A new dengue vaccine candidate, CYD-TDV, has shown promising results in a phase 2b trial with an effective rate of 60-90% against DENV 1, 3, and 4 viruses. The vaccine was also found to be safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported.
A Review published in The Lancet warns that health inequalities in Europe are worsening and calls for urgent action to reduce disparities. The review provides policy recommendations to improve health equality across European countries, regardless of their current status or income.
A Lancet series examines the social, political, and economic issues surrounding universal health coverage. The evidence suggests that progress towards UHC leads to substantial improvements in population health, particularly for the poorest people. However, countries relying predominantly on out-of-pocket payments have not achieved UHC....
A five-year randomized controlled trial of 2854 elderly patients found no significant difference between ginkgo biloba extract and placebo in preventing Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. No significant difference was also observed in mortality or stroke rates between the groups. The results confirm previous findings from a US-based study.
A study examining the length of resuscitation efforts after in-hospital cardiac arrest found that hospitals attempting longer resuscitations had higher survival rates. The duration of resuscitation attempts varied widely between hospitals, with those attempting longer efforts having a greater chance of successful revival and discharge.
A new study reveals alarmingly high levels of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis worldwide, with nearly 44% of patients showing resistance to at least one second-line drug. The highest prevalence was seen in South Korea and Russia, with the risk of XDR disease quadrupled in previously treated patients.
Researchers found that widely used drug gabapentin significantly improves quality of life, severity, and frequency of chronic cough in patients who have not responded to standard treatment. The study suggests gabapentin's potential as a new treatment option for refractory chronic cough.
A study examined the long-term safety of two different types of drug-eluting stents, finding no significant difference in stent thrombosis rates over three years. However, differences emerged when dual antiplatelet therapy was used low, suggesting its importance for patients with these stents.
A drug trial found that TAS-102 improved survival time, reduced risk of death, and controlled disease progression in patients with advanced, inoperable colorectal cancer. Patients treated with TAS-102 had a median overall survival of 9 months, compared to 6.6 months for the placebo group.
New devices, such as Solitaire and Trevo, show significant improvements in restoring blood flow and patient outcomes after stroke. These advancements could lead to better treatment options for patients whose traditional drug treatment has failed.
A new study found that LCZ696 significantly reduces NT-proBNP levels and left atrium volume in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction. The results suggest potential benefits of LCZ696 in treating this type of heart failure.
The study found that vorapaxar is beneficial for long-term secondary prevention of heart attacks in patients under 75 years old with no history of stroke and a body weight over 60kg. The drug's cardiovascular advantages are likely to outweigh the bleeding risks associated with it.
Researchers found a significant link between radiotherapy and an increased risk of developing diabetes in childhood cancer survivors. The study, which analyzed over 2500 patient questionnaires and medical records, suggests that radiation exposure to the tail of the pancreas may be particularly damaging.
High rates of HIV, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis have been found in homeless populations globally, with rates up to 46 times higher in the US than in the general population. Infections can lead to community spread, malnutrition, and increased healthcare use.
Global tobacco use remains high, with nearly half of adult men in developing countries still using tobacco products, and women starting to smoke at younger ages. Quit rates are also low, with less than 20% of adults reporting cessation in most countries.
Researchers have identified a promising new treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, which reduces the frequency of exacerbations and increases time to first exacerbation. The treatment, azithromycin, has shown benefits persisting for six months after completion, offering a new option for patients with this debilitating disease.
A study published in The Lancet found that mepolizumab significantly reduced severe asthma exacerbations, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. The treatment also showed promise in reducing the need for oral corticosteroids, a common trigger for these flare-ups.
Mexico has made significant progress towards universal health coverage since 2004, with over 50 million uninsured citizens enrolling in public medical insurance. Key healthcare challenges remain, including disparities in state funding and access to rural areas.
Infants born to mothers who received chemotherapy during pregnancy had lower birth weights but no higher risk of birth defects or blood disorders. The study suggests that breast cancer treatment during pregnancy is possible and prioritizing full-term delivery may be crucial for minimizing risks.
A phase 2 trial shows vandetanib significantly improves progression-free survival and disease control rate for patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer, particularly those with papillary thyroid cancer. However, increased toxicities were observed.
A study published in The Lancet found that statin therapy can reduce cardiovascular disease risk, even among patients at high risk of developing diabetes. Patients with diabetes risk factors were 28% more likely to develop diabetes, but still saw a 39% reduced risk of cardiovascular illness and 17% lower mortality.
A new method of delivering trastuzumab via subcutaneous injection has been found to be as effective as traditional intravenous delivery, with similar pathologic complete response rates. This could simplify breast cancer treatment, saving time for patients and reducing hospital dependence.
Babies born to obese mothers are at higher risk of complications and death, including admission to neonatal care, macrosomia, low Apgar score, and mortality. The study highlights the urgent need for research into the causes of death and strategies for educating women on maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking treatment for venous leg ulcers, which showed significant improvements in wound closure and healing time. The study found that patients who received the treatment experienced faster healing and a higher likelihood of wound closure compared to those in the control group.
A study urges developing countries to adopt 'frugal technologies' that are designed specifically for local conditions, improving healthcare outcomes. Examples of such technologies include the Jaipur foot prosthetic and PATH's Uniject injection system.
A 13-year-old boy underwent a groundbreaking stem cell trachea transplant in 2010, with the new organ strengthening over time and not inducing rejection. The child's successful recovery has sparked calls for further research to increase availability of transplanted tracheas.
