.