Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Respiratory Illnesses, Vaccination Trends, and Advances in Gastroenterology

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Respiratory Illnesses, Vaccination Trends, and Advances in Gastroenterology · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Welcome to Morning Medical with Doctor Chow, where we bring you the latest in medical and
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  health news from around the world.
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  I'm Doctor Chi-Ming Chow, your host for today's episode.
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  Today, we'll be diving into some pressing health topics, starting with a report on the
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  rising hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses across Canada.
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  A recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information reveals a concerning trend:
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  hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory
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  syncytial virus, are still alarmingly high in Canada.
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  In 2024 alone, nearly 60,000 people were hospitalized for what are termed
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  'vaccine-preventable respiratory hospitalizations.' This includes more than half
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  of the cases attributed to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, while COVID-19
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  accounted for over 40 percent of these hospitalizations.
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  Melanie Josée Davidson, director for the health system performance team at the Canadian
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  Institute for Health Information, highlighted that although these numbers are not as high as
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  during the peak of the pandemic, they still represent a significant burden on the
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  healthcare system.
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  The data shows that in 2024, there were 142 hospitalizations for every 100,000 Canadians, a
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  substantial increase from 66 per 100,000 in 2019.
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  This puts a strain on hospitals that are already operating at or above capacity.
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  The average length of a hospital stay for COVID-19 is approximately 23 days, costing
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  around $28,500 per hospitalization.
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  Fahad Razak, an internal medicine physician at St.
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  Michael’s Hospital, pointed out that the influx of patients due to respiratory illnesses not
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  only strains resources but also complicates the treatment of other patients with unrelated
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  health issues.
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  A worrying aspect of the report is the decline in vaccination rates.
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  In the fall of 2024, only 26 percent of Canadian adults were vaccinated against
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  COVID-19, with seniors aged 65 and older having the highest coverage at 54 percent.
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  For seasonal influenza, just 33 percent of adults received their vaccine during the
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  2024–2025 season.
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  Natasha Crowcroft from the Public Health Agency of Canada emphasized the importance of
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  immunizations to prevent these hospitalizations and protect vulnerable populations, especially
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  our seniors.
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  The report also indicates that adults aged 75 years and older make up almost half of all
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  hospitalizations for vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases.
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  This demographic's health and recovery are significantly impacted by these illnesses.
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  The call to action is clear: increasing vaccination rates is crucial not only for
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  individual protection but for community health as well.
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  Many patients express regret for not getting vaccinated sooner.
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  As Doctor Razak aptly put it, getting your vaccine is like wearing a seatbelt—an insurance
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  policy that reduces your worries.
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  It is a simple yet effective way to protect yourself and those around you, especially as we
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  continue to navigate the challenges posed by respiratory viruses.
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  Today, we're delving into some significant updates in the field of gastroenterology and
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  hepatology.
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  Researchers have projected a dramatic rise in cases of metabolic dysfunction-associated
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  steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, across the globe.
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  By the year 2050, we could see around 1.8 billion cases worldwide, which is a staggering
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  42 percent increase from 2023.
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  This condition, which involves the accumulation of fat in the liver due to metabolic
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  dysfunction, poses a growing challenge for global health systems.
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  In people living with human immunodeficiency virus, MASLD has been linked to a reduced
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  quality of life, contributing to issues like worse emotional well-being, greater fatigue,
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  and systemic symptoms.
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  This is a concerning development, especially when chronic hepatitis B infection is also
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  present, as it increases the risk of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, even for patients in
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  the gray-zone phase where the disease progression isn't always clear.
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  There are also promising findings from the phase three MYR301 study, which revealed that
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  some patients with chronic hepatitis D had sustained undetectable viral RNA nearly two
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  years after they stopped treatment with bulevirtide.
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  This could be a significant step forward in managing chronic hepatitis D, offering hope for
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  long-term viral suppression.
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  In other news, a recent cross-sectional study found a link between higher body mass index and
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  an increased prevalence of disorders of gut-brain interaction, along with a greater
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  symptom burden.
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  This highlights the complex relationship between obesity and gastrointestinal health,
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  further underlining the importance of weight management in preventing and managing these
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  disorders.
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  We also have updates on colorectal cancer screening.
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  Studies published in JAMA Network Open have shown that unmet health-related social needs,
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  such as housing instability or food insecurity, are associated with lower uptake of colorectal
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  cancer screening in American adults.
