A review highlights the need for early identification and treatment of insomnia to reduce the risk of developing other illnesses, including depression, diabetes, and hypertension. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is shown to be highly effective in treating insomnia with long-lasting benefits.
The global abortion rate has stagnated since 2003, while the proportion of unsafe abortions continues to increase. Despite a decline in unwanted pregnancies, the number of abortions in developing countries rose significantly between 2003 and 2008.
A new vaccine has been developed to protect against group B meningococcal disease, a major cause of meningitis in high-income countries and some developing regions. The vaccine was found to be highly effective in adolescents aged 11-17 years, with 99-100% protection after two or three doses.
New studies published in The Lancet Oncology and The Lancet show that combining lapatinib with trastuzumab is almost twice as effective as single-agent therapy, but causes more side effects. Lapatinib is less beneficial than trastuzumab for single-agent therapy.
The Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has provided valuable lessons on managing mass gatherings and preventing global disease outbreaks. The country's experience in enhancing screening and surveillance measures has been crucial in tackling complex public health challenges.
Computer models can identify health and safety issues at mass gatherings and simulate the spread of infections to test public health interventions. These models could be used to minimize health hazards and prevent outbreaks, saving lives and resources.
Human stampedes and heatstroke are major causes of death at mass gatherings, with over 7000 deaths and 14,000 casualties reported in the past 30 years. Effective interventions include providing advice on heat safety and crowd control measures.
A novel technology called Bio.Diaspora tracks air travel patterns to anticipate global disease spread. This approach could benefit hosts of future mass gatherings by identifying infectious disease outbreaks and prioritizing public health measures.
The paper outlines research priorities to develop effective policies and planning for mass gatherings, highlighting the need for evidence-based mitigation measures. The authors propose five key public health research directions to control public health emergencies and reduce adverse health consequences.
Mass gatherings provide a unique opportunity to promote vaccination and reduce the spread of infectious diseases, as seen in outbreaks at World Youth Day and music festivals. Coordinated risk assessment and management are key to preventing disease transmission during and after events.
A systematic review found that 37% of babies with complications suffer long-term developmental consequences, while 18% experience severe impairments. The study highlights the need for improved neonatal care and resources for follow-up and rehabilitation services.
A new study published in The Lancet found that transferring one or two embryos during IVF therapy results in higher live birth rates and lower risks of adverse perinatal outcomes. However, transferring three or more embryos is associated with increased risks, especially severe preterm birth.
A study published in The Lancet shows that a single dose of oral azithromycin is non-inferior to injectable penicillin for treating yaws disease, avoiding equipment and medically trained personnel needs. This finding supports the potential elimination of neglected tropical disease through mass drug administration programs.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that memantine is ineffective for patients with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome aged 40 years and older. The drug was tested on 88 patients with or without dementia, but showed no significant improvement in cognition and function compared to a placebo group.
Emerging evidence-based interventions can make drugs less available, reduce violence in drug markets, and lessen misuse of legal drugs. The Lancet Series on Addiction suggests that policy makers should focus on interventions with the largest potential population effect and strongest evidence of effectiveness.
The international treaty system has been criticized for its lack of flexibility and failure to address the root causes of drug misuse. Despite eight countries' efforts to introduce supervised injecting centres, UNODC and other agencies continue to argue that these measures contravene existing treaties.
Around 200 million people worldwide use illicit drugs each year, with the highest rates in developed countries. The global burden of disease due to drug use is similar to that caused by alcohol consumption in these nations.
A study found that genital herpes can reactivate in 'breakthrough episodes' even when taking high dose antiviral therapy, highlighting the need for new treatments to prevent onward transmission. Current antiviral therapies only reduce shedding by 50%, but don't eliminate breakthrough episodes.
A global study reveals that antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduces group B streptococcal infections in newborns, especially in Africa. The study's findings suggest developing vaccines could have near-universal applicability due to similar strain distributions worldwide.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is superior to single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for diagnosing coronary artery disease. CMR has a higher sensitivity and negative predictive value, making it a more accurate and reliable diagnostic tool.
A study found that extending nevirapine prophylaxis from 6 weeks to 6 months reduces mother-to-child HIV transmission by 54% and is safe for infants. The treatment also resulted in fewer serious adverse events compared to the placebo group.
A Case Report in The Lancet describes a woman's experience with late pulmonary complications after gastric banding, including recurrent aspiration and cavitation. The authors stress the importance of recognizing these rare but potentially misdiagnosed conditions, particularly among patients with respiratory symptoms.
A phase 2 study shows that aflibercept reduces the development of malignant ascites, a common complication of advanced ovarian cancer, and improves symptoms. However, it also increases the risk of fatal bowel perforations.
Most patients need several sequential treatment steps to achieve remission from major depression. The Lancet review highlights the importance of primary care providers recognizing and addressing depression in chronic physical disorders. Deep brain stimulation holds promise as a future treatment option.
A Phase 2 trial found that combining bevacizumab with chemoradiation therapy can reduce the spread of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and improve survival rates. The study showed over 90% of patients survived two years without distant metastases.
The POBASCAM trial found HPV testing to be more sensitive and effective at detecting precancerous lesions, with fewer high-grade cervical lesions and cervical cancer in the second round of screening. HPV testing can lead to earlier detection and treatment of lesions, improving protection against cervical cancer.
