Increased visit-to-visit blood pressure variability is associated with worse performance on cognitive tests, including selective attention and reaction time, general cognitive speed, immediate and delayed memory. Higher variability also links to higher stroke risk, independent of average blood pressure.
GP Margaret McCartney argues that NHS patient information leaflets are inadequate, providing inconsistent guidance and conflicting advice. The problem persists despite previous studies and a planned major project to standardize information, highlighting the need for high standards in updating and accessibility.
A screening tool used to detect suicide risk among patients who have self-harmed fails to accurately identify those in need of admission or treatment. The SADPERSONS Scale only picked up a small percentage of patients at high risk of further self harm, highlighting the need for more accurate assessment methods.
Research published in BMJ Quality & Safety found that most ward nurses report rationing care due to time pressures, with 86% saying they couldn't complete at least one care activity on their last shift. The study suggests that hospitals could use 'missed care' episodes as an early warning system for inadequate nurse staffing levels.
A study found that female deaths are underreported to coroners in England and Wales, with women being half as likely to proceed to an inquest. Men, on the other hand, were overrepresented in occupational diseases and suicide verdicts, while women were more likely to receive natural causes verdicts.
Research published in BMJ Open suggests that ACE inhibitors slow cognitive decline typical of dementia, even boosting brain power in patients. Compared to those not taking these drugs, patients on ACE inhibitors experienced marginally slower rates of cognitive decline.
A study analyzing published research found technology/equipment problems account for almost 25% of operating room errors. Preoperative surgical checklists have been shown to reduce the error rate by half, suggesting their implementation as routine practice.
Researchers found that physical inactivity, poor diet, and smoking are linked to an increased risk of disability in older adults. The study, which followed over 3,982 participants for 12 years, found that the incidence of disability increased with age, with those over 90 years old at highest risk.
A study of 536 smokers in Australia found that plain packaging makes cigarettes less appealing and increases the urgency to quit. This is significant as it can help curb tobacco's appeal and boost thoughts of quitting among smokers.
Research found a worrying increase in alcohol-related deaths among young women in Glasgow, Liverpool, and Manchester, contradicting overall falls in both countries. The study suggests that increased affordability, marketing, and cultural influences may be driving this trend.
Malpractice claims in primary care mainly stem from missed diagnoses of cancer, heart attack, and meningitis, with a substantial proportion of deaths attributed to these errors. Drug errors also account for a significant share of claims, although rates vary across countries.
Gay men are more than 15 times as likely to develop genital cancer as straight men due to HPV infection. Targeted vaccination is recommended for those aged up to 26 years, with sexual health clinics ideal for offering the vaccine.
The NHS is facing a deepening financial crisis, with the BMA warning that efficiency savings may need to reach £24.25bn by 2016. The head of health policy at the BMA believes this would require drastic measures, including 'pay and staffing levels to be decimated', making the service unviable.
The overuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry poses a significant risk to human health, according to experts. A growing body of evidence suggests that routine antibiotic use in animal feed can worsen the epidemic of antibiotic resistance, with many public health authorities agreeing that it is a major concern.
The lack of transparency in clinical trials has been criticized by Ben Goldacre, who calls for the sharing of Clinical Study Reports to ensure informed decisions about medicines. The problem of missing trials is one of the greatest ethical challenges facing medicine today.
A study of British auction markets found that buyers on behalf of abattoirs preferred purchasing larger animals with maximum meat yield, excluding ponies. The research did not support the claim that the horse meat industry targets pet ponies for slaughter.
Research found that irregular bedtimes in early childhood are associated with lower intellectual performance in reading, maths, and spatial awareness, particularly for girls. The effects of disrupted sleep on brain development and learning are still not fully understood but may have lasting impacts on health throughout life.
Research published in BMJ Open found that 19.9% of respondents had been bullied by colleagues within the past six months, with medical and dental staff reporting the highest levels of bullying. The study also highlighted the impact of bullying on psychological distress, job satisfaction, and increased intentions to leave the profession.
A recent study has found a significant link between long-term night shifts and an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who worked night shifts for 30 or more years were twice as likely to develop the disease, highlighting the importance of workplace policy.
Replacing older sedentary electronic games with newer active versions significantly boosts daily physical activity levels among kids, with a 3-4 minute increase. Removing all devices also leads to a 4-5 minute decrease in sedentary time and a small but significant increase in moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Research found that breastfeeding significantly reduces chances of downward social mobility and increases odds of climbing the social ladder. Breastfed children showed improved brain development, stress levels, and intellect, which contribute to better adult outcomes.
Every year, around 700 women with urinary cancers are missing out on prompt diagnosis due to initial misattribution by family doctors. Women were twice as likely to have visited their GP multiple times before being referred to a specialist, leading to delayed diagnoses and poorer survival rates.
A study of over 90 studies found that daily iron intake during pregnancy increases average haemoglobin levels and reduces the risk of anaemia. Birth weight is also improved, but no reduction in preterm birth risk was observed.
The average UK salt content of packaged bread fell by 20% from 2001 to 2011, reducing the risk of heart disease and other health problems. Despite this progress, significant variations in salt levels among different products persisted.
A large study found that moderate drinking during pregnancy does not seem to affect a child's ability to balance. However, social advantage may be a factor, as more affluent and educated mothers tend to drink more. Better static balance was associated with greater levels of affluence and educational attainment.
