Archives
Science papers are getting harder to read
4 Apr, 2017 | 19:28h | UTCIt’s not just you: science papers are getting harder to read – Nature (free)
More commentaries on academic writing and the importance of making research understandable to all: ‘It’s time to make sure research is understandable to all’ – The Telegraph (free) AND Scientific language is becoming more informal – Nature (free)
Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults With Diabetes
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:18h | UTCCognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults With Diabetes: What a Clinician Needs to Know – Diabetes Care (free)
Source: Management of Older Adults With Diabetes and Cognitive Dysfunction – PracticeUpdate (free registration required)
“Recommendations include the need for simplified medication regimens, avoidance of glucose-lowering drugs with a high risk of hypoglycemia, periodic reassessment of glycemic goals, and repeated education of the patient and caregiver” (from PracticeUpdate commentary above)
Intensive glucose control and microvascular outcomes
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:21h | UTCEffects of intensive glucose control on microvascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised controlled trials – The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (RT @EricTopol see Tweet with interest discussion) (link to abstract – $ required for full-text)
Contradicting the analysis above, a recent report found no significant impact of tight glycemic control on the risk of dialysis / transplantation / renal death, blindness, or neuropathy: Glycemic Control for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Our Evolving Faith in the Face of Evidence – Circulation (free)
Benefits of intensive glucose control on microvascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes remains controversial.
Neuropathic pain in adults
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:23h | UTC
Anti-leukotriene agents in persistent asthma
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:15h | UTCAddition of anti-leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent asthma – Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (link to summary – $ required for full-text)
Source: EvidenceAlerts
In patients with asthma not controlled with daily low-dose inhaled corticosteroids, adding anti-leukotriene agents reduced by half the number of patients with asthma exacerbations requiring an oral corticosteroid and improved lung function and asthma control.
Mental health of adults in contact with the criminal justice system
31 Mar, 2017 | 19:06h | UTCMental health of adults in contact with the criminal justice system – NICE Guideline (free)
News release: Checks needed every year for people with a mental health problem in the criminal justice system, says NICE (free)
Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Guideline
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:17h | UTCFunctional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline (free PDF)
Source: Endocrine Society Issues Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Guideline – Medscape (free registration required)
Corticosteroids in septic shock
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:12h | UTCCorticosteroids in septic shock: a systematic review and network meta-analysis – Critical Care (free)
Zika Virus Infection and Associated Neurologic Disorders in Brazil
31 Mar, 2017 | 19:05h | UTCZika Virus Infection and Associated Neurologic Disorders in Brazil – New England Journal of Medicine (free)
See also: Why Were There Fewer Microcephaly Cases from Zika Last Year? – STAT (free)
Source: Global Health NOW Newsletter
In Brazil, there were many fewer cases of microcephaly than expected in 2016. The researchers are trying to find an explanation.
Anemia and blood transfusion in the critically ill patient with cardiovascular disease
3 Apr, 2017 | 19:14h | UTC
Exposure to antenatal corticosteroids and outcomes in preterm infants
31 Mar, 2017 | 19:00h | UTCEditorial: Antenatal corticosteroids for women at risk of preterm delivery (free)
See also: Antenatal Steroids Benefit Very Premature Infants Most – Medscape (free registration required)
“This study found that among infants born from 23 to 34 weeks’ gestation, antenatal exposure to corticosteroids compared with no exposure was associated with lower mortality and morbidity at most gestations”.
Impact of total knee replacement practice: cost effectiveness analysis
31 Mar, 2017 | 19:01h | UTCSee also: Knee Replacement Should Be Reserved for More Severe Osteoarthritis, Study Suggests – Physician’s First Watch (free)
Total knee replacement for patients with osteoarthritis had minimal effects on quality of life in this study. Severely affected patients seem to benefit the most from the procedure.
Mon, Apr 3 – Top 10 Medical News Stories
3 Apr, 2017 | 00:18h | UTC
1 – Building Next Generation Immunization Supply Chains – Vaccine Supplement (free)
News release: Global Immunization Impact Constrained by Outdated Vaccine Delivery Systems, Researchers Say – World Health Organization (free)
See also: Battling Infectious Diseases in the 20th Century: The Impact of Vaccines (free – classic 2015 page with interesting infographics) (RT @stefaniei)
This 29 open access articles are part of a special supplement published in Vaccine to address the challenges of Immunization Supply Chains.
