This debate has been re-opened in the Lancet recently (Sharma, 2023). This is the basis for this blog. According to the World Obesity Federation, obesity is a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease. This view of obesity, however, is not without controversy. Pros and cons of BMI measurement The controversy of whether obesity is a […]
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What if there were a better way for technology to help patients without burning out clinicians? This has been debated in the NEJM recently (Singh et al, 2023). Clinicians’ digital work has drastically increased since COVID-19. For example, the number of messages from patients grew by 57% at the outset of the pandemic and […]
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A well thought through approach to suicide risk has been recently debated in the Lancet (Iqbal, 2023). The author comments that current suicide prediction measures are ineffective, although the assessment of suicide risk allows for a systematic approach. However, an approach called the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) Framework (and its guiding clinical […]
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The Lancet has recently debated the traditional approach to stroke prevention, which requires screening and stratification for risk of disease, is complex, expensive, and only modestly successful (Feigin et al, 2013). New strategies for primary and secondary prevention of stroke and cardiovascular disease, such as an effective polypill and/or aspirin, require further discussion, especially from […]
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Kaggwa et al (Lancet, 2023) has recently restarted the debate regarding Labia minora elongation (LME). This is a form of female genital mutilation (FGM) that involves the elongation of the inner lips of the female external genitalia or labia minora with the use of herbs (e.g. Solanum aculeastrum), oils, crèmes (e.g. cow-cheese), and other […]
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A team of scientists have developed a beating ‘mini-heart’ formed in a small petri dish. A team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has induced stem cells to emulate the development of the human heart. The study was headed by Dr Alessandra Moretti, Professor of Regenerative Medicine in Cardiovascular Disease, at the Technical […]
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Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) announced on 15th April that its new oral antibiotic to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI) in female adults and adolescents met the main goals in late-stage trials. The drug, Gepotidacin, in phase III trials, met its primary goals of being on a par or better than Nitrofurantoin, the current […]
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Earthquakes and attacks on healthcare facilities in northwest Syria have left 2.3 million women and girls without access to medical care, particularly sexual and reproductive healthcare, leading to the deaths of children and mothers, a report has found (Taylor L, 2023). Houssam al-Nahhas, researcher for the report by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), said, […]
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The antiviral medication Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) may reduce the chance of developing long COVID, researchers report. In a large study of veterans’ medical records, Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir lowered a person’s chance of hospitalisation or dying from all causes in the six months following a COVID-19 infection. And the drug reduced the risk of developing 10 of 13 […]
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One in eight Britons have paid for private health services in the last year, amid frustration with delays in getting NHS treatment and a growing willingness to buy care using salary or savings. New research by YouGov found that another 27% of people had considered going private, for themselves or a loved one, but […]
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