Latest news with #healthImprovement
Medscape
6 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Patients With HS, Obesity Report Improvements With GLP-1 RAs
In a survey of 22 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), more than two thirds reported symptom improvement after treatment with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 22 adults (average age, 45 years; 90.9% women) with HS who were treated with GLP-1 RAs at the University of Pennsylvania's Dermatology Department between January 2019 and August 2024. Most participants were non-Hispanic (90.9%), 54.5% were Black, and 36.4% were White; 89.5% were classified as overweight or having obesity. GLP-1 RAs prescriptions were semaglutide (40.9%), tirzepatide (36.4%), dulaglutide (18.2%), or liraglutide (4.5%), with an average treatment duration of 17 months (range, 2-108 months). Primary outcomes were HS severity and quality of life. TAKEAWAY: Most participants (77.3%) achieved weight loss averaging 31 lb; 68.2% reported improvement in HS-specific health, while 31.8% reported no change in their condition. Patient-reported symptom improvements included reduced flares (61.9%), new lesions (66.7%), pain (52.4%), drainage (61.9%), itch (47.6%), and odor (42.9%). Common side effects included gastrointestinal symptoms, allergic reactions, headaches, menstrual spotting, and appetite suppression. Nearly 60% of patients reported that HS had less impact on their daily activities, with the same percentage stating they would recommend GLP-1 RAs to other patients. IN PRACTICE: 'These data suggest GLP-1 RAs may play an important adjunctive role in the treatment of HS, particularly given the high prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the HS population,' the study authors wrote. 'Randomized controlled studies with robust patient and dermatologist-reported endpoints,' they added, 'are needed to confirm these findings and establish clinical guidelines for use of GLP-1 RAs' in HS. SOURCE: The study was led by Radhika Gupta, BA, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. It was published online on May 29 in JAAD International . LIMITATIONS: Study limitations included small size, lack of clinician assessment, high nonresponse rate, and potential recall bias. DISCLOSURES: The study received funding through a philanthropic gift for HS research. Gupta disclosed being a consultant for Cabaletta Bio. One author reported receiving research funding from Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cabaletta Bio, and InflaRx. Another author reported being a consultant for Sonoma Biotherapeutics, and the fourth author reported being a consultant for Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Learn how to improve your health and your wealth
Bolton's Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector are invited to support smokers across the borough in signing up for free quit smoking programmes and reap financial benefits as a result. The unique initiative from Bolton Council, which is funded from Government grants to eradicate smoking, incentivises VCSEs to make a meaningful impact on the health of Bolton residents, helping more local people quit smoking, improving their health and helping to keep more money in their pockets. Thousands of smokers come into contact with VCSEs every week in Bolton, offering a trusted source of support for many local people. This initiative provides a starting point to support smokers in their attempts to quit, helping smokers overcome the burden of tobacco addiction, improving their health, becoming financially better off, boosting their mental health, and leading longer, healthier lives. READ MORE: Bolton Council has commissioned local stop smoking service provider ABL Health (Your Health Bolton) to deliver this initiative in collaboration with the VCSE sector and Bolton CVS. Smokers referred will receive ABL Health's fully funded 12-week quit programme, which includes free stop smoking support, vape starter kits, and nicotine replacement therapies. Cllr Jackie Schofield, Executive Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at Bolton Council said: 'This Government funding is an important opportunity to help people break the habit and quit smoking for good. 'Nicotine is highly addictive and tobacco products can be difficult to give up, but smokers are three times more likely to succeed in quitting with professional support than going it alone, 'This new referral incentive will encourage more people to give quitting a try which improves their health and wealth, and also boosts our amazing voluntary and charitable organisations who can do even more incredible jobs" target="_blank">work across the borough.' Raz Mohammed, the Divisional Operations Lead & Head of Communities at ABL Health said: 'This is a new initiative designed to support community organisations in Bolton to refer smokers who want to stop smoking into the stop smoking service. 'We are proud to be part of the VCSE stop smoking scheme and proud to support the health and well-being of the people of Bolton.' Amina Ali, a Community Hub Coordinator at the domestic abuse charity Endeavour, praised the initiative with ABL Health stating: 'I think that the VCSE scheme is essential to helping people stop smoking. 'By offering the vape kit and fluids for free people have a chance to see the financial benefits of stopping smoking. 'One participant in my stop smoking group has not smoked a single cigarette since starting on his vape and has now booked a holiday'. All local VCSE organisations are asked to register as referrers via the website or call (01204) 205090.