A new combination of drugs to treat tuberculosis shows promise, killing over 99% of patients' TB bacteria within two weeks. The treatment could also be used for patients infected with drug-resistant forms of the disease.
A new study assessing HIV drug resistance shows rising rates in some areas of Africa since antiretroviral therapy roll-out. The prevalence of drug resistance has increased significantly, mainly driven by non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) resistance in East and Southern Africa.
A new study examines real-life usage of Xigris over ten years and concludes that its efficacy is comparable to the original PROWESS trial. The study found a significant reduction in hospital death risk for patients with severe sepsis.
Children with disabilities are at nearly four times greater risk of experiencing violence, with over a quarter exposed to some type of violence during their lifetime. Lifetime levels of physical and sexual violence are also high among disabled children.
A recent study found that euthanasia and assisted suicide rates in the Netherlands in 2010 were similar to those before legalization in 2002. The researchers estimated around 4050 cases of euthanasia or assisted suicide, representing just under 3% of all deaths.
The Lancet article highlights the complex mix of medical issues among Paralympic athletes, including injuries from prosthetic technologies and performance enhancement practices. The authors emphasize the need for increased awareness, training, and research to address these challenges and ensure proper healthcare provision.
Regular exercise has clear benefits for physical and mental health, making it a key factor in reducing mortality rates. Health professionals should consider exercise levels as a vital sign to provide more help for patients to adopt exercise regimes.
A new study published in The Lancet found that developing countries have made progress in reducing child malnutrition but still struggle to meet the UN's Millennium Development Goal target. The research analyzed data from over 7 million children worldwide and estimated that only 61 of 141 countries have a 50% chance of meeting the goal.
Insufficient vaccination coverage, particularly in insecure regions, is preventing the elimination of polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A new study suggests that introducing bivalent oral poliovirus vaccines could eliminate polio if sufficient numbers of children are reached by vaccination programs.
Researchers have identified eight new genetic variants associated with osteoarthritis, which could lead to future therapeutic intervention. The study suggests that inherited factors account for up to 60% of the risk, and the discovery provides insight into the genetics of arthritis.
The Quad pill, combining elvitegravir with cobicistat, has been shown to be effective in suppressing viral loads to undetectable levels in 88% of patients, compared to 84% for the EFV/FTC/TDF regimen. The new treatment also showed improved patient satisfaction and reduced prescription errors.
A new second-line treatment for Type 2 diabetes, linagliptin, has shown less hypoglycemia and weight gain compared to sulphonylureas. Patients treated with linagliptin experienced lower rates of cardiovascular events, but further studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Researchers estimate that pandemic flu deaths were 15 times higher than reported, with 80% of cases occurring in people under 65 years old. The study suggests a significant human toll and highlights the need for improved influenza disease burden modelling globally.
A successful swine flu vaccination program in Scotland showed 77% protection against the H1N1 virus, while also reducing hospital admissions by 20% due to related disorders. The program's effectiveness was demonstrated through detailed data analysis, which took into account multiple conditions such as pneumonia and COPD.
The new drug dabrafenib has shown significant improvements in progression-free survival for patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma, with an average of 5.1 months compared to 2.7 months with existing treatment dacarbazine. The results also suggest that dabrafenib may have fewer severe side effects than other BRAF inhibitors.
Magnetic toys with small, detachable parts pose a significant risk to young children's health. When multiple magnets are ingested, they can trap internal soft tissues and cause fistulas, leading to serious illness if left untreated. Parents are advised to be vigilant when giving their children such toys.
A large-scale Canadian study has found that patients with chronic kidney disease are at comparable risk of future coronary events to those who have previously suffered a heart attack. This could lead to targeted treatment for high-risk individuals, including the use of statins to reduce 'bad' fats in the bloodstream.
A 10-year-old girl's successful transplantation of a tissue-engineered vein has dramatically improved her quality of life, avoiding complications associated with synthetic grafts and lifelong immunosuppressive drugs. The procedure restored normal blood flow and significantly enhanced her physical growth.
A new surgical technique has been shown to improve clitoral function and reduce pain in women with female genital mutilation (FGM). The study, published in The Lancet, involved nearly 3,000 women who underwent reconstructive surgery between 2008 and 2009.
A new study found that early and aggressive glucose-lowering treatment can significantly reduce the risk of progression to diabetes in people with prediabetes. The research analyzed data from over 3,000 patients who experienced periods of normal glucose regulation, revealing a 56% reduction in diabetes risk.
Preterm birth rates have decreased in Croatia, Ecuador, and Estonia over the past 20 years, with only six countries showing a decrease. The preterm birth rate increased in most countries, with European nations experiencing significant rises, particularly Cyprus and Slovenia.
Radiation exposure from CT scans in childhood may increase the risk of developing leukemia and brain cancer. A study published in The Lancet found that cumulative doses of around 50-60 mGy from 5-10 scans tripled the risk of these cancers.
A new blood test discovered circulating tumour cells can predict progression-free survival and overall survival in early-stage breast cancer patients. The presence of CTCs is associated with worse survival rates, but the correlation increases when concentrations are higher.
The global cancer burden is projected to rise by over 75% by 2030, driven by demographic changes and Westernized lifestyle factors. Countries with low Human Development Index (HDI) are expected to experience a significant surge in cancer cases, particularly those associated with infection.