A study combining data from 13 randomized trials found that beta blockers increase the risk of stroke by 16% compared to other antihypertensive drugs. The researchers suggest switching to alternative low-cost treatments for patients without heart disease, while cautioning against abrupt changes under doctor supervision.
The avian flu pandemic is a pressing global health concern that necessitates strong national and regional leadership to coordinate the response. Without it, the outbreak may be as deadly as the 1918-19 pandemic that killed 20-50 million worldwide.
A single dose of live-attenuated SA 14-14-2 Japanese encephalitis vaccine is highly effective, providing 98.5% protection against the disease 12-15 months after immunization. This finding supports the integration of a single-dose vaccine into the WHO Expanded Programme on Immunisation schedule.
A new trial demonstrates the effectiveness of infliximab against psoriasis, with 80% of patients experiencing at least a 75% improvement in skin symptoms. The drug also showed promise in treating nail psoriasis, with significant reductions in severity and complete clearing of skin psoriasis in some cases.
A study of 1212 children and 446 Italian Air Force recruits found that infant and adolescent immune systems can recall responding to hepatitis B more than 10 years after immunisation. The findings suggest that routine booster doses may not be necessary for long-term protection, even in high-risk populations.
Experts propose thorough output-based assistance (OBA) to accurately target aid funds. OBA improves quality of care and devolves financial decisions to the lowest level, potentially increasing 80% of allocated money reaching the poor.
Researchers investigated risk factors for TB infection in 979 children from Istanbul, Turkey. They found that the absence of a BCG scar was a strong, independent risk factor for infection, while its presence reduced the risk by 24%. The study suggests that BCG vaccination also protects against TB infection, opening new avenues for deve...
Researchers found that NSAIDs reduced oral cancer risk by 53% in smokers and active users. However, long-term use of NSAIDs doubled the relative risk of death due to heart disease.
A study published in The Lancet found that pioglitazone reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. The treatment group experienced fewer adverse events and a lower risk of death from heart failure compared to the placebo group.
GSK's salmeterol was approved despite concerns over negative side effects and asthma-related deaths. The company allegedly submitted manipulated data to the FDA, suggesting lower risk values than initially reported. This has raised questions about the safety of the drug.
The Lancet warns that the UK government's NHS privatisation plans are untested and potentially dangerous, risking patient welfare. The journal criticizes Patricia Hewitt's approach to reforming the healthcare system based on ideology rather than evidence.
Sheila West and colleagues found that yearly mass treatment significantly reduced the prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis infection in a Tanzanian community. However, infection re-emerged after 1-year, highlighting the need for sustained antibiotic coverage.
A new study found that short-term hormone therapy can significantly improve the outlook for men with early-stage prostate cancer. Researchers discovered that testosterone suppression before and during radiotherapy reduced the risk of relapse by up to 44%.
Regular leisure-time physical activity in midlife can lower the odds of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease by 50-60%. The study found that individuals with genetic susceptibility to AD who engaged in regular physical activity experienced more pronounced effects against developing the condition.
The future of medicine is shifting towards personal digital assistants (PDAs) that merge functionality into one device. Dr. Daniel C. Baumgart argues that PDAs can change the way healthcare is delivered by integrating information exchange, making it more versatile, customizable, and portable.
The prevalence of drug-resistant gonorrhoea is increasing in South Africa, with reports of treatment failure coinciding with the emergence of ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates. The country's health department has been urged to take action and conduct nationwide surveillance to assess the extent of the problem.
A study in Rakai, Uganda found that women are at a higher risk of HIV infection during pregnancy compared to other times. The risk remains significant even after adjusting for sociodemographic or behavioral factors.
The Lancet seminar highlights the need for collaboration between nursing, dietetic, and physical-activity experts to develop novel ways to tackle obesity. The medical profession is waking up to the political and industrial challenges of obesity, but more needs to be done to address its management and prevention.
A UN report estimates over 79,500 people with HIV/AIDS were evicted, disrupting antiretroviral treatment and home-based care. WHO-AFRO should take the lead in providing humanitarian assistance to address the escalating health crisis and potential public health disaster.
Patients with fever of unknown origin have a higher risk of developing cancer, particularly haematological and sarcomas, than the general population. After several years of follow-up, diagnostic bias is believed to be a contributing factor to the association.
Robert Gallo emphasizes the need for a rational approach to HIV vaccine development, ignoring empirically driven methods and focusing on solid knowledge of HIV biology. He suggests leveraging the Gates's Foundation's Grand Challenge for Global Health to find practical solutions to scientific roadblocks.
A review by Stephen Gillespie and Philippe Gay finds no evidence of antibiotic resistance from GM crops being transferred to bacteria, which would be dwarfed by the impact of human antibiotics use. The authors conclude that while it's possible for transfer to occur, its contribution to antibiotic resistance is low.
A study found that the virulent C. difficile strain NAP1/027 is responsible for severe outbreaks in hospitals, producing high levels of toxins A and B. The strain was identified in 67% of hospital-acquired cases and 37% of community-acquired cases.
The study found that drug resistance increased from 0.4% in 1994-1995 to 12.3% in 2003-2004, with 61% of resistant viruses coming from people in Asia. This alarming trend has significant implications for agencies and governments planning to stockpile anti-flu agents.
Countries like Finland and the Netherlands have successfully controlled MRSA through strict screening, contact precautions, and rapid identification of cases. In contrast, Japan's lack of a mechanism to identify patients within hospitals has led to high MRSA incidence rates worldwide.
