Research in the News

More women are finding out they have small ovarian tumors because of an increased use of medical imaging. But a new Kaiser Permanente study has found very few of those masses turn out to be cancerous, suggesting that some surgeries to remove tumors may be unnecessary.

The National Cancer Institute awarded $7.3 million to Kaiser Permanente to expand its oncology clinical trials program and conduct new research on cancer care delivery.

A 15-year study found that HIV-positive individuals had a 40 percent increased risk of stroke. However, patients with CD4 cell counts of 500 or more had no excess risk compared with HIV-negative individuals. Our results suggest that maintenance of immune function may protect against stroke.

Research found that older patients with diabetes are more likely than younger patients to have bouts of low blood sugar because of altered kidney function, multiple medical conditions and compromised functioning. More attention must be paid to these patients.

The Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center in Oakland, California studied the impact of introducing the chickenpox vaccine and found that cases of chickenpox have significantly dropped since the vaccine was introduced in 1995.

This study found that there is an association between less severe kidney disease and cancer and may indicate the need for screening. More studies are necessary.

600 black patients at Kaiser Permanente’s Oakland Medical Center are enrolled in a study to reduce blood pressure. It’s working.

A new study from TPMG's Division of Research, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that women who gain too much or too little weight during pregnancy give birth to kids with an increased risk of childhood obesity.

Adult patients with diabetes who trust their provider and feel included in treatment decisions are more likely to take a newly prescribed antidepressant medication, according to our study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.