Research published in BMJ Quality & Safety found a heightened risk of death after hospital admission at weekends in several developed countries. Patients admitted for planned surgery were more likely to die within 30 days, with a 'Friday effect' observed in Dutch hospitals.
A new smartphone app, Alcohol Tracker, warns users if they exceed recommended daily/weekly alcohol units. The app provides built-in psychological therapies and helpline links to help users manage their drinking.
A study of nearly 18,000 women in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand found that 20-80% drank during pregnancy, with higher rates among smokers. The prevalence of binge drinking was also common, particularly before pregnancy. Factors associated with lower risk included age, ethnicity, education level, and body weight.
A pharmacy professor argues that a two-tier system of prescription or non-prescription drugs would be simpler and less confusing for consumers. The current pharmacy medicine category has limited benefits and lacks evidence to support its value.
The BMJ has introduced a new policy requiring data sharing for all clinical trials, building on initial policies for drug and device trials. This move aims to promote transparency and reproducibility in research, as encouraged by initiatives from the US Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization.
Chronic lung disease guidelines are over-diagnosing COPD in older men and under-diagnosing it in young women, according to experts. The current guidelines may lead to adverse effects of inappropriate medication or incorrect treatment, resulting in poorer outcomes.
A study found that a small group of authors, including those employed by pharmaceutical companies, dominated diabetes research with an over-reliance on commercially sponsored studies. This raises concerns about the balance of power and conflict of interest in the field.
A recent study found that nearly a third of US adults own guns, with a higher prevalence among white married men over 55. Gun ownership is also linked to social gun culture, where family or friends also own guns or engage in activities involving firearms.
Research published in Injury Prevention found that license plate decals did not reduce crash rates among young drivers with learner permits in New Jersey. The study analyzed data from January 2006 to June 2012 and found no association between decal provision and crash rates, citing high compliance with passenger restrictions
Research suggests that SSRIs taken for menopausal symptoms may increase bone fracture risk in middle-aged women, with significant increases observed after several years of treatment. Shorter treatment lengths may be preferable to mitigate this risk.
Leading doctors and academics call for divestment from fossil fuel companies, citing the need to prevent runaway climate change and unprecedented harm to global health. The authors argue that shareholder engagement is ineffective in switching dependence on fossil fuels with renewables.
India's abortion law is criticized for its arbitrary 20-week cut-off, compelling women to continue pregnancies against their wishes. This can lead to physical and mental trauma, unsafe abortions, and related maternal mortality.
Recent changes to EU regulations have led to an increase in imported pets from Eastern Europe, where rabies is endemic, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current checks. The study found that many stray and rescue dogs had low antibody levels against rabies, suggesting potential risks for these animals.
Despite fewer legal barriers, women in developed countries still face significant inequities in abortion access due to inadequate service provision, moral opposition, and inadequate training. The review suggests improving access by increasing training, boosting service options, and making services more affordable or free.
A meta-analysis published in The BMJ found that women who experience a stillbirth have up to a fourfold increased risk of stillbirth in a second pregnancy. Pregnancies should be closely monitored, and antenatal interventions offered for women at high risk. Improved care and research are needed to address this major public health concern.
The BMJ investigation reveals a sharp divide within the public health community regarding e-cigarettes and 'harm reduction'. Experts debate the products' potential to help smokers quit and the tobacco industry's true intentions. Some argue for collaboration with the industry, while others fear it may be a Trojan horse.
The study found that Akkermansia muciniphila is associated with lower fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as a smaller waist:hip ratio and reduced body fat cell volume. Those with higher abundance of the microbe showed stronger improvement in their metabolic profile after calorie restriction.
A small audit of clinical practice found that doctors often misdiagnose zinc deficiency and are unaware of the impact of excess zinc on the body. High doses of zinc supplements can disrupt copper uptake, leading to anaemia and neurological symptoms.
Research published in Tobacco Control found that including experimenters in e-cigarette prevalence studies can lead to inaccurate results. The study suggests setting a threshold of six days out of the past 30 for more accurate monitoring of population health trends. Current smokers were more likely to use e-cigarettes than former or ne...
Two doctors criticize Australia's Border Force Act 2015 for silencing healthcare professionals who report substandard medical care in detention centres. The law can lead to imprisonment for whistleblowers, violating their professional duty and international humanitarian obligations.
Partnerships between multinational companies and child health programs can improve treatment rates and access to life-saving treatments, but also pose an ethical minefield. Critics argue that these connections can legitimize the sale of unhealthy products while diverting resources from public health measures.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that knee surgery for middle-aged and older adults with persistent knee pain offers a small but significant effect on pain, but no benefits for physical function. The research also identified potential harms, including deep vein thrombosis and infection.
Charging migrants for NHS services will not ease strain on the UK's National Health Service (NHS), according to experts. The new policy, which imposes a £200 surcharge per year, may push undocumented migrants into irregularity and prevent them from regularizing their residence.
A survey reveals that UK hospital post mortems are disappearing, with only half of one percent carried out in 2013. This decline has significant implications for quality assurance, public health, and the teaching of medical students.
Research published in the journal Heart found a strong association between daily chocolate consumption and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Participants who ate more chocolate had lower risks of heart disease, stroke, and related death.
