A new Canadian study finds that people recently released from correctional facilities have a risk of dying from a drug overdose 56 times greater than the general population. The life expectancy of this group is also significantly shorter, by 10.6 years for women and 4.2 years for men.
A new study found that organ recipients with a history of cancer are at a higher risk of dying from any cause, dying from cancer, or developing a new cancer. The association between these outcomes did not vary by the type of transplanted organ, according to researchers at St. Michael's Hospital.
A new study identifies several risk factors for pre-eclampsia, including having had pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy or chronic hypertension prior to the current pregnancy. The researchers developed a tool using routinely collected clinical information to distinguish women who are unlikely to benefit from aspirin therapy.
A study published in CMAJ Open found that Indian-born women living in Canada with two or more children gave birth to significantly more boys than girls. The sex ratio increased with the number of abortions and when the fetus's sex could be accurately determined by ultrasound.
A study found that some ICU patients experience persistent muscle wasting even after recovery from critical illness, leading to debilitating disability. The loss of satellite cells is a key factor in this process, contributing to age-related muscle loss and potentially permanent changes in muscle biology.
A St. Michael's Hospital study found that women with low or high body mass indexes who smoked and drank had a two-fold higher risk of being diagnosed with asthma. The research included data from approximately 175,000 people aged 18 to 44 across 51 countries.
A review found Gamblers Anonymous reduces depression, anxiety, and stress in individuals using it in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches. Combining GA with stress management or cognitive behavioral therapy shows significant improvements in gambling symptoms and overall well-being.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials suggests that incorporating pulses into one's diet can lead to a modest weight loss of 0.34 kilograms over six weeks. Additionally, eating pulses may also reduce 'bad cholesterol' by five percent, thereby lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that 18% of children under six still received cough and cold medications despite label warnings, highlighting the need for stronger measures to deter their use. The study suggests that better public awareness and making these medications harder to purchase may help reduce their use.
A comprehensive review of studies on detainees' health found that most Canadians in correctional facilities have mental health and substance abuse issues. The vast majority of people in custody attempt or complete suicide, and more than half report childhood abuse.
A new pain management technique, called an adductor canal block, provides effective pain relief while preserving muscle strength in ACL knee surgery patients. The study found a significant reduction in muscle weakness and falls compared to the current standard method.
A recent study published in the journal SLEEP found that people with insomnia do not have higher levels of cholesterol than those without. However, insomniacs who take sleeping pills were found to have significantly higher levels of LDL cholesterol.
Researchers found that wealthier seniors in Ontario were prescribed a new blood thinner more often than poorer seniors, but access improved when the drug was covered by publicly funded plans. The study highlights socioeconomic barriers to accessing new medications and calls for timely reimbursement decisions by provinces.
A new study published in BMJ Global Health found a 36% increase in the number of men smoking tobacco in India between 1998 and 2015. Cigarettes are replacing traditional bidis due to higher income and population growth, posing significant health risks.
A global study of ICU patients found that 10.4% develop Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a condition with high mortality rates. The study also revealed inconsistent approaches to managing ARDS, including inadequate ventilation strategies and underuse of protective mechanical ventilation.
Children breastfeeding after their first birthday should take a vitamin D supplement to prevent health problems like rickets. Vitamin D levels in breastfed children decrease rapidly after the first birthday, increasing the risk of deficiency by up to 29% by age three.
A study found a significant decline in basic science research published in top medical journals over the past 20 years. This decline may impact physicians' understanding of and interest in basic mechanisms of disease and treatments.
A study found that refugee women, particularly those who spent time in transit countries, are at a higher risk of giving birth prematurely. This increased risk is attributed to factors such as long-term exposure to poor living conditions, anxiety, and stress. The researchers suggest implementing policies to shorten the time refugees sp...
A study found that people living in high-rise buildings have lower survival rates from cardiac arrest, attributed to delayed emergency response times. The researchers recommend improving accessibility of automated external defibrillators and streamlining building access for paramedics.
The Zika virus has been introduced into the Americas, spreading locally among people who have not traveled abroad. The virus is linked to serious birth defects, including microcephaly, and there is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment available.
Researchers found that people with Alzheimer's who had more physical signs of the disease were also more likely to have psychosis. However, when they looked at those whose autopsies confirmed Alzheimer's, psychosis did not correlate with physical evidence of the disease. Instead, it was linked to vascular risk factors and cerebral inju...
A study found that plain packaging decreased overall perceptions of healthier tobacco brands by 12%, as well as reduced prestige perceptions among young Indigenous smokers. The findings support the effectiveness of health warnings in reducing global tobacco use, particularly among vulnerable populations.
A real-life neurosurgeon says the Spectre villain's use of a head clamp system and robotic drill was incorrect, as it would have triggered a stroke or massive hemorrhage. Dr. Michael Cusimano praised Blofeld's grasp of Neuroscience but noted he would have failed his neuroanatomy course.
A large study of Ebola survivors found that many reported complications such as vision and hearing problems, as well as joint pain, months after recovery. The study suggests that the virus may persist in certain bodily fluids and highlights the need for follow-up care in West Africa.