A study found suicide incidence in English and Welsh prisons from 1978–2003 was five times greater than the general male population of similar ages. Young offenders aged 15–17 years had an even higher risk, with a rate around 18 times that of the general population.
A new single-dose ciprofloxacin treatment has been shown to be effective in treating childhood cholera, with 60% of cases cured within 48 hours. However, the new treatment is less effective at eradicating the cholera bacteria from stool compared to a 12-dose course of erythromycin.
The Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT) found that newer antihypertensive drugs, such as amlodipine and perindopril, were more effective than standard diuretic or ß-blocker therapy in reducing blood pressure and preventing major cardiovascular events. The study showed a significant reduction in stroke events and fewer cas...
A new study by Kishan Pandya and colleagues found that gabapentin significantly reduced hot flash severity scores in women with breast cancer. The results suggest that gabapentin can be added to the list of non-hormonal agents for controlling hot flashes in these patients, with further studies needed on higher doses.
Researchers propose that human TSE-contaminated material was the cause of BSE, transmitted via animal feed, and originated from the Indian subcontinent. The study calls for global cooperation between public health, agriculture, and industry organizations to thoroughly investigate the sources of animal by-products.
A study published in The Lancet found that minimally invasive coil treatment is more effective than neurosurgical clipping for ruptured brain aneurysms, resulting in a 24% reduction in mortality and disability. Long-term follow-up data showed that the early survival advantage was maintained up to 7 years.
Research finds that neutropenia, a type of hematological toxicity, is associated with increased overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Prospective trials are needed to assess whether drug dosing guided by toxic effects could improve chemotherapy efficacy.
A study found that mass treatment interventions in Uganda had no significant impact on reducing the prevalence of human infective T b rhodesiense parasites. Since 1998, over 428 new cases have been diagnosed in the Sorotic district, with an additional 300 cases likely going undiagnosed.
A survey of UK hospital consultants found a significant increase in poor mental health and burnout, attributed to increased job stress and workload. The prevalence of psychiatric illness rose from 27% in 1994 to 32% in 2002, with clinical oncologists facing the greatest increases.
A study of 110 homoeopathy trials and 110 conventional medicine trials found that smaller, lower-quality trials showed more beneficial treatment effects for homoeopathy. However, larger, higher-quality trials revealed no significant evidence that homoeopathy was superior to placebo.
A randomized controlled trial found that parenteral artesunate reduced mortality from severe malaria by 15% compared to quinine, while also being safer and simpler to administer. The study calls for quality-assured, affordable artesunate to be made widely available in malaria-endemic areas.
A recent study has found that obese patients with estrogen-receptor negative (ER-negative) breast cancer are at risk of undertreatment due to reduced chemotherapy doses. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that obese women with ER-negative disease who receive 85% or more of the recommended first course dose have significantly ...
A study found that weekly zinc supplements significantly reduced mortality rates among children under five years old, with a 85% decrease observed worldwide. Additionally, these supplements also showed promise in reducing pneumonia and diarrhea cases among infants younger than six months.
A large study found no link between MS risk and birth order position, contradicting the hygiene hypothesis. In fact, individuals with MS tended to be born later in larger sibships than expected.
A new study published in The Lancet found that newborn screening for childhood hearing impairment leads to increased referrals before 6 months of age, ultimately contributing to better language and speech development. Early intervention programs can also mitigate deficits in children with bilateral PCHI.
Contracting with non-state entities like NGOs has been shown to improve health services in developing countries through substantial, rapid improvements. Studies have found that contracting costs between $3 and $6 per head per year can increase immunisation coverage by up to 40 percentage points compared to government provision.
Researchers have developed a bank of fetal skin cells that can provide burned patients with high-quality skin substitutes, closing wounds in just over two weeks. The technique has great potential for tissue engineering and could simplify the surgical process.
A study found that HPV16/18 vaccine effectiveness varies significantly across regions, with higher rates in Europe and North America compared to sub-Saharan Africa.
A new approach using valproic acid has shown promise in reducing latent HIV infection by 75% in three out of four patients. The researchers suggest that a staged treatment process, starting with standard antiretroviral regimens and then targeting latent viral infection with HDAC inhibitors, could lead to the cure of HIV.
Goverments should stockpile zanamivir as part of their emergency plans to combat avian influenza. The new drug has a similar effectiveness to oseltamivir but fewer side effects and a more favorable resistance profile. Community-based healthcare personnel, such as pharmacists, may be better suited to handle antiviral distribution.
Researchers found that immediate postoperative radiotherapy significantly improved biochemical progression-free survival for patients at risk of relapse, with a 74% success rate compared to 53%. Long-term follow-up is needed to assess its effects on distant metastases and survival.
A recent study published in The Lancet reports six cases of alkali eye injuries caused by liquid detergent tablets in children aged 18 months to 3 years. The children were treated for damage to the cornea and conjunctiva, with all patients recovering after prompt irrigation and hospitalization.
A recent survey in Botswana has found a significant increase in drug-resistant tuberculosis, with 10% of new patients showing resistance to at least one anti-TB drug. The study suggests that enhanced interventions are needed to contain the burden of tuberculosis in Botswana and prevent further drug resistance.
A combined analysis of two trials found a 40% decrease in risk of events such as recurrences or new cancers when switching from tamoxifen to anastrozole after 2 years. However, more patients experienced bone fractures on anastrozole.
The article highlights the involvement of doctors in torture and prisoner abuse, with some institutions blurring their ethical guidance. Dr. Michael Wilks calls for a reversal of assault on international bodies like the UN to address this issue.