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  Moreover, concerns about costs and logistical barriers were also tied to a decreased
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  likelihood of undergoing these crucial screenings.
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  Meanwhile, the American Gastroenterological Association has issued a clinical practice
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  update on risk stratification and emerging surveillance strategies for hepatocellular
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  carcinoma, or HCC.
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  Researchers are also examining patient preferences when it comes to HCC surveillance,
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  an important consideration for tailoring approaches to individual needs.
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  In terms of liver transplant outcomes, an analysis has shown that women with grades one
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  and two acute-on-chronic liver failure have higher mortality rates compared to men.
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  This points to a need for gender-specific strategies in managing acute liver failure and
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  improving outcomes for female patients on the transplant waitlist.
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  A cluster randomized trial indicated that trained hepatologists can significantly improve
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  quality-of-life outcomes for United States patients with end-stage liver disease by
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  delivering palliative care.
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  This underscores the crucial role of specialized care in managing complex liver
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  conditions and enhancing patient well-being.
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  For patients with inflammatory bowel disease, there's a silver lining.
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  A study has found a decrease in the use of corticosteroids and an earlier initiation of
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  advanced therapies among commercially insured adults diagnosed between 2007 and 2023.
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  This shift towards advanced therapies is promising, as it suggests improved management
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  strategies and potentially better long-term outcomes.
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  Finally, prospective data supports the early use of intestinal ultrasound as a non-invasive
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  method to monitor treatment response in Crohn's disease.
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  This advancement could lead to more personalized and effective treatment plans,
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  reducing the need for invasive procedures and enhancing patient comfort.
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  Health Canada has recently given the green light to Neffy, marking the approval of the
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  first needle-free treatment specifically for allergic reactions.
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  This innovative pocket-sized nasal spray is designed to treat anaphylaxis, which can be
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  triggered by insect stings, bites, certain foods, and medicinal products.
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  Notably, Neffy boasts a 30-month shelf life, making it a convenient option for those at risk
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  of severe allergic reactions.
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  Dennis Wong, an associate professor in the clinical immunology department at the
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  University of Toronto, expressed optimism about the approval of Neffy.
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  He remarked that the nasal delivery method could significantly enhance patient comfort and
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  willingness to use epinephrine in emergency situations.
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  Wong believes this could be a transformative development for many patients who are hesitant
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  to use needle-based treatments.
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  Neffy is currently available only in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom, but
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  Canadians can expect it to be on pharmacy shelves by this summer, according to ALK-Abello
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  Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Canada, the company behind the product.
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  Derek Chu, chair in Allergy at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, commented that
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  having additional treatment options is crucial, especially for those reluctant to use
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  injections.
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  Chu highlighted that many individuals who have used an EpiPen often find it easier than
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  anticipated, but having more choices could further lower barriers and help a broader range
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  of people.
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  Neffy is seen as particularly promising for treating food allergies, offering an
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  alternative to the traditional epinephrine autoinjector, commonly known as the EpiPen.
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  Food Allergy Canada reports that over three million Canadians self-report having at least
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  one food allergy.
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  Among them, more than 600,000 children under 18 years old are affected.
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  Additionally, ALK Canada estimates that 2.5 million Canadians suffer from severe allergies,
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  underscoring the importance of accessible and effective treatments like Neffy.
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  Wong also noted that Neffy could be a preferable option for children, as it is
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  compact and easier to carry compared to the bulkier EpiPen.
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  This could alleviate discomfort and self-consciousness among kids who need to carry
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  allergy medications.
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  Wong is hopeful that the introduction of Neffy will pave the way for more needle-free
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  treatment options in Canada.
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  Derek Chu emphasized the importance of consulting with healthcare providers,
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  allergists, and specialists as Neffy becomes available.
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  Making informed, shared decisions is crucial for patients and their families as they explore
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  this new treatment option.
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  Overall, the approval of Neffy represents a significant advancement in allergy management,
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  offering patients a more comfortable and accessible way to handle allergic emergencies.
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  Today, we're exploring a fascinating topic that's been making waves on social media:
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  "office air" and its alleged effects on our appearance and well-being.
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  This trend, which has gained substantial traction on platforms like TikTok, suggests
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  that spending a full day in an office environment can alter your skin, hair, and
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  overall appearance.
