Researchers found that bioabsorbable everolimus-eluting stents were safe and effective in patients with single coronary artery lesions, with no late stent thromboses recorded. The study showed excellent procedural success rates and minimal formation of scar tissue within the stent.
New study suggests that non-lab-based risk factors can predict cardiovascular events with similar accuracy to laboratory-based values. This approach could simplify risk assessment and screening in developing countries where laboratory testing is often unavailable.
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Africa is increasing, with a significant increase in advanced conditions among black African patients. The study found that 46% more black Africans were diagnosed with heart failure than the rest of the cohort, while women represented a greater proportion of those with obesity.
Researchers found that antibiotics offer little benefit for patients with acute rhinosinusitis-like complaints. The study suggests that doctors should not prescribe antibiotics to adults with rhinosinusitis symptoms lasting longer than 7-10 days, as there is no clear subgroup of patients who would benefit from treatment.
A study of 61 patients with follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma found that radioimmunotherapy with yttrium-90 ibritumombab tiuxetan was well-tolerated and effective, achieving complete response in 55 patients. The treatment also showed improved progression-free survival and overall survival rates.
A study of Mexico's Oportunidades programme found that doubling cash transfers to low-income households is associated with significant improvements in children's health and growth. The programme's cash transfer component is linked to increased height, reduced stunting, and better cognitive development outcomes.
A study found that premature children, born before 33 weeks gestation, are at a higher risk of developing severe disabilities. The number of children surviving very preterm birth has increased, but so have adverse developmental outcomes.
A phase IIa trial found that vaccination against angiotensin II reduced mean daytime blood pressure by -9.0/-4.0 mm Hg in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. The authors propose a few injections per year as an alternative to traditional medication, potentially improving treatment adherence.
Experts call for enhanced learning about health systems, focusing on financing, payment systems, and organizational structures. They propose global partnerships to allocate funding for operational research and knowledge discovery in health systems.
A new viewpoint published in The Lancet suggests that age is not an unmodifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but rather a combination of factors that can be modified through early intervention. The authors argue that conventional wisdom prioritizes age over modifiable risk factors like lipid levels and blood pressure.
Bilateral lung transplantation in younger patients with end-stage COPD provides longer survival than single lung transplantation, with median survival times of 6.41 and 4.59 years, respectively. This finding holds true even after adjusting for pre-transplant characteristics.
A home-based antiretroviral treatment programme significantly reduced HIV-related mortality and orphanhood in Uganda. The study found that daily ART and co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, with limited clinic visits and trained lay providers, resulted in a 95% reduction in mortality among adults with HIV.
A recent study suggests that current FPG thresholds for diagnosing diabetes may not accurately detect diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. The researchers found that over 60% of retinopathy cases were missed by the widely used diabetes cutoff of 7.0mmol/L.
A systematic review found that complex interventions, such as preventive home visits and community-based care, improved physical function and reduced the need for nursing home care in elderly people. The meta-analysis also showed a reduction in hospital admissions and falls, with benefits evident in studies started before 1993.
A study published in The Lancet Neurology found that donepezil improved measures of executive function in patients with CADASIL vascular dementia, but not their cognitive scores. The drug showed therapeutic potential for this specific population.
A recent study published in The Lancet Neurology found that alteplase treatment can improve clinical outcomes in stroke patients even when administered outside the conventional 3-hour window. The researchers identified patients with an ischaemic penumbra and showed significant benefits in tissue reperfusion and reduced infarct growth.
Researchers found that combined immunosuppression therapy was more effective than conventional treatment in inducing remission and reducing corticosteroid use in patients with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease. The study showed that early intensive treatment could lead to better outcomes, with higher remission rates at weeks 26 and 52.
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa need to optimize their health worker mix by addressing financial constraints, irregular payments, and varying length of service benefits. Non-financial incentives, such as improved job satisfaction and career progression, are also crucial for retention and motivation.
High-income countries like UK, USA, and Australia sustain their high physician-to-population ratio by recruiting medical graduates from developing regions in sub-Saharan Africa. Over half of these African countries do not meet the minimum acceptable PPR, with Tanzania having just 0.02 doctors per 1000 population.
The Lancet Editorial highlights the need for richer countries to stop exploiting health resources from poorer nations. The crisis in sub-Saharan Africa requires a top-down and bottom-up approach, with local solutions such as task shifting and public-private partnerships being tested.
Task shifting of HIV antiretroviral treatment delivery in sub-Saharan Africa can increase coverage and improve outcomes when paired with other measures to expand the health workforce. However, it must be accompanied by adequate supervision, support, and fair compensation for lower-cadre workers.
A recent Lancet study reveals that there is a lack of evidence to guide policies on human resources for health in middle- and low-income countries. The authors analyzed published literature from 1979 onwards and found that only a few studies included data from these countries, highlighting the need for more systematic reviews and resea...
A recent study highlights the need for policymakers to distinguish between peer-reviewed science and lobby group websites when advancing drug harm-reduction policies. The authors argue that the Institute on Global Drug Policy's online publications, which promote criminal-justice based approaches, contradict scientific consensus documents.
Recent reports show antibiotic-resistant E coli strains causing bloodstream infections, with β lactamases contributing to resistance. Rapid identification of these resistant bacteria is crucial to prevent their spread and select effective antibiotics.
Uninsured and Medicaid-insured US patients are more likely to present with advanced cancer at diagnosis than privately insured patients. The authors found that these disparities affect ethnic minorities and cancers with early detection potential, underscoring the need for adequate healthcare coverage.
