Women with cosmetic breast implants are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer and having poorer survival rates than those without implants. Researchers found a 26% increased risk of delayed diagnosis and a 38% greater risk of death from breast cancer among women with implants.
Children between 16 and 36 months are vulnerable to accidental strangulation from window blind cords. The risk is due to their relatively large heads, softer windpipes, and limited muscular control, making it harder for them to disentangle themselves.
Young men who are obese in their early 20s are significantly more likely to develop serious health issues by middle age. They are eight times as likely to get diabetes and four times as likely to experience a potentially fatal blood clot compared to normal-weight peers.
Taking painkillers before marathons increases the risk of gastrointestinal problems by 13%. The rate of symptoms rises with increasing dose. Runners who took painkillers were five times as likely to experience symptoms as those who didn't, according to a recent study.
A study of over 1300 female marathon runners found that breast pain is more common among larger breasted women, but also affects childless women. Exercise intensity and duration can exacerbate symptoms, leading some to reduce exercise intensity or miss training sessions.
Researchers analyzed data from eight sexual health services across Australia, finding a significant decline in genital warts diagnoses among vaccinated young women and men. The HPV vaccination has been shown to protect against the types of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts and cancer-causing HPV types.
Research argues that conventional wisdom on obesity causes may be incorrect and that a hormonal disorder could be the real culprit. The author of a new article calls for rigorous trials to determine the true cause of obesity.
A new study suggests that nearly half of all deaths from prostate cancer can be predicted before age 50, based on PSA levels. Focusing testing on men at highest risk may improve the benefits and harms of screening.
A study analyzing emergency admissions for asthma among adults in England found a significant annual 5% drop following the introduction of the country's smoking ban in 2007. The study, published in Thorax, confirms the value of public health interventions and attributes the association to reduced secondhand smoke exposure.
A high resting heart rate is associated with a higher risk of death, regardless of physical fitness level. Men with heart rates between 51-80 beats per minute had a 40-50% increased risk of death compared to those with lower rates.
Rates of childhood squint surgery in England have declined significantly over the past 50 years, with a threefold decrease in admission rates. However, there remains a significant geographical variation in the procedure's use, with areas having the highest and lowest rates showing a fivefold difference.
A study in Australia found that 3% of doctors account for 49% of all patient complaints, with those who have multiple complaints being highly likely to receive further complaints. The researchers argue that this issue could be mitigated by introducing formal appraisal of a doctor's practice as part of revalidation.
A study published in the BMJ found that a 5kg population-wide weight loss resulted in a significant reduction in Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease mortality. The Cuban experience of rapid weight loss during economic crisis demonstrates the potential health benefits of reversing the global obesity epidemic.
Studies show that reducing salt intake lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. Increasing potassium intake also has significant health benefits, with reduced blood pressure and a lower risk of stroke in adults. Lowering sodium intake should be part of public health efforts to reduce cardiovascular diseases.
Research suggests hormonal changes may precede development of rheumatoid arthritis in men. Men with low testosterone levels were found to be more likely to develop the disease, even after adjusting for other risk factors.
A meta-analysis of published evidence found a link between male pattern baldness and an increased risk of coronary heart disease, especially on the crown of the head. Men with extensive vertex baldness were 44% more likely to develop coronary artery disease than those with a full head of hair.
Research found a significant association between low levels of 5-OH vitamin D and increased risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and small for gestational age births. Vitamin D insufficiency is common during pregnancy, especially among high-risk women.
Research suggests that prolonged screen viewing time, especially TV watching, may be linked to increased risks of antisocial behavior in young children. However, the authors note that the risk is very small and that spending time playing electronic games has no impact on behavior.
A small study found that impaired fertility, rather than fertility treatment, may be key to child's neurological development. Longer time to pregnancy was associated with a 30% increased risk of mild neurodevelopmental problems in children. Further research is needed before couples can be counselled accordingly.
A study published in The BMJ found that long-term use of clarithromycin, a commonly used antibiotic for lower respiratory tract infections, may be associated with an increased risk of heart problems. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,300 patients, suggests that there will be an additional cardiovascular event for every eigh...
The UK government's decision to promote abstinence for drug users is being challenged by experts who claim it prioritizes cost savings over scientific evidence. The 'recovery model' encourages patients to reduce and stop all addictive drugs, despite overwhelming evidence showing that maintenance therapy is more effective.
A new UK-based study published in The BMJ found that telehealth for patients with long-term conditions does not seem to be a cost-effective addition to standard support and treatment. Despite promises of reduced healthcare costs, the study revealed that total costs for those using telehealth were higher than usual care.
A new somatic symptom disorder in DSM-5 risks mislabeling many people as mentally ill due to a lack of specificity and high false-positive rate. The condition will classify excessive responses to distressing symptoms, potentially leading to inappropriate medical decision-making.
A multicenter analysis found patients taking high potency statins for high blood pressure are at a 34% higher risk of hospitalisation for acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to those taking low potency statins. This risk remains elevated for two years after initiation, highlighting the need for clinicians to consider alternative options.
Research suggests that skimmed/semi-skimmed milk consumption is associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity in preschool-age children. Milk fat may increase feelings of fullness, reducing appetite for other calorie-dense foods.