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  Videos showcasing this phenomenon have garnered millions of views, with creators sharing their
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  experiences of how office conditions seem to "suck the life right out of you," as one user,
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  Zoe Keels, described.
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  Zoe posted a before-and-after video on TikTok that vividly captured the changes she noticed
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  after an eight-hour office shift, sparking a flurry of comments from others who shared
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  similar sentiments.
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  Many users expressed how their skin feels "less fresh" by the afternoon, attributing this to
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  the office environment.
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  But is there any scientific backing to this trend?
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  Dermatologists like Dr.
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  Sandra Oska from Los Angeles point out that many office environments rely on heating,
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  ventilation, and air conditioning systems that lower ambient humidity.
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  This reduction in humidity can lead to increased transepidermal water loss, making the
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  skin appear dry and dull.
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  For those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, these conditions can be particularly harsh,
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  exacerbating dryness and irritation.
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  Dr.
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  Oska explains that when the skin becomes dehydrated, it may overcompensate by producing
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  more sebum, leading to oiliness, especially in the T-zone.
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  This can cause makeup to settle into patches of dry skin, emphasizing fine lines.
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  Additionally, low humidity can make hair feel dry and frizzy, contributing to flyaways and a
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  lack of volume.
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  The "office air" doesn't just affect physical appearance.
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  Career expert Amanda Augustine notes that it can also impact mental well-being, confidence,
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  and productivity.
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  The lack of natural light, poor ventilation, and prolonged screen time often associated with
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  office work can lead to fatigue and decreased morale among employees.
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  To mitigate these effects, experts recommend keeping skin moisturized and taking breaks to
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  get fresh air.
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  By addressing these environmental factors, employers can help create a more comfortable,
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  productive workplace.
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  Interestingly, while the "office air" trend highlights real concerns, it's important to
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  remember that changes in appearance could also stem from other factors beyond environmental
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  exposure.
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  Let's delve into a fascinating study on the role of conversational artificial intelligence
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  in mental health support for college students experiencing distress.
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  A recent 12-week trial conducted in Israel explored the effects of a conversational
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  artificial intelligence-based platform on university students dealing with psychological
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  distress.
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  The results, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that students using these artificial
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  intelligence agents reported modest improvements in anxiety and depression scores
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  compared to those in face-to-face group therapy or a control group.
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  The trial, led by Anat Shoshani, PhD, at the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology at Reichman
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  University, involved 995 students, who were randomized into three groups: those using the
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  artificial intelligence platform, those attending group therapy, and a control group.
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  The artificial intelligence group showed better Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient
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  Health Questionnaire-9 scores compared to controls, though the improvements were modest.
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  It's important to note that no serious adverse events were reported during the study.
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  Interestingly, while the improvements in mental health scores were "significant, albeit
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  modest," the researchers highlighted the potential of conversational artificial
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  intelligence as a scalable resource.
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  They suggested it could serve as an adjunct or early intervention tool, especially given its
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  ability to integrate into daily life without requiring scheduled encounters.
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  This ambient support could help address barriers to mental healthcare, although
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  retention rates for digital therapeutics can be low.
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  The study found that the artificial intelligence mental health platform offered
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  tailored psychological support through natural language conversations.
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  These daily interactions included reflective prompts, stress-regulation exercises, and
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  motivational messages to reinforce coping strategies.
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  Participants in the group therapy arm attended weekly sessions led by licensed psychologists,
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  covering topics like cognitive restructuring and mindfulness practices.
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  One of the key takeaways was the perceived therapeutic alliance with the artificial
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  intelligence platform, which was significantly tied to engagement and symptom improvement.
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  Both the artificial intelligence tool and human therapists received comparable ratings for
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  warmth and professionalism, underscoring the potential of artificial intelligence in mental
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  health care.
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  However, the researchers emphasized the need for further research to responsibly integrate
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  conversational artificial intelligence systems into existing care models, focusing on
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  scalability, equity, safety, and clinical oversight.
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  As we wrap up today's episode, it's clear that while artificial intelligence offers promising
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  avenues for mental health support, careful consideration and further study are needed to
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  ensure its safe and effective integration into healthcare systems.
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  Thank you for tuning in to Morning Medical with Doctor Chow.
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  I hope you found today's topics insightful and informative.
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  Until next time, take care of your health and well-being.