Suicidal thoughts/behaviours among under 18s up by 287%, and by 210% among 18-34 year olds ‘Diseases of despair’, such as substance abuse, alcohol dependency, and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, have soared in the US over the past decade, reveals an analysis of health insurance claims data published in the online journal BMJ Open. And they now […]
Category: In the news
Health benefits of multivitamins/mineral supplements may be all in the minds of users
No measurable clinical improvements between them and non-users, research suggests The health benefits of multivitamin/mineral supplements may be all in the minds of those who take them, prompted by positive expectations of effectiveness rather than hard evidence of that, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Multivitamin/mineral supplements are widely used, with some estimates […]
It is time to embrace cannabis for medicinal use, say experts
20 months after cannabis-based products for medicinal use were legalised in the UK, attitudes towards using them are still highly sceptical, say researchers Attitudes towards cannabis products for medicinal use need to change with much greater appropriate use of such products to help alleviate patients’ pain, suggests research published in the journal BMJ Open. Researchers found […]
Late childhood peer group status linked to heightened adult circulatory disease risk
Unpopular pre-teens at significantly higher risk of heart and blood vessel conditions Late childhood peer group status may be linked to a heightened risk of developing circulatory system disease—conditions that affect the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels–in later life, indicates research published in the online journal BMJ Open. 13-year olds who aren’t very […]
Antipsychotic prescriptions haven’t budged in 10+ years despite recommendations to curb use
And antidepressant prescriptions have risen sharply over the same period The number of antipsychotic drugs prescribed to patients with intellectual disabilities has hardly changed in over a decade despite official recommendations for clinicians to stop using them due to side effects, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. And there’s been a sharp rise […]
Optimal detection and treatment of cardiac risk could save millions of lives and billions of pounds
3.4 million cases of cardiovascular disease likely prevented and £68 bn saved, calculate researchers Nearly 3.5 million cases of heart disease and stroke could be prevented, and £68 billion saved in health and social care costs over a period of 25 years, if every adult in England at high risk of cardiovascular disease were diagnosed […]
Around 1 in 20 calls to NHS 111 helpline result in unnecessary emergency care visit
Despite advice to seek alternative options, such as the family doctor, local pharmacist, or self-care Around one in 20 calls made to the healthcare helpline NHS 111 result in unnecessary attendance at emergency care within 24 hours, despite callers having been advised to seek alternative forms of care, reveals an analysis published in the online […]
UK MPs with extra work roles may be nearly three times as likely to be ‘risky’ drinkers
Those with ‘probable’ mental health issues may also be at heightened risk, survey suggests UK parliamentarians with additional work roles may be nearly three times as likely to be ‘risky’ drinkers as MPs without these extra obligations, suggest the results of a small survey, published in the online journal BMJ Open. Those with ‘probable’ mental health […]
2016 US election result preceded fall in proportion of boys born in Canada
Sex ratio at birth fell in politically liberal areas, but not in conservative ones The 2016 US presidential election result, which brought Donald Trump to power, was associated with a temporary fall in the proportion of boys to girls born in Ontario, Canada’s most populated province, reveals research published in the online journal BMJ Open. This […]
Almost a third of UK doctors may be ‘burnt out’ and stressed, poll suggests.
Those in emergency medicine and general practice most at risk. Nearly one in three UK doctors may be ‘burnt out’ and stressed,’ suggests the results of an in-depth survey, published in the online journal BMJ Open. The findings indicate that doctors working in emergency medicine and general practice are the most at risk of exhaustion, stress, […]