A study published in The Lancet found that free antiretroviral therapy in Malawi led to a significant reduction in adult mortality, particularly among adults aged 15-59 years. Mortality rates declined by 10% overall, with an even greater drop of 35% observed in areas near the main road where pre-ART mortality was highest.
The US FDA has seen an 800% increase in new counterfeit cases between 2000 and 2006. Antimalarials are a particular target for counterfeiters, flooding the market in many Asian countries. Collaborative approaches involving governments, industries, and international organizations can help combat counterfeiting.
A study published in The Lancet Neurology found that cilostazol is as effective as aspirin in preventing recurrent stroke, but causes fewer bleeding events. This suggests that cilostazol could be a more effective and safer alternative for Chinese patients with ischemic stroke.
A randomized controlled trial confirms the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in reducing epileptic seizures in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The study found significant seizure reductions in children assigned to the ketogenic diet, compared to those on a control diet.
Seven IARC candidate names are publicly disclosed for the first time, sparking concerns over lack of transparency in the election process. The absence of a Search Committee and Scientific Council raises questions about bias and credibility.
A study published in The Lancet found that nearly 30% of men and women reported feeling some level of pain at sampled times. People with lower incomes or less education spent more time in pain and had higher average pain ratings. Pain also imposes significant costs on the healthcare system, economy, and lost productivity.
The UK's NICE rejected abatacept for treating rheumatoid arthritis due to its estimated cost-effectiveness ratio. Despite being one of the most effective treatments, it was deemed too expensive for the NHS. The decision has raised concerns about balancing clinical efficacy with resource constraints.
A study published in The Lancet finds that 4 out of 5 high blood pressure-related deaths occur in the developing world. The research estimates a worldwide burden of disease attributable to hypertension, with 7.6 million premature deaths and 92 million disability-adjusted life years attributed to HBP.
Researchers believe immunotherapy could curb the immune response and induce tolerance to peanut allergens, potentially reducing severe reactions. In the next five years, some form of immunotherapy is expected to be available for individuals with peanut allergy.
Patients with mild Alzheimer's disease showed less decline in functional ability after taking 800mg of tarenflurbil twice daily compared to placebo. The treatment also reduced the pace of decline in global function and activities of daily living scale.
Indigenous Polynesian populations face higher cancer mortality rates due to factors like smoking, obesity, and limited access to screenings. Screening programs for breast cancer cover less than half of Pacific women compared to European New Zealanders.
A study published in The Lancet suggests that clinical monitoring is as effective as using CD4 count or viral load measures in advising when to switch to second-line ART. This finding has implications for resource-limited settings where access to laboratory tests may be limited.
A bird-flu pandemic will likely be controlled through widespread vaccination, which must be broadly-protective and rapidly produced. The virus is highly pathogenic in humans, with a mortality rate over 60%. Improving diagnostic tools and treatment options are also crucial to managing the disease.
A study found that India will account for 60% of the world's heart disease burden by 2010, with a higher rate of severe cases among younger patients. The country also has a lower age at diagnosis compared to developed countries.
The Lancet Editorial warns that rising food prices are causing starvation and pushing millions into poverty. The article highlights the need for long-term solutions to tackle biofuels, agricultural subsidies and trade distortions contributing to the crisis.
Key findings from The Lancet report show that Ethiopia and Rwanda reduced malaria cases by 51% and 64%, deaths by 60% and 66% between 2005-2007 through expanded access to bed nets and artemisinin-based combination therapies. An ambitious campaign is proposed to expand access to malaria control interventions, targeting everyone at risk,...
A new calcineurin inhibitor ISA247 has been shown to be safe and effective in treating moderate to severe psoriasis. The study found a strong correlation between drug dose and response, allowing for more accurate dosing to minimize side effects.
A two-part series explores chronic cough, defined as a cough lasting longer than eight weeks, affecting 9-33% of the population. The causes are diverse, including airway diseases and cardiovascular conditions, and often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as idiopathic.
Classical medical terminology is confusing and has the potential to cause serious consequences for patients. The use of dead languages in medical terminology can lead to misunderstandings, especially in time-pressured situations with unfamiliarity or linguistic idiosyncrasies.
Researchers found that multislice CT scans (MSCT) combined with D-dimer measurement were as effective as using MSCT alone and venous ultrasonography of the leg in detecting pulmonary embolism. This approach eliminates the need for venous ultrasonography, making it a cost-effective diagnostic strategy.
Research reveals a striking decline in US prostate cancer mortality compared to the UK, with faster rates of decline attributed to increased screening and treatment. The study suggests that differences in detection and treatment policies may contribute to this disparity.
A review of 33318 screened healthcare workers found that 4.6% carried MRSA, with 5.1% having clinical infections. Aggressive screening is recommended to control transmission and protect patients, especially in high-risk units.
The new report 'Every Death Counts' analyzes data on maternal, neonatal, and child deaths in South Africa, highlighting five major health challenges contributing to the high mortality rates. The authors emphasize the need for national leadership and fully implementing recommendations to reduce mortality rates.
The Lancet Editor Dr Richard Horton calls for increased action on maternal and child mortality rates, citing strikingly inadequate progress towards the MDGs. He urges politicians, policy makers, donors, research funders, and civil society to take radical change to prevent unnecessary deaths.
Tanzania has made significant progress in reducing child mortality, with a 24% decline between 2000 and 2004. Key interventions such as increased funding for healthcare, decentralization of financing, and coverage of essential child-survival services have contributed to this success.
