Articles tagged with Medical Journals
A new study found that online symptom checkers are only accurate about a third of the time, and 'Dr. Google' is often incorrect in its diagnoses. The research also found that triage advice provided more accurate results, but lacked quality control and transparency.
A Queensland University of Technology study proposes a simple 'odds-and-evens' approach to safely relaxing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. By allowing people to leave their homes based on odd or even house numbers, governments can balance competing priorities and create valuable experimental data.
A study found that children and teens aged 8-18 provide an average of 5 hours per day in caregiving activities, including tasks like medication management and cooking meals. Despite their efforts, many youth feel isolated and undertrained, highlighting the need for training and support.
CMAJ's new editor-in-chief, Andreas Laupacis, outlines three priorities for the journal: publishing research relevant to Canadian physicians, expanding nonresearch sections, and increasing patient involvement. He plans to visit universities and healthcare professionals across Canada to gather ideas on improving healthcare.
A recent study found that women scientists are 21% less likely to author invited commentaries in medical journals compared to their male peers. The disparity grows as women progress in their careers, reaching up to 40% for the most senior authors. This lack of diversity in perspectives can hamper health research progress.
Dr. Andreas Laupacis, a renowned medical leader and researcher, has been appointed as the new editor-in-chief of CMAJ. He aims to increase research impact, enhance health policy voice, and promote medical knowledge.
The Lancet Group's new Diversity Pledge and No All-Male Panel Policy aim to increase the representation of women and colleagues from low-income countries among editorial advisers, peer reviewers, and authors. The policies also commit to reflecting a broader range of voices in communications activities.
A comprehensive analysis of 3,000 clinical studies published across three top medical journals identified nearly 400 established medical practices as ineffective. Cardiovascular disease and public health/preventive medicine were the most commonly represented categories among these reversals.
Richard Horton, Lancet editor-in-chief, will receive the $100,000 Roux Prize for his relentless advocacy on global health issues. The honor recognizes his commitment to advance health internationally and challenge the medical profession.
A new editorial argues that the term 'second victim' unfairly shifts blame from healthcare systems to individual providers. The University of Kentucky's Melissa Clarkson and co-authors advocate for a patient-centered approach, prioritizing cultural changes over institutional scapegoating.
The journal publishes original research, reviews, brief communications, and case reports across various medical fields. All published articles will be freely accessible during the first two years of publication.
A new study found that medical journals need more support and resources to successfully promote research on social media. The study's authors urge medical journals to define clear roles and responsibilities for social media editors and provide more resources to help them effectively disseminate information to the public. Social media h...
A study published in Neurology found that people with a better diet, rich in vegetables, fruit, nuts, and fish, had larger brains. The study included over 4,200 participants and found that those who consumed a higher-quality diet had an average of two milliliters more total brain volume.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) is championing the health of vulnerable populations with a special focus. The journal aims to shine a light on vulnerability in healthcare and empower those who are most affected.
Researchers found that a simple walking test can accurately diagnose idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) by assessing participants' gait while performing dual tasks. The study revealed that the test improved diagnostic accuracy to 97% when combined with other assessments.
A survey study found that cosmetic professionals are often unaware of the true prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in patients seeking cosmetic procedures. Most respondents were familiar with BDD and its criteria, but only a small percentage routinely addressed body image problems or collaborated with psychologists.
A new study published in Neurology found that soccer players with more headers are more likely to have concussion symptoms. Players who experienced two or more unintentional head impacts in a two-week period were six times more likely to have symptoms than those with no such impacts.
A study published in Neurology found that higher levels of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex were associated with a higher risk of falls in healthy older adults. The association remained even after accounting for other factors, such as slow walking speed and frailty.
A new study by Mark J. Bolland and his team analyzed 33 randomized controlled trials, finding reported results that differed markedly from what could be expected statistically. The trials reported large reductions in hip fractures, but the findings are not consistent with results found in similar studies by other researchers.
Researchers developed a new tool called SPIN-Score to predict survival after gunshot wounds, using pupil response and motor tests as key predictors. The tool accurately predicted survival rates with an excellent accuracy of 96%, offering valuable insights for doctors and families making life-or-death decisions.
