A study published by The BMJ finds that healthy eating and physical activity during pregnancy limits weight gain and lowers the odds of having a caesarean section. The benefits are consistent regardless of age, ethnicity, BMI, or underlying medical conditions.
A large Swedish study found a link between antidepressant use in pregnancy and autism risk, with 4.1% of exposed children developing autism compared to 2.9% of unexposed children. However, the absolute risk was small, and researchers stress that these results should not be considered alarming.
A study found that 67% of pet owners surveyed couldn't accurately recognize veterinary emergencies, with many calling out-of-hours services for convenience or reassurance. Veterinary practices can help by providing guidance on emergency conditions and training receptionists in telephone triage.
Researchers argue that excluding mothers-to-be from clinical studies perpetuates the knowledge void around the impact of drugs taken during pregnancy. They found that lack of scientific data on the potential impact of drugs during pregnancy renders pregnant women vulnerable.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has downgraded the status of Tamiflu due to limited evidence. A study published in The BMJ found that oseltamivir had no significant impact on complications, hospital admissions, or mortality from influenza. This decision comes after years of stockpiling and promotion of the drug.
Liver specialists recommend screening high-risk patients for cirrhosis due to its growing prevalence as a cause of death, but others argue that the test's accuracy and cost-effectiveness are questionable. Implementing widespread screening could lead to disinvestment in other interventions and risks population health.
Research found a link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and increased odds of juvenile conduct disorder and adult antisocial personality disorder. The association was independent of other risk factors often present in smokers, suggesting a small to moderate causal effect on offspring's behavior.
Experts warn that concussions in Para athletes are a growing concern due to the high-risk nature of certain sports. Key findings include a lack of guidance on managing concussion in Para sports and inadequate assessment tools, making it challenging to identify and address potential head injuries.
By 2040, over 1.2 million people will live with dementia in England and Wales, mainly due to longer lifespans. The incidence of new cases is declining, but overall prevalence is expected to rise substantially.
Research reveals that naturally produced testosterone in some elite female athletes gives them a competitive advantage in athletics events that depend on stamina and visuospatial abilities. Women with high levels of free testosterone performed significantly better in certain events, such as the 400m sprint and hammer throw.
Researchers found a 25% increased risk of death from all causes among PPI users compared to H2 blocker users. The study also suggested that PPIs may boost oxidative stress and shorten telomeres, potentially leading to tissue damage.
A study of US pathologists reveals that melanoma diagnoses can be inaccurate and non-reproducible, particularly in the middle of the disease spectrum. The results suggest that only cases at the polar ends of the spectrum are accurately diagnosed.
A large study found that higher childhood intelligence is associated with a lower lifetime risk of death from various causes, including respiratory disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke. The study of over 65,000 individuals suggests that lifestyle factors like tobacco smoking play a significant role in this relationship.
Research suggests that night shift work impairs the body's ability to repair DNA damage caused by normal cellular processes. Suppression of melatonin, a hormone regulating the internal clock, is thought to be a key factor in this impairment. This may result in higher levels of DNA damage and potentially carcinogenic effects.
Research published in the journal Heart found a significant association between persistent moderate to severe mental distress and increased risk of death among patients with stable coronary heart disease. Conversely, mild or occasional distress over the long term showed no such link.
A recent study published by The BMJ found that cancer control measures have led to rising life expectancy in rich populations but not in poorer ones. Urgent global action is needed to develop effective and affordable cancer control measures for countries undergoing socioeconomic transitions.
A plan to develop more trustworthy medical evidence is set out by experts from The BMJ and Oxford University's Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. The manifesto outlines nine steps towards more trustworthy evidence, including expanding patient involvement and reducing questionable research practices.
A long-term study found a significant link between aircraft noise and an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Exposure to night-time aircraft noise was associated with a doubling in risk of heart flutter and stroke, with every additional 10 dB of noise linked to a 69% heightened risk of high blood pressure.
Research finds that regular and occasional teen cannabis use is associated with a heightened risk of problematic substance misuse in early adulthood. Teens who used cannabis regularly were 37 times more likely to be nicotine dependent and three times more likely to have a harmful drinking pattern by age 21.
A recent study found that even moderate drinking is associated with an increased risk of adverse brain outcomes and steeper decline in cognitive skills. Higher alcohol consumption over 30 years was linked to hippocampal atrophy, poorer white matter integrity, and faster decline in language fluency.
Researchers found that only 20.2% of major birth defects had a definite cause, highlighting the need for better research to prevent and care for these conditions. The study emphasizes the importance of population-based preventive interventions for known causes, such as smoking or diabetes.
Research finds a strong association between maternal pregnancy complications and early coronary heart disease in young adult offspring. The study suggests that optimal health and nutrition for expectant mothers may help reduce the risk of heart disease in their children.
Cuts to addiction services in England have led to a surge in drug-related deaths and increased pressure on the NHS. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for more training posts and no further cuts to addiction services.
Researchers find pharmaceutical-grade chondroitin sulfate comparable to celecoxib in reducing pain and improving joint function; long-term treatment recommended for older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Effective and safe alternatives are needed due to risks associated with NSAIDs and paracetamol.
