Articles tagged with Medical Journals
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.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people who rate their health as poor or fair have a 70% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who rate their health as good. The association is particularly strong for those without cognitive problems, where the risk is nearly twice as high.
A review of studies published in Neurology found that people with prehypertension are 50% more likely to develop stroke compared to those with normal blood pressure levels. Young and middle-aged individuals with prehypertension are also at higher risk, with nearly 80% increased likelihood of developing a stroke.
Law experts Simon Stern and Trudo Lemmens argue that ghostwriting in medical journal articles undermines scientific integrity and patient care. The authors call for stronger sanctions and legal liability on guest authors who lend their names to ghostwritten articles.
Two UofToronto law professors argue that academics who receive credit for ghostwritten articles should be charged with professional misconduct and fraud. Guest authorship is seen as a violation of academic integrity standards, threatening the reliability of biomedical research and patient care.
An analysis of patient safety incident data reveals that the NHS is poorly equipped to handle obese patients, with common themes including inadequate staffing, specially adapted equipment, and surgical errors. Most incidents resulted in little or no harm, but severe cases were reported.
Approximately 14% of all strokes occur during sleep, preventing patients from receiving timely clot-busting treatment. Researchers estimate that around 58,000 people in the US go to the emergency department with a wake-up stroke each year.
A new study suggests that group doctor visits could be an effective way to manage Parkinson's disease, allowing patients more time with their doctors and providing education on managing the condition. The study found no difference in quality of life between those receiving usual care and those participating in group visits.
The American Academy of Neurology has issued a new guideline on the most effective treatments for diabetic nerve pain. Pregabalin was found to be an effective treatment in improving quality of life, while several other treatments including gabapentin, valproate, antidepressants and opioids should also be considered.
A study found that health journalists who regularly read medical journals are more open to covering stories based on corporate press releases, while those covering strokes tend to have negative views. Deadline pressure also plays a role in shaping journalists' attitudes toward press releases.
A study published in Neurology found that stroke survivors with depression are at a higher risk of dependence after three months. The research also showed that other factors, such as age and comorbidities, can contribute to this risk.
Research found that simple tests, such as Road Sign Recognition and Compass tasks, can identify those at risk of failing the on-road driving test. The tests correctly classified 80-85% of unsafe drivers.
A new study suggests that requiring a second brain death exam may be unnecessary and can lead to prolonged family suffering while waiting for the exam. The study found that no one declared brain dead in the first exam was found to have restored brain stem function in the second exam.
A recent study by chemists from University of Copenhagen and NASA found that anesthetic gases have a significant impact on the climate. One kilo of anaesthetic gas affects the climate as much as 1620 kilos of CO2, with three commonly used gasses having global warming potentials ranging from 210 to 1620 times that of CO2.
Researchers analyzed 20,657 patients with acute stroke from 11 stroke centers in Ontario and found that people admitted on weekends had an 8.1% risk of dying, compared to a 7.0% risk for those admitted on weekdays. The study controlled for factors like age, gender, and stroke severity.
A study found that medical journals with higher levels of industry support had lower impact factors. The researchers suggest that journals should apply the same level of transparency to themselves as they do to authors. By disclosing sources and amounts of income, journals can improve trust and maintain their reputation.
Researchers found that people with Parkinson's disease who developed symptoms earlier in life had a shorter survival time, averaging 16 years from symptom onset. Those with psychotic symptoms or dementia were also at higher risk of early death.
A new study published in Neurology shows that white men and boys are living longer with muscular dystrophy than their African-American counterparts. The research analyzed death records from 1986-2005 and found a significant racial disparity in life expectancy for those with the disease.
A study of ghostwritten articles reveals how pharmaceutical companies like Wyeth promoted unproven hormone replacement therapy benefits and downplayed potential harms. The analysis shows that ghostwriting was used to mitigate risks associated with Prempro, a brand of menopausal hormone therapy.
A new study published in Neurology found that lithium is not effective in treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to a high dropout rate and serious side effects. The research involved 171 people with ALS, but showed no difference between those receiving therapeutic or subtherapeutic doses of lithium.
A new study found that praying for another person's healing can be effective, especially when the prayerer is physically near the person. The study, which measured improved hearing and vision in rural Mozambican subjects, revealed statistically significant benefits after proximal intercessory prayer (PIP) was administered.
A study published in PLoS One investigates the reliability of peer review and its influence on journal editors' decisions to publish or reject research. The results suggest that reviewers agree on manuscript disposition rates barely exceeding chance, while editor decisions are significantly influenced by reviewer recommendations.
A new study published in Neurology shows that people with a common heart defect called bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are more likely to develop brain aneurysms. The research found that 9.8% of individuals with BAV had brain aneurysms, compared to 1.1% of those without the condition.
Editors of prominent medical journals call for standardized approaches to assess limitations in comparative effectiveness research, including patient involvement and transparent reporting. The statement outlines 11 standards to improve the quality and reliability of CER studies.
Scientists argue that a 'Global Fund for Health' would improve transparency and efficiency in international health aid. The current system masks variances, making it difficult to accurately trace health funding.
A new study published in Neurology found that women who didn't receive clot-busting drug tPA after a stroke had a worse quality of life compared to men. However, women who were treated with the medication responded just as well as men to the treatment.
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology finds that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is not effective in treating chronic low-back pain. Research shows conflicting results, but TENS may be beneficial for diabetic nerve pain.
A study found that nearly 90% of high-impact medical journals have COI policies, but many do not require authors to sign disclosure statements. Journal policies vary in how COI is defined and solicited, leading to inconsistent requests for disclosure or no requests at all.
Men who engage in moderate-to-heavy intensity exercise have a lower risk of stroke compared to those with no physical activity. The study found that men who participated in such activities were 63% less likely to experience a stroke. However, the results did not show a similar benefit for women.
A study found discrepancies between primary trial outcomes registered and published, with 31% of adequately registered trials showing evidence. Most discrepancies favored statistically significant results or omitted nonsignificant outcomes.
Research finds that long-distance travel significantly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, prompting recommendations for low-cost interventions. Stepped-dosing of efavirenz also decreases incidence and severity of neuropsychiatric adverse events while maintaining efficacy.
Research found that 35 out of 1247 people experienced recurrent strokes within 24 hours after their initial TIA, highlighting the need for rapid medical attention
The journal's new evidence-based approach prioritizes the impact of diseases and risk factors that cause significant years lost to healthy life worldwide. It also emphasizes the importance of considering social, environmental, and political determinants of health alongside biological causes.
New guidelines developed by the American Academy of Neurology identify a combination of blood tests and other specialized assessments as the most helpful for finding the cause of neuropathy. These tests can often point to common causes of neuropathy, such as diabetes or heredity.
A new study reveals that ENT medical journals severely underreport side effects and harms, with nearly a third of clinical research articles containing no mention of adverse events. The study found that over 53% of articles failed to explicitly describe these events.
A new study from Brandeis University found that hospital chaplaincy services are strongly predicted by general demographic and institutional characteristics, rather than national accreditation guidelines. The study also suggests that increasing attention to religion and spirituality in medicine may be the result of doctors' and nurses'...
A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology found that vertigo can be effectively treated with simple head and body movements. The Epley maneuver was deemed safe and effective for people of all ages, while restrictions on activity after treatment were not supported.
Research at Duke University Medical Center found that most published articles about coronary stents do not disclose authors' financial relationships, which may bias scientific data interpretation. The study highlights the need for transparency and standardized conflict of interest information in medical research.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with migraines have a thicker somatosensory cortex area, which processes pain and sensory information. This could lead to increased sensitivity to stimulation and contribute to other pain disorders.