Start CRC Screening When? Statigenarians, ETOH and HTN, +2: The Five for Friday

Our editors summarize the 5 most newsworthy topics reported on Patient Care®this week.

OTC lifesaver #2. Naloxone hydrochloride delivered via nasal spray (RiVive) won FDA approval as the second over-the-counter nonprescription emergency treatment for known or suspected opioid overdose. The spray device delivers 3 mg of the drug, which was shown in studies submitted to FDA to yield blood levels similar to approved prescription naloxone products. The approval follows FDA approval in March of a 4 mg naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray (Naloxone.) More details, here.

Statigenarians? Findings from a new Danish cohort study showed that low- to moderate-intensity statin therapy was linked to greater LDL-C reductions in adults aged ≥75 years than those aged ≤50 years, leading authors to suggest that these medications "may be more appealing as initial treatment in older persons who are at increased risk for adverse events.” The study was pursued to fill a void left by clinical trials that underrepresent adults older than age 75 years and investigated the association between age and LDL-C reduction by specific statin agent. More details, here.

ETOH and HTN. A new study on health effects of alcohol suggests that routine imbibing of even small amounts--even 1 standard alcoholic drink equivalent per day--was linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure compared to abstinence. Authors of the meta-analysis, which comprised more than 19 500 adults, were "somewhat surprised" that such low levels were associated with detectable increases in BP. They say their results suggest that there is a linear, direct association between alcohol consumption and systolic blood pressure “with no evidence of threshold for the association.” More details, here.

Start CRC screening when? The new American College of Physicians guidance on screening asymptomatic adults for colorectal cancer maintains that age 50 years is the appropriate time to begin. The recommendation is consistent with ACP's previous guidance but in conflict with current clinical guidelines from the American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force which both lowered the age for initial screening to 45 years. More details here.

3-way virus assay ok'd. Near opening day for the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season, the FDA granted 501(k) clearance for a triple assay that can identify and differentiate influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus in approximately 2 hours. As the third season with the potential to bring a "tripledemic" approaches, availability of the assay will help decrease the interval between testing and initiation of treatment and increase testing capacity during the most hectic season for the 3 viruses. Plus, it has already been in use under an emergency use authorization from the FDA. More details, here.