A study by scientists at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota has revealed that aside from being overweight, obesity is a metabolic condition that can interfere with the chances of success of treatment for the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

In their study, Dr. Michael R. Charlton and colleagues found that obese patients who are treated for the chronic hepatitis C virus infection are more likely to have a better outcome if the underlying abnormalities caused by excessive fat tissue are corrected first

New anaylsis finds a diabetes pill, on its way toward federal approval, doubles the risks of deaths, heart attacks and strokes. Muraglitazar, to be sold under the name Pargluva for treatment of Type 2 diabetes, was endorsed by a Food and Drug Administration panel last month.

Researchers with the Cleveland Clinic analyzed the data on the drug, developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., which the FDA made public before the panel vote