FAMILY HEALTH

In 2016, Rush University System for Health, an academic health system in Chicago, adopted an anchor strategy to tackle the 16-year life-expectancy gap between Chicago’s West Side and the Loop. An anchor strategy is a place-based business approach to building community health and wealth by means of local hiring, investing, purchasing, and community engagement. The concept was first articulated by the Aspen Institute in 2001 with a focus on the community-building potential of universities but has recently gained momentum in health care. Among the largest property owners, employers, and purchasers in their regions, anchor health and educational institutions can stimulate local economic growth using their everyday business practices.

Exploring the Impact of Anchor Strategies in Healthcare: A Case Study of Rush University System for Health in Chicago

CARDIOLOGY

AI research in coronary CT angiography is rapidly expanding, with machine learning emerging as a key research theme.

AI in CCTA Research Shows Rapid Growth and Emerging Trends

A bibliometric analysis of 499 publications found rapid growth in research on AI-assisted coronary CT angiography (CCTA), peaking at 113 papers in 2022. China led publication output, while the USA was a key collaboration hub. Deep learning, machine learning, fractional flow reserve and diagnostic accuracy emerged as major research themes.

Higher CAR was associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure.

High CAR Linked to Increased Mortality in Acute Heart Failure

A retrospective study of 342 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure found that higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) was associated with increased all-cause mortality. Each unit increase in CAR corresponded to a 41.2% higher mortality risk, while patients with high CAR had 1.78 times the risk of those with low CAR.

Tobacco-related early heart disease rates declined, but deaths and DALYs increased globally from 1990 to 2023.

Tobacco-Linked Early-Onset Heart Disease Burden Remains High

A Global Burden of Disease 2023 analysis across 204 countries found that age-standardized rates of tobacco-attributable early-onset ischemic heart disease declined from 1990 to 2023, but absolute DALYs rose to 17.12 million and deaths to 386,300. Men and lower-development settings remained disproportionately affected, underscoring the need for stronger tobacco control.

Lower BMI and stimulation levels were linked to better hypoglossal nerve stimulation outcomes in obstructive sleep apnea.

Predictors of Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Success in OSA

A retrospective study of 85 adults with obstructive sleep apnea found that hypoglossal nerve stimulation reduced AHI by an average of 70.1%. About 75% achieved at least a 50% AHI reduction. Lower BMI and lower stimulation levels were associated with greater treatment success, while higher stimulation changes predicted poorer outcomes.

Higher BMI, female sex and thyroid nodules were independently linked to thyroid cancer in Graves’ disease.

Higher BMI Predicts Thyroid Cancer Risk in Graves’ Disease

A retrospective study of 206 patients with Graves’ disease undergoing thyroidectomy found thyroid cancer in 42 patients. Higher BMI, female sex, and thyroid nodules independently predicted malignancy. Each 1 kg/m² increase in BMI was associated with a 13% higher odds of thyroid cancer, suggesting BMI may help refine preoperative risk assessment.

NEUROLOGY

Depression, limited education, isolation and hypertension were key dementia risk factors among American Indians.

Distinct Dementia Risk Factors Identified in American Indians

A longitudinal study of American Indians found distinct patterns of modifiable dementia risk factors. Depression had the highest population attributable fraction at 60%, followed by limited education at 19%, social isolation at 13%, and hypertension at 11%, highlighting the need for population-specific dementia prevention strategies.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

Advanced stage and residual tumor, rather than histologic subtype, were key predictors of prognosis in mucinous ovarian cancer.

Stage and Residual Disease Drive Prognosis in Mucinous Ovarian Cancer

A retrospective study of 65 patients with primary mucinous ovarian carcinoma found no significant survival difference between expansile and infiltrative subtypes. Instead, advanced disease stage and residual tumor ≥1 cm were independently linked to worse progression-free survival, while residual tumor also strongly predicted poorer overall survival.