Research published in the journal Heart found that regular chocolate consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation. For women, one weekly serving was linked to a 21% lower risk, while for men, two to six weekly servings were associated with a 23% lower risk.
Two large US studies found a significant association between high fiber intake and reduced risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. High cereal fiber intake was also linked to lower worsening knee pain.
A study published in The BMJ found that patients treated by older physicians have higher mortality rates than those cared for by younger physicians, except for those with high patient volumes. However, the researchers note that clinical skills and knowledge accumulated by more experienced physicians can lead to improved quality of care.
A study published in The BMJ found that online telemedicine-based medical abortion is effective and safe, with low rates of adverse events. The research provides real-world evidence on the effectiveness of self-sourced medical abortion through telemedicine, supporting growing calls for reform of highly restrictive abortion laws.
Researchers estimate that achieving a smoking prevalence of less than 5% by 2035 would avoid nearly 12,500 new cases of serious disease. The UK could save £600 million in healthcare and lost productivity costs in 2035 alone, mainly due to declines in smoking rates among the wealthy rather than the poor.
A growing number of cases in Western countries have been linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked fish, specifically sushi. Anisakiasis is caused by eating infected fish and can lead to symptoms such as upper gut pain, vomiting, fever, bowel obstruction, and bleeding.
Researchers found that a 61-year-old man with severe alcohol dependence and stuttering stopped stuttering after taking baclofen, a muscle relaxant. Further studies are needed to confirm the finding, but the authors propose plausible biological explanations for the effect.
Ransomware attacks on hospitals have increased fourfold from 2015 to 2016, with the amount of money paid to hackers rising to $1bn. Hospitals can take steps to prevent these attacks by implementing digital hygiene measures and frequent backups to protect their data.
A panel of international experts recommends against knee arthroscopy for almost all patients with degenerative knee disease, citing limited evidence of long-term pain relief and function improvement. Non-use of knee arthroscopy can be used as a performance measure to reduce unnecessary surgery.
A diet high in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, but low in salt, sugary drinks, and red meat, is associated with a lower risk of gout. The DASH diet has been found to reduce blood pressure and uric acid levels, suggesting it may also lower gout risk.
A study found that commonly prescribed NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attacks, with a 20-50% increased risk compared to non-users. The risk is highest with higher doses and in the first month of use.
Research suggests that pharmaceutical promotion can lead to overprescription of brand-name medications. The study found that top-selling and top-prescribed drugs were more likely to be effective, safe, affordable, novel, and represent a genuine advance in treating a disease. However, heavily promoted drugs often fell short in these areas.
A study published in The BMJ found no association between long-term gluten intake and the risk of coronary heart disease in people without celiac disease. However, restricting dietary gluten may lead to a low intake of whole grains, which are associated with cardiovascular benefits.
Experts argue that the UK will lose its fundamental right to health if the government proceeds with plans not to convert the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into UK law. The charter has been used to uphold public health laws and regulations in EU courts.
New data reveals low levels of referrals to Prevent programme since its implementation, with mental health trusts showing higher rates of referrals. NHS staff training on the programme is also found to be inconsistent, with some trusts reporting only a few percent of staff having received training.
Routine blood tests are wasteful and potentially damaging, argue experts in The BMJ. They highlight the need for clinicians to rethink what counts as 'routine' when ordering laboratory tests.
Coronary artery disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that responds to a Mediterranean-style diet rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, experts claim. A brisk daily walk of just 22 minutes can also significantly reduce biological risk factors for sedentary adults.
Combining aerobic and resistance exercises can significantly enhance the brain power of older adults. The analysis showed that exercise improves cognitive abilities, with aerobic exercise enhancing global cognition and resistance training having a pronounced effect on executive function, memory, and working memory.
Research reveals that only one in five children with suspected child abuse-related serious injuries is treated at a designated major trauma centre. These children face nearly three times the mortality risk as those injured unintentionally.
Exposure to childhood adversities such as parental psychiatric disorder and death in the family increases the risk of suicide in adolescence and young adulthood. A study of 548,721 individuals found that those exposed to two or more adversities had a markedly increased risk of suicide.
Active commuting by cycling is associated with substantial health benefits, including lower risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Walking also shows benefits, but only if done for more than six miles a week.
A small study reveals a significant variation in coroner decision-making processes, which can affect the prevention of future deaths. The findings highlight the need for a national coroner consensus to achieve a shared inference from available evidence.
A small study found that the new chemical composition of poppers is linked to retinal damage, with symptoms starting within hours or days of inhaling the substance. Most patients fully recovered after stopping drug use, but some experienced prolonged visual effects.
Research found a heightened risk of abnormal growths in the colon and rectum among women who used antibiotics for extended periods during their 20s-50s. Long-term antibiotic use was associated with a 36% increased risk of colorectal adenomas, which may precede bowel cancer.
Access to UK sexual health clinics has worsened over the past few years, with women being less likely to receive appointments. Clinics in England show the sharpest decline, falling below recommended standards of offering 98% of patients an appointment within 48 hours.
Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found a doubling of ALS risk among men exposed to very low frequency electromagnetic fields at work. High levels of exposure were associated with nearly twice the likelihood of developing the disease.