A US study found that 32% of older adults who contracted COVID-19 in 2020 developed new or persistent conditions, with increased risks for respiratory failure, fatigue, high blood pressure, and mental health diagnoses. The study's results can help anticipate future health complications and improve healthcare resource planning.
Experts warn that UK's approach to protecting children from COVID-19 is inadequate, with too many missing school and high reinfection rates. The authors argue for better ventilation in schools, free filtering masks and more transparent vaccine advice.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) initiative to scale up African production of life-saving vaccines is being undermined by pharmaceutical companies. Documents obtained by The BMJ reveal that BioNtech's kENUP Foundation has accused the WHO's technology transfer hub of infringing on patents.
Research suggests that e-cigarettes are less effective in helping people quit smoking compared to other methods, with no reduction in the risk of relapse among former smokers. E-cigarette users were found to have a lower success rate in quitting smoking than those using other aids.
A landmark study has formally agreed a research definition for 'Long COVID' in children and young people, complementing the WHO's definition for adults. The new definition will help standardize research efforts and provide a more accurate picture of the condition's impact.
A study found that up to half of children worldwide and a third of UK children consume energy drinks weekly, associated with poor mental and physical health. Frequent consumption was linked to self-harm, suicide, hyperactivity, and sleep problems. The evidence is weak due to limited longitudinal data.
A study found that switching from a metered dose inhaler to a dry powder version for maintenance therapy reduces the carbon footprint of people with asthma by more than half. The researchers conclude that this substitution is an acceptable and worthwhile option for most patients who can safely manage their condition at home.
A large study of British adults found that having two or more chronic conditions in middle age increases the risk of dementia later in life. The study, published by The BMJ, highlights the importance of prevention and management of chronic diseases over adulthood to mitigate adverse outcomes.
A clinical trial published by The BMJ found ketamine to be a short-term effective treatment for some suicidal patients hospitalized for severe ideation. Patients with bipolar disorder showed significant improvement, while those with major depression or other mental illnesses did not.
The global healthcare cost of female genital mutilation (FGM) is estimated to double from $1.4 billion in 2018 to $2.1 billion by 2047 in 27 countries, with the number of affected women and girls rising to 205 million per year. Abandoning FGM completely could reduce costs to $0.8 billion annually.
A comparative trial found that exercise 'prehab' significantly enhanced tumour shrinkage and downstaging in patients with operable oesophageal cancer. The study showed improved skeletal muscle mass, reduced visceral fat, and a stronger immune response in the prehab group compared to conventional care.
Research suggests a strong link between childhood trauma and vaccine hesitancy, with 3 times higher rates among those who experienced 4 or more trauma types. This is associated with lower trust in health services and increased likelihood of flouting COVID-19 restrictions.
Two observational studies provide reassuring data on menstrual changes after COVID-19 vaccination, finding that any changes are short-lived and small. The studies, which drew from US and Norwegian data, suggest that cycle lengths return to normal by two cycles after vaccination.
Physical activity monitors provide direct feedback, leading to small to moderate increases in daily steps (1,235 extra steps) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (50 extra minutes per week). The evidence suggests these devices may be useful for adults who don't meet recommended activity levels.
A trial of older US adults found that vitamin D and omega-3 fish oil supplements reduced the risk of autoimmune diseases by 22-30% compared to placebo. The effects were more pronounced after two years of supplementation.
Researchers found a distinct microbial profile associated with long COVID symptoms, including fatigue, muscle weakness, and insomnia. Patients with long COVID had a less diverse and abundant gut microbiome compared to those without the condition.
A large population-based study found a significant association between lifetime workplace exposure to pesticides and an increased risk of COPD. The study, which included over 500,000 participants, controlled for other risk factors and found that even low levels of pesticide exposure were linked to a heightened risk of COPD.
The UK has an estimated 1.5% prevalence of severe aortic stenosis among people aged 55+, equivalent to around 300,000 living with the condition. Over half of advanced cases will die within 5 years without treatment. The NHS may struggle to cope with the rising demand for life-saving surgical procedures.
A study published in The BMJ found that metal K-wires do not provide better wrist function than a traditional moulded plaster cast. However, patients treated with casts were more likely to need subsequent surgery for fracture reduction complications.
The BMJ is appealing to Facebook's Oversight Board after its investigation into poor clinical trial research practices at Ventavia was wrongly labelled with 'missing context' and censored on Facebook. The media outlet argues that the social network's fact-checking processes are opaque and lack accountability.
Editors at The BMJ argue that Covid-19 vaccine and treatment trial data should be fully available for public scrutiny. Despite the global rollout of vaccines, participant-level data remain inaccessible to doctors, researchers, and the public, sparking concerns about the lack of transparency.
A pooled data analysis of 8 commonly used COVID-19 lateral flow tests found they fell short of minimum criteria set by WHO and US/UK regulators. The tests' accuracy varied between children with and without symptoms, raising concerns about their use in schools.
Research finds a strong association between retinal age and real age, with large gaps associated with increased mortality risk. The 'retinal age gap' could be used as a screening tool to predict mortality risk, particularly for non-cardiovascular causes.
A study of over 5 million patients in England found that waiting over 5 hours in emergency care before admission is linked to a heightened risk of death from any cause within the next 30 days. The number needed to harm metric was calculated as 1 extra death for every 82 patients delayed after 6-8 hours.
The WHO recommends baricitinib for patients with severe COVID-19, improving survival and reducing ventilation needs. Sotrovimab is recommended for non-severe cases in high-risk patients, providing a trivial benefit against hospitalization.