Research found that immigrant parents in Canada had a lower rate of preterm birth compared to their Canadian-born counterparts. The study also identified specific countries with higher rates of preterm birth among certain groups.
Researchers used Statistics Canada's Vital Statistics death database to estimate opioid-related deaths, finding high specificity and reliability. The study provides a new tool for national surveillance of prescription opioid-related deaths in Canada.
Researchers found that establishing up to three supervised injection facilities in Toronto and two in Ottawa would be cost-effective, with an 86% chance in Toronto and a 90% chance in Ottawa. The new analysis took into account recent treatment options for hepatitis C and the speed at which drugs would be rolled out.
A new study found that over 18 million women in low- and middle-income countries are severely undernourished, with poor women and those with limited education being disproportionately affected. The prevalence of severe adult undernutrition has remained steady or increased in most countries over the past two decades.
A new study recommends increasing investment in cancer control measures, including prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care, in low- and middle-income countries. The authors suggest that most middle-income countries can achieve this coverage within a few years with cost-effective strategies.
The portfolio diet, which includes mixed nuts, soy protein, and viscous fiber, was found to reduce both cholesterol and blood pressure by an average of 2% compared to the DASH diet. This study adds to the existing evidence connecting diet with health outcomes.
Research suggests Apgar score can predict a mother's risk of being critically ill after delivery. Mothers with low Apgar scores had a nine-time higher risk of ICU admission than those with normal scores.
Researchers found that women with higher levels of abdominal fat during their first trimester are at a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes later on. The study used ultrasound scans to measure visceral and total abdominal fat, both of which were predictors of gestational diabetes.
Researchers studied 83 patients with moderate to severe AC joint dislocations and found that non-surgical treatment resulted in greater mobility than surgical patients. Patients who did not undergo surgery returned to work sooner and experienced fewer complications.
A new study by Dr. Susitha Wanigaratne found that pregnant refugee women in Ontario had a higher prevalence of HIV than immigrants and Canadian-born women, with rates eight times higher for refugees than immigrants and 17 times higher than Canadian-born women. The study suggests that recent changes to Canadian immigration policy may ha...
The updated guidelines, introduced in 2012, led to a 50% decrease in STI screenings and a significant drop in rates for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The study highlights the need for innovative ways to screen for STIs in young women.
A study of over 120,000 adults in Ontario found that 70% of those living at home were given a new opioid prescription between 2003 and 2012. Older adults with COPD, especially those in long-term care homes, were at risk of excessive opioid use, which can lead to falls, fractures, and other side effects.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that stable housing does not lead to significant weight loss in homeless individuals, despite the potential for healthier eating habits.
A study found that the majority of active TB cases in Canada were linked to immigrants from Afghanistan, China, India, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. This suggests that developed countries can focus on screening for TB in high-risk immigrants rather than screening all arrivals.
A new study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that patients in Ontario who received primary care from a family health team had improved diabetes care, including increased monitoring and management. However, the impact on cancer screening was mixed, with some areas showing improvement while others did not.
A new study suggests that in-hospital nocturnal dialysis may be beneficial for patients' hearts as well as their kidneys. The procedure was found to reduce left ventricular mass by a significant margin after one year, which is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found a significant association between energy drink consumption and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in teenagers. Researchers discovered that teens who reported TBI were seven times more likely to consume at least five energy drinks in the past week.
A study at St. Michael's Hospital found that using an inexpensive drug, tranexamic acid, can reduce the number of red blood cell transfusions during hip and knee replacement surgeries by over 40%. The use of this drug did not increase adverse events or hospital stays.
Research suggests that living in an inner-city neighborhood can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease due to factors such as limited access to healthy food, green spaces, and transportation options. The study's findings highlight the importance of improving urban environments to reduce cardiovascular risk.
A new study found a significant association between traumatic brain injuries and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in adults. Adults with a history of TBI were more than twice as likely to report symptoms of ADHD, supporting previous research that linked the two conditions.
A new study suggests Ontario is close to meeting United Nations targets to end the AIDS epidemic by 2020. The study found that 87.3% of people in Ontario with HIV were receiving care, and 76% had a suppressed viral load. However, there are still gaps in healthcare access for younger adults, especially gay men and those with substance u...
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that certain antibodies targeting specific proteins on platelets lead to destruction in the liver or spleen. Researchers discovered that drugs like Tamiflu may inhibit liver's immune response, offering a potential new approach for treating the autoimmune disease.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the Housing First approach significantly reduced alcohol-related problems among homeless people with mental illness. The intervention, coupled with intensive case management, resulted in a 53% decrease in days spent experiencing alcohol-related issues.
Researchers found a statistically significant association between higher vitamin D levels and lower non-HDL cholesterol in children aged one to five years. The study suggests that factors leading to cardiovascular disease may start in early childhood, providing an opportunity for early life interventions to reduce risk.
A new study found that young adult cancer survivors are hospitalized 1.5 times as often as people in a control group, with higher rates for gastrointestinal and urological cancers. The study highlights the ongoing impact of cancer on young adults' lives and long-term health.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital found that community-based HIV prevention programs in Ontario avert over 16,000 infections and save approximately $6.5 billion in treatment costs. The study also showed that these programs are cost-effective, providing valuable insights for health planners and policy decision-makers.