Donor funding to maternal, newborn, and child health has increased by near-doubling in 68 priority countries, with significant rises in child and maternal health support. However, funding fell in some countries, highlighting the need for stabilizing flows to enable governments to make long-term commitments.
Priority Countdown countries face policy gaps and conflicts hindering progress towards reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality. The authors identified key challenges including financing, governance, and product availability that must be addressed to scale up effective interventions.
Key findings include significant variability in coverage gaps across countries, with poorest quintiles facing substantial gaps, and only a few countries showing declines greater than 2% per year. The authors emphasize the need for accelerated progress to achieve coverage levels needed for MDG4 and MDG5.
A report by The Lancet reveals that only 16 of the 68 priority countries are on track to meet the MDG4 and MDG5 targets, with many more experiencing no progress or reversals. Investments in immunization have led to rapid increases in coverage for routine services.
A study published in The Lancet found that a father likely contracted bird flu from his infected son, highlighting the risk of person-to-person transmission. The investigation involved testing the father and son for H5N1, as well as close contacts, revealing limited but significant transmission.
A randomized pilot trial found that lowering blood pressure to below 140 mm Hg reduced haematoma growth in patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage. The treatment also showed no significant adverse effects on clinical outcomes.
The Lancet launches a new partnership with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to monitor global health trends. The journal also establishes a joint Commission with University College London to study and report on managing the health effects of climate change.
A phase III study of 15,183 healthy infants found that two doses of an oral live attenuated human rotavirus vaccine reduced cases of severe gastroenteritis by 32% compared to placebo. The vaccine efficacy was 80.5-82.1% against the wild-type G1 rotavirus strain.
A recent WHO multi-country study found that ever experiencing physical or sexual partner violence is linked to poor health overall and specific health problems. Women who experienced partner violence reported more emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or attempts than those who never experienced abuse.
A study published in The Lancet found that recent use of abacavir and didanosine was associated with an increased rate of heart attacks, while cumulative use showed no association. The researchers suggest underlying biological mechanisms may be responsible for the increased risk.
A new study found that intensive antiplatelet therapy with prasugrel reduces ischemic events, including stent thrombosis, compared to standard clopidogrel. The treatment shows promise for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
A global sanitation fund has been launched, with 32 African countries pledging to spend at least 0.5% of their GDP on sanitation and hygiene. Improved water and sanitation have a tremendous positive impact on health, but sanitation has languished at the bottom of the international agenda for far too long.
A randomized trial of 498 patients found that second-generation antipsychotics did not outperform first-generation drugs in reducing symptoms. The study's results suggest that clinicians should consider cost and treatment duration when selecting an antipsychotic medication for first-episode schizophrenia.
The APOLLO study found that once-daily basal insulin glargine achieved similar reductions in haemoglobin A1c to thrice-daily prandial insulin lispro, with improved patient satisfaction. Insulin glargine was associated with fewer injections, lower risk of hypoglycaemia, and greater patient satisfaction compared to insulin lispro.
Social anxiety disorder is a chronic and pernicious condition that can lead to depression and substance abuse in adulthood. Research highlights the importance of understanding its neurobiological underpinnings, including increased amygdala activity and heritable temperamental traits.
Recruitment of pediatric cancer patients into clinical trials is challenging due to age-specific barriers. The article emphasizes the need for more research and international cooperation to improve trial participation, particularly among young people.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer confirms hairdressing and barbering as probably carcinogenic occupations, primarily due to exposure to permanent hair dyes. The use of certain colorants in these products has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer among male hairdressers and barbers.
The anti-arthritis drug tocilizumab has been proven effective in two separate trials involving both adults and children. In the adult trial, patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis showed significant improvements in signs of RA. In the pediatric trial, children and young adults with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arth...
The American Geriatrics Society warns of a critical shortage of geriatricians in the US due to perceptions of poor pay and lack of glamour. Geriatric medicine requires a team-based approach to address the complex needs of elderly patients with multiple health problems.
Researchers discuss developments in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), highlighting the potential of targeted drug therapies and cancer stem cell targeting. New molecular technologies aim to improve treatment outcomes and reduce toxic side effects.
The EORTC Intergroup trial found that chemotherapy plus surgery on liver tumors improved progression-free survival by 26% in patients with colorectal cancer. Patients who received chemotherapy before and after surgery had a higher rate of progression-free survival compared to those who underwent surgery alone.
Researchers found that tumour relapse rates were similar between lower dose regimens (50Gy, 41.6Gy, 39Gy) and the standard schedule. Both photographic and patient self-assessments suggested lower late adverse effects after these lower dose regimens.
The resurgence of syphilis in high-income countries has left many doctors unfamiliar with the disease's manifestations. The authors conclude that renewed training is necessary for health-care professionals, particularly in addressing increases among men who have sex with men and some high-risk heterosexual couples.
The US Food and Drug Administration is considering new rules that would require new antibiotics to be clinically superior to existing drugs, rather than non-inferior. This change could discourage pharmaceutical companies from developing new antibiotics for common infections.
Young people in the UK are drinking more than ever before, with nearly half of their alcohol consumed at home. A new editorial emphasizes that parents should take greater responsibility for teaching children about safe drinking habits. Effective strategies include increasing the cost of alcoholic drinks, restricting availability, and r...