E-cigarette medicinal licensing may help smokers quit, but its effectiveness and societal risks are debated. Critics argue that licensed e-cigarettes could weaken sustainable cessation strategies and distract from other efforts to achieve the UK's smoke-free goal by 2030.
Hospital admissions for common and severe childhood infections in England decreased by up to 94% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that non-COVID-19 interventions, such as school closures and social distancing measures, may also reduce transmission of other infectious diseases in children.
A large population study found that living alone for several years and/or experiencing serial relationship break-ups are strongly linked to raised levels of inflammatory markers in the blood of middle-aged men. The researchers suggest that this combination may indicate a heightened risk of age-related ill health and death.
Research suggests long term exposure to particulate matter in the air may increase the risk of COVID-19 infection by 5%, with effects most pronounced on respiratory health. The study found associations between air pollution and increased infection rates, particularly among older age groups.
Research finds a heightened risk of bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath among young adults exposed to secondhand nicotine vapour from e-cigarettes. Exposure to ultrafine particles, volatile compounds, and metals can harm lung tissue.
Public health experts urge stronger warnings on ultra-processed foods due to their high salt, sugar, and saturated fats content. The authors suggest building a public brand around the term 'ultra-processed' to increase awareness of the product's harms.
A study analyzing McDonald's social media marketing across 15 countries found that the company prioritizes children in lower-middle-income countries with more posts and child-friendly content. This may exacerbate existing healthcare issues in these vulnerable populations.
A review suggests that doctors should prescribe fewer antidepressants and for shorter periods due to the potential severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. The use of antidepressants is also associated with a range of side effects, but clinical trial data often don't assess outcomes that matter most to patients.
A large study found that around four out of ten consultations in English family doctors' surgeries are with 'frequent attenders', who visit their GP 5 times as often as other patients. These patients account for a significant proportion of GP workload, contributing to the perception of increased workload.
A study of nearly 5 million Danish residents finds mRNA vaccines associated with a low risk of myocarditis or myopericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, particularly for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. Absolute numbers are low, even in younger age groups.
Expert Declan Patton analyzes seven nursery rhymes to teach the importance of safe play and occupational hazards in preventing head injuries. The study highlights the role of biomechanics, impact surfaces, and protective equipment in reducing skull fractures.
Christmas trees and ivy are generally safe, but holly's berries contain saponins that can cause stomach upset. Pears and mistletoe should also be avoided due to cyanide and viscotoxin content. Safe options include cyclamen species, Christmas Cactus, and poinsettia.
A study by The BMJ found that AI-generated titles were as attractive and entertaining to readers as real titles, with performance enhanced by human input. The AI generated titles were rated as having less scientific or educational merit than the real titles, but this difference became non-significant when humans curated the AI output.
A case series of 10 children with severe epilepsy found that whole plant medicinal cannabis reduced monthly seizure frequency by an average of 86%. The study suggests that whole plant products may be more effective than CBD products in treating childhood-onset severe treatment-resistant epilepsy.
Despite low vaccine uptake, West Africa needs to boost vaccination efforts to achieve population-level immunity. To reach 50%, 60%, and 70% coverage after 9, 12, and 18 months, vaccination speeds must increase by 4, 7, and 10 times the current pace.
A small clinical trial found that high-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment resolved severe COVID-19 breathing difficulties faster than standard therapy, with significant improvements in oxygen saturation and reduced risk of complications. However, further larger trials are needed to confirm the treatment's effects on survival.
Researchers analyzed Marvel movies to understand aging trajectories and outcomes among superheroes. They found that physical activity, social cohesion, and a positive mindset are essential for healthy aging, while negative behaviors such as loud noises and smoking increase the risk of dementia and disability.
A study by The BMJ found that aerospace engineers and neurosurgeons have similar intelligence to those in the general population. However, they showed better mental manipulation abilities and faster problem-solving skills than the general population in certain domains.
A study found that a hip hop song about suicide prevention led to an increase in calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and a reduction in suicides. The researchers suggest that positive media stories can have a protective effect, particularly for hard-to-reach groups.
A study of US adults found a link between cannabis use and extremes of nightly sleep duration, with recent users more likely to report short or long sleep. Heavy users were 64% more likely to experience short sleep and 76% more likely to experience long sleep compared to non-users.
A survey of UK cardiology trainees reveals that bullying is a pervasive problem, with 1 in 10 reporting being subjected to abusive behavior. Women and those who qualified outside the UK are disproportionately affected, highlighting a need for targeted measures to address workplace bullying in medicine.
An analysis of Germany, Sweden, and the UK's handling of the COVID-19 crisis found that a lack of transparency around policy decisions, mixed messaging, and increased questioning of government legitimacy fueled public distrust. The study suggests that crisis preparedness and resilience framing should encompass governance structures tha...
A French trial found that financial incentives improved pregnancy outcomes for smokers, with a 16% increase in continuous abstinence rate compared to no vouchers. Participants who received progressively higher financial rewards had lower nicotine withdrawal symptoms and fewer relapses.
The new interactive graphic, developed by UK researchers and published by The BMJ, provides estimates on different pathways of COVID-19 transmission. It highlights the importance of airborne transmission routes and face coverings in reducing transmission.
A large UK study found that individuals with atopic diseases like eczema or hay fever had a 23% lower risk of developing COVID-19. In contrast, people of Asian/Asian British ethnicity and those in crowded households faced a higher risk. The study suggests that some risk factors for severe disease may differ from those for infection.