The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus has revised its guidelines for automated preschool vision screening, focusing on detecting amblyopia risk factors in young children. The new criteria include separate thresholds for different age groups, lower referral rates for young children, and the use of tradition...
A large study found that ABO blood type is a strong risk factor for venous blood clots. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, also identified other genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of these conditions.
A new study found that a low subjective response to alcohol, or the ability to 'hold one's liquor,' may protect against short-term alcohol problems but increases the risk of long-term problems as tolerance develops. The study examined associations between early subjective response and acquired tolerance in heavy-drinking young adults.
Researchers found a protective association between beta carotene and type-2 diabetes risk in individuals carrying a common genetic predisposition. In contrast, gamma tocopherol was linked to an increased risk of the disease. The study suggests that protein SLC30A4 may play a crucial role in insulin regulation.
A study of 1,560 adult male twins identified six distinct trajectories of alcohol use, differing in level of use, rate of increase during adolescence, and persistence into adulthood. Novelty seeking and risk factors such as peer deviance, ADHD symptoms, and genetic risk were found to predict these trajectories.
Researchers developed a tool that combines age, gender, and common blood tests to predict mortality among trauma patients. The Intermountain Risk Score identifies high-risk patients with increased likelihood of death within a year.
A new study found that low-income children's participation in regular high-quality family mealtimes made a difference in their weight status. Researchers observed 200 family mealtimes and noted the importance of shared meals, mealtime behaviors, and socioeconomic factors on childhood obesity.
Clear risk factors have been identified for prolonged sports concussion symptoms, including four or more initial symptoms and drowsiness. These findings could change return to play guidelines, prioritizing individualized assessments rather than one-size-fits-all policies.
The African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research will collect detailed health and disease information from over 24,000 individuals across 10 countries. This will provide a unique framework for researchers in these countries and enable the development of long-term strategies for disease control and management.
A study published in Neurology found that smoking and poor blood pressure and cholesterol levels significantly increase the risk of death for patients who have survived subarachnoid hemorrhage. The research, which followed over 64,000 Finns, revealed that lifestyle changes can help prevent early deaths among SAH survivors.
Research shows that individuals with depression after a stroke have a tripled risk of dying early and four times the risk of death from stroke. Screening for and treating depression in stroke survivors may be key to addressing these risks, according to study author Amytis Towfighi.
Researchers found that living in a caring community can help curb teenage alcohol use, while hanging out with antisocial peers can increase the risk. The study analyzed over 200,000 students and discovered that individual, family, and peer risk factors as well as community protective factors moderately predicted alcohol use.
Italian immigrants from Switzerland have a significantly lower mortality risk compared to native-born Swiss, largely due to the 'healthy migrant effect'. However, subsequent generations born in Switzerland show a higher risk of mortality, likely due to lifestyle differences.
Researchers have identified four new regions on the human genome linked to Behcet's disease, which is characterized by inflammation of blood vessels and potential blindness. The study provides insights into genetic factors contributing to the disease and suggests new therapies for treatment.
A nationwide prospective cohort study found that offspring of cancer patients diagnosed at older ages are still at higher risk of developing the same cancer. The study suggests a significant genetic component to familial risks, with increased risks observed for various cancers including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, and prostate cancer.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that COPD is not an independent risk factor for lung cancer. Researchers associated COPD with lung cancer, but attributed this link to smoking and ascertainment bias, highlighting the need for lung cancer screenings when diagnosing COPD.
A new study suggests that early drunkenness is a greater risk factor for problem behaviors in teenagers than an early age at first drink. The research found that consuming small amounts of alcohol at a young age can lead to various adolescent problems, such as smoking, marijuana use, injuries, and low academic performance.
The study reveals that high blood pressure is the leading cause of death globally, followed by smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. The analysis suggests that addressing these risk factors can help reduce disease burden and improve public health.
Blocking the endothelin receptor reduces cardiovascular risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease independent of blood pressure. The findings suggest that blocking the receptor may provide heart-related benefits to these patients, who have a higher risk of developing heart problems due to their condition.
