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TUESDAY, March 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The first drug approved in the United States to treat thyroid eye disease may come with an unwelcome side effect for many: A small, new study finds that up to two-thirds of patients who take the medication experience hearing problems. Teprotumumab (Tepezza) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2020. In two clinical trials conducted before FDA approval of the drug, hearing problems were reported in 10% of patients. But this new study found that the rate could be as high as 65%, the researchers said.The findings were presented recently at The Endocrine Society's virtual annual meeting. Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune disease in which the eye muscles and fatty tissue behind the eye become inflamed, and is...

TUESDAY, March 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Cancer survivors, especially older ones, have an increased risk of heart disease over the next decade, a new study finds.Ohio State University researchers analyzed data from more than 15,000 U.S. adults, aged 40 to 79, who were followed from 2007 to 2016. At the start of the study period, 13% reported a history of cancer but none had a history of heart disease.Over the next decade, 35% of the cancer survivors had an elevated risk of heart disease, compared with about 23% of those with no history of cancer, the investigators found.Using a risk calculator, the researchers concluded that the average estimated 10-year heart disease risk for cancer survivors was about 8%, compared to 5% for those with no history of cancer."We know that obesity,...

MONDAY, March 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- For those who suffer painful arthritis in their aging knees, new research suggests a noninvasive treatment might deliver lasting relief.Called genicular artery embolization, the roughly two-hour catheter treatment involves a once-and-done injection of tiny hydrogel particles into arterial pathways in the knee joint. The goal: To decrease overall blood flow in the joint, and thereby markedly decrease painful inflammation in the knee.Working with 40 patients who were tracked for a year, the investigators found the procedure led to benefits within days, with pain reduction improving over time. Specifically, nearly 70% of patients ultimately achieved a 50% drop in pain by one year out. About 43% achieved a 75% reduction, a result that study author...

MONDAY, March 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Daily insulin jabs can be the bane of existence for people who live with type 2 diabetes, but an investigational once-weekly insulin shot may be a game changer for these folks.While the research is still in its early stages, the new drug called basal insulin Fc (BIF) is given once a week and appears to be just as effective at controlling blood sugar (glucose) as insulin degludec, the gold standard once-a-day shot. The once-a-week shot is as safe as insulin degludec and may be better at reducing risk for dangerous low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) throughout the day and night, the new study showed.The major benefit of once-weekly insulin is that more people will be willing to comply with the treatment, said Dr. John Buse, chief of endocrinology...