Source: BMJ News ($)
“For every £1 invested in public health, £14 will subsequently be returned to the wider health and social care economy”. Based on the findings, the authors suggest that cuts to public health services are short sighted and represent a false economy, with substantial opportunity costs.
4 – The World Is Completely Unprepared for a Global Pandemic – Harvard Business Review (free) (RT @glassmanamanda and @BillGates)
5 – Effects of intensive glucose control on microvascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised controlled trials – The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (RT @EricTopol see Tweet with interest discussion) (link to abstract – $ required for full-text)
Contradicting the analysis above, a recent report found no significant impact of tight glycemic control on the risk of dialysis / transplantation / renal death, blindness, or neuropathy: Glycemic Control for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Our Evolving Faith in the Face of Evidence – Circulation (free)
Benefits of intensive glucose control on microvascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes remains controversial.
Source: Management of Older Adults With Diabetes and Cognitive Dysfunction – PracticeUpdate (free registration required)
“Recommendations include the need for simplified medication regimens, avoidance of glucose-lowering drugs with a high risk of hypoglycemia, periodic reassessment of glycemic goals, and repeated education of the patient and caregiver” (from PracticeUpdate commentary above)
7 – Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline (free PDF)
Source: Endocrine Society Issues Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Guideline – Medscape (free registration required)
8 – Addition of anti-leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent asthma – Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (link to summary – $ required for full-text)
Source: EvidenceAlerts
In patients with asthma not controlled with daily low-dose inhaled corticosteroids, adding anti-leukotriene agents reduced by half the number of patients with asthma exacerbations requiring an oral corticosteroid and improved lung function and asthma control.
10 – Corticosteroids in septic shock: a systematic review and network meta-analysis – Critical Care (free)
The seven deadly sins of statistical misinterpretation
31 Mar, 2017 | 18:57h | UTCThe seven deadly sins of statistical misinterpretation, and how to avoid them – The Conversation (free) (RT @Sab_Ra)
New Lists from Choosing Wisely Canada
31 Mar, 2017 | 19:04h | UTCNew Lists from Choosing Wisely Canada – List of Items Physicians and Patients Should Question (all resources are free)
Critical Care / Pediatric neurosurgery / Sport and exercise medicine / Nursing / Long term care / Medical microbiology
Lists from other countries: Choosing Wisely UK / Choosing Wisely Australia / Choosing Wisely U.S.
The Choosing Wisely initiative aims to reduce unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures to reduce harm and promote value in healthcare.
Clinical Trials of Therapeutics for the Prevention of Congenital Zika Virus Disease
30 Mar, 2017 | 17:34h | UTC
Fri, Mar 31 – Top 10 Medical News Stories
31 Mar, 2017 | 00:04h | UTC
1 – Press release: “Depression: let’s talk” says WHO, as depression tops list of causes of ill health – World Health Organization (free)
See also: Depression: let’s talk – WHO campaign (free) AND Depression updated factsheet (free) AND Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates (free)
Depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, according to The World Health Organization.
2 – Spondyloarthritis in Over 16s: Diagnosis and Management – NICE Guideline (free)
See also: 2016 update of the ASAS-EULAR management recommendations for axial spondyloarthritis (free)
3 – Mental health of adults in contact with the criminal justice system – NICE Guideline (free)
News release: Checks needed every year for people with a mental health problem in the criminal justice system, says NICE (free)
See also: Why Were There Fewer Microcephaly Cases from Zika Last Year? – STAT (free)
Source: Global Health NOW Newsletter
In Brazil, there were many fewer cases of microcephaly than expected in 2016. The researchers are trying to find an explanation.
5 – New Lists from Choosing Wisely Canada – List of Items Physicians and Patients Should Question (all resources are free)
Critical Care / Pediatric neurosurgery / Sport and exercise medicine / Nursing / Long term care / Medical microbiology
Lists from other countries: Choosing Wisely UK / Choosing Wisely Australia / Choosing Wisely U.S.
The Choosing Wisely initiative aims to reduce unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures to reduce harm and promote value in healthcare.