A study of over 146,000 Dutch women found planned home births were associated with lower rates of severe maternal complications among parous women. However, first-time mothers showed no significant difference in risk.
A group of experts proposes restoring unpublished and misreported clinical trials to publish previously confidential trial documents, ensuring accurate treatment information. The effort aims to address the issue of unreported trials that have misled public health decisions and wasted public money.
The lack of hard data on drug safety during pregnancy is leading to a doubling of deaths among mothers with underlying health conditions. Pregnant women are hesitant to take medications due to concerns about their developing baby, while doctors are also reluctant to prescribe due to limited evidence.
Research shows free bus travel for teens in London led to a doubling of short journeys taken by bus, while walking decreased, but cycling declined. This shift reduced road traffic injuries and had a positive impact on the environment by decreasing car usage and distances traveled.
A study of 1300 German teens found that exposure to tobacco ads boosts the risk of starting to smoke by almost 40%, while increasing daily smoking chances by 30%. The analysis controlled for other influential factors, suggesting a direct link between tobacco ad exposure and smoking behavior.
A joint investigation by BMJ and Channel 4 Dispatches found that evidence of potential harm from new diabetes drugs has not been fully published. This has led to millions of patients worldwide being under-informed about possible risks. Regulators in Europe and the US have faced criticism for their slow response to emerging concerns.
A UK study reveals that despite national recommendation, only 47.4% of terminally ill patients are placed on the Liverpool Care Pathway for end-of-life care. Lack of knowledge and staff support may be contributing factors to its underutilization.
A recent study published in Tobacco Control found that employers in the US pay an average of $5,816 (£3,865) extra per year for employees who smoke compared to non-smokers. The main factors contributing to these increased costs are absenteeism, smoking breaks, and healthcare expenditures.
A major study found that double dose oseltamivir does not improve outcomes in patients with severe influenza, contradicting previous suggestions. The results have significant implications for pandemic preparedness and drug stockpiling.
The NHS receives millions of pounds annually in revenue from promotions to pregnant women, raising concerns over commercial interests influencing healthcare decisions. Trusted organizations, including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, profit from selling advertisers access to pregnant women through promotions.
Researchers found a 'weekday effect' in mortality rates for patients undergoing elective surgery, with higher risks at the weekend and end of working week. The study suggests poorer quality of care may contribute to this, particularly for patients with more diseases or previous admissions.
A population-based study suggests that high-potency statins like atorvastatin and rosuvastatin increase the risk of developing new-onset diabetes. In contrast, fluvastatin and lovastatin appear to have a lower risk. Researchers recommend considering individual patient risk when prescribing statins.
A large cross-sectional study found that adults, adolescents, and parents of school-age children consistently underestimate the calorie content of their meals, especially large ones. The researchers suggest that menu labelling requirements and social marketing campaigns could help correct this underestimation.
The study found a widening gap in life expectancy of 16 years for males and 12 years for females, largely due to increasing life expectancy in the general population. Physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease were the main cause of excess deaths among people with mental illness.
A recent study found that using linked health records can significantly reduce biased disease estimates, with up to half of heart attack cases missed using just one data source. This highlights the importance of using multiple sources in healthcare and research.
Cardiologist Dr Malhotra argues that the UK's daily limit of 10% added sugar is too high and leads to diet-related disease. Experts call for food industry regulation and labeling changes to help consumers make informed choices.
A large population-based study confirms a small increased cancer risk following CT scans in childhood and adolescence. The researchers found a significant increase in cancer incidence among exposed individuals, with the highest risk seen in children under five years old.
A large analysis published in BMJ Open found that bed sharing with parents increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by fivefold. The study advises against bed sharing for babies under three months old, citing a significant reduction in SIDS deaths when babies sleep on their backs in a cot.
The incidence of eating disorders is increasing in the UK, with a total of 9072 cases diagnosed over 10 years. The most common type is eating disorders not otherwise specified, which has risen steadily from 32.3 new cases per 100,000 population in 2000 to 37.2 by 2009.
A Johns Hopkins fellow argues that the US public health agency's message on influenza vaccines may be overstated, with limited evidence supporting the claim that vaccines save lives. He also questions the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing elderly deaths and highlights potential side effects.
The BMJ argues that clinicians and patients must work together to challenge entrenched practices and behaviours in healthcare. The journal emphasizes the importance of patient partnership in improving health systems and encourages a fundamental shift in power structures.
Cyclists are vulnerable road users with head injuries accounting for 75% of cycling-related deaths. Researchers found helmet legislation has a minimal impact on reducing serious head injuries among all ages, with rates falling before implementation.
A study found that non-smoking hotel rooms can be polluted with third-hand smoke, even if the hotel has a partial smoking ban. Non-smokers who stayed at these hotels had higher levels of nicotine and other pollutants in their urine and finger wipes compared to those staying in total smoking banned hotels.
A study of over 1,100 adults who had a stroke found that those living closest to major roads had lower kidney function and increased cardiovascular death rates. Exposure to air pollution from traffic was linked to reduced renal function and an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
A Dutch medical protocol used to curb suffering in sick newborns reveals that euthanasia is not an abuse but a humane option for parents. The Groningen Protocol, introduced in 2005, stipulates strict criteria for euthanasia, and its review found that only two cases of infant euthanasia were reported between 2010.