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 […]
Category: In the news
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, […]
Caring for a grandchild linked to lower risk of loneliness and social isolation
Active grandparents have larger social networks than those without this role Caring for a grandchild may be linked to a lower risk of loneliness and social isolation, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Active grandparents have larger social networks, which include people who are important to them, than those who don’t have this […]
25-fold surge in vitamin D supplement prescriptions for kids in UK primary care
Increasingly higher doses and no prior diagnostic blood test in large number of cases The number of vitamin D supplement prescriptions written for children in primary care in the UK has surged 25-fold in under 10 years, reveals an analysis of family doctor (GP) prescribing data, published in the online journal BMJ Open. Increasingly higher doses […]
Anorexia nervosa among young children in the UK and Ireland on the up
Figures suggest rate for 8-12 year olds is around double that of previous estimate in 2006 The annual number of new cases of anorexia nervosa among 8 to 12 year olds in the UK and Ireland is around double that of a previous estimate in 2006, indicates research published in the online journal BMJ Open. In […]