A study found that pubic hair removal, particularly shaving, can increase the risk of spreading Molluscum contagiosum. Researchers believe micro trauma from hair removal facilitates transmission of the pox virus through self-infection or scratching.
Research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that night shift workers have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Women who identified as 'owls' had a lower risk compared to those who were 'larks'. The study, based on data from over 1,100 women, suggests that melatonin may play a role in the increased risk.
A recent study published in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care analyzed data from three major studies on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and found no clear evidence linking its decline to a decrease in breast cancer rates. The authors point out methodological flaws in the original studies, including detection...
A nationwide Swedish study of over 300,000 young men found that those with low cognitive scores were at a higher risk of sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury. The study also identified other risk factors for mild traumatic brain injuries, including socioeconomic status and physical fitness.
New international guidance emphasizes the importance of recognizing and treating concussive symptoms promptly. The Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport notes that mouthguards and helmets have a role in minimizing injuries but do not prevent concussion.
The UK's Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Action Plan aims to address the growing concern of antibiotic resistance. The strategy highlights the need for a change in understanding and response to antimicrobial resistance.
Research found that UK children are exposed to millions of tobacco images and messages every week on prime time television. This exposure can spark an interest in starting to smoke. Doctors suggest that more stringent controls on tobacco imagery in TV programmes could help curb young people's uptake.
The European League Against Rheumatism recommends immediate use of synthetic DMARDs after diagnosis, but they are expensive. The survey found that 26 countries cannot afford biological DMARDs, excluding 320 million people from treatment.
Research found short bouts of exercise enhance higher brain functions, including memory, concentration, planning, and decision-making, in all three age groups. Short exercises improved self-control, especially in children and teens, crucial for academic achievement and daily life.
Researchers analyzed 82 million drug-related search queries from 6 million users and found that those who searched for both drugs were more likely to look up symptoms associated with high blood sugar. This suggests that online searches could be used as an early warning system for potential drug safety issues.
A Swedish-US study found that people with any mental disorder are five times more likely to be homicide victims than those without. The risk is highest among those with substance use disorders, but also affects individuals with depression, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
A UK study found that every degree fall in winter air temperature corresponds to a 1.3% drop in ambulance response time. The research analyzed data from Birmingham over five years and showed that extreme weather conditions significantly affected daily ambulance call-outs and response times.
A small study found that babies born to overweight or obese mothers already have thickened artery walls, a sign of heart disease. This finding suggests that maternal weight may contribute to a child's risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
A study found a 14-fold increased risk of narcolepsy after receiving the AS03 adjuvanted pandemic A/H1N1 2009 vaccine, with vaccination within six months associated with an even higher risk. The authors suggest that the true risk may be lower due to delayed diagnosis.
A recent study published in the BMJ found that home-based telehealth had no effect on quality of life, anxiety, or depressive symptoms for patients with chronic conditions. The study, which involved over 1,500 participants, suggests that concerns about telehealth's potential benefits are unfounded.
Researchers recommend 'low-intensity' interventions like self-help books and websites as a first step in treating depression. These interventions can provide significant clinical benefits, especially for patients with more severe depression at baseline.
Global antibiotic misuse threatens human health more than the war on illegal drugs. Dr Jonny Anomaly advocates for redirecting funds to curb excessive prescribing and promoting collective action.
A digital processing system has been found to significantly reduce medication errors in US hospitals, with a potential to avoid over 50 million incidents nationwide. The system halves the likelihood of a drug error and cuts errors by 12.5% nationally, resulting in 17.4 million avoided errors in one year.
Research finds no significant linear trend pointing to a decline in UK new drug introductions between 1982-2011, contrary to widely-held views. The number of new drugs introduced has fluctuated, with dips followed by surges, indicating an overall slight increase over the past 40 years.
A recent study found a strong association between income inequality and hospital readmission risk, particularly for patients with heart attacks, heart failure, and pneumonia. The researchers estimated nearly 40,000 extra admissions due to income inequality over the three year period.
A study of 606,877 live births in Belgium found that smoking bans led to a reduction in the risk of preterm birth, with decreases evident after each phase of legislation. The findings suggest that smoking bans have public health benefits from early life and support stricter smoke-free policies.
Research suggests a significant proportion of HIV positive patients are not disclosing their infection to NHS staff, potentially skewing estimates of undiagnosed HIV. This phenomenon may be linked to fear of judgment or stigma, highlighting the need for further study and education.
A study of 61,443 Swedish women found that high calcium intake doubles the risk of cardiovascular death, particularly among those who take supplements. The researchers suggest that diets extremely low or high in calcium can disrupt normal blood levels of calcium.
TB infection rates are forecasted to surge as antibiotics become less effective against the disease. The lack of progress in combating TB is attributed to increasing drug resistance, reminiscent of the 1930s when dedicated sanitaria and invasive surgery were common treatments.
Research reveals a steady increase in UK children's emergency hospital admissions since 2003, primarily driven by common infections. The trend shows a particularly significant rise among under-5s, with projected population increases suggesting up to 230,000 more admissions by 2020.