Second-stage arrest, oligohydramnios and bladder flap dissection increased uterine incision extension risk.

Risk Factors for Uterine Incision Extension During Emergency Cesarean

A study of 2,676 emergency cesarean deliveries found unintended uterine incision extension in 10.1% of cases. Second-stage arrest, oligohydramnios, and bladder flap dissection independently increased risk, with second-stage arrest raising odds 2.35-fold and oligohydramnios 2.74-fold.

PULMONOLOGY

Triple therapy improved COPD quality of life most, but offered modest added benefit and increased pneumonia risk.

Triple Therapy Improves COPD Quality of Life but Raises Pneumonia Risk

A Bayesian network meta-analysis of 14 randomized trials found that triple inhaled therapy produced the greatest improvement in quality of life among stable COPD treatments. However, its benefit over LABA+LAMA was modest and below the clinically important threshold, while pneumonia risk was 50% higher with triple therapy.

Most COPD patients using spacers achieved adequate inspiratory flow for dry powder inhalers, supporting personalized device selection.

Most COPD Patients Using Spacers Can Achieve Adequate Inspiratory Flow

A multicenter study of 273 COPD patients using pMDIs with spacers found that 96% achieved a peak inspiratory flow of at least 30 L/min, while 61.9% reached 60 L/min. Most reported practical difficulties with spacers, suggesting objective inspiratory-flow testing could help personalize inhaler selection.

DERMATOLOGY

Safety signals for drug-induced vitiligo were identified mainly with anticancer drugs and immune inhibitors.

Anticancer Drugs and Immune Inhibitors Linked to Vitiligo

An analysis of FDA and Canadian adverse-event databases identified 1,910 vitiligo reports in FAERS and 316 in CAVR. Significant safety signals involved 57 drugs in FAERS and 7 in CAVR, mainly antineoplastic agents and immune inhibitors. Vitiligo developed within 90 days of treatment initiation in more than half of reported

PEDIATRICS

Repeated inhaler training improved long-term technique and asthma management skills among pediatric emergency clinicians.

Repeated Inhaler Training Improves Skills in Pediatric Emergency Care

A 12-month study across 20 pediatric emergency departments found that repeated inhaler-technique training improved long-term skills among consultants and residents more than a single session. Among 373 healthcare professionals, intensive training produced greater gains in asthma crisis management and inhaler use, while nurses showed no significant improvement.

RHEUMATOLOGY

Severe liver injury was rare with avacopan but findings support vigilant early liver monitoring in AAV patients.

Avacopan-Related Liver Injury Rare but Requires Early Monitoring

A U.S. real-world study of 238 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis treated with avacopan found infrequent liver enzyme elevations, but identified two probable drug-induced liver injury cases, including one with severe, biopsy-confirmed hepatocellular damage. The findings support vigilant early liver monitoring during avacopan treatment.

PSYCHIATRY

Greater resilience was linked to fewer PTSD symptoms among young adults with refugee backgrounds, especially hyperarousal.

Resilience and PTSD Symptoms in Young Adults With Refugee Backgrounds

A study of 267 young adults with refugee backgrounds found that hyperarousal, negative changes in cognition and mood, and re-experiencing were stronger indicators of PTSD than avoidance. Greater psychological resilience was associated with fewer PTSD symptoms, particularly hyperarousal and cognitive-mood symptoms, highlighting potentially important differences in symptom expression.

DENTISTRY

Oral lichen planus was associated with distinct microbiome changes in saliva, dental plaque, and tongue coating.

Oral Lichen Planus Linked to Microbiome Changes Across Oral Sites

A cross-sectional study found significant oral microbiome differences in patients with oral lichen planus across saliva, dental plaque, and tongue coating. Changes mainly reflected differences in which bacterial communities were present rather than their abundance, suggesting that sampling multiple oral sites may provide complementary insights into disease-associated dysbiosis.

The Anchor Strategy — A P...

The Anchor Strategy — A Place-Based Business Approach for Health Equity