As we draw ever closer to the end of 2025, let’s take a minute to look back at our top ten most read BMJ Open papers of October.
Since September, we have seen four new entries in our top ten most read list. At number four is a multi-national cohort study conducted by Mølgaard-Nielsen et al. This cohort utilised national and regional databases from four European countries to develop and compare algorithms that identify gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The authors also aimed to evaluate the impact of the algorithms on estimations of prevalence. Mølgaard-Nielsen et al. concluded that, depending on the database and the algorithms used, GDM prevalence ranged from 1.3% to 15.8%. Smaller differences in prevalence between algorithms were observed in the databases of Nordic countries, whereas larger differences were observed in the databases of other countries. In order to optimise GDM studies in the future, the authors recommend choosing algorithms based on study objectives and based on whether the study needs higher sensitivity or specificity.
The seventh most read paper in October is Lichtensztejn et al.’s protocol for a randomized controlled trial of singing training in non-musical people with Alzheimer’s disease. The aim is to measure the effect of learning new songs on cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Another protocol, by Mahdi et al., is new at number nine this month. The protocol describes a mixed-methods study that aims to evaluate the practices of child and youth mental health programmes in the management of nicotine vaping in Canada.
Lastly, at number ten this month is a cross sectional analysis by Kim et al. To assess the association between screen time and fast food consumption in Korean adolescents, Kim et al leveraged data from the 2017 Korean Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey. The authors observed that higher smartphone use was associated with more frequent fast foot intake compared to lower smartphone use.
| Rank* | Author(s) | Title |
| 1 | Kim et al. | Patient perception of physician attire: a systematic review update |
| 2 | Pradelli et al. | Healthcare professional perspective on barriers and facilitators of multidisciplinary team working in acute care setting: a systematic review and meta-synthesis |
| 3 | Lasater et al. | Are minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios needed in hospitals? An observational study in British Columbia, Canada |
| 4 | Mølgaard-Nielsen et al. | Identification of gestational diabetes mellitus in European electronic healthcare databases: insights from the ConcePTION project |
| 5 | Dib and Belrhiti. |
Unpacking the black box of interprofessional collaboration within healthcare networks: a scoping review
|
| 6 | Bellis et al. | Comparative relationships between physical and verbal abuse of children, life course mental well-being and trends in exposure: a multi-study secondary analysis of cross-sectional surveys in England and Wales |
| 7 | Lichtensztejn et al |
Memory for Music (M4M) protocol for an international randomised controlled trial: effects of individual intensive musical training based on singing in non-musicians with Alzheimer’s disease
|
| 8 | Badal et al | National yearly cost of breast cancer screening in the USA and projected cost of advocated guidelines: a simulation study with life table modelling |
| 9 | Mahdi et al. | Evaluating practices in the management of youth nicotine vaping in hospital-based child and youth mental health and addictions settings in Canada: protocol for a mixed-methods study |
| 10 | Kim et al. | Association between smartphone screen time and fast food intake among adolescents: a cross-sectional survey |
This text was written without any assistance from AI.