A new study found that early temporary ART for HIV-infected infants can delay the need for life-long treatment and prevent damage to their immune system. Infants who received short-term ART delayed the start of long-term treatment by 33 weeks, while those who received longer-term ART delayed it by 70 weeks.
Researchers tested haloperidol, a commonly used antipsychotic, in 141 critically ill patients on artificial ventilation. The study found that haloperidol had no effect on reducing delirium or mortality rates, but may help reduce sedation requirements. Non-pharmacological interventions are more effective in preventing delirium.
A new scoring system developed by researchers allows clinicians to predict the risk of dementia in older people with type 2 diabetes. The scores are based on six health complications, education, and age, accurately predicting patients' risk of developing dementia.
A new study found that remote ischaemic preconditioning can reduce heart muscle damage after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients who underwent the procedure had lower troponin I concentrations, indicating less damage, and were less likely to die from any cause or heart attack/stroke one year after surgery.
Researchers found antibodies specific to MERS-CoV in 100% of serum samples from dromedary camels in Oman, but not in animals from other countries. This suggests that a MERS-CoV-like virus is circulating in dromedary camels, potentially serving as an animal reservoir for the human coronavirus.
A large trial of nearly 3000 participants found that probiotic supplements did not reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The study also showed no difference in the frequency and severity of diarrhea between those who received probiotics and those who took a placebo.
The study found that the number of individuals with PAD has increased by over 28% globally since 2000, driven by longer life expectancy and changing lifestyles. The researchers identified key risk factors for PAD, including smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
A new model developed by researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases predicts that some children can 'outgrow' obesity during periods of rapid growth, especially boys. However, girls tend to retain more body fat during this period, making it harder for them to overcome obesity.
A new analysis of 47 MERS cases in Saudi Arabia found that most patients had underlying medical conditions and succumbed to the disease. In contrast to SARS, MERS appeared more deadly, with a 60% mortality rate among those with co-existing chronic illnesses.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis found that people with diabetes are at least 50% more likely to develop physical disability. The study also showed a significant association between diabetes and functional disability, including impaired mobility and ability to perform daily activities.
A 41-year study of 70,000 patients with epilepsy found that three-quarters of those who died had also been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition. The study suggests that carefully assessing and treating psychiatric disorders could help reduce the risk of premature death in these patients.
New research suggests that dementia prevalence in the UK has fallen from 8.3% in 1991 to 6.5% in 2011, a reduction of 24.1%. This decline is attributed to lower rates among women and no change in prevalence among men.
Childhood cancer survivors were nearly 50% more likely to experience clinical infertility compared to their siblings. Around two-thirds of those who reported clinical infertility eventually became pregnant, comparable to the historical pregnancy rate in all women with clinical infertility.
A study published in The Lancet found that individuals born between 1915 and 1998 showed better cognitive abilities and daily functioning compared to those born between 1905 and 1998. This improvement was seen despite slightly lower educational attainment in the older cohort.
A European-wide study found that prolonged exposure to particulate air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, at concentrations below EU limit values. The analysis of 17 cohort studies involved over 313,000 people and found a strong association between air pollution and lung cancer risk.
A systematic review found that short-term air pollutant exposure raises the risk of heart failure hospitalization and death. Modest reductions in major pollutants could prevent thousands of hospitalizations and save millions annually.
A recent study found that publicly reported death rates are unlikely to accurately identify poorly performing surgeons, particularly for less common procedures like bowel cancer resection. The research highlights the limitations of relying on public disclosure of surgeon performance for quality improvement.
Researchers estimate MERS-CoV's basic reproduction number (R0) is 0.69, compared to SARS' 2.2-3.7, suggesting a lower risk of pandemic potential.
A recent study found that both cousin marriage and older mothers have a significantly increased risk of birth defects, with nearly 31% of birth defects in babies of Pakistani origin attributed to consanguineous marriages. The study also showed that maternal education can be protective against congenital anomalies.
A recent study suggests that genetic risk assessments could predict which children with asthma are likely to grow out of the condition. The analysis of data from a 40-year longitudinal study revealed that higher-risk genetic variants linked to asthma were associated with a greater likelihood of developing life-long-persistent asthma.
Research suggests H7N9 has a lower fatality risk than H5N1 but higher risk than pandemic H1N1. Between 0.16% and 2.8% of symptomatic patients are at risk of dying, highlighting the need for continued vigilance against the virus.
The latest IST-3 results show that alteplase treatment significantly improves mobility, self-care, and overall quality of life in stroke survivors. At 18 months, patients treated with alteplase had a 28% greater odds of being alive and independent compared to those not receiving the drug.
The study found that intimate partners were responsible for 38.6% of all female murders and 13.5% of all homicides globally. The rates varied widely across regions, with southeast Asia having the highest rates of murder of women by intimate partners.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet found that the world's poorest children are twice as likely to contract malaria as their better-off counterparts. Investing in socioeconomic development, such as improved education and nutrition, is crucial to controlling and eliminating malaria.
A recent study describes a patient with MERS-CoV who died in Munich, revealing the virus replicates in kidneys and circulates differently than SARS. The findings suggest critical implications for diagnosis and infection control, highlighting the need for more genetic data on the new virus.
A new study found that a daily oral dose of tenofovir significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection in people who inject drugs, with 17 participants infected out of 1204 on the drug versus 33 on placebo. Adherence to the treatment was key to its effectiveness.