A Dutch study found that only 17% of individuals who survive pediatric cancer receive follow-up care at age 35, highlighting the need for family doctors to be involved. The study suggests that shared care between dedicated clinics and family practitioners can increase surveillance for adverse effects.
A woman in her 20s suffered from Cushing's syndrome, a hormonal disorder caused by excess steroid hormones, after using an unregulated skin-lightening cream containing clobetasol. The medical team warns that these creams can have devastating consequences and urges caution.
A meta-analysis of 221 datasets found that a 5kg/m2 increase in BMI raises the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, thyroid cancer, colon and kidney cancers in men, and endometrial, gallbladder, and oesophageal adenocarcinoma in women. The study also found stronger associations between increased BMI and colon cancer in men.
A randomized controlled trial found that multiple-dose activated charcoal has no effect on mortality in patients who have poisoned themselves with toxic pesticides or plants. The study involved over 4600 patients and showed no differences in mortality rates between those who received activated charcoal and those who did not.
A preventive nutrition intervention program targeting all children at risk is more effective than a traditional 'recuperative' model in reducing undernutrition. The study found significant differences between the two models, with stunting and wasting lower in preventive communities by 4-6 percentage points.
Patients with severe acute pancreatitis who received probiotics had higher mortality rates than those receiving a placebo. The study suggests that probiotics may not be effective in preventing infectious complications and modulating the immune system in these patients.
A genome-wide association study identified a new gene locus associated with LDL cholesterol levels, potentially providing insight into biological mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets. The discovery may aid in the development of new drugs to fight cardiovascular disease.
A recent study found a significant association between the combination of aprotinin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors during off-pump cardiac surgery and postoperative renal dysfunction. The study, published in The Lancet, analyzed data from over 9,700 patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 2000 and 2007.
Research findings suggest that children born to mothers receiving multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMN) exhibit increased weight and body size compared to those born to mothers given iron and folic acid supplementation alone. These effects persist into the first three years of life, with an average increase of 2% in weight.
Researchers identified a new inherited dystonia syndrome, DYT16, characterized by axial muscle involvement and sardonic smile. The condition is caused by a mutation in the PRKRA gene and follows a recessive mode of inheritance.
The Lancet Editorial advocates for universal health care coverage combined with high-quality evidence-based practice as a singular and lasting achievement for the next US president. The proposed plan includes establishing a national clinical effectiveness effort to produce unbiased information about effective healthcare practices.
Over half of hospital patients are at risk of venous thromboembolism and require prophylactic treatment, with surgical patients more likely to receive it. Global usage of VTE prophylaxis varies significantly across countries, highlighting the need for standardized guidelines.
A study found that iatrogenic events, or unintended harm caused by healthcare management, are frequent in newborn babies. The rate of these events was 25.6 per 1000 patient days, with 34% being preventable and 29% severe.
A Guatemala study suggests that early childhood nutrition interventions can lead to higher adult wages for men, while having no significant impact on women. The study found exposure to nutritious supplements before age 3 was associated with increased hourly wages and average incomes for men.
Research found that higher levels of formal education for children's parents decrease the risk of stunting in their future offspring. This is due to improved caregiving behaviors, including better nutrition and healthcare practices.
The Pope has expressed support for scientific theories such as evolution and climate change, with the Vatican sponsoring a conference on climate change in 2006. However, he has not altered the church's opposition to using condoms to prevent HIV transmission or supporting abortion rights. In contrast, some progressive Catholics and cler...
A collaborative study found that oral contraceptive use reduces ovarian cancer incidence by 8 per 1000 women before age 75. Long-term use significantly lowers mortality from the disease, preventing approximately two ovarian cancers and one death per 5000 woman-years of use.
A trial found idraparinux causes significantly more bleeding than vitamin K antagonists in patients with atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. The treatment requires regular monitoring and dose adjustment, but an unmonitored regimen would be preferable for improved safety.
A systematic review found sorafenib significantly increases the risk of developing hypertension, particularly high-grade hypertension. Patients receiving sorafenib require close monitoring and effective management to prevent cardiovascular complications.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that high-quality pre-operative ultrasound examinations can significantly decrease the number of unnecessary major surgical operations on women with suspected ovarian cancer. Experts' accuracy rates were 95%, while routine operators' accuracy was lower. Increasing ultrasound expertise is k...
A double-blind study found that immunomodulation therapy reduced the risk of death from any cause or subsequent first hospitalisation for cardiovascular reasons by 8%. In subgroups with no history of heart attack, IMT was associated with a 26% reduction in primary events.
A recent study found that multiple micronutrient supplementation reduced early infant mortality by 18% compared to iron and folic acid alone. The effect was greater in undernourished and anaemic women, with reductions of 25% and 38%, respectively.
Using modified-release prednisone significantly reduces morning stiffness duration in RA patients by adapting to circadian rhythms. The new formulation has a higher mean relative change of -22.7% and reduced morning stiffness time by 44 minutes compared to standard prednisone.
A former US naval captain and interim health minister of Iraq criticises the US Department of Defense strategy for using achievement indicators instead of outcomes to judge the success of initiatives. The critique comes as a report confirms that far too many civilians have been killed during the US-led occupation, and many healthcare w...
A new study reveals that maternal and child undernutrition is responsible for one-third of child deaths and 11% of global disease burden. The authors estimate that stunting, severe wasting, and other deficiencies cause significant mortality and disability among children under five years.