The study reveals that high blood pressure, tobacco smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are the leading causes of death globally, with significant regional variations. Dietary factors and physical inactivity also contribute substantially to disease burden.
A study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that delaying childbirth for at least 15 years after the first menstrual period can reduce the risk of triple-negative breast cancer by up to 60%. Breastfeeding is also associated with a protective effect against this aggressive form of breast cancer.
A Wake Forest Baptist study found that gaining weight back after intentional weight loss in postmenopausal women is associated with negative long-term effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Maintaining weight loss offers the most health benefit, but even partial weight regain increases cardiovascular risk.
Researchers found that men with higher visceral and total abdominal fat had lower failure load and stiffness, two measures of bone strength. Muscle mass was also positively associated with bone strength. The study suggests that excess belly fat is a risk factor for bone loss in obese men.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that limiting neurosurgery residents' work hours hasn't decreased complication rates, but actually increased them in teaching hospitals. Complication rates remained stable in non-teaching hospitals.
A commonly prescribed inpatient sleeping drug has been associated with a significant increase in falls among hospital patients. The study found that zolpidem use was linked to a fourfold higher fall rate compared to non-users.
A study of 1,638 women found that early menarche is associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, as well as overall obesity in adulthood. The researchers suggest that targeting lifestyle interventions for high-risk women may help prevent metabolic consequences of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
A study of 1,268 elderly patients receiving home healthcare found that social environmental factors, particularly informal care provided by family members or caregivers, contribute to the risk of repeated hospital admissions. Patients with good social support are more likely to maintain their functional ability and remain at home.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that physicians who commit suicide often have known mental health problems but fail to seek treatment due to stigma and lack of confidentiality. The study highlights the need for greater effort to address job stress, under-diagnosis, and treatment of depression among physicians.
Researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis patients are at higher risk for cancer, broken bones increase cardiovascular disease and death, and corticosteroids remain a common treatment despite newer options. Gut bacteria also holds promise as an anti-inflammatory treatment for autoimmune disorders.
A recent study has uncovered two genetic deletions that are responsible for severely low sperm count, accounting for 8% of cases. The most common deletion increased the risk by a factor of 2, while the rare b2/b4 deletion doubled the risk and accounted for 6% of cases.
A population study found that weightlifters have a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors linked to heart disease and diabetes. Lifting weights was associated with a 37% reduction in the odds of metabolic syndrome.
A new study found that men with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and a high body mass index are more likely to die from prostate cancer. Researchers also discovered that combining these metabolic factors increases the risk of death, suggesting that lifestyle changes may help prevent this.
A new study suggests that COPD readmissions are more common among patients with advanced disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, alcohol abuse, or those using supplemental oxygen. Researchers found these unmodifiable risk factors to be associated with a higher likelihood of 30-day readmission.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that high-risk children adopted from foster care do equally well with gay, lesbian or heterosexual parents. Children in these households achieved significant gains in cognitive development and stable behavior problems.
A $5.4 million grant from the Cure Alzheimer's Fund will support state-of-the-art whole genome DNA sequencing to better understand Alzheimer's disease genetics. The research aims to identify genetic switches controlling the disease, with findings made freely available to the scientific community.
Bariatric surgery radically reduces risk factors for heart disease and stroke, with an average reduction of excess weight by 54%. Cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and unfavourable blood fats improve or resolve completely after the procedure.
Suicide rates among young people have risen globally, with males outnumbering females, and are linked to psychiatric disorders, genetic vulnerability, and social factors. The progression from suicidal ideation to self-harm and suicide is not absolute, and early intervention is crucial for prevention.
A new study found that living near livestock may increase the risk of acquiring MRSA, with regional density of livestock being an important risk factor for nasal carriage. The study suggests that community members in animal-dense regions who are otherwise unaffiliated with livestock farming are at higher risk.
Researchers found that strokes among people under 55 increased from 13% to 19% over time, and the average age of people who experienced stroke fell from 71 years to 69 years. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can modify risk factors for stroke.
Intense exercise such as fast walking and jogging halves the development of metabolic syndrome, a combination of factors that increase heart disease and stroke risk. The study found that it's not the length of time exercised but rather its intensity that matters.
