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Sunday House Call, #791, May 23, 2021: Make mine a double double.
Topics today include: Mounting evidence that it will take two doses to provide protection for people from the coronavirus variant from India. Study on tympanostomy tubes versus antibiotics for recurrent middle ear infections show no difference in outcome. Reference: Tympanostomy Tubes or Medical Management for Recurrent Acute Otitis Media Your calls about: Fungal versus allergiy/contact…
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JAMA research letter used in part to ask the question, “How effective are the coronavirus vaccines for those who are immunocompromised?” More reason for everyone else to get vaccinated to protect them from Covid.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 21, 2021 Source:Coronavirus vaccines may not promote an immune response in those with certain medications or underlying conditions References:Prevalence of Immunosuppressive Drug Use Among Commercially Insured US Adults, 2018-2019Antibody Response to 2-Dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Series in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
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Research presented at American College of Cardiology meeting states that 19 per cent of people with hypertension are taking other OTC or prescription meds that elevate their blood pressure. Awaiting published study.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 20, 2021 Source:Nineteen percent of adults with high blood pressure take drugs that worsen the condition
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For those who have had AstraZeneca as their first dose, small Spanish study shows that using Pfizer as the second dose is safe and effective. More evaluation and other trials are ongoing but still, good news.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 19, 2021 Source:Spanish Study Finds AstraZeneca Vaccine Followed by Pfizer Dose Is Safe and Effective
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Take note of correlation/causation issue with headlines citing dementia & Alzheimer disease being most commonly associated with Covid-related deaths. Message is that it is usually a combination of comorbidities and age that increase death risk from Covid.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 17, 2021 Source:Dementia, Alzheimer’s most common comorbidities associated with COVID-19 deaths: StatCan Reference:Provisional death counts and excess mortality, January 2020 to February 2021
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Sunday House Call, #790, May 16, 2021: A different clot than is in the news but no less than a novel treatment that can help thousands.
Topics today include: An NEJM published study looked at excision of the left atrial appendage to reduce the risk of stroke in anticoagulated individuals. It did meet its end points with an absolute risk reduction of 2.2 per cent decreasing from 7.0 (control) to 4.8 percent over 3.8 year average for people of average age…
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Give research the time to answer the question about the need for yearly Covid-19 vaccine boosters given that variants, present and future, will continue to be an issue for a while. Speculation is a mug’s game. Evidence is better.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 14, 2021 Source:Scientists challenge vaccine-makers’ claim that we need a COVID-19 booster shot
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Short-lived common side effects including fever, chills, pain, and headache after mixing AZ with Pfizer vaccine reported in @TheLancet. Immunogenicity results to be reported in June and if mixing is a viable option (likely but assumption needs evidence).
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 13, 2021 Source:Mixing Covid-19 vaccines tied to more side effects, early UK data suggests Reference:Heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccination: initial reactogenicity data
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Risk calculus and interpretation changing in Ontario. Public Health recommends suspending first dose of AZ vaccine pending further data analysis. Outcome even if in favour of resumption will not change the erosion of public confidence.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for May 12, 2021 Source:Ontario will no longer offer first doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
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