Paxlovid and long COVID; hearing loss and dementia risk; $93M in health care fraud - Morning Medical Update

Doctor morning desk: © Alena Kryazheva – stock.adobe.com

Paxlovid vs. long COVID

Long COVID occurs in about 10% of patients with COVID-19 globally and could affect up to 65 million people worldwide. Researchers found patients treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) did not show a lower prevalence of long COVID symptoms 90 days after infection.

Hearing against dementia

Even mild hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia. But a new study involving more than 573,000 participants in Denmark suggests hearing aids may reduce risk of dementia.

$93M in medical fraud

A federal judge handed down sentences for a home health therapy and money laundering fraud scheme that billed Medicare $93 million for services never provided, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. A 42-year-old man was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison, while a 54-year-old woman co-conspirator was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison. They were convicted at a jury trial of using stolen patient identities and individuals in Cuba in the scheme.