A review of child maltreatment trends and policies across six countries found no clear evidence of a decrease in child maltreatment rates. Rates of violent deaths and injuries remained stable in most settings, but out-of-home placements increased, particularly in infants.
A recent Lancet comment proposes that Catholic nuns consider taking the contraceptive pill for health reasons, citing reduced mortality and cancer risks. Studies have shown a significant decrease in ovarian and endometrial cancer rates among pill users, with long-term benefits persisting for up to 20 years.
A new predictive tool has been developed to assess the risk of recurrence in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) following surgery. The tool provides more accurate prognosis for individual GIST patients compared to conventional models, helping to identify those most likely to benefit from additional treatment.
A new triple drug combination has been shown to increase tumour eradication in HER2-positive breast cancer by more than half, with 46% of patients achieving a pathological complete response. The treatment was well-tolerated and did not significantly increase side effects or cardiac risk compared to standard therapy.
A meta-analysis of 123 randomised trials involving 100,000 women with breast cancer shows that modern chemotherapy regimens reduce breast cancer mortality by around one-third compared to no chemotherapy. The findings suggest that standard 1980s chemotherapy regimens could produce a reduction of almost a quarter in breast cancer mortality.
A new study has identified the most effective ways to assess progression in Huntington's disease, which could speed up the development of disease-modifying drugs. The findings suggest that measures derived from brain imaging techniques are the most effective at detecting disease progression over time.
A meta-analysis found that self-monitoring of oral anticoagulation therapy with vitamin K antagonists reduced the risk of thromboembolic events, such as deep vein thrombosis and stroke, by 49% compared to conventional care. Self-monitoring was particularly beneficial for younger patients and those with mechanical heart valves.
A study analyzing dried blood spots from over 35,000 babies in Austria found that lysosomal storage disorders are more common than previously thought, with a combined incidence of 1 in 2315 births. The findings raise questions about the practicality and cost of screening for these conditions.
A UK study published in The Lancet found that a surveillance-only policy can be effective for women with high human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations after molar pregnancies. Nearly all patients will spontaneously remit, avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy and its side effects.
A study of over 500,000 patients in Sweden found that those with autoimmune disorders have a significantly increased risk of pulmonary embolism during the first year after admission, with some diseases carrying a higher risk than others. Prophylaxis may be warranted for these patients.
A rare type of HIV-infection, group N, has been diagnosed in a man in France who recently travelled to Togo, marking the first detection outside Cameroon. The patient exhibited severe clinical manifestations and early decline in CD4 cell count, but responded well to antiretroviral treatment.
A new study reveals that more intensive chemotherapy regimens significantly improve event-free survival and reduce mortality in younger patients with aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Younger patients who received dose-intensive chemotherapy had an 81% event-free survival rate, compared to 67% for those on standard treatment.
A 36-year-old Eritrean patient received a pioneering trachea transplant using an artificial scaffold seeded with stem cells, allowing him to live a normal life. The procedure has shown promising results and may pave the way for future treatments of airway diseases.
Long-term follow-up of statin trial shows benefits persisted after treatment cessation, with no increase in cancer incidence or non-vascular mortality. Statins are deemed safe for long-term use in reducing vascular disease risk.
A study found that post-mortem imaging can identify cause of death in two-thirds of cases, with CT being more accurate than MRI. However, common causes of sudden death are frequently missed, and further development is needed to address these weaknesses.
The world is facing a dire shortage of new antibiotics, with increasing resistance making treatment increasingly difficult. Professor Laura Piddock calls for urgent action to turn this around, citing the need for increased public awareness and government support.
Despite advancements in genetic profiling, breast cancer treatment remains non-personalized due to limited robust prognostic and predictive factors. Standard gene expression profiling has shown limitations in predicting chemotherapy benefit and prognosis for certain disease subsets.
Despite widespread adoption, MRI's limited evidence supports its benefit only for high-risk women and no significant impact on treatment outcomes. MRI's increased sensitivity in detecting cancer has yet to translate into better patient selection or reduced surgical procedures.
A cartoon character is being used to promote the use of tranexamic acid, a life-saving drug that is not being used enough. The animation, designed by Hywel Roberts, aims to increase awareness and uptake of the generic drug among healthcare professionals.
A study published in The Lancet found that around 1 in 12 adolescents self-harm, with girls being more likely to do so. Most participants who self-harmed as teens stopped doing so by their early twenties.
A study published in The Lancet shows denosumab can delay time to bone metastasis in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Denosumab significantly increases bone-metastasis-free survival by over four months compared to placebo, with improved outcomes also seen in delayed first bone metastasis.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that CT colonography significantly increased participation in colorectal cancer screening, with a more than 50% increase compared to traditional colonoscopy. This non-invasive technique has the potential to positively impact overall patient outcomes and reduce complications and costs.
A phase 1 clinical trial of cardiac stem cells has shown promising results in patients with severe heart failure after a heart attack. LVEF increased from 30.3% to 38.5% at 4 months, and further improvement was seen at 1 year.
A new study estimates that around 90 million children contract seasonal flu each year, causing approximately 1 million hospital admissions and up to 111,500 deaths due to influenza-related pneumonia. The majority of these deaths occur in developing countries.