A large randomized controlled trial found that interferon gamma-1b does not improve survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study of 826 patients with mild-to-moderate lung function impairment showed no benefit from the treatment, but more side effects were observed.
Researchers found that golimumab significantly improved symptoms and function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had previously failed other treatments. A total of 35% of patients on 50mg golimumab and 38% on 100mg achieved a 20% improvement in symptoms, compared to 18% on placebo.
A global Framework Convention on Alcohol Control is seen as crucial to addressing the alcohol-related health crisis. Non-governmental organisations and governments must work together to overcome industry resistance and generate political priority for alcohol control efforts.
The Lancet report reveals that 3.8% of global deaths are attributable to alcohol, with the majority being caused by injuries, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and liver cirrhosis. Men drink more than women, and the risk is higher in developing countries.
A minimum alcohol price of 50 pence per unit could lead to a significant reduction in hospital admissions, with estimates suggesting 100,000 fewer cases per year in England. This policy change is expected to decrease consumption among underage and heavy drinkers while increasing moderate drinkers' spending slightly.
The authors emphasize the need for an effective international response to address alcohol-related harm, citing inadequate policies and industry influence as major obstacles. Cost-effective interventions exist but require scaling up; governments, NGOs, and academia must work together to develop and implement policies.
A study published in The Lancet found that excessive alcohol consumption in Russia is responsible for more than half of all premature deaths among adults, with men being particularly affected. The researchers analyzed data from three Russian cities and found that alcohol use was linked to an increased risk of deaths from accidents, vio...
Increasing alcohol prices and reducing availability are highly cost-effective measures to reduce alcohol-related harm. Banning advertising is also an effective strategy in settings with high amounts of unrecorded production and consumption.
A new drug combination, nifurtimox-eflornithine therapy (NECT), has shown to be non-inferior to the best current treatment in curing sleeping sickness and is better tolerated, with fewer major adverse events. NECT's safety advantages and ease of administration make it a suitable option for resource-poor settings.
A recent study suggests that weight-loss surgery could be associated with reduced cancer risk in obese women, with a 42% decrease in first-time cancers over 10 years. However, the surgery had no effect on cancer incidence in men. The findings indicate that bariatric surgery may have broader benefits for women's cancer prevention.
Survival rates for placental-site trophoblastic tumours (PSTTs) vary depending on how long ago the related pregnancy occurred. The study found that patients with stage I disease had a 10-year probability of overall survival of 90%, while those with recurrent disease or disease resistant to treatment had poor survival.
Studies have documented increasing MRSA infections among dog and cat bites, with skin, soft-tissue, and surgical infections most common. Infections can spread to owners through animal saliva and skin, highlighting the need for proper treatment and precautions.
Research shows that global health funding has quadrupled from $5.6 billion in 1990 to $21.8 billion in 2007, with private donors displacing governments as the major channels of funding. However, many poorest countries still receive less aid than wealthier nations.
Global health initiatives have improved service delivery, financing, and governance in poorer countries, but with room for improvement. The report highlights the need to strengthen health systems, generate more reliable data, and increase national and global health financing.
The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of lenalidomide in patients with multiple myeloma who have received two or more previous therapies. The approval is based on robust data showing that lenalidomide can increase survival by over three months compared to dexamethasone.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that combining HPV testing with routine liquid-based cytology (LBC) screening in the UK did not increase the detection of cervical cancer. However, HPV testing detected cases of precancerous cervical cells in the first round of screening, but this effect was not sustained over two rounds.
The study found that oral rivaroxaban reduced the risk of death, heart attack, or stroke by 21% compared to placebo, with a lower risk of clinically significant bleeding. The medication inhibits factor Xa and has been shown effective in preventing venous thromboembolism.
Research waste occurs due to poor design, inadequate reporting, and biased publication practices. The Lancet authors recommend improving research quality by increasing clinician-patient involvement, using systematic reviews, and supporting open access.
The Lancet is launching a major series on the state of public health in southeast Asia to assess the region's successes, challenges, and growing risk of pandemics. The series will focus on building effective capacity and cooperation between health institutions and ministries across the region.
A new survey found that 17.5% of Chinese adults have a current mental disorder, with mood and anxiety disorders more common in women and individuals over 40. Despite this high burden, only 8% of those with mental illness have received professional help.
Despite progress, women still face underrepresentation in senior academic roles and limited flexible working support. The medical profession should be secure with a merit-based selection process, providing a larger talent pool for both women and men.
A randomized trial of 500 women with twin pregnancy found that progesterone treatment did not reduce the likelihood of delivery or intrauterine death before 34 weeks. The meta-analysis also confirmed that progesterone does not prevent early preterm birth in twin pregnancies.
The NHLBI and UnitedHealth Group collaboration aims to broaden study beyond individual diseases to address chronic diseases as they group. Early results show encouraging progress in developing portable tools and comprehensive guidelines for chronic disease management.
A recent phase II study found aleglitazar to be safe and well-tolerated, reducing HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The medication also showed a favorable lipid profile without significant cardiovascular risks.
A recent study found that liraglutide significantly improves glycaemic control compared to exenatide, while also being better tolerated. Liraglutide reduces HbA1c levels by 1.12%, compared to 0.79% for exenatide, and promotes similar weight loss.
