Unrecognized renal dysfunction, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the presence of normal serum creatinine levels, is a common comorbidity among patients with various cardiovascular conditions. This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of unrecognized renal dysfunction in patients with acute stroke.

Studies have provided evidence for pain-alleviating effects of tactile stimulation, yet the effects of social touch are still unexplored. This study examined the analgesic effects of social touch and tested the moderating role of the toucher's empathy. Tonic heat stimuli were administered to females; their partners either watched or touched their hands, a stranger touched their hands, or no one interacted with them. The results revealed diminished levels of pain during partners' touch compared with all other control conditions. The authors note that pain perception models should be extended, taking into account psychological characteristics of observers.

In 2012, updated US Department of Agriculture school meals standards and a competitive food law went into effect in Massachusetts. This study evaluated the impact of these updated standards on food revenues and school lunch participation in 11 school districts. Schools experienced initial revenue losses after implementation of the standards; yet longer-term school food revenues were not impacted and school meal participation increased among children eligible for reduced-price meals.

The role of asthma status in the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) is poorly understood. In this population-based retrospective case-control study, there were 543 eligible incident MI cases during the study period. Of these 543 cases, 81 (15%) had a history of asthma prior to index date of MI, whereas 52 of 543 controls (10%) had such a history (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.06-2.66, not adjusting for chronic obstructive lung disease). After adjusting for COPD, although asthma overall was no longer statistically significant (adjusted OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.84-2.15), active asthma was associated (adjusted OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.12-4.82). Further studies are needed to assess the role of asthma control and medications in the risk of MI.

Inositol supplementation improves metabolic profile and blood pressure only in pregnancies complicated by metabolic syndrome.

Nursing home quality -- is there a difference for patients with Medicare Advantage (MA) and traditional Medicare fee-for service (FFS) plans? Out of 2.17 million Medicare enrollees who received care in a US nursing home in 2011, 17% were on MA plans. There were a few differences in outcomes. The MA enrollees showed better outcomes in measures related to antipsychotic use and pressure ulcers, while FFS patients did better with pain control, incontinence, and urinary catheterization.

The identification of vertebral fractures has been impeded by the availability of an imaging modality that provides adequate visualization of the thoracic and lumbar spine, is readily available in all centers, and is associated with low levels of radiation exposure. This study assessed the role of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) in estimating the prevalence and the anatomic distribution of vertebral fractures in 165 children undergoing clinical assessment for osteoporosis. An increased risk for vertebral fractures was found in those with osteogenesis imperfecta and inflammatory bowel disease. Among children with vertebral fractures, those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and osteogenesis imperfecta demonstrated a higher number of vertebral fractures than the other disease groups. VFA is a practical screening tool for identification of vertebral fractures in children at risk of fragility fractures.

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommended that health care providers encourage breast-feeding among women during pregnancy, offer one-on-one counseling to new mothers and provide psychological support to those needing breast-feeding reassurance. However, the recommendations in the Journal of the American Medical Association, based on a review of 43 studies, advised against unnecessary pressure on mothers who don't wish to or cannot breast-feed.

Researchers followed 41,000 individuals from Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Spain and found those living near roads where night-time traffic noise reached average levels of 50 decibels were at a 6% higher risk of hypertension compared with those residing near quieter roads. The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, also showed an association between long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and an increased risk of self-reported high blood pressure.

Seniors who experience natural disasters, which can separate them from their homes and neighbors, may be at a higher risk of dementia, researchers said. The study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found 2.5 years after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the dementia rate among seniors had increased from 4.1% to 11.5%.

CMS officials said they found incorrect information on almost half of the 5,832 physicians listed in directories for 54 Medicare Advantage plans. A new rule requires plans to contact physicians and other practitioners every three months to update their online directories.

Researchers report in Health Affairs that accountable care organizations with commercial payer contracts generally perform better on certain quality and efficiency measures than ACOs with public-payer contracts. Commercial ACOs had lower benchmark expenditures and higher quality scores than noncommercial ACOs, and were more likely to use patient satisfaction data, disease-monitoring tools and quality improvement programs.

CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said the government lacks the resources, flexibility and technologies to stop the Zika virus from being endemic. Speaking at a gathering of mayors and other US city leaders, Frieden called for cities to reinforce public health spending, mosquito control and citizen education programs.