High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly 1.3 billion people worldwide. Despite various treatments available, around half of these individuals experience uncontrolled or resistant hypertension, putting them at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and early death. A new Phase III clinical trial has made a significant breakthrough in addressing this issue.

The study, led by Professor Bryan Williams from the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, involved nearly 800 patients across 214 clinics worldwide. The participants were given either baxdrostat (1 mg or 2 mg once daily) or a placebo. After 12 weeks, the results showed that those taking baxdrostat experienced an average reduction in systolic blood pressure by around 9-10 mmHg, compared to the placebo group.

This significant drop in blood pressure has substantial implications for cardiovascular health. “Achieving a nearly 10 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure with baxdrostat in the BaxHTN Phase III trial is exciting,” Professor Williams stated. “This level of reduction is linked to substantially lower risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.”

The innovative aspect of this treatment lies in its mechanism of action. Blood pressure is strongly influenced by a hormone called aldosterone, which regulates salt and water balance in the kidneys. Some individuals produce excessive amounts of aldosterone, causing their blood pressure to rise and become difficult to control.

Baxdrostat works by directly addressing this issue, blocking the production of aldosterone. This targeted approach has been shown to be effective in reducing blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health. As Professor Williams noted, “These findings are an important advance in treatment and our understanding of the cause of difficult-to-control blood pressure.”

The impact of this breakthrough could be substantial, with potential benefits for up to half a billion people worldwide, including 10 million people in the UK alone. This new treatment offers hope for more effective management of resistant hypertension and improved cardiovascular health outcomes.

The Alarming Impact of Routine X-Rays on Arthritis Patients’ Decisions

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability, affecting millions worldwide. While routine x-rays are not recommended for diagnosing knee osteoarthritis, nearly half of new patients visiting a general practitioner in Australia are referred for imaging. This unnecessary use of x-rays not only wastes the health system A$104.7 million each year but also affects how people think about their knee pain and may prompt them to consider potentially unnecessary knee replacement surgery.

Our study reveals that using x-rays to diagnose knee osteoarthritis can lead patients to believe they need knee replacement surgery more than those who receive a clinical diagnosis without x-ray images. In fact, people who received an x-ray-based diagnosis were 36% more likely to think they needed surgery compared to those with a clinical diagnosis.

But what happens when you get osteoarthritis? It arises from joint changes and the joint working hard to repair itself, affecting the entire joint, including bones, cartilage, ligaments, and muscles. Many people experience persistent pain and difficulties with everyday activities like walking and climbing stairs.

While knee replacement surgery is often viewed as inevitable for osteoarthritis, it should only be considered for those with severe symptoms who have already tried appropriate non-surgical treatments. Surgery carries risks of serious adverse events, such as blood clot or infection, and not everyone makes a full recovery.

Most people with knee osteoarthritis can manage it effectively with:

1. Pain relief medication
2. Exercise and physical activity
3. Weight management
4. Assistive devices

Debunking a common misconception, research shows that the extent of structural changes seen in a joint on an x-ray does not reflect the level of pain or disability a person experiences. Some people with minimal joint changes have very bad symptoms, while others with more joint changes have only mild symptoms.

In our study, we found that people who received an x-ray-based diagnosis and were shown their x-ray images had a higher perceived need for knee replacement surgery than those who received a clinical diagnosis without x-ray. They also believed exercise and physical activity could be more harmful to their joint, were more worried about their condition worsening, and were more fearful of movement.

What does this mean for people with osteoarthritis? Our findings show why it’s essential to avoid unnecessary x-rays when diagnosing knee osteoarthritis. By reducing unnecessary x-rays, we can ease patient anxiety, prevent unnecessary concern about joint damage, and reduce demand for costly and potentially unnecessary joint replacement surgery.
In conclusion, while changing clinical practice can be challenging, reducing unnecessary x-rays could help improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

So, if you have knee osteoarthritis, know that routine x-rays aren’t needed for diagnosis or to determine the best treatment for you. Getting an x-ray can make you more concerned and more open to surgery. But there are a range of non-surgical options that could reduce pain, improve mobility, and are less invasive.

A groundbreaking study has shed light on why more women are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease than men. Researchers from King’s College London and Queen Mary University London analyzed blood samples from over 800 participants and discovered a startling omega-3 deficiency in women with Alzheimer’s, compared to healthy women. This finding could explain the disparity in Alzheimer’s diagnosis rates between the sexes.

The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, analyzed lipids (fat molecules) in the blood and found that women with Alzheimer’s had significantly lower levels of unsaturated fats, such as those containing omega-3 fatty acids. This is significant because unsaturated fats play a crucial role in maintaining brain health.

In contrast, men with Alzheimer’s showed no significant difference in lipid composition compared to healthy men. Senior author Dr Cristina Legido-Quigley noted that this finding suggests Alzheimer’s lipid biology may be different between the sexes, opening new avenues for research.

The researchers took plasma samples from participants with Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and cognitively healthy controls. Using mass spectrometry, they analyzed over 700 individual lipids in the blood. The results showed a steep increase in saturated lipids (considered “unhealthy”) in women with Alzheimer’s compared to the healthy group.

Dr Legido-Quigley emphasized that while there is a statistical indication of a causal link between Alzheimer’s disease and fatty acids, a clinical trial is necessary to confirm this association. She also suggested that women should ensure they are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids through their diet or supplements.

The study’s lead author, Dr Asger Wretlind, added that scientists have known for some time that more women than men are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This research provides valuable insights into the biological differences in lipids between the sexes and highlights the importance of unsaturated fats containing omega-3s.

Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Head of Research, Dr Julia Dudley, welcomed this study as a step towards understanding how the disease works differently in women. She emphasized that future research should be carried out in a more ethnically diverse population to see if the same effect is seen and to understand the mechanisms behind this difference.

Overall, this groundbreaking study has shed light on the potential role of omega-3 deficiency in explaining the higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women. Further research and clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings and explore their implications for prevention and treatment strategies.