Blood transfusions are not really as useful as many think, according to a research study by North Carolina doctors. Nitric Oxide, which plays vital role in transferring oxygen in the blood to tissues, will break down in stored blood immediately after donation. So, blood stored in the blood banks is not really as efficient as many think off. This research study by Duke University scientists were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Many doctors already have suspicions about efficiency of the stored blood as it failed to give expected results in most cases. Previous studies noted about the high incidence of heart diseases and stroke in transfused patients. According to the National Institute of health (NIH), 5 million Americans receive blood transfusions (14 million units of RBC) each year. The donated blood should be used within 42 days of donation. Red Cross is already taking these research studies seriously. Nitric Oxide will deplete just within three hours of removing from the body. Donated blood immediately loses its vital ability to carry oxygen to tissues due to depletion of nitric oxide. Nitric Oxide delivers oxygen by stimulating blood vessels and capillaries to open up. Nitric Oxide also helps in keeping RBCs flexible to easily enter blood vessels in the tissue. To confirm these studies by Duke University researchers, large scale clinical trials are needed to come to a conclusion on this vital issue. We should have to evaluate benefits and problems of blood transfusions on case by case basis. It is a severe blow to blood donation programmes started by charity institutions and celebrities. … [Read more...]
Adverse drug reactions are rising in America
3-fold rise in adverse drug reactions since the FDA began a new reporting system in 1998. Pain killers and immunomodulators are causing more adverse drug reactions. 20% of drugs accounted for 87.1% of adverse effects. These findings are reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Moore and his colleagues analyzed the entire serious adverse drug reactions submitted to the FDA through its Adverse Event Reporting System, commonly known as MedWatch reports. Adverse events are those defined as resulting in death, a birth defect, disability, hospitalization or requiring intervention to prevent harm. The number of such events grew from 34,966 in 1998 to 89,842 in 2005. During the same period, the number of deaths rose from 5,519 to 15,105. From 1998 to 2005, the number of prescriptions written each year grew by 25%. Women were involved in 55.5% of the events. A disproportionate share occurred among the elderly -- a full third of events in a group that accounts for 12.6% of the population. Children group is surprisingly reporting fewer drug side effects compared to adults. Top 6 drugs causing deaths: Oxycontin, Fentanyl, morphine, acetaminophen and methadone are the pain killers. The sixth was the antipsychotic drug Clozapine. Appearance of Acetaminophen (over the counter drug) in the list is a concern. Top drugs causing the most non-fatal adverse events: Estrogens, Insulin, interferon beta, Paroxetine, Clozapine, Oxycontin, warfarin and Fentanyl. Paroxetine is an antidepressant, interferon beta is used to treat multiple sclerosis and cancer, and warfarin is an anti-clotting agent. Appearance of Insulin in the list is a serious concern. The study found the two top drugs listed in fatal reports were powerful painkillers oxycodone and fentanyl and were attributed to about 9,000 deaths. Other drugs in a list of top 15 drugs cited in death reports included anti-psychotics and acetaminophen, the active ingredient in over-the-counter pain drugs like Tylenol as well as prescription drugs. Moore also said newer so-called biotech drugs that modify the immune system to diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease were associated with about 10,000 serious adverse reports, and accounted for about 15% of the rise in overall adverse event reports over the eight-year study period. Most of the drugs carry black-box warnings discussing serious side effects and the possibility of death. The top two drugs with the most reports of non-fatal serious side effects were estrogen-containing products, used in birth-control pills and hormone-replacement therapy, and insulin, a drug used to treat diabetes, the study said. Source: Archives of Internal Medicine. … [Read more...]