A University of Missouri public health expert has identified factors that can help parents, medical professionals, and educators recognize teens at risk for self-injury and suicide. Factors such as parent connectedness and connections with other positive adult influences are associated with reduced likelihood of engaging in self-injury.
A new study published in The Lancet found that widespread diabetes screening programs do not reduce overall mortality rates. The study, which included over 20,000 patients, also showed no significant difference in mortality rates between screened and non-screened groups.
A Michigan State University study found that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of thin-ideal internalization, with heritability at 43%. Environmental influences also contribute to the pressure, but non-shared factors have a greater impact.
The study, which analyzed over 300 female twins, suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of body dissatisfaction and thin ideal internalization. Environmental influences, such as exposure to media, also contribute to these issues.
Long-term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplants are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol compared to the general population. Exposure to pre-transplant chemotherapy and radiation, as well as transplant type, contribute to this increased risk.
A Swedish study of over 45,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, a blood clot that forms within a vein. The risk remained elevated for up to 10 years after diagnosis.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that beta-blocker use was not associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events among patients with coronary artery disease or at high risk for but without established CAD. However, the study did reveal that among patients with recent MI (one year or less), beta-blocker use was linked ...
A new study published in The Lancet found that apixaban is more effective and safer than warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation and at least one additional risk factor for stroke. This suggests that current risk scoring systems may be less relevant when using apixaban, potentially simplifying treatment decisions.
The burden of epilepsy in low- and lower-middle-income countries is substantial, with twice as many people affected than in higher income nations. Despite being a cost-effective disorder to treat, only 40% of those affected receive appropriate care due to factors such as stigma, cultural beliefs, and lack of skilled manpower.
Same-sex contact and inconsistent condom use were major risk factors for HIV infection among US Navy and Marines personnel. The study highlights opportunities for targeted prevention efforts, particularly promoting condom use after the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal.
A new study explores the ties between childhood weight problems, socioeconomic status, and nationality in the US and England. The research finds that race, ethnicity, and immigrant status are significant risk factors for weight problems among children.
SourceSAGE·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·DateSep 25, 2012
A Canadian study found that vigorous physical activity is associated with reduced body mass index z score, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and increased cardiorespiratory fitness in youth. The study included 605 youth aged 12.1 years and found that performing more than seven minutes of vigorous PA daily was linked to lowe...
The Endocrine Society recommends screening adults for hypertriglyceridemia every five years to identify individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment focuses on lifestyle changes and addressing secondary causes, such as obesity and endocrine conditions.
A study of 14,829 Hispanic lung cancer patients from the California Cancer Registry found that foreign-born Hispanics have an even lower risk of death due to improved socio-economic factors and neighborhood conditions. This contradicts the traditional 'Hispanic paradox' by highlighting the positive impact of social factors on survival.
A new study has identified several factors associated with an increased risk of bullying in children with asthma, including reduced participation in sports and feelings of sadness. Doctors must now discuss the impact of asthma on a child's life, including working with families and schools to remove risk factors.
A new study reveals alarmingly high levels of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis worldwide, with nearly 44% of patients showing resistance to at least one second-line drug. The highest prevalence was seen in South Korea and Russia, with the risk of XDR disease quadrupled in previously treated patients.
Researchers found that postoperative gastrointestinal complications, infections, and sepsis carry the highest risk of hospital readmission. Patients with multiple complications are four times more likely to be readmitted than those with none. A reduction in these complications can significantly decrease readmission rates and financial ...
Researchers analyzed data from US Army vehicle crashes to identify risk factors for injuries involving Humvees. Combat involvement and operating as a gunner posed the greatest risk for injury.
The ASTRID study found that patients with high and very high risk benefited from transfemoral TAVI, with mortality rates of 4.7% and 7.7%, respectively. The registry also showed differences in vascular complications and residual aortic regurgitation between valve types.
A large prospective study found that healthy lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, physical activity, and vegetable intake significantly reduced the risk of hypertension. The study showed that even one or two healthy lifestyle factors could reduce the risk of hypertension by nearly 50% in men and more than 30% in women.