A study of 4,910 four-year-old twins found that genetic factors account for the largest share of asthma prevalence, with genes contributing 68% and environment accounting for just 13%. Environmental factors such as family diet and air pollution are likely to be much less important than genetic make-up.
A study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that the Men C vaccine is safe for infants, with minimal adverse events reported. The vaccine was administered to almost 3000 infants between 2-5 months old and showed no serious adverse events, with only mild side effects such as swelling and redness at the injection site.
A large study found that having sex increases the risk of a heart attack by 2 hours later, especially for those with low exercise frequency. However, the absolute risk per hour is very low, and doctors should not advise patients to abstain from sex due to this risk.
A small study found leech therapy to be effective in reducing pain from osteoarthritis, with rapid relief seen after three days and sustained effects four weeks later. The treatment produced no side effects or infections.
Research reveals a strong association between rheumatoid arthritis and smoking, with those consuming more cigarettes daily facing increased risk. Lifestyle factors such as insulin-dependent diabetes, late menstruation, and prolonged hair dye use also contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
A recent audit reveals major deficiencies in funding, staff, and service provision for head injured patients. Rehabilitation and follow-up services are poor, with only a third of A&E departments involved in recommended care.
Researchers found that death rates from brain cancer were close to expected levels for the general population, with no increased risk of lifetime or recent exposure. Socioeconomic factors played a role in increasing premature death risk, but not brain cancer risk.
A study of over 1200 Canadian manual workers found that moderate occupational solvent exposure was associated with a significant increase in low sperm counts. Painters, decorators, and builders were at the highest risk, while glycol ethers are suspected to be hazardous to male fertility
A recent study has found that shift workers are more likely to experience abnormal heart rhythms, with the risk increasing with the number of night shifts worked. The study measured changes in premature ventricular complexes and heart rate variability among employees working day and night shifts.
A study of 300 airline staff found that current smokers took almost three times as much sick leave as non-smokers, while ex-smokers had lower rates of absenteeism. Ex-smokers were also 5% more productive than current smokers, with productivity increasing over time.
A study of older cardiac patients found that shared decision-making between doctors and patients was scarce, with many feeling uninformed about their treatment options. The authors highlight the importance of patients' preferences in healthcare decisions, particularly for those with quality of life and life expectancy concerns.
The study found that at least 2733 events and organizations across the USA were sponsored by tobacco dollars. Motor sports lured almost two thirds of monies at $208 million. Tobacco industry sponsorship is a crucial sales, branding, and public relations tool.
Research shows that children who bully others have fewer health problems than their victims, while those who are both bully and victim experience more physical and psychosomatic issues. Breaking the cycle of bullying in early primary school years is crucial to prevent long-term health problems.
Research suggests that breastfeeding duration may impact cognitive development. Children breastfed for less than three months were more likely to score below average on mental skills and total intelligence at ages 13 months and 5 years. The study controlled for factors like mother's age, education, and smoking habit.
A long-term study of over 1000 Finnish men found that reduced lung function due to smoking increases the risk of death from all causes. Quitting smoking halts this decline and reduces mortality risk, suggesting preserving lung function in later life may predict a longer life.
A study of French data from 1987-1997 found that heart attack deaths peak on weekends among young and middle-aged men. The exact reason for this is unknown, but strenuous activity during the weekend may contribute to increased risk.
Researchers found that antioxidant treatment produced scattered blistering, lower inflammation, and extensive healing compared to no treatment or acid suppressants. Oxidative damage was a major cause of reflux oesophagitis, suggesting antioxidants should be considered primary treatment alongside acid suppressants.
A study of over 300 employees found that workplace passive smoking significantly adversely affected lung function, with a 5-10% reduction in lung function at the highest levels of exposure. Non-smokers exposed to passive smoke at home or in public places showed no similar decline.
A study of over 19,000 adults in Spain found that moderate to high alcohol consumption, including beer and spirits, was associated with lower levels of subjective ill health. Wine drinkers had less ill health than non-wine drinkers, but this association varied by age.
A leading economist argues that the UK's National Health Service (NHS) is in 'political denial' about the need for rationing due to inefficient practices and a lack of evidence-based policies. The expert suggests targeting cost-effective activities to maximize health improvements using limited resources.
A study of 786 children aged 7-9 found girls were less active than boys, with 14% of boys and almost one in four girls exercising less than the recommended minimum. Over 40% of children failed to engage in moderate physical activity.
STI rates have soared since the 1990s, with HIV infection remaining high. In contrast, the 1980s saw significant declines in HIV transmission and bacterial infections when targeted awareness campaigns were implemented, highlighting the need for new campaigns to tackle these trends.
Researchers tested four viruses to transport genetic material into defective eyes of 18-day-old rats. Adenovirus proved the most effective vector, targeting specific tissues and preventing disordered blood vessel growth. Early-stage research suggests a potential breakthrough in treating retinopathy of prematurity with gene therapy.
A study found that high polyunsaturated fat consumption increases the risk of asthma in pre-school children, with a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids promoting inflammation. Conversely, breastfeeding and having older siblings may offer protection against asthma.
Women with chronic constipation exhibit reduced rectal blood flow, indicative of altered nerve function. This association is also seen with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and feelings of 'unfemininity',
A UK-based study of over 17,000 people found left handers more than twice as likely to be affected by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The research suggests later birth may play a role in the increased risk, but the exact cause remains unknown.