See also: Knee Replacement Should Be Reserved for More Severe Osteoarthritis, Study Suggests – Physician’s First Watch (free)
Total knee replacement for patients with osteoarthritis had minimal effects on quality of life in this study. Severely affected patients seem to benefit the most from the procedure.
Editorial: Antenatal corticosteroids for women at risk of preterm delivery (free)
See also: Antenatal Steroids Benefit Very Premature Infants Most – Medscape (free registration required)
“This study found that among infants born from 23 to 34 weeks’ gestation, antenatal exposure to corticosteroids compared with no exposure was associated with lower mortality and morbidity at most gestations”.
8 – History of Periodontitis Diagnosis and Edentulism as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, and Mortality in Postmenopausal Women – Journal of the American Heart Association (free) (RT @kamleshkhunti)
Press release: Gum disease, tooth loss may increase postmenopausal women’s risk of death – American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report (free)
History of periodontal disease was associated with a 12 percent higher risk of death from any cause and loss of all natural teeth was associated with a 17 percent higher risk of death from any cause.
9 – The seven deadly sins of statistical misinterpretation, and how to avoid them – The Conversation (free) (RT @Sab_Ra)
10- Approach to preventive care in the elderly – Canadian Family Physician (free)
History of Periodontitis and Edentulism as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, and Mortality
31 Mar, 2017 | 18:59h | UTCHistory of Periodontitis Diagnosis and Edentulism as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, and Mortality in Postmenopausal Women – Journal of the American Heart Association (free) (RT @kamleshkhunti)
Press release: Gum disease, tooth loss may increase postmenopausal women’s risk of death – American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report (free)
History of periodontal disease was associated with a 12 percent higher risk of death from any cause and loss of all natural teeth was associated with a 17 percent higher risk of death from any cause.
A National Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis B and C
30 Mar, 2017 | 17:23h | UTCSee also: Phase One Report (free)
U.S. Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis B and C.
Non–Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Valvular Heart Disease
30 Mar, 2017 | 17:27h | UTCSource: SciCombinator
Except for patients with moderate/severe mitral stenosis or mechanical heart valves, who were excluded in most trials, high-dose NOACs was as effective and safe for patients with valvular heart disease as for patients without valvular disorders.
Approach to preventive care in the elderly
31 Mar, 2017 | 18:57h | UTCApproach to preventive care in the elderly – Canadian Family Physician (free)
Erectile dysfunction in men exposed to the 5α-reductase inhibitors
30 Mar, 2017 | 17:25h | UTCSource: SciCombinator
Observational data suggests there might be a link.
Exposing peer review
30 Mar, 2017 | 17:22h | UTCExposing peer review – Research Information (free) (RT @Sab_Ra)
See also other recent commentaries on the peer review system
100 Objects That Shaped Public Health
30 Mar, 2017 | 17:32h | UTCVery interesting compilation with 100 objects that have made their mark on public health (for better or worse).
Thu, Mar 30 – Top 10 Medical News Stories
30 Mar, 2017 | 00:01h | UTC
Very interesting compilation with 100 objects that have made their mark on public health (for better or worse).
See also: WHO’s work on patient safety (free) AND WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge on Medication Safety (free) AND WHO Educational materials for medication safety (free)
Source: SciCombinator
Except for patients with moderate/severe mitral stenosis or mechanical heart valves, who were excluded in most trials, high-dose NOACs was as effective and safe for patients with valvular heart disease as for patients without valvular disorders.
Source: SciCombinator
Observational data suggests there might be a link.
6 – Prevention of everolimus-related stomatitis in women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer using dexamethasone mouthwash (SWISH): a single-arm, phase 2 trial – The Lancet Oncology (link to abstract – $ required for full-text)
See also: SWISH Four Times a Day to Keep Oral Mucositis Away – Medscape (free registration required)
This simple and inexpensive treatment resulted in a more than ten-times reduction in the incidence of grade 2 or higher stomatitis.
See also: Phase One Report (free)
U.S. Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis B and C.
8 – Five ways consortia can catalyse open science – Nature (free)
9 – Exposing peer review – Research Information (free) (RT @Sab_Ra)
See also other recent commentaries on the peer review system