A University of East Anglia academic and experts argue that the premature mortality target sends a clear message that prioritizing younger groups over older ones is necessary. They propose redefining or abandoning this target to avoid ageism, saying it distracts from palliative care challenges for older people.
A recent study published in Postgraduate Medical Journal found that female physicians in the US were reimbursed around $18,677.23 less than their male counterparts in 2012, with the largest gaps found in nephrology, rheumatology, and pulmonary medicine.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) experience long-term sleep disturbances, despite not being aware of it. Researchers discovered that 67% of those with TBI suffered from excessive daytime sleepiness compared to 19% of healthy individuals.
A study found a significant decline in basic science research published in top medical journals over the past 20 years. This decline may impact physicians' understanding of and interest in basic mechanisms of disease and treatments.
According to a new study published by the American Academy of Neurology, African-American participants are 2.7 times more likely to experience a first stroke than their white counterparts at age 45. However, there is no significant difference in second stroke risk between African-American and white participants across all ages.
Leading medical journals propose a mandate on clinical data sharing to improve the benefit to society from clinical trials. The ICMJE defines a clinical trial as any research project that prospectively assigns people to an intervention, and believes there is an ethical obligation to share data generated by interventional clinical trials.
Men with high urate levels have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in Neurology. The study found that men with the highest urate levels were nearly 40% less likely to develop the disease.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal recommends that the new Minister of Health enact a national pharmacare program, letting science guide health policy decisions. The editors also emphasize the importance of defending the Canada Health Act and focusing on social determinants of health.
A radical shift is needed in how heart medicines are provided and preventive care is organized in healthcare systems to improve rates of use. Generic versions of medicines should be made available for free in developing countries, while non-physician health workers can improve uptake and adherence.
A study of people with multiple sclerosis found that those who spent time in the sun every day during their teenage years developed the disease later than those who did not. The study also found that people who were overweight at age 20 developed the disease earlier than those who were average weight or underweight.
A new method has been developed to standardize ratings of cohesivity for hyaluronic acid (HA) gel fillers, allowing plastic surgeons to choose the product best suited for each procedure. The Gavard-Sundaram scale provides a scientific rationale for selecting fillers with properties that match specific clinical objectives.
Criticism of Israeli government policy is not necessarily antisemitic, say leading doctors in The BMJ. They argue that medical journals should discuss political issues with bearing on health to remain silent would be 'obdurately' so.
A new study published in Neurology found that physically active seniors with small areas of brain damage did not experience a drop-off in movement abilities. In fact, those who were most active showed no decline despite high levels of brain damage, suggesting physical activity creates a 'reserve' to protect motor abilities.
A new study published in Neurology reveals that only up to 63% of the US population has access to a comprehensive stroke center within an hour, even under optimal conditions. Conversion of primary stroke centers to comprehensive ones could improve access for 23% more people.
A large-scale Danish study shows that premature babies are more likely to suffer from asthmatic symptoms and lung conditions in early life. However, the study found that they tend to grow better and eventually suffer no more lung conditions than others as adults.
A study found that former NFL players who played tackle football before age 12 performed significantly worse on cognitive tests compared to those who started playing at age 12 or later. The researchers suggested a critical window of brain development where repeated head impacts can lead to thinking and memory difficulties later in life.
A study published in Neurology found that exercise programs can reduce falls and improve mobility in people with Parkinson's disease, particularly those with less severe symptoms. Participants who exercised showed a 70% reduction in falls and better overall mood and quality of life compared to those who did not participate.
A review of research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that low-carb diets, such as the ketogenic diet, may reduce seizures in adults with tough-to-treat epilepsy. The diets were moderately to very effective, with a 50% or better reduction in seizures experienced by 32% of participants.
Research suggests that people with memory issues without dementia are at higher risk of developing the disease. A 12-year study found nearly three times more likelihood of memory problems in those reporting changes, emphasizing the importance of taking such complaints seriously.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that group doctor visits can benefit individuals with muscle diseases, improving their quality of life. Participants who received group visits scored higher on a quality of life test compared to those who had individual appointments.