Research suggests that bowel cancer screening strategies targeting solely individuals with a family history may have limited impact on reducing mortality from colorectal cancer. In fact, the study found that around 85% of bowel cancers develop in people without a family history, highlighting the need for more widespread screening.
A study reveals that nearly half of all emergency department visits involve drinking before arrival, with significant correlations to self-harm, assaults, and hospital admissions. The findings suggest a growing trend among women who drink at lower levels than men, contributing to alarming rates of alcohol-related deaths in Scotland.
Two UK studies reveal that NHS Direct led to a significant decrease in Accident and Emergency department visits, with a substantial reduction in staff time needed. However, the rise in hospital switchboard calls indicates that more people need medical advice, highlighting the need for increased NHS Direct usage.
A study conducted in southeast London found that Black Caribbean individuals have three times the rate of gonorrhoea and eight times the rate of chlamydia as black Africans. These disparities are attributed to factors such as deprivation, cultural variations, and behavior.
A recent study found that almost one in three young women under 25 are infected with chlamydia, compared to fewer than one in 10 older women. Regular screenings at six-month intervals can help prevent re-infections and infertility in this age group.
A UK study found that one in five patients with acute symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection are unlikely to be seen at a genitourinary medicine clinic within the recommended 48 hours. The study, which surveyed healthcare staff posing as patients, also revealed that those in certain regions faced even longer waits.
Children of heavy smokers are at risk of inadequate asthma treatment due to decreased parental awareness and reluctance to quit smoking. Research found that the more heavily parents smoked, the fewer visits were made to healthcare services for asthma symptoms.
Researchers found that obese individuals were twice as likely to be diagnosed with asthma, but not more responsive airways. Underweight individuals, on the other hand, experienced increased airway responsiveness and reduced lung function.
Researchers analyzed data from over 500 cases of bladder cancer and found that smoking increases the risk. Coffee drinkers who also consumed tobacco were three times less likely to develop bladder cancer than non-coffee drinking smokers.
A study of British adults found that most men follow a beer and fast food diet, while women prefer the traditional British diet. The research also revealed significant regional and socioeconomic differences in dietary patterns, with those on low incomes and smokers consuming less healthy diets.
Research in Tobacco Control found that young healthy smokers took more time off work than non-smokers, with a significant increase in hospital admissions and lost workdays. Men smokers were more likely to take time off work and be admitted to hospital, while women smokers had higher admission rates as well.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that adopting more ambitious UK smoking cessation targets could avoid over 14,500 fewer heart attack admissions by 2010 compared to current targets. Achieving these targets is expected to save the NHS £1.14 billion.
A study of over 8,000 Scottish children found that under-6s are at high risk of injury from bunk bed falls. Most injuries were classified as significant and included fractures, head trauma, and lacerations.
The new guidelines recommend making both Zyban and nicotine replacement therapy available on NHS prescription to help smokers quit. The guidelines also suggest that hospitals should become totally smoke-free zones and provide training and resources for healthcare professionals to support patients in quitting smoking.
Research in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that general practitioners prescribed nearly 3,500 off-label medications to over 1,200 children aged under 12. The most frequently used off-label drugs were systemic antibiotics and anti-asthmatic medications. GPs claim they are not at fault but lack adequate product license information.
A study found that a genetic variant of the IL-8 gene is carried by over half of the UK population and increases the risk of developing severe bronchiolitis in children. The research suggests a possible genetic basis for the common childhood infection, which affects nearly all children by their second year.
A new study in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found a low overall drug error rate in a pediatric teaching hospital in the UK, with one mistake for every 662 admissions. However, a significant proportion of parents were not informed about medication errors, with 48% of cases going unreported.
A study examining 700 fifty-year-olds born between 1943 and 1947 found that those whose mothers starved during early pregnancy were three times more likely to develop heart disease. The researchers also discovered that the effects depend on the timing of maternal starvation during gestation.
A study of over 2000 heart attack admissions in Yorkshire hospitals found that women tend to be older than men but less likely to be smokers or have underlying coronary artery disease. As a result, they are almost 80% more likely to die before discharge, highlighting the need for age-adjusted treatment protocols.
A large-scale survey of over 65,000 people in Norway found that women are more susceptible to the damaging effects of cigarette smoke. Women reported higher rates of respiratory symptoms and asthma compared to men, particularly among those who smoked more cigarettes daily.
A study found that Helicobacter pylori bacteria were present in 88% of SIDS babies, with genes indicating an inflammatory response and potential ammonia production. The prevalence of H pylori infection is typically around 2% in developed countries.
A systematic review of herbal medicines for asthma treatment found limited conclusive evidence, with most trials of poor quality and potential side effects. Researchers conclude that properly designed studies are urgently needed to assess the safety and treatment value of herbal medicines.
A study of 3000 women found that those who have sex with women are equally likely to contract STIs as heterosexual women. High rates of genital warts and herpes were also detected among all participants.
A recent study found that newborn boys, especially those born very prematurely, have a higher mortality rate and are more susceptible to complications than girls. The researchers analyzed data from over 6,500 babies up to two weeks old and found that death rates were one in four for boys compared to one in seven for girls.