Sharon Worcester is an award-winning medical journalist for MDedge News. She has been with the company since 1996, first as the Southeast Bureau Chief (1996-2009) when the company was known as International Medical News Group, then as a freelance writer (2010-2015) before returning as a reporter in 2015. She previously worked as a daily newspaper reporter covering health and local government. Sharon currently reports primarily on oncology and hematology. She has a BA from Eckerd College and an MA in Mass Communication/Print Journalism from the University of Florida. Connect with her via LinkedIn and follow her on twitter @SW_MedReporter.
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Bisphosphonates may protect against endometrial cancer
Key clinical point: Women with a history of bisphosphonate use had a reduced risk of developing endometrial cancer. Major finding: The endometrial...
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Anti-TGF-beta 1 therapy for diabetic nephropathy disappoints
Key clinical point: Anti-TGF-beta 1 therapy failed to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease. Major finding: Mean serum creatinine...
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Lower BP slows disease process in early PKD
Key clinical point: Aggressive blood pressure control may be of benefit in patients with early PKD. Major finding: Low vs.
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Little benefit seen with ergocalciferol during hemodialysis
Key clinical point: The clinical benefit of vitamin D supplementation in hemodialysis patients remains questionable. Major finding: Epoetin alfa...
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Kidney function declines faster with high sleep apnea risk
Key clinical point: Screening for OSA risk might help identify patients at higher risk for CKD progression. Major finding: Median loss of eGFR...
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LAMA/LABA may enable withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids in COPD
Key clinical point: Dual bronchotherapy might allow some COPD patients to stop using inhaled corticosteroids. Major finding: There was no...
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RAPID: Baseline characteristics may affect response to A1-PI therapy
Key clinical point: A1-PI augmentation is effective across a wide range of subgroups with A1-PI deficiency. Major finding: The decreased rate of...
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Reduced sedation during ventilation lowered ventilator-associated events
Key clinical point: Reducing ventilated patients’ sedation time through a nurse- and respiratory therapist–led opt-out protocol reduces the risk...
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Race and gender may predict VAP risk
Key clinical point: Epidemiologic factors linked to increased risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia should increase clinical suspicion of VAP....
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Ultrasound screening for dense breasts is high cost, offers little benefit
Key clinical point: Screening ultrasonography after a negative mammogram would significantly increase costs without providing much benefit for...
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Aramchol shows promise for NAFLD; resveratrol disappoints
Key clinical point: Aramchol is a candidate treatment for fatty liver–related diseases; resveratrol requires dose-finding and other studies. Major...
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Infliximab serum concentrations, efficacy linked in ulcerative colitis
Key clinical point: Serum concentrations of infliximab are associated with response, and could allow for dose optimization. Major finding: Median...