A study published in The Lancet found that metabolic changes, including increased fasting glucose levels and decreased insulin sensitivity, occur several years before the onset of type 2 diabetes. By identifying these changes, it may be possible to delay or even prevent diabetes diagnosis.
A study found that rosiglitazone, used in combination with standard diabetes treatments, does not increase cardiovascular disease or death risk but doubles the risk of heart failure and fractures, mainly in women. The study included 4447 patients with type 2 diabetes.
A recent study by Dr Edward J Mills and colleagues found that ratifying human rights treaties does not affect health indicators such as HIV prevalence and child mortality. High-income countries have made greater health gains despite treaty ratification, highlighting the need for adequate monitoring and tracking of interventions.
A 30-year analysis of brain hemorrhage patients found a 17% decrease in mortality rates, despite increasing patient age. Regional differences in case fatality rates were also observed, with Japan showing lower rates than Europe and the US.
A randomized trial found the HPV vaccine to be 91% effective against all four virus strains in women aged 24-45 who hadn't been infected. The vaccine efficacy was lower when including those with pre-existing HPV infection, highlighting the importance of vaccinating susceptible individuals.
A new surgical technique, total mesometrial resection (TMMR), has been shown to reduce complications and improve survival rates in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. The study found a 94% recurrence-free survival rate and a 96% 5-year survival rate, significantly better than traditional radical hysterectomy methods.
A teenage boy was hospitalized due to acute caffeine intoxication from consuming stimulant chewing gum. The boy's symptoms included agitation, abdominal discomfort, and increased urination, and he required close monitoring before recovering.
Aspirin use in primary prevention reduces non-fatal heart attacks by around 12%, mainly due to reduced risk of non-fatal heart attack. However, it also increases the risk of internal bleeding by around a third in healthy individuals.
The UK's HIV strategy is being heavily criticized due to its inadequate approach to testing and diagnosis. An estimated 77,000 people are living with HIV in the UK, with 21,000 unaware of their positive status. A third of those diagnosed late could have benefited from treatment if identified earlier.
The Lancet calls for a National Child Protection Commission to review evidence on protecting vulnerable children. The UK government should be held accountable for its inadequate system, which has led to the deaths of thousands of victims.
According to a new study, type 1 diabetes cases in children under five years are expected to double by 2020 if current trends continue. The researchers found an overall increase of 3.9% per year, with the highest rates seen in children under 5 and those between 10-14 years old.
A randomised controlled trial of 2518 patients found no significant reduction in deep vein thrombosis with compression stockings. In fact, skin complications were more common in those who received the stockings. The study's findings challenge national stroke guidelines and recommend revising treatment protocols.
A meta-analysis of 12,294 patients found bevacizumab significantly increases the risk of gastrointestinal perforation, especially in those with advanced colorectal and renal cell cancers. The study also showed a dose-dependent relationship between bevacizumab dose and GI perforation risk.
Pneumonia caused by community-acquired MRSA is a growing concern, with many cases occurring after influenza-like illnesses. The infection can lead to severe complications, including septic shock and high mortality rates.
A recent study found that women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are seven-and-a-half times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes post-birth. This increased risk remains for several years, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and intervention. Early identification and treatment of related factors, such as lip...
The FIELD study found that fenofibrate significantly reduced the risk of first diabetes-related amputations in patients with type 2 diabetes. The treatment also showed a significant reduction in minor amputations without large-vessel disease, while major amputation risks did not differ between groups.
A meta-analysis of five trials found that more intensive glucose control in type 2 diabetes significantly reduces coronary events, including non-fatal heart attacks and coronary heart disease events. However, it has no significant effect on stroke rates or all-cause mortality.
World-renowned virologist Professor Albert Osterhaus emphasizes the importance of preparedness in the face of swine-origin flu. He stresses that there is room for improvement in influenza vaccine production and that adequate stockpiles of antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines are crucial for effective treatment.
The Lancet report warns that climate change will exacerbate traditional diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as well as heat-related mortality. The authors propose three action points: emphasizing the health threat, focusing on health systems, and developing win-win solutions for mitigation and adaptation.
Critically ill patients who received early physical and occupational therapy had better functional outcomes, shorter ICU delirium duration, and more ventilator-free days compared to standard care. This study highlights the benefits of whole-body rehabilitation in improving survival and recovery for critically ill patients.
The Lancet has partnered with Elsevier to launch a new H1N1 Flu Resource Centre, aggregating infectious disease and public health information from across its content. The centre provides timely and accurate information on the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of the influenza A H1N1 virus.
A Phase III trial found that adding casopitant mesylate to a conventional two-drug regimen significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting events. The study showed that 86% of patients achieved complete response with the new regimen compared to 66% with the placebo.
A UNICEF-funded study found that sexual violence against female children in Africa is linked to a higher risk of lifetime STD contraction, pregnancy complications, miscarriage, and depression. The study suggests that prevention strategies should focus on men who perpetrate sexual violence against girls.
The Lancet Editorial highlights the balanced media coverage of the H1N1 outbreak, noting its relative morbidity and mortality. The article also commends health authorities for their measured responses to the crisis, preparing them for a potentially more devastating pandemic.
A paper in The Lancet raises concerns about the Gates Foundation's allocation of funds, with 65% going to just 20 organizations. The authors suggest improving governance, transparency and accountability, as well as investing more in health systems and research capacity in low-income countries.