Research suggests that aerobic exercise can curb asthma symptoms and improve quality of life by reducing bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory response. The study found significant improvements in symptom-free days, worsening symptom bouts, and quality of life scores among participants with moderate to severe asthma.
Research published in BMJ Open found that weekend screen time is associated with lower bone mineral density in teen boys, while teenage girls with different body fat distribution may be protected from the negative effects of screen time on their bones. The study suggests that persisting associations between sedentary activities and bon...
Research suggests pyrazines, found in low tar cigarettes, can act independently of nicotine to prompt dopamine release and enhance tobacco dependence. The study calls for swift regulation of pyrazine additives to mitigate their role in nicotine addiction.
According to research published in the Heart journal, cancer has overtaken cardiovascular disease as the primary cause of death in men, but not among women. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women.
A group of former senior editors from The BMJ criticize NEJM's backtracking on conflict of interest policies, arguing that financial ties can compromise objectivity. They commend The BMJ's zero-tolerance policy on industry-funded articles and urge NEJM to retain rigorous standards.
A study of over 69,000 individuals in Sweden found no association between varenicline and increased risks of suicidal behaviours, criminal offending, transport accidents, or psychoses. However, a small increased risk was found in individuals with pre-existing psychiatric disorders during periods of medication.
A large study found that teenagers who experienced frequent bullying were more than twice as likely to develop depression later in life. The study analyzed data from over 3,800 participants and suggested that antibullying interventions at school may help reduce depression in later years.
The first ever UK guidance suggests office workers should be on their feet for a minimum of 2 hours daily during working hours, breaking up prolonged periods of sitting with sit-stand desks and regular walk-abouts. Employers are also encouraged to promote other healthy behaviors.
Research finds EU tobacco agreements with major companies have failed to stop cigarette smuggling and recoup lost tax revenues. The agreements contain many loopholes that the industry can easily exploit, making them ineffective deterrents.
Research published in BMJ Open found that many UK patients with gonorrhoea are being prescribed outdated antibiotics. The study analyzed electronic health records and found that between 2000 and 2011, nearly 17,000 people were diagnosed with gonorrhoea, accounting for 6-9% of all cases in England.
A psychiatrist advocates for the reclassification of psychedelic drugs as Schedule 2 compounds, citing their potential benefits in treating various psychiatric disorders. He notes that these substances were extensively used and researched before prohibition in 1967, but are now subject to strict regulations that hinder further research.
The dominant approach to hip fracture prevention is neither viable nor cost-effective, according to experts. The focus on drug treatment overlooks feasible alternative strategies like physical activity, which can have little to do with osteoporosis but are often overlooked.
A recent study has found that women using newer types of combined oral contraceptives containing drospirenone, desogestrel, gestodene, and cyproterone have a significantly increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to those using older progestogens like levonorgestrel and norethisterone.
Research found a strong association between road traffic noise and increased waist size and waist:hip ratio, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors. The study also suggested that cumulative exposure to multiple sources of noise pollution may pose the greatest risk.
Patients aged 80 and above are significantly less likely to be investigated or aggressively treated after surgery than their younger counterparts. This is despite the fact that the oldest old have higher rates of trauma and multiple underlying conditions on admission.
Research published in Gut journal found that being very overweight in teens doubles the risk of developing bowel cancer by middle age. High levels of systemic inflammation, measured by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also increase the risk of bowel cancer in later life.
An investigation by The BMJ found that 38 MPs have accepted over £60,000 worth of tobacco industry hospitality since 2010. More than half of these MPs are from constituencies with higher rates of smoking-related deaths. The study also revealed that 20 of the 38 who had accepted industry hospitality voted against plain packaging.
A study published in The BMJ found that cholesterol-lowering drugs are associated with a 30% lower risk of stroke in healthy older adults. No association was found between drug use and coronary heart disease, but the results suggest that lipid-lowering drugs might be considered for preventing stroke in older populations.
Research suggests single motherhood before age 50 is associated with poorer health in later life, particularly in countries with weak social support safety nets. Single mothers tend to be younger, less well-off, and less educated than dual-parent households.
Regular physical activity among elderly men is linked to a 40% lower risk of death from any cause. The study found that even light physical activity was associated with a significant reduction in risk, and those who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity lived five years longer than sedentary individuals.
A study in The Netherlands found that vaccinating girls against HPV also protects men from some cancers. The authors suggest that authorities prioritize vaccinating as many girls as possible, but consider including boys in preadolescent vaccination programs once costs and benefits align.
The UK is launching a Choosing Wisely programme to tackle overdiagnosis and unnecessary care, following a US initiative. The programme aims to promote evidence-based care by identifying tests and procedures with no benefit, and reducing waste in healthcare.
Criticism of Israeli government policy is not necessarily antisemitic, say leading doctors in The BMJ. They argue that medical journals should discuss political issues with bearing on health to remain silent would be 'obdurately' so.
Research suggests that psychiatric drugs may be harming more people than helping them, with experts arguing that the benefits are minimal and the risks are immense. The BMJ says that more than half a million people die from psychiatric drug use every year in Western countries.
Analysis of seven electronic databases reveals frequent users account for up to one in 12 patients seeking emergency department care, and are around 2.5 times more likely to be admitted or require outpatient treatment. The study suggests that frequent users may benefit from targeted proactive approach.