A group of New Zealand health policy researchers has called on the BMJ to be more transparent about its publications, particularly when it comes to funding and conflicts of interest. The researchers argue that the BMJ accepted a report without disclosing the funding source, which was paid by the Canterbury District Health Board.
A recent study found that clinical trials often report adverse events less frequently on government websites compared to peer-reviewed medical journals. Inconsistent reporting of primary outcomes and deaths also occurred, highlighting the need for more comprehensive information on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Researchers found that pesticides inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme increase Parkinson's disease risk, especially in people with ALDH2 gene variant. Exposure to multiple pesticides at work and home also increases risk.
A study of over 10,000 people found that seeing a specialist increased quit rates by three times compared to self-trying. Buying nicotine patches or gum did not improve success rates.
A University of Southampton study has found that ibuprofen provides no benefit for patients with respiratory tract infections, including colds and sore throats. The research also showed that steam inhalation has no clear symptom-relieving effect, while ibuprofen may actually contribute to the progression of illness in some individuals.
A new study published in the British Medical Journal found that lowering blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events among people with kidney disease. The study suggests that any type of blood pressure-lowering drug is effective in preventing these events, making it a simple and affordable treatment option.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that anemia is associated with a nearly 41% higher risk of developing dementia. People with anemia at the start of the study were more likely to develop dementia over 11 years.
A new study suggests that Chinese people are at a higher risk of stroke than Caucasians. The research found a slightly higher overall risk of stroke in Chinese people, with a range of 205 to 584 strokes per 100,000 Chinese people age 45 to 74 compared to 170 to 335 strokes per 100,000 Caucasian people in the same age group.
The AAN has released an evidence-based guideline for evaluating and managing athletes with suspected concussions. The new guideline emphasizes that any athlete suspected of experiencing a concussion should immediately be removed from play, and recommends concussion and return to play assessments be done individually. Athletes under hig...
The Southern Medical Journal's special issue explores physician preparedness, healthcare system readiness, and patient care in disasters. Experts share lessons learned from real-life experiences and provide guidance on improving preparedness.
Researchers found that individuals who engaged in regular physical exercise experienced less brain shrinkage compared to those with minimal physical activity over a three-year period. The study also showed no significant benefit from mentally and socially stimulating activities on brain size.
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.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that a diet rich in tomatoes and lycopene may lower the risk of stroke. The research involved 1,031 Finnish men aged 46-65, who were followed for an average of 12 years, with those having higher levels of lycopene showing a 55% reduced risk of stroke.
A study found that caffeine supplements improved Parkinson's severity ratings and speed of movement by 3 points, but did not affect daytime sleepiness or quality of life. The results suggest that caffeine may be a useful treatment option for some patients with Parkinson's disease.
A new study found that people with mild cognitive impairment were nine times more likely to be slow walkers than moderate or fast walkers. The study used a new technique to detect changes in walking speed and found that fluctuations in walking speed were also associated with MCI.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends monitoring the spinal cord during spinal surgery and certain chest surgeries to prevent paralysis. Intraoperative monitoring can alert surgeons to potential problems before damage occurs, reducing the risk of complications.
A new scoring method, DRAGON score, can accurately predict stroke patient outcomes three months after treatment with alteplase. The score is 86% accurate and can be calculated in under a minute.
The article proposes three areas of legal liability for ghostwriters: reliance on false safety and efficacy data, inducing government reimbursement under false pretenses, and anti-kickback statute violations. Guest authors' participation in ghostwritten articles may also lead to claims of fraud on the court against pharmaceutical compa...
Research found that people with dementia who have a stroke are three times more likely to have greater disability at discharge and only 24% return to their previous home, compared to 57% of those without dementia. The study highlights the need for established guidelines on managing stroke patients with pre-existing dementia.
A new study published in Neurology found that people who can cross their legs soon after a severe stroke are more likely to have a good recovery. The study involved 68 patients and found that leg-crossers had lower death rates, fewer neurologic problems, and better independence in daily life compared to non-leg-crossers.