A study of 2945 adult women found that 16% experienced domestic violence in the past year and 34.6% reported abuse at some point in their lives. The research suggests that healthcare professionals in injury clinics are well-positioned to identify and support victims, emphasizing the need for screening and referral services.
A new study suggests that recent changes in prescribing practice have delayed the emergence of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea. The findings show a decline in effectiveness of cephalosporins against gonorrhea, but a change in treatment guidelines may have reversed this trend.
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that Chinese people spend a greater proportion of their lives in good health compared to other G20 countries. However, the country faces significant health challenges, including rising rates of stroke, ischaemic heart disease, road injuries, diabetes, and some cancers.
China experiences a significant increase in Alzheimer's cases from 1.93m in 1990 to 5.69m in 2010, highlighting the need for improved awareness and resources to tackle this growing public health issue. The study suggests that global estimates of Alzheimer's disease may need revision upwards by at least 5 million cases, or almost 20%.
Scaling up these interventions would save 900,000 children's lives per year and reduce stunting prevalence by 20% worldwide. The interventions include supplements and treatment strategies for malnutrition.
The global prevalence of stunting has slowly decreased, but rates are not falling quickly enough to meet global targets. Malnutrition affects at least 165 million children worldwide, with stunting, wasting, and underweight affecting over 90% in Asia or Africa.
The Lancet review finds that existing programs in agriculture, social safety nets, early child development, and schooling have limited evidence of nutritional benefits. Investing in nutrition-sensitive programs can help prevent excess stunting, wasting, and impaired child development.
Key findings highlight the need for prioritized investment in nutrition-specific interventions and maximizing nutrition-sensitivity in national development processes. Effective coordination among sectors requires political calculations and engagement from various organizations.
The Lancet Series highlights the importance of nutrition for breaking global poverty and improving development outcomes. Investments in the first 1000 days of life can prevent undernutrition, overweight, and poor child development outcomes with long-lasting effects on human capital formation.
A recent study reveals that cancer survivors are significantly more likely to experience anxiety, with partners experiencing even more anxiety than survivors. The findings highlight the need for improved screening and follow-up support for both survivors and their families.
Researchers have identified a genetic marker that can improve the predictability of warfarin dosing in African Americans, with potential benefits for patient safety. The study found that individuals carrying a specific polymorphism may require lower doses of the blood-thinning medication.
A new osteoporosis treatment has shown promise in improving bone density in young people with cystic fibrosis, who often struggle with low bone mass despite standard treatments. The drug, bisphosphonates, has been found to significantly increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of fractures in these patients.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now a global epidemic with prevalence exceeding 10% in most countries and as high as 50% in certain populations. CKD increases with age and is more common among black people, those with diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Leading diabetes expert argues that 'Type 2 diabetes' is a category error, implying an entity that doesn't exist. This mislabeling has led to sub-optimal treatment for patients. Professor Edwin Gale proposes replacing the term with 'idiopathic hyperglycaemia', emphasizing individualized treatments based on varied causes.
A meta-analysis of 639 trials shows that higher-dose NSAIDs like diclofenac and ibuprofen are associated with increased risks of heart disease and fatal heart attacks. The study suggests that the size of these risks can be predicted, helping physicians choose safer NSAID regimens for patients.
A new study in The Lancet details two MERS-CoV cases in France, revealing a longer incubation period than previously thought. The virus was detected in patients through lower respiratory tract samples, and initial negative results should be confirmed with further samples taken days later.
Researchers found that treatment with Tamiflu did not reduce viral load in three patients who became severely ill, leading to concerns about resistance. Genetic testing confirmed the presence of a mutation characteristic of neuraminidase inhibitor resistance.
The first-ever enterovirus 71 vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in protecting young children against the potentially deadly hand, foot, and mouth disease. The vaccine demonstrated 90% protection against clinical EV71-associated HFMD and 80.4% against EV71-associated disease for at least 12 months.
The Lancet Series on transfusion medicine examines the use of restrictive transfusion practices, innovative solutions to address the growing demand for blood products, and alternative ways to manage the blood supply. The series aims to reduce unnecessary blood transfusions, improve patient safety, and cut costs.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy is associated with lower verbal IQ, reading accuracy, and reading comprehension in children. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, which affects fetal brain development.
A new meta-analysis of seven trials in Bangladesh, India, Malawi, and Nepal found that grassroots women's groups can dramatically reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Additionally, an analysis of official development assistance for reproductive health reveals that less than a tenth of funding is directed towards family planning.
A comprehensive assessment of Pakistan's health systems reveals significant shortcomings in financing, accountability, and training. Key findings include below-average performance in life expectancy, child mortality rates, and improved sanitation, with opportunities for reform under the provincial devolution of health mandate.
A large-scale study found that minimally invasive MRI autopsies accurately determined the cause of death for 92% of fetuses and babies younger than one year. However, accuracy decreased for children aged 1-16 years, with only half of cases agreeing on cause of death. The study suggests that MRI may not detect infections in this age group.
A new osteoporosis treatment combination of denosumab and teriparatide was found to be more effective than individual therapies, increasing bone density in women with osteoporosis. The study showed significant improvements in BMD at the spine, hip, and femoral neck in women treated with the combination therapy.