Staying #Up2Date 🚨

1. Opioid prescribing in the ED

This Albertan cohort study of opioid prescriptions for high acuity patients in the ED with MSK/GI/GU pain found small increases in hospital admissions (16.4% vs. 15.1%, NNH = 53) and prolonged opioid use (4.5% vs. 3.3%, NNH = 59), with no significant effect on opioid-related ED visits, new opioid agonist therapy, or mortality. Risk was highest in opioid-naive patients, older adults, and males, while those with mental health or substance use disorders had lower incremental risk. 

2. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) associated with schizophrenia

This large population-based cohort study in Ontario examined changes in the population-attributable fraction (PARF) of CUD associated with schizophrenia. The PARF increased from 3.7% pre- to 10.3% post-legalization. Males aged 19 - 24 y.o had the highest PARF post-legalization at 18.9%. While the overall incidence of schizophrenia remained stable, diagnoses of psychosis not otherwise specified (NOS) increased by 83.7% after legalization. 

3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation (COPDe) & type II diabetes (T2D)

This study used data from three 1:1 propensity score–matched cohort studies that emulated 3 target trials. It compared patients aged 40+ with T2D and active COPD who were started on either SGLT-2is vs DPP-4is, GLP-1RAs vs DPP-4is, or SGLT-2is vs GLP-1RAs. Both SGLT-2is and GLP-1RAs were associated with significantly lower rates of moderate or severe COPDe compared to DPP-4is (2.2 and 1.6 fewer events per 100 PYs, respectively), with minimal differences between SGLT-2is and GLP-1RAs.

Slimming Down, Sobering Up 🍻

Turns out semaglutide can do more than manage your diabetes

What happened: A new study found that semaglutide, the medication often used to treat diabetes and weight loss, could also help folks to drink less alcohol.

Why it’s interesting: Published in JAMA Psychiatry, 24 adults aged 21 to 65 who have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder received semaglutide, while the other 24 weren’t treated.

Research found that the patients who took the drug in a lab setting drank less alcohol, yet when they were in a regular environment, their habits didn’t change. However, it was reported that they had fewer alcohol cravings and binge-drinking episodes.

Researchers aren’t sure what the link is between semaglutide and addictive behaviors. One theory is that since GLP-1 receptor agonists make people who take it feel fuller, the drug could also make alcohol seem less appealing.

But: Like any study, it had its limitations. Not only was it small and lasted a short period (9 weeks), but it also was conducted in a controlled setting that didn’t reflect real-world drinking habits. Also, the participants weren’t actively trying to stop drinking, which could have impacted the results.

Bottom line: This study is just the beginning of what scientists hope will positively reshape addiction treatment.

Hot Off The Press

1: 🇦🇷 Argentina’s Javier Milei is cutting ties with the WHO, following Trump’s lead and calling the global health body a tool of “social control.” Critics say the move could slash medical funding and deepen healthcare challenges. It’s adding fuel to protests over Milei’s right-wing agenda, which includes banning gender-affirming care for minors and limiting trans women’s access to women’s prisons.

2: 🐷 A pig kidney that works? So far, so good. Tim Andrews, 66, is only the second person to receive a genetically edited pig kidney — and he’s thriving. The Massachusetts General Hospital team behind the transplant calls this a turning point for xenotransplantation, with more trials ahead.

3: 📱 Heads-up for diabetes device users: The FDA’s got a reminder to regularly check alert settings on smartphone-connected devices like CGMs and insulin pumps. Recent reports show missed alerts (often triggered by software or hardware updates) could lead to serious health risks, from hypoglycemia to even diabetic ketoacidosis. The FDA advises turning off auto OS updates, double-checking alert settings after any changes, and regularly confirming that volume and notifications are working properly.

4: 🐟 Canned tuna sold at Trader Joe’s, Costco, and H-E-B have been recalled due to the possibility of bacteria that cause botulism, a form of food poisoning. The tuna company said the contamination could have come from the easy-open cans. So far, no illnesses have been reported, and the FDA is asking folks not to eat any tuna from the company despite the expiration date.

5: 🤠 While we thought the big rap beef of last year was over, Kendrick Lamar used his time at the Super Bowl (where the Eagles stopped the Chief’s attempt at a three-peat 40-22) to get everyone dancing on Drake’s grave one more time. Including Drake’s ex Serena Williams.

Notable Numbers 🔢

100M: the number of Americans under a storm alert following the snow and rain littering both coasts. Nine inches of snow have covered West Virginia, while warnings stretch from Colorado to Maine.

15: measle cases were reported in a small West Texas county. The disease has affected mostly school-aged children and could be linked to the high rate of vaccine exemptions in the county. About 2.32% of Texas children have been exempt from being vaccinated for things like religious beliefs.

$97.4 billion: Elon Musk's offer to buy OpenAI’s nonprofit arm, which is shaking up Silicon Valley's AI scene. Backed by Musk’s xAI and a group of heavy hitters, the bid aims to return OpenAI to its open-source, safety-first roots, challenging Sam Altman’s controversial shift to for-profit. Altman’s response? “We’ll buy Twitter for $9.74 billion instead.”

Postcall Picks

⚡️ AI: is replacing music producers now? You can make your own with just a simple prompt, using Riffusion.

😂 Laugh: at this adorable meme!

🤑 Save: on electronics, furniture, and more with Best Buy’s President’s Day sale from now until February 17th!

Relax

First Question: Vital sign with O2, as one would say on rounds

If you enjoyed the puzzle, challenge your physician friends and see if they can beat your time.

Image Challenge

Share Postcall, Get